CHAPTER 59: CHAPTER 59

"Hey, how did your date go?" Rhea flinched at the sound of a voice. Tia came into view as she turned around, taking a seat at the dining table.

"Morning." Rhea replied, lifting the steaming cup of coffee in her hands bringing it to her lips.

"So, what happened last night? Because I know you came home late." Tia reached for a cup and poured herself some coffee. "Guess you two did dally around." She wiggled her brows, her head tilting from side to side.

Rhea chuckled, a laugh spilling past her lips. "Sadly, nothing happened. We just had a good time together."

It was insane, though, she thought.

At some point we ended up in the car kissing and kissing like we were trying to eat eachother up. But sadly nothing happened. I wanted to take it further because I wanted more, but he refused. He said no! What’s his problem this period? He keeps rejecting me.

Tia pointed a fingers at her, her eyes narrowing to a slit. "Ooohhhh, so someone wanted something to happen." She muttered throwing her brows at her, a wide grin on her face.

Rhea placed her hand on her lips, her cheeks and nose, burning red, smiling sheepishly.

"Never thought you had it in you to be a bad girl." Tia threw herself on the chair rest, a mischievous smile plastered on her face.

I never thought I had this side to me too. It surprise me how I react to him, how I think of him sometimes. I never felt like this with Zack... I was preserved. But with him, I want to explore. And I want him to do bad things to me. I think I was born naughty and I just discovered it.

"Anyway, since it’s the weekend want to go out?" Rhea asked, striding into the kitchen.

**

At a far distance at Zeenare’s estate.

"Master, the queen, your mother is not at Ockonayia," Othimise informed.

Zeenare lifted his head up from his work, informing him to go on.

"She’s at Lexicon." He added.

"Lexicon? What is she doing in Lexicon?" The question was more to himself than at Othimise.

"Should I send out a letter, informing them of your coming?" Othimise asked softly.

"There is no need."

He reached for his jacket hanging on the stand. "Othimise, handle the island while I’m gone. If anything out of the ordinary happens, you know what to do." He instructed before stalking out of the study.

Why would she be at Lexicon? She rarely goes there. Well it’s not bad, it will rid me of the stress of going to Ockonayia.

Zeenare strode down the hallway, heading for the courtyard.

As he stepped onto the courtyard, his wings erupted, bolting into the sky in seconds.

Zeenare crossed the threshold as the sky castle city above the ocean revealed itself. The barrier swallowed him in brown clouds, as it shimmering light enveloped him.

It has been a long time since I was here, he thought as he landed gracefully.

"Who is there?" A guard demanded at the top of his lungs, several guards launching towards Zeenare. "Who dare intrude into the Ocarina Palace of Lexicon?"

They all charged at Zeenare, their weapons raised.

"Is this how you protect my family?" Zeenare rasped, stroding toward the guard who appeared to be the highest-ranking among them, judging by his uniform. His steps were slow, measured, with deliberation. His eyes devoured the man like a predator cornering a prey. "And my people," he growled.

The guard’s gaze swept over Zeenare, sensing the majestic aura he exuded.

"LOWER YOUR WEAPONS!" He shouted in realisation, dropping to his knees, "Mogxecheni Your Majextry." He greeted hurriedly, sweat profusely dripping down his face..

The others, withdrew their weapons, and fell on their knees as well.

"How Ocarina has fallen. What would you have done if I were an enemy?" Zeenare questioned, his fury burning within his eyes.

"What is all this commotion about?" A strained voice drifted through the air from within the castle. Like the ocean’s tide and wind, it carried both authority and kindness within it. It was ancient and at the same time youthful.

"THE YOUNG ALPHA TIDE, ZEENARE DAMVILAMOZ, HAS ARRIVED." The announcer voice cut through the silent halls.

The door flew open as a youthful elderly woman, with pure white hair, lashes and brows, decorating her unearthly angelic face, dashed out the door, straight into Zeenare’s arms.

"Oh my baby." She said kissing every inch of his face.

The once murderous air was painted to a warm atmosphere, by the presence of his mother.

"Alpha Queen," Zeenare greeted, dropping to his knees.

"You unfilial son." She smacked him across the shoulders hard, her beautiful face contourted into a frown. "Who are you being formal with? Hmph!" She tilted her head away from him.

"Oh mother, I’m sorry." Zeenare jumped to his feet, trying to coax her with a hug. A childish smile spreading across his face.

"Don’t touch me, you ungrateful brat." Folding her arms, she strode toward the entrance, leaving Zeenare tagging along beside her like a mother dog with her pup.

"Why wasn’t I informed of your arrival?" She asked as they made their way toward a chamber at the far end of the hallway.

"Because I wanted to surprise you." Zeenare replied, coolly.

"Surprise me? I’d rather you didn’t. I’m still dealing with the surprise from three hundred years ago."

As she got inside, she picked up a bottle, placed it in a drawer and dismissed the assisting maids.

"So, to what do we owe the honor of your esteemed visit to Lexicon?" She sat down, her eyes sharp and questioning.

"Xozo told me about the gem," he began.

"I see. Of course you are here because of the curse. As expected."

Zeenare avoided her gaze, wearing a guilty smile.

Must she always remind me of not visiting these past years? He thought.

"You said it was glowing stronger than before. And I was wondering what it has to do with the curse. And what this gem is."

"All you need to know now is to be cautious of your surroundings. Many things will start to unfold moving forward." She informed.

Why is she talking in mystery? Is it something that cannot be spoken aloud?

"Mother, why are you so guarded with this information?" Zeenare let out a sigh, his fist on his chin.

"There are things that are not supposed to be spoken out loud, unless you want your enemies to catch wind of it. And if they do, whatever they choose to use the information for would be quick." She picked up a steaming teacup smoke curling upwards, veiling the content inside.

His eyes not leaving his mother. His mind munching on his brain.

And what could that be? Asking her again, won’t make her give me an answer and I hate staying in the dark.

Then he asked, leaning in the chair. "What do you know about the rune crest of the three Solar Lights?"

"What kind of a stupid question is that? Do I look like a Sirelings to you?" She spat shoting him a glare.

Zeenare scoffed, a small smile on his face. "Alright sorry, wrong question." He hesitated, weighing the gravity of his next words.

"What do you know about a human possessing the three Solar Stars?" He dropped the question like a bomb.

Her eyes snapped to his face, her tone sharpening as she set the cup down. "What do you mean by that?"

"Mother? Can a human mutate into a Siren?" He rephrase his question.

"No! Not even a half Siren can do that, it’s not like a half-brid has ever been made before in the first place."

That’s the same thing I have been thinking. Rhea isn’t a hydrid. Even if my essence is inside her she cannot mutate to the extent of shape-shifting.

"And where are these questions coming from?" She asked sharply.

"Nowhere, I was just wondering if I can change Rhea into a Siren."

It’s better to tell a half truth. If she is in support, I would tell her more, since she is stronger than me, at sorcery. But if she oppose I just brush it off as wishful thinking.

With a blank stare, she asked. "That human girl?" Her voice as soft, too soft you could feel no emotion in it.

With a hum, Zeenare continued. "Some weeks ago, I injected half of my essence inside her."

His mother jaw flexed, as something flashed in her eyes and quickly vanished.

"And now, I think she is going to die quicker than before."

"Um." Was what she responded with.

"I can’t sleep with her because of that pool of the unstable essence circulating her core."

"And why is that?" She asked absentmindedly, stirring the cup of tea in her hand.

"Because she would shatter the moment another of my essence entered her, and I don’t know when the curse will act up again." He concluded.

"And you think I have a solution for that?" Her tone turned icy. "Let me inform you of something, son. The very idea of you giving away your essence disgusts me. And the fact that you came to me looking for a solution for that thing, at the risk of your life, fuels my fury." The cup beside her cracked, then shattered.

Zeenare swallowed hard as his eyes flicked to the broken cup, his skin prickled with cold.

I’m glad I didn’t mention the actual situation outright. When the gem was brought up, I thought it had something to do with her changes, but I guess it doesn’t.

"I may be quiet toward you and her, but that doesn’t mean I support you. It is only because, you are truly happy with her. And besides, these shenanigans your were spouting, there is nothing that can be done about her. She will have to bear what is coming this time."

And I should sit and watch her suffer? Shit! Damn it! This is my fault! Why did I do it? But if I hadn’t, she would still be sleeping. What was I supposed to do—just watch her waste away? I couldn’t bring myself to do that. Yet because of me, she’s in this... predicament.

Zeenare dragged his fingers over his face, raking his hair back.

Then he asked, "Mother, what would you do If you get to find a human, who possesses the mark of an Alpha queen and shows signs of shifting?"

"I would Kill it?" She answered even before the question landed.