Forest dismissed me with a wave of his hand, nodding at the guard to continue as if I hadn’t just spoken.
The guard glanced between us apprehensively. “Of course, sir. Follow me.” He led us inside, through the pristine foyer, and then to the back of the mansion. Kinetics milled around, their gear on as if readying for an attack at any moment.
I trailed behind Forest and the guard out onto the back porch of the house. An expansive wrap-around porch overlooked the dead city below. The scent of smoking meat tingled my nose. I found a smokeroff to the edge of the porch, cooking an animal they had hunted. How had they gotten so lucky? Animals had become a rarity since I’d blasted out the power grids. When the world collapsed, the remaining humans had nearly hunted the local wildlife into near extinction. Desperation drove most to overhunt, especially the speakeasies and scorses.
I scanned the area, pinpointing the Kinetics surrounding us. Their varying hair colors and currents were a shock to the eyes. I couldn’t imagine a mere human setting foot in a Kinetic stronghold. A chuckle slipped free at the thought; surely they’d succumb to the overstimulation.
Notably, I didn’t sense Gray’s presence nearby, neither her energy or through the bond.
The guard who’d guided us outside leaned in to Forest. “I’ve sent for Royal. She’ll be right with us, sir.”
“Very well,” Forest responded as we waited.
Upon realizing who we were, the Kinetics socializing around us shifted awkwardly. The chatter began to quieten. Some bowed, while others looked around as if unsure what to do.
“We thought you were dead!” someone cried out.
“So, you deserted us, then?” Clearly, the jibe was aimed at their king.
I worked to hide my smugness, lacing my arms together as I looked at him expectantly for his response.
If Forest was uncomfortable, he didn’t show it. Standing as tall and proud as ever, he cleared his throat and pushed his chest out just a bit more. “My people, I have not abandoned you. The Royal Domain was destroyed, so I was forced to seek refuge. Currently, I’m in Arcadia, where I still work on your behalf to ensure that Kinetics eliminate the incessant threat of the Elementals.”
“Is that Chrome Freyr? I thought he was dead, too!” someone shouted from the crowd.
Forest looked at me, but no, this was all his mess; he could settle it. “It is indeed Chrome. Come to findout, he never actually died,” he said, shooting me an accusing glare. “Instead, he became something so much more. And he’s on our side.”
I inwardly cringed. I wouldn’t exactly say that I was on their side, because I couldn’t give two shits about what happened to the Kinetics, but Forest needed to quell what felt like the beginning of an uprising at our presence.
The guard who led us inside spoke up from the bottom of the porch stairs. “Here’s Royal, Your Majesty!”
I narrowed my eyes, remembering Royal from all those years ago. She had been…something else. I realized I must’ve missed quite a bit during my absence from the Kinetic Palace if Forest had gotten close to her.
My suspicion rose, wondering what Royal and the Charleston Domain had to do with Gray. When I left the King’s Palace, she had been nothing more than an annoying girl who played twisted games with Onyx’s head. But there had always been a taste of spite in her aura, a dangerous level of ambition. Whatever action she took, there was always an ulterior motive behind it.
As I watched her head weave through the crowd as she ascended the stairs, I wondered if she had ever truly been interested in Onyx at all, or if it had been her way of trying to infiltrate our insurgency team. How naive I had been to think we would’ve succeeded.
There were a few notable differences in Royal’s appearance since the last time I’d seen her. Instead of long cerulean hair, she now donned a short bob.
Royal bowed upon seeing Forest. “Your Majesty,” she greeted blandly. “What a surprise to see you.”
Forest scrutinized her for several moments, his jaw ticking as he assessed Royal’s demeanor. I assumed her reaction wasn’t to his liking. “There has been quite a turn of events as of late.”
Royal nodded. “I assumed as much, considering you couldn’t even come to lead your people when we all assumed you were dead. We’ve been at war to avenge your death. But nice to know you’re alive and well while we die on your behalf.”
I chuckled, unable to help myself. The irony that Forest came here believing that everyone would be ecstatic to see him, only to discover the opposite, was something I thought I’d never see.
Forest shot me a death glare, but I shrugged it off.
“It’s,” Forest drawled out, trying to find his words, “complicated.”
“I see. Well, how can I help you?” she spat, hurt flashing in her eyes. I remembered that petty tone from when she was with Onyx.
“There are bigger things at play than the war between Kinetics and Elementals. But if you join my side, you’ll all be spared and gifted peace.”
Royal chewed on her cheek, narrowing her eyes as she seemed to mull it over. “How do I know that you won’t abandon us again?”
“My dear child, I never abandoned you. Just needed to figure out this new landscape we live in. The situation is complex. And if you join me, I’ll explain it all to you.” Forest’s words were smooth and assuring, but firm.
