Page 5 of Royal Havoc

My tired eyes fall to the ground, taking in everything he’s said. Sorrow floods me for him. This man -Mom’s lawyer- has done more for me over the years than the sperm sack she married. Nolan’s gotten me out of a few sticky situations. All because he was Mom’s dirty secret.

He’s the reason I haven’t lostallof my sanity.

I slip from the counter, done with this talk. None of what he’s said matters. I’ve been sentenced to three months in hell with no chance of early release.

“Onyx,” he calls to my back, causing me to pause, waiting to hear what he has to say. “Vexen will be waiting —”

“Fuck Vexen,” I growl, leaving before he can say anything else.

Let the games begin.

two

Funeral

Onyx: 2024

Raindrops tap, landing on the dried leaves hanging from the trees. The white noise helps to settle the chattering inside my head. I take Nolan’s offered hand as the wind blows my long, dark curls, obstructing my vision.

I pause, surveying the backdrop to a scene that broke a piece of me years ago. “This place seemed bigger when I was a kid,” I tell him.

Tugging on my hand. “We need to go. They’re waiting on us,” he reminds me, urging me to move.

Our steps scrape over the cheap green rug covering the uneven ground, ushering us through the rows of weathered granite and marble - the sound grating on my frayed nerves.

At the top of the little hill, I notice the pop-up canopy sheltering the crowd huddling together in the distance. Unfamiliar eyes watch our steps, casting their opinions into the void to be discussed later in hushed voices among strangers.

I notice two metal folding chairs covered with black fuzzy seat covers waiting for us beside…him. Nolan notices me tense and quickly steps around me to fill the seat between us, acting as a buffer.

I find the preacher watching us settle uncomfortably into our saved spots. He offers a weak smile before stepping behind the rose-gold casket covered in purple tulips -both her favorites.

Within seconds, he thanks everyone for joining us and begins reciting the “Lord's Prayer.” Hushed voices float on the wind surrounding us as they join in, whispering along.

A sensation scratches at my skin as I desperately try to avoid what’s in front of me. I allow my tired eyes to roam over strange faces, freely studying the crowd around us. Silver eyes capture mine, wrapping me in the sticky web he’s weaved. His head tilts, and it’s as though he’s searching for answers without questions.

A man coughs, dousing our connection like water on a flame, severing his hold on me. I blink rapidly, remembering the reality I’ve forced myself to avoid, submerging my lungs until I flounder to take in air.

Anxiety awakens, filling my pores until static crackles over my skin, igniting the tingling I fear the most. My eyes fall to the ground as I work to calm the chaos swarming inside me. Reality fades, and I’m hypnotized by the darkness hovering below her casket. The dark hole sitting, waiting to take her away from me forever.

I’m lost, spiraling towards nothing and everything all at once. Fear of the panic attack hovering close, waiting to consume me until I’m lost in my own head. Chills cascade down my spine,instinct kicking in, screaming at me to search for shadows hidden in the trees.

Time lapses without me knowing as strangers begin to pass, whispering their condolences. But I’m too lost in my own version of insanity to care. Tears produced from the fear entwine with panic, distorting the purple blobs that appear under my hanging head, making them unrecognizable. I rush to blink, swiping at my tear-streaked cheeks, finally able to focus on the tulips.

Without looking, I know it’s him, silver eyes cast over me. Refusing to meet his stare, I train my eyes on his hand and begin tracing the black-intricate ink between his first finger and thumb.

Does that mean…

“Onyx,” Nolan whispers, drawing my attention.

I’m met by dark, worried eyes, nodding at me to take the offered gift from the intruder I know has stolen them from her casket. We share a brief moment before I give in and acknowledge the one standing in front of me. Although, I still refuse to meet his eyes.

His hand flexes impatiently around the stems as I reach to accept his stolen gift. From thin air, a woman’s hand appears, resting on his lower back, provoking an odd emotion I can’t place to stir inside me.

“We were so sorry to hear about your loss,” she whispers sincerely as she forces him to move.

My inquiring mind wins, causing me to give in to my craving as I turn to get one last sneak peek of him. Unfortunately, I’m too slow, and they’ve already disappeared into the crowd.

“It’s time for us to say our goodbyes,” Nolan tells me softly.

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