The King And His Goddess Of War

Chapter 6: Butterflies

Since Tyson was injured- even though he didn't fight s**t -he had to stay in the infirmary. He claimed a hauling creature beside him had stepped on his leg, but honestly, knowing him, I think he just tripped and fell on his own clumsy feet. 

Zuka claimed Colby was busy dealing with some of his soldiers' friends, so he and I hung out for the rest of the day. Nobody was at dinner besides him and I 'cause apparently they went to their villages afterwards to check up on them. Well, there's just me and Zuka. 

"So, Mister Serious, why do you eat lunch with the soldiers rather than your parents?" I ask, eating my lunch in the beanbag beside his. "I mean, the royals get luxury food and I hear from the maids that it's the best and finest that the cooks can make. So, why get our normal food?"

"I would rather not be around my parents," he said, shrugging. "They like to take me to boring meetings and tell me that I need to assume responsibility, but I work like hell to know my people instead of the politics that my parents feed me."

"You like to know the truth?" I say, taking another bite of my turkey sandwich.

"Of course," he replied smoothly. "My parents don't always tell the truth. They tell me what they think is right to tell me. The advantages of hanging out with the soldiers is that I get the truth of the people all the time. I get to know the people from different villages, the customs by sitting at their dinner tables, and I make some new friends along the way."

"Well, you have a pretty good friend here," I pointed to myself, "to help you learn the truth."

His eyes became full for a second when I said that before going back to normal. It made me concerned, but I knew better than to press it. "So, Tyson. How long have you known him?"

"I've known that he existed since I was ten- first day of the Academy -but I became friends with him when I was thirteen or fourteen. Before him, all I had were enemies," I explain, taking a sip of my newly made mango smoothie. Thankfully, Zuka didn't try to take it this time. 

"Enemies?"

"You know, like the one I fought yesterday," I explained. "Not many people found me approachable because of my power to bring pain or my claimed goddess. Not many besides Tyson decided to look past that and actually like me for the person I am." 

Zuka stared at me, understanding in his eyes. His muscles flexed in a way that I haven't seen before when he put down his plate onto the floor and took my smoothie and placed it on the floor.

"Zuka, don't you dare drink that. I just made it and-"

Suddenly Zuka pulled me over to him, embracing me in his arms tightly, enveloping me in his warmth. His chin rested on top of my head while his arms were around me, pressing me closer to him. My face rested on the base of his neck and my legs were around his waist, my arms circling around his torso. He pet my hair as we just sat there, enjoying each other's company. After a long while, Zuka spoke. "I promise I will never be scared of you," he whispered, rubbing my arms and my back. 

That was the best thing he could've said. 

No one- not even Tyson -has ever told me they would never be scared of me. With Tyson, I knew if he did say that, he wouldn't be able to keep that promise. He always had that fear in his eyes when he saw my power, and sometimes he would look away when we trained on the creatures in the Academy. I didn't know Colby well enough, but when he saw my presentation, he took after his mother, showing horror and fear with his admiration. 

True, I haven't known Zuka for a long time, but I felt that we had an emotional connection or understanding with each other. We were both outcasts in different ways, but to me, right now it was all the same. Women found Zuka to be attractive, but would choose Colby over Zuka any day. His parents forced him to do things that weren't him and he was a mystery to the kingdom because he was trying to get to know people. 

I was just a loner. No adoring crowds for what I do, just people scared of what I could do. Scared that I was more powerful than even Zuka, or General. They avoided me because of the crest on my shoulder and the stories they heard about me. 

I felt like he understood each other perfectly. 

As he held me, I felt wanted once again like when I was with my mother. 

I honestly felt happy.

"What's going on?" 

I jolted away from Zuka, my butt landing on the ground harshly. I got off the floor and sat in the beanbag chair quickly, giving an awkward smile. My eyes darted to the person in the doorway, their eyes wild with confusion. Colby was standing there, giving his brother the ‘f**k you’ face. 

Zuka held his hands up in defense and pointed to me while I pointed at him. We were blaming each other for the situation. Colby just stormed over and glared at Zuka. "What the hell are you thinking? Telling me you weren't getting close but then I found you comforting her in a hug? What happened to the brother's code?"

I stay silent, letting the brothers battle things out on their own. Besides, it's a live reality TV show right before me. Colby touched my shoulder and Zuka glared at Colby. "What are you getting at?"

"Getting possessive, are you?" Colby said, his gaze icy and his words cold. "Over Arianna, a girl you know I wanted! And girl that I had eyes on since day one!" I stand abruptly, keeping my distance from the war. Zuka stood and faced his brother, thankfully keeping me out of this. He sighed and his walls fell. "You just want everything I have, Zuka! Including my feelings for Arianna!"

"How much time have you spent with Arianna? Have you confided in her comfort? Has she confided in yours? Did you save her from one of the soldiers that was about to slice off her hand? Did you go out into war with her and watched as she beat up every monster in her path? Did you walk with her back to the castle? No. Stop acting like you know her," Zuka said, his hair tousled from when he ran his hand through it.

"Have you sent her a smile? Maybe a glance?" Colby asked.

"Colby..." I start. They both turn their eyes to me, their expressions softening immediately. "Please, don't be mad. You're a good friend and all, but I honestly couldn't think of you any more than that. One of the best friends I have ever had."

Colby just nodded and left, leaving me and Zuka again. Silence.

Minutes passed before anyone spoke.

"Sorry," Zuka mutters, grabbing ahold of my hand. His hand was warm and had a feeling of comfort I had never experienced before. "You shouldn't have seen that." He spoke in a soft tone that I had never heard come from his mouth and wanted to hear more of. It was smooth and pleasant to hear. "Maybe I should go talk to him."

I nodded. He grasped my arms at the elbow, looking into my eyes like he always did, making my heart flutter like every time before. I could have stared into his eyes that way all day, but instead, something inside me urged me to do something. Standing here didn't appease my soul.

So, I moved my hands up onto each side of his face, just on the jawline, and pulled him towards me, placing my lips onto his cheek. I move away quickly, out of his reach. I look back once and I see him touch the spot where my lips came in contact with his skin. He was staring at me in shock, but something in his eyes shone with joy. "I'll see you later, Prince Zuka," I said quickly before slipping back to my room.