Violet Path (30 page)
Maxime sighed, gently kissed my forehead, and walked off. I was left alone with David’s grim glare of death.
“I told you to stay away from him,” David pronounced before turning away. I waited a couple of minutes before following, still drugged by Maxime.
As we saddled our horses, Anton came up and stroked Storm softly, admiring her strength and grace. “She’s beautiful,” he commented. He paused, then said, “Alex, why are your eyes purple?”
I laughed as I answered, “Why do Andrew’s eyes change color?” I quickly regretted my words. I didn’t know if anyone else had noticed or had been close enough to him to have seen the changes in color.
“His eyes are green,” Anton said with confusion.
“Sometimes they’re blue,” I corrected him proudly, feeling as if that color belonged to me alone.
“No, they’re not. The only person I know to have violet eyes is Matthew from the Community.” Anton stared at me, as if he was accusing me of something. I hated Matthew, but I hated even more being associated with him.
The threat resonated in my mind, bouncing off every corner of my skull. I wasn’t sure if he was accusing me of being from Tamizeh, or if he was dangerously close to figuring out my masquerade.
Anton spoke, “I’m sorry if I reminded you of your parents. Andrew told me you lost them when you were much younger. I’m sure you look just like them. Please forgive me. I’m just curious.” He inclined his head apologetically.
“That’s all right,” I muttered and swung onto Storm’s back with my armor in a bag tied to the saddle.
“Line up!” Maxime shouted, and Anton quickly took off. We got into our groups. I helped Ryan onto the back of my horse while Nick trotted up to us. Maxime rode in front of us.
The ride was long and cold, but Ryan kept us alive by getting us to sing carols. I was excited to finally go to Maria to see real civilization with true technology. I had heard about its splendor with tall buildings, farms, and downtown entertainment. I wanted to talk to girls and see people walking down streets, kids riding to school, and actual facilities where people worked and conversed casually, normally. I could see lights ahead as the sun went down. Maria wasn’t far off.
We passed a few farms, then houses, followed by roads, and as we drew nearer to the heart of the city, buildings rose from the earth. People gathered to greet us as we rode down the largest street, straight into the crowd. Lights reverberated from every angle, and hovering cars streamed above and around us. Glass buildings sparkled, magnetic hover-boards glistened as they caught the streetlights, and teleportation stations flickered when people appeared and disappeared every couple of minutes. The massive, elevated highways perched over our heads. We passed a few parks with magnificent, green trees surrounded by marble sculptures of past heroes. Fog started to settle as we approached the lake bordered by hundreds of tables, huge fires, colossal stereos, and the temporary buildings for The Shadows’s soldiers to spend the night if they didn’t have family support.
A young boy with bouncy, black curls ran up to Nick’s horse. Nick immediately jumped off and lifted the boy, then kissed his forehead as tears filled his eyes. More children and wives raced to their soldiers, their heroes, their family. Ryan jumped off Storm to join his friends. I was the only one who wasn’t personally welcomed, but I smiled. Everyone was glowing as hearts mended, tears were shed, and embraces comforted. For a moment, the world was at peace.
We dismounted, and I went to find Maxime. He was standing alone in a corner, smiling, as he watched families come together. Then I froze, my heart sinking. A beautiful, red-haired, blue-eyed, well-curved girl ran into his arms and kissed his cheek. I choked, unable to breathe.
“I’m so glad you’re all right.” Her voice was almost sultry accompanied by a perfect smile.
“You’re looking better than ever.” Maxime held her inches away and looked at her as if intrigued.
The girl turned to face me. I wanted to vanish as the blood drained from my face.
“Isn’t he kind of young?” the girl asked.
“This is Alex,” Maxime said. “He’s sixteen, but the best soldier by far.” A dagger pierced my stomach. “This is Sarah, David’s sister.” The strangulation was alleviated, and I gasped for air.
“Mind if I see what he’s made of?” Sarah asked.
“I don’t, but ask him.” Maxime looked at me. “Sarah is better at everything than all soldiers. She beats David up all the time, so be careful.”
I nodded, unable to speak, then followed Sarah to a short building. She turned on the lights as we walked into a gym. It held every sport and weaponry possible.
“So what’s your real name?” she asked.
“What do you mean?” I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t trust her, or really know if I was reading the question correctly. “Alexander,” I quickly added, hoping that it would satisfy her curiosity.
“Come on; please cut the act. It’s obvious you’re a girl so . . . what’s your real name?”
I froze, unable to utter a word. Then I said, “It’s obvious? How did you know?”
“I’ve known Andrew for a long time, and I’ve never seen his eyes turn such a light, pure blue and so quickly. What’s your name? Relax, I won’t tell anyone. If he trusts you, so do I. I promise.”
“Alexia,” I stated, realizing that she was as stubborn as her brother. Part of my burden was lifted, and I became attracted to the idea of sharing my story with her, another girl. Also, she knew Maxime and that meant that maybe she could understand the entire situation. But I remained quiet, simply because I didn’t know her.
“Well, Alexia, what’s your choice of weapon? Sword? Laser?” Sarah ran her finger along a long, silver blade that lay on a rack with a dozen others.
“None.” Maxime startled us as he pushed through the heavy doors.
“How long have you been here?” Sarah asked.
“Just walked in. Why?” he said with a smile.
“No reason,” she lied.
“When were you planning on telling me about your ring?” Maxime asked as he pointed to a white gold band wrapped around her delicate finger. She looked at it before answering, as if embarrassed or reluctant on sharing her story.
“I’m engaged,” she smiled sweetly and her eyes lit up.
“With whom?” His cheerful voice flew around us.
“Chris.”
“Congratulations. Did you tell David yet?”
“No. You know he’s going to pester Chris as soon as I tell him.”
“Just imagine his reaction if he finds out through someone else.”
“I’ll tell him; I promise, but then you have to keep an eye on him so he doesn’t overreact.”
“Sarah!” David walked in. Sarah looked at her ring and twirled it around her finger.
“Maybe you’ll test Alex another time,” Maxime stated. And with that, Maxime and I made our way to the festival.
Music was playing, and people were dancing. I sat by John and Mike. Nick joined us to introduce his wife to me. Azula had bronze hair with dazzling, amber eyes. Her crooked smile was motherly, and she laughed lightly with all of her soul. She and Nick looked at each other in a way that defined love.
“You are a very handsome young man,” she told me, and I did my best not to laugh, but felt myself blush.
“Nick, Alex, I need to talk to the two of you,” Maxime said. We followed him into the woods. It started snowing again, the white flakes veiling the night. We stopped considerably far from the party, but could still hear the music resonating in the background.
“Nick, choose seven from your group to go hunting tomorrow morning. I’m sorry to ruin your night, but it is your turn,” Maxime said.
“Sir, nothing could ruin this night.” Nick smiled wholeheartedly.
“Please don’t call me that.”
“Sorry, Andrew. You also need to enjoy the celebration. You haven’t even danced with Anais tonight.”
“The concern is much appreciated, but I am enjoying myself more than ever. Thanks. Dismissed.”
Nick nodded and left. Immediately, Maxime turned to face me. “May I have this dance?” He offered me his hand with a smile and beautiful eyes. I placed my hand in his warm palm, smiling from ear to ear.
Maxime twirled me into him. He placed his right hand on my lower back and led me through my dream. I couldn’t stop gazing into his eyes as we danced. Snowflakes accumulated around our feet. His warm hands comforted me as we turned and flew between trees. My heart was soaring. I had left Earth and gone to Heaven. My foot hit a root, and I tumbled back, but Maxime caught my fall with one hand supporting my back and the other cradling my neck. He helped me up and leaned me against a tree. My back was pressed against the trunk, and he planted his hands above my shoulders. I was protected.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered, then kissed my neck. His lips were inviting, warm, and smooth. “I love you.”
My world came crashing down. Those three words. I couldn’t speak. I kept my eyes closed and absorbed his gentle touch. I loved him more than he could ever imagine.
“Please say something,” Maxime said.
“Merry Christmas. I love you too. I’m yours,” I told him.
He slid his arms across my back and pulled me into his embrace. I ran my hand through his thick curls as he kissed my neck. I wanted to stay there with him forever.
Maria’s Christmas celebration was the biggest feast I had ever been to. A huge crowd gathered around twenty tables. Maxime had to sit at a separate table with the leaders of Maria and Anton. I felt torn when I joined Sam and Angie, the girl he had asked to dance. All I wanted was to be near Maxime.
A young lady, Nicole, sat beside me, and we casually conversed. She was really sweet, and I imagined us hanging out together if circumstances were different. I suddenly felt sad and longed for some normalcy. I wished I could just be myself. Playing a part was tiring.
Nicole was telling me about her love of art, and how she couldn’t wait to drop everything and paint. I smiled. And part of me felt sad—I had never had a hobby. Maxime was the only thing that I loved in this world.
As Nicole and I chatted, a man emerged from the crowd and stormed toward us. Before I could react, he pushed me, and I fell off my chair.
“That’s my wife, kid!” he yelled, then punched me in the jaw. I jumped back, trying to regain my senses, but landed hard against a metal table. My elbow screamed as blood rushed down my forearm.
“Tom, stop!” Nicole yelled.
Everyone fell silent.
Tom tried to strike me again, but I jumped aside. He attempted a kick, but was far off and lost his balance. I caught his arm, twisted it back, and forced him to his knees. I didn’t want to hurt him, but I needed to end the fight.Two soldiers grabbed us and pulled us apart. They looked at me for an explanation, but I didn’t have one.
Anton, David, Maxime, and the other leaders surrounded us. They started demanding excuses of any sort for having disrupted the peace, but I couldn’t look anyone in the eye. I wanted to vanish. Not only had I embarrassed myself, but also Maxime, and that hurt even more. Tom started to speak, but I ignored him. I just wanted to disappear, but over a thousand eyes kept me glued to my spot. Maxime took me by the arm and called for Megan to follow us.
We walked to some apartments, up two flights of stairs, and entered the third room on our left. “This is your room for the night,” Maxime stated neutrally. He told me to sit on the bed. Megan knelt by my side to treat my bleeding elbow.
“It’s a small fracture and a deep slash. I can treat it, but it’s going to hurt a bit,” Megan said.
Tears of anger blurred my vision. It was my first broken bone, and to have received it from a stupid fight during a Christmas dinner just made it worse. Megan touched my elbow, and I bit my lip as darting pain shot up my spine. I waited for Maxime to scold me, but nothing came.
“Aren’t you going to say something?” I couldn’t take the tension that was building.
“What am I supposed to say? Tom is drunk. It wasn’t your fault. All you did was defend yourself. What would you like me to say?” Maxime was sincere, but there was a dash of irritation in his voice.
“I don’t know.” I turned to look away. “I’m sorry.”
“No need to apologize. Just be careful.”
Someone knocked, and Maxime answered the door. “It’s David and Anton. I’ll be right back,” Maxime said, then closed the door behind him. I leaned over, straining to hear what they were saying.
“What is it?” Maxime’s melodic voice had faded to worry and discomfort.
“I’m sorry, but you know the traditions better than I do,” Anton said.
“What?” Maxime screamed. “That’s absurd! Alex didn’t do anything. Tom is drunk!”
“The rules still apply. I’m truly sorry.”
“What was the choice? The challenge?” Maxime asked.
“Fifteen cuts,” David said.
“That’s ridiculous! Three is already overkill. This shouldn’t even be happening.”
“I’m sorry, Andrew,” Anton said.
“I’m taking his place,” announced Maxime.
“Are you sure?” David asked.
“What’s fifteen cuts?” I frantically asked Megan. “What’s going on?”
Megan looked at me, her eyes wide with fear. “Tom must have decided to challenge you. Fifteen cuts is the challenge. It’s a sadistic fight. The first to cut the other fifteen times with a sword wins, but the blade is programmed to shorten after every wound so that the fight gradually becomes harder. Stabbing and slicing limbs off is not allowed. Other than that, there are no rules. It’s normally played to three wounds. You shouldn’t worry. Andrew has never lost or really hurt anyone. He’s taken others’ places before as well.”
I wanted to scream. What a barbaric tradition, and over something so stupid! And for Maxime to take my place? I started to squirm, but Megan pushed me down.
“You need to stay still,” she said.
“Why didn’t you let me object? It’s not Andrew’s fight! He’s going to get hurt!” I screamed. I didn’t care if he had survived the challenge before; I was completely against him taking my place.
“He has more experience than you do, and you’re already injured. Please, sit back down and let me finish taking care of your arm.”
I started to cry. Everything I touched turned into a disaster.