Poisonous Dream (The Starlight Gods Series Book 5) by Yumoyori Wilson (25)

~MAKOTO~

"EliaseAnne. I'm just going to the garden. I've been there all week. I know how to go through the maze with my eyes closed and I have Nightmare. I don't need you coming with me. You need to finish planning for the knight duty. You guys promised Kade you'd have your schedules sorted, yet you guys spent all night playing that stupid block game," I huffed.

"It's JENGA. I wasn't going to let Ryuu beat me! He would have that big ass smug smile on his lips and ugh. It's too frustrating to lose," Eli replied, her hand ruffling her blonde curls.

I raised an eyebrow at her as I took a moment to appreciate her knightly gear. Their attire was similar to what we'd worn at the competition, minus the cape and extra armor. Since my knights were all from royal backgrounds, their knight gear was specialized to their designated colors that they were obsessed with and their badges had a specific number, which represented their birth realm.

The others were already headed to the meeting room, EliaseAnne returning to get a hair tie and ensure I stayed indoors. It was ridiculous.

I had my own royalty mark and though my magic wasn't at one hundred percent, I was strong enough to defend myself. No more surprise backstabs and attempted arrows to my chest. Plus, Nightmare would be with me.

I glanced down at my familiar who was cuddled in my lap as I sat on the bed. I gently stroked her hair, her soft purrs rewarded me.

"I'll be fine for two hours. Mother said Xavier would be home any minute. I'm gonna surprise him when he arrives," I announced happily.

I remembered he didn't like surprises in the past, but Kade thought it would be a good way to break the ice with him. I remembered it was harder to break down his walls and get his true feelings out, but he'd clearly recognize me and be pleased to finally see me after all these cycles.

I was pumped to finally be reunited with my entire family and move forward, leaving the past in the past. I knew we'd have to face Blair Aspen eventually and that would involve Jeffrey and anyone else who were on their side, but at least we'd have time to grow and strengthen ourselves.

We'd also started our realm search for star knight number six; EliaseAnne suggesting we start with Earthala and Distala since they were closest and Eli was close to Marcus' sister.

I was excited to get to meet her, Marcus revealing her existence when we were down on Earthala and how she'd be sworn in very shortly, her birthday only two weeks away.

At least we could head there first and celebrate before heading to Earthala. Now that Scarlet was on board with our status, she and the rest of the criminal investigators on the team could add to our search.

Everything was coming into place and I was grateful to the Starlight gods. Nothing would get in our way this time and once we gathered all my knights, my parents would officially introduce me to our realm, confirming my existence and survival of Blair's Aspen's plot against the people of Heila.

"Fine. I guess he is your brother and is strong enough to protect you," Eli grumbled, still not pleased.

I smiled, picking Nighty up who was still asleep and placed her on my shoulder. Once I ensured she was secure, I walked up to EliaseAnne. "Close your eyes for a second," I commanded.

She gave me a confused look, but obeyed, closing her eyes. I grinned, biting my lip, but was confident in my next move.

I went on my tiptoes, pressing my lips gently on her soft pink ones. I felt her body tense at the movement, but didn't take long till her lips began to move— fighting mine for dominance.

I knew I hadn't had any time with Elias or EliaseAnne since Knightwood and to me, it wasn't fair. I felt awful for neglecting both of them, but was grateful they hadn't pulled away. We broke apart, both of us breathless as we tried to catch our breath.

"I've been neglecting you and I apologize. I'm still trying to balance everything out and I guess I got caught up with everything that's transpired the last couple of weeks, but we’ll have more time together starting tomorrow. Remember, we have a date," I reminded, smiling at the way her face grew red.

"So direct," Eli mumbled, but smiled as she met my gaze.

"I know. Tomorrow, at the waterfall," I confirmed.

"Yes. I'll bring some manga." She giggled at my excited face.

"Merry-Go Lucy 2?" I beamed.

She laughed. "I unpacked it last night. We'll read it tomorrow so Marcus won't interrupt us," she hummed.

My face blushed at her underlying meaning, making my body thrum with anticipation for tomorrow's date. "You're delaying the meeting. Go on," I pressed.

"Fine. If I see Xavier on the way, I'll tell him to escort you to the garden, okay. Can you wait in the library?"

"I could, but I still want to surprise him," I mumbled.

"Next time, surprise him. Like, put a unicorn float at the entrance of his room," Eli suggested.

I clapped my hands. "That's a diabolical idea. He'd freak out." I could already imagine it; having analyzed a recent image of Xavier that Kade had shown me during our family bonding time. Eli tied her hair up in a ponytail. I giggled at her confidence, pulling my phone out to take a photo of her.

"Hehehe my precious." I grinned at the image.

Eli rolled her eyes. "Let me have one too. I'll make Elias jealous when he wakes up," she proposed, taking her phone out. She slipped an arm around my waist, pulling me into a side embrace as we posed for the camera.

"I'll use the countdown feature. So we have to stay still for seven seconds," Eli instructed.

"That's a long time," I commented.

"It's long for you because you get distracted," Eli pointed out.

"Maybe," I mumbled. Eli set the timer, my eyes already beginning to wander.

"Mako."

"Hmm?" I turned my head at the moment her lips met mine, giving me a quick kiss right when the iPhone snapped the photo. I blushed, watching Eli grin in satisfaction.

"That...Eli!" I complained, prompting her to laugh.

"That's payment for being distracted in less than three seconds," she replied. She slid her phone back into her pocket before her other hand reached into her chest pocket, pulling out a pouch. She presented it to me.

"This is for you," she announced.

"What's this?" I asked.

"Remember those beads you bought from the town in Minato with Marcus?" she reminded.

I nodded. "Ya. The ones the friendly girl helped me find," I replied, remembering the purple-eyed female shifter. I wonder how she's doing?

Eli nodded.

"Look inside," she encouraged.

I looked at the green velvet pouch, opening the gold drawstring before I gasped at the beautiful, beaded jewelry.

The beads were in an intricate order of colors— the same colors that represented each knight. Each set of colors had two beads; the middle had a silver star charm dangling in the middle. On closer inspection, each star had the letter of the designated star knight— a silver star that I currently glanced at had E for Elias and EliaseAnne. I looked at the other stars, stopping at the final two beads that were pink and had a gold star charm in the middle. It had the letter M in the middle and when I flipped it to the other side, the letter R greeted me.

"I didn't know which name you prefer so I put both. One side to represent your past and one for your future. We all know you like Makoto more and it's an identity that holds meaning to your growth so I decided it would be fair to have both. Also thought the M could also represent Midnight. Since you guys are two sides of a coin, I thought it would be cool to use the same saying, but with a star," EliaseAnne explained.

I immediately put it on, smiling so wide I knew my cheeks would hurt. "It's beautiful, EliaseAnne. When did you get the time to make this?" I asked,

"I was practicing during my time in the psych ward. Once I tried a mock version I worked on the real thing. Each bead is infused with a little bit of each of our powers. The only one that doesn't is the red beads since we don't know who knight six is. The longer you wear it the stronger the powers will grow and can be used in training or battle," Eli revealed.

"Wow," I replied, impressed at the work and time inputted in the high-quality piece of jewelry. I looked at the star between the red beads, noticing how it didn't have a letter on it.

"Whenever we find him I can add his letter," Eli reassured me.

I nodded, looking up to meet her gaze. "Thank you so much, EliaseAnne."

"You’re welcome, Princess. Try to keep it with you when we're not around. It's not like your phone that has a tracker, but it has a lot of my magic infused so I can track you. May take a while though," she pointed out, looking up in thought.

I giggled. "So it's not good for playing Hide and Seek. Good to know."

She grinned. "Nope. I'd find you with ease," she confirmed.

Before we could continue talking, she flinched.

"Ugh. Coming, coming. Jeez, I wasn't flirting. No, I'm not telling her any of you say Hi. Fuck you, too," Eli grumbled.

I grinned at her outer monologue, clearly talking with the others through their knight bond.

"I'll be off. Be safe for me," she bid farewell.

"I'll be a good girl and wait for Xavier in the library. I'll see you tomorrow." I waved goodbye.

I watched the door close, sitting back down on the bed. Nightmare uncurled herself, hopping back onto my nap before curling up to sleep.

"You’re tired today," I pointed out.

"Mew," she replied.

"Hmm. Let's go wait for Xavier and then you can get some fresh air," I proposed.

Nightmare lifted her head up in glee, beginning to jump up and down in my lap, excited to go outside.

"Alright, I know you're excited." I giggled as I stroked her head. Her tails slowly waved back and forth, glowing a light pink.

"Let's go meet my older brother."

I glanced at the phone, staring at the image of EliaseAnne in her uniform. I was waiting for Xavier, standing at the window to gaze at the beautiful star-filled sky that twinkled above our massive garden.

I was so tempted to go for a walk, but I wanted to follow Eli's orders. As a princess, my knights knew best and I wouldn't mind having some quality time with Xavier.

I heard footsteps, looking back to see a man at the entrance. He was 6'2 in height with broad shoulders, but a slim build. His hair was a gorgeous silver, almost looking unnatural and very different from the blond-haired boy I remembered. The only familiar characteristic was his striking blue eyes that locked onto mine.

He was frowning, making me knit my eyebrows in confusion. Why does he look angry?

He closed the door before he walked toward me, stopping a few steps from me. Nightmare jumped onto my shoulder, her tails wrapped around my neck before she hissed— her tails glowing red.

"Nightmare, calm down. It's just Xavier," I hushed her, but she still continued; the hairs of her white fur began to lift up. I returned my gaze to my brother, unsure how to react. I didn't feel like I was in danger, but Nightmare never hissed at someone or something unless they had the intention of hurting me physically or emotionally.

"Xavier?"

His hands raised until he began to clap.

I was now even more confused at his applause as he kept clapping. What's wrong with him?

He finally spoke. "How does it feel? To be successful in your little plot?" he questioned, his voice cold and hard.

What? Plot?

"What are you talking about?" I demanded.

"How much did you pay a fairy to glamour that look. I have to admit, whoever it is does a good job at making you look exactly like my baby sister. I guess he's in to get some type of reward after you try and claim our throne," Xavier huffed.

"Glamour? Look-alike? What are you trying to say? I am your sister," I replied.

"You really think I'm going to fall for your little games? I can't believe Kade. Falling for this trick, again. After all those cycles of fakes trying to claim to be our baby sister, only to find out their disguise within hours. I'm impressed you've lasted this long. Four rotations? Wow." He crossed his arms as he exhaled.

I stared at him in disbelief, unsure what to say. He seriously doesn't believe me.

"Of course I don't believe you. Hah, you even talk out loud. Is that a sympathy trick you pulled out of your deck of lies? I'm beyond impressed you'd go this far to convince my family that you're my sister," Xavier snarled.

"Xavi—" I tried to defend, but he took a step forward; the way his eyes darkened made me afraid, prompting me to step back defensively.

"Don't call me by name as if you know me. You don't know me. I won't fall for your stupid game," he hissed.

I remained silent, biting my lip as I tried to calm my heart. I needed to not react to his harsh words, but I struggled.

He didn't know me, yet with no evidence, he was accusing me of being a fake and under the thin layer of fear within me, deep below bubbled a whole lot of anger.

His eyes lowered to my neck, noticing the rose gold heirloom that was resting on my chest, peeking through the gap in material that showed a glimpse of my cleavage in my long-sleeved tunic.

"Unbelievable. You were even able to con Mom and Dad into give you that? Did you search for it and draw that royalty mark on you too? You're really in to win it aren't you," he spat, shaking his head in dismay.

"You just met me, yet you're accusing me of all these things. Why don't you go ask Kade or my knights like Ryder?" I proposed, clenching my fists to stop them from trembling.

"Ryder and the others? Hah. They must be blinded by your beauty. I bet everyone's blind. The boys were so desperate after spending sixteen cycles training and searching for you. One reported hint after cycles of your disappearance and they hit the jackpot? I can't believe they're so fucking foolish. You could have planted that hint and snuck into that facility to get their pity and remorse. Now I hear they're all in love with you. Excellent work. Must be nice to be a slut. Give a group of dogs a bone and they'll fall for anything. I should have never believed in that group of—"

I felt my hand throb with pain as it still stayed in place, my eyes looking back at Xavier whose left cheek already began to grow a bright red. He looked at me in shock, opening his mouth to speak, but I wouldn't dare let him.

"Sixteen cycles. I fought to survive for all that time knowing I was nothing but an orphan. Sixteen cycles I was tortured, experimented on and forced to kill my fellow shifters as entertainment. Sixteen cycles I begged the gods to give me a chance at freedom and let me find somewhere I belonged. I didn't ask to be rescued. I begged the gods to have a purpose and find my worth. You think I asked to be taken? To watch my best friend die?" I questioned him, narrowing my eyes as they filled with tears.

"You know nothing about me aside from the six cycles I was in your life. Just like you know nothing about the sixteen cycles I've faced alone. Even though I don't know how my disappearance affected you, I would never accuse you of being a fake. You can throw insults at me, or belittle me. But I won't stand here and allow you to stand there and insult MY MEN! They've done everything for me. They fed me, clothed me. Fuck, they carried me and protected me. When I couldn't fucking walk....they didn't reject me. They showed me compassion and love that no shifter or human has ever given to me. So don't you DARE stand there and insult them," I warned.

I walked right into his personal space, not needing Hope's gift to know what he was doing.

"You're afraid. You don't want to get your hopes up and have them shattered yet again. You've built a wall to protect yourself from any more disappointment. That's why you're doing this. You don't want to believe it's really me because that trickle of fear inside you that’s telling you that I'll be another illusion. Go ahead and continue protecting yourself. In fact, I don't even need you to take me to the garden. I can go by myself since I'm the fake Princess of Heila, I'll be perfectly fine on my own. I'll wait for my fake knights to come and ensure my safety." I moved around him, needing to leave before I actually broke something. I reached the door, stopping as my handle on the memories of my childhood flashed through my mind.

"You know I died when I got here. I actually died and got to see my life flash before my eyes. I saw when I was born. You were the first allowed to hold me. You helped me walk, and read me and Kade bedtime stories. You always walked around with that stupid horn thing that made me cry when I was sleepwalking around the halls. You always followed me when I walked around the halls, even though Nightmare never left my side. And...you vowed to choose who got to like and marry me. You were the best big brother I could ask for and now that I have my memories back, I wish I hadn't acquired them. Because your words hurt, Xavier. Hmph. I guess I always knew Kade was my favorite brother," I whispered, opening the door and slamming it shut.

I made my way down the hall, out to the garden. I was glad the guards were switching shifts, not having to see my tear stained cheeks as I cried.

Nightmare whimpered, nuzzling her head against my cheek.

I patted her head as I smiled. "I'm okay. Why don't you go run around? I'll sit right here and calm down," I soothed.

She didn't want to go, wrapping her tails around my neck. "Mew."

"Okay, you can keep me company till I stop crying. Then you can run around and chase the fireflies," I suggested.

Nightmare purred in agreement, returning to nuzzling her head against my cheek.

I laughed, more tears rolling down my cheek. I reached a section of the garden that was surrounded by flower bushes, giving me the privacy to sit down and cry. I cried and cried, unsure why his words hurt so much. A part of me knew I wouldn't be accepted so easily, but Kade, Mom, and Dad had been so loving. Why couldn't Xavier be the same?

I knew he was hurt. I could see it in his eyes with a hint of regret after I'd said what had to be stated. Why couldn't he just be honest? Why couldn't he share that he was afraid to accept me? I bet he could tell I was his sister, and I prayed my admission to remembering my memories was enough proof for him to give me a chance.

After twenty minutes of crying, I calmed, playing a candy game that humans on Earthala were obsessed with while Nightmare ran off to chase fireflies. My eyes would flicker to the colorful bracelet that sparkled in the moonlight from time to time, already missing my star knights and wishing they were here to comfort me.

I was starting the next level when I heard Nightmare's soft whimpers.

"Nightmare?" I called out. I shuffled to my feet, following her soft sounds till I saw her little white frame.

She snarled, sneezing and coughing as she struggled to get out of the bush she was in.

I jolted to her side, getting her out of the bush before holding my breath at the weird scent.

I pushed off the ground, jumping as far away from it before placing Nightmare onto my lap.

She whimpered, struggling to move but couldn't.

"It's okay, stay still for a second," I urged, closing my eyes as I summoned my magic. I automatically knew the scent as Nephala, a bush that caused paralysis. Mother warned me about the plant, but ensured we had none in our garden.

I felt the growing warmth come from my bracelet; the two sapphire beads glowed gently.

Nightmare’s whimpers stopped as she calmed, falling to sleep.

"Nighty?" I whispered.

She stayed still, breathing in and out.

I sighed in relief, raising the bracelet to eye level— watching the beads dim.

That must have been Marcus' ability to calm.

I scooped Nightmare up, unsure how to hold her. I snuggled her against my chest, thankful that my long-sleeved tunic had a space to show a little cleavage, or what Scarlet had said was human’s way to have a sophisticated but daring look.

"Don't worry, Nightmare. I'll get Mom or Kade to heal you," I comforted, lifting my phone to text Eli who I knew had her phone.

I typed away, ready to finish the sentence when something hard hit my head; my body fell forward. I felt an arm wrap around my waist, stopping me from hitting the ground.

The world went black.