Chapter Eighty Two: Good Little Consort
Christina's Arc: Bend or Break
Once we arrived at the house, if I can call it that, Christina and Yua both practically jumped out of the car. They ran to my side and wrestled my bags away like a couple of muggers.
"What are you two doing!?" I screamed.
Christina passed the bag she took to Yua. "You will get your stuff back once we've checked it for anything suspicious."
A breeze brushed past in front of her estate, making its escape.
"Like what, Christina!?"
Christina sucked her lips in and lowered her brow.
"We can discuss this inside, Antwon. Get out of the car."
I pulled my leg back inside the car, closed the door, and crossed my arms like she was doing. She went to open the door, and I locked it.
Yua's eyes bulged, and she frowned in a way that flashed teeth.
"Hey, Mr. Carter. It's not like you—"
"Shut up, Yua! Do not embarrass me, Antwon. In a moment, the staff will rush to the fucking car to help me. If I have to remove you in front of Trish, I will forbid you from ever getting your hair done again!"
I opened the door and got out of the car. I stood before her. I couldn't believe something so…small was bossing me around like a newborn baby.
"Okay, welcome back, monster."
Christina pouted as if I were the one who wronged her. I rolled my eyes and tried to push past her, but she grabbed my arm softly.
"We must walk together, Antwon, and we cannot be divided. Now, give me your arm."
I considered the importance of appearing as a unified front and of representing power as a young, soon-to-be ruler. I looked at Christina with all sincerity.
"Christina Tetsusen, I'd rather crawl like a worm than pretend we're some kind of power couple."
"Is he serious?" Yua said.
Christina turned red. Her eyes flared. "Then fucking crawl, worm."
"Mr. Carter. Think about what you're saying; think about how it would look to—"
I bent down, lay on my stomach, and waited.
"Ms. Tetsusen…this is too far. Think about what they will say."
"Crawl."
I stretched one arm forward.
"No, like a real worm," Christina said. I looked at her, not knowing what she meant. Then she pointed her finger, flexed, and then pointed several times. "Make sure your ass is high."
I growled.
"Come on; get off the ground, Mr. Carter!" Yua yelled.
"Don't bother, Yua. He's where he thinks he should be, so let him feel the weight of my glory from his lowly station," Christina growled out.
Yua wailed in frustration and then pulled Christina to her, whispering something in her ear.
I watched from the warm ground.
Christina's face did backflips. She went from disappointed, happy, angry, shocked, screw him, and soft. Then she nodded.
"Hey, Carter. Can I call you Carter?" Yua asked in a sing-song voice.
"No. Just call me Antwon," I muttered.
She looked at Christina, who shrugged.
"Okay, Antwon…it's important to our lady that you walk in before the staff gets here," she said, leaning in close, close enough that Christina can't hear. "Help me out. I didn't claim you, but I've lost time with my family."
"Oh. Well…that's tough, Yua. That doesn't mean anything to me."
She smiled the fakest smile I've ever seen.
"Help me out here, and I'll take you to Tokyo. No queen, just you, me, and my daughter."
I thought about it. I'd never been to Tokyo, and my money is there…
I stood up and dusted myself off.
"Be quick about it!" Someone in the distance yelled.
I stood eye to eye with Yua. "I hope there is more trust in your word than hers," I said. Then I walked over to Christina and offered my arm. She took it, nearly taking it off.
"Are you okay? I didn't mean to pull that hard."
"Christina," Trish's voice rang out. She stood at the door to her estate with a sharp tilt.
***
We walked down a hallway in the estate that I'd never seen, though it's not like I've seen much of this place. Christina held my right arm tightly, but in reality, I was holding her close because of what Trish tried last time I was here. She walked on my right side. Yua was sent home. Christina said she needed some rest and relaxation.
"So, you spent the night with the Carters? How reckless, Christina. Sleeping in Veil territory was utterly stupid. What if our enemies knew of this…camping trip?"
Camping trip? We were in the city.
"We didn't sleep outside, Trish. We stayed in their apartment," Christina said.
Good. You've finally done something decent, Christina.
"An apartment?! You may as well have slept with wild dogs. You are royalty; our majesty need not mingle with rebels." She looked at me and smiled. "Sometimes you can find gems in the rubble."
I leaned in and whispered to Christina. "Where is she taking us?"
"Breakfast, Son. You must be hungry after spending time in the wilds."
Sweat dripped down my back. I whispered like a quiet prayer, but she heard me. She was like a bat.
"So, did you two fuck while you were there?"
I frowned. Why did it always draw back to procreation, like it was all this messed-up country thinks about? What about food, hanging with good people, and drinking until your gut busted open?
"You know, Tri—" she glowered, and my heart sped up. "I mean, Mom. There is more to life than sleeping with someone…"
…
They both laughed.
"Sure, Son. Tell me about your passions and aspirations after you've given me a granddaughter."
I sighed. "Can I go to my room if I don't feel like eating?"
She laughed again. "Of course not. Even if you don't eat, you'll sit there and wait, like a good little consort."
And there it is, the feeling of wanting to pull away from Christina. A reminder of what she is and the place she forced me into.
We reached a section of the hallway, lined with servants on both sides. We followed them until we reached a pair of doors. They opened them, and we walked into a feast.
"Um, who else is joining?"
"What do you mean, Son? This is for us?"
There was enough food to feed my whole apartment complex and still have leftovers for people I didn’t like. Grilled fish, polished bowls of rice, steak for some disrespectful reason, pastries stacked like architecture, fruit arranged like art, and crab legs sitting on ice like the ocean had personally offended Trish.
"I can't eat it all, but I'll try my best."
She laughed. "Don't be foolish. Our royal guards will be joining us. How wasteful do you think I am, Son?"
She walked into the dining hall. There was an opening in the back of her black dress.
"Okay, let's prepare breakfast." She waved her hand elegantly, and toned muscles flexed. Even when she smoothed her hair, I could see the machine, the weapon, with every motion. I looked at Christina, who was watching the servants set the table, move the chairs, and carry wine bottles in…for breakfast.
Was she like her mother?
Trish Tetsusen: The Iron Dragon.