Align Ourselves Page 5

"So...Aria....the king's quarters...I wonder what that'll be like?" Peter said, raising an eyebrow.

  "I don't know, but if you really want to, you could go ask him if you can join him tonight in my place? Or would you like me to ask him for you?" Aria teased.

  A few people laughed. Brent even cracked a smile. For the first time since they’d been captured. And at that moment, Aria decided that whatever she'd have to face after this would be worth it.

  Chapter 7

  That night, Aria stayed in a room with three of the other girls. Since there were only two beds, they had to share. But since this was the first time since they'd arrived that they actually got to sleep in a real bed, no one seemed to mind.

  Her first week in the palace flew by. She relaxed a little as the days passed. She was starting to feel better, regaining some of her strength, thanks to all of the food she'd been consuming. The others looked better, too.

  On what she was pretty sure was Saturday (she'd lost track of the date and the days), she finally decided to go into town. None of the others had asked yet, and she figured they were waiting for her to do it first.

  That morning, after they ate breakfast, she caught Lex on his way out to ask him about it.

  "Hey, um, is-is it okay if a few of us head down to the center," she asked. She felt a little ridiculous. But she remembered his warning, so she pushed the feeling aside.

  "Yeah, sure. Do you want me to come with you," he asked. They hadn't really talked much, just a comment here and there, so she was a little perplexed by his offer.

  "Well, you-you don't have to. I mean, I'm sure you've got other things to take care of...like...king responsibilities or whatever," she stammered.

  He smirked at her. She felt like slapping him again. "No, I don't really have any...king responsibilities...at the moment. I can take you."

  "Okay, well, can a few of my friends join?"

  "Sure."

  She decided to ask Mara, Isla, and Brent to join them.

  She wanted to wear something a little nicer, but she didn't really have any options, so she went in her black pants and a loose grey shirt.

  Lex waited for them at the front doors of the palace. And once they joined him, the front doors opened, and they walked out. Aria was a little surprised that the guards didn't follow.

  "Hey! Wait for me," Grace yelled from behind them.

  There was a little path leading from the palace to the village below, so the walk was relatively easy. Grace tried to make conversation with the group since they were all walking in silence. She asked about what it was like to live underground and what they did for fun.

  They made it to the village, and Aria felt nervous. Too nervous.

  "Calm down," Lex said, looking over at her.

  "What," she asked.

  "I can see that you're nervous. But my people know you and yours are part of this place now. No one will attack you if that's what you're worried about. Then again...maybe you should have accepted my offer last week, about training," he said, fighting a smile.

  Aria rolled her eyes, trying not to smile at his teasing.

  They walked through the village, and Aria couldn't stop herself from looking around. It all seemed so....normal. Exactly like she'd pictured it.

  A few people said hello to her and her friends. A few came forward to greet the king and bow. But everyone they encountered was pleasant. They all looked at him with affection. It surprised Aria.

  On the way back, Lex slowed down long enough to walk beside her.

  Mara walked a little faster, joining Grace at the front of the group.

  "Can I ask you something?"

  "Of course."

  "Why-why do the people on the outside say all those awful things about this place? About you? They pretty much had us convinced we were headed to a truly awful place."

  "Uh, well....that's kind of a long story. It wasn't always like this here. And no one really knows that. Nobody comes here without an invitation. And nobody's been invited for a while."

  She waited for him to continue, but he didn't.

  "Like I said, it's a long story. Maybe I'll tell you sometime."

  "And you don't mind? The things that people say, the things that they think?"

  "No, not at all. In fact, I'm glad to hear that. I'm glad they think this place is still....bad, for lack of a better word. It keeps people away."

  "And that's what you want? To keep people away from this place?"

  "Most people, yeah," he said, looking at her.

  She felt herself blush.

  That night, for the first time in a long time, Aria was a little drunk. In fact, most of her friends were as well. The first week, almost all of them had avoided the wine at the tables, not feeling relaxed enough to want to drink it. But tonight, they were. And for the first time since she'd accepted Lex's proposal, she thought about the kind of future she could have here. Here, where her friends were safe. Here, where she didn't have to always look over her shoulder. Here, where she could live in peace.

  She wasn't entirely sure what her obligations as queen would be. And she'd heard from a few others that there were other villages located here, villages Lex would visit. But how hard could it be? They were in their own little part of the world.

  Here, there weren't any outside threats. Here, there weren't any boundaries Aria had to worry about; no territory was off-limits. So she let herself feel hopeful. So what if she had to marry a man she didn't love? So what if she barely knew him? At least her life was finally in her own hands. At least she could live the way she wanted to. Well, kind of.

  Okay, so the whole I-barely-know-the-man-I-have-to-marry thing was a little weird, a little disappointing. But they could get to know one another. He seemed like someone she could be friends with...or at least she thought he did. She found herself studying him from afar, watching him interact with the people around him. Something about him just seemed so genuine. Like he meant what he said. Like he really did care about his people, and by that extension, hers.

  Everyone seemed to be having a good time. Her people were interacting with Lex's people more and more.

  And then Ben, clearly drunk, asked her to dance. A few people were dancing in the center of the room. Aria didn't want to, but Ben was persistent. So she gave in, and she danced with him. And it wasn't that bad. Until she noticed Mara staring at them with a sad look in her eyes before turning away. Until she noticed Lex staring at them with an angry look in his eyes before turning away.

  She decided to join Isla at the table, a few of Lex's people around them. She noticed Mara heading to their room earlier than usual.

  After a few hours, the crowd started to dwindle, so Aria decided it was probably time for her to head to bed as well. A drunk Ben walked her to her room.

  "You shouldn't have to marry that guy," Ben said, just before they reached her room.

  "Ben, stop it. You know I have to."

  "No, you don't, Aria. We don't have to stay here. There are plenty of other places we can go."

  "You and I both know that isn't true."

  "But it is...you don't even love him, Aria."

  "So?"

  "So you deserve to marry someone who loves you, someone you love in return."

  "Yeah, well..."

  "Aria I-" he began. They were at her door now.

  But he stopped as they heard two people approaching. They look up to find Grace and Lex looking right back at them. Aria's cheeks burned.

  "Goodnight, Ben," she said. He rolled his eyes at Lex before leaving. Aria felt embarrassed at his behavior.

  Grace nodded at Aria and picked up her pace while Lex slowed down and stopped to talk to her.

  "Hey," she said, not knowing what else to say.

  "Hey," he said back. He looked down the hall where Ben had disappeared for a few moments before speaking up. "When I came to you with my proposition, I thought I'd made it pretty clear that I didn't want to do this if you're already involved with someone else."


  "I-I'm not."

  "Are you sure about that?"

  That pissed her off a little. And she was drunk enough to talk to him the way she wanted to, not the way she thought she needed to. "Yes, I'm sure. What kind of question, or should I say accusation, is that?"

  "I'm questioning based on the things I've noticed."

  "Well, maybe you need to pay closer attention. Ben was dating Mara, and we're just friends."

  "Oh, is that so? Is that why he asked you to dance instead of his used to be girlfriend? Is that why he stood up for you? Is that why he's walking you to your room while she walked alone?"

  "I-I told you, he's my friend. There isn't anything going on between us."

  "I really hope you're not lying to me."

  Now she was even more pissed. "Screw you, Lex. I told you I'm not with him. If you don't believe me, that's your own damn fault."

  He looked a little shocked, probably because he wasn’t used to people talking to him like that. After a few seconds, though, he smirked at her like he knew it made her want to slap him into the next century.

  "Does he know that?"

  "Well, he should. I've made it pretty clear," Aria said, calming down a little. "Why? Are you jealous?" For a second, she was mortified. She knew she'd never say anything like that if she wasn't drunk.

  "Maybe a little." And to her shock, he winked at her before saying goodnight and walking to his quarters.

  She stayed outside of her door for a few more minutes, processing what had just happened. Did...did he seriously wink at her? Was he really just flirting with her? Oh my god....was her future husband flirting with her? Her future husband...the king...was jealous? Holy shit.

  Chapter 8

  The next morning when Aria woke up, Mara was already gone.

  Aria goes to the throne room, hoping to catch Mara during breakfast and check that everything was okay. She felt guilty about the night before, even though nothing had actually happened between her and Ben. But Mara isn't there, either.

  Peter tells Aria that she had just left.

  "Do you know where she went?"

  "Uh, probably the training area," Peter said, "to work off some of that steam."

  So she is angry. "Okay, thanks, Peter."

  "Watch out, though. She's in a terrible mood."

  "Do you know why?"

  "Not really. But she snapped at a few of us this morning...and last night, she came into our room and asked for Ben. I'm pretty sure they had a fight. I think Ben basically told her it would never happen between them again because he loves you," Peter said.

  Aria just nodded. It had been a long time coming. Honestly, Aria was surprised when Mara decided to keep fighting for Ben after she found out about his feelings.

  She walked to the training area after breakfast and found Mara. There were a few other people there, practicing. Mara was alone, doing push-ups in the corner.

  "Hey," Aria said.

  Mara didn't look up.

  Aria felt awkward. She wasn't sure what she should say since Mara was pretty much ignoring her.

  "Are you mad at me or something," she finally asked.

  "No," Mara spits out. "Why would I be mad at you?"

  "Well, you are kind of ignoring me, so..."

  Mara got up. "I'm not mad at you, Aria. It isn't your fault that people can't stop falling in love with you."

  "Mara...Nothing-nothing happened between Ben and me."

  Mara turned away and walked to the center of the space. "So, who wants to fight," she asked, looking around at everyone.

  Aria finally noticed Lex off to the side, talking to Grace and Martinez. A few people looked up. Some of Lex's guards actually laughed.

  Aria noticed Grace exchange a look with Lex. He nodded.

  "I'll fight you," Grace said, walking towards Mara. "No weapons. When you're ready to quit, just say so," she said, smirking.

  Mara only glared at her. They circled around one another, sizing each other up.

  The others in the space gathered in a circle around the two girls, watching. Lex stayed in his spot, crossing his arms.

  Mara lashed out, going for the first hit.

  Grace moved to the right, anticipating the move. But she didn’t try to hit Mara back.

  Aria grew nervous. She didn't think this was a good idea.

  Mara tried again, closing in on Grace and swinging.

  This time, Grace dodged the punch and grabbed Mara’s hand mid-swing. She shoved, and Mara fell, landing on the floor with a thud.

  "Weak," Grace sneered.

  Mara grit her teeth and got back up.

  Aria made her way to stand beside Lex. "I don't think this is a good idea," she whispered.

  "Why? Just because you don't want to train doesn't mean the others feel the same way."

  "She-she's angry. She might hurt herself; she might hurt Grace," Aria said.

  Lex laughed. "Grace is the second-best fighter we have here. So if anyone's going to get hurt today...it won't be her."

  That didn't make Aria feel any less uneasy. Just then, Mara let out a scream. She was on the floor, with Grace on top of her. She held Mara's arm behind her back, at a very painful-looking angle.

  "That's enough," Aria yelled, walking towards the two girls.

  Grace lets Mara go and rose to her feet, glaring at Aria the entire time. "We’re done when I say we’re done," she said coldly. "Or until this pathetic girl tells me she's ready to give up," she said, looking at Mara.

  Mara got to her feet and looked past Grace to Aria. "Butt out. This doesn’t concern you," she said, in the angriest voice Aria had ever heard her use.

  Aria backed away. She had only been trying to help. But Mara obviously didn't want it.

  The girls circled one another again, but this time Grace didn't even wait for Mara to make the first move. Her hand shot out faster than Aria thought possible, and the sound of her fist connecting to Mara's jaw echoed around the room. Mara's head snapped back at the impact. And a second later, Grace kicked at her, knocking her legs out from under her. Mara landed on the floor with a groan.

  "Weak," Grace said again, looking down at Mara. "Have you had enough?"

  Mara got up off the floor, weakly. She put her fists in front of her face, ready to fight again. This time she tried to kick Grace’s legs.

  Grace dodged, and this time, she brought her leg up and slammed it into Mara's side. Mara let out a scream at the impact and landed on the floor again.

  "Stop this," Aria said, looking at Lex. "You're the king. You can stop this, tell her to stop!'

  "Why? She wanted to fight. And so she is," he said, shrugging.

  "You don't understand," Aria snapped.

  "Get up," Grace yelled, looking down at Mara. She kicked her again.

  "No, you don’t understand," Lex said, indifferent.

  Mara groaned, still on the ground. Aria hoped it was over. But Grace continued to circle around Mara.

  "You’re pathetic," Grace said as she smirked down at Mara. A few people laughed.

  Mara stood up, clutching her side, her mouth bloody. She spits at Grace's feet.

  Grace looked to Lex, who nodded.

  Aria was a little confused by the ordeal. Grace then turned back to Mara. Before Mara could even put her hands up, Grace punched her across the face so fast and so hard that Mara loses her footing and ends up falling face-first to the ground.

  Aria decided to go to her, Mara's pride be damned. But Lex grabbed her arm and yanked her back.

  "This isn't your fight, and as she said, this doesn't involve you," he said, clearly angry.

  "I think she's had enough," Aria said as she yanked her arm free.

  "When she's done, she'll say so. You are not in control here," he said.

  Aria glared at him. She wanted to leave, but she was afraid to, for Mara's sake.

  To almost everyone's surprise, Mara got back up. Aria wanted to scream at her. Tell her to stay down, or give in. But she knew that would only make Mara
angrier.

  "Are you done now?" Grace asked mockingly.

  "Fuck you bitch," Mara shot back.

  Aria cringed, watching Grace narrow her eyes, a scowl forming on her face.

  "Well, you really shouldn't have said that," Grace said, raising an eyebrow.

  Mara only had enough time to brace herself before Grace drove her knee into her stomach. She doubled over, gasping for air. Grace paused for a second, giving Mara enough time to look up before punching her one last time.

  Mara doesn't get back up.

  Aria goes to her, and this time Lex lets her. Grace smirked at Aria before walking away. Aria glared at Grace's back before turning to Mara, who’s still lying on the ground.

  "Oh my god," Aria said, taking Mara's bloody face in her hands.

  But Mara shoves Aria's hands away from her face, "I'm fine," she said, sitting up.

  "Fine? You could have a concussion, Mara! What the hell were you thinking?"

  "I thought that I wanted to fight, and I did. So back off. You're not my goddamn keeper, Aria. So stop fucking acting like it," Mara said, quite harshly.

  Aria couldn't mask the hurt that washed over her. She was only trying to help. Lex makes his way towards them. Once he's close enough, he offers Mara his hand. To Aria's surprise, she takes it, and he pulls her up.

  "Good job," he said.

  "I got my ass kicked, I know that. You don't have to rub it in."

  "What," he asked, looking genuinely confused. "No, I mean, of course, you got your ass kicked. But that was to be expected. The fact that you kept getting up is what I was referring to."

  "Oh," Mara said.

  "We’ve all been there. No one is born a warrior. But having the strength, the fire to keep going even though you are losing is just as important as combat skills. Even more so, I'd say. I suspect, with some training, you might be able to get a few hits the next time you decide to fight my sister. Who knows, maybe you'll even win," he said, smirking at her.

  Mara's returning smile is hesitant and small, but it's there.

  "I'll have one of my guards escort you to our healer; let him assess you and see if there's anything that needs to be done," he said before calling one of the guards over.