The First Flame parts 25-26

Ran wished a portal would open and teleport both her and Eon to Earth. There were too many people watching and too much heat in Vrox’s eyes.

This wasn't how things were supposed to go, but of course, their plans got ruined. It didn’t surprise her anymore.

“What the mothers are you doing here?” Vrox demanded. “You’re supposed to–”

“To be hidden on the spaceship while everyone thought he was left on Earth?” Kira finished. “You should–” she pursed her lips. Although she had so much to say, although she wanted to tear him apart with her words, she knew that seeing them argue more would only cause division between their people.

Their personal matters would have to be taken care of in a private setting. They had slipped up too many times recently.

“Call an army,” Eon spoke up. “Call your brothers. Call all of Ezron and tell them to get rid of me. Do what you must, commander, but I will not be dragged away. Your daughter is mine now.”

“Like hell she is!” Vrox argued, rounding Kira and stepping forward for another fight.

“Will you stop it?” Ran interjected. “Both of you, drop it! Ezron was not saved from extinction just so you two could fight over this. There are bigger things we have to do. Enough of this.”

Ran’s father and lover stared at her, and she crossed her arms over her barely covered chest.

“We have to be bigger than this,” she insisted.

“Alright,” Ak spoke up. “Wrap up, everyone. We are going home.”

Once everyone got busy collecting their things and whispering gossip, Ak walked to Vrox and palmed his shoulder. “Relax, brother. It is not like he stole the girl.”

“He did!” Vrox argued.

“You are being a tyrant,” Kira whispered to keep the argument discreet. “I am done waiting on you to come to your senses.”

Vrox tugged her to his chest and hugged her tight even as she struggled to be set free.

He squinted at Eon, and said, “I wish it was your brother that returned.”

“Dad!” Ran gasped. “Why are you being so cruel?”

Vrox released Kira, and caressed Ran’s cheek. “When you have a child, and you feel the pain of them being ripped away, and the gut-wrenching helplessness of being unable to get them back, then you will understand.”

“He was trying to help,” Ran insisted. “He wanted to–”

“He wanted to get the title of a hero, so he disregarded the ladder of command. When his little rescue mission failed, he figured he would take you as a prize instead,” Vrox finished, his glare set on Eon.

Eon glared back, the veins in his arms becoming worryingly thick.

“Come, Ran,” Vrox ordered. “We have to discuss things.”

Ran gave Eon an apologetic look and then sent Neil a silent plea to look after him. Only when Neil nodded did she step forward.

Vrox tossed his cape over her shoulders and began leading her and Kira home.

Everyone else went their own way, and Ran could only look over her shoulders at a defeated Eon before losing sight of him.

She felt a pat to her back, and looked up to her uncle.

“Keep your head up. You will do just fine.”

Her smile was weak.

When they made it home, Kira and Ak gave them privacy. Ran slouched on a couch in the common room, while Vrox stood and hovered over her.

She was tired of his hovering.

“How did you find out that he was on Ezron? have you been lying about spending time with Neil?”

“I think the better question here is, why did you lie about abandoning Eon on Earth? Why would you want everyone to hate you?”

“Because that hate would have been temporary, while the lesson that was taught would have been permanent. No one is to mess with my daughters.”

“The only lesson you’re teaching is that you have become cruel.”

Vrox’s brow furrowed.

“You may be a leader, but you aren’t perfect. You make mistakes just like the rest of us, and this was one of them. Do you have any idea how many secrets the girls are keeping from you? In your blind obsession with protecting us, you’re encouraging fear and division. I don’t like this. I miss the old you.”

Confusion became sadness across Vrox’s face.

“I am just trying to do the right thing. The thing a father should do.”

“I know, but you need to remember that you aren’t my only parent. When did you stop consulting with mom?”

He lowered his head as he considered her words.

“I need you to stop hunting him,” she said. “Please. This has to stop.”

“Is he worth all this?”

“He is. If only you got to know him, then you would understand.”

Vrox’s shoulders sagged and silenced ensued as they swam through their thoughts. Ran eagerly clung to his expression, seeking remorse and acceptance.

This wouldn’t end unless Vrox gave up.

“Will you stop persecuting him?”

Vrox shifted his weight from one leg to the other. “What if he hurts you? Or if men think it is acceptable to approach your sisters with malicious intent?”

“Then I’ll personally kick Eon in the balls, or any other man that wants to mess with the girls. I can take care of myself, dad. You know this by now.”

Vrox nodded.

“Will you try, then? Will you try to accept Eon?”

His lips were pursed for a long time, but eventually, he managed to deliver, “Yes.”

She sighed. “Thank you. You won’t regret it.”

“He stays in the outskirts. He will not be sleeping under the same roof as you. I don’t want to even see him around.”

“Fine, but you can’t stop us from hanging out. You have done enough of that, and it did no good. I will only keep rebelling.”

If she didn’t know any better, she would have thought Vrox was pouting.

“Now, go talk with mom. She’s pissed.”

“How long has she known about Eon being kept in the cells?”

She shrugged. “A long time. She’s been itching to bite your head off for a while now, so good luck getting her on your good side again.”

He mumbled a thanks and then left.

Ran took a fast shower, changed her clothes, and went out in search of Neil and Eon. Her guards followed as she tracked them down to the lake. They weren’t talking. Eon looked angry, and Neil looked bored.

“Guys?”

Their heads snapped in her direction. “I have good news. Really good news, this time. Dad gave up.”

– • –

Relief was supposed to flow through Eon once he heard those words. They didn’t.

Even when Ran ran up to him and hugged him, his arms numbly embraced her back.

While she was gone, Neil asked him why he jumped out into the open and gave himself away. Instead of admitting that it bothered him to see Ran so happy in Neil’s arms, he shrugged.

He was jealous and insecure, and Vrox’s words only added fuel to the fire.

“I wish it was your brother that returned.” 

Vrox preferred a dead boy over him. The realization was heart-pruning.

Eon wished he had more memories of his brother, but how could he, when he was just a year old when he died? He had no memories of his sibling; only pity for a faceless baby.

Hearing Vrox’s words was a punch to his very soul. An opinion had never been so painful.

Was he really that bad? Was he so below the standard of acceptance?

He looked down at his hand. Ran intertwined their fingers and was leading him through the forest. She talked animatedly, happy that they could finally be together.

Eon wanted to be happy, too. He wanted to stand tall for her, because Ran needed him after the trauma she endured. Instead, it was like he was still in a cell, disconnected from her. He felt jealous, insecure, inferior.

He could’ve fought Vrox more impressively.

He could’ve run faster and caught Ran before she was taken by Siox.

He could’ve had better talents than sculpting.

He could’ve been high-born; from a family without controversy and tragedy.

He could’ve been more muscular, taller, faster, handsome.

He could’ve been a high-ranking male in Vrox’s army.

More. More. More.

“Eon?”

He shook his head. “Yes?”

“Are you okay?”

He threw an arm over her shoulders. “Yes. Just thinking.”

“About my dad? Don’t worry, he won’t try to get a round two. I think he really gave up.”

Eon nodded. “Right. Where did you want to take me?”

“To my sisters!”

He was introduced to all the princesses. They were kind, but observant. The conversations were polite and cautious, as if they didn’t want to freak him out.

Ran watched with a grin, thinking that he was having a great time. She was completely unaware that he felt like a bug under the eyes of the precious women.

When it was over, Ran led him to the outskirts, where tents were set up. He didn’t mind staying there. He preferred it over sleeping in a cell any day.

Ran did most of the talking as she presented blankets, clothes, and anything else that came to mind. She even sent a messenger out to his father, who would explain where he was at.

She stayed until late at night, feeding him tidbits of meat and warming his side as she rambled about what plans she had for them.

Her excitement was adoring to see. He only wished he could reflect it.

When it was time to go, he led took her home before returning to his lonely tent. The neat pile of clothes and blankets Ran organized for him fell when he shoved it aside and planked on the floor. He began doing pushups, eventually losing count and using the pains on his body to measure his progress.

He only stopped when it felt like he tore some tissue in his biceps. He proceeded to lie on his back and do sit-ups until his torso burned.

He wanted to be more for Ran. Stronger, better. There were so many men in The Ruins that deserved her. What would happen when she realized this?

He had already been discarded by his mother when she chose drugs over him. He didn’t want to lose Ran, too.

– • –

“Rise and shine!”

Eon jolted and groaned when his muscles fought back. Ran was in his tent, holding a plate of breakfast.

“I want to show you around today. Have you seen Nebula’s insane rock collection?”

He sat up and tried to hide the pains in his body. He smiled at her and forced her to eat. She insisted that she was full, but she kept stuffing her. For too many nights, he had wondered if she was alright. He wouldn’t be denied the pleasure of feeding her and keeping her warm any longer.

“We can see Nebula’s rocks,” he told her.

“Oh, but Jaxxon has a collection, too. They compete with each other.”

“I thought they were a couple?”

“Yeah, and they have four kids to prove it. They’re just insanely competitive.”

He listened to her list more areas to explore.

“I will need some time this afternoon. I want to join the hunting party.”

“Really? Why?”

Because wanted to start gaining a reputation. He didn’t want to be the son of the guy who let his rare female die, or the guy who is hated by their Commander, or the asshole who kidnapped a princess, or the loser who has nothing to his name.

“Just to make more friends.”

“Oh, sure. I can join you.”

“Do not worry. I will be fine.”

She shrugged and hugged him. It took all he had in him to lift his bruised arms and hug her back.

I will be more for you,  he silently promised. Even if I have to lose a limb in the process, I will become a male worthy of respect.

Rider King gets updated in a few hours. So will Preg-Not