Kioni/Earth-IX

I would have been smiling and swooning over Aviary's lost love if it weren't for the sudden absence that clouded my emotions. I kept reaching to my side, waiting for the empty slot to be filled. Beside me, Civil was fuming. A scary, dark aura was radiating from the princess. It felt as if the Underworld was about to rise from beneath us.

So Aviary was gone. I know I shouldn't have cared. She's arrogant and rude and mean. Not to mention she smells like unmentionable deeds. I don't know why humans were drawn to that stench. I guess…any being not human recognized the scent as the perfume of a cubus, but humans only smelled the intoxicating musk of deception.

Civil clenched her teeth and glared at her feet. I put my hand on her shoulder.

"They're cubi; that's out of our control. I wouldn't worry about it too much," I assured her.

"It's not that simple," the princess muttered. "People should be able to follow their dreams, no matter what species they are. I never lived in a time where cubi were not confined to their clouds and earthly evils frowned at their underworld counterparts. I wish I did. That world was more at balance than we are now."

"You are speaking in tongues," Nicolette chided, appearing practically out of nowhere and grasping her mistress' shoulder. "It was your birth that upset the balance in the first place."

I know nothing of the Underworld; my Father never spoke of it. However, I once heard the maidservants speaking of an upset that had occurred only a few years after I was born. The Grand Mother—you would know her as Mother Earth or Gaia—birthed only one legitimate son. He was her pride, and her heir in case humans ruined her. They said that man had fallen for one of the darkest evils and the daughter of the devil himself. Not only was this an abomination, but also the thing that followed sent the entire universe into chaos. The granddaughter of Lucifer was bred from both Earth and Hell. Civil was a living disgrace.

That was when the accusing started. By the time I was old enough to understand, my sisters and I had been taught the rules of this world. The universe was divided into three Divine Spirits: Heavens, Earth, and Underworld. The three spirits coexisted, but not always peacefully. The upset of the balance set this world into chaos, and many lives were lost as the spirits fought.

Civil was not pleased by the entrance of her servant. She gripped Nicolette's hand tightly and briskly removed it from her shoulder.

"I thought I dismissed you," the princess growled.

"Your grandfather has been calling for you. You cannot keep ignoring him. You are lucky he allowed you in this realm for so long. Please," she pleaded, tugging on the princess' sleeve, "you must come along."

I felt a sinking feeling. Aviary was gone, that left me with only one companion. But now, Civil is going to leave too. I was going to be alone again, with no sisters.

My arms wrapped around my body and I began to shake. Civil grabbed my shoulders and was shouting, but I couldn't hear what she was saying. My knees bucked, and I collapsed.

I awoke in my room in the shop. I wasn't startled. What was the point of going back to our house when I would be the only one there? I gazed up at the ceiling and pushed back the layers of sheets on my lap. Even though it was only fall, I preferred three sets of blankets. I was happy Alexis remembered.

Val peered in the doorway, carrying with him a tray of soup, juice, and fruit. I smiled weakly.

"Silly little queen," he said softly, "you must take better care of yourself."

He placed a cold pack on my head and helped me sit up before setting the tray on my lap. I took three sips of soup and ate three grapes before lying back down. My head was still spinning.

"I know it's not much," Val whispered. "Al's coming back with some fresh meat."

I sighed, content. I hadn't realized how long it had been since I fed. "Can he bring in three?" I asked weakly.

Val nodded. "I'll go tell him."

As quick as he came, he was gone, and I was alone again. I felt my chest tighten and my body started to seize again.

"Miss Kioni?" his soft voice wandered into the room.

I turned and saw Percy standing there, nervously lingering at the door. I sat up and turned to him.

"You can come in," I assured him. "Did my father send me another note?"

"No…" he mumbled, "just me."

My eyes narrowed once I understood what my father wanted. I bit my lip, eyeing up the handsome boy. How heartless did Father think I was?

I could barely get out his name. "Percy…"

He was oblivious; they always are. He walked over to me and smiled that boyish grin, making my heart flutter a bit. I could feel his heat reaching out to me, luring me to him like children to the scent of freshly baked cookies. I could not look at him. Father thought too highly of me. I am no demon. I'm just a lonely girl with no true place in this world.

I could remember hearing my Father speaking with his advisors about me. She had warned him that I'm not strong enough to fight my sisters. If only she saw the blood on my hands now…

No, I do not want to remember those horrible things. Please don't make me remember them.

Percy felt so close to me at that moment. My muscles clenched in anticipation. I could hear my sisters' voices in my head, urging me closer and closer. My fingers grazed Percy's; I couldn't even stop myself. I leaned forward, grasping his hand, feeling his life as it filled his every breath. Sickened hunger overtook me and I fell into his arms.

Percy caught me almost immediately. I felt his warmth around me and couldn't help but smile. It was the closest I had ever been to a person since my sisters died. Val and Alexis don't count. They were obligated to make me feel better. But Percy held me with a different hand. I felt protected and loved.

I could feel his chest stutter, fighting for the words to say. I pressed my ear against his chest. His heart pumped slowly, only increasing my hunger. If I were as heartless as Father hoped, I would sink my teeth into the warm, pink, skin and tear away the flesh from the bone until there was nothing left. I wouldn't do it. I couldn't do it.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his breath moving the hair on top of my head.

"I nodded. I miss my friends. It's so lonely without them here."

Percy nodded, understanding. "Where did they go?"

I felt a single tear trickle down my cheek. "Home."

I was getting homesick, and I hated it. I clung to Percy's shirt, fighting back sobs. His hand ran down my spine, soothing me.

"How about we go for a walk?" he suggested.

I looked up at him, and smiled. Percy was so handsome when he was serious. I nodded.

He stood up, and I took his hands to do the same. He led me out of town, into woods that seemed to go on forever. We walked for a while without saying a word. I slipped my arm around his, quenching my loneliness. He looked down at me and smiled.

"I'm so lonely. I'm not used to there only being one person around."

"Well," Percy looked at the sky as he talked, as if the answer was written in the clouds, "there's you, and me…and our friendship."

He smiled goofily and I laughed. The comment was corny, but it made me feel better. I rest my head on his shoulder and smiled. At that point, I knew everything was going to be okay. I knew I was going to meet up with Aviary and Civil soon, and even if I didn't, Percy would always be there for me.