<(a lovely photo of one of my favourite places to be)

how are you my friends?

it's been a while.

lol.

so this book has like two chapters more to go and I hope to get them out before this week ends.

emphasis on “hope”😁

♘♘♘

Truthfully, all I wanted to do was wring Reik's neck so bad that he'd be begging me for a release.

But there were other items that needed my attention, like getting to the ballroom where the guests were still assembled.

Reya and Judy had gotten the evidence we needed against the King and all we needed was an audience.

I was however confused  when Reik steers me towards an exit.

“You're leaving. It isn't safe for you here.”He motions to one of the men that had followed us all the way.

“Jason. Take her to the safe house.”

I don't have time to process what's happening because Jason ushers me through a tunnel.

“What's happening?” I ask, refusing to move an inch for two reasons. One the tunnel is dark as hell and two, this wasn't in the plan.

“We need you alive for our next phase. This is the most dangerous one yet.”

Without doubt.

“Let me go. I need to help.”

Jason blocks my path. “I'm afraid, no."

“Why.”

“Reik said and I quote: “If anything happens to my wife, I'll find you and end you.”

My heart starts a wild race. Losing the use of my speech, I start walking and Jason guards my rear probably so that I'll not escape.

My wife.

Did Reik really call me that?

“He really likes you, you know?”Jason speaks.

Snorting, I lift my gown a little since it's interfering with my movement. “I don't think so."

Jason offers no words in response. But we both know what the truth is.

Reik really is one of the most complex humans I've met.

Always brooding over mysteries. It's hard to tell what he's thinking at any given time and from my stay with him, I can  say he has an odd way of showing compassion.

I see it in everything.

The way he treats his mother, Corinne. Even though I'm aware of their family history and to any observer, it may appear like Reik hates her.

But he does not.

He just doesn't know how to express himself most times and will likely settle for rash measures.

Flashbacks of the previous night float inside my head. How Reik had held me while we danced. His face as usual bore a detached veil, but when I stared deep into his eyes, I saw everything I never expected to and till now, I haven't recovered from the multiple waves of emotions that flooded my brain.

That notwithstanding, Reik and I needed to have a long discussion about his character soon.

♘♘♘

It's hard to see much in the dark alley Jason leads me through but when he pushes aside a small door covering a narrow entrance and helps me in, I gasp.

It's like we're in a new world. One that I never would have believed existed were I not presented physically with it.

“Where is this place?”

“Welcome to The Revolution, Lady Iris.”

♘♘♘

“Your mother had been working on this before her death and naturally, it was handed over to Reik but he couldn't be much involved with us seeing he still had to gather more information about the Black Scorpions. So, he made me Leader in his place.”Jason explains as he led me through the small town.

The streets were lit by hurricane lamps and we currently are standing in what seems to be a market, albeit a small one.

There are not more than six stalls bearing different commodities but it serves the needs of the town people, so that's not a big problem.

Several eyes follow our progression in the town until we reach a large building.

“This is the Base. Where all our operations are managed." Jason holds open the door. “After you my Lady.”

I hold my tongue from making a snarky comment and instead closely study the new environment.

There are several chairs, desks and files in each one, then there is a central big table, probably used for meetings.

The area however is lacking human presence, well beside a young man that's leaning against one of the desks and watching our approach.

“What's the situation?”He asks Jason with the boldness of a superior.

“Reik has the palace handled. We need to be ready for anything.”Jason says.

I stand there awkwardly until Jason notices. “Pardon my ill manners. Lady Iris, permit me to introduce you to Larry, Head of the Revolution Army.

Larry has an impressive aura that emits confidence and an unexpressive face. One would scarcely guess his emotions.

He reminds me of Reik in a way.

Why am I thinking of Reik now?

“It's  a pleasure to meet you, Lady Iris.”

“Please, I'd rather be called Alanna. None of that rubbish.”

Larry chuckles. “No wonder Reik is smitten by you. Last time I saw him, he was-”

“-Larry.” Jason warns, himself amused even though he struggles to hide that.

I'm perplexed though. But I'm hoping to get answers soon.

Jason had someone show me to a room which I'll be sharing with others. He apologised repeatedly, explaining that they were a little short on living spaces.

I told him I didn't mind.

But the moment I was shown to my room, my mood plunged. I would be sharing a space with Theresa.

Oh hell no.

What on earth is she doing here?

"There's no way I'm sharing a room with her.” I turn to Jason but his spot is empty.

Theresa has this smirk on her face. “It's either here or out in the cold. Which do you prefer?”

I haven't had a proper sleep in days and right now, the tiny bed at the corner beckons me closer.

“I'll deal with you later.”I murmur, landing face first on the bed.

There are quite a lot of issues to be addressed but with a deep rest, I'm sure I'll be ready to deal with them when I awake.

That's for sure.

THE END

(just kidding)