Cell

A few hours after dawn, a loud bang jolted me awake. Stumbling into the kitchen, I found my father rifling through my cabinets. "I've been trying to reach you all night. We've got a situation you need to be aware of," he said gruffly, not bothering to look at me. I rubbed my eyes, still groggy and disoriented from last night's intense experiences—the remnants of blood trading evident on my face, which he noticed immediately. "What's happened to you?" he queried sharply.

"Just a long night," I mumbled, trying to mask the truth. His gaze hardened. "Were you out hunting? And why on earth are you naked?" he demanded, just as a thump sounded from my bedroom. His eyes narrowed. "Who are you involved with? The Council would have your head if they knew about any unauthorized blood trading."

I tried to intercept him as he marched toward my bedroom, "No, wait—" But it was too late. He barged in to find Shauna, wrapped only in a bedsheet, her eyes still a vivid red from the blood trading. His surprise was evident, but so was his calculation. "Princess? My apologies, I wasn't aware you were here," he stammered, briefly looking genuinely taken aback.

However, as he left the room, his demeanor shifted subtly; the gears were clearly turning in his mind. Shauna crawled deeper under the covers, her expression a mix of embarrassment and the residual high from last night. "We have a Council meeting in a few hours. I suggest you both find a way to look presentable," he said too cheerfully, his smile a thinly veiled mask of his brewing schemes.

As he exited, I felt a chill down my spine. "You're not going to tell them, are you?" I asked, desperate for some reassurance.

His smile widened, cryptic and knowing. "Just be at the meeting," he called over his shoulder as he left, leaving an unspoken threat hanging in the air.

I lingered at the edge of the bed as she stirred, waking up under the tumultuous weight of last night's revelations. Her eyes, still tinged red, flickered open, registering my presence. "Good morning," she greeted, her voice a mix of confusion and clarity.

"Morning," I responded, the events of the night playing back in my head like a relentless echo. "Was I dreaming, or did your father actually catch me somewhat less than decent?" she half-joked, a rueful smile tugging at her lips.

"He saw enough to stir trouble. I think you should probably head back to your room soon. Who knows what he's conjuring up to tell the council about last night," I said, the weight of our actions sinking in.

"Let him. I'm ready for whatever they throw at me," she declared with a defiant glint in her eye. But her casual dismissal didn't ease my anxiety. "You might be underestimating the gravity of blood trading. It's not just taboo—it's addictive, for both of us," I cautioned.

"Good," she shot back playfully, pulling me into a kiss that felt like a spark in dry grass. "You see? This is what I mean. You're being irrational already."

She glanced at her hand, the cut from last night already healed, a testament to the potent, perilous gift we had exchanged. With a snap of her fingers, clothes appeared spread out across the bed—her control over her abilities seemingly as whimsical as her mood.

"Your powers are unpredictable. It's hard to tell what you might do next," I noted, my voice tinged with both awe and concern.

Ignoring my caution, she sauntered toward the bathroom. "Where's your shower?" she called over her shoulder, her tone light, unbothered by the gravity I felt. "Are you coming?" she teased, disappearing around the corner.

Her invitation hung in the air, charged with an electric promise. My mind raced with the potential consequences, yet I found myself drawn helplessly to her side, stepping into the steam-filled room. She was a force of nature, pulling me into her orbit, defiance and all. As I joined her in the shower, the water cascading down us felt like a temporary sanctuary from the storm we were sure to face.

A few hours later, Shauna and I entered the council room. She wore shades to conceal the redness of her eyes—a telltale sign of last night's forbidden activities. The room was already tense, filled with key figures like the King, Prince Torell, Captain Stunner, and Hawk. The atmosphere thickened with every breath.

An elder opened the discussion. "We face a looming threat from the Corin, spotted just outside Earth's orbit. Our fleets are engaging, but we'll need to decide on our direct involvement soon."

"Why now, after years of silence?" Shauna interjected, her tone firm yet inquisitive.

The King responded, his voice filling the room. "It appears they're desperate for sustenance, having been isolated for so long."

"And we've just let them starve?" Shauna's question cut through the murmurs, challenging the council's morality.

Laughter spread among the elders, a reaction that didn't sit well with me. Shauna, however, masked her discomfort with a forced smile. My father then seized the moment to stir the pot further. "Perhaps the Princess empathizes more deeply with the Corin, given her... intimate associations," he said, eyeing me with a smirk.

"That's irrelevant to the discussion," Shauna snapped back, her composure slipping slightly.

"Show the council your eyes, Princess," my father demanded. Reluctantly, Shauna removed her glasses, revealing her still-red eyes to the gasps of the council.

An elder stood, his voice booming with authority. "Explain yourself! Blood trading is strictly forbidden!"

Shauna's retort was swift and cutting. "That rule seems flexible depending on who you are. I discovered as much during an unscheduled visit to the elder's chambers recently."

"That area is off-limits!" the elder countered, his face reddening.

"Perhaps it should be, considering the state I found you in that night. High enough to barely recognize your own council the next day," Shauna quipped, her smile now genuine, her confidence unsettling the room.

My father, caught off-guard but quickly masking his irritation with curiosity, chuckled. "She's beginning to grasp the nuances of our politics."

"I intend to redefine these nuances," Shauna declared, standing firm. "What I do in my personal life, especially with whom I choose to share my heart, remains my business. Is that understood?" Her challenge hung heavy in the air, met with stunned silence.

"If not, I have enough evidence from my little visit to spark a scandal that could rock Eminence," she added, her threat veiled thinly with a veneer of politeness.

She then turned to me, kissed me in front of everyone, and confidently stated, "This meeting is adjourned." The King slammed the gavel, signaling the end. The council members hurried out, murmurs of both disapproval and admiration trailing behind them.

Her father approached, a rare smile of approval on his face. "Now you're playing the game," he whispered, embracing her briefly.

As the room cleared, even Torell couldn't suppress a chuckle, despite his usual disdain for me. It was clear Shauna had not only defended our love but had also taken a formidable stance in the treacherous arena of Solar politics.

As we left the council room, Captain Stunner and Hawk made their way over, tension lining their faces. Hawk's voice carried a mix of disappointment and disdain. "I can't believe you would stoop so low because of my marriage. Blood trading with him," he gestured towards me with a sneer, "a crossbreed freak."

Shauna stepped forward, her posture resolute, facing Hawk directly. "The idea that my actions are a response to your life choices is not just wrong; it's arrogant," she countered sharply.

Hawk scoffed, shaking his head. "That's one for you, brother," he muttered under his breath as he walked away, his parting words hanging bitterly in the air.

Captain Stunner lingered a moment longer, his expression somber. "You should reconsider this, Princess. Unfortunately, he is my son, but I must admit, he is not what I hoped he would become," he advised, his tone tinged with regret.

Shauna's response was swift, her grip tightening on my hand. "Well, Captain, perhaps I'm not a good soul either," she said with a defiant smile, pulling me away from the echoing judgments.

As we exited, Shauna glanced up at me, a hint of surprise in her voice. "You never mentioned that Captain Stunner was your father," she observed.

"And you kept the Elders' little secret playroom to yourself; I guess that makes us even," I replied, the corner of my mouth twitching upwards.

She chuckled softly, the sound mixing with the fading footsteps behind us. "I'm going to try to sleep this off. Can't believe how sober you are," she mused, her eyes still bright with the remnants of our earlier recklessness.

"I told you, it affects me differently," I said as she leaned in for a quick, tender kiss before parting ways.

Left alone, I noticed my father, Marcell, lurking nearby, an unreadable expression on his face as he approached. "Now that you've blood traded with her, I'm cutting you out of the loop. Your loyalties are too unpredictable now," he stated flatly, disappointment etched into every word.

Confusion and frustration welled up inside me. "I don't understand, Father. What is it you're really after?" I asked, hoping for some semblance of truth.

"The power of the Titans, son. That's all you need to know. When I secure the box, I'll need your help to unlock its secrets," he declared cryptically before turning away, leaving me to ponder the depth of his ambitions and the true cost of our forbidden bond.

Shauna

I had barely drifted off to sleep when my room burst into chaos. Kiser and Trevor bounded onto my bed, breaking the silence with their usual antics. "Heard you've been blood trading, you little rebel," Kiser teased, her eyes gleaming with mischief.

"Let me guess, Torell's the town crier? It's really none of your business," I grumbled, pulling the covers up to my chin.

"Since when do we keep secrets? We share everything," Trevor chimed in, nonchalantly munching on pizza as he made himself comfortable at the foot of my bed.

I sighed, resigning myself to their curiosity. "Okay, yes, I blood traded, and it was insane—a total rush like nothing I've ever experienced," I admitted, my voice a mix of awe and apprehension.

"So, are you falling for Cell or what?" Trevor prodded, his tone serious despite the casual setting.

"I don't know. Everything feels different after last night, but I'm not ready to label it 'love' or anything," I confessed, trying to sort through my jumbled emotions.

Kiser leaned in, her interest piqued. "Spill the details then. Your first time has got to be epic," she urged, eager for gossip.

Trevor raised his hand, cutting her off. "Actually, let's not. I'm thrilled you're exploring life, sis, but some stories are best kept private," he said, giving me a supportive nod.

We were still laughing and dissecting the concept of blood trading when Cell appeared at my door, an unexpected interruption that made my heart skip. He leaned against the frame, his presence commanding yet wary.

Revised with previous elements Shauna First person:

Kiser slid off the bed, her eyes wide with a mix of amusement and genuine intrigue. "I don't know, but all this blood trading talk makes him way more interesting than before," she giggled, giving Cell a playful look that seemed to make him slightly uncomfortable.

Trevor, always the peacekeeper, extended his hand in a parting gesture, chuckling. "Good luck, man," he said and left, followed by Kiser who threw one last mischievous glance over her shoulder.

Once the door closed behind them, the room quieted down, and I faced Cell, who was looking rather serious. "So, couldn't stay away, huh?" I teased, trying to lighten the mood with a quick kiss.

"As much as I'd like that to be the reason," Cell replied, pulling back with a worried expression, "I actually came to tell you that the Corin have breached our outer defenses and are nearly to Earth."

My heart sank. "Then I'm going to Earth," I declared resolutely.

"No, you're a princess, practically the Queen regent. You can't just dive into some hominin battle. It could be a trap," he protested.

"I will not stand by while my people are in danger. You don't have to join me, but please don't try to stop me," I said firmly, standing to summon Siren.

As I prepared to leave, I noticed Cell's conflicted expression. "You don't have to come," I reassured him.

"It's not just about following you," he confessed, his voice heavy. "I'm torn. My father... he's involved. He might be targeting the King."

My heart raced with the implications. "Torell, stay and warn the King. I need to go to Earth," I called out, as Torell dismounted his eagle and sprinted away.

Returning to my eagle, I paused, meeting Cell's desperate gaze. "I'm begging you not to go," he pleaded.

"I have to," I said simply, and without another word, he climbed onto the eagle behind me. Kiser and Trevor mounted their own, equipped with masks to sustain them through the space journey, and together, we set off for Earth.