Gone We Go 31

Chapter Thirty-One

Near the very early dawn, Keigo and Enmu pushed past the guards and headed down into the dungeon. Deep below, Keigo stopped, looking in the cell.

From the warm body of Corvus emitted a warm red glow. And within his arms was Zalair, covering his face.

"Yo, Zalair," Keigo called softly. He waited a moment, watching Zalair slowly look up to him. "Come on. Let's get you out."

"Why did you come here?" Zalair asked softly, not moving.

"Because, you're my fiancée."

"Liar." Zalair glared. "I won't go anywhere with you!"

As Enmu fussed with the lock, Keigo continued to talk to Zalair. "We don't have time for this. We have to go now. Or do you want Lettale to become the heir?"

"He'd be a better match anyway," Zalair answered. "What good would I do?"

"You mastered every damned thing you could!" Keigo replied quickly. "Besides, like you said: if we marry, you'll have an easier time killing me."

Enmu pulled the door back. "Hurry, Zalair. We must talk to your father."

Zalair pouted, leaning back into the cell against Corvus's chest. "No. I'm not going."

Keigo rushed in, grabbing Zalair's arm. He yanked the other to a stand, "You can murder me later. Now let's go."

"No!" Zalair shouted, trying to yank his arm back. "Let go!"

Keigo pulled Zalair close to him, tightening his hold. "I will later."

Zalair tried to pull away again, but stopped as he felt Corvus's hand touch his head. "It'll be fine, my king."

The three watched as Corvus returned to a red mist, and vanished back into the ruby. Keigo nodded without a word, and led the protesting prince out of the cell.

They hurried up to the throne room, going to the back of it. Keigo pushed open the King's bedroom door.

King Yoh sat up sleepily, "Prince Keigo. What is the meaning of this?"

Keigo held up his and Zalair's hands together, their fingers entwined. "I'm going to marry him."

The King yawned. "Oh, really? And why are you telling me this?"

"Take back his sentence, and leave him as the heir."

He thought a moment, then yawned once more. "Very well, but you must prove this marriage to me."

The silence that hung in the room made Zalair's skin crawl.

"Kiss."

Keigo shrugged, "Oh, is that all?" He yanked Zalair to him before he could protest. A quick peck on the lips was all, then he looked back to the sleepy King. "Is that enough?"

"Yes, yes," King Yoh waved his hand to them. "Now, get out."

Keigo bowed, pulling Zalair out and back into the throne room. Zalair yanked his arm away, shoving Keigo away from him.

"You idiot! Why'd you kiss me!"

Keigo turned around, "Well that's what your father wanted. Besides, we've kissed before."

"The snow's gotten to your brain," Zalair shouted. "We have never kissed before! You're just making it up!"

Keigo crossed his arms, raising a brow. "That's funny. I was sure we kissed when we were kids?" He smiled a bit, "Wasn't that the day you hated so much?"

Zalair let his green furious eyes burn hate at Keigo. "You're despicable."

Enmu rushed between the two, "Now, now. What's the point of fighting?"

"It's his fault!" Zalair shouted, "You're the one who shut me out and ignored me for thirteen years! You don't deserve anything!"

Keigo huffed, rolling his eyes. "What? You pick now to be angry at me?" His blue eyes glared back to Zalair. "If that's how you felt, why didn't you try to kill me earlier?"

"Good question." Zalair nodded. "I should've killed you off before." He looked to the side, spotting a guard walking by. "Looks like I'll just have to do it now."

Keigo and Enmu stared, watching as Zalair ran to the guard, pushing him down as he unsheathed the sword. Then Zalair turned, pointing the sword at Keigo.

"Armed or not, I will kill you."

Keigo pulled out the sword from his hip, swinging it around a moment, "Then I'll have to defend myself."

Enmu pulled his sword out, standing between the two of them. "Stop it! You're best friends!"

"Not since that day!" Zalair shouted, rushing at Keigo. Enmu blocked the sword quickly with his own. "Move!"

"No!" Enmu shouted, pushing Zalair back with difficulty. "You two shouldn't be fighting like this!"

Zalair kicked Enmu's shin, then ran past him. "That's for me to decide!" He swung from above at Keigo.

"Whoa!" Keigo dodged in a roll to the side. He straightened up, hitting a pillar and turned around. "Chill out a moment, Zalair! Are you still peeved about me saying I'd marry Aleon?"

Zalair rushed at Keigo, slamming the sword vertically. Keigo moved again, the sword hitting the pillar with a loud clang.

"Peeved? I'm way beyond that!"

"Cut it out!" Enmu shouted, running at them.

Zalair turned around, swinging at Keigo. Keigo blocked with his own sword, then watched as Enmu slid on his knees, hitting Zalair's legs. The two tumbled to the ground.

"I'll kill him!" Zalair shouted, pushing off of Enmu.

Keigo took the opportunity to point the sword at Zalair's forehead. "Hold on a second. Just why do you want to kill me so badly?"

"You tell me first," Zalair answered.

"I told you. Afrat told me you'd betray me." Keigo answered. "He put me under a spell or something, and urged hate."

Zalair gritted his teeth, swinging his sword upwards at Keigo's chest. "That's the lamest excuse ever!"

Keigo jumped back just in time. He barely had time to look up before Zalair was upon him again. A loud clang echoed in the halls as Zalair and Keigo's swords met.

Zalair was just too good though. He loosened the force on his side suddenly, letting Keigo come forward. As he did, Zalair freed his left hand to punch Keigo's jaw. Unsteady for a second, Keigo tried to regain his footing. Zalair took the chance, swinging his sword in a circle so Keigo's was knocked from his hand.

Keigo looked at the fallen sword. That distraction allowed Zalair to ram Keigo's gut with his shoulder. Keigo fell to the ground with a gasp. His blue eyes looked up to see Zalair about to thrust down at him.

"I said 'stop'." Enmu said clearly.

Keigo slowly opened his eyes, seeing Zalair not moving. He was being held at the tip of the golden sword, right at his neck.

"Drop the sword, Zalair." Enmu directed, watching as Zalair dropped the blade. "Obviously, our enemy is Afrat. Not each other."

Zalair glared at him. He backed up, then walked forward and pushed Enmu aside.

Keigo shifted up slowly, watching Zalair start to leave the throne room. "Zalair! Wait a minute!"

"Can't you forgive him?" Enmu called.

Zalair stopped, looking over his shoulder just barely. "No. No, I can't."