Free Regius by Nastasia Peters Page B

open and carefully guided the Prince into
the bedroom, releasing him only when Galax was sitting in the large
armchair settled beside the bed. The inside of this bedroom was
colder than the interior design of the Pallium garage's
quarters.
    "And apparently we have something you
think is worth using your cruelty for." Datura raised an accusing
eyebrow down at the Prince.
    Galax grimaced at the
blackness of the blood seeping from his wound. "Vervaine." He
paused when Calycanthus rushed inside the room, tossing the medical
kit onto the bed so he could lock the door behind him. "I need her
to see something." He added absently, watching the boy open the kit
and frantically get the necessary materials ready so he could tend
to Galax's arm.
    Where Solenum was tall and
thin, Cali was short and stoutish. But there was something scarily
similar about them. Not just the red streaks in their hair or the
yellow eyes; the way the boy moved and his body language reminded
him terribly of her.
    Galax blinked out of his
observation when the Keeper inhaled sharply. Looking up at Datura
in confusion, he waited for the man to explain his sudden need to
gasp.
    "The Light?" The Keeper
murmured, his red gaze tearing off of the Prince's so he could peak
over at Calycanthus. It took Galax a moment, but when he understood
what Datura was getting at, he shook his head wildly.
    "Not him." He ground out.
"Solenum." To his embarrassment, Galax nearly jumped when
Calycanthus let the items in his hands crash to the ground. The boy
stared at the Prince with wide eyes and an open mouth.
    "How do you know her?"
Galax's heart nearly ached at the sound of Calycanthus' pained
voice. Datura sighed and retrieved the items from the ground,
taking over for Calycanthus and approaching Galax so he could
disinfect and dress the stab wound.
    "When she received your
note, she ran from Lithium Village." Galax winced when the Keeper
handled his arm a bit harshly. "She-" Growling, he slapped Datura's
hands away and continued to take care of the wound himself. "I
found her in the desert about to die from the cold. I brought her
back to the Pallium garage and helped her get better."
    "Where is she?" Calycanthus
pressed.
    The Prince looked up at the
boy's concerned face. "She was kidnapped by the Regius."
    "What?!" Calycanthus
shrieked, suddenly as animated as a person could be. Datura didn't
allow him to freak out completely though, quickly rushing over to
the boy so he could frame his face.
    "Kidnapped doesn't mean
dead, Cali." The Keeper whispered. "If Galax is here and wants to
use Vervaine, it means there is still a chance we may find
her."
    "But Vervaine isn't here!"
Calycanthus shouted.
    Now it was Galax's turn to
freak. "What?!"
    "Your sister came here to
ask the help of the soldiers to find you." Datura explained.
"Vervaine is the only Altor that looks most like a Regius who isn't
in Iodin City already." He guided Calycanthus over to the bed,
forcing him to sit. "You know the protocol. When we reach code ten,
all news must be delivered in person. The Regius heir missing
equals code ten. Vervaine is on her way to inform the District
Leader of your disappearance. Because-"
    Galax groaned, rubbing his
forehead and closing his eyes, remembering to breathe so he didn't
explode in fury. "Because if they do so by port phone or mail, the
enemy might intercept or listen in on the message and find me
before all you people can." He let out a noise of anger. "I know!"
And he kicked the armchair once he stood. "You should have killed
me when I asked you too."
    Datura offered the Prince a
dull stare. "So you would miss out on meeting Solenum?" The Keeper
smiled slowly. "Nothing and nobody has ever been important enough
for you to risk your control and give into the
strength."
    "Which is a bad thing, Keeper!"
Galax roared. "I nearly killed Calycanthus because I couldn't keep
it in check."
    It was the boy's following
words that had the Prince calm down instantly. "You love