Chapter 925: ’Family’ Only

Nerissa and Rhapso left the ship first as a Praetorian squad was waiting for us. Peeking out from the door, I heard one of the Praetorians, a hand on his head, ask. "Nerissa... Did Sentinel Lambdason kidnap a Princess?"

From the tone of voice, I could tell the Praetorian didn’t believe the accusation he was asking.

"No. If anything, I kidnapped the Princess. Though even more accurate, the princess kidnapped us. This is her shuttle behind us."

The Praetorian sighed. "Yeah, I thought as much. But when a king makes this type of personal request from us to investigate, we have to be sure. I can see the princess’ head sticking out of the door behind you. I’d assume if she was under duress she would make it well known at this point."

"So. Are we good?" Rhapso asked.

"Yeah, we are good. I have censured the request. Dickon will be on a two month ban of Praetorian assistance for using order time and resources for personal drama and false pretence."

"Great. Thanks Argo. I’ll go let the kidnapper know he got away with it." Rhapso joked and turned around making her way back towards us.

As she approached us, she spoke. "Apollo, good news-"

"-I know. I have good hearing."

...

Hailey and I were holding hands as we walked through a small garden in the corner of the courtyard.

She was smiling bittersweetly as she looked at the newly planted flowers. Having told me about her mother and what the garden meant to her, I just stayed silent, here for her.

Not long through our walk we sat down on a small bench. I could happily sit in silence with Hailey, but I could figuratively hear her thoughts ping ponging around her cranium, so I asked, "What are you thinking?"

Hailey pouted slightly at being caught in her thoughts, but spoke her mind. "I am trying to see the kind gesture Elaine has done planting new flowers in my mothers garden. Especially considering she knows how much it means to me, but I am also feeling bitter because..."

"It’s your mum’s garden. Your memories." I said, prompting Hailey to nod her head and lean into me.

"Changing subject. I still can’t believe you haven’t said anything." She spoke, accusingly.

’Uh oh.’

"W-What do you mean?" I asked.

Hailey proceeded to stand up and gave me a small spin. "I dressed up all fancy for you, I even did my makeup differently and you said nothing. I expected at least a ’ Oh, you look nice Hailey, have you done something different.’ But nope. Mr dense strikes again."

"Oh..." I uttered in realisation. "Sorry. I just always think you are beautiful. I thought you were just dressed up in a standard dress for being at the palace... You are a Princess after all. Though if you give me another spin, I did see something quite eye-catching on the back of your dress."

"You did? Crap, It’s probably dirty because I was looking for you all night. What is it? Apollo?"

Hailey took a glance over her shoulder at me shamelessly staring at her butt, nodding to myself. "It really is quite eye-catching."

Hailey gasped, "You big perv!" Though her smile suggested that she was not bothered in the slightest.

Reaching out, I grabbed her hand pulling her onto my lap, making her giggle. Though that giggle died out as I caressed her cheek with my palm. "Guilty on all counts, my Princess... Though really, sorry I didn’t say anything. I’ll work on that."

Hailey positioned herself upwards, wrapping her arms around my neck. "I’ll forgive you... As long as I get a kiss from my brave war hero."

"A kiss from a princess? Oh how could I accept such a priceless gift? I am but a humble fallen Archon from the outskirts of the empire. Surely I am not worthy.." I teased, but Hailey wasn’t in the mood as her lips locked against mine.

...

King Dickon rushed to the courtyard where he received word his darling was spotted not long ago.

His frantic state made him look around swiftly, missing key details. He then felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Over there. Though I’d say the princess is happy to be here for once." King Sigismund spoke.

Dickon was delighted to hear that and followed where Sigismund was pointing, only for the blood to drain from his face.

His pale white face suddenly turned boiling red in a moment’s notice before he yelled at the top of his lungs.

"Get your filthy hands off my little girl!"

"Hahahahahahaha!"

...

Hearing someone yell, I pulled away from the kiss just long enough to spot a portly older gentleman running towards us.

"Don’t stop yet, please~" Hailey spoke before resuming the kiss.

Speaking out of the corner of my mouth I replied, "Sure... But I think King Dickon is currently running over here.

"What?" Hailey stopped the kiss at the mention of her father. Looking around swiftly, she spotted Dickon and I felt the surroundings chill past my Thermokinesis capabilities.

Not getting off my lap, she glared at Dickon as his sprint turned into a jog, turned into walking before coming to a complete halt.

"What?" Hailey snapped at Dickon.

Dickon let out a sharp breath, visible due to the sudden chill. "You were... Kissing."

"And? Apollo is my boyfriend. Am I not supposed to kiss my man?"

"NO!" Dickon yelled in reflex before smacking his mouth with his hand.

Hailey’s eyes turned a full icy blue upon hearing that, I could feel her Psionics begin to coalesce around her. And a lot of it.

"Hailey." A second voice suddenly called out. Sigismund then casually walked between us and Dickon and spoke again.

"As much as I love to watch family drama unfold. Psionics in the palace grounds is unacceptable, you know this. Cool off, or rather, heat up in your case."

Hailey remained unmoving for a few moments, making Sigismund roll his eyes. "Very well, if you won’t listen to me, perhaps take a look at your boyfriend’s arms for a moment?"

Hailey frowned and looked down at the arms wrapped around her waist. They had been encased in a thick layer of ice within a few moments.

In an instant, the Psionics around her vanished without a trace. "Apollo! Are you alright? I am so sorry."

"I’m cool... Get it?" I said with a cheesy smile.

"Ha!" I got a chuckle out of Sigismund, but Hailey was not amused, she looked on the verge of tears.

"Hey, look at me babe. I’m fine. I think you forgot something."

"What?"

"I do also have Cryokinesis."

I then focused up and the ice around my arms began to crack and splinter into long, thin ice needles. I then began to spin them slowly around us as I carefully activated my flames in order to quickly heat up my arms. It did hurt quite a bit, but I didn’t want to worry her.

Hailey looked at the ice needles, her eyes wide. "Wow..." She murmured.

I smiled for a moment before she continued.

"Your Cryokinesis control sucks."

To emphasise that point, she hijacked control of the ice, crushing them into tiny crystals before letting them fall to the ground.

"Oof." I overdramatically exclaimed, prompting her to giggle and give me another kiss.

...

Sigismund watched what just happened with wide eyes. Apollo was a Pyrokinetic. That was without question at this point... But a fire fucker capable of using Cryokinesis? Even if it was shoddy like Hailey said. That was not a normal combination of powers.

Having more than one awakening was already a feat of pure genius. But to have contradicting elements?

Sigismund just gazed at Apollo for a few moments. His hunch was getting more and more confirmed. This man had the potential to change Spartari in a very significant way.

His train of thought was taken away from the future as the so-called king standing next to him looked like he was on the verge of having an aneurysm.

...

"Hey, lovebirds." Sigismund spoke, pulling my attention towards him. "I’m willing to forgive BOTH of you now using Psionics in the palace, but on one condition. We all go and have a meal together. Dickon, how does that sound to you?"

Dickon turned to Sigismund, about to disagree wholly. He didn’t want to share a table with the scrunt touching his daughter.

"Dickon. A nice, peaceful meal, with your daughter present... Doesn’t that sound good?"

Dickon’s tune changed instantly as he smiled at Hailey. "That sounds wonderful, Hailey? What do you think?"

Instead of instantly replying, which he assumed would be a no, Hailey turned to the scrunt and asked. "We don’t have to if you don’t want Apollo. I know you just ate that lasagne..."

I shrugged my shoulders. "There was still a quarter left that I gave to Orchid. I could still eat."

Sigismund slapped his hands together. "Brilliant. We will meet in the royal hall in thirty minutes. Dickon, go get your wife and the children. We will make it a proper meal. Family only." Sigismund then gave me a wink as he said ’Family’ before walking away.

...

Nerissa and Rhapso had watched the whole thing transpire, blending into the background masterfully.

Nerissa watched as Apollo and Hailey got up and continued to walk. She took in a large inhale before letting it out and thinking.

’Oh yeah... I missed this.’