Repercussions

Before he could finish, I shot to the ground and ran for the door. Nobles all around me stared into my soul. Yet, at that moment, my mind couldn’t spare a second for them.

Servants screamed as I ran through them. The sound of shattered porcelain and glass echoed out somewhere behind me.

Even with the king’s announcement, people still filled every inch of the halls. There were nobles who needed a breath of fresh air, students too starstruck to move, and maids concerned that one wrong move would get them scolded. Normally, I’d be the talk of the town, princes didn’t dash through the halls on nights like these, yet with the upcoming news I would be long forgotten.

Not that it would matter when we all ended up six feet under.

“Mai…” My voice came out barely louder than a whimper. I needed to get to her.

My mind flashed back to her mirror. War was inevitable now clearly, the least I could do was give her family a chance.

Mine were currently in the process of throwing their lives away, I couldn’t let both of us suffer the same fate.

I cascaded down the castle entrance three steps at a time. With a snap, wind gathered around my back, pushing me along the well worn path to school.

Mai had taught me this little trick a while ago, though neither of us exactly wanted to incorporate it on the daily. Sure, it would blast me back faster than any carriage could. My muscles would be complaining the entirety of tomorrow, though. My magic may be deep, my muscles were far from even that.

Barely ten minutes passed before I arrived at Mai’s door.

I shoved the wooden door, knocking it off its hinges.

“What the–” Mai took a step back in shock as the door slammed to the ground in a heap of dust. “Rio? You look like shit what happened?”

“Mirror…” My voice croaked out as I rested my hands against my knees. “Grab that mirror of yours?”

“Mirror? What the hell are you talking about Rio?”

I took a deep breath, letting my voice clear. “King Avery just announced that Mikin is declaring war on Arhonia, effective immediately.”

Mai froze. The blood started to drain from her face, tail sticking straight into the air like an arrow. “Fucking hell.”

Within a single blink, she dashed over and grabbed the mirror from her nightstand. “Chiyo! Wake the fuck up.”

“Mai?” a groggy voice came from the mirror. “It's like one in the morning, couldn’t this wait?”

“The flame’s light has coated itself in red.”

A long pause followed. “A-are you sure, Mai?”

“Positive.”

“I understand. Princess, stay safe.” The mirror flashed off, Mai tossing it aside on the bed. “We don’t have long. Rio… what are you going to do?”

“I…” In the second the truth hit me like a brick. This was treason. Everything around this, around us was already in a gray zone, but if I left with Mai this became black and white. She was the enemy, foreign royalty, a potential captive for us to extort in the upcoming war.

But what did I have to lose? A shitty family that only acknowledged me when I finally became useful? Some scattered art in a lonely room at the end of the hall? This wasn’t a hard choice at all.

The only person in this entire country that actually stood by my side through everything was Lacy, and she’d go with me if I asked.

“Go with you, of course, i-if it's what you want?”

“And betray your country?” Mai asked.

“Screw them. You’re my life, Mai. I’d sacrifice the entire country to keep you safe.” I grabbed a pen from her desk and scribbled a quick note for Lacy. Hopefully she’d get the gist of it. “To be honest, I don’t have a plan, not even fragments of one. I’m scared out of my mind and barely standing. The people I’ve known since the day I was born are heading to war and every bit of Mikin culture in me is saying to join them. But you know what? Ever since I’ve met you, it feels like I’ve gained the ability to live for the first time. Screw this horrid, sick country! Whatever you want Mai, I'll follow.”

“I–how do I even respond to that?” Mai’s cheeks flushed red. “Holy flame, we may be in a pile of shit, but at least we're in this together.”

“So, what’s the plan?”

“That’s a great question,” Mai said, snapping back to reality. She reached under the bed and grabbed two pre packed bags. “If I had to guess, soldiers will be paying us a visit any second now. We need to get out of here before they show up. If there's anything you need not in the bag, this is the time to grab it.”

“I’ll make do,” I said, leaning outside and tossing Lacy’s letter into my dorm before closing the door. “Let’s head out…”

Yet, my voice faded as a whole battalion appeared from the stone school halls.

They marched to a steady tune, all wearing familiar crimson armor, holding spears that could slice even bone in two. Bright yellow stripes covered their visors, only the whites of the soldiers' eyes visible through the small slits. This wasn’t some everyday battalion; these were royal guards, the best of the best, and they were currently marching towards us with Felix leading the pack.

“Hello Felix, fancy seeing you here,” I said, nearly shouting to let Mai know of our uninvited guests.

“Rio,” Felix’s face was creased in a vicious frown, his eyes staring like daggers. “Let us through. The Arhonian princess is to be taken as a prisoner of war.”

“I’m afraid I can't do that, Felix,” electricity began to arc between my fingers. “Sorry, love over family and all that?”

“Love? Explain.”

“Wow, I see your hate has left you a bit less verbose than normal. What, Mikin got your tongue? But if you must have an answer, I've discovered someone who's willing to give me love, appreciate me for who I am, something none of you all have ever attempted.”

“Holy breeze, Rio! Don’t fall for her propaganda. I should have known that damned Arhonian would put you under her spell.” Felix spat on the ground, placing a hand against the sword lazily shifting in his scabbard.

“Oh, I’m the one falling for propaganda? Give me a break,” I scoffed. “Have you ever met someone from Arhonia, or even seen them beyond Olivia’s projections? Despite what Father says they don't want a war, they don’t want the border skirmishes. They just want peace! We’re the obstacle standing in the way of that Felix. You’re not an idiot Felix. Just give it a thought.”

He hesitated, taking a step back. “You’ll have plenty of time to convince me after we bring our target back to the castle. I don’t want to throw you in there as well, Rio.

A flash of silver caught the corner of my eye. “Hate to tell you, but I don’t think either of us will be able to make that appointment. You want to meet Mai? Go ahead, she's just dying to meet you.

Mai burst from the room like an arrow, sword in hand. “Come on Felix! Let’s see how well trained the Mikin Knights are!”