Chapter Eleven : Comfortable Company

In that afternoon, Sinian brought the book of 'Breathings of Ziran' and invited Jaelin to join him at one of the river's edge. Water was colored with a very baby light blue flowing slowly and in peace. The book was a collection of the most famous poems and sayings for the ziran land elements and superpowers. He handed it to her as she started with the first poem.

"Heaven in your eyes. Hell behind you lies. Stay once before the night. I'll let you go by the morning light," She spelled as she raised an eyebrow then looked at him. "Is it a love poem?" Asked curiously.

"It can be understood in many ways but it's not a love poem. It is about the four main elements of Ziran. Water, fire, earth and air," He explained while she couldn't understand. "Heaven in your eyes refer to water element. It's smooth, flowing, everything about it is lively and beautiful when you look at it and touch it. 'Hell behind you lies' goes for fire element. It's about fury and anger, it's attractive, lively and untouchable. If you start a small fire with favorable requirements, it gets bigger within seconds," He explained while she got interested, suddenly, in the whole book.

"How about the two other verses?"

"Guess what the third verse is about?"

"Stay once before the night. Um, that doesn't sound like air neither earth!" Jaelin effortlessly claimed as he smiled, sighing from her impatience.

"It's for earth element. Everything is unseen and changeable at night but earth isn't. It's tough and hard in front of it unlike other elements, their states change in the eyes," As he was explaining, the fire girl kept staring to the way his mouth was moving, to his face expression that changed few times, to his hands moving for a better understanding.

"So, the last one is for air element. It changes by every morning from a place to another, from a state to another," She started while realizing how the poem worked. "You're like the air element. From the first time I've known you till now, I could see that you only show your true self when you're comfortable with someone and carefree," Continued the fire diva smiling as he was keeping an eye contact with her.

"You finally find out about my superpowers," Sinian pinched her cheek lightly as she blushed smirking.

They were just like fire and air, boosting one another and like setting desires on fire with every breath they were taking and every air they shared. Their looks were mixing inside each other's and their heartbeats racing against time. He was teaching her for the first poems about relaxing and calming down, so she would be able to control her abilities. They were crossing their legs, putting their hands on their knees like doing yoga. Inhaling and exhaling slowly.

"I'm restless. I don't seem to be breathing that well," She cried pouting.

"Close your eyes. Go back to your resting position and practice on breathing until you reach your resting self that defeats anger and impulsiveness," Sinian ordered watching her. He was absent-minded for a wile when he was staring at her. Jaelin wasn't feeling any different than he was. She had to keep from what was left of her image of a knight before anything else.

"I have to go now," Sinian pronounced calmly as she, suddenly, turned to face him wondering why. "I have something to do at the palace."

"Ah right! You're the future king, how can I forget that!" The girl pretended but had to remind herself that he was not meant to be with her forever.

"You can stay here to practice and read the books I've mentioned. If you don't understand anything, note it so we'd discuss it together," He explained as he noticed the sadness in her eyes. "I'll be back as soon as possible," Patted on her head as she smiled nodding. He left her alone in that secret garden practicing while she didn't expect to feel lonely without him.

She had never minded being alone, especially with the books and practices she had to do. That time was different. Her heart got used to someone else's existence and her mind was set on being with him all the day long. However, she had the will to learn more and practice to make a better progress with that chance she had got.

That afternoon, felt long. Julian was on his way back to the capitol with his subordinate. He wasn't smiling as before and wanted to change his mother's mind not to get married to Juli, or at least, not that sooner. It took him three days to arrive as fast as possible. It was the same distance as from the Lunar Eris to the night capitol. Sinian was taking few hours to arrive using his superpowers and kung fu.

"What!" Juli shouted surprisingly when countess Eva told her about the marriage. "How can you get me married behind my back! And who am I marrying?" She asked further anxiously as her mother giggled.

"Calm down, my dear. You're becoming the light clan queen!" Smiled the diva as Juli was happily surprised. Was never waiting for such good news.

"How's that? Does the light king know about it?" Curiously asked, knowing he was into her friend.

"Yes, he does. The mother queen had chosen you because you're the most suitable one among all those princesses. So, get ready Juli, you're going to be responsible on our nation," Wisely spoke countess Han as the light blue-haired girl was confused.

"When is the wedding ceremony?"

"Within a month. However, in two weeks, you'll have to go to the palace to learn more about the formalities, manners and the traditions that a light queen should be having before and after the ceremony," She explained as they were having the afternoon tea in the mansion garden.

"But, Jaelin won't be able to attend!" She cried putting her tea cup down.

"Your friend who's punished? Juli, she's a criminal! If people know she's your friend, your reputation will be crashed in their eyes," Harshly, her mother stated while Juli got mad as her wind blew up to move the cups and sweets on the table.

"She ain't a criminal! I don't care what others will say. I'll speak to the mother queen and tell her to postpone the wedding. I can't get married without my friend's blessings," She angrily shouted then left to her room leaving her mother shocked, for her way of talking.

In that evening, the ministers were gathering in the night hall, inside the night palace. Discussing about the throne matters and who would become a king on the night clan. It was hard for them to accept Sinian because he was less knowledgeable about the kingdom. However, Ixin knew he was suitable but wasn't into showing his intention. He was more than sure that he would be a greater king but had other missions to do. He entered the hall making the whole crowd bowing steadily as he passed by with his subordinates behind.

"Rise," He ordered sitting down on his sofa facing the royal desk as his fellows were standing on his left side.

"Your highness, you've asked us to gather here but we don't know for which reason," Minister Lao spoke, feeling annoyed to be ruled by such a youngster and his father.

"I guess you all know why I've brought you at such hour in this hall. So, why asking such a question, minister?" Ixin glared with his terrifying eyes as the minister hummed.

"If I knew, I wouldn't dare to ask your highness," He faked a smile as the night leader sighed.

"These days, I've been hearing some unpleasant talks roaming back and forth, in the palace and the kingdom, that made me gather you here to shut some mouths of those who are creating such nonsense," Started Ixin in a threatening voice and arrogant aura, stood up and walked toward the ministers. "The next king is…" As he claimed, Sinian entered the hall wearing his luxurious uniform looking straight at his brother. The ministers bowed unsatisfied.

"Father is about to enter. If he scolds you, don't react or explain because he's looking for the slightest mistake to get you out of the palace. I need you, brother," Sinian informed using the mind telepathy with Ixin, while the big brother sighed shortly in a worry.

The air king greeted, standing by his brother's side as the night great king Wanglei entered with his subordinates. The ministers were surprised by seeing him coming back, and entering the hall with his terrifying face expressions as he wanted to tear them all apart.

"Greetings and blessings to the great night king!" Everyone bowed down when their father angrily walked, passing by them.

"Rise!" He shouted after sitting down. "How many times should I state that the crown prince and to-be-king is Lu Sinian!" He straightforwardly cried in fury. It was out of his habits to see the great night king angry. He was an air demon after all.

"Your highness. Please, calm down. We haven't disagreed or disapproved. However, it was hard for us to accept your wise decision, thus, the night leader Ixin is seen as the most suitable ruler for the night clan, and we all agree to that," Minister Gao explained in a provoking way as Ixin clenched his fist feeling angry about the statement.

"Bullshit! Nobody has the right to interfere with the great king's decision!" Wanglei shouted slamming his palm on the golden desk as his sons tried to calm him down.

"Your highness. The night leader has been holding responsibilities over these years and understands profoundly how the kingdom works. He's more knowledgeable and has always made great decisions so far," Minister Lao added fuel to fire.

"Nonsense!" Ixin shouted at him then turned to face his father. "I dare not claim myself as the next king or think about it," He bowed as his father glared at him madly.

"Enough! My decision isn't to be discussed or opposed. Everyone, from now on, should be used on Sinian as the next king who'll be crowned in three months! Dismiss!" Wanglei ordered shouting as he referred to his two sons to follow him.

"He's back early from his tour. Did you inform him about the meeting?" Sinian telepathically questioned his brother.

"You know that I wouldn't do that, or else, he'd scold me for being irresponsible," Replied Ixin coldly, knowing what was waiting for him. The great king sat down in his desk as his two sons were facing him with respect.

"Sinian, you're old enough now to hold more responsibilities of the land as Ixin is here to supervise you until you become better to rule. You've got three months from now and you'll be crowned as king. I'll be the one choosing your to-be-queen myself," Wanglei calmly stated. "You may dismiss now. Not you," Continued as he glared angrily at Ixin while that one nodded, bowed and left.

"You son of a bitch!" Wanglei shouted, slamming his desk with his two palms standing up. "How dare you make those ministers bold enough to make you, such an ungrateful illegitimate kid, a king!"

"I never dare to, your highness," Bowed the night leader while the father got furious and used his superpowers to choke him. Ixin didn't resist. He was holding it as much as he could just to survive more of his cruelty. It wasn't the first time to be tortured by him.

"You don't dare to! You should know your place, son of a bitch!"

He was losing his breaths slowly as that toxic air and the magical whip choking his neck. The king threw him against the wall and hit him few times on his back angrily. It was torturing him as Ixin didn't want to defend himself or resist, even though he was so capable deep down. Wanglei left the study leaving him on the floor, full of blood, in pain. Ixin sat down against the wall and smirked in fury knowing he'd revenge one day for what was happening to him, ever since he joined the palace.