Smoke And Mirror (Royal Angel l) - S01 E10

Story 3 years ago

Smoke And Mirror (Royal Angel l) - S01 E10

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 10

“Pearls and unicorns”

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Xavier POV

“Guns are for wimps.”

I regretted saying that even before she glared at me. Victoria was a lot of things : a liar, a thief, a murderer and a reckless idiot –

“Give. Me. My. Heckler & Koch.”

She emphasised every word by hitting me with her fan. I grabbed the frilly thing from her, swearing.

Overall, a fücking piece of work.

But definitely not a wimp.

I adjusted my tie, as she turned to the mirror. Shortcake was wearing a severe black coat, showing neither skin nor curves. I was oddly disappointed, but at least, she was ready –

Victoria began pinning up her hair with pearls.

I pursed my lips before I said something stupid. To be fair, she didn’t know that this would probably drive me insane.

It’s her hair . I reminded myself. She can do whatever she wants with it.

As she trapped another curl, my fingers itched. Why the fück do women do that ? All I wanted to do now was toss out those pins and watch that wine red river fall to her waist.

She’ll probably murder you if you try that . I told myself.

Yeah, but I’ll die a happy man.

Shut up, you sappy idiot.

“In case you haven’t noticed, I’m not Bruce Lee.” Victoria said, snapping me out of my mental conversation. “I s--k at fighting.”

“Guns aren’t allowed in the castle.” I explained. “And you’re not the worst fighter I’ve seen.”

“Was that a compliment? Wow . High praise from Sir Biscuit.” She rolled her eyes. Tucking the last pin, she turned to face me. “For once, be honest. At least tell me what it is I’m supposed to do.”

I sighed. I could’ve told her of course. It would’ve gone a little like this :

” You know, Danny? My best friend? It’s his engagement party, which is conveniently going to be held at the castle, where my ‘sick’ father is probably waiting to kill me.

Also, someone wants the happy groom dead, which is why you’re here in the first place.

Oh, and let’s not forget the abundance of leeches from the bride’s family.

So basically, your job is to make sure there aren’t too many bodies on the dance floor tonight.”

As cheerful as that conversation was, I couldn’t tell her everything. I couldn’t tell her why I needed to be there for Danny, or why my father and I would need more than family counselling to fix things.

So instead, this was all I said.

“Just be prepared for some action.”

“Just so you know, this whole ‘mysterious guy’ thing got old, real quick.” She muttered.

“You think that’s why I don’t tell you things?” I laughed. “Because it makes me look attractive?”

“Well, that and you want to annoy me.” She said, blushing.

“So I take it that it worked.”

She threw a brush at me. There were only two thoughts in my mind right then. Shortcake was kinda cute when she was angry (what the hell was wrong with me ?) and she had excellent aim.

I sighed. There was no way she could protect herself, let alone anyone, with a hair brush.

Flicking my wrist, a throwing knife fell into my palm. I gave it to her, buttoning the cuff again.

“Blades are allowed.” I said, as she studied it. “They’re honorary for the royal guardians. We call them Kunai.”

“So you’re a guardian?” She asked.

I shook my head.

“So you’re not going to tell me how you got these, are you?” She said, exasperated.

“Maybe some other time.” I said, offering a hand.

We walked downstairs to the foyer. There wasn’t a limo today because Danny had to head out earlier. Instead a black Ferrari 458 purred to a halt on the driveway.

The valet was kind enough to open the backseat door for Victoria.

I held her back. She looked at me questioningly.

“Keys.” I told the boy. “Now.”

“But-”

“But nothing.” I said, as he gave them to me grudgingly. “Go home and have a nice dinner with your girlfriend.”

“Um, thank you, sire?”

I opened the passenger door for Victoria and got in the driver’s seat. I rolled down the roof and turned on the ignition.

I didn’t know what I was missing out on until I felt the roar of the engine.

“It’s not working, by the way.” Victoria said, as I drove down the driveway.

I was confused. “What isn’t?”

“The mysterious guy thing.” She said, looking at me. “Not one bit.”

I hit the gas hard the minute we were outside the gates. Victoria laughed, holding into her seat.

“Liar.” I said, giving her a glance.

“Show off.” She shot back, laughing harder.

I’ll admit I hadn’t felt this way in long, long time. We passed by the countryside, entering the city.

A wave of nostalgia hit me. Even Victoria was stunned into silence.

It was exactly the way I remembered it. Glass and steel reflected the night sky like mirrors, a skyline that took centuries to build. Wings flashed against the sky, as people went about their daily business, angels and humans alike. The lights never faded here and the city never slept.

Yours . My mom had told me once. All of it is yours, Xevi. Isn’t it pretty?

I took a deep breath.

It isn’t mine. But it is beautiful.

Victoria looked at me, oddly. “You’re an angel, right?”

“Of course not, Shortcake.” I smiled, welcoming the distraction. “I’m a unicorn.”

She rolled her eyes. “Seriously.”

“Ask me what you want.” I said, smiling. “Isn’t this another one of your interrogations?”

“Yeah, not that they’ve worked in the past.” She muttered. “You have wings. Don’t you?”

“I do.” I said simply, knowing where this was headed.

“Why can’t you fly?”

I looked at her, surprised. I hadn’t expected that.

“What makes you think I can’t?”

She took a deep breath. “You don’t seem like the type of person who’d leave all this behind and live in that shîtty human city. Not unless it reminded you of something you couldn’t have here.”

I stayed silent.

“I’m right, aren’t I?” She said, quietly. I kept my eyes on the road. “Was it from birth?”

“No.” I said. I opened my mouth to say something else, but I couldn’t find the words.

“You don’t have to tell me.” Victoria said simply, giving me a small smile. “Maybe that mysterious thing does work a little.”

My lips twitched. “You’re smarter than you give yourself credit for.”

“Of course not.” She said, grinning. “I believe I’m very, very smart.”

We sat in silence after that. I noticed that she removed her coat, and took out the pins from her hair after a while.

“This fücking wind.” She muttered, letting her hair down.

“But your updo.” I smiled, innocently. “It was so beautiful. And time consuming.”

“Oh, don’t tell me you didn’t roll down that roof for a reason.” She arched a brow.

“I like your hair down.” I blurted before I could think about it.

Victoria laughed. A genuine quiet laugh that made me laugh too.

Only, I knew I wasn’t laughing with her.

I was laughing at myself.

That ice blue dress brought out the deep emerald green of her eyes. Her hair was a fiery red halo falling over her shoulders. In the moonlight, her every movement was graceful, catching my eye. I noticed how close her lips were and I couldn’t help imagining what they’d taste like.

Funny.

I’m so screwed .

*****

Xavier : “COMMENT ON THIS AND I’LL SHOW YOU MY WINGS.”