29

Luca entered Nico's cell and swore under his breath. He was even worse than the last time he'd come to get him. He had lost so much weight that his clothes were hanging off of him and his skin was an unhealthy pasty color.

He crouched next to him and gently shook his shoulder. "Hey, you'd better get up. You're being...exiled today."

"Am I?" Nico coughed. "Why not just kill me?"

Luca looked over his shoulder at the guards that were crowded at the door. A big blurry one growled, "Do you need us to come and get him? I ain't going to be gentle about it either."

"Zip it, Mike." Luca hissed. "Come on."

He grunted slightly as he helped Nico stand. He limped toward the door and guards immediately backed away, creating an aisle that they could walk through.

After having to clean up after the death of Queen Ariana Luca wasn't sure he could handle any more death. He spared a glance at the elf.

"Did you her about Queen Ariana?"

Nico raised a brow. 

"She was murdered yesterday and Kaya barely escaped with her life, but she managed to save her younger siblings," Luca said conversationally. "That's good, isn't it?"

"I guess." Nico swallowed. 

Luca had overheard some rumors about Nico's behavior, and recently Kaya came forward to explain that her accusations against Nico were false. Kaya expressed deep regret for having lied and causing harm to Nico's reputation. She is now determined to do whatever it takes to repair the damage she has caused and rebuild the trust that was broken between them.

"Is she alright?"

Luca smiled. Though Nico came off with the impression he didn't give a hoot about the princess, he still cared for her. "She's got a few bruises from being slammed against the wall, nothing too bad."

Nico ducked his head.

"You do know what's happening today, right?" Luca whispered. "King Kojo is banishing you. To the Wasteland."