Insubordination

"With no leverage, you are just on the wrong side. Fen, will you give in?"

Having fallen to his knees, Fen was holding his injured leg. He glared, yet could only look pathetic as he struggled against Aveline.

"You disgusting bitch!"

Fen's eyes were still locked on Kyra. She grimaced a little, looking away from him. Her eyes fell on Aveline, who rolled her eyes.

"You'd think he would shut up. Kyra's hot, stop forcing your petty views on her."

Nora was finally able to get to her feet.

"Sorry for showing such a pathetic scene, Lady Kyra. Fen is... disturbed."

Aveline winced a little, being completely ignored by Nora. Sighing softly, she began to approach Fen. Nora's eyes went wide as she attempted to stop her.

"H-hey! He's still an Aura user! Lady Kyra, stop her!"

Though their was concern on her face, Kyra didn't budge as Aveline got within Fen's range. She knelt down, looking into his eyes as she smiled.

"Lyla is more forgiving than I am. You not only cursed my maid and childhood friend, but stomped on another beautiful girl. So tell me, what's your excuse? Do you really want to piss off the Synclair family?"

Fen had an arrogant smile as he leaned forward.

"The Southern Plains. I've seen what they do to common folk from around here. Have you ever seen the lust in their eyes? How about the rage they take on when they don't get what they want? Bastards destroyed the life I could have had!"

Aveline blinked a little before lowering her voice.

"The only rage I've seen on her face was when she couldn't protect me. Lust? Ha. I'll teach her something about that in a few years."

Fen flinched, though he began to control his Aura. A weak, smoldering red appeared on his arm as he lashed out.

"No."

With a flick of her wrist, wind slapped his cheek. Fen fell back, stunned.

"Try it again, I'll do even more... or maybe I should do this."

Aveline grabbed his wrists. Moving quickly, she bound them together within rough stone. When she looked back, Kyra had a pleasant look of pride on her face. Nora, on the other hand, was shocked yet impressed.

"Hey... Lady Kyra, how old is she? Cause I'm just... wow."

Kyra winked at her.

"Thirteen, and don't worry. She's into girls."

Nora turned pink, though Aveline was the same. She stomped her way up to Kyra and punched her stomach, lightly.

"Stop! Can we go home? I want to see my Mama and Papa."

Kyra nodded, her eyes falling on Lyla.

"So... care to explain who your friend is?"

Aveline smirked.

"Jealous? Well... I guess you should be? She's a really good friend. Part of why I'm alive today."

--

The group had departed from their campsite. The carriage held only the young and injured, including the bound and gagged Fen. Nora rested in the corner while Lyla was asleep, her head in Aveline's lap. The latter was talking to Kyra, who was walking beside the carriage.

"Why are you out here, working with mercs?"

Kyra had a sad look in her eyes as she turned away.

"I chose this. I wanted to find you, usin my own hands. I also couldn't bare it anymore. Lady Nilly has been broken since the accident. She... she believes she failed as your mother."

Aveline's mouth hung open as she felt a sharp pain in her heart, followed by a raging inferno.

"Orion is going to pay for this."

Kyra nodded.

"He attempted to come by, pretending to offer his condolences. Duke Thorin sent him away immediately, then hired a group of mercs to find you. I came along, not only to help, but ti watch them. Nora has outstanding character, yet the others were all... unknown variables."

Aveline peeked at the sleeping merc leader.

"Hey, Kyra. Did I do something to upset Nora? She completely ignored me when Lyla saved her."

Kyra shrugged slightly.

"Nora is... shy? Among her thoughts, I doubt she hates you. Try to get closer to her. She's a good girl, much like yourself."

Aveline hid her face.

'Of course I blush when I'm called a good girl! Dammit, I'm not a bottom! Calm down my girlish heart....'

Her eyes went up in time to see a teasing smirk on Kyra's face.

'She knows... damn.'

Taking a deep breath, Aveline began to stroke Lyla's ears.

"Hey, Kyra... this girl. Do you think my parents will let me employ her as your aide? I don't want to abandon someone who took one of my firsts."

Kyra whipped around so quickly, she nearly tripped.

"W-what? They won't say no, but you need to run that last bit by me again!"

Aveline smiled innocently.

"Don't worry. You've taken more first than she has, and I plan to give you quite a few more... as well as take yours."

Kyra was blazing red as she slowed her pace a little. Aveline was second, her own face blazing as she hid from sight. What she couldn't see, were the bright red faces of Lyla and Nora. Fen was out cold.

---

Thank you,

Anna Haig, you're crazy!