CASSIUS

        Walking at a brisk pace through the expansive hallways with a purpose kind of put everything into a new perspective. Instead of Cass feeling small and insignificant, he felt large and powerful, like he owned these hallways. His family did, so technically he did too but that's besides the point.

        Finally, the prince descended the spiral staircase that led down to the holding chambers. The fact that the palace even had a place like that only made him wonder if they had ever needed to be used before. Still, he carried on. He knew what he was after.

        The heir pushed open the heavy metal door that separated the stairway from the prisoners inside. He promptly shut the door behind him and turned to look about the room. There, sitting in a chair, positioned in one of the holding cells, sat a boy. A young boy. Just like his father had said. However, Cassius found it hard to believe that the boy–looking to be only about ten years of age–was a part of the dangerous Opposition. Still, he knew not to be so naive.

        The prince approached the holding cell, unlocking the door and inviting himself inside of the space. It was so cold down here. If it weren't for the fact that the Opposer boy had his hands tied behind his back, secured to the chair, no doubt the child would be rubbing his hands together to get warm. Cass did his best to keep his face blank of all emotion. Neutral. To be frank, it wasn't that hard for the heir to keep a straight face. He had had plenty of practice keeping every emotion in check and hiding everything from everyone.

        "Who are you?" the boy asked first.

        Cassius could tell that the captive was trying to keep a brave face, but anyone who wasn't blind could see the fear in the boy's dark eyes. "What makes you think that I would give you that information?" he replied flatly, studying the boy.

        The boy seemed to frown, like he knew that the young man was right. "You're Cassius Ignis," he repeated under his breath, "son of King Magnus and Queen Sosephane. The only heir. The only child."

        That took him off guard a little but the prince did not falter. He simply furrowed his eyebrows, "How do you know all that?"

        "Your face is one that every Ojakian knows, Cassius. Do not tell me you're that ignorant, your highness."

        "Right," he grimaced. So much for the element of surprise.

        "Besides, everyone in the Opposition knows you. My people tried to kill you, you know."

        "I'm pretty sure I'm aware," he muttered irritably, the wound on his ear seeming to pulse with the memory of it.

        The boy considered this and then continued, "I hope there aren't any hard feelings, though."

        Cass scoffed, "No hard feelings? Are you fucking joking? You tried to assassinate me and you expect me to not have any hard feelings?"

        The boy winced.

        "What is your name, anyways?"

        "Kai."

        "Kai what?"

        "Just Kai. I'm an orphan. I don't know who my parents were and even if I did, it wouldn't matter. They didn't want me. They left me to die and the Opposition found me. They took me in. Gave me a home, a place to belong. I owe everything to them, you know."

        He frowned, pitying Kai. "I'm sorry--"

        "Why would you care? It's not like you would even begin to understand. Your parents have always loved you. You've always had a full stomach, warm blankets, a roof over your head. You've never had to worry a day in your life," Kai mumbled, a bit coldly.

        Ouch, that hurt. While most of it was true, nobody seemed to understand that Cassius didn't hold a picture-perfect life.

        "So, what do you want from me? Did your Daddy send you down here to execute me for helping my people in their attempt to execute you?" Kai demanded sourly.

        "While that sounds like a really tempting offer, no. I came on my own accord. My father doesn't know I am here."

        "And why would you do that?"

        "My motives are none of your concern. Though, if you'd prefer, I can have my father deal with you. Trust me when I say he's not exactly patient. Quite frankly, I'm certain he would do worse things to make you talk than I would," he muttered with a slight frown. The boy was driving his patience.

        Kai blinked, gulping subtly. There was no doubt in Cassius' mind that he got the point across. "So what are you doing here?"

        "Looking for answers, and I'm certain you have them. If not all, at least some."

        "Well, I guess I don't have a choice," Kai sighed.

        "You're right, you don't," Cass bit back in a sarcastic tone. He crossed his arms over his chest and stared down at Kai. "How long were they planning to execute me?"

        "For cycles. Sequences upon sequences they had been planning their grand scheme. We believe that the monarchy is futile. That Ojakians should rule themselves. Logically, if they killed you, it was only a matter of time before the monarchy fell to pieces. With no heir, there is no legacy. And without a legacy, there is no monarchy."

        "Sounds like a bunch of radical bullshit to me," Cassius rolled his eyes.

        "Hey, you asked!" Kai frowned with a huff.

        Fair enough. "Fine. Did they expect to kill me?"

        "Yes. The only problem was it didn't seem like a secret anymore. It was almost as if the guards were expecting it," Kai said softly, scrunching up his dark eyebrows as he contemplated what could have gone wrong.

        Cass bit back the truth. He knew why their plan hadn't succeeded. The prince had known, or at least had been warned, of the future. "Well, public events are heavily guarded. I guess you underestimated your target's safety," he lied smoothly and cleanly. His voice did not falter. It wasn't a complete lie though. He and his family were always heavily guarded, along with the other more important diplomats.

        "I guess," was all Kai said in return.

        "Do you know who Atria Zamet is?" he asked. Orion's warning was still a fresh reminder that perhaps the girl wasn't trustworthy. Because of this, Cass didn't fully trust her either. She could be playing him, and the prince was far smarter than that. Far too smart to be outwitted by the appeals of a strange girl with a strange mind and a strange ability.

        "Who? No. Never heard the name in my life."

        "Is that the truth?"

        "What if it wasn't? What are you going to do?" Kai bit back.

        Cass frowned, "Well, I was trying to be patient with you but if you insist on being a snarky little bitch then I'll find a way to get the whole truth out of you," he warned with a small glare.

        That seemed to be warning enough because Kai quickly gulped and nodded, "Okay. Sorry. Yes, that's the truth. I don't know of any Autrio Zamingo."

        "Atria Zamet," Cass corrected.

        "Whatever. No, never heard it in my life. Though I do recognize the last name–"

        "–Her father owns a store in Hessai. He sells wares from around the galaxy."

        "Yes but that's not it."

        "What do you mean?"

        "I don't know an Atria Zamet, but I do know an Amias Zamet."

        "Amias?"

        Kai nodded. Cassius gave a thoughtful look.

        "Who are they?"

        "He's a man, tall and broad-shouldered with hazel eyes and blonde hair. A kind smile and a passion to do what's right. He's one of us."

        "I see," the prince mumbled, regarding the information. So obviously that meant Orion's doubts had been proven wrong. Unless this Amias Zamet was somehow influencing her? I mean, they shared a surname, they had to be related in some form or another. "How old is this Amias Zamet?"

        "Older than you. By a few years, I'd say. He never really said though."

        "Right."

        "Look, why is knowing this of any importance to you?"

        The heir turned and looked up at the boy. He considered his words before giving a shrug, "I'm not quite sure yet. However, I'm certain it'll set me in the right direction. Anything else that you would care to share?"

        Kai was silent for a moment, the expression he wore teetering between remaining silent or saying whatever was necessary to get himself out of this situation. "I'd watch your back. They won't stop trying to get what they want. But...your mother. If they couldn't kill the heir, they'll kill the Queen. Because a King's humanity will be lost when the only thing he truly loves is lost. Then all of Ojak will see the monster he truly is."

        "You don't mean that," Cass said, his facade fracturing.

        "I'm just telling you what I know."

        "You can't kill her. You can't do that," the prince insisted, his tone breaking a little and he suddenly felt small. Felt like nothing more than a child. A child who was told he would lose his mother if he wasn't careful.

        Kai titled his head ever so slightly, like a curious bird, "And why couldn't we? The Opposition does as they please. Besides, it's not like I have much of a say, your highness. My people are working towards a better Ojak. One fit for everyone."

        "Wasn't the attempted assassination on me enough?"

        "It's never enough, your highness. You see, it's never enough to rely on one thing to take down something that's been established for generations. If you want to destroy something, you have to give it everything you've got. Truly, no hard feelings. But then again, your family, this monarchy, is really messing things up for us, for Ojakians."

        "You're wrong, you know. The monarchy has succeeded since the beginning of time. Our society isn't based on something that can function with democracy. Democracy would lead to chaos. My existence is to sacrifice my freedom for yours..."

        Kai shrugged, though it seemed difficult considering he was still bound to the spot he sat. "We all believe different things, your highness. Belief is not something that's easily persuaded of change."

        At that moment, the ten-year-old boy spoke with a wisdom that Cass could not place. He merely shook his head and sighed, "You're making a mistake."

        "I'm only doing what I believe to be right. I know you'll only ever do the same."

        After that, Cassius felt like he had everything he needed to know. As dizzying as the truth was. Or, at least the truths that the prince had been craving. Regardless, he didn't honestly know how the Draxti did it. How they constantly lived their lives with nothing but the honest truth. Everything out in the open. He couldn't possibly imagine such a life. Cass simple turned and began to leave.

        "You're just going to leave?" Kai called, suddenly sounding like a small child being knowingly abandoned. Scared and helpless.

        "Yes. You've told me everything I needed to know. I can't save you from my father, but I suggest you don't give him a hard time," he muttered, not even bothering to look back. Sometimes, the heir had a way of being cold.

        He locked the cell door behind him and left the entire facility holding the prisoner cells. It wasn't until he was fully out of the room and climbing up the staircase that Cass realized just how cold it had been down there. Especially now that the comforting warmth was clinging to his skin. One step after the other, he climbed the stairs. Up and up. He reached the top and pulled open the door. However, there stood General Elliad Tarkis.

        "My prince," the General gave a curt nod but looked somewhat skeptical. His eyes were always judging. Watching.

        "General," Cassius gave a brief nod in return.

        "Might I ask what you were doing coming up from the...holding cells?" the older man asked, watching the young prince the same way a snake might watch a mouse.

        The heir raised his chin just a little, feigning confidence, "I went to question the prisoner. I figured that considering the Opposition nearly took my life, that I had the right to some answers too." That was half of the truth.

        "Ah, of course," was all he said, still watching. It was almost like the General expected a different answer. Or perhaps suspected a different answer.

        "Might I ask what you're doing coming down to see the prisoner? I thought my father was the one who was planning to get answers?" Cassius questioned in return, his calm and steady gaze watching the older man with his own calculating and collected skepticism.

        "Plans do change, little prince. Magnus, your father, and my King, has requested that I be sent to question our prisoner. After all, I know how to break someone down until all that remains is the truth."

        Those words seemed more chilling than they should have been. Almost like it was a warning and a threat tied in to an explanation. "Right. My apologies, General. I'm sure my father knows exactly what he's doing."

        "He most certainly does. Now, if you'll excuse me, I plan to get every answer that your father requested, little prince. I know my place and I plan to do what needs to be done," General Tarkis explained, his gaze suddenly cold and oppressive.

        Cassius simply nodded and stepped around the older man, taking off without so much as a farewell in return. The nickname, 'little prince', seemed far more mocking than it did endearing. But something just seemed...off. He couldn't put a finger on it, but Cass knew his father better than anyone thought, and he knew that Magnus Ignis would never turn down the opportunity to get what he rightfully deserved. Justice. His father was a fan of it, but only when the scales tipped in his favor. Regardless, that meant either General Tarkis was a smooth liar, deceitful like the serpent, or his father had been persuaded by his closest ally. Either way, Cass had a feeling that things were always a bit more complicated than two options.

        He pushed the thoughts to the back of his mind. Right now, he needed to do something far more important. He needed to warn his parents of the Opposer's plan. He needed to warn his mother that she was the next target. That her life was in danger. If there was one person in his world that he couldn't imagine losing–at least not this soon–it was her.