Stupidest move ever. Enforcers were nothing but Guards who didn't make even Z level. They took up general protecting duties to women who needed help. Zeph was an S class. Xiam was literally pulling the gun on himself.
Zeph didn't say a word as Xiam watched enforcement come. He simply flashed his official Guard license and they retrieved Zella from Muin's.
Zella entered Zeph's room in handcuffs.
"You were right Guard, she had gone to her sister's house." One of the enforcers handed Zeph the key to the handcuffs. "Here you go and have a nice day Guard Smilliat."
Zeph nodded and tried to look at Zella but she stared at the ground. "I had to do it. You're my client."
"You're not above everything. I'll find someone, someone who isn't a Guard or an enforcer. I'll find someone who isn't afraid to stand up to you!" Xiam declared as he left the room angrily.
Zeph didn't respond, the time for friendship was over. His true duty remained, no matter how hard it was.
Cold. Silent. Not a word was spoken to Zeph by anyone. He may have had the continued authority to guard Zella, but he did not have anyone's support or friendship anymore. As the days went by, Zeph was like a ghost, only observing. He had even been bumped a couple times, being accused of 'not being there'. It didn't matter what they said though, how bad he wanted to tell the truth. He couldn't leave Zella's side either, as much as she wanted him too. He still had no idea what the king had planned for her, for the babies, for anyone. So day by day, time went by, being a shadow with no words spoken. No one wanted to have anything to do with him.
Well, almost everyone...
Zeph watched out the front window and watched Zaria give him a friendly wave. Probably something to make him feel like he wasn't alone in the world. Zaria stopped when Muin spotted him and grabbed his arm. She yelled so loud he could hear her from across the street.
"Quit that Zaria, hHe's no longer a friend, how many times do I have to say it? He's changed, he's not the same anymore."
Zeph watched as Zaria got dragged off down the street. The one guy he hated so much at first, was his only friend now. Life was strange. He walked over to the couch where Zella had been. Everyday he tried to start a conversation, but everyday Zella ignored him. "Weather's kind of nice today." Still, he never gave up. The usual ignorance was the silent reply. "A stroll might do you some good." Zella continued to ignore him. He eventually looked away. She couldn't even bear to look at him anymore, but there was no other Guard yet. Even the king demanded that he had to stay until the replacement came. All he had to do was watch his mouth for a couple more days at the most. Zeph stopped trying, got up and walked away as the phone rang. He sat over in a corner chair as Zella answered it. Maybe that was the replacement already.
"Yep, momma, they are kicking up a storm." Zella chuckled on the phone with her mother Scentella. "The doctor thinks they'll be born soon but I think Muinela is due first. Zaria's been watching her constantly."
Zeph picked up a book and sat in the corner to read, ignoring the conversation. At least Zella smiled when her family talked to her.
"Huh? The boy?" Zella sighed and said, "Well, I don't know. The other Guard is supposed to come today. He will probably pick Marni, so it'll probably be Marni."
That comment made Zeph look over at her. Like it or not, he couldn't stay silent for that. "His name's going to be Tigyr."
Zella continued to ignore him. "I know he's not the best momma, but I really only know him. Okay, bye." She hung up the phone.
"Zella." Zeph stood up. The only thing he even had control of anymore was the boy's name. "His name is going be Tigyr, and Marni will not be the unconditional."
Zella closed her eyes a moment, then gave him a sharp glance. For the first time in a long time, she spoke. "I admit, I liked the name Tigyr at first." Zella turned her attention back to a nearby magazine and opened it, "but now it feels like a predator named him that."
Predator. Sharp, a sting like a needle. Zeph sat back in the chair, that conversation was over for now. There was no way she could shut him out forever. He heard the door knock and watched as Zella went to answer it.
A guy Zeph had never seen before stood there. A nice looking fellow, he was holding a few flowers out to Zella.
Zella's face lit up. "Almo?"
The guy smiled at her. "Zella. I'm sorry I didn't hear the news for so long. Congratulations."
Zella nodded and took the flowers with grace. "I didn't know news would travel that far. Thank you."
Zeph's curiosity got the better of him. He stood up and headed toward the door.
"I missed you," Almo said, "home hasn't been the same since you left. Are you doing fine?"
Zeph watched Zella sniff the flowers and smile sweetly, making him feel sick to his stomach. Who was he?
"I'm alright." She gently took his hand. "You spraZeph it with a dessert perfume?"
"Yeah, I never forgot," Almo said chuckling. "So, do you have your unconditional yet?"
"Not yet," Zella said softly.
Zeph couldn't take it anymore. Who was this mystery guy, this blast out of the past Zella never considered mentioning? "Zella?"
Zella gestured to Almo. Her voice was staccato, going straight to the point. "He is an old boyfriend from my previous town. I did not tell you because I did not want him involved."
"I want to be involved," Almo said as he squeezed her hand. "Zella, I still love you as much as the day I first saw you. You moving doesn't mean I ever stopped."
Zeph's left foot tapped against the ground and he felt a primal growl escape. This guy was being too damn nice to her. I should throw him out! He already gave her flowers, there's a sign. But he didn't want to make Zella any madder.
"Guard, I assume?" Almo handed Zeph a ton of papers. "I've filled out everything I could remember."
Zeph looked at the stack that was given to him. He'd been thorough.
Zella looked over at Almo. "It's not your place to do this."
"I don't care. I know they are not mine, but I don't care," Almo said firmly. "You and I belong together Zella. We always have and we always will."
Zeph just dropped the papers to the floor and glared at him. "No way. You are not gonna be her unconditional."
Almo himself let out a small growl but remained polite. "Guard? Pardon, but you have not even looked at my-"
"I'm getting closer," Zella interrupted. "If you don't want Marni to be my unconditional Guardian Zephyr Smilliat, then Almo should be it."
Zeph bitterly picked the papers back up. What could he say to that? He studied the papers, surely there was something to make this guy get out? Went to secondary schooling. Damn. Good career as a pediatrician? Double damn. Statements from friends, past girlfriends, all good and ended on good terms? Damn, damn, damn.
The guy was perfect.
"I'll call it in," Zeph said. Once the good words of his friends and girlfriends were confirmed though, there wasn't much more to do. He looked at the smiling Almo. I don't know, I don't like him.
Almo gave him an odd look. "Sir?"
Look at him. The polite perfect bastard who would end up raising his kids.
Almo looked over at Zella. "Is he okay?"
The guy that would end up with Zella every night. Zeph thought. Who'd kiss her and hug her and call her his own. Who'd live there and raise his babies. Who'd move into the Dens and watch his kids grow up.
Zella continued to give Zeph a strange look. "Guard?"
When he himself never even felt them kick because Zella was repulsed by him now.
Enough…was enough.
Guardian Zephyr Smilliat did the one thing he should have never done. The one thing he was trained to never do.
He lost it.
In one fell swoop, Zeph grabbed Almo's arm and spun around, twisting it hard, at least a fracture would result. The painful screams from the man did nothing as he let go and kicked him out of the house. He locked the door and set his attention on Zella. She was yelling something, but he grabbed her hand and brought him close to her. Her scent. Even if the pheromones were lower, his instinct was pumping. Forgetting all his training, he broke his future in one fell swoop as he kissed her.
She struggled, but he couldn't let her go. He tasted a woman for the first time in a way which he had never known. In a way most men took for granted. She refused to open her mouth, still disgusted by him, but he had still tasted the sensation of his lips on hers. A man to a woman.
"What's the matter with you?" Zella cried out. "Stop!"
Zeph gently touched her belly. "Let me feel them, you've never let me feel them." He held her closely against her will. "I just want what I can never have!"
As he said that, the door was busted down.
Zeph's replacement Guard quickly got a hold of Zeph.
"Let me go or I'll-!"
It didn't take long for enforcement to come again. This time, it wasn't Zeph they were helping. Outside medical care was trying to help out Almo, who was still screaming in pain. As Zeph was brought to the ground, he stayed still. He knew he lost control. It was something originals were famous for, but he hadn't lost control for many centuries. Not since he was a kid. Not since he lost everything.
Zella watched, unwilling or unable to say anything, as Zeph was walked out calmly, with chains and handcuffs.
King Sheward shook his head as he looked at Zeph behind bars. "Guardian Zephyr Smilliat. How could you lose control?"
Zeph shrugged. "I am who I am. Guard or not."
"You are an original. I know, I know." King Sheward shook his head. "Zellaponia Cattral's new Guard will take good care of her, I assure you."
Zeph didn't reply as he stared ahead at his cave-like prison.
"I don't know what to do with you," the king groaned. "I didn't 'cause this to give you pain, I really didn't, but the kingdom needs support. If this were to come out that the Kingdom were directly involved, the evolved would have more to use against us. They don't need anymore ammunition."
Zeph still didn't reply.
"What is it you want?" King Sheward asked. "Do you want me to cancel your Guardship and let you be with her?"
Zeph's tail couldn't help but droop. "It wouldn't matter. She hates me with all her heart."
"Well, I'd demand she'd be with you," the king stated.
Zeph shook his head, he didn't want that either.
"So you want pardoned and stay a Guard?" The king seemed confused. "I'm not a magician, I can pardon you or you can be with her and eliminate your Guard status. I cannot do both. So which is it? Forget her and move on or quit protecting?"
Zeph didn't know how to answer that one. "I can't forget, but I can't stop being a Guard. The evolved are going to pay for what they did. I'm going to get them back, and I'm going to get my family back."
"Yes, yes. Your mother and sister." The king tried to hide his sigh, but Zeph heard it. "You will never accept that they are really gone?"
"The evolved killed everyone in my family in one blow, but they stole the women. To what, kill them later?" Zeph stole a glance at the king. "Makes no sense, they have to be alive."
"Why must you try so hard?" Queen Trivell's voice was sweet, not rough or commanding. She stood firmly next to her husband.
King Sheward waved her off. "Honey, I'll be with you in a second."
"Why must you try so hard?" the queen repeated to Zeph. "I understand you want them back, but you have another family you should be striving to hold onto. Don't you, Guard?"
Zeph didn't know how to answer the queen. He had barely even met her, what did she care about his problem?
"You're in love with someone and she's carrying your kids. Why not just be with her?" Queen Trivelle asked again
Zeph looked down. "I can't, she thinks I'm a monster."
"Why? It wasn't your fault, right?" The queen looked over at the king. "I take it this is the pure original you spoke of earlier?"
"Yes, it is but under the circumstances, sweetums, I couldn't let him reveal that the kingdom was involved." King Sheward insisted.
"What?" The queen sounded outraged. "You will not let him tell her? Or what? "
"Treason," Zeph answered for the king.
The queen glared at the king.
"Honey, you don't-it's for the good of-I love you?" King Sheward mumbled.
"Momma!" Prince Regwallis came running over to his mother.
"I can understand your past mistakes, but this?" Queen Trivelle humphed as she picked Regwallis up. "We'll see how much you think of this kingdom tonight. And the next night….and the next night," she growled.
The king stomped his foot. "If it gets out-!"
"Then let me tell her and that's it!" The queen demanded. "Surely one girl would not be believed for spouting anything bad? Who would believe one woman, with no one backing her up?"
Zeph watched as the king and queen bickered back and forth. The king and queen were very close, unlike many royalty arrangements, they had actually loved and respected each other. King Sheward was shrewd, but against his wife, he didn't always win.
Regwallis wiggled out of his mom's grasp and went over to Zeph. "I think Mommy's gonna win. Don't you?"