8. The Truth
Katsumi was leading Melody through the gates and down the main road. Katsumi explained what each of the buildings and rooms were used for. Melody just nodded, not fully caring about what was being told. She would learn when she lived here.
“Mama” a cry had cut through the air interrupting the tense conversation. Katsumi smiled as her daughter came toddling over to her. Melody smiled slightly watching the other woman’s nervous smile turn into pure joy when she greeted her daughter.
“Hello Leilani” Katsumi smiled as she crouched down and hugged her daughter. “It is good to see you!” Katsumi showered her daughter in kisses. She had missed her daughter dearly.
“Where is your brother?” at the question the toddler pointed towards the kitchens. Katsumi saw Titus walking out with Mako in his arms.
“Mako! Titus!” Katsumi waved at them her smile nearly radiant. Mako called out a greeting waving excitedly.
“Hello Lady Katsumi” Titus stammered out her title. He was not expecting the mystery woman but when he saw the markings he knew, she was one of the Queen’s Elite. If he broke the law she could haul him off to the holdings or worse send her to the fighting pits.
“Hello Miss” he added. She gave him an icy stare in reply.
“You. Collect Katsumi’s things and a sampling of all your plants” Melody snapped. Titus put down Mako and ruffled the boys hair.
“Of course Lady” he gave Katsumi a questioning glance before going to collect her things. Katsumi had moved away to greet and give her son attention as soon as Titus had put him down.
“Katsumi” Melody called trying to get the woman’s attention. Katsumi stood up and turned to look at the other woman.
“Tell me. That man who left. Is he the father of your children.” she paused thinking of the words. “They share some similarities. Your son will probably look a bit like you but your daughter looks a bit like that man and that woman there too.” Melody gestured to a picture of the past queen. A painting of Mahina was placed on a memorial wall.
“Titus?” Katsumi’s eyes widened at the accusation. “By the Goddess! No! Their father is no longer in Tribe Isla”
“No longer in the tribe” Melody questioned. Even when a man passed his body would stay in the tribe’s burial ground. When speaking of those who passed away they would still be in the tribe’s ground. If he was no longer in the tribe then where was he?
“Yes. Their parentage is complicated” Katsumi replied. Originally she had thought that Geo had been the father. On the same day she laid with Geo, she had an intimate moment with Kale at the Spa. She didn’t think anything would come from it and was overjoyed when her children were born. As time went on she came to the realization that Kale was their father. Her son shared his wild hair and her daughter had his smile.
“I had been mistaken. The man I thought was the father is with the goddess and their real father is gone” Katsumi finally said. Melody was shocked by the confession. She had not expected that.
“That is very unexpected.” she cut off whatever else she was going to say as she looked past the other woman to see Titus carrying over all of Katsumi’s items. “I will take your things to the boat. Say your goodbyes. We leave in ten minutes”
Melody snatched the items from Titus’s arms and hurried to the docks to load the boat.
“I don’t think she likes me very much” Titus said staring after the woman.
“I wouldn’t take it personally. She seems to hate everyone but Queen Hyacinth” Katsumi laughed. The other woman was all anger and glares towards anyone. Whenever she looked at the queen the normally angry woman would soften whenever she looked at the queen.
“Kat what is going on?” Titus asked looking back to one of his oldest friends. It wasn’t like her to show up with a queen’s guard.
“I…I am working for the queen now. I love Helike and all of the people who live here but I want to go out and learn new things. I just…I don’t know. I want to be useful and I don’t think-” Titus cut her off.
“I get it and it is okay. We will miss you” He swept her into a hug. Katsumi couldn’t believe it. Titus wasn’t the type of person to hug anyone, not even his sister. Katsumi returned the hug.
“Titus there is one more thing. The twins…they are Kale’s children” Katsumi whispered to him. She expected him to freak out. She expected disgust when she pulled back to see his face. He was smiling.
“Oh I know. I’ve known for a while now” he paused. “But I am honored you told me”
Melody smiled. She couldn’t believe that there was aviary here. They had some of the fastest birds she had seen. She sent a quick message a head of her to the Queen. She would be returning with Katsumi. The queen could send her back sure but Melody doubted she would. The queen would be too excited. A creator’s son, who fathered children and ran from his duty. He had broken one of the most sacred and ancient laws. The Queen would likely send the elite hunters after him. Melody wanted to go. Melody wanted to be the one to bring him in front of the queen. She didn’t care about who fathered the children or some old tradition. She just cared of her Queen.
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