The Queens of Remnant - Chapter 28 (Patreon)
Content
Hey everyone! There won't be a new chapter next week because I'll be out of town for something that won't be very fun, so I'm going to take a little break and be back at it once I return. Thank you for your understanding :D
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For anyone willing to traverse several tall staircases and even longer hallways, the palace rooftop rewarded the effort with the best view in Vale. Perched high above the city, featuring an almost perilous, sheer drop to the streets below, the underused space provided quiet, isolated solace from the endless commotion within the palace’s walls. Yang always wished that they used the space more often, but tradition marked it as off-limits for all but the grandest, most important ceremonies. Regardless, it remained one of her favorite parts of the palace because of the blissful quiet, the amazing view, and the higher elevation offering cooler, stronger winds.
Standing at the rooftop’s edge, where only a short railing separated her from a thousand-foot drop, she looked out over Vale and sighed. Plenty of people went about their daily lives below. They could see her if they looked up, but they didn’t - they hurried about their tasks without a glance toward the palace.
Just as well with her, as she closed her eyes and savored the soft breeze. It wasn’t much relief on a warm day, but with the Phage causing near-constant pain...she would take any relief she could get. However, the burning in her arms and legs couldn’t compare to the war raging in her mind.
“You’re so stupid,” she scolded herself, clutching the railing before sighing and hanging her head.
Her heart hurt in a way the Phage could never make her feel. The Phage brought physical suffering, but this...this was emotional agony.
Why did she tell Blake to forget that last night happened? That was the opposite of what she wanted. This morning, for the first time in ages, she woke up happy. Overjoyed, even. Like she was the luckiest person in the world.
Then Blake bolted from the room like she couldn’t get away fast enough. She avoided Yang all morning. And when they finally talked, she seemed so...conflicted.
The only explanation Yang came up with was also the worst: Blake wished it never happened. But, since it had, she was trying to reject Yang without jeopardizing the work they were doing for the Badlands.
It was exactly like Ruby warned - Yang couldn’t just like people. Regardless of how much she argued otherwise, her title created expectations and problems not seen in normal relationships. Even though she considered herself an understanding person, no one had ever turned her down. No one broke up with her. She would like to believe that was because they all liked her but also suspected that they worried about what she might do if they upset her. She was a queen, after all, and could make their life miserable.
That would be vindictive, cruel, and a clear abuse of power. If Ruby caught wind of it, she would chide Yang into the next century.
But that didn’t change the facts. Now, she felt horrible for putting Blake in that situation. She felt even worse that her knee-jerk reaction ended any possibility of a relationship before hearing Blake out. She just couldn’t stand the thought of Blake tiptoeing around the subject, trying not to hurt her feelings while also trying to reject her.
She loved that Blake fearlessly spoke her mind. For one night to ruin that boldness...it made her heart ache.
And she wasn’t upset at Blake. Blake didn’t have to return her feelings - that wasn’t how this worked nor how this was supposed to work. She was upset at herself for letting those feelings take over, and at the misfortune she had of meeting someone amazing at this point in her life. Even if Blake felt the same, they had no chance of being together.
A door slammed open then, making her spin around and her heart seize when she saw Blake storming across the rooftop. As if the long, purposeful strides didn’t make it clear enough, her stormy eyes and fiery expression did: she was mad.
“Why would you ever say that?”
While Yang shrank away from the approaching firestorm, her back pressed against the railing, Blake gestured irritably with both hands.
“Do you really want to pretend it never happened? Or are you just saying that because you don’t want to be with me? You wish it never happened? You were just looking for a quick fix and I was the most convenient option?”
Stunned by the entrance, Yang could only grasp words. When she didn’t respond fast enough, however, Blake stepped closer and jabbed a finger into her chest.
“You don’t get to make up my mind. You don’t get to tell me to forget. You don’t get to decide how I feel or who I want to be with - it’s my heart and my decision.”
Now, Yang only felt more horrible. She knew Blake was fiercely independent - that was one of the many things she’d taken an immediate liking to - then she tried to tell Blake what to do. She thought she was making this easier. Instead, she’d stolen Blake’s voice.
“I’m sorry…” she said as soon as she found the words. “I wasn’t trying to control you. I just thought…that you wanted to turn me down, but because of who I am...I didn’t want you to feel trapped.”
When Yang offered an apologetic smile, although it felt a lot like a cringe, Blake diffused.
“I like you, Yang,” she sighed before shaking her head. “But I’m scared. I don’t know what it means. I don’t know what the future holds. I don’t even know how you feel because you won’t talk to me.”
“I - I like you, too,” Yang confessed before clearing her throat and trying again. “I really like you. More than I’ve ever liked anyone. You’re smart and passionate and...and incredible. Of course I want to be with you.”
As soon as she heard the words out loud, she remembered the true awfulness of the situation. She remembered why she never should have let it get to this.
“But you shouldn’t want to be with me,” she added as panic joined the fire in her chest. “You know that. You know I don’t have much time left.”
She was already living on borrowed time. The Phage would end her existence any day now. Yet she wanted to start a relationship?
Again, she put Blake in an awful situation. But, surprisingly, Blake didn’t look nearly as horrified as Yang felt.
“Then you don’t want to forget last night.”
While Blake searched Yang’s eyes for the answer, Yang knew that she couldn’t lie. As much as she wanted to say that this was a horrible idea, she had to tell the truth. Only then could Blake make her own decision.
“Of course not…” Yang admitted, her heart fluttering when relief appeared in Blake’s eyes. “Last night was amazing. I couldn’t forget it even if I tried, especially not when I see you and...”
Yang trailed off when she discovered that she couldn’t put those feelings into proper words. When she looked at Blake, her chest filled with a light, airy energy and her mind flitted from one thought to the next. She wanted nothing more than to wrap Blake up in her arms and carry her everywhere, doting on her all the while.
“Whenever I see you…” she tried again. “My heart beats like crazy. And not because of the Phage.”
The succinct response didn’t capture everything, but Blake understood. At least, it seemed that way when she inched closer.
“Yang...if you actually want to be with me, then I don’t want to spend the rest of my life wondering what could have been. And if you didn’t want me to like you, then you shouldn’t have been so damn charming.”
Yang laughed at the response, but her laughter stopped when Blake reached for her hand and tenderly intertwined their fingers.
“I’ve protected my heart for so long…of course it would be you.”
Yang’s reservations disappeared when Blake kissed her, filling her with pure, unbridled giddiness instead. This was a bad idea guaranteed to hurt them both, but...she couldn’t help being selfish. With whatever time she had left, she was going to love Blake so deeply and fully that...hopefully, when she was gone, Blake looked back on this decision without regret.
Because with Blake’s lips on hers, and Blake’s body pressed against hers, she didn’t want to let go. She tugged Blake’s hips against hers instead, craving the intimacy they’d shared last night. The way Blake welcomed the closeness made Yang’s heart soar even higher, and she might have been lost in the sun had Blake not set a hand on her chest and gently pulled away.
“Easy there…” Blake’s sparkling eyes and vaguely amused smile suggested that she knew exactly what might have happened had she not put a stop to it. How she continued to read Yang’s mind, Yang would never understand. She didn’t need to though. Just being here was enough.
“I’m so sorry…” she apologized again before nuzzling into Blake’s hair and taking a deep breath. “I’m the biggest idiot...I spent all morning convincing myself that you didn’t want to be with me but were too worried to say so.”
“You need to use your words,” Blake said, lightly tapping Yang’s heart. “Ask me what’s going on -” When Yang opened her mouth, Blake pressed a finger to her lips and added, “If I don’t answer the first time, it’s because I don’t know what I’m feeling or how to explain it. I need time to process things.”
“Then...what’s going through your head now?”
While Yang watched, Blake considered the question.
“I’m thinking...we both might be really bad at this.”
When Yang laughed at the diplomatic-yet-correct answer, Blake finally smiled. Seeing that smile made everything better. All the worrying and second-guessing...the entire morning of fretting...wiped out by a simple, beautiful smile.
“Well, I wasn’t exactly looking for a relationship when the Queen of Atlas brought the leader of the Resistance to the palace,” Yang teased, wrapping her arms around Blake’s waist and feeling her heart jump when Blake didn’t move away.
“The last thing I was looking for was a relationship.” When Yang smiled at a dry remark, Blake met her eyes and trailed three smooth fingers along her temple. “If the situation was different, I’d say we should take it slow. But…”
But they didn’t have time for a back-and-forth courtship that developed over months. At least, Yang didn’t have that kind of time. Not anymore. If they didn’t take this leap of faith now, they lost the opportunity for good.
“We don’t have to rush anything,” she assured Blake, only to backtrack when Blake arched her brow. “I mean, we don’t have to rush anything else. We already kind of - you know - but that doesn’t mean we have to do that again or...anything...”
Blake’s bemused smile suggested that Yang was digging herself into a hole, so she shook her head and started over.
“I’m trying to say that...I’m willing to do this however you want. That’s only fair since I’m the one who...you know...”
When sadness filled Blake’s eyes, Yang briefly turned away and bit her bottom lip. Knowing that she was the cause of that sadness, her heart clenched, sending a painful reminder of her imminent future rolling through her veins. It was heartbreaking enough knowing that she would soon leave Ruby without a sister, but leaving Blake too...
“I’m a little scared...” she admitted, voice wavering when she thought about the next part of her journey. “I don’t know what happens next. I mean, I know, but...I don’t think I’m ready.”
Yang attempted a weak smile, as if that would make it better, but Blake kissed her before resting both hands on her cheeks.
“I’ll be right here with you,” she whispered. “We’ll get through this together.”
That assurance, combined with the tender look in Blake’s eyes, filled Yang with a sensation she hadn’t felt in a long time: peace. Even if her life was ending, she wasn’t alone. She wouldn’t die some miserable, self-centered queen. She would die with someone by her side. People who loved her. People who would miss her. If there was any life beyond this one, she would spend it missing them, too.
“I think…” she began when the thought occurred to her. “When Ruby gets back from Atlas...I need to tell her.”
“I think it’s time for her to know,” Blake agreed with a small smile and squeeze of Yang’s hand.
Yang attempted a smile of her own but failed. She hadn’t told Ruby because she didn’t want anything to change but, like it or not, things were about to change. After experiencing the calmness that came from telling Blake, she had to tell Ruby. More tears would be involved, but...Ruby should know. Then they could share a proper goodbye. Imagining that conversation tore more holes in Yang’s heart, so she shook her head and pushed the thought aside for now.
“Enough with the depressing talk. Don’t we have some wars to end and cities to rebuild?”
“You’re right. We do.”
That word - ‘we’ - brought a smile to Yang’s lips. Her smile only grew when Blake kept ahold of her hand and tugged her toward the door leading inside. After barging through it moments earlier, Blake looked much happier and at ease now - a change Yang wanted to take partial credit for as they headed into the palace. Of course, if she took credit for Blake’s current happiness, she had to take credit for Blake’s annoyance as well.
She wouldn’t make that kind of mistake again. Whatever the situation, and however she felt about it, she would give Blake the time or space or whatever she needed to form her own conclusion.
“How’d you find me, anyway?” she asked while they descended the long, steep staircases.
“I just followed the wave of heat.”
“Seriously??”
When Yang looked over in disbelief, Blake smiled and shook her head.
“I asked one of the butlers for the most remote locations in the palace,” she explained before a pensive expression appeared. “Pretty sure he thinks I’m up to something shady…”
Imagining Blake asking one of the dutiful butlers for remote, private areas made Yang chuckle. Her spark protested the happiness with a slight burst of heat, but she rubbed the feeling away as they reached more populated sections of the palace.
Now that the emotional turmoil had passed, exhaustion caught up to her. Yesterday’s eventful evening and night, combined with this morning, left her with less energy than she would like. Blake seemed to sense as much as she set a slow, deliberate pace that Yang could match without straining.
“Sorry…” Yang mumbled as they nearly crawled to the entryway.
“Don’t be. Should we go to the office?”
“Soon. I should make a plaza appearance first.”
“What for?”
“So people see me. See I’m doing well. That kind of thing.”
“If you feel up for it...”
Blake didn’t fully agree with the decision - probably not because she thought that Yang shouldn’t be seen, but because she thought that Yang should sit down first. Grateful for the concern, Yang squeezed Blake’s hand as they reached the landing leading down to the bustling entryway.
The palace hummed with energy. Guards stood near the doors, butlers and maids conversed while making deliveries or hurrying off to clean. Their attention moved Yang’s way as soon as they noticed her, but their gazes quickly shifted to Blake, then to Blake and Yang’s joined hands. Blake tried to pull away, but Yang squeezed her hand a little tighter.
“You don’t have to do that…” When Blake looked at her, Yang smiled and shook her head. “Unless you don’t want people to know.”
“Are you sure?”
When Blake’s eyes flitted to the commotion below, Yang chuckled and led them into the fray.
“News spreads through the palace like wildfire. I’m sure everyone already suspected as much. And if they didn’t, I don’t care if they find out now.”
“But I’m -”
“You’re incredible.”
Before Blake claimed otherwise, Yang kissed her cheek. The confirmation drew even more attention, and a few excited twitters from some of the staff, but, most importantly, Blake relaxed. A smile even snuck onto her lips as they headed out into the plaza.
By now, the day was in full swing and the plaza was as lively as ever. The customary line of people waited for advisors, who carried out their daily task of collecting valuable feedback from the populace. Guards patrolled, providing a secure presence without seeming oppressive. Workers on their break sat on benches chatting with coworkers or friends visiting from the city.
Everyone knew better than to stare, but they all took note of Yang and the person accompanying her. Most carried on with their day after only a glance. Some looked delighted by the unexpected gossip. The only person visibly annoyed by the silent proclamation? Cecelia, of course, but Yang didn’t care what Cecelia thought. She could stand near the plaza entrance and glower all she wanted.
The war wasn’t over yet. Until it was, Yang had her freedom.
“She has a decent death glare.”
Yang looked at Blake, who only seemed amused by Cecelia’s obvious jealousy.
“Pretty sure she practices,” Yang joked. When Blake laughed, Yang smiled and felt a temporary relief from the fire crawling through her skin. She loved Blake’s laugh. She loved Blake’s smile. Both were worthy distractions from the Phage.
“What is it?” Blake asked, raising her brow as they meandered through the plaza. So many thoughts and emotions rushed through Yang’s mind right now, but one of them swirled above all others.
“Thank you,” she said as they stopped near the top of the staircase. “For everything. You’ve given me strength I haven’t felt in a long time.”
“I’m the one who should be thanking you.”
Yang could easily argue that wasn’t true, but a young, slender man drew her attention. His hair looked almost too black to be real, but his pale complexion stood out most - a stark contrast to his dark hair. His determined gait, however, suggested he had an important message.
“Your Highness,” he greeted her with a stiff bow. Something about his stern expression felt off. And that was the second time she’d been called ‘Your Highness’ recently...a strange occurrence considering how rarely she heard the term.
“Can I help you?” she asked regardless, forcing a friendly smile.
“I have a message from Atlas.”
Having just received a letter from Ruby yesterday, Yang frowned. If Ruby sent another letter so soon, it must be urgent.
“What is -?”
Yang hardly noticed his arm shoot forward before Blake stepped in front of her. The icy blade forming in the palm of his hand slammed into Blake’s side just as a strong force knocked him to the ground, sending him tumbling away from them.
It all happened so fast that he was already pushing himself to his feet by the time Yang’s spark roared to life.
“Guards!” she yelled when the flames leapt from her control, preventing her from using them to stop the fleeing assailant.
Cecelia cut off his escape long before the Elites did, flashing in front of him and forcing him into a hopeless attempt to fight his way past. He hardly swung another icy knife before Cecelia knocked the weapon from his hand, grabbed his shoulder, and plunged one of her blades through his chest. The metal dagger fully exited his back before the rest of her many knives followed, mercilessly ending his life before he was thrown to the ground.
With her own spark shooting flares through her chest, Yang gently turned Blake around and tried not to panic at the shard of ice lodged in her side.
“Call the doctor!” Yang ordered one of the butlers before carefully lowering Blake to the ground. The plaza was awash with commotion now - fearful voices and guards issuing commands - but Yang’s focus didn’t leave Blake.
“Hey, it’s ok,” Yang assured her. “You’re going to be fine. Help’s on the way.”
After looking at the knife in her side, Blake dryly laughed but didn’t say anything. Her hands shook, but Yang couldn’t tell if that was from fear or adrenaline. She was definitely on the fear side of emotions, but she didn’t want Blake to join her.
“It’s not that deep.”
Yang looked up and scowled at Cecelia’s unwanted assessment.
“There’s still a knife in her side,” she hissed before turning back to Blake. “But she’s right - it’s not that deep,” she offered encouragingly.
“Just pull it out and sear it.”
Yang’s eyes widened at the suggestion, but Blake glared up at Cecelia.
“I’m fine waiting for the doctor - thank you.”
Scoffing, Cecelia flipped her hair over her shoulder and walked away. But not without throwing a taunting, “At least you’re good for something,” over one shoulder.
Blake gritted her teeth, but Yang couldn’t tell if it was a grimace or agitation. The timing seemed right for agitation, but the timing also seemed right for a grimace. There was very real blood seeping from Blake’s stomach, the sight of which made Yang’s heart pound uncontrollably.
“Let’s see what we have here,” someone said before kneeling beside Yang. Recognizing the palace doctor, Yang quickly moved out of the way so that he could see Blake’s wound. “Oh, good. Not deep at all. We’ll just remove that then take you to the infirmary for some stitches. You’ll be good as new in no time!”
Yang sighed in relief at the prognosis. Stitches were fine. Stitches weren’t life-threatening. Still, her spark tried to leap right out of her chest.
“Let me do it,” Blake said as soon as the doctor reached for the blade. Gripping the frozen handle with both hands, she took a deep breath and then slowly pulled it out of her abdomen. Once it came free, she dropped it on the ground and groaned while more blood started seeping out. Yang, meanwhile, stared.
“Holy shit.”
Blake nearly laughed at Yang’s stunned response but quickly cringed and clutched the freely bleeding wound in her side.
“You two,” the doctor said, gesturing to the nearest guards. “Help her to the infirmary so we can clean and seal that wound.”
“I’m coming with you.”
Yang stood to follow, but Blake shook her head.
“You need to figure out who that was,” Blake whispered before sending a meaningful glance to the would-be assassin, who was now nothing more than a crumpled body on the ground.
No way in hell did Yang want to leave Blake at a moment like this, but Blake just patted her arm and motioned her away. “Meet me when you’re done,” she added before the guards half-helped, half-carried her to the infirmary. The doctor was right at their heels, ready to patch her up as soon as they got there.
Yang didn’t want to let Blake out of her sight - not until she was positive that Blake would be fine - but knew that Blake had a good point. Even though her spark teetered on the edge of her control, she needed to figure out who that was as fast as possible. While the advisors escorted civilians out of the plaza, she hobbled over to the guards surrounding the man lying atop the stairs.
“Looks like you made some enemies.”
Cecelia appeared in a breath of wind while Yang knelt to look at the man.
“Did you have to kill him?” she asked instead of responding to that statement. “Now we can’t ask who hired him.”
“Oh sorry for taking care of your assassin problem. I didn’t realize you were collecting them.”
Yang sighed and shook her head. Doing her best to ignore the blood sprayed across the ground and pooling beneath him, and the searing heat still pouring through her veins, she tried to place his face in her memories.
“Does he look familiar?”
“No, but maybe your girlfriend will recognize him. I’m sure she attends the meetings.”
When Yang looked up, ready to tear into that comment, Cecelia winked. She wanted an argument. So, in the interest of not giving her what she wanted, Yang let it go and looked at her almost-killer instead.
“Ok...so...where’s he from…”
“Atlas.”
Sighing at the continued interjections, Yang looked at Cecelia again.
“What makes you say that?”
“His hair.” Cecelia knelt down and pointed at the man’s scalp, where a bit of white showed just below the jet black. “He dyed it.”
“Atlas? But…”
Yang frowned at the implication. First Winter, now this assassin. What were the chances of two Atlesians appearing in Vale at the same time? Mere coincidence…or was something more sinister going on?
“Maybe the treaty fell through.”
As soon as Yang saw the gleam in Cecelia’s eyes, suspicion joined the fire racing through her veins.
“Why do you look so happy about that?” she asked, but Cecelia just shrugged.
“War’s good business.”
“I’m only going to ask once - did you have something to do with this?”
Cecelia laughed. As soon as she realized that Yang was serious, however, she scowled.
“If I was going to kill you, I’d do it myself.”
“But if you wanted the war to continue?” Yang retorted while waving at the failed Atlesian assassin. “He went for the stomach, not the heart.”
“Because he’s an idiot,” Cecelia snapped. “Besides, why would I want the war to continue? You said I only need to wait for the ink to dry.”
That argument poked a hole in Yang’s theory and made her stomach turn at the same time. “Figure out anything you can,” she told the chief guard, who looked understandably blanched at having let an assassin through the gates.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” he replied before rushing off.
“I’m surprised you didn’t torch him.”
“That would’ve been just as helpful as stabbing him,” she grumbled, needling at Cecelia’s methods but too stressed to care. When she stood up and Cecelia stepped closer, however, her breath caught in her throat.
“But you were going to, weren’t you?” Cecelia asked while holding a hand above Yang’s heart, where the heat still radiated off of her. “You can settle down now,” she half-teased, half-goaded before crossing her arms over her chest. “Crisis was averted. You’re fine.”
“Blake was just stabbed. How is that fine?”
Yang’s spark spiked at the stress, releasing a blast of heat that Cecelia arched one brow at.
“I wonder...” she mused, studying Yang and inching closer. “When’s the last time you blew off some steam?”
Yang heard the derisiveness in her laugh. She hated that Cecelia knew her so well. Or had known her so well.
“It’s been a while,” she admitted before waving toward Vale. “Kind of have a lot going on.”
“Don’t you miss that...release?”
Again, Cecelia was pushing her boundaries, and she knew it. What she didn’t know was that Yang didn’t get that feeling anymore because her spark didn’t build up the way it used to. There was no pressure compounding in her chest until she let loose. Now, that fire burned all the time, night and day, a smolder that never ceased.
When Cecelia reached up and touched Yang’s shoulder, Yang backed away.
“Things have changed, Cecelia.”
“Yet it’s still me protecting you -”
“I don’t need your protection.”
“I beg to differ.”
Cecelia waved at the dead man lying on the ground, but Yang scoffed.
“So you would’ve protected me after he stabbed me. Got it.”
She was pushing some serious buttons now, but she was annoyed and her spark refused to calm down.
“Just...forget it,” she muttered before walking away, but she didn’t make it two steps before Cecelia grabbed her arm and spun her around.
“I’ll never let someone get within a hundred yards of you, unlike Little Miss Badlands.”
“I’m aware,” Yang growled, calmly but firmly removing Cecelia’s hand from her arm. “Guess I’ll never be safer, huh?”
Before Cecelia responded, Yang walked away. She didn’t want to think about that future, which would hopefully never come to pass. Honestly, succumbing to the Phage was probably preferable to becoming Cecelia’s plaything. Of course, the burning in her chest sometimes convinced her otherwise.
Shaking that thought out of her mind, she hurried to the infirmary as fast as her burning legs allowed. The doctor made it sound like a minor injury, but what if he was wrong? What if there were unforeseen complications? Yang literally just confessed her feelings - she couldn’t lose Blake now.
Those worries disappeared as soon as she rushed into the infirmary and discovered Blake lying on one of the beds, reading a book. If Yang didn’t know any better, she would think that Blake came in here for a quiet place to read.
“Thank god,” she sighed while hurrying to Blake’s side. “Are you ok? Do you feel ok?”
“I’m fine.” After tilting her chin up, inviting Yang to press a quick kiss to her lips, Blake leaned away and smiled. “I have thick skin, remember?”
Blake lifted her shirt to show where the blade had been, which was now covered by a bandage with only a small spot of blood showing through. Still, that was blood, and that meant Blake had been hurt. Standing right beside Yang, in the plaza filled with guards, she got hurt.
“Ok, you’re not leaving my side from now on.”
“I agree,” Blake replied with a resolute nod. “Because I’m not letting anyone within twenty feet of you ever again.”
“Don’t worry about me -”
“Someone just tried to kill you, Yang,” Blake interrupted, her voice firm and unhappy. “Someone literally tried to stab you in your own home. I think that’s a very good reason to be worried.”
“I could’ve handled it.”
“Could you?” Blake dug her elbows into the bed and winced while pushing herself up. “I stopped it from going too deep - you can’t do that.”
“I could melt it before it got far.”
“At what cost?”
While Blake waited for an answer, her expression knowing and sad, Yang opened her mouth but didn’t respond. Merely touching her spark was enough for a wave of agony. What would happen if she panicked after being attacked? How would her body respond? If she had to guess, she wouldn’t be sitting on a cot reading right now.
When she hung her head and sighed, Blake reached over and held her hand.
“I’m fine, Yang...and I’ll gladly take any blade to keep you safe. You’re important...and not just to Vale.”
“I’ve just never felt so...useless.”
“You’re not useless...” Blake replied quietly, her gaze caring and soft. “You’re just...not feeling well.”
“That’s another way to say ‘useless.’”
Blake gave Yang a look that told her not to call herself useless again, so she zipped her lips and remained quiet. But she’d always been the strongest. She used that power to do what she wanted and never thought otherwise. Now, she could hardly take care of herself. She depended on others to protect her.
“Did you figure out who he was?” Blake asked, running her hand up and down Yang’s arm as if Yang needed comfort instead of her.
“No. Atlesian though. Dyed his hair.”
“Atlesian? Does that mean…?”
“I don’t know,” Yang sighed. “You don’t think this has anything to do with...you-know-who...do you?”
Blake didn’t immediately jump to Winter’s aid. She considered the question before shaking her head.
“I don’t think so. She couldn’t have known I’d bring her here. Plus, she seems...genuinely grateful.”
“I think so, too,” Yang admitted before sighing again. Surprisingly, Winter having something to do with an assassination attempt was the preferred solution. The other possible explanations were much more concerning.
“Have you heard from Ruby?” Blake asked, reaching the point of concern at the same time as Yang.
“Yesterday. It sounded like everything was fine, but now this…”
Cringing at a spike of pain and gently rubbing her heart, Yang thought through the situation. Had Atlas backed out of the treaty? If so, where was Ruby? She would come home if Atlas changed course. Unless she didn’t know that Atlas changed course...
What if the assassin was meant to destroy the peace talks before they finished? If something happened to Yang, Ruby would end any negotiation. And when she learned that the assassin was Atlesian…
“Hey.”
Blake’s soft voice pulled Yang away from those thoughts.
“Let’s not worry about that right now,” Blake added while sitting up and setting her hand on Yang’s shoulder. “If Atlas tried anything, your sister would already be home.”
“You’re right,” Yang breathed out, feeling moderately better as the pain in her heart eased away.
No one could catch Ruby. She was too fast. Even if someone caught her off guard, James was there, and James was always watching over her. He would burn Atlas to the ground if anyone tried to hurt her.
“You’re right,” Yang repeated more confidently. “Something else is up. I need to let her know, and I should check on...our guest. Just in case.”
“Good idea.” Before Yang could do any of those things, however, Blake grasped her hand a little tighter. “Before you do that...will you stay with me for a little bit?”
Realizing that Blake had just been stabbed and probably needed a little time to recover, Yang smiled and sat on the edge of the bed.
“Of course. I’m not going anywhere.”
“I mean...here with me.”
When Blake patted the bed beside her, a blush rushed onto Yang’s cheeks.
“O-oh. Of course.”
“Just...be gentle,” Blake said while Yang carefully hoisted herself onto the bed.
Heeding the reminder, she maneuvered herself into place and did her best not to disturb Blake. Once she laid down, content to keep a respectful distance, Blake scooted back against her, sending butterflies fluttering through her chest.
Unlike last night - a burst of passion and emotions that catapulted them across boundaries - she was nervous. Her racing heart proved as much. As did the slight tremble in her hands when she hesitantly wrapped an arm around Blake. Her heart nearly jumped right out of her chest when Blake hummed and moved closer.
“Much better,” Blake mumbled once their bodies melded into each other.
Suddenly remembering that she needed to breathe, Yang drew in a long, deep inhale before letting it out in a quiet exhale. Blake must feel Yang’s thundering heartbeat, or at least hear it, but she didn’t say anything. After several quiet moments, Yang realized that she’d fallen asleep instead. After the eventful morning, Yang couldn't blame her.
Before rushing off to solve the newest issues on their plate, Blake needed a moment to rest and recover. Yang was more than willing to oblige, smiling and gently running her fingers through Blake’s hair. The soft, repetitive motion calmed her bit by bit, reducing her spark to a dull simmer while she relished the chance to be this close.
Right now, she felt more alive than she had in a long time. The intimate moment would end too soon, as they so often did, but until then...she would enjoy every second. She might not have many seconds left, but Blake had just ensured that when her time came she would leave this world as the luckiest person ever.
She couldn’t let the Phage win yet. Unseen forces either wanted her dead or wanted the war to go on. If it was the former, they only needed to wait her out. If someone wanted the war to continue though...she had to figure out who they were and stop them before they jeopardized the final piece of her legacy.
She had to keep Vale safe until Ruby returned, and she had to fulfill her promise to Blake and the Badlands. If she could do that, then she could die knowing that she did her best for the two most important people in her life. That, to her, was an end worth fighting for.