Minx

Minx

The streets teemed with people celebrating for days. Vibrant colors filled the air as fireworks illuminated the night sky. Laughter and music echoed through the bustling crowds. The aroma of street food wafted, enticing taste buds. Joyful energy pulsed through the atmosphere, creating an unforgettable experience for everyone involved.

It took all of one day for Rhea and Wraza to be considered the impromptu leaders of the city. The regular citizens accepted them with open arms and none made a fuss over the return of Maidens, at least not openly. The wealthy merchants and politicians took a little more convincing. They’d flourished under the Hands’ rule, so it was understandable they’d be wary of two Maidens running things.

Rhea made it clear if they didn’t want to stay, they didn’t have to, but she’d push them and their ships out to sea and bar them from all trade if they did. They would have to go elsewhere to scratch out a life. But if they stayed, they could continue with their business, just so long as they had nothing more to do with the Hands.

Many agreed, and those that didn’t were to be sent off into the sunset by Rhea’s waves and Gabriela’s winds after the twin city was taken. They couldn’t afford to have anyone rat them out.

Gabriela and Naru were put in charge of forming a city watch. The Hands might have all been gone, but the city still needed to be patrolled and protected- especially from the twin city across the river.

Minx created a wall of poisonous thorn bushes thirty feet tall that surrounded the city on the river bank and well into the fields the Twin Cities shared. No one was allowed in or out for the time being.

Minx also made sure the farmer’s fields were lush, with enough produce to feed the entire city if need be. Coin taken from the Hand’s banks was distributed to the needy, and the rest was locked away so Rhea and Wraza could fund the future of both cities.

Naru, Kade, and Alec spent most of their time training and supervising the new city watch, while Minx and Sage made rounds to every home and business to ensure the citizens’ needs were being met.

A week passed without any word from Rhea’s spies on Supreme Capricorn’s plans. Her spies still used the tunnels beneath the cities to come and go between the two. After two weeks, they learned the entire force that had been sent to Veer was returning to the other city- to reinforce it and prepare it. Her spies didn’t know what they were preparing for specifically, but it wasn’t a stretch to think Supreme Capricorn was going to try to retake the city.

Which meant it was the perfect time to reveal to the other city who Gabriela was. Rhea sent her spies out with instructions to spread the information at every tavern, every inn, and every brothel that Gabriela was his daughter.

It took a day before the wealthy upper crust was gossiping about it, which meant the sailors in the ports were, and soon every merchant that came to and from the city.

“Rumor is that’s why the city is still ours,” Rhea gushed from the war room table. “The people think Supreme Capricorn is too scared to attack his own flesh and blood.”

Minx scoffed from her seat. “As if.”

The table fell silent, and then Wraza asked, “As if what?”

Sage snickered beside her. “As if he would be afraid to do that,” Minx sighed.

“True,” Gabriela said, nodding. “The rumors will only serve to embolden him.”

“Which is why we need you to get in there and embolden him some more,” Wraza said.

Minx could feel the waves of unease rolling off Sage, but she stayed silent. She’d come to accept this was Gabriela’s choice, and the only control they had over the situation was what they would do to ensure her safety.

“I’ll make sure it’s a spectacle,” Gabriela said confidently.

Minx couldn’t suppress her smile. Gabriela had been given a ton of responsibility with the city watch, among other tasks they needed her for. At first, she doubted herself a lot and asked the others for advice or reassurance, but then one-day Wraza blew up on her and told her to just make the choices herself.

“You’re the smartest one here- what could I possibly say that would make a difference?” she’d roared before stalking out of the war room. It had been harsh, but it seemed to light a fire under the Vizar Maiden. She stopped asking for help, unless it was a serious topic that really needed everyone’s input, and took charge of herself and her city watch.

The result was a newfound confidence in herself which seemed to extend to everyone else, Naru included.

The Hunter followed her everywhere. He was her constant shadow, and Minx had caught them speaking rather closely together several times.

He moved from his usual place behind her and placed a hand on the back of her chair. “Are we sure this is the only way?” He asked, surprising everyone but Sage.

Sage averted her gaze from them, but Minx could see how her lips curled into a small, knowing smile. But before Wraza could bark some heated comment back, Gabriela interjected.

“It is.” She said, her tone sharp and even. She reached behind her shoulder, placing a small hand over his. “I am not afraid. He should be.”

Something like pride flashed over Wraza’s features while Rhea beamed at them.

“She should take the Tear then,” Naru said, his scar making his frown more prominent.

“No, he would find it.” Gabriela said, “We can’t afford to lose it.”

“She won’t be alone,” Minx said, holding up the tiny walkie-talkie bud. “She will have this, and if she needs to get out, all she has to do is tell us.”

Naru gave her a baleful look, but nodded. “It seems I cannot change your minds.”

Gabriela patted his hand and withdrew her arm. “No. This is how it must be.”

It was decided that Gabriela would travel to the other city, alone, and make a public spectacle of being Supreme Capricorn’s daughter and a Maiden. Sage and Kade escorted her to the tunnel with Rhea- just in case she needed backup to get out once she was done.

Minx stayed behind, taking in the war room one last time. Rhea and Wraza had taken over an old Goddess temple turned Hand headquarters in the center of the city. They were all to gather there later in the day and make it their new home. The tunnels were to be blocked off and used only by spies and Maidens.

She shut her eyes, relishing all they had accomplished and all they still had to do. That cavern inside her still ached with guilt, but not as much. She knew they still had a lot to do, and that once they were done, there was still Vinciei to deal with and Sage’s soul. And then, after all that, she had a choice to make.

She stood, stretching out her back before moving to leave. The hospitals still needed to stock up on medicines and they needed rare herbs to be grown for them.

As she neared the exit tunnel, she paused, hearing Sage and Naru talking in low voices.

“You don’t have to apologize.” The Hunter said. Minx couldn’t see his face, but he sounded gruff.

“No, I do. You poured your heart out to me and I’ve been too much of a coward to face you. I should have been honest then- yes, it was a crazy time and the only thing I could focus on was finding the other Maidens, but I could have been more open.” Minx chanced a peek around the lip of the tunnel. Sage was standing in front of Naru with her back to Minx, so she couldn’t see her face.

Naru towered over her, and she could see how his face twisted into a grimace. “Really, Sage, we don’t have to do this.” He was actively trying to walk away from the conversation, but Sage wouldn’t let up.

“We do, though. Things have been weird between us and I-” she faltered, struggling to find the words. “I want to be friends. Like we were in the beginning.”

He quirked a brow. “I do too, but, Sage, what you did really hurt me. I’ve accepted you don’t feel the same way, but that doesn’t mean we can go back to how we were before.”

Sage’s shoulders slumped in what Minx could guess was guilt.

“I just wanted to say I am sorry for how it happened, but I wish you and Gabriela well.” His brows shot up in shock, which made Sage chuckle.

Minx had to throw a hand over her mouth to stifle her own laughter. Did he really not know?

“There’s nothing-” He started but failed.

Sage stood up straighter, shaking her head. “Maybe not now, but I can see the way she looks at you. Everyone can.”

Naru blew out a breath, then ran a hand through his hair. “What should I do?” He asked, surprising Sage. Even Minx raised her brows - he was asking Sage for advice now?

Sage burst into laughter, “You’re asking the wrong person.” She said. “I am terrible at this.” Minx couldn’t disagree and it seemed like Naru wasn’t going to either.

“Well, what do they do in your world?” He asked, folding his arms.

“In my world, a guy would take the girl out to a fancy dinner and buy her flowers. Or take her to a show and buy her flowers. Flowers are a must.” Sage said solemnly. “I’m sure if you ask Minx she’ll make you some really nice ones.”

“Dinner and flowers,” He mused, looking thoughtful.

“And dress up,” Sage said, flicking at his Hunter leather. “Wear something new and take a bath.” Naru looked offended.

“I don’t smell.” He countered. Minx couldn’t help but smile. The Hunter might not see it yet, but they were already on their way to being friends again. Just like that, with a few verbal jabs and honesty, they’d gotten back on track.

“No, but that’s not the point.” She said, stepping down the tunnel. “The point is to put in a lot of effort- you might not think she’ll notice, but trust me, she will.”

Minx waited until Naru left to hurry to her own room. She already knew the exact flowers to make him.