When Theo watched Calyx disappear into the keep, he continued to stare at the spot she vanished from eyesight. Frustration boiled to the surface as he shook his head at what just took place. His body strung up like a taut string a bow drawn by a readied arrow. He wasn't going to allow her to run away like she had last time... not that she could anyway. To his grim satisfaction, fate and destiny forced her to stay in place and he'd milk that for all it was worth.
His eyes found his men in the crowd, but he only lingered upon Amos and Aiden, who understood they would be the only ones to follow. His eyes swept around until he found Aaron standing with the elves at the tower upon the wall. His eyes narrowed, zeroing in on the elf and Aaron sighed. He watched the elf whisper something to his comrads before he tipped his head to indicate down the steps. The redheaded elf walked down the steps and Theo followed him, knowing Amos and Aiden would be hot on his heels.
Aaron led them into the village towards a tavern. He looked over his shoulder at Theo before he headed inside. Theo quickly walked inside after him and watched Aaron order some beverages before he lumbered over to one of the tables. By then, both Amos and Aiden had joined him, waiting on him to move. When his elvish confidant took a seat and beckoned them to sit, he finally walked over and sat down across from him. Amos and Aiden sat on each side of Theo, creating a united front.
Before a word could be said, a barmaid walked over carrying over a tray of tankards. She kept silent, noticing the intensity thickening around them. She quickly set the tankards down in front of them before scurrying off.
"You knew where she was this entire time?" Theo asked. His voice was clouded with reined in fury.
Aaron chewed his bottom lip, eyeing him for a moment before he nodded. All three lycans swore up a storm and Theo was attempting everything in his power to not lash out at him.
"To be fair, I have not stepped foot in the City of Pearl once even before you all departed for the Earth Realm," Aaron pointed out, leaning back in his chair. "Our paths never crossed until you folk showed up at Delsni."
Fair enough. He knew that was the truth. The former weapons merchant had disappeared along the same time Calyx left the City of Pearl. His eyes widened then narrowed as .
"You joined her that night." Theo's words sliced through the elf and he watched the redheared elf squirm.
He nodded. "I ran into her the night of the annual ball. She looked traumatized and bloody. I didn't question her, but she told me later when I traveled with her to The Great Willow Tree at her request."
Theo frowned. "She was--"
"You know Lady Crystobelle would protect her even if she did not agree with her," he pointed out, cutting the prince off. "Please do not be too hard on Lady Crystobelle. She and I have continually attempted to persuade Calyx to reunite with you, but she... she is headstrong and a bit of masochist."
It was the first crack of a smile that crossed Theo's face. He completely understood where Aaron was coming from with those statements. When Theo remained silent, Aaron took that as a sign to continue so he did so.
"I knew if you ever found out and that I abandoned her at her time of need that you would slaughter me," he told him. Theo smirked at the truth of that statement. The redheaded elf glanced at Amos and Aiden, who were also staring at him intensely. "As I am fairly certain all of you and your Elite Guards would have. She refused to go to you so I took it upon myself to be her protector until you returned." His eyes went to Theo's and it was the elf's turn to smirk. "I knew you would. It was fate and destiny. I have told her that countless of times."
Theo knew the elf knew what secrets Calyx continued to keep from him, but he also he knew Aaron was loyal to Calyx. If he had been in her life in his absence and had become her confidante, Theo knew Aaron wouldn't dare step over the boundaries and risk their strong friendship. Was he jealous that the elf had more of deeper friendship apparently then he had with her? Undeniably, but he couldn't take out his anger on him even though target practice sounded so good right about now.
Aaron took a huge gulp of his tankard, surveying their faces. "I cannot betray her trust," he told them gravely, taking a deep breath before he looked deep into Theo's eyes. "You need to find out the rest of her secrets before it is too late, Theodavian. It is imperative that you do. The fate of the world relies upon it."
"If it's that important," Aiden spoke up, causing the redhaired elf to glance in his direction. "Why not tell him? Isn't it a bit selfish to keep secrets like that when they affect others?"
Aaron smirked. "It is not my secrets to tell, lycan pup." He obviously enjoyed the flash of irritation that crossed over Aiden's face at being called 'pup'. Before Aiden could claim he wasn't a 'pup', Aaron once again caged Theo with his eyes. "I cannot tell you anymore than this. Time is of the essence. She needs you, crowned prince of the lycans. She has always needed you the most."
With that, Aaron got up, casting a glance around at the table, probably seeing if any of them would stop him. Theo just nodded his head in acceptance of his words and he saw relief pass across the elf's face. He reached down grabbed his tankard to drink down the rest of his drink before starting to step away.
"I'm not a pup," Aiden growled out, surprising Theo at his outburst as he grabbed the elf's arm before he could fully leave them.
Theo watched them curiously, wondering why Aiden was so testy even Amos watched the exchange with arched eyebrows. It wasn't like Aiden to react with anger more like sarcasm and dark, dry humor. It wasn't his style -- that anger was Amos and Theo's style.
Aaron rolled his eyes. "Whatever you wish..." A smirk kicked up the corner of his mouth. "Pup."
Theo's eyes widened in shock when Aiden grabbed the elf's armor, drawing him close before he punched him hard in the jaw. Aaron's head snapped to the side at the sheer force, but when his eyes returned to Aiden with rage in them. There was a flurry of movements as both Theo and Amos went to grab Aiden and separate him from Aaron while other elves were quick to step in and side with Aaron if needed.
"What's wrong with you?" Amos grunted when Aiden attempted to lunge at Aaron.
Aaron chuckled darkly. "You have not changed I see. You are the same hotheaded youth I remember all those years ago," he told him, without an ounce of fear even though Theo clearly saw violence and blood in Aiden's eyes. It was common knowledge not to mess with a lycan losing control. "It is a shame that you have not learned to be a bit tamer with your wild ways, pup. It shall get you killed if you--"
"Stop fucking calling me pup!" Aiden shouted and Aaron raised an eyebrow.
"That is truly what is upsetting you? Me calling you pup--" Aaron laughed, not at all helping the situation.
Aiden struggled against Amos. "I am not a fucking child--"
"Then stop acting like one and I will not call you one!" Aaron roared, lunging towards Aiden but only to be held back by his own comrades that flocked around them.
Both Aaron and Aiden rarely gave into this type of displays of fury promising violence. Theo and Amos exchanged looks at this new development, but they couldn't discuss it now while both males were intent to kill each other.
Aaron was shoved back by his comrades towards the bar where he was supplied with more beverages. Aiden continued to stare him down shaking with rage, but he allowed Amos to push him backwards toward his seat. Theo glanced back and forth between Aiden and Aaron before his eyes settled solely on Aiden as he took his seat next to him.
"What was that all about?" he asked him.
Aiden rolled his eyes. "He's nothing but an asshole."
"You got along fine before," Amos grumbled, watching his younger brother carefully. "Why did it matter that he called you pup? He is older, Aiden, than all of us actually. We've called you pup--"
Aiden's eyes snapped to his brother. "Because I'm not a fucking child. Why is that so fucking hard for people to understand?"
Before Amos could stop or react to his brother, Aiden got up, storming out of the tavern all the while glaring at Aaron on the way out. Theo watched Aaron as guilt seeped into the elf's eyes before it was quickly stowed away as he talked with his comrades. Why did Aaron's perception of Aiden set Aiden off? Why had it mattered to Aiden?
"What got up his ass?" Amos growled, shaking his head in annoyance.
Theo just shrugged, feigning ignorance, but he had a sneaking suspicion that whatever was going on between those two wasn't over. No, it was far from it just like how things were far from over with Caly.