Chapter 5

“You don’t understand, Nate. You are the ruler of the Darkness Realm! You can’t just ‘go home.’ You haven’t even had your coronation ceremony!”

Nate pushed past Jackie, ignoring his words. “Say whatever you want, Jackie. I’m going home now.” Normally, he would admire Jackie’s determination. However, all the man had managed to do was get on Nate’s nerves. His patience was wearing thin, and he was about two seconds from silencing Jackie with a psionic muzzle. But that was the last thing on Nate’s mind as he ran right into the girl.

Nate almost knocked her down; he had been moving so fast. He quickly steadied her with his arm, and was about to keep going when he saw her face. She was like something out of a dream to him. Long, blonde hair fell past her shoulders and onto her back. Her large, blue eyes locked on his, and her full, pouting lips formed into a sensuous smile. The strong smell of lilacs invaded Nate’s nostrils as he stared at her.

When Jackie cleared his throat several times, Nate managed to tear his eyes away from the girl. He was about to remind Nate of his duties as Prince when the girl glared at him sharply. Jackie muttered something under his breath as he walked away. The girl looked back at Nate and said, “Around here I’m known as Darkchylde, but you can call me Ariel.” It took him a few moments to catch his breath, but Nate managed to introduce himself.

“So tell me, Nate,” she said, moving closer to him, “are you single at the moment?” He almost said yes, but Nate finally shook his head and said no. “Too bad,” she said, looking him over, “because I think we could have a lot of fun together.”

Nate quickly said goodbye and ran off, wondering how one girl could make him forget about Rose, even if it was only for a moment. “I guess it’s just proof that even us mutants have to be human sometimes,” he thought to himself.

“Still planning on leaving so soon?” a voice asked.

Nate turned to see a woman looking at him. “I have to go home, Sara,” he said. “You and Jackie will just have to accept that.”

Sara smiled brightly. “A telepath? I would not have guessed.”

“Yeah, that’s the point,” Nate replied as he prepared to exit.

“I should warn you, Nate. You are Prince of this Realm, and you have to deal with it sooner or later.”

“Well, Sara,” Nate said as he began to teleport out, “I guess I’ll deal with it later.”