This is it! The final chapter! I tweaked it a bit from the original posting. Hope you all enjoy!
Cal's POV
"But she can," Maven whispers. "She does."
I watch him carefully as he wipes his eyes with the back of a shaking hand. "It's because of the things she took out. Whenever I think of those things, she gets to me somehow. When I think of Thomas," he winces. "And Father. And-"
I cut him off. "What do you mean? Did she survive? How? How can she still do this to you?" I implore him. "It's - it makes so much sense, but why?"
Maven's eyes narrow. "Why do you care?"
My breath catches in my throat. "What?"
"Why do you care so much?" He scowls at me, crossing his arms over his chest. "What difference does it make to you whether or not Mother still messes with my head? So what? I get headaches. What's it to you?"
I draw a slow breath. "I want to help you. If she's still controlling you, that means there's still a chance. Maybe there's a whisper in Monfort, who's stronger than Elara who can fix you…" I trail off awkwardly. Maven stares at me, emotionless. I feel my face heat up. Is he angry? I open my mouth, then close it again.
"You - you want to fix me?" Maven asks.
I nod fervently. "Yes, Elara did such horrible things to you, Maven. Someone in Montfort could help. I want to see if I can get back the brother I know. The one I played pranks and chess with. The one who snuck into my room every night." I feel myself overstepping, but I keep going. My voice sounds so pathetic, desperate. I don't sound like a king, just a sad boy. "I want my Maven back. Not the monster Elara created in you."
Maven is quiet for a moment, his ice-blue eyes staring into mine. "You think I'm a monster?" He doesn't await an answer. "You think I'm broken? That I need to be fixed by you, and Mare, and those Montfort freaks?"
"No-no, Mavey. That's not what I meant. It's just-"
"Don't "Mavey" me, Cal," Maven snaps severely, but he can't conceal the hurt in his eyes. "I should have known you would pull something like this."
"Maven-" I plead. "You know what I'm trying to say."
"And what's that?" Maven asks bitterly.
"I-I love you," I murmur softly, "I don't want to be enemies anymore. I want us to be brothers again. And I know, somewhere in there," I gesture to his head, "you want that too."
Maven sits in silence. "So you want things to go back to the way they were?" he asks, his voice dead and monotone.
"Yes," I say hesitantly.
"So you want to be king, then? And I'll be the shadow, again. Forgotten once more," he says dramatically.
"No, Mavey, it wouldn't be like that. It would never be like that again," I implore him. "I-I'd give you half."
A pause. "Half of what?" Maven asks skeptically.
"Half of Norta," I say firmly. "We'd rule in a balance. After we drive the Lakelanders out. We have plans, Maven. Once we're in power again, there won't even be Lakelands to fear. Then, we could improve the lives for all the Reds. We would be the greatest monarchy in history. Two kings, equal rulers."
"What about the queens?" Maven asks softly.
I grow quiet. I hadn't even thought about queens. Evangeline isn't really much of an option anymore. But Mare… What if she went back to him? What if, when he was fixed, she wanted him again? But that's a risk I have to take. She should be happy, right?
"If there is to be a queen, she will be chosen for love. Like my father chose his wife. No more Queenstrial. And she, of course, will have to accept."
Maven looks at me, impressed. "You're willing to do all that? For me?"
The dropjet begins to decline, turbulence rocking the winged machine. I nod enthusiastically. "Yes, of course! I want us to be brothers again. I love you, Mavey."
Maven's face breaks into a smile, his blue eyes warm and gentle. "Yes. I l-" Suddenly he goes quiet. His eyes harden. "I don't think that will work."
I freeze. "What do you mean?" I ask hesitantly.
Maven's eyes narrow. "What if I told you I know I can't be fixed?"
It's like he punched my in the stomach. The wind is knocked out of me and my heart nearly halts altogether. Can't be fixed. My Mavey. Of course he can be fixed. If he can't then... "W-what?" I choke. "How do you know?" Through the tiny window above Maven's head, I see the ground drawing nearer. My chance is slipping through my fingers. Can't be fixed. Can't be fixed.
"I was king of Norta until a few minutes ago, Cal," Maven reminds, picking at his fingernails. His jaw tenses. "I have my connections. You didn't think I have searched the continent for help? Of everyone, I should know. It's impossible." His eyes glisten strangely. The dropjet reaches the ground, touching down onto Montfort soil.
"Mavey, it is possible," I say desperately. "You'll see. Did you have contacts in Montfort? Maybe there's someone here who can help."
"It doesn't matter," Maven snaps. He massages his temple with his fingertips delicately, mumbling to himself. Something like "I'm trying, I'm trying..."
"Maven, what-" I begin. It's Elara. She's getting to him again.
"It's not too good a deal anyways. To go from complete power to only half?" His closes his eyes for a long moment, then opens them again. "When my position improves," he says mater-of-factly, "and I am returned to my throne, I will be careful not to make such poor decisions, brother. It seems Father's efforts at chess haven't helped you much at all. You don't trade a king for a pawn." He clicks his tongue ruefully.
I stand up, reaching for him. "Maven, listen-"
The door of the dropjet bangs open, bright light filling the tiny room. Guards storm in, followed by Nanabel. They grab Maven's arms and begin to haul him out the dropjet.
"Wait- hold! Guards!" I shout, but this time, they don't pay attention. They are following Nanabel's orders, not mine.
As the guards grab his arms, Maven's mouth twists into a smirk. "But I do owe you my thanks, Tiberias Calore the Seventh. With this new information about your plans for ousting the Lakelanders and establishing a new form of government, you've created a very dangerous insider in me, haven't you. What trouble it will be if I'm captured."
The guards drag him out of the dropjet, leaving me, gaping. I sink back to my seat. Elara. She got to him before I did. Elara. I was so close...
Then it occurs to me. She takes control when he thinks of the things she took out. Like Thomas, and Father, and... me. It was my fault. When I told him - when he tried to say he loved me. That's when it all fell apart.
Nanabel stands in the wide doorway of the aircraft, but her eyes are full of pity.
"Nanabel, I-" I whisper hoarsely.
"My poor boy. I tried to tell you," she says, shaking her head.
"What do you mean?" I mumble. My eyes sting as the guards disappear into the distance.
Nanabel comes to sit beside me, taking my hands in her own wrinkled ones. "You played his game, and you lost. Words are his greatest weapon."
No, I think to myself. He is Elara's son. And her weapon to wield.
Agh, painful, isn't it. Thanks so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed. Please review! Keep your eyes open for my next Maven&Cal fanfic, Silverblood and Water.