He waited outside the alley of her family's restaurant. He hated to do this again, and he tried the gentlemanly approach. He pulled out every stop. Even if he could have gotten a dowry amount, he could have worked on it. Nothing, there was nothing. His next step would not be looked upon nicely. Until he could take that step, he still needed to see her.
As she came out to dump the trash he called to her. "Ky."
She looked back and saw him. "Zeph." She put down the trashcan. "You aren't allowed to be here."
"Tell them you're going somewhere. Shopping for something the restaurant is out of maybe?" he suggested. "Please?"
Kyra nodded, heading back in. When she came back out, she had her coat on. "Okay. I am going to have to go to the store now."
"I'll take you." Zeph gestured toward his car. "Come on." They both headed for the car quickly, trying to make a getaway before anyone saw them with each other.
Zeph wanted to drive them to the middle of nowhere, but it was too far. "I want to talk to you. I can't take you to the castle without some tattling, so I'm going to take you to my family home."
"The family home?" Kyra asked. "I'm not so sure that's a good idea."
"I would never do anything you're uncomfortable with. Just trust me. If you hate what I setted up, just run out screaming predator." Zeph winked at her. "I bet you won't hate it though."
Walking into the family home, Zeph had been met with a surprise. Kyra watched as he had a hissy fit about someone in the house.
"I'm not doing anything wrong, I swear," the stranger said as Zeph grabbed him by the collar.
"Zeph, knock it off." His sister looked over at Kyra. "You sure do pick'em." She paid attention to Zeph again. "Zaria is not doing anything wrong."
"You haven't had permission to see him again." Zeph let go of his collar and pointed toward the door. "Certainly not privately. Out."
"You are such a jerk." Zeph's sister bopped him on the head. "You can't say that Zaria is fine and that I can date him, and then turn around and say I can't. That trick was so mean."
"I don't remember giving you permission to be so loose." Zeph scoffed and looked toward Zaria. "Beat it."
"Oh yeah?" His sister grabbed Kyra. "I'm Muin, nice to meet you. Kyra, right? The one my brother doesn't have permission to see either?" She looked back toward Zeph cunningly.
"Don't even." Zeph gestured toward Kyra. "We are old enough, you aren't."
"Doesn't matter. At least I'm not sneaking around behind Zaria's parents," Muin said in a sing-song manner. "Ha!" She pointed at Zeph in a winning fashion. "Now I've got you and Xiam. You both have to agree that dating Zaria is fine."
"Xiam, how do you have Xiam?" Zeph asked.
"He's in the living room. Why don't you see?" Muin winked at Kyra. "My family keeps all kinds of secrets, huh?"
Oh, about the same as her family.
"I don't have time for this." Zeph looked in the refrigerator and brought out some condiments. "I'll have to pay them back, but this will save the trip to the grocery store." He gestured to his room. "Past the living room over here is my bedroom."
As Zeph and Kyra went into the living room, they were met with another surprise.
"Oh, Zeph! Oh." Xiam quickly stood up and wiped at his mouth. "What are you doing here?"
"You're kissing." Zeph shook his head. "You just became a ceremony conductor assistant, Xiam, and you're kissing your study partner?"
"Sorry. Um, it just happened, but we've got it under control."
"We really do," the woman said as she shook Zeph's hand. "Our jobs could be affected so, just, don't say anything?" She shook Kyra's hand as well. "Sorry, I was asking about ceremony stuff . . .and . . ." Iridescent rubbed her head. "Things happened again."
"I answered her?" Xiam's voice was high, but he switched his attention toward Kyra. "Are you the one my brother's been hooked on? What are you doing here?"
"Okay, fine." Zeph called for Zaria and Muin to come into the room as well. "All of us have things going on none of us agree with. Let's just keep this between us, and things will work themselves. Agree?"
"Agreed, as long as I can date Zaria." Muin winked at Zeph.
Zeph grumbled, as did Xiam. "Nothing more than dating." Zeph grabbed Kyra's hand softly and led her to his room. "I'm sorry about that, I know we don't have much time to waste. What do you think? This is my old room. Well, guest room now."
Kyra chuckled, her mouth tugging upward. Yep, she didn't hate it. The room had a makeshift table with candles and an already made dinner covered to keep the heat inside of it. He was using the bed and a chair in the hotel room for seating. He made it as comfortable as possible. She placed her hands in his as sat her down on the chair. He went to sit on the bed and lit the candles.
"If I can't get your dad to budge, then I've got to take some initiative." He opened up a drink and poured some in a glass. "Non-alcoholic. Can't blame the booze for what we're doing."
She knew what he meant. She took the glass and took a small drink. "I've never gone against him before. He said I was supposed to find just the right pair of genes before I could marry someone."
Zeph stuck out his legs. "I have got a great pair of jeans, fit nice. I've got more in the closet. Think he'd buy that?"
"Doubt it," Kyra chuckled as he held out her glass for more. He poured a small amount in there. "They want someone they can study, just the right person. It's ridiculous."
"Yeah. I'm not going to fit into that respectable scale." Zeph poured his own drink. "I don't even make half the money my father makes." He reached over to show his humble offerings.
"Tell me about him?"
Zeph talked about his father, his mother, his sister, and his brother. "So, what about you?" Zeph asked as he took a piece of tuna and bread. "What's so hot about your family?"
"I don't know." Kyra grabbed a napkin to clean her face. "They don't tell me much of anything. Just bits and pieces. I'm some special thing to some great secret." She wanted to have seconds, to have an excuse to stay longer. She still needed to get back to the restaurant. "I need to get going, or I won't."
"I'd prefer the second," Zeph answered truthfully. "I want more time with you."
"Time," she repeated the phrase softly. "Time is something we just can't stop, is it?"
"I know you're running out of time, but can you have seconds? Or something, I don't care. I just want you to stay with me." He tightened his grip. "I feel like I'm drowning when I'm not near you."
Zeph felt a sensation on his tail. A furry sensation. He jolted slightly, not ready for it. He certainly got his answer on that.
She was touching tails with him. It was timid only a small touch. A tease. His tail wrapped as close to her base as he could. They both wrapped their tails slowly around each other, tighter and deeper.
Zeph stood up, moved over to her chair and kissed her. One date, one unofficial date, but he didn't care. He didn't care about being in his family home, or her father. He picked her up in his arms and laid her down on the guest bed.
------
"I've got to find a way to make your dad approve of me," Zeph said as he buttoned his shirt back up. Kyra was getting dressed on the other side of the bed. "I need to be with you, Kyra. If I did something drastic, like an agreement? Would you sign?"
Kyra breathed deeply as she stood up. "Father would hate me forever for that. But, I would. It could smear your family name though."
"I know." Zeph gulped. "I'll talk to my father." He escorted her out of the room and gave her the condiments, hearing his brother and sister giggling behind them.
It was already plenty late, so by the time they got to the restaurant, her mother had been waiting for her. After a brief back and forth yelling, Zeph took off back to his family house.
Xiam and his secret girlfriend Iri had already left. Muin and Zaria were saying goodbye, without a kiss since he was watching. His mom and dad should be coming home in a few minutes. Once they arrived, Zeph greeted them and gestured to the living room, asking his father to follow. They both sat down.
"Dad, I've got a favor to ask you. It's big. I met a female. Not just any, she's the one. I've done everything to even get a date with her." Zeph sat beside his dad. "I even hired a Guard for a Guard's Oath."
"A Guard's Oath?" His father sat up in his chair. "You are serious. That's usually not necessary unless a wedding ceremony is involved. Do I need to ring up your brother?"
"No, I'm still trying to get a date." Zeph saw the shock on his dad's face. "I know. She loves me, and I love her."
"A date? That's ridiculous. A Guard's Oath for a date, and still not enough?" Io stood up. "Are you sure she loves you?"
"Definitely." Zeph wrang his fingers in his hands. "We even took it to . . . I brought her here today."
"Stupid, Zeph. Here? You can't even get a date, there was no permission to bring her to your family home." His father pinched his nose. "Okay. How old is she?"
"She should be living on her own," Zeph muttered. "She's almost my age."
"Your age?!" His mother Scented said, not being able to help eavesdropping. "Zeph, that is way too old. If she were some gorgeous celebrity hiring a Guard, I could see that. But your age, and her father not letting her go? And you love each other?" Scented looked toward Io. "Are you hearing this?"
"Yes, I am." Io tapped his fingers on his chair. "Are you sure, Zeph? There's only one way to take her."
"I know. I've done everything I can. We want to be with each other." Zeph rubbed his face. "I know it's not an easy thing to ask for, but she's the one. Please?"
"You don't even need to say, please," Scented said as she strolled over and kissed his head. "Your father will do it, or I will. Io?" She turned to look at him.
"Did you ask this woman?" His father said. "You've got to be a hundred percent positive, and it won't be easy."
"I know. I've been saving money. I can do this, and I have asked her." Zeph rubbed his knees. "I want to get her with me, dad. She spun out of control once, carving something in the ground. Love kills. I think her dad is trying to kill her spirit."
"Oh." His dad swallowed. "So she does feel the same way? Okay, Zeph, I'll get it started. At some point, I do want to meet this new woman."
"Thanks dad." Zeph grinned and shook his dad's hand. "You've always been a big help."
"You're going to have to get her to sign a written agreement that she wants this before they will proceed," Io warned him. "No one wants to take a woman and put her in a worse spot, they will demand that. It's going to take at least a month to get an agreement created, and I doubt our neighbor's will look pleased at us for what we are doing. After we get the agreement, you will have to take the initiative to get it signed. Can you do it?"
"One more round with her dad," Zeph said as he nodded. "Whatever it takes."
Zeph approached Kyra's house once more. He said no words of provocation, watching himself so that if enforcement was involved, he would be okay. Didn't matter though, he was still awarded with a slug across the face.
"Get out of here. You can come back every day for the next two hundred years," Mister Saga warned him, "but you can't have her. You don't get it, you don't understand what she is." He reached into his pocket and pulled out some currency. "What will it take? To never knock on this door again, what will it take?"
"There's not enough money in the world for me to forget Ky." Zeph looked toward the money. "Not even the king could offer enough. I belong with her." For that, he paid physically again.
As Kyrella rounded the corner to her house, Zeph approached her, acting like the hospital wasn't where he was headed. "Hey, Ky." He held his arm which got twisted. "How are you?" Kyra approached him, touching his face.
"Oh, Zeph." She hugged him tightly. "Why are you still doing this?"
"You're worth it." He hugged her back, trying to forget the pain in his arm. "I need you to sign this. It's the agreement. With my dad's help, I'm taking you away from here."
"Zeph, it's too late for that." Kyra whispered beside him. "I'm pregnant."
"Looks like things just got interesting."
Zeph looked beside him, and saw it. The one thing he'd been dreading. White pressed shirt. Dark green vest. "Oh damn."
It was a Guard. Not just any guard, a genuine female guard. A Guardian
"Mister Saga," the Guardian called out to the house. "New information about your daughter has just been shared."
"No." Kyra grabbed his hand. "Don't, I love Zeph!"
That Guardian wouldn't care. They never cared. All they cared about was their stupid job, keeping the female safe. Zeph took a deep breath. He'd taken the hits from her father, but no one wanted to tangle with a Guardian. Oh, crap.
As Mister Saga came out, the Guardian announced the news.
Picked up with force against his throat, Zeph no longer felt the ground beneath his feet. "Please!" he choked.
"Please? That's not good enough. You have not even earned one date, yet look what you have done. Destroyed a female's life. You are nothing but a predator. When a father says no, he means no." The Guardian threw him several feet.
"Ow!" Zeph grabbed his shoulder, feeling the break. "Don't do this!" Zeph was trying to stay strong. Fighting one of these guys, was like taking on her father a hundred times over. "That is my baby, and I love Kyra." Zeph looked at his footing and tried to copy it. It looked funny though, and he almost tripped himself copying it.
"Zeph." He heard Kyra's voice weakly. "That's not father. He'd put you in a hospital for weeks if not jail!"
After giving up on the footing, Zeph just put his fists up. "Even if I do go down, I'll go down fighting. I will not let you take them." Zeph readied himself, knowing that no one could take on this kind of a Guardian. "What class are you?"
"D."
Yep, he was screwed! Several days in the hospital if he didn't leave. His feet didn't move though. His body wasn't scared of the challenge. "I am not leaving Kyrella Saga here."
"Enough!" It was Kyra's mother that stopped it all. She pulled Kyra over to Zeph. "It doesn't matter anymore, she is spoiled. Your father is packing your bags." Silent, she casted her eyes downward. Zeph didn't move either.
"We will see you again," Mrs. Saga said as she dragged out suitcases packed in a rush. Apparently Kyra's father wouldn't wish her goodbye. She kissed her daughter on the head. "We will not fight this, but don't expect it to be easy." She glared over at Zeph. "You ruined her."
Damn it. It didn't have to be this way. Kyra's whole family was letting her go now? He watched the Guardian. He didn't say anything or try and fight now. It really was all over. "I'll take care of you from now on," he promised. "I'll do everything I can. We'll be okay." She hung onto his arm tightly.
-------
Several Years Later . . .
"And I'm bored. Again." Zeph whistled and twisted his keys around his fingers. "Someone put me out of my misery, I was supposed to be home an hour ago."
"I know, and you are late for supper." Ky walked up to him with their son in tow. "Zephyr."
"Oh," he groaned as he hugged Ky. "I know, honey, I'm so sorry." He gave her a small kiss on the cheek. "King Hortencia though, he won't let me leave duty."
"Well, go get one of the other guys." Ky hugged him deeper. "It's not like that time machine even works."
Zeph laughed at her. "I know, I know. But the regular guard is off this week, and I need to make up for last month."
"Daddy!" His son grabbed onto his legs, almost making him fall. "Come home!"
"Ah, you know I can't yet." Zeph bent down and looked toward his son. "Daddy will come home soon, I promise. Mommy is going to tie daddy's tail in a knot again if I don't." He stopped to look toward Ky while his son ran off. "Ky, baby, I really am sorry. It's not like I can say no to King Hortencia. He'd have me beaten to a pulp by a Guardian or something."
Ky fixed the collar on his uniform. "Guardians are not the worst thing in the world."
"Yeah, sure." Zeph chuckled as he pulled her into an embrace. He hated to stay late, he'd much rather be at home with his family. Tucking his son in, and then spending some extra time with his wife. Their fiftieth anniversary was tomorrow, and he wanted to get her a special ring for it. In order to do that, he needed a few more extra hours to get the money. "Sorry, Ky. Look, I promise. Within the next two hours, okay? I will take the night off tomorrow and spend all day with you." He smiled, and brought her in for one more kiss. "Okay?"
"Okay." Ky pulled herself away. "Supper is waiting on the table, so you better keep that-"
Zeph and Ky both heard it. They looked toward the time machine. It was glowing with lightning in the center of it, and and they saw Junior-
---
Zeph screamed, not know what to do or where to go! His son was in trouble, he and Ky had become surrounded by light, everything was just too much.
"Everything is just too much, I can't take it!"
"Everything is just too much, I can't take it!"
That scream was his, and that scream was not his.
That scream was his, and that scream was not his. "Kyyyyy!" Where was she? Where was his son? How would he get home? "I want to go home! Kyyy!"
"I want to go home! Kyyyyy!"
That scream was his again, and that scream was not his again. It was like an echoing of pain, but it wasn't an echo. It was something tangible. It was something real.
"I'm a failure, just like he always said I was!"
That wasn't his scream, but Zeph knew what the scream was about. Mister Saga. The Saga's never came to like him. Ky rarely saw them. No one attempted to visit. They never even met Junior. He just wasn't worth it to them. Even after all those years, he never amounted to anything to them.
"I can't keep her safe. I can't keep my family safe. I'm nothing. I can't do anything."
The voice kept coming, full of doubts. His doubts. Maybe they were his screams? He understood all of them. They understood him. "I want to save my family!" He yelled. "I don't know what you are, but please! Help me!"
"Help me!"
"I'll give anything to save my family! Anything!" Whatever creature was reading his mind, it had to understand that he meant that phrase. "Anythiiiiing!"
"Anythiiiiiiiiiiiing! Anything to save her!
Right, anything. To save them.
To save her.
To save them.
"To save me!"
That thought wasn't his. He was a part of his family, the term them included him. Unless it didn't? "Save me?"
Save me. Save her. Please.
Then, there was a connection. A solid connection between the two. Zeph just went rigid when he realized what that meant. He glimpsed what would happen.
Death, would have been better.