it," Willow reasoned. "You fought against the strings of fate for survival, don't you think? It would be smart to take this given opportunity to enjoy the rewards of your struggle, right?"
There was something about Willow's voice that just got through to you and pointed out the obvious picture. It clearly worked on Milo, because he nodded, but surprisingly looked at me.
"What do you think?" he quietly asked.
I wondered why he was asking for my opinion, but I earnestly answered, "Don't be a fool and regret not taking this opportunity."
He stared into my eyes as if he were seeking some level of validation from my words, so I added, "Who sat upon a throne of power while you were beaten down like a slave? Who stood and allowed the walls you built for years to come crumbling down? Who hoped for you to follow them till the end so you could leave everything that held value to you behind? Who deserves to face the ultimate punishment of death? Look at that man and tell me if he deserves your sympathy."
He took a steady inhale and turned to look at Ronald. The way his eyes narrowed and sparked with orange and gold made his red orbs look like they were made of fire. The rage he kept hidden within himself could burn cities down to the ground.
An intense rage that I was far too familiar with.
He walked over to him as Willow slipped out of Neo's lap so they could stand up. They moved to the side as if to give him space and I decided to join the front row spot out of my own curiosity.
Milo stood before Ronald, his eyes glaring at the man who’d surely fucked over his life. Whatever plans he’d had were ruined by this man hanging on a thin thread between life and death.
Ronald began to chuckle, the weak sound going in and out. It sounded much closer to a struggling wheeze.
"Ha...ppy now...black monkey? You'll...never...fit...into...this world...made for power."
None of us said anything, but I was surprised by the low chuckle that rumbled against Milo's throat.
"You thought I wanted to fit into this fucked-up world?" Milo whispered with so much amusement, I almost thought he’d lost a screw for a second. From the intense gazes of Willow and Neo, they were just as intrigued as me by Milo's behavior.
"Where I was born, we were bathed in rivers of gold. Where I wished to be raised, we wore crowns with our heads up high. My family chose this path for me not because we came to fit in. They encouraged me to live this poor, wretched life to humble me," he quietly revealed. "You knew exactly what you were doing when you kidnapped me from the streets and took me to that fucked-up place of torture. You knew who I was...and who I one day would be. You knew what a worthy asset I'd be and only wanted to keep me around so when your weak little queen asked for my head, you'd have it on demand."
I was coming to realize Milo wasn't as foolish as one would expect. I side glanced at Willow to see her obvious shock, and Neo was smirking like we'd literally won the lottery.
Fuck...maybe we just did.
"So...before you go to meet your Creator, let me tell you. In my world, the lands of fae, they respect me no matter the shade of my flesh, and I am a man people kneel down for. This richly dark skin your world mocked is worshipped in my lands. You believe I was born to be a black monkey, but I have the ability to change my flesh to whatever color I see fit."
My eyes widened as his skin color indeed began to shift, the dark skin quickly turning to a brilliant porcelain shade. It reminded me of a chameleon changing its appearance to blend into the world.
Even Ronald's eyes widened just slightly from the barely open state, and how rewarding it was to see his heightened regret for failing.
Milo's skin returned to his dark, tanned shade and he smiled brilliantly.
"So, let me tell you. I'm proud of who I represent. I carry my head up high to prove to the little boys and girls stuck upon those streets that in another land, there's a rightful place for them and a world that would accept them." He raised his hand then, and his smile surely couldn't be more spectacular.
There was so much pride, happiness, and hidden