Chapter 26 CHAPTER 26
FLORIAN'S POV
I pulled my claws away from my flesh, but it wasn't distracting enough.
It seemed I'd gotten used to it, which is annoying because why does my senses adjust so quickly to every other type of pain except the one that mattered most?
I walked out of the gates, ignoring the sneer on the guard’s face. He's trying really hard to hide his disdain so I'll forgive him for it.
Sometimes I forget that they need me as much as I need them, but on the days I remember, just like this afternoon, my soul is restless and I try to look for reasons to avoid pummeling every face into the ground.
I walked towards Zephyr, slowing down as I got closer.
He tends to be quite protective and hates the fact that he can't protect me from this torture, and even though we've been doing this since I was fourteen years of age and it's been decades of going into that lab to get my body poked, prodded, and violated, it never gets easier.
The pain may have become a part of me, but when sharp knives tear me open in different locations and gloved hands dig into my body, I feel things.
I hate feeling things.
But the irritation always turns into anger and Zephyr carries that burden with me.
Anyways, enough whining.
I need to do this.
For my mother.
“Come on boy,” I scratched his throat playfully, “we're gonna be alright.”
Words he's probably tired of hearing but what else can I tell the ferocious beast who can't protect the most important person to him?
I push myself with the help of my wind magic and climb on top of him.
I was supposed to wait for a few more hours for the wounds to seal shut properly but if I stared at those sterile white walls one more second, I would burn them to the ground.
Everything needs colour once in a while and black soot will do for a place so dreary.
I winced as I adjusted myself on top of my beast, and took a deep breath as his energy pulsed through me, seeking wounds, repairing tissues.
“Let's go,” I muttered under my breath, not wanting him to stress himself further.
I had a few girls waiting for me to call on them to my chambers.
When they're done taking care of me, I look forward to the healing sleep I'll get afterwards.
It's the only part of this madness that I crave.
Rest.
That was a foreign word in this kingdom.
Only those stinkingly rich and pompous politicians sleep.
If they actually allow themselves to instead of plotting against themselves anyway.
But everyone else, poor, wealthy, warriors, students, and even the King;
All we do is work to make sure our enemies don't overrun the ward and make us slaves in our own kingdom.
Another thing I love more than anything in this wicked world is the feeling of being in the air, above their hateful eyes.
Above their judgment.
Above the way they need me but never really accept me.
Up here, I'm not Florian the outcast, not rejected, and yet still useful. In the sky, I'm no one.
Just air and freedom and the taste of the freedom I'll never have.
Zephyr made a crackling sound in his throat and I rolled my eyes.
“You're always so damn horny boy,” I said as I directed him back towards the earth and to his cave.
He wasn't a playboy like me, and his mate was waiting excitedly for him as we landed.
The second I got down, they ran into each other, exchanging the dragon version of a hug.
“You're so damn lucky,” I mused before turning away from the show of affection.
Afterall, what's the point of looking at what I'll never have?
I was on my way to Kira’s quarter when a messenger ran towards me.
I loved and hated seeing them because they always brought news of the king asking me to come and serve him in one way or the other but then, they didn't look at me with either Lust or disdain.
Just respect.
The only thing I've begged for from this Kingdom.
"Master Florian!” He called, panting from the run up the hill.
It made no sense to make them work on foot considering their importance but the king didn't pay me to have opinions.
His words not mine.
“Hey Jax,” I replied, walking towards him, "how does his Majesty fare today?”
“Oh,” he panted as he came to a stop, “the missive is from the Principal not the King.”
I frowned.
Draco’s path and mine rarely crossed but if he wanted to speak to me, he didn't need to go through all the trouble of wasting ink and sending a messenger.
“Thank you,” I nodded to the young man and handed him a small amount of notes.
“Thank you so much Master!” He exclaimed in excitement and I smiled.
No matter how often I do that, they never cease to be appreciative.
“Go on then,” I waved him off, pocketing the letter.
I'd go through it later.
I needed to pour my frustration out and Kira was a kindred spirit in that way.
Her dragon is always in heat and she prefers a type of lovemaking that most men in our realm don't understand.
So when I need to just lie down and let things be done to me, she's always the perfect choice.
But as I walked towards her chambers, it felt as though something was pulling me away.
I ignored it, chugging it up to what I'd just experienced. I would feel better after she's done with me.
But the further I walked into the back door she always left open to me on days like this, the stronger the pull.
I was at her main door when I finally stopped, realizing this was definitely not normal.
And to make things clearer, as Kira walked out, dressed only in a robe that let me see her features in full display, all I felt was disgust.
I gasped, but without a word, I turned around and fled.
My speed increased as my frustration increased.
Whatever they did to me today was fucking me up and I hated it.
I hated that this might be another consequence of their invasive tests and yet I won't be able to stop it.
They've taken away everything from me, and now this too.
I found my way tou chambers in minutes, slamming the door behind me with anger that stemmed from deep in my soul.
As I took off my clothes, something fell out.
“Oh. You.”
I bent over to pick up the missive and ripped it open without a thought.
And then read the contents.
“What the fuck?”