Chapter 107

People were not originally evil or altruistic. There was something that drove extreme emotions in them and it was best to discover those drives. Delphine believed Malachi was a good person under the layers and layers of the evil acts he portrayed. The gem was responsible and there had to be a way to nullify its powers, he did not have to die.

Delphine found herself at the priest in hopes that he would find a way to remove the darkness the gem had placed on Malachi. She had heard the story of Malachi and the gem he came across but no one had a clue on how to get rid of it.

“Delphine,” the priest boomed. He was clad in his usual cape, its hood on his

head.

He was her last resort.

“Priest.” She bowed, waiting for him to summon her forward.

“What a surprise. Why have you paid me a visit today?”

“May I step forward, priest?” The priest stretched his arm, indicating that he had granted her permission.

“Thank you. I have a question about the gem. The famous gem of darkness.” She could not help but notice the darkness in the priest’s eyes. The gem was a touchy subject.

“Ask.”

“Can the powers of the gem of darkness be nullified?”

“You ask such a bold question, Queen. And of course, I know you ask for Malachi’s sake.” The priest folds his arms against his chest, still maintaining his intimidating stance.

“Yes, priest.”

Delphine did not want to kill Malachi, she knew the root of the problem which was the gem had to be dealt with.

“I say that you leave all talks of Malachi. It is wise to not get involved with the gem. It is clear what it does to those who come in contact with it.”

“I know but we can’t kill Malachi when it is obvious the gem is doing harm.” Delphine fell on her knees.

“You can not separate the gem from its host.” The priest’s eyes darkened even more, which scared Delphine.

“I believe there is more to it. I don’t mind what it takes, I want to remove the darkness. Malachi is… family and as Queen, I don’t want to discard family…or anyone else for that matter.” Delphine tried harder.

“It is my duty to warn you before taking this decision and I believe I have done my best. Are you sure you want to do this?”

The priest’s voice was becoming light.

“I’m sure. I understand that you want to protect me…but I have to do this,” she said with newfound confidence.

“By the next full moon, come back for your answer,” the priest said in finality.

Relief flooded her. She was finally going to free Malachi from the darkness torturing him. Her mother would be proud of her and everything she had achieved.

* * *

Full of excitement, she ran into the palace to inform Damien about the good news. To her surprise, she met Ruby pacing by her door.

“Ruby?”

Ruby did not look good. Her eyes were swollen from crying, her lips trembling.

Delphine did not remember the last time she saw her so shaken up.

“Oh, Delphine.”

She collapsed into her arms. They stayed in that position until Ruby gathered enough strength to speak.

“I–”

Ruby hiccuped, her lips still trembling.

“It’s fine if you don’t want to say anything. No pressure.”

Delphine rubbed her back, willing to comfort her. Ruby let the tears flow, mustering the ability to steady herself. She didn’t mean to burden Delphine with her ‘boy issues’ but her emotions were overwhelming.

When she was finally able to speak, she said slowly, “Ryan and I had a big fight and I think it’s my fault. I think he doesn’t want me anymore.”

Ruby could not help sounding like a baby, she knew she was going to look back to this day and cringe. Hard.

“Oh, poor you.”

Delphine rubbed her back faster.

“I really love him and I want this to work but we are out of tune.”

“You know what? We should probably go into my room…for privacy.”

She did not let go of Ruby until they got into the room. Delphine understood that this was also the kind of issue she would have to help with as the queen.

She surrounded Ruby with comfy pillows and tissues.

“I knew something was off with our relationship but I did not know it was this bad. Ryan thought my assistant, Michael, was hitting on me. At first, I was hurt because I thought he didn’t trust me but now… I’m confused. How did we get here?”

“Did Ryan say what the problem was? It sounds deeper than Michael hitting on you. Ryan isn’t that shallow.”

“No. He paid me a visit at Romulus, I thought it was sweet but I also sensed he was angry and anxious. We planned to do…I was overwhelmed with work at the palace and I had to leave him and settle some issues…”

Delphine understood what was happening and she felt bad for putting her cousin in that position.

“I’m sorry, Ruby. It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have separated you from Ryan, your mate.”

She pulled Ruby in for another hug, this one tighter than the previous one.

Delphine had been selfish, she put Ruby in charge of Romulus because she wanted to be close with Damien at Bloodmoon. She had caused a wedge in Ruby’s relationship.

“It’s okay…”

“No, I have to do something to mend this. In the meantime, you have to talk to Ryan about this…”

“I was going to but I just couldn’t summon the courage to do so. I know I look weak and you’re probably wondering how someone who cries over a man can manage a palace.”

Ruby words caused Delphine pain, she said this because Ruby was one of the strongest women she knew. “Ruby, it’s totally okay to have emotions.”

Delphine is lost on what to do. Ruby was the only one she trusted to run the palace properly. She decided to ask the priest for advice.

* * *

At the priest’s once again, she didn’t fail to notice that he had his hood down. His head was completely bald.

“Delphine,” he boomed.

“I have come to you for advice.”

The priest stretched his arm and she proceeded.

“I fear that I have brought conflict to people that I care about and as Queen, it is a terrible thing to do.”

“Yes, it is.”

“I put Ruby in charge of Romulus not thinking of how it was going to affect things with her mate, Ryan.” She still couldn’t believe that she thought they would be okay with the distance when she wasn’t in the first place.

“And as Queen, I believe you have noted that was an act of selfishness.” His words hit hard but she knew she deserved it.

“Who is Queen of Romulus?”

“Me, Delphine.”

“A Queen should rule her people. Go back to Romulus to rule your people. That’s what your mother would have told you.”

“Sorry, no disrespect. But you don’t get to say anything about my mother, you didn’t know her. But I’ll return to Romulus, I have to speak to my Uncle Paluma,” she said and vanished.

* * *

Ryan did not expect to see Ruby by his door, he definitely didn’t see in tears.

“Ryan. I’m sorry.”

She sniffled.

“Ruby. Are you crying? Oh, come here.” He pulled her into his arms. Earlier, he had pondered on Damien’s words. He could not let the special bond he had with Ruby destroy. “We should get in the room.”

“I was an asshole yelling that way at Romulus. I should have known better,” he said immediately as they entered the room.

“No, I was the asshole. I understood that you missed me but I let my duties take over instead…” She tightened her embrace.

“I trust you, Ruby. I didn’t trust Michael. He seemed like one of those men who snatch mates. I– I was insecure and I really should not have been.” Ryan looked away, embarrassed.

“It’s okay. Michael is fine, I realized I had to come down to Bloodmoon and now I’m here.”

“I wanted to talk about us when I got to Romulus but the whole ruckus distracted me. I was going to talk things out with Damien, maybe he’d let me live over there instead… I need you with me. I can’t function properly with you miles away.”

This time he looked directly into her eyes, he saw love and desire in it. “I love you so much, you can’t imagine and I’m ready to fight for us.”

“Oh, Ryan. I love you and I’m ready to do anything for us.” His lips claimed hers. She tasted sweet.

“I discussed it with Delphine and maybe just maybe, she’ll let me move here.”

“That could work too… But I believe you love it back at Romulus. I saw you there. I prefer to move there with you.”

“Okay. It doesn’t matter. Now, I want you. It’s been long since we’ve done anything together,” Ruby said with a glint in her eyes.

“Oou. Naughty.”

Ruby giggled. She loved this side of Ryan and hoped their relationship would go smoothly from here.