I didn't want him to die. He shouldn't die. He's a king, a fallen angel. It was all his succubus demon fault, though I know it wasn't.
Hate is a strong word. After being sent down to hell because of my vengeful hate towards my beloved mate, I struggle with the feeling.
Until one day I fall for King Armand and all I could feel was the love I have for the angel. No hate, not until my king was struggling for his life.
*****
"How long?" I asked Gaelan, the healer looked uncertain about his wound saying any poison shouldn't affect Armand this fast.
"Talk to the human, ask him what poison. I don't like to guess, not when it's spreading this fast. His feathers are shedding too fast..." Gaelan touches them, the greying wings looked lifeless already and he didn't get to finish his words when I was out of the king's chamber and went straight to the dungeon only to find Basilea was already there.
"Did you do this?" I asked her accusingly, I know Armand has feelings for her. I don't understand how he falls for all the wrong beings, every time, then he falls out of love with me.
My heart was breaking all over again and I was ashamed of myself when I noticed that Basilea knew. She knew exactly how I felt about King Armand.
"I'm so sorry, I talked to Savaric he's using fallen angel's blood. It's a long story but you gotta let me go back to Ranulf's and get Maven's help. I believe he has the concoction for this, we can take Brontes you can come with me if you don't believe me." The succubus blurted in a hurry, but I was still doubting her words so I told her to wait.
"I'll tell Gaelan, and see if he can help Armand, maybe he can keep it from spreading." I ran out of the dungeon, didn't spend time second-guessing my decision, and told Titus everything she told me. My hands were shaking with nerves, worrying so fucking much that he would die on me. Fuck, he can really die with that poison. I promised myself to kill the human gargoyle when this is all over.
It didn't take long before I was in the air with Basilea, she's really good with her dragon, Brontes. But I was not going to compliment her on that matter. Not when her stupid human gargoyle just stabbed Armand and infected him with the poison.
There was no more subtlety, I wanted to reach Ranulf's kingdom and get back to Armand as soon as possible. I couldn't let myself think that he'd die before I even reached his side.
"I'm sorry, I really am." Basilea took my hand in hers the moment we arrived at her previous kingdom. I didn't reply, I just nodded. My head was too busy with thoughts of Armand fighting for his life while I started blaming myself for not following his order of taking care of Savaric myself.
There were warriors surrounding us, but they eased back when they saw her. She talked in a hurried manner then we were ushered straight to Maven's, their demon sorcerer. Basilea explained everything and she was given a bottle of purplish liquid and the instruction on how to take the antidote.
"Is there anything I can do?" Rain, the handsome human-werewolf, Armand's previous lover asked. My eyes stared at him in pure hatred and he instinctively moved back and focused on Basilea instead.
"We should go," I snapped at her and she nodded, then she quickly gave Rain a rushed hug before hurried ourselves out of the kingdom and straight to Armand's.
I couldn't stand looking at him, he looked so much worse. Titus wrapped his arm around me knowing that I was falling apart. Basilea stayed by his side and that's when I couldn't take it anymore and go to my room. I felt so helpless, there was nothing I could do but wait.
Savaric was badly wounded by the next day, but I didn't feel much better after making him continuously take my beatings. I wanted the man to suffer, but sadly he just took all of my punches.
In a way we were the same, he was pinning on Basilea and I was pinning on Armand. The human just looked defeated. So I left him and went back to my room, didn't even check up on Armand. My heart was crumbling all over again, and I was tired of picking up the pieces.
Days went by, Titus gave me the updates on Armand's health and I still couldn't make myself see him. Basilea was there, he wanted her, just like he wanted Rain and he was done with me.
It took me watching him almost die to know that I need to leave his kingdom. My love for him will never die and it almost cost him his life because I couldn't act as his trusted general and do as I was told. His life shouldn't be at risk if I did my job instead of prancing my feelings toward him.
"He's better, you should stay. You've been his general for too long, Magnus, think about it. Stay another night and think before you decide to leave us for good."
Titus was the only one I talked to when I told him that was going to leave Armand's kingdom. I gave him my reasons and he couldn't do anything to stop me, he knows he couldn't.
"Magnus, you're one of the best, I hate that he does this. For a king that angel sure can be stupid."
"But he's a great king." I retorted dryly.
"You should wait until he's better."
"He's getting better, and I should leave. Do you want me to take care of that Savaric piece of shit?"
"Nah, the king will deal with him accordingly. Though I see that you had made some adjustments to his exteriors." Titus finally crooked an eyebrow and I just shrugged. I had nothing else to say, I just wanted to get out of there sooner and crept into the deepest hell hole I can find and pity myself.
My chest hurt so fucking bad when I think that I would never see his face again. I wasn't going to tell Titus where I was going and he knows better not to ask.
"Magnus? are you going somewhere?" Basilea looked at me with an unapproving look.
Fuck...
The one being that I did not wish to encounter asked me on my way out. I was wearing my journey cloth and bringing my necessities just to make sure I live long beyond the kingdom. Not that I wanted to, but whatever.
"You take care of him, he likes you." I gave her my smirk, my heart hurt so fucking bad as I look at her in pure envy.
"He likes you too, he just didn't know how, please... don't go?"
"He'll be fine. We've tried our thing, but it didn't work out. Just... keep him happy. He deserves it." I turned around and left her in the main hall, my heart was tearing apart for him. Again. I was welcoming the pain, I kept the pain flooding my will to put one foot in front of another and walk out of his kingdom.
The sky was reddening, dark was creeping in from the horizon and I was quick to find the farthest empty cave from the kingdom and take shelter for the night. The place smelled like rotten, decaying meat, but I was too tired to find another. The damp, and hot surroundings made me forget about the pain. I closed my eyes and rest for the night, thinking maybe I will get lucky and some powerful demon has the power to annihilate one heartbroken fallen angel.
I cursed the high heaven for giving me eternal life and at the same time giving me the eternal hellish experience.