Chapter 184: The First Rain Of The Season
Sloane clenched her teeth, and then she exploded. "I wish I had killed you the moment you set foot in Beloria! If I had ended you sooner, if I had—"
"Sloane Altherin, as well as House Altherin, I hereby order your immediate execution."
"I CURSE YOU, ELOISE BALTHAR! MY GHOST SHALL HAUNT YOU FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE! I CURSE—" Her words were cut short when a gauntlet went right through her chest and ripped out her heart.
I inhaled, shaken by the display, but I did my best not to show it.
Sloane’s limp body dropped to the ground, and life faded from her eyes.
I turned my back, and the entire hall turned chaotic as House Altherin met the same fate.
They say revenge was always the sweetest. I smiled and closed my eyes. They were right.
~•~
It’s been three days since the execution of House Altherin. I didn’t leave my chambers and spent most of my day brooding.
I miss Drevon.
Suddenly, my doors opened as Osha rushed in with a bright expression. "The monarch has arrived, Your Majesty!"
A broad smile curled on my lips as I hurried to my feet, but then it fell as a feeling swamped me.
"Your Majesty? Is everything alright?"
I lost my footing.
"Your Majesty!" Osha rushed to my side and held me steady.
~•~
• DREVON •
I rode through the gates, and unmounted my horse. Whispers have spread like wildfire, and I wish I had come in time, but I needed to finish up everything so that I wouldn’t be called back there. The thought of leaving Eloise again did not sit well with me, so I made sure I rounded up all the meetings with the denizens covering different matters.
I hadn’t had a wink of sleep, but that was the least of my worries. I missed Eloise, and I couldn’t wait to see her.
I was adjusting my black gloves when it started snowing again. I looked to the skies, wondering when winter would end. Valkanor always had the longest winter. I hope Eloise was warm.
"My liege."
I faced Garrick coming towards me, before glancing at the retreating knight.
Something was wrong.
"What is it?" I demanded.
"It’s about Prince Damon."
~•~
[Music: Emotions To Hide - Jung Se Rin]
I found myself venturing into the woods; my expression was unreadable as I navigated swiftly. This particular area was far from the castle, but I remembered it like it was yesterday.
The closer I got, the more I could see the lake and the willow tree. This was the same spot I had ripped Damon’s hand after he got me angry. It was the first day I also realized what I was capable of if I didn’t have control, and how unstable I could have been. I could have turned out worse than Damon. How iconic that this was the meeting place.
I neared Damon, who stood watching the view; his dark hair was long. Despite the cold, he was in a linen shirt and pants. He threw the stones into the lake, having it touch the surface multiple times before it sank.
"I’m glad you came as requested. If you had seen Lou first, then I’m afraid you wouldn’t have gotten what you wanted. Can’t resist those eyes."
"And what is that?"
He turned to me, smiling. "My heart."
"What the knight spoke of, is it true?"
It is disturbing that he gave such news in such a way. Phantom mark, no need for his blood. It’s all too much to take in, and I still needed to confirm before I do the needful.
"Yes," he replied.
"Would you accept your death willingly?" I asked sternly.
Damon seemed different, felt different.
"It’s the only way to get rid of the phantom mark."
"Do you take me for a fool?"
He shrugged. "Sometimes... even now. You’re hesitant to do this, and that makes you a fool."
"Maybe. You saved her life."
"Impulse," he corrected. "And that shouldn’t amount to anything because I don’t deserve redemption, what I deserve is you taking my heart so that I may die knowing that in one way or the other if you never existed I might have been everything she could ever want and more."
He tossed the stone again before grabbing the fishing rod. "Long before you tore off my arm, do you remember we used to come fishing here to escape the world. It was always so loud, wasn’t it? I think we were closer before the line of succession disaster."
"..."
"This may be odd, but will you fish with me?" he said with a glint in his eyes, and I realized they had changed color, no longer oxblood but obsidian.
His time in confinement has destroyed him completely. The person who stood before me wasn’t the murderous brother I knew; this was an empty shell just existing. Damon was already dead in body and soul.
"Or not?" he tossed the fishing rod into the water when I didn’t reply. "I had my hope, always so cold."
"I didn’t have the heart to see Mother or sister. I don’t really know them like you do. You were the only one who existed in Mother’s eyes, and I was never a brother to Diana. It’s better not to open a wound that wasn’t there."
"..."
He got frustrated. "What are you waiting for?!" he yelled. "KILL ME!"
"Do you have any last words?"
He laughed, the sound ringing through the air before it died down, and for the first time in his entire life, I think Damon had found his light.
"I’ve always hated you, you know that? I don’t think that will ever change." He threaded his fingers through his hair. "Always make Lou happy. She deserves nothing but that, or else I’ll come back as a ghost and steal her away from you."
~•~
The first rain of the season came, washing away the snow. I stood there, drenched, but I didn’t move. The rain washed away the blood into the lake, tainting it.
I don’t feel anything.
I walked closer to the tree, my eyes catching the engraving, slash marks for count. When we were little, Damon thought it was a good idea to count how many fish each of us caught. I have forgotten that memory, but seeing this now brought it back.
But I still don’t feel anything.
Sentiments were never the foundation of our relationship, but this? It might have been the closest thing to a bond, the only bond.
Goodbye, little brother.
~•~
My cloak dragged behind me, drenched. The rain got heavier, and the thunder struck heavily. My shoes echo with every step.
I got to the door and pushed it open, closing it behind me. My dull gaze swept the room until it settled on the bed where Eloise curled up.
I unclasped my cloak, and it fell to the floor. I neared the bed and sat by her side.
The thunder struck.
Silent tears streamed down her face nonstop, drenching the pillow. Through the bond, I could tell she already knew.
No one will mourn Damon, not even me. But she did, and in some way, she mourned him for me, too.