The Lonely Ones

Chapter Forty-Seven: Plants Over Life

"What are we going to do about the sword and Ignit now?" Artemis asks.

Wren glances about his room, realizing that the sword was left with Dust and Maggie. Hopefully neither touch it, although Dust should at least be able to sense that it's an object he should avoid. He'll be asking even more questions later or possibly using it as leverage to get more room for his plants. Ugh.

"We can't risk the High King or my siblings discovering it," Wren replies. He easily guesses what any of them would do if they learned the truth. None of the outcomes were any good. "Ignit wants my head so she'll be fixated on that for the time being."

"But what if she tells someone about the sword?"

"If she does, it's admitting to conspiring with a mortal to kill the High King. It won't just be my father after her head, but all of the Grim Woods even without his influence. She won't risk anyone learning the truth either. Her priority is to kill me and keep the sword a secret, which means being rid of you as well."

"Then she'll probably find someone else to get the job done," Artemis adds.

"Most likely."

This has turned into an even bigger mess than Wren could have ever predicted. Killing Azar is not something he regrets. He merely regrets not hiding the body better, although he can't imagine how someone stumbled across it. Probably some bog witch digging around where she shouldn't and wanting some trinkets from a queen. Should Wren get his hands on the one who tattled, he'll make them regret their conception.

"Whatever evil deed you're thinking of committing, stop," Artemis states, eying Wren suspiciously.

"How do you know I am think of committing an evil deed?"

"You have a tell."

"What is it?"

Artemis smirks. "Not telling."

Wren's about to convince Artemis to tell him through more physical means when a quiet voice whispers something unpleasant on the wind.

"My siblings are almost here," Wren says, frowning at Artemis' wide-eyed and fearful expression.

"If they see me and Maggie--"

"It won't end well for you or me." Wren grasps Artemis' hand to quickly guide him to the other room. Dust and Maggie aren't there, which is more helpful than Wren would have thought.

"Get the sword and keep it close to you at all times," Wren says. Artemis immediately does so, tethering the sword back to his waist. He grips Artemis' shoulders harder than he meant to, but for some reason his hands won't stop shaking. "Dusts' dastardly plants should mask any scent they might catch, but if anyone other than me enters, don't hesitate to slay them because they won't hesitate either."

Artemis nods. Wren takes his hand, wondering if he can feel Wren's intense shivers. When Artemis squeezes, Wren takes that as a yes.

☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ:✧*⋆.*:･ﾟ✧.: ⋆*･ﾟ: .⋆ ☾

Maggie stands by the bed uncertain where to look. Fae don't like rudeness and she's fairly certain staring would be rude, although Dust is certainly someone worth staring at. Like all fae, he's eerily beautiful, where one can tell that something isn't quite right, that they should be afraid of whatever darkness is within. Since Artemis was dragged off to another room, Maggie remains unclear on what she should do. Stand around and wait for them to come back? Explore the castle and risk one of those goblins skewering her? Take a nap? The last one would be a nice option under very different circumstances.

"Do you like flowers?" Dust suddenly asks.

Maggie stares silently for a long moment, then sputters, "Uh, as l-long as they aren't the type to kill me."