Mages of Rubia ✔️

38

I wake up somewhere warm. It must be the afterlife, or something. But for a second it makes me think I'm home in Himnoa.

Then I open my eyes and see dark stone around me. And bars in front of me. I hear humming and see Azarius on the other side.

"This must be a fucking nightmare purgatory realm. Some weird place in hell where I'm stuck with my killer."

"Nah. I healed you up pretty quickly. No big deal."

"What about the baby?" I ask.

"I dunno, you're the one having prophetic dreams. What do they say?"

I take a deep breath. "How do you know about that?"

"I pay attention." He passes me a plate of food through a slot in the bars. I try to grab his wrist in hopes of breaking a bone, but I'm too sluggish.

"How long have I been here?"

He shrugs. "Too long. Better eat up."

I do, trusting that it's not poisoned. I'm not entirely certain about my death anymore, but it's probably not that way. He said he'd do it in the most harmful way.

"So, how are you going to kill me?"

"Hm, I don't know that I should tell you. Just know there'll be an audience."

"You should wait. Do you know how Lief will feel if you kill his kid?"

Azarius scoffs. "It really doesn't matter. But, sure, I'll wait if I can. Do you want anything? So you're more comfortable?"

I stare at him. "You're bad at being evil."

"Evil isn't my intent. But you did break my nose."

"That can't be your reason."

I push the plate out, and he takes it.

"I'll just get some more blankets. I know you Himnoans aren't used to cold. Everyone's always bundled up here in the colony."

"You're bad at being a villain. Why not just release me and stop this? Come back to Himnoa. You'd have a better chance patching things up with the boys. I'm sure Cooper is pissed."

He falls silent. "You don't know anything."

"I think I know my friend and boyfriends would be pissed that you killed me, Azarius."

"Well, obviously. Everybody just loves you."

"So it's jealousy?"

He shoots me a glare. "I'll be back with food and blankets later. Don't bother trying to escape."

I give him a sarcastic salute before he leaves.

Of course I'd be the prisoner of a jealous fascist instead of having the death I foresaw. I probably messed up the future, by breaking his nose or getting pregnant. I set my hand on my stomach, wondering if I can feel a heartbeat other than my own. Maybe if I sleep I'll see what's going to happen.

I lay back down on the cot I woke up on, and go back to sleep.

-

I didn't dream at all. Didn't even get to go into my dreamspace to see if I could talk to Lief or Ravana.

"The bars stop magic use," Azarius says, "In case you were wondering why you can't dream out to Lief."

"Is dreaming magic use?"

"Yours is."

He opens the bars to set blankets and food down, locking it behind him and sitting down on the floor. He has his own plate, too.