Amaranthine

Chapter Eight

Satanas POV

3 days.

72 hours.

4,320 minutes.

Since I killed my father.

Was I supposed to feel afraid of myself? If I was, I wasn’t. If anything, I didn’t care. The peace that came with my father’s death was borderline addictive. I felt like a weight had been lifted from my chest. Over the past three days, I’ve been mulling over the event. It was so easy, so simple. I killed him, dragged his body out, threw him in the pond, and had the maid clean the blood.

I smiled and chuckled softly, it was quite nice to have workers who couldn’t involve themselves in personal matters or gossip outside of the castle.

I sighed and leaned back in my office chair. Work was slow, I was left with nothing to do. My military was training with the Heartsclan military. I still have another hour before I go with Fanden to assess their progress so far. Everything was boring without her around. I was finding myself missing her more than I thought I originally had.

The hour passed painfully slow, but the minute it was time to go, I had lept to my feet and practically ran out of the castle.

I saw Fanden and my heart leaped in my chest, I couldn’t help but smile.

“Good evening” Fanden smiled back politely.

“As to you” I nodded respectfully.

Our militaries were currently at ease, both generals facing us and waiting for the approval to start demonstrating the progress within the joining groups. I gave a curt nod, and Fanden raised her right hand, in alignment with her shoulder. General Ravn and General Lazarus bowed in acknowledgment before turning back to face the troops.

“ATTENTION!” General Ravn and General Lazrus’s voices boomed out in sync.

The troops quickly and seamlessly all clicked their heels together and dropped their hands to their sides.

“OPEN RANKS. MARCH!” General Lazarus commanded.

The troops spread ranks and started to march across the field, their steps exactly like one another.

“RIGHT FACE.  MARCH!” General Ravn yelled demandingly.

The troops turned one by one, raising their left heel and sharply turning 90 degrees before continuing to march.

The marching was flawless, the two groups moved like they had been working together for years. Once the show of marching finished, the troops took place to start sparring with hand-to-hand combat.
Fanden and I watched silently except for a few comments of approval here and there. By the time the demonstrations were all over, it was around midnight and we were all exhausted. General Ravn and General Lazarus dismissed the troops to their conjoined barracks before joining Fanden and me.

“Things seem to be coming together nicely.” Fanden hummed to the two generals.

I nodded in agreement, “Yes, I’m impressed with everything you two have accomplished”

“Thank you M’Lady, Thank you Sir” General Ravn half bowed, as did General Lazarus.

The four of us continued to share praise and critique. The entire meeting lasted a good two hours before  both Generals were dismissed.

I watched as Fanden began walking back into her castle, only then did I excuse myself from the generals and follow her inside. I didn’t have to say much, as I knew she could hear the sound of my oxfords clicking against the tile floor behind her.

"After this war…” I started.

Fanden turned to look at me as I spoke.

“I was thinking, why don’t we ally our clans? It’ll be good for trade and we’ll have a stronger alliance. We’re the eldest clans, we should stick together.” I knew my reasoning was absolute ass and I didn’t really convey my thoughts that well, but I hoped she would understand what I was trying to say.

Fanden was quiet for a few moments before speaking, “I’d like that, but what would your father think?’
…

I froze. Thats right, I hadn’t told her yet. I hadn’t told her I had killed my father not 3 days ago. Do I tell her I killed him? What will she think of me? I’m a murderer now, though its not like he wasn't far worse of one. She needs to know he’s dead at least.

“He died.” Was all I said, my tone tight as I spoke.

“Dead?” Her brows raised and she seemed to be a bit suspicious. “He was only in his early six-thousands? What happened?” She furrowed her previously raised brows.

I should have known she’d question me. I felt the truth become lodged in my throat, anxiety bubbling up in my stomach.

Shit.