THE DEVIL'S SON

chapter 40

"Irene? Are you awake?"

Irene opened her eyes but everything was a blur and it took her awhile before she could see Gulf looming over her with a concerned expression.

"Gu.....lf." Her voice cracked as if she hadn't spoken for days. "How long was I gone?"

"Two days." Gulf spoke. "You got me worried. What happened?"

Irene recalled sneaking into her son's room at night to take his pain away. She had practiced the spell for days and even though he had told her he didn't want to she couldn't let him stay in pain. But as she took some of his pain away, she realized she couldn't even handle half of it. It was too much and knowing that her son was in so much pain, pained her even more. She wanted to take all of it away so she pushed herself over the limit and ended up in this condition.

One thing she would never forget was seeing Lucian in that dark well, getting burned over and over again. She would make sure Pierre went through the same and even worse.

"I haven't slept for days, that's probably why." She lied. "Where is Lucian?"

"Do you want me to bring him?" Gulf asked.

"No, its alright. I am sure he is busy." Irene was nervous to meet her son. She didn't know what to say to him to make everything alright. She felt like the worst mother on earth.

"You haven't eaten for days. Let me help you up and then we will have some lunch." Gulf suggested.

Irene nodded.

After taking a bath and getting some new clothes to wear she sat at the garden with Gulf while some maids served lunch.

"Did...Lothaire come to bring me?"

Gulf who was chewing his food paused and looked at her.

He nodded and swallowed the food in his mouth. "Yes but...Lucian didn't let him take you away. He believes Lothaire is the one who kept you away from visiting him." he explained.

Irene knew her son was in too much pain so he was trying to find different reasons as to why his mother didn't visit him. It was understandable.

Gulf put her fork down slowly on the table as if she wanted to say something important. "Irene, I want to help but I need you to show me the rest of your story. I want to know everything."

Irene nodded. "Alright."

Once they were done eating, they went back to the chamber and Irene decided to show the rest of her tragic story to Gulf and this time she would not leave any details out.

"Close your eyes." Irene ordered while holding Gulf's hand.

Gulf closed her eyes and Irene took her back in time, to when she was married to the King.

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Weeks had passed since she arrived to her knew home and so far she didn't like it here. Her husband treated her well and she was his favorite but his wives and mistresses were a pain to deal with. They envied her and felt threatened by her beauty and wits. Nyx wouldn't mind if she had other friends she could spend time with, but she was utterly alone. The other wives and mistresses would invite each other from time to time without including her and make sure to spread bad rumors about her every time they got the chance.

If the King didn't believe in her she would have been in trouble, but she had him by her side. She was thankful for that yet he didn't take away the emptiness she felt. He was only there at night, to satisfy his needs without thinking of satisfying hers and then in the morning she was back to laying alone in her bed again. She didn't want this life and she decided to speak to her husband about it. Maybe he could let her stay with her family from time to time. He often granted her wishes.