The Blood Prince

023

Xavier stomps towards the quarters of his sister.

"NADIA!"he shouts, opening the door to her room.

She sits up from her bed and rubs her eyes.

"Brother, what are you doing."she huffs.

"You told my wife to lie to me?"he says angrily.

Nadia could clearly see that Xavier was indeed steaming with anger.

"Lie? About what?"she asks, sitting up.

"I burned her. When I wore the crown I burned her and YOU chose to tell her not to tell me!"Xavier shouts.

"Xavier, I was simply trying to reduce your stress. I can tell your body still craves the crown."she says, folding her arms.

"I could've healed her. She was suffering and I could've -"

"Brother, she simply wanted aid in your recovery."Nadia says.

"THAT ISN'T THE POINT!"Xavier shouts before beginning to storm towards her wardrobe.

"If you burn even one of my gowns I'll wrap my vines around you so tightly you lose consciousness!"She says, getting out of bed.

"I care not for your stupid gowns! WHERE IS THE CROWN!?"he shouts.

"You don't need it!"Nadia says sternly.

Xavier shouts angrily before throwing the entire wardrobe to the ground.

"WHY WAS I CURSED LIKE THIS?!"he screams, causing Nadia's lips to quiver.

"WHY MUST I DESTROY EVERYTHING I TOUCH! I HATE THIS!"he screams.

Nadia quickly runs over to him as he begins trying to tear through the room again.

She grabs his arms, ignoring the hissing sound of her skin burning as she grabs him.

"Xavier look at me!"she demands.

"WHY DID SHE MAKE ME LIKE THIS?!"He screams as Nadia quickly hugs his head to her chest.

"Xavier breathe! Please calm down!"she says, trying to soothe him.

"I-i want to be normal. I want to touch her. I want-"he cuts himself off by beginning to sob.

Nadia quickly waves her hand and a twisted vine quickly slams the door closed and she wraps her arms around him, falling with him as he kneels.

"It's okay, Xavier. It's not your fault, don't cry please."Nadia says, quickly wiping his tears.

He sobs softly and his fists clench against the floor, burning the wood and leaving large black marks.

"Xavier, you mustn't stress over the things you cannot control. Your wife loves you, she only wished to help and she does not take offense to when and if you hurt her. She knows you do not mean to do so."Nadia says softly, stroking his hair comfortingly as he softly sobs.

He shakes his head as his boiling tears drip from his face to the floor.

"....what will I do to our children.."he says quietly.

"You poor boy. I'm so sorry Xavier."she says quietly.

He slowly lifts his head to look at her.

"...where is the crown, Nadia?"

Her bottom lip quivers and she looks away.

"I don't know, Xavier. Tatiana is the only one who knows where it is."

He looks back down before slowly wiping his face and then pushing himself up from the ground, causing Nadia to stand as well.

He looks down at the mess he had made and clears his throat.

"...I'm sorry. Forgive me."he says, trying to lift the wardrobe from the ground.

Nadia waves her hand, a few flowering green vines stretching down to help him lift it.

"It's okay Xavier. Look at me."she says.

He looks up at her and she smiles comfortingly.

"You do not need the crown, Xavier. Promise me you will not use it."she says.

Xavier looks down at his hands before walking past her towards the door.

"I cannot promise that."he says before opening the door and leaving the room.

Nadia sighs as she looks down at the floor where his handprints were scorched into the wood.

"My poor brother. I do hope he finds peace. Are you alright in there?"she asks.

The wardrobe door slowly swings open, and Taron steps out rather discombobulated.

"Christ. I wish never to experience that again. Never."he says, wobbling over to her.

....