The Unthought Fate [MxM]

Chapter 15

   Vlad

I took a glimpse only when I noticed the noise of something big being brought into the room, but other than that my face was down, my eyes on the ground. No more rule-breaking—I had enough for today. I was still a bit nervous because I hadn't met Sara since morning to speak with her and explain.

Lost in thought, I wasn't really paying attention to what that crazy king was saying, but there were a few words that caught my attention:
"...last phoenix," "...kidnapped Maria," "...started war," "...pet."

While my eyes were still on the ground, I registered those words, and I could feel my blood pressure rising. My neck began to feel warm, and the urge to lift my gaze increased. I had a really bad feeling about this.

When gasps filled the room, my control went out the window—and my sanity along with it.

In one enormous birdcage sat the most majestic creature known—a phoenix. But that was no ordinary bird.

That was my father.

I felt the blood drain from my body, all rushing to my head, where it began pounding hard. My hearing started ringing, and I could feel myself getting dizzy.

That magnificent phoenix was just standing there, barely moving, but it was so beautiful.

I could never forget the fiery colors of his soft feathers, and I felt something warm on my face. Tears were starting to spill—I couldn't control them—and there were so many.

Looking at this gorgeous bird, I realized my father had been held captive all this time. And I thought he was living his life with somebody else... the nausea hit me hard.

Did the king say... a pet?! Oh my soul, does that... does that mean...

I found myself sobbing and gasping in horror. My head was spinning so badly, the people in front of me starting to blur into shapeless forms. I couldn't breathe—air refused to enter my lungs. I-I had to leave this place.

Stumbling over my feet, I reached the closest door, only a few steps away. Once outside, I emptied my stomach into the nearest flower pot, not even caring if anyone saw me at this point.

This couldn't be real. No, no, this wasn't happening. I didn't know where I was going, but my feet moved on their own, taking me somewhere.

The ringing in my ears grew louder, and my head felt like it was about to implode. I was having a hard time breathing, seeing around me. With my hands stretched out in front of me, I tried to avoid people or obstacles, and eventually...

Was that my dad...? W-was he? Was he dead? Was he now just a pet in a cage? I would never mistake him—his animal form. I knew it was him, his bird, but it couldn't be real. It had to be some kind of sick trick, messing with my head.

Oh my soul, I could feel my heart and mind shatter into tiny pieces. What have I done? It's all because of me... I-I killed him... If it wasn't for me... he would have lived a happy life... but they caught him because I was weak.

I killed him. It's my fault for being a coward—a powerless coward... I deserve to suffer. I deserve all the pain thrown at me, because of me he became a p-pet... oh my soul...

My mind was spinning and spiraling, and I just felt myself bump into a door. Was this my door? I couldn't really tell, but I unlocked it, entered, and before I knew what was happening, everything went black.

I must have been out for a long while, because when I woke up, I was lying on the floor, the castle filled with silence. Looking around, I recognized my room. I had somehow managed to get here safely.