The Warlock (BxB)

Chapter 63

Logain and Dante tumbled to the ground of the throne room. The impact didn't affect the prince because he was a shade, but Logain felt it when they hit the ground. His body already ached after running away from the demon for so long. Hitting the ground now only made it worse, but at least he was back in the land of the living. He could relax for a few minutes before he needed to help Dante find his body.

At least, the warlock thought that he would be able to relax until he looked around the room. To his surprise, they weren't alone. Meredith was in front of them, but so were Casimir and Tristan. Logain didn't expect any of them to be in Zuvelia, but he was relieved to see his companions. They were a welcome sight compared to his enemy, who stood up in an attempt to escape. Casimir was too distracted by Logain's reappearance to stop the High Priestess as she attempted to flee.

However, she didn't get far as Amaris and Varys entered the throne room and blocked her path. Varys had his sword drawn, while Amaris was ready to cast a spell. Seeing the clergyman again filled Logain with rage after he tricked him, but it seemed as though Amaris was back on their side. How long that would last, the warlock didn't know. All he knew was that he didn't trust him. Amaris could turn his back on them at any moment.

While the High Priestess was distracted by the other men, Casimir couldn't help himself as he ran up to Logain and knelt beside him. The prince took Logain in his arms, hugging him tightly and unwilling to let him go. They might not have been separated for long, but anything could have happened to Logain within that time. Casimir was just glad to have the warlock back in his arms. He would do his best to protect him from now on.

"Logain, I'm so sorry. I should have stayed with you last night. If I had, this never would have happened. I was so scared that I would lose you," Casimir said as he hugged the warlock tightly. The prince could feel the tears beginning to form. He was mad at Amaris for tricking Logain and almost getting him killed, but he was angrier with himself for allowing it to happen. He should have been there to protect Logain.

The warlock hugged him back. "Casimir . . . it's not your fault, so don't blame yourself. We're together now, and that's all that matters."

While the men reunited, it was Tristan's turn to be shocked as he looked at the prince beside them. Prince Dante glanced around at the dilapidated throne room before his eyes eventually landed on Tristan. The prince might have been dead, but it felt as though his heart leaped in his chest as they looked at each other. He hesitated for a moment, but that didn't last long as Dante got to his feet and approached Tristan. Without giving it a second thought, the prince embraced him. Tristan was too stunned for a moment to do anything, but once he composed himself, he hugged Dante back. It has been too long since he held him in his arms.

The reunions didn't last long as Amaris called out, "A little help here would be nice!"

The men were too distracted by their reunions to realize that during that time, Meredith used her magic to summon a few lesser demons. Amaris and Varys were fighting off the creatures. The demons were small and hardly a challenge for the men to fight off, but there were a lot of them. Meredith was trying to make her escape during the distraction.

Logain was the first to react as he used his magic to create an ice barrier to stop the High Priestess from running out of the room. With her exit blocked off, she would have no choice but to face them. She turned, her eyes on Logain. If she got rid of him, then she would be victorious. Meredith's sights were only on Logain as she attempted to strike him first. A beam of white and gold light shot towards him, but Casimir grabbed the warlock out of the way in time. The beam of light shattered the ground where Logain once sat. She meant business. If Meredith got the chance, she would kill him.

Casimir tried to shield the warlock as he wielded the sword in front of him. Meredith might have been able to summon demons, but those dark creatures wouldn't stand much of a chance against Casimir's divinity. It had been a long time since the prince used this amount of power, but his sword shone brightly as he used as much energy as he could. His impressive display of power shocked Logain as he stayed behind the prince. It was no wonder the royal family was hard on him. With this power, Casimir could be the strongest ruler Ambria had ever seen. In one quick motion, the prince was in front of the High Priestess, ready to strike her down. After trying to hurt Logain, Casimir wanted revenge.

However, before he had the chance to end Meredith, Logain grabbed Casimir's arm. "Wait! Don't kill her, Casimir! You're not a killer, so stop this before you make a mistake. We have her surrounded, so let's take her into custody, and then the royal family can deal with her."

The prince gritted his teeth. "She tried to kill you just now. If I don't do something about her now, then she'll attempt to harm you again. I won't let anything happen to you."

"Nothing will happen to me. Casimir, please. I don't want you to turn into something that you're not," Logain said, taking Casimir's hand in his. He squeezed the prince's hand in an attempt to reassure him that everything would be okay. The warlock's touch was soothing to him, making Casimir lower his sword.

Their display of affection made the High Priestess scoff. "Yes, listen to your magic rat. Be a good little prince and obey that creature. You and your family sicken me. Warlocks and witches are vile creatures, yet you continue to treat them like they're one of us."

Casimir glared at her. "Every warlock and witch that I've met is a better person than you'll ever be. You deserved to be cursed."

The prince was done arguing with her. With the lesser demons defeated, Amaris and Varys were behind the High Priestess with their weapons drawn on her. There was nowhere for her to run. If she tried to attack or summon more demons, she would be struck down where she stood. Meredith understood the risk if she attempted one last attack.

But that didn't stop her as she tried one final time to end Logain's life. The prince and warlock didn't have any time to react as a portal appeared behind them. The beast she tried to summon before reached its long arms and claws out to pierce through Logain's back. Casimir tried to pull the warlock towards him to get him out of the way in time, but it was too late.

Yet, instead of piercing through Logain, Prince Dante stood in the way before Logain could be hurt. The claws stabbed his chest, and instead of blood, dark smoke poured from the wounds. The demon retreated into the portal as it closed once more.

Everything happened quickly after that as Tristan rushed to Dante's side and caught him before he fell to the ground, and the sudden attack stopped Casimir from hesitating. The prince didn't let anything stop him this time as he slashed out at the High Priestess before she could summon another spell or portal. His aim was precise as he aimed for her neck, decapitating Meredith and ending her life for good.

With the High Priestess dead, the throne room fell silent.