Rogues

Episode 40 | Break from reality

"Calm?"

By this point, it was a miracle the Prime Ghoul's bodyguards hadn't beheaded Bismuth. With all the insults the Air ghoul had thrown at them, he'd definitely earned it in their books.

"Don't you dare tell me to be calm right now," Bismuth screamed. "Since when did your title give you the right to ignore basic courtesy? We came to you for help and you've betrayed us! Why the fuck would we be calm about this?"

Prince whined quietly, instinctively standing between the threat and his Em. He knew he should be angry too, knew he should be cursing the Prime Ghoul's name till it rotted in his mouth.

But he wasn't angry, he was scared. Scared for himself, scared for his ex-mate, scared for Em, scared for Poppy. And terrified for Sprite.

Bismuth growled in frustration, his tone suddenly softer as he turned to the shadow ghoul. "Prince, take us home."

A wave of guilt washed over the titan descendant, gazing behind him at Em. And then to the side, at Rain.

She'd only just found her brother again. If their parting with the Clergy didn't go over well, she'd loose any chance to see him again.

Em met his gaze, seeming to share in his thought. She whimpered quietly and Prince's heart broke for what she might loose if he chose their pack's freedom over her family.

A near silent growl caught both of their attention though and they turned to see Rain, a pained smile on his face. He nodded to Prince subtly, silent permission to choose themselves over him.

Em wined, trying to reach out to her brother as Prince linked their tails, grabbing onto the rest of the Rogues and sinking them all into the shadows in an instant.

He could hear the echoed yells of the Prime Ghoul and his guards, he could feel the anguish from his new mate as he held her close. And he could see Rain, standing alone now but his confidence never wavering. He knew he'd done right by the rogues, and he hoped beyond hope that it would be enough to see them again. To see his sister again.

The rogues appeared back in the Nest, Bismuth shaking with adrenaline and the rest shaking from the cold.

Prince sighed, pulling a now sobbing Em into his arms, holding her so close that maybe he could tear her away from her sorrow completely. He wanted nothing more than to dry her tears and tell her they'd see her brother again, but it seemed that Rain believed that more than they did.

"What about Valerie," Poppy finally spoke, her voice soft but no less impactful.

Bismuth panicked, instantly trying to figure out a way to get back to her.

But Prince could barely bring himself to hear either of them. There was a ringing in his ears that he couldn't quite explain. It felt like pain but the kind were the worst of it hasn't started yet. Like the wave of nausia before fainting.

Which was exactly what it was.

Em screamed as her mate collapsed onto her, his body completely limp and his eyes rolling back into his head. "Bismuth, help!" Was the last thing Prince heard as his consciousness slipped away and the pain overcame him.

An hour or so later, Prince finally opened his eyes, registering the cold but comforting cave around him. And Em. He could feel his mate nearby, his feet resting on her lap as she gently caressed his leg.

"It's okay, Ke'al. You're safe. You just fainted," she spoke quietly, clearly having noticed when he'd woken. "Bismuth and Poppy are in his room. He's comforting her about the whole lost memories thing."