Exquisite Pain (Garmau)

Chapter 16 Alone

Flowers in her hair,
Demons in her head,
Drugs in her veins,
Madness in her mind,
Love in her soul,
Storm in her heart,
~Unknown
•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•

The servants made sure you couldn't see the wound.

She laid in the glass coffin that was lined with gold and jewels. She wore a silk white dress that stopped at her knees. Gold lace lined the hem, and it had off shoulder sleeves. Her black locks were down to frame her cold and deathly pale features. Her hands sat on her stomach, holding purple lilacs.

We carried her outside in the pouring rain. I was glad it rained, because you couldn't see my tears that fell silently.

My family barely trembled, barely batting an eye.

It was sick. And twisted.

I let the tears roam my face, and I held my mother as she sobbed. She told me how Aphmau was like a daughter to her. Something she always wanted but could never have.

They lowered her into her grave. I closed my eyes, not being able to watch as the last few seconds happened.

After the burial, I didn't go to my room in the castle. I went to my house. As I was walking, I felt a hand tug on the bottom of my suit jacket. I looked down and saw a little boy. It was Tim.

He was in his own little suit, and tears were falling freely down his face. I knelt down and tried to smile, but it didn't come.

"I-is sh-she r-r-really g-gone?" He sniffed, trying to catch is breath.

"I'm afraid so" I whispered. He smiled through the tears, it was easy to tell it pained him.

"B-but she's i-in heaven, b-because that's w-where a-a-angels go, right?"

"Yeah, she is"

Tim smiled more, turning and running to his mother. I invited them to the funeral, not thinking they would actually come.

I went into my house, sitting down on the couch and just letting everything sit in.

She's gone.

"Why are you so...blubbery?"

"You know why..." I whispered, not bothering to look at the mirror.

"She's not dead"

I tensed, continuing to watch the rain race on the glass panes.

"And you know it, she's too strong to just die like that. Her wings were fine, she could have flew. She could of moved the sword. She could have burned the person before they put the sword under her."

I closed my eyes, not bothering to give him the satisfaction of my pain.

The next day was sunny, and I didn't feel like getting out of bed. But I had to face the day.

I went to the castle, ignoring everything and everyone around me. I went straight to training, but it didn't help take my mind off things.

My days were the same everyday it seemed. I woke up, trained, studied, paperwork, and then everyday I would visit her grave. I would take purple lilacs and place them there, and then I'd tell her about my day.

"It's hard without you. You weren't here long, but it felt like you fit in perfectly, and it doesn't feel right without you," I sat there, choking back tears. "But don't worry...I'm gonna find those rebels, and I'm gonna make them suffer."

I lifted my hand, red flames erupting from my palm. Dirt rose from around me and circled the fire.

"I found my magic, I use elements. You used to use fire, but it was black and that was the only element you could use. As far as I know, at least. You were right, it was always in me."

"I thought I would find you here."

I turned and saw Zane, he walked closer, and he had a paper in his hand.

"We could use your help," he handed it to me, and it said 'O'Khasis will fall' in big bold letters. "This new spark of rebels has left us in need of you, brother. You might actually be useful for once."

I stayed silent, not wanting to waste my air on him.

"You can put those expensive magical dusts to use."

I stood up, pushing past him and walking back to my house. I lined the words with some tracking powder, and they soon glowed and then dimmed again. The words had an anti spell on them. I sighed and decided to do this the old fashion way, without magic.

I packed my things and went to head out without telling anyone.

I started out back, where Aphmau was killed. I followed the scuffles and footprints that were littered with gunpowder and broken pieces of metal.

There were occasional splatters of blood on the worn out grass that I treaded. The path lead me to a forest. I walked in, walking past the spears of sun that stabbed through the leaves and into the ground. Birds didn't chirp, and if they did, I couldn't hear them over the furious pounding of my heart.

The sun started to set, and I decided it would be smart to set up camp. I gathered some sticks and lit a fire. I stared lazily at the flames as they danced. I poked at the coals that glowed and watched as small sparks flew past my face. Memories of Aphmau played in my mind.

Irene, I miss her.

There was a rustle in the leaves, so I pulled my sword up and pointed it in that direction. A figure stepped out, holding their hands up. He had light brown hair, and his eyes were a powder blue.

"Relax, I don't want to hurt you."

"Who are you?"

"The names Laurance, and you, Garroth, are needed elsewhere."

"How do you know my name?"

"Time will tell, now follow me. And you can leave the fire, we have people to deal with that."

Before I could ask what he meant, he was walking through the forest. I followed him until we reached a large opening. People were walking around, and even some kids ran through. The houses were more of humble huts, and there were a bunch of smiling people surrounding a large fire. And they were singing.

"Hey guys, look who I found," Laurance brought me over, sitting me down next to a man with dark blue hair, and a woman with scarlet red hair. "Garroth Ro'Meave."

Everyone laughed and said hi.

"Hey, Garroth."

That voice.

My eyes widened at the sound of a giggle.

That laugh.

And that's when she walked out. Her eyes twinkling with amusement, and her grin so wide...so beautiful.

"Zoey...?"

A/N Cliffhanger, hanging from a cliff, that's why they call it a cliffhanger! Who thought it was Aph? Nah dudes, she's long gone. Anyways, I love you all devils. Byeeeee.