Exquisite Pain (Garmau)

Chapter 24 The Secret Meeting

Chaos is an angel that fell in love with a demon
~Christopher Poindexter
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"Do you miss her?" Aphmau popped up behind me, looking over my shoulder and seeing the small hand-drawn photo of my mother and Vylad. I had the castle artist draw it for me a long time ago.

"Hmm?"

"Your mom, I know you two were close," she sat beside me, "she talked about you so much, as she did with your brothers too. She loves you three to death..."

"And I betrayed her."

"Your father is a corrupt man, and she hasn't seen it yet. She will someday."

"She will never see it, she loves my father regardless, and he loves her, even though it's hard to see, he still lights up a little when he sees her."

"We can always...get her?"

"No, now is so far from the right time to do that. Although, I want to. But we need to stay clear of O'Khasis as much as we can, and I don't think they'd be too fond of us stealing their queen."

"True..."

"She must be so upset with me, she knows that I'm a traitor."

"Garroth, don't do that to yourself. If she can love men like your father and Zane, then she has such a kind heart, she'd never find it in her to hate you."

"Even so, I broke her kind heart. I know it."

"At least you're upset, feeling guilt shows that you have a good heart in some ways."

"What're you doing here anyway?"

"It's your favourite time of the day."

"Ugh."

"That's right, training. And today, we aren't doing much on the active side, and more on the book side."

"We've yet to do that."

"Well now is as good a time as any, now let's talk about the four elements."

I groaned and leaned against a rock as she started her lesson.

"Each element is related to an emotion. Wind represents freedom, it can move how it wants, where it wants. It's free and cannot really be truly contained. Fire is passion, but it's also free-spirited, but not in the way like the wind is. Wind is free, but peaceful, fire on the other hand, usually causes destruction, and is free in the sense that nobody can stop it. Earth represents strength, being able to withstand different conditions, and just pure brawn. Water is peace and tranquility, it has it's limits, and resolves the free-spirit of the fire. It's like the mother of the elements."

I yawned and put my arms behind my head, and then I felt a rock hit my forehead.

"Pay attention. The problem with you and water, is you aren't at peace with yourself. There's something going on, an inner battle, that you have to face. So what is that battle?"

You

What? No, it's the battle of betraying your kingdom. Geez, I wish I'd agree with me for once.

Let's face it, I love Aphmau. I don't see why I'm trying to hide it, because it broke me when she left.

The voices in my head were always conflicted, and they were extra rambunctious today.

"Garroth?"

"Hmm? Oh I dunno."

"We can't make progress if you lie to me."

"I'm not lying."

"You're a horrible liar."

"Am not."

"Lie to me."

"I know how to use the water element."

"Okay, you still suck, but we need to continue with your lesson."

An hour later, and my lesson was over, so I went back to my hut to meditate like I was told to do to try and be at peace with myself.

(Aphmau's POV)

I sighed as he walked away.

I guess we're choosing to ignore my confession.

I decided to go for a walk along the riverside, to try and clear my head.

The day sun descended, and the night moon rose into the air. I smiled at the starlight, and took a deep breath of the cold night air. I closed my eyes, enjoying the essence just for what it was.

But it was soon interrupted when I could feel another presence. I lit my fist in black flames, standing perfectly still.

I felt a had grab my wrist of my lit hand, and held it against my back, making me put out the flame so it wouldn't burn me.

"Don't even think about screaming," a familiar voice growled in my ear, "now you're going to listen to what I say, or your precious rebellion will be destroyed, and everyone in it. Do I make myself clear?" I took a shaky breath nodding. "You're going to go back to your camp, and direct them towards a different direction, you're closer to us than I'd like. Once you've settled down in a partially permanent place, head to ScalesWind, drop off the list of items that I have listed on this paper, to the address there. Don't tell anyone you're there, where you're going, or that you're even leaving. Go alone."

I nodded, trembling in my shoes.

"Don't tell anyone I met you here. Understand, Princess?"

I hate that name.

I nodded again, not trusting my voice.

The tight grip around my wrist was gone, and I waited for the presence to be gone before dropping to the ground on my hands and knees. Tears dropped onto the back of my hands as I looked at the ground horrified. The paper he was talking about landed in front of me, it fell from the sky. I wiped away the tears that fell silently. I sat on my knees and looked at the list that monster had prepared for me.

Ghast tears

Nether stars

Gold nuggets

Gun powder

Thistles

Diamonds

Emeralds

Be very generous.

And then the address on the bottom. How was I even going to get these things?

"Aphmau," I could hear Laurance calling for me like he was excited about something. His footsteps neared me, and I didn't move. "Aphmau? Aphmau!" He ran over to me and slid on his knees beside me, "what's wrong?!"

"Nothing..." I whispered, crumpling the paper in my hand so he couldn't see.

"Is this about Garroth again?"

Well my heartbreak definitely makes a good cover up...

I nodded, wiping away a few more stray tears.

"Man, Aph, let's get you in bed," he helped me up, holding my arm. "You got it bad."

"Yeah well, now I know how you feel..." I sighed.

"Don't be like that. Our situation is different than yours and Garroth's. Yes, I still love you, but I've come to terms with it now."

We got to my tent and he stayed outside of it.

"Now get a good night's rest. Tomorrow we set out again to our semi-permanent camp."

I smiled and nodded. Once the cloth door dropped, I laid down and closed my eyes gently. Praying there wouldn't be nightmares tonight.

A/N Never mind, false alarm, no writer's block for me. So, who do you think is the man who gave Aph the list? I'm still sick :/ but it's nearing the end so hopefully I'll be fine soon. I love you all devils, byeeeeeeee.