Exquisite Pain (Garmau)

Chapter 28 Home

One may tolerate a world of demons for the sake of an angel.
~Reinette Poisson
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We walked back to the village, immediately everyone stopped and stared at us.

I held Zoey's body in my arms, and Aphmau had tear stains of mascara running down her face.

How insane did we look? Two people formally dressed. One holding his dead fiancee, the other one a hot mess.

Katelyn was the first to walk up to us, cupping Aphmau's face and wiping some running makeup. Aphmau slowly moved closer, hiding her face in Katelyn's shoulder. Katelyn held her and looked over her shoulder at me. Her gaze wandered to Zoey and she looked afraid.

I closed my eyes, letting out a small breath.

The mood of everyone shifted to a mourning one.

We found a cave, and set her one a large stone. Laurance and Lucinda worked on a casket, and mothers sat with their kids to explain everything. I sat by a lake, looking out onto the water.

"It's about to start" Travis walked behind me, his voice low and filled with sadness. I stood up and swallowed the lump in my throat.

We all gathered around, standing around the closed casket.

"Zoey was near and dear to all of our hearts. But she wouldn't want us to be sad about any of this," I spoke, "I found a letter that was dated the day after I thought I lost her the first time. It says that if and when she dies, she wants us to bury her, and our mourning with her. To live our lives and to not dwell on the loss of a friend"

I continued my speech as everyone was crying. Their hearts heavy with grief, and it was actually...nice.

Every funeral I had been to was with my family. Stoic and proud.

It was comforting.

The funeral was over, and we buried her, setting rocks around the buried part instead of a grave. There was a rock for every person, and we walked away, leaving her.

The mood around the camp was a sad one. Everyone was pretty quiet, and I sat up against a tree, observing everything.

The kids were all sitting perfectly still, watching the fire dance. Lucinda was writing in some sort of book, Cadenza was crying and Laurance was comforting her. Katelyn also cried, but not hard. Small silent tears that slowly fell as Travis rubbed her back and kissed her temple. Anyone who wasn't outside, were all in their huts, getting over the day.

"Hey..."

Aphmau sat beside me, handing me a small tray.

"What's this?"

"Dinner."

"Oh, thanks."

We sat in silence, the tension thick. I took a sip of the stew I had been given, keeping my eyes on the depressing surroundings.

"I'm sorry," she suddenly blurted.

"About what?"

"Everything. You've had to deal with my father and you didn't even realise it."

"It's not a big deal."

"And then the whole marriage thing, that wasn't necessary of him, and he killed your fiance an-"

"Aphmau, it's alright. There's nothing you could've done to change any of those things," I placed a hand on her shoulder and smiled.

"You don't seem very upset about Zoey," she accused.

"Well, I had already lost her for a year, and I've done my mourning. Having her back was like a dream, I was bound to wake up eventually."

She smiled and stood up.

"Well, I should be going, I have some things to handle."

"Alright, bye."

Aphmau walked off, leaving me to myself.

Sure I felt bad about Zoey, and I felt bad that I wasn't in tears like others. But I mourned over her for a year, and I think its time to move on and she would have wanted me to be happy, and not hung over her. There was a part in her will that I didn't read aloud.

And to Garroth, I have betrayed you and my kingdom, but it was for the greater good. If you are ever to read his letter, then know that I had always loved you, and if we never see each other again, please find love with someone that can provide it for you. I can't give you the love or the life that you deserve.

She was right.

Mine and Zoey's relationship was always toxic. Sure, we were happy, but for some reason, something would always get in the way. We were selfish, and we would do whatever it would take for our own happiness at the cost of anyone's happiness. Countless lives had fallen because of us, because we were fighting too hard. I ruined things. And so did she.

I stood up and walked over to my house.

My only regret, is that I never got to actually break up with Zoey.

But I have a feeling she knew.

She was always good at knowing things that I didn't even really know myself yet.

I decided to try and get some sleep. It would be the best thing at this point.

(Vylad's POV)

I walked into the castle, my gut turning with grief.

I walked by my parents' chambers, listening in to the door.

"Well how do I do that?" Father spoke, confusion and fear in his voice.

"Simple. She has a weakness..." A voice I didn't recognise spoke.

"And that is?"

"She can't have her wings in her back, and use her powers at the same time. If her wings are withdrawn, then she can't really fight back."

"I see...how shall I find her?"

"That's the easy part. Simply take this."

"What is it?"

"A pendant. It glows brighter the closer you are to her."

I ran off, not understanding what they were talking about. But I knew it couldn't have been good.

I ran out of the kingdom through a small opening in the wall. I ran through the forest, breathing heavily.

But I guess the world just wasn't in my favour, because I tripped and passed out.

A/N This chapter took my literally five days, because I got halfway through, and then fell into a huge writer's block. But, I just thought of a great plot twist, so let's hope it works out. I love you all devils, byeeeeeeee.