Exquisite Pain (Garmau)

Chapter 30 Saying Goodbye

Well, I looked my demons in the eyes laid bare my chest, and said
"Do your best. Destroy me. You see, I've been in hell and back so many times, I must admit you kind of bore me"
~Unknown
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I didn't even have to sneak into the gates, I was let in willingly, even though the guards knew very well that I was a traitor, and doing this they have helped me.

As I walked through the streets, none of the people even seemed to realise I was there, and if they did, they would smile and bow greeting me as "highness" which is one of the last things I had expected.

I walked up to the castle, once again, the guards letting me in.

Without acknowledging the curious Zane in the corner, I went straight for his office. I burst through the doors, obviously angry.

"Where is she?" I growled.

"Garroth? Whatever do you mean?"

"Aphmau, where. Is. She?"

"Ga-"

"FOR THE LOVE OF IRENE, JUST TELL ME WHERE YOU PUT MY DAMN GIRLFRIEND BEFORE I MURDER YOU AND EVERYONE HERE!" I shouted without thinking or caring. Father smiled a little and stood slowly from his desk.

"Ah, the Dark Queen. You two are dating?"

"Yes, now where do you have her?" I growled through gritted teeth.

"Before we get to that, we have to talk. Her father is angry with me, so he took away my immortality. I'm dying, Garroth."

"Dying?" I echoed him.

"Yes, and I need someone to take the throne."

"And that someone is me..."

"Precisely."

"Why? Just put Zane or Vylad on the throne, I want nothing to do with you or any of O'Khasis."

"Both Zane and Vylad were never prepared for the throne. You have years of lessons stored in your knowledge, it needs to be you."

"How did you even find her?"

"She was wandering near our boarders, how did you know we had her?"

"Just a hunch," I sneered.

"Listen, we will let her go, if you come back to the throne. You'll be in control of the whole kingdom, once I'm gone you'll never hear a word from me again. I miss you, Garroth. I want a father son relationship that I was too foolish to try and ignore for years."

I took a breath.

He wanted a relationship with me? For the first time ever, my father wanted to be a dad.

"Fine, but on one condition."

"Anything."

"Let me see her."

We walked down the halls together, going down spiraling stairs into the deepest dungeon. We stopped in front of a cell where a girl was laying on the ground. It didn't seem real, her pale skin almost paper white, her wings were forced into her back and her eyes were closed as she let out sad breaths. She looked.....

....human.

"Aphmau?"

She looked up quickly, scurrying to the bars of the cell.

"Garroth?" She was pained.

"Untie her and let her out, she's uncomfortable."

With hesitance, he gestured to the guards. She immediately let her wings free as she tackled me in a hug.

"What are you doing here?" She whispered in my ear, holding me tighter. I closed my eyes and savoured the moment.

"Can we have a moment alone?" I asked, receiving a nod from father as he and the guards left.

"What's going on?"

"You're going to be going back to the others, I'm going to stay here and take the throne."

"Garroth, don't be a moron!"

"He's going to die soon, he wants a relationship for once. I'm staying."

"Gar-"

"I love you," I stopped her. She stared at me with wide eyes and her mouth agape.

"What?"

"I love you, and this is the only way you will be allowed to leave this castle and back to the others. Now don't talk me out of this," tears began to build, "don't ever come back, don't try and save me, just go home."

I softly kissed her lips and made sure to take in what she looked like when I pulled away. Tears falling silently as she looked at me with terrified eyes.

"Go," I pleaded.

Guards entered in and came to escort her away as I went my opposite way to my father's office.

(Aphmau's POV)

The guards took me to a deeper basement.

I was breathing heavily, terrified.

Garroth screwed himself over, he sealed the deal. I am never going to see my real family again.

A portal's warped sounds met my ears, and I kept my eyes closed as I accepted my doom.

I was pushed through the portal and caught in the arms of a shadow knight, I didn't need to open my eyes to know where I was and where I was being dragged to.

"Aphmau."

"Shad."

"Oh come on, I'm your father."

"Having Garte to do your dirty work, very civil of you."

"Oh come on, I told you I wouldn't come to you, so you came to me."

"By force, I realise you put up the nice guy act in front of Garroth, but I know you, and you are way less than friendly."

"Aphmau. You will do as I say or everyone in that world will be burned down to the ground and the land will be nothing but ashes."

I stared at him, wide eyed.

"I will stay here, and I will become the Dark Queen."

I lowered my head and walked into my room that I had known all too well from every single time I had tried to escape this place.

Tomorrow my lessons would start. I would learn shadow magic, control the darkness like my father could.

I hated the idea, but what else could I do? Garroth had ruined his life, but at least with him in charge, I knew the rebellion was safe.

He said he loved me.

Just the thought made my heart beat at an abnormal rate. I smiled a little as I held a small hand up to my chest.

He loves me.

A/N So. Yes. This part is a thing. Debating whether or not to do a time skip....hmmmmm. We'll have to see. I love you all devils, byeeeeeeee.