Exquisite Pain (Garmau)

Chapter 41 Family

Her white wings are dirty.
Her halo is cracked.
She gets more and more evil.
The more she's attacked.
~Jordan Sarah Wetherfield
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(Aphmau's POV)

I inhaled sharply and decided that I needed to find someone. Warn them. But before I could do anything, I needed to blend in, look human enough.

I was still wearing a floor length dress, so I take my dagger, and cut it at my knees. I looked through one of the bags and found a needle and thread. I sat on the ground and sewed it into a hood and used the excess of the fabric for a mask. I sewed the hood onto the cloak Hyria gave me, and lifted it over my head. I tied the mask tight around my face and flew down to the ground at the bottom of the mountain. I pulled my wings into my back and held the cloak tight around me.

It was time to find my real family. It was time to stop crying and save them.

I walked out of the deep thick forest that I was in that was around the mountain.

When I stepped onto the dirt path, the sound of a cart reached my ears. I kept my head down low, listening to the conversation.

"I can't wait to get there, did you hear that the first son has lost his mind?"

"Sir Garroth? He seemed like the most stable out of all the sons..."

"I know..."

As they passed in front of me, their words faded into the wind that whipped passed my ears and grabbed various strands of my hair.

So I was on the right path, that was good.

But before I could even take three more steps, I was grabbed and pulled into a bush.

I elbowed whatever had the hold on me, but then my hood was pulled off of my head. I looked behind me and saw nothing.

"Aph?"

The voice was familiar.

"Nicole?"

She made herself appear, grinning such a wide grin that I could've sworn her skin would break. We hugged so tight that I could hardly breathe, but I was too happy to care about it.

"I missed you so much," she started to cry, and my tears started to fall too.

"We thought you died," she whispered.

"Could you take me back to the camp?" I pulled away at arms length and wiped away my tears. Nicole nodded and held my hand. I closed my eyes as I felt my body teleport. When I opened my eyes again, I saw a bunch of familiar faces. Everything was silent, everyone stared blankly at me. Katelyn was the first one to step forward. She hesitantly put her hands on my face, not sure if she believed what was in front of her.

"Aphmau?"" Her voice shook. I nodded, and that was the last thing she needed before wrapping her arms around me. We fell to the ground in a blubbering mess, and others quickly joined in, it was one group hug.

"Mama?" Levin and Malachi ran out of their hut with Kawaii~Chan guiding them. Everyone got out of the way while my two boys ran over and collapsed into my arms. I sobbed harder and held them as close as possible. I ran my fingers through their hair, kissing their foreheads and reveling in their presence.

"We'll have a party tonight!" Travis laughed, everyone cheered.

For a moment it felt like old times.

People singing and dancing around a giant fire, laughter filling the otherwise silent night air. A few drunk goofballs, their sober significant other sweat-dropping. Music, lots and lots of music. I smiled as Levin fell asleep in my lap, and Malachi was still awake, clinging to my arm.

Katelyn came over and sat on the other side of Malachi and gave me a look I knew all too well. She wanted to talk. I looked across and nodded at Dante who came over and took the sleeping Levin and held the hand of Malachi so we could talk in peace.

"As much as I wish to believe you're here for good reasons, I know it's because you did something stupid and there's something bad coming. So what is it?"

"Bad things are happening...." I sighed, "I'll have to give you the short version of the story. My father sent me here for some healing, but not for my well being, he wants me out of the way so that there is no chance of me leaving his grasp. He's going to destroy O'Khasis and everyone in it."

"Woah," Katelyn sighed, "I'm gonna need a drink for that one," she laughed incredulously.

"Yeah....so I'm lucky to of got here, now we can help Garroth."

"I don't know how much we can help him..." She bit her lower lip, "what do you mean you were sent here to be healed?"

"That's a long story," I tried to laugh, but it came out very forced.

"We have all night," she remained still, stubborn as ever.

"My father was trying to teach me shadow magic, and it became overwhelming one night, and it started to take over me."

"But you're alright now....right?" Fear built in her icy blue eyes. I couldn't see her break or cry over me, not again. I had caused her enough pain, and I didn't want to do that to her again.

"Of course, I have it all under control now," I lied. Katelyn let out a breath that I couldn't see her holding before, and she hugged me.

"Thank goodness, I have no idea what I would do without you. The idea of losing you to darkness, it's scary...."

I tightened my arms around her, closing my eyes as guilt already began to build.

"I know, but you have nothing to worry about now. Everything is alright."

"Good," she pulled away and blinked away tears that were building, "now let's enjoy this party, it was thrown in your honour, after all."

I smiled and nodded.

I even managed to forget about my huge lie for the smallest of moments.

A/N Oh goodness, this book is getting kind of intense, I hope you're all enjoying it. I love you all devils, byeeeeeeeee.