Blue Blood

What Happened When I Died?

"Are you hurt? Are you alright?"

"Mags . . ." Rody slowly started to step forward, expression unreadable.

"Rody, please tell me you're okay, have they done anything to you?"

"Mags-"

"Please, just tell me! I-"

"Magnus!" Rody shouted, shutting me up. He steps closer to me, face only about a foot from mine. Slowly, as if I would dart away at the slightest movement, Rody cups the sides of My face.

"Hah . . . Oh my gods . . . You're really here!" Rody jumps into my arms, throwing me slightly off balance, wrapping his arms tightly around my neck. He was laughing as tears sprang from his face. Gods how I've missed his warmth, but it's only been a day, hasn't it?

"Gods . . . How long have I been out? A-and answer my questions first." I stuttered, just now noticing how naked he was in my arms.

"Y-Yeah, I'm-I'm fine. They've been treating me really nice here, I'm not sure why. They won't tell me anything and they won't let me leave and . . . They," he cuts off briefly, swallowing hard. " . . . They said you died about 3 months ago."

Suddenly I felt very weak to my stomach. "Th- . . . Three . . ."

"Y-Yeah. . . I didn't want to believe it but . . . You were just so wounded from the cave, I-I really thought . . ." Tears were beginning to well in his eyes once again. He quickly wipes them away and takes a deep breath.

I pull him in gently, a fury bubbling in my chest, "It's going to be alright, I'm here and I'm not going anywhere. . . I promise."

Rody sniffles and puts on a smile, his happy self shining through, "you better not! From now on, consider your ass mine."

"Uh-wh-What!?" I blurted, face burning like the sun. D-does he mean-!?

"Ya know, like you're stuck on me? The point is I'm not letting you out of my sight, okay?"

"U-um yes." For a second there I thought . . . N-nevermind; that won't happen, not now or ever.

The fairies around the room whispered amongst themselves, exchanging glances. Nows my chance. I brush past Rody and charge up to the group.

Some start to run away, others hide behind random objects in the room in a scurry. I'm able to grab one as it's trying to fly away. The others gasp and step away.

"Ngh! N-no please! Please don't hurt me!"

I bring the fairy to the corner of the room and drop them, making sure there's no way they could escape. They scramble to the wall, curled up in fear.

"You tell me what I want to know, and no one gets hurt, got it?"

They nod their head.

I slam my hand against the wall, pieces of it crumbling at my touch, making the small thing squeak and shrivel even smaller, shaking. Rody places a hand on my shoulder, now somewhat clothed.

"Mags-"

"Try anything and you're dead, got it?" I growl to the small, pathetic, fae.

It barely has a chance to nod its head before I start talking again, "Where are we? Why did you bring us here?"

"I can answer that dear," I dart around to see a woman standing above the rest, "just, don't harm my fairies," All around the room, the fairies bow and murmur, "your grace."

She's incredibly tall, at least ten feet tall. The lace she wears is long and flowing, mimicking her hair. A ring of silver sits softly on her head, meticulous engravings along itself. Royalty.

I hold the hammer defensively and clench my teeth. "Who. Are. You. Where are we?"

She steps closer, holding her arms out at her sides, "Put your weapon down and all shall be explained, dear knight."

"Hah! Like I'm falling for something like that. Tell me what I want to know NOW or-"

"Mags wait!" I glance at Rody, his eyebrows slanted down. "Okay, I know you're not gonna like it but she isn't a bad guy, listen, she saved me-"

"No, I saved you! I nearly died for you; I was about torn to pieces! Anything she's done for you has not meant nearly as much as giving my life for you!"

" . . . I'm sorry Mags but . . . But your wrong this time."

What . . . What does that mean!? What do you mean "I'm wrong"!? I've given everything for you and you say that it's not worth whatever this nobody has given!? Bullshit! Do I really mean that little to you? Was I reading everything wrong? Do you not . . . Do you not love me anymore? I-I don't . . . Why would . . . What is happening?

The hammer falls from my hands without me even telling my hands to release. Everything feels very numb. Am I sad? Angry? Relieved? I . . . I don't know anymore.

"Thank you, dearest knight. Come, I will explain everything as we walk."

Slowly, I pick up and shove the handle in my pocket and follow, not daring to look at Roman again. If I looked, I don't know what would happen. I don't know why I won't look at him, I just can't.

HE BETRAYED YOU

I squeeze my eyes shut. Bile climbs up my throat angrily but I swallow it down. My stomach twists and turns like a dagger in flesh. My whole word is shattered.

"Dear knight, my name is Freya, I am the queen of the fae people," she begins, voice silky and soft, "You and your lord, Roman, are the first humans to ever step foot in this land."

"So you know who we are then."

"Indeed, I am knowledgeable of all things."

"Then you know why we're here as well?"

She pauses for a moment, expression dark, " . . . Yes. I know who you are and I know why you're here . . . Fates cruel whim has brought you to me."

We turn a corner when a loud gasp brakes through the air.

"YOU!" A woman shouts.

I look up. I recognize her immediately and scowl. "You . . ."

"Ah, so you've become well acquainted with my young sister." The queen smiles.

"Mags, you know this person?" Rody whispers in my ear. I shrug him off my shoulder and step away from him. The feeling of him near me makes my stomach churn.

The she-devil from before stomps forward, "I'm so sorry Freya, this CRETAN broke through my vines and I was unable to catch up, and-"

"Be at peace, my love, no harm is done. It is a simple misunderstanding that I will soon correct."

She sighs and relaxes her shoulders, sending me one more glare my way (to which I gladly return) before walking along side the queen. I roll my eyes and follow along.

Rody is awfully quiet, he isn't usually like- . . . Nevermind, it doesn't matter. He can figure it out for himself. I don't care anymore.

I pause for a second, boots glued to the floor. 'I don't care' . . . When was the last time I truly felt that? That overwhelming emptiness so heavy that I really and truly . . . Don't care . . .

YES CHILD, FEED INTO YOUR SORROW. LET IT FESTER INSIDE! SOON, YOU WILL HAVE YOUR REVENGE ON THE ONES WHO HAVE WRONGED YOU.

"Hmm? Is everything alright, dear knight?" The queen stops, glancing behind her with slight worry to her brow and a knowing look.

"Mags, you look pale-"

"Yes your majesty," I straighten myself out and catch up to where they are all standing. "I was . . . Just catching my breath."

YES . . . THE TIME OF KINGS IS COMING TO AN END, AND YOU SHALL BE OUR HARBINGER OF DEATH AND CONQUEST! LET THESE MORTAL SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF FALSE GODS PERISH UNDER YOUR MIGHTY HEEL! HAHA! FOLLOW YOUR DESTINY! KILL THE PRINCE!

My hand reaches for my weapon.