His Bride to Be [M/M] (Slow Update)

Chapter 36: Behind Tattered Strings

We stood on that platform even after the villagers and those beings left. I stared out into the empty court, confused. He didn't try to move me or speak to me. He just let me think.

So many questions swarmed my mind. Only a few people, left initially, leaving the whole court to those beings, faces I knew all too well.

I turned my attention to the man behind. "Who were those people?"

He wait a heart beat, probably expecting me to start bombarding him with questions but i stood my ground and waited for my answer.

"They were people from my kingdom I sent to protect you and your father long ago."

He continued before I could speak, "When your mother died, her soul was supposed to be sent straight to heaven. However, because she was marked as a fallen her soul was sent to me. This was the fate of those who the counsel do not think are worthy enough to have a place in heaven. When a soul has no place to go after death it wonders aimlessly until it fades away. Not even I know what happens next after that. I take interest in souls as such as those and have beings who collect them to have a place in my kingdom."

"When I discovered your mother soul, I decided I would talk to her before I decided on what to do with her. She told me of her life and how she died and asked me to protect her family. It was not uncommon to get request as such from some of the souls I collected however because of her story I agreed to her wish."

He took a deep breath and as he released it.

"A wish I am glad I made."

The being stared back into the pale moonlight.

"I had finally found you. All those years, centuries of waiting, and I had found you. You were a baby but I knew your soul from anywhere."

I looked at him in confusion, "My soul?"

He took a quick intake of breath and said nothing for a few heartbeats. Finally he turned his eyes towards me and the silver that was once there, glowing in the moonlight had dull into something sad and mournful.

"This lifetime is not the first time that we've met."

He held his hand out to mine and for some strange reason, looking into those eyes, I didn't hesitate to take it.

"I had lost you because of the Angelic Counsel, but instead of them letting me take your soul, they shattered it. Shattering a soul is harder than it seems, there are rituals, incantations and sacrifices needed to do such thing. The angels decided to do this and they weakened there forces but they were tactical and hid once more before I could give them my full anger."

The dullness in those eyes grew.

"For centuries I mourned and my anger grew for the Counsel. I plotted how I would destroy their perfect kingdom, even if I joined you in nothingness. I was willing to do anything to take my revenge and destroy their hierarchy."

He smiled and that dullness washed away with it.

"But somehow you survived even all of that."

He tugged my hand and led me down the stairs and we walked the roads away from the village center.

"When I found you, your Father was still living in the hut your mother had built. He had created a pyre and cremated her and was now taking care of only you."

I looked at him confused, "What about Riau?"

He gave me a quick glance before looking forward once more.

"Raiu never opened his eyes the night he was born. He had died shortly after you mother did."

He moved his hand and wrapped it around my shoulder.