Baited~ Book 2

23

"Roman you need to relax." Roman was pacing the floor as his anxiety built up in him. Remus was trying. The two of them had spent the last month focusing on Roman's magic and trying to channel his new insanity. They've even managed a few coping skills to try and help but it's still a long way from even decent. Roman was far from stable and the more emotional and tense the easier it is for him to snap. "Ro..."

"He's scared, Remus." The demon froze up as Roman just laughed brokenly. "Virgil's scared. I can feel it. I can feel his fear. It hurts. I don't want him to be afraid. I want him home."

"You're not..." 

"Why is he so scared?!" Remus narrowed their eyes as Roman refused to stop pacing. "Why won't he just come home? Where even is he..."

"Roman, you aren't..." 

"I just can't take this anymore!" Once again Remus was cut off only to make them groan in annoyance. This wasn't working. "I feel like I'm breaking at the seams."

"ROMAN!" The prince jumped hearing the sudden distortion in his sibling's voice and frowned. "You're not stuttering anymore."

"Wait, wha..."

"ROMAN!" Both Royals jumped shooting each other this look before racing to find Patton standing there in the front of the castle with this smile on his face, tears falling through the blue cloth. "Roman..."

"Patton, what's..." Patton slowly pointed off down the pathway making Roman frown in confusion until... Remus growled catching Roman's attention only for him to notice the dilation of his sibling's eyes.

"Lavender..." Remus quickly covered their nose but it didn't matter the scent was permeating their senses. It made sense since... there down the pathway was Janus. "Mr. Lavender coffee?"

"What? I'm lost..." Roman's eyes shot wide seeing the figure so far away and his blood froze over. Guards yelled out around him, racing to protect the castle from the 'enemy' and Roman was far too lost to say anything else. Janus was standing right there. His vision instantly turned purple as electricity sparked around him. Remus and Patton both jumped back just as Roman raced forward, using his power to enhance his speed subconsciously.

"What the hell am I doing?" Janus tensed seeing the castle in front as he froze. He fidgeted with his hands as he watched the guards take formation. Obviously, they would know it was him. Sure he looks different but...

"DECEIT!" Janus froze up in complete terror as arms wrapped around him, slamming into him as if in a literal blink of an eye. Everything just seemed to break in him as the person that held him shook and cried. "Deceit, I am so sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry." Janus's eyes went wide as Roman pulled away with bright glowing purple eyes. "You're o-ok r-right. Y-You aren't hurt or anything. You weren't there so you didn't get killed. Oh god, I was so fucking worried." 

"Roman?" The prince nodded as he held Jan tightly as if afraid he would just vanish. 

"You're ok right? Virgil got you out?" Jan flinched making Roman let go and step back instantly trying to ease his fear. "It's ok. It's ok. I saw the chains... I-I know he was there. It's ok, Dee. I'm not upset. I-I'm actually happy."

"Why?" Janus's voice shook as his hand went to his pocket feeling something small rub up against his fingers. "I thought you would be pissed. I thought you would think I did something..."

"Why would I..." Roman's eyes went wide as he started to shake his head. "No, Jan never... I know Virgil. I know what he thinks. If he managed to find you there was no way in hell he would leave you there. I-I didn't even want to leave you there but I still did."

"You put me in there." Roman deflated as he nodded sadly. "Don't prete..."

"You... You are ok?" Roman's voice glitched a little making Janus's eyes go wide hearing it. A little lizard head popped out of Jan's pocket before crawling its way up until it was resting on the snake's shoulder. "You... You're not hurt... Please tell me I didn't... I didn't hurt you too bad right?"

"Rom..."

"I'm sorry." Roman took another step back as his mind screamed at him. The little lizard tensed as it moved closer to lean again Jan's neck. "I didn't mean to... I really didn't want to... You must hate me. It's ok. I don't blame you at all. I was... wait." Roman's eyes narrowed in confusion as Janus frowned. "Is Virgil not..."

"He isn't coming." Roman froze up as his eyes flashed even brighter. Janus tensed seeing the pain in him as the prince just smiled a bit. "Ro?"

"Why not?" Roman laughed sadly as his eyes welled up. "I guess I just thought if you were here then..."

"He doesn't want you to see him..." The intensity of the purple in Roman's eyes was enough proof of how badly Roman was breaking. "...right... now. Roman?"Janus knew. He could see it. He carefully pulled the little lizard off his shoulder and held him in his hands as Roman just tilted his head. "Ro?"

"He doesn't want to see me?"