Picking Petals:

Chapter 35: A Wicked Game

With having to be upfront about our past, also came a stream of endless questions from Rone. "It seems impossible, falling for the same person over and over, finding each other in a world of many, isnt that a little unrealistic. I mean it seems a little to easy." I tried not to take it personal, Rone must be going through a lot right now. He learned he exiled his own parents from the palace, his ex charmed him into loving him. It was wrong, but I slid into his thoughts, and to my horror he seemed to be getting the wrong impression of himself. When he pictured himself, he saw driven passion, but also danger and sadness. He feared himself, he thought himself cold and unforgiving. It was interesting, his mind now, so open and wondering, he didnt know the man he was, and that was enough to break my heart.

"Nothing about love is easy," I said simply as I piled up some blankets and pillows on the couch.

"You can have the bed," Rone said, "I'm not going to make you sleep on a couch."

"Where will you sleep?"

"On the bed, unless you are uncomfortable with that of course," he said grinning while chucking off his tunic, leaving a pair of grey cotton sweats. At least the King still had his flirtatious charms.

"I dont mind," i said biting down hard on my lip, trying not to stare at Rone.

"I suppose me permanently losing my memory would be difficult for you," he gulped. "If it means anything, I want my memory back, I want to remember everything even if it's a lot."

I wasn't best with my words but as I sat on the bed, fully clothed an armed I said, "You left me this," I said handing him the carefully folded paper I kept with me, he sat behind me, reading it over and over. "Difficult would be correct, but if I know anything about you at all, this is just a minor bump in the road for people like us."

Rone grinned his face holding no sign of fear but peace, "I think it's more then a bump. Also I dont quiet know where I even am," even his laugh was different. More husky and plain, boring.

"Maybe," I said gliding under the sheets. "Even if you are different even if you stray, you're alive and that's all that matters." Hope was all we had, an it was fading from me day by day.

I turned my back on Rone, hating every ticking second. I feared to fail, I am more then thankful for Rone being alive, but we were almost there. We almost won peace together.

.................................................................................

My body sprung to action quickly as a torturous scream filled the entire castle. Soon after I shook Rone awake, I grabbed two swords to strap on the back. Gregory and Orion came bursting in, armored up for war their faces pinched with fear and adrenaline. "Theirs been an outbreak everyone has been ushered to the ball room. Musho has a third of the Trax with him covering the gates, they were burned down, Orion said you could fix it."

"How?" I asked rushing over to the balcony. Trax were scattered everywhere, gathering as many people as they could. Far beyond I could see Musho and his group trying to contain the demons, with not much luck. Demons lurked all around, I could feel them like a disease. Before heading out to help clean out the town, I decided to do a little improvising. I commanded the ground to act as a barrier, filling in the torn gate. The ground shifted, molding, to ensure no other way in I set a raging smokey fire around our iron walls. I watched as the Trax cheered in victory, now able to help the town. Valkri was covered in snow and blood.

"Orion you stay here with Rone, I am going to spell the room so no one can get in." Orion nodded, I knew he wouldn't argue after all he wasn't a "fighter."

"I cant just sit here while you guys risk your lives."

I guess some things didn't change about Rone. "Well you are, you are the king there is no way I am letting you out there," I scuffed, deranged man.

"I am King and you have no say what I do, I am coming with-" Setting a hand on the back of Rones head I put him to sleep, this was starting to get very handy.

"That should keep him down for a while," I struggled to carry Rones heavy body to the bed. Before leaving his side I kissed his cheek slightly, "I love you," I said lightly,my heart shredding as I walked out of the room.

"He will be okay," Gregory said as we ran through the palace.

"I know," I gulped down hard.

Everyone was trampling over each other to get in the palace, women frantically searching and screaming for their children. The old barely even able to walk up the stairs, forgotten in their age, deemed useless and good as dead by most Fae, even humans. Having to push past the crowd to get outside was almost impossible, I had to forcefully shove men out of my way. "Over there," Gregory said pointing to rising smoke in the middle of the town. I broke into a run beside Gregory, and before I knew it my wings willed themselves straight behind me, taking me off the ground. As if I had been flying like this my whole life.

I was beyond my senses, not quiet understanding how my wings didn't shatter in the ice cold falling snow. Valkri was coated in inches of pure white snow, making it easier to scan for a demon. I pushed my wings faster and higher then i have ever been able to go, I was too taken back that i didn't even notice Gregory join me high up in the sky. "How is this happening?" Gregory said his face twisted in confusion.

I couldn't help but smile, something in me felt unleashed, directed and focused. I absorbed every inch of my power, my fate. "Let's save the day," I grinned taking off full speed towards two demons I spotted circling a family of three, Gregory quickly following. I went left and Gregory went right, we lashed out our wings at the demons taking them right off their feet. The demons tumbled backwards away from the family, snow coating their slimy skin. Gregory wasted no time as he drew back his bow, sending an iron tipped arrow right into the demons chest. I sliced my hand with my iron dagger, I had two choices kill the demons, or bring them back, here's to hoping I've chose right. Coming from behind I sank my dagger right into the back of the demons heart.

The demons skin and fur shed, a cloudy haze blinding my vision until a woman shivering nude in the snow appeared. Her hair was the perfect resemblance of gold long and endless as they covered her breasts, her fine dark skin was coated in snow and blood. I called over a human Trax member as I quickly wrapped my cloak around the nude younger woman. Her brown doe eyes searched around her wildly, she was more timid, curious. "Whats your name?" I asked the young Trax member, eager to please.

"Anneya," the young girl said.

"Anneya I need you to take this one to the palace, find her some clothes and keep a good eye on her, this is important, can you do this?"

Anneyas tiny face straightened, her beady green eyes focused, "Of course, you can count on me Creator."

"Nadia," I smirked awkwardly as Anneya helped the elf up.

"From now on, if it's possible we turn them back," I told Gregory, he didn't seem to mind as he launched off back into the sky. Anneya watched in awe, looking back to her own untrained wings she frowned.

I could smell blood, fear, I knew in my heart as I flew above the town their were far too many human bodies. Valkri only had maybe 300 humans, and by the looks I've passed maybe a hundred human bodies, woman, men, boys and girls. My body shook with anger, how could this have happened, why now? The demons have never been able to get through the gates, it was made by the first Queen herself, no evil could touch it nor even get close.

And then everything made perfect sense, I could almost applaud her for this one. Because who in all of valkri is even strong enough to the siphon the magic out of the gates, who in Valkri would need a distraction like this?

Raven.