Wake of Darkness [1]

Chapter Six

♕ Black Thorne ♕

The first rays of sunlight peaked in between the trees of Wood Sorrow. Mason hurried, keeping his steps lighter than before. He could hear the beating of his heart intertwining with the blowing of the wind. Growing stronger as he stepped into the heart of the woods.

He could hear Aubrette's voice in his mind, as he passed through the places they used to come to whenever either of them felt trapped inside the castle walls. He had always felt that she needed him, that he had to be strong for her, but through the last months he'd realized it had been the exact opposite.

It'd been her all along that he'd needed, all that made his life have meaning after his parents died in the battle of regno. She'd made herself seem smaller for him, so that he wouldn't live hidden behind her shadow, so that they could grow up as equals. She'd done such a good job that he had started believing it himself.

But she didn't need him at all, that was clear to him now.

Mason felt his steps slowing down as he remembered the last time they'd been here together. He'd been planning on telling her about his inscription for months but doing it on top of their tree had felt like the only place where he'd be able to deliver the news.

Aubrette was sitting on top of the crooked tree, with the moon light falling on her face, her face turning towards him as soon as he'd heard his steps. The crooked tree swayed its branches slowly as she'd noticed him climbing up her trunk, making enough room for the two of them.

"Hey" Aubrette said to him smiling. Mason realized for the first time, as they'd sat there together how much exactly he would be leaving behind but it'd be worth it. He would get himself a title, a position high enough for him to be able to stay in Blackstone and not have to worry about the queen sending him across the silent grave.

"Hi" he said back to her, trying to find the words to tell her what he'd been keeping to himself for months.

Aubrette had waited for a few seconds, watching as he'd settle in front of her before portaling away from him, laughing as she reappeared on the ground. Mason had smiled at her, jumping off the tree and chasing her as she ran, portaling away just as he was about to caught up.

"Stop" he said, looking around as she'd disappeared from his sight.

"Not up for a challenge Knightley?" She said, standing on top of the crooked tree. "I'll go easy on you I swear" she said, with a mocking smile.

"Can you just stop acting like an idiot for a second!?" The words had been out of his mouth before he'd realized. Aubrette's smile dropping from his face.

"What?" she said through nervous laughter.

"Damn it Aubrette. I'm trying to be serious here, and you're running around like a fucking child" he said, trying to walk towards her.

"Excuse me?" She asked, staring down at him.

"You heard me" Mason said.

"Well I'm sorry for not having a stick up my ass" Aubrette said, her eyes turning silver.

"I'd rather that than be a reckless bitch" Mason took a deep breath, watching as the intensity from her eyes faded away.

"What's wrong with you?" Aubrette's voice dropped.

"You! You are what's wrong with me!" He screamed, his heart practically bursting out of his chest. "I've been so focused in acting like your fucking bodyguard that I have let my life pass by inside that god damn mountain!"

"Then leave!" She yelled. "No one needs you here Mason I'm sure there are a thousand other people that'd be willing to take your place"

Mason laughed, "Good luck finding one that puts up with all your crap"

He'd turned around, ignoring the pit in his stomach. The thought of him being indispensable to her tattooed in his mind.

"Fuck wait" He heard her muttered rushing after him. "Mason" She said again, her voice lighter, like nothing they'd say held any truth.

"What?" he said turning to her, taking her aback. "It's not my problem you can't handle people leaving you Aubrette. It really must suck knowing that not even your own mother wants to spend time with you"

"She's busy..." she said, her voice barely coming out.

"God Aubrette stop being so naïve, look around! The only friends you have are fucking trees"

Mason felt it then, the shift in the woods as the words left his mouth.

"I'm" He said, his mind clearing instantly, the seriousness of his words sinking into him.

"No." Aubrette said, cutting him of. "Leave. For real."

Mason stared at her, waiting for her eyes to meet his, but Aubrette turned her back on him, returning to the depths of the woods. The trees blocking him from her almost instantly.

"Fine"

Mason stared at the crooked tree as it appeared at the distance. His heart stopping as he noticed that Aubrette was nowhere to be seen. He climbed onto it, noticing the lack of recognition from the tree as he climbed onto its branches. Searching for Aubrette above him but finding nothing.

His eyes dropped to the trunk of the tree; the small M he'd carved with Aubrette moons ago crossed out repeatedly. The sight bringing back his guilt greater than before. He was an asshole.

The wind grew cold around him, his mind trailing off to the last place he'd seen her. Mason jumped to the ground, and slowly made his way back to the lake.