Broken wings

Chapter 4

Rain starts pouring down. Slow at first, but then like a thousand buckets at once. Drenching me to the bone. I sigh annoyed as I shake my wings before hiding them again as I stand up from the already getting muddy forest floor. In my own pace I walk back to the castle. Trying to get my thoughts back in line. I can't afford losing myself over mental breakdowns. I need to stay sharp. Find out how I can warn my brothers and sisters without risking tipping off Chasten and Birrol. The sun has passed its highest point by the time the large stone building comes to view. The sky is still dark and gray and it doesn't seem like the rain will stop anytime soon. I shake the bangs of my hair out of my eyes as I come into the clearing leading to Roman's entire property. For once it's not buzzing with life. Most people hiding inside from the rain. Instead of doing the  same, I continue walking until I'm at the stables. I notice all horses are inside to shelter from the weather as well. I've got to admit the humans work fast when it comes to caring for the animals they do decide to love. I walk up to the black stead I bonded with last time.
"Hey, Stormcloud." I whisper when I walk inside his stable. The horse takes a step closer and pushes his head against my shoulder.
"You're doing a lot better already, hmm?" I wonder as I pet him with a little smile. The horse raises his head.
"I know. I still miss my brothers and sisters as well." I acknowledge his feelings as I brush my hand over his neck soothingly.
"Oh hi!" Patton's cheery voice sounds up when he notices me in the stables. I turn my head to look at him.
"Did you get the horses here?" I wonder.
"Well, I helped. I can't exactly lead ten horses back with me at once." The man giggles. "They do not like the rain." He adds as he looks at the animals with sympathy.
"They like to run." I explain as I look back at the black horse.
"They do. They really do. But I don't like seeing them stand on an open field when a potential storm breaks loose." Patton reasons as he feeds the horses in the stables nearby.
"It's not going to storm." I observe. Patton hums.
"Let's hope so." He nods. "You really have a knack for animals, huh? You're amazing with our gloomy little guy." He walks closer when it's Stormcloud's time to eat.
"They're less complicated." I shrug as I let the horse go so it can walk up to its feeding bowl Patton just filled up.
"Amen to that." Patton giggles. "They're pure. A horse won't try to harm you without a proper reason to it." He exclaims. I agree in silence as I walk out of Stormcloud's stable to look at the other horses.
"The heavens really poured down, hmm?" The man observes when he sees my drenched state. I look down before shrugging. What a dumb expression. Do they really have to incorporate their made up stories in everything they do and say?
"Hey, did you come from inside? Because I think prince Roman was looking for you a while ago." Patton wonders before smiling at the black horse for a moment.
"I was out." I tell him vaguely. He hums as he continues working. He must've been here since the rain started. I reason. His blond curls look like they've been wet, but are now dried again. Leaving him with a wild head of curls. I observe the man for a few minutes before turning around.
"See you around, buddy." I pet the horse softly before leaving.
"Definitely!" Patton waves me goodbye. Clearly thinking I was talking to him. I shake my head fondly. Patton is an okay guy. Just like Roman he talks too much, but he really has a big heart. Especially for his animals. I look up at the castle again before letting out a sigh and heading back inside.
"Oh, sir, you're soaked! Let me get you a towel." One of the maids looks at me shocked. I believe her name is Janet. I wave her offer away as I continue walking up to my room in silence. Once I get there I'm surprised by the sight of Roman sitting on my bed. He's looking out of the window. Listening to the rain droplets tapping the glass. He flicks his eyes up at me when he hears the door open and close.
"Virgil!" He jumps up. I frown at the sound of my own name. I still don't know why I told him that last night. He rushes up to me, but stops when I hold out my hand with a small shake.
"I thought you left without saying goodbye." Roman admits.
"I was out." I tell him the same thing I told his stableman.
"You're soaked." Roman observes. I let out a humorless chuckle. Good eye.
"That tends to happen when you walk in the rain." I reply as I ruffle through my hair and walk up to the window to look out at the small part of the world I can see from here.
"Have you been outside this entire time?" Roman looks surprised as he walks closer to stand beside me. I shrug as response. We watch the last bit of sunlight slowly darken until the night takes over again.
"You really thought I left without saying goodbye?" I look at Roman then. He looks up at me with a slight blush before shrugging as he stares out the window again.
"I thought maybe I pushed you too far with all my questions." He explains himself. I look at the human for a moment before humming.
"Would you?" Roman looks up at me then.
"What?" I raise an eyebrow. Not understanding what he's asking.
"Leave without saying goodbye first?" He clarifies. I think about it as I look outside again.
"No." I finally decide. "I'd say goodbye first." I realize. After all Roman is the first human I've seen in decennia. We've been through pain and humiliation together that first night on earth. I told him my name. I'd say goodbye.
"Good." Roman nods with a small smile playing on his lips. I look down at him before stepping away from the window to sit down on the bed.
"Who knows you're here?" I wonder. Roman frowns at the random question.
"No one, I think." He replies.
"So none of your little slaves is going to follow you in here?" I ask him. His mouth twitches down when he hears what I call the other people in the castle.
"They're not my slaves. They get paid and have a place to sleep. To eat." He argues with crossed arms. I wave with my hand to show I don't really care about his exact principles. I just want an answer. He rolls his eyes as he lets out a frustrated sigh.
"No, they won't come barging in." He tells me what I want to hear. I nod and free my wings the moment I get the confirmation I can. Roman gasps startled at the sudden change despite having seen them a couple of times already. Last night even.
"I need to let them dry." I speak up. Not that I need to explain myself to him. Roman nods softly as he drops his arms beside him again.
"They're magnificent." He blurts out after a while. I quirk and unimpressed eyebrow.
"They look horrible." I argue with a frown. Roman tilts his head as he shrugs.
"Something can look broken and still be magnificent." He reasons. I scoff softly.
"They used to be." I mutter as I look over my shoulder. My hand stroking the remaining feathers carefully. They've thinned out so much. Roman comes closer and I pull out my dagger threateningly. He stops in his tracks with his hands up in defense.
"Can you stop doing that? You know I'm not going to do anything." He points a little annoyed at the dagger in my hands.
"Stop approaching me without warning." I bite back as I hide the dagger again.
"Duly noted." Roman speaks up. Pointing at a spot on the bed beside me then. I roll my eyes and gesture he can sit.
"You're the one who pulled a dagger on me last night, remember?" I tell him salty. He looks offended.
"I woke up looking at a large man looming over me. That's not the same as someone just walking up to you." He argues. I shrug and look out the window again.
"Can I ask you something?" Roman looks from the window to me. I hum softly. Does he ever stop talking?
"Why exactly are you staying here? The first day you were so eager to leave." He continues. I cast my eyes to the ceiling as I drop back on the mattress.
"Does it matter? You're the one who wanted me to stay." I sigh.
"I know." Roman comments. "I'm just curious to know what changed." He admits. What changed? I no longer feel any strings to the thing I felt back then. I have no clue where to go to figure out more about Chasten and Birrol's plans. I realized I can never fly home. What changed is that I have nowhere else to go right now. I have no one to go to. No way of figuring anything out. I can't even talk to my brothers and sisters because I have no clue who to trust anymore. I shrug. Not answering his question. Roman looks disappointed to be locked out again. He lifts his gaze up at me then.
"Can I trust you?" He questions. I frown before sitting back upright.
"What?" I ask confused.
"You live under my roof. You can get to anyone here in the castle. You barely tell me anything about yourself. I literally found you in the woods in the middle of the night. Can I trust you?" He repeats more elaborately. I blink at his accusations.
"I've already told you more than you should ever have known." I speak up offended he doesn't appreciate the things I've shared. I don't owe him anything. Humans aren't even supposed to know about us. They're not supposed to see our wings or say our name.
"And I appreciate that." He tells me. "But I'm responsible for every single human who lives here so I have to know." He adds.
"You think I'd harm them?" I widen my eyes offended as I stand upright.
"No." Roman quickly tries to calm me down. I nod as I turn away from him. Good.
"But that's mostly based on a hunch. You have to give me something so I can be sure." He continues and I glare over my shoulder at him. How dare he accuse me of such things!
"I don't have to give you anything." I spit angry. I hear Roman's heartbeat race when he notices how angry I'm getting. Instead of backing down, he stands up as well.
"Can I trust you or not?" He repeats calm. I stare into his eyes for the longest time. He keeps looking back at me bravely. I scoff when I realize how serious he is.
"You can trust me." I tell him. He sighs relieved. A small smile playing with his lips.
"Now get out." I point at the door. Still furious. He blinks a couple of times as a frown forms on his face.
"Out!" I yell. He stiffens before stepping towards the door.
"Virgil-" He speaks up as he opens the door. Looking back at me before leaving.
"Don't call me that." I react. Regretting in the moment that I ever told him. He tugs in his lips as he nods.
"Bye." He whispers before closing the door behind him. I let out a shaky breath as I try to calm down again. The audacity. I sit back down on the bed and rest my face in my hands. 
For the remainder of the evening I ignore him completely. And continue doing so the next day. He thinks I don't give him enough? I'll show him what it's like when I don't even offer him a breadcrumb.