Broken wings

Chapter 9

A few days later we're sword fighting again. It's become part of my routine now. Horses, forest, sword fighting. It's a way to keep me sane. Roman twists his sword with a swift move and actually manages to let me drop my own. It flies in the air before sticking upright in the grass a few feet away from me. I look impressed before diving for it. Holding it up just in time to block what could've been his finishing blow of the match. He curses softly when I push him back and get the upper hand again. Without him realizing it, I force him back with a smirk until he's with his back against a tree. My sword pressed against his throat.
"Never let yourself get trapped." I tell him smug as I drop the sword so it's no longer pressing against his skin.
"I know that." He huffs annoyed. "You distracted me." He adds.
"Never get distracted." I smirk as I lean closer until our noses almost touch. Roman squints his eyes at me before leaning forward and closing the gap between us. Pressing his lips on mine in an impulse. I stiffen in surprise. His eyes fly open the moment he realizes what he's done.
"I-I'm sorry." He starts to frantically apologize. I stare at the crimson red blush on his cheeks and feel a primal wave wash over me. I drop the sword and rest my hand in his neck before pulling him in another kiss. A rougher and hungrier one than the quick peck he gave me. Roman gets over his own surprise and moves his lips against mine. Our tongues greeting each other hesitantly. He wraps his hand around my wrist and I feel like I can't get enough. I lift my free hand and rest it on his hip to keep him close. My fingers brushing the skin under his iron uniform and shirt underneath. He's ridiculously soft, but I already knew that. Roman stiffens when he feels my fingers on his skin and I feel his heartbeat peak in pace. I pull back when I feel his trauma take over. Walking away from him to give him space as I pick up my sword and go back to the middle of the clearing as if nothing happened between me winning and this exact second. What was I thinking? I stand with my back towards him as I look down at the human sword in my hand. I hear Roman step away from the tree.
"Virgil?" He asks for my attention. I turn around and point the sword at him.
"You did well. You almost had me that time." I compliment him. Ignoring the dull ache in my wings that starts acting up. I expected him to pick up his sword and challenge me again like he always does when he gets even the slightest taste of victory.
"I'm sorry I stiffened. I didn't mean to." He whispers. I let the sword hang by my side as I look at how broken he is. I try to keep up the smirk on his face. Pretend everything's fine, but it falters upon looking into his green eyes.
"Never apologize for what they did to you." I tell him stern. "You're brave enough to live with it." I add as I twist the sword in my hands. I roll my shoulders when the pain in my wings gets worse. Roman doesn't say anything and I wish he would just go back to the way before. I fucked up. So what? Can't we just move on? I scrunch up my nose when a burning feeling starts to spread through my wings.
"Virgil?" Roman sounds worried. I twist my face in pain before humming. Looking up at him with out replying.
"What's wrong?" Roman steps closer concerned. I hold up my sword to keep him at distance. Seeing the hurt in his eyes, but not able to do anything about it right now. The pain only gets worse.
"M-My wings..." I manage to get out before gasping in agony and falling to my knees. The sword falling out of my hands as I catch myself.
"Let them free." Roman begs. I shake my head.
"N-not here." I mutter between clenched teeth. People could walk by and see. I groan softly when it only seems to burn hotter. Roman ignores all my invisible boundaries and pulls me up by my armpits. Holding me up with one arm around my waist and the other pulling my arm around his shoulders. In too much pain to protest, I let him lead me deeper in the forest until we get to the lake where we know no one will come. He carefully drops me on the dirty forest floor.
"Let them out." He orders. I look up at him before spreading my wings with a twisted face. Tears filling up my eyes. It feels like my wings are burning up alive. I blink the tears away and look over my shoulder at what once were magnificent black wings. My heart breaks when I see the horrendous state they're in. I'm like a stressed parrot who picked out all his feathers. Naked spots visible all over my wings. My skin underneath blazing red. Roman shuffles closer on his knees as he looks at them in horror. He gently places a hand on them, but pulls back as if he got stung when I gasp in pain.
"What can I do?" He asks me desperately.
"N-Nothing." I reply. There's nothing a human can do. I'm not even sure any of my brothers and sisters would be able to help.
"I can't do nothing. There must be something that can help." He looks at me angry. I know how much he hates feeling useless, but I really need him to be quiet right now. I can't handle his panic on top of my own and the pain.
"S-Shut up, Princy." I groan as I try opening and closing my wings in search of relief, but nothing seems to ease the pain. Roman scoffs offended before slapping me in the face with his flat hand.
"You shut up and listen to me!" He spits angry in my face. I glare deadly at him and he gulps intimidated. Reminded to who exactly he's talking.
"Tell me what can be done. I don't care what it takes. Just tell me." He pleads. Tears now also filling his eyes upon seeing me like this. I close my eyes and groan when another pain wave washes over me. I don't think I can hold this much longer. I'm scared. Terrified.
"L-Logan." I stutter. I know I can't trust any of my brothers and sisters, but I can't believe Logan is one of them. My older brother can't have a single clue about what's really going on. He'd never be a part of anything like it.
"Logan? Who's Logan?" Roman asks desperately, but I already feel myself slip away.
"C-Call Logan." I tell him before falling in a deep black agonizing hole.