Broken wings

Chapter 14

Over the next few days, Roman does exactly what he told me he'd do. He trains every waking moment. Even on his own when I'm taking care of the horses. He also eats healthy and rests as much as he needs to. I've been staying with him every night to make sure there won't be any nightmares to keep him awake.
"No!" I yell angry when he makes a move that clearly leaves him exposed. "How often do I have to tell you? Never leave yourself exposed." I lecture him when we're training again. He's already had dinner and the sun is making its way down to end the day.
"You didn't leave me a choice!" Roman snaps back.
"This is life or death. You always have a choice. You just chose death." I comment with a frown. He no longer wears his protective uniform. He declared he fights better without because he can't rely on it to save his life. Roman squares his jaws.
"Again." He asks to redo the match. I sigh and nod so we move back to our original spots. Once we begin, Patton and Eric pass us with the horses they take back from the meadow. I notice Roman's eyes glance at them for only a split second and hook my foot behind him to let him fall.
"Don't get distracted." I hiss.
"I know." He mutters as he rubs the back of his head from hitting the ground.
"Clearly not well enough." I stick out my hand to pull him upright.
"I just forgot for a moment it's not just the two of us." He admits as he stands up and rolls his shoulders.
"It won't be just the two of us either when Chasten and Birrol decide they want to finish the job." I look at him stern. He nods. I've been a lot stricter during training, but that's because it's no longer for fun. I actually want him on his best now that he's so eager to risk his life. I turn around to Patton and Eric who stopped for a moment to watch us.
"Can you get everyone who's free?" I ask them. Roman looks at me with wide eyes.
"What are you doing?" He looks unsure. "Giving you zero excuses to make mistakes." I turn my head at him.
"Sure thing, kiddo!" Patton calls back and they leave with the horses.
"You need to be able to ignore all factors outside the fight. We don't know what we're walking in. I need you prepared for everything if you're really coming along." I tell him as I step back again.
"I won't let you down." He nods determined. I smirk softly before gesturing him to begin. As we fight, more and more people arrive. I can feel their excitement and their curiosity. Roman manages to keep his eyes focused me. Good. I block an advance and move swiftly so I'm behind him. Before I can trap him between my chest and my sword he dives away. Rolling over the ground until he's facing me again. Very good. I smirk proud. He swiftly stands up and jumps towards me, but I'm ready for him. I block his sword and push him back with brute force. I no longer hold back. The past months look like kindergarten compared to the past days. He tries to stay on his feet, but stumbles and falls on his butt despite his efforts. Some people gasp. I quickly move forward, but he manages to be faster and rolls over. Kicking my arm as he stands up with his sword secure in his hands. Excellent. I see how he's already panting. Sweat running down his face in slow droplets. His hair plastered to his forehead. We stare at each other for a moment as we each try to determine our strategy.
"Go prince Roman!" Tina yells. He glances at her. Big mistake. I move forward and twist the sword out of his hands before he can stop me. His eyes grow wide when he realizes his mistake. He tries to dive after it, but the shock slowed him down and I've already got him by his collar. The tip of my sword pressed dangerously against his belly.
"What did you do wrong?" I ask him.
"Get distracted." He sighs. I let him go again with a nod.
"Guard up. Always." I point at him.
"I know how difficult it is when someone calls your name. It's in everyone's nature to look up when they hear their name. You've seen what calling Logan's name alone achieved." I tell him. Roman nods understanding.
"That's why I asked for an audience. So you can learn to push that impulse down." I explain.
"I did surprise you a couple of times though, didn't I?" He wonders with a pleased grin. I shake my head fondly at how quick he goes back to being his confident self.
"You did well." I admit with a smirk.
"Again?" He wonders. I nod and we go back to our positions.
"Go." I give the start sign. He tightens his grip on his sword before running forward. I move aside and stomp him like I did the very first time we trained together. Disappointed I'm ready to already pull him upright, but Roman didn't fall. In fact he's standing behind me now. I turn around with the speed of light right before he can hold his sword against my back.
"Smart." I give him with a smirk as I block his attack.
"Not smart enough apparently." He mutters as he tries to fight my strength. I force him down on his knees. His face red as he tries to keep me from winning. There's no way out for him. I've already won. He drops his sword and rolls away without it. I tilt my head impressed when I find my balance again. Though it simply postponed my victory. Especially now he's without weapon.
"What's the plan here, Princy?" I quirk an eyebrow as I pick his sword up and toss it aside where he can't possibly reach it before I get to him.
"Wouldn't you like to know?" He calls back tough as I see him look frantically around while backing away from me. I chuckle softly. Curious what he's going to do. He's almost backed against a tree. He looks at me with big eyes before hiding behind one.
"Really?" I ask as I slowly follow him. My guard down now I know he's no longer a match.
"Yeah." He replies when he comes out of nowhere from a branch higher up. Knocking me down. I curse as he manages to make me drop my sword. Before I can get to it he already picks it up.
"It's heavy for a human." I warn him, but he tries to hold it up stubbornly anyway.
"Wrong choice." I shake my head as I watch him closely. He seems to think better of it and throws it far behind him instead.
"Rude." I mutter when I see it stick in a tree. He doesn't wait before rushing towards his own sword. I follow him and throw him on the ground before he can get to it. I feel his heart race when I'm on top of him and he tries to unsuccessfully fight me off. I square my jaws and humor him. Falling off of him. His relief washes over me like a cold waterfall. He rushes up and forward. Picking up his sword before turning towards me. I glance at the forest. I can't risk going after my own sword.
"The tables have turned." He looks at me with a crooked grin.
"Have they?" I look innocently. He squints his eyes at me before jumping forward. I push his arm away from me before hooking my foot behind his ankle. Roman stumbles, but manages to keep his footing. He comes at me again. I dive down before moving to the side. Avoiding all his attacks. I can feel him grow more frustrated. I bet he was sure it would finally be a win for him. When he makes a stabbing move I jump aside and grab his wrist in my hand. I smirk and his eyes widen. I throw his arm over my shoulder along with the rest of his body as if he's just a heavy bag of potatoes. He tries to struggle free. Changing his sword to his free hand, but before he can, I throw him off my shoulder. He would've landed harshly on his back if I wouldn't have changed my grip on him at the last second. Now holding his shirt instead of his wrist to keep his upper body up from the hard ground. He lifts the sword up at me.
"Really?" I tilt my head. "I could've also just dropped you. See if you can keep a hold of your toy then." I comment. He glares before dropping the sword again with a sigh. I snicker as I pull him upright again.
"Now that was a match." I speak up pleased with how much he's grown. He didn't react to the crowd once and made risky, yet strategic decisions. Roman pulls his shirt decent again.
"I almost had you there. Admit it." He looks smug.
"You had a couple of surprises up your sleeve." I admit as I ruffle his hair teasingly. He steps back to get away from me. Quickly fixing his sweaty locks. I smirk before moving away to fetch my own sword from the tree it got stuck in. When I return, Roman is surrounded by the people of the castle who are trying to make sure he's okay.
"I'm fine." He brushes their concern off.
"Are you insane?" John hisses at me. I quirk an unimpressed eyebrow at him. I take it he's the one who usually fought with Roman and always let him win.
"Congrats on winning." Patton compliments me. I nod grateful before moving through the people to get to Roman.
"Well done." I pat his shoulder before leaving the crowd. It was a good training idea to have them watch and potentially distract him, but I don't care too much for seeing the aftermath of that decision. He grins proud as he follows me with his eyes.
"You can all go back to what you were doing prior." I hear him tell the castle people as I hide my sword again and move towards the stables to check the horses. I know they're fine because Patton only just brought them back, but I want to be sure. Just as I'm halfway, my brother appears.
"We have to leave first thing in the morning." He announces without saying hello first. I frown.
"What happened?" I wonder. Immediately alert. He straightens his glasses as he steps closer.
"Aimee told me Chasten asked her to come to the dormant volcano tomorrow." He looks at me with concern clear in his eyes.
"Did you try to stop her?" I ask him urgent.
"Of course I did! She didn't want to listen. She truly thinks they're on to something. She believes the primates killed you and is lost in her sorrow." Logan looks angry I would even suggest he wouldn't try to save her. I look apologetic at him for a moment.
"Did she tell you why they're gathering there?" I ask him instead. Logan shakes his head.
"I tried getting the information out of several brothers and sisters, but none of them really know." He looks close to desperate.
"Roman told me it takes a few hours to get there on horses. We'll have to leave before sunrise." I tell him.
"I could fly out already. Wait for you there." He suggests.
"No." I shake my head.
"You don't know what you'll walk into. I can't let you go alone, brother." I reply stubborn. Logan sighs as he nods.
"You're correct. That would be dangerously impulsive." He agrees.
"Oh, hello, Logan! That's a while ago!" Patton's cheery voice sounds up. Roman behind him.
"Salutations." My brother nods at him.
"Pat, I'm going to need three horses to ride somewhere tomorrow morning so don't worry if you they're gone, okay?" I tell him.
"O-oh, okay." Patton looks surprised, but doesn't ask further as he quickly checks the horses before going back inside to get to Thomas who's currently with Yenny and Polly.
"Is it happening?" Roman looks from me to Logan.
"We believe so." I reply.
"I'll make sure everything is in order then." He nods as he already moves to follow Patton. "You can still change your mind." I offer softly. He turns back around.
"I can't." He shakes his head before leaving. I let out a sigh as I look down.
"Why are you so burnt on keeping him here?" My brother frowns at me.
"Because he could die, Lo." I look tired up at him.
"We all die eventually. We can only hope it won't be tomorrow." He reacts.
"Chasten and Birrol tried to rape him when he came to fight alongside me last time." I tell him softly. His eyes widen in disgust.
"He's already traumatized. I don't want him bleeding on the ground as well. This isn't his fight." I add. Logan is quiet for a moment.
"Maybe it is. Perhaps it became his fight the moment they laid their hands on him." He speaks up. I look down at my feet as I shake my head softly. Why am I the only one who sees this is insanity?
"Try to focus, brother. The story is bigger than the human. I'll need you sharp tomorrow." He rests his hand on my shoulder. I sigh as I look up into his eyes before nodding.
"See you tomorrow." I tell him goodbye and just like that he's gone again. I take in a deep breath before leaving the stables and going inside again. I hear Roman in the common room. Explaining vaguely why he'd be gone and what he expects in his absence. I don't stop to listen to it, but head up to my room where I drop on the bed. Staring at the ceiling. I can't quite wrap my head around the fact I might finally get some answers tomorrow. I'm not sure how long I've been laying there with my thoughts running through my head at full speed when Roman comes in after knocking on the door. I sit upright to look at him.
"Polly said she saw you go up here." He explains. "You okay?" He wonders then when he sees my troubled expression.
"Just thinking." I admit as I look down at the mattress.
"About?" He asks as he steps closer to sit next to me.
"Too much." I look apologetic. I know he hates it when I give vague answers. "You should go to sleep though. If you really want to come-"
"I do." He interrupts me. I sigh.
"You're going to need your rest." I finish my sentence.
"I was wondering... Is it okay if I sleep here for one night? Tim and John wont have to stand post the entire night then." He speaks up softly. I look at his subtle puppy eyes. A small smile tugging at my lips.
"Sure." I give in as I already stand up to pull the blankets back for him. He changes out of his prince attire. Only wearing his white shirt and pants now. He seems to debate something before he also takes off his pants.
"Doesn't sleep very comfortable." He explains with rosy cheeks.
"You don't have to defend yourself to me." I tell him amused when he climbs in the bed. I lay down next to him. My head and shoulders prompt up against the headboard.
"Can I?" He whispers as he points at me. I nod. The more he's been sleeping next to me, the more he seems to find comfort cuddled up to me in his sleep. The last few nights I've noticed he secretly already shuffles closer before he's actually asleep. It's the first time he's fully awake and asks it though. With a soft smile he shuffles closer and rests his head on my chest. His hand drawing invisible figurines on my belly. I wrap my arm automatically around his shoulders.
"You let me win, didn't you?" He looks up at me then. I look into his green eyes.
"You didn't." I frown softly.
"I mean when you were holding me down. You fell off on purpose, right?" He looks knowingly. I nod slowly. "You felt I was panicking again." He figures out.
"Were you thinking about everyone watching?" He asks in a whisper. I shake my head.
"I was only thinking about you." I admit. "Ro, I don't want you to get hurt again." I tell him desperately.
"I know." He lays his head down on my chest again. "But I don't want you to go alone." He adds stubborn.
"I won't be alone. Logan is coming too." I try to convince him one last time.
"That's not enough for me." He sighs as he stops drawing and wraps his arm around my waist instead.
"I don't want to lose you, Virge." He whispers. "That's why I have to come along. I can't stay here and wonder what's happening to you. It would drive me crazy." He admits.
"Why are you always so stubborn?" I sigh softly as I tighten my embrace on him with closed eyes.
"I guess it's just in my DNA." He snickers softly.
"Sometimes I wish you never helped me that night." I admit.
"Don't say that." He whispers stern. I cart my fingers in his wild hair and comb through it repetitively in a soothing manner. I can't help it that I feel that way. Both our lives would be so much easier. He wouldn't be traumatized or willing to risk his life. I'd just be gone. I wouldn't have to worry about everything and everyone. I'd have peace maybe.
"Promise me you're not going to give up." Roman tilts his head up. His chin now resting on my chest as he looks into my eyes. His sparkling from the tiniest bit of moonlight shining into the room.
"I'm not giving up. I'm just-" I shrug. "Overwhelmed I guess." I admit.
"It would be nice if I had your ability as well so I could ease your mind for once." He sighs as he lays down again. I hum and we stay quiet after that. I notice how he closes his eyes while listening to my heartbeat beating underneath his ear. His breathing slows down and before he realizes he's vast asleep. If only I could freeze him like that. So I know he's safe until I hopefully return after whatever it is we're going to find tomorrow. 

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Just a quick extra warning for future chapters: a reminder there is violence, blood, death, trauma etc etc in this story, so be careful! If you have any questions, please ask me! I will answer honestly and as quick as I can.