Chapter 10

Brimming Hatred

"Regular Talking"
:Telepathic:
Flashback

"They say forgive and forget,
but I think that if someone's worth forgiving,
then they are worth remembering."
-Anonymous

A week had passed since the Shadow Angel, Apollonius, had come to his father's castle. In that time Scorpius had come to debate whether it had been a good idea to bring a Shadow Angel back with them.

Everywhere he had gone he had managed to unwittingly stumble across Apollonius and Celiane.

Each time proved him continually right that it had been a bad idea…

Scorpius, book in hand walked towards the door into the gardens. He pushed the light doors open and walked out into the open pathways that were lined with flowers of all shapes and sizes. The colors placed in breathtaking patterns that never seemed to end.

"Come on, Apollonius," an excited voice broke through the calm air.

He halted unsure of what the two were doing in the gardens and moved off the path and through some bushes to a small area where if he kneeled down he could stay out of sight and observe the two. Celiane walked back with Apollonius' hand clasped within her own. She moved purposefully towards the Tiger Lilies that lined the pathway ahead of them.

"These are the ones I was telling you about," she stopped in front of them.

Kneeling down beside the white flowers she gently placed her hands on either side of one and took a deep whiff of the flowers scent.

"Smell them," she said pulling him down beside her.

Apollonius leaned over the flowers and breathed in their scent as well. Pollon who had followed along much more slowly behind them smelling all the new scents and had begun to float through the flowers as though wading in the ocean and leaped out at Celiane startling her. She fell backwards, but was stopped from falling into the dirt by a strong hand holding her. Apollonius' hand had shot out and stopped her descent.

Celiane blushed before Apollonius offered his hand to her and helped her to her feet.

Celiane gazed at Apollonius which meant that the Shadow Angel was probably saying something. A moment later Celiane doubled over releasing hearty laughter.

Regaining her senses, she smiled at Apollonius.

She reached out and took his hand once again and guided him down the path once more to the next area of the garden that she wished to show to the Shadow Angel unknowingly leaving a confused Scorpius in the bushes.

There had been more instances such as that one that had Scorpius constantly thinking. He wasn't sure what to make of their interactions.

It had always been so simple to believe that Shadow Angels were evil and that was all they were. The fact that he had now had some time to get to know Apollonius he was beginning to become confused on the previous knowledge that they had always assumed to be true. Of course, that had also been before they had encountered and survived an attack from the Shadow Angels only for Celiane to make a deal with one. A deal that in his opinion had gone foul with everything that had gone wrong since.

Scorpius had known that Celiane would not take the news that her ex-lover had abandoned his love for her and been drinking himself senseless and flirting with any girl that passed in front of him. He had yet to build up the courage to tell her what had happened to the man, however she had yet to ask, so Scorpius could only hope that she was passed her feelings for the man and had forgotten him as easily as he had forgotten her.

Of course, Scorpius thought, perhaps it had become all too simple for Celiane to push all thoughts of him aside…

He had been on his way to the council meeting between his father the Arch Duke and his advisors when he heard counting coming from ahead. Curious, Scorpius slowed once he reached the doors and peered in to see Celiane and Apollonius' holding each other in a dance position while Celiane counted each step that they took.

There was no music, just Celiane's constant counting holding a beat which was sometimes interrupted by a giggle when Apollonius placed the wrong foot in the wrong place at the wrong time despite the fact that he was floating a few inches above the ground. They paused while Celiane reminded the Shadow Angel what the steps were.

Apollonius began the dance steps once more this time moving perfectly with her in his arms. She hadn't started to count again, so he could only assume that she deemed Apollonius had managed to catch on, now that he was moving around the room with her without a problem. Celiane in the calm steps moved closer to Apollonius and rested her head against his chest. When she closed her eyes, Scorpius felt the pain in the palm of his hands and looked down to see that his hands were clenched so tightly in fists that he was drawing blood underneath some of his finger nails.

He returned his gaze to the dancing pair and frowned as they were now literally dancing on air.

Apollonius had Celiane embraced his strong arms, her feet on top of his, while he moved them around the room dancing to an imaginary tune that only the two of them could hear.

Much to Scorpius' displeasure Celiane appeared to be, if possible, even more relaxed than she had been before. The hatred that he had placed in his heart for the Shadow Angels was now unleashed within him and yet he could not move to break up the sight before him.

Standing there for a few more minutes he turned away with disgust and continued on his way to the meeting attempting to rid himself of the image that he could see in his mind.

"What possessed me to allow that creature to come to this castle?" Scorpius muttered angrily. "What did I ever imagine it could ever accomplish? So far it is bringing me nothing but heartache…"

He had been making his way to his favorite secluded area in the castle for a relaxing evening of watching the sun set. This plan had been cut short by the presence of the two people he had been hoping not to see at all for the day.

Apollonius and Celiane were currently occupying the balcony with the best view of the setting sun.

The sky was already being painted with a light orange and lavender coloring. Apollonius was gazing up at the sky and didn't notice as Celiane wrapped her arm around his and lightly leaned into him. Scorpius on the other hand had noticed and once more found himself clenching his hands in fists as he gazed upon the pair.

He was just getting ready to announce his presence to prevent the two from getting any closer than they already were when he found himself frozen and unable to do so. Regardless of the hatred brimming in his heart, his mind rebelled against him saying that it was none of his business.

Stuck with his own indecisiveness he could only watch as Apollonius turned his gaze to Celiane. His hand raised to gently caress her cheek and he slowly leaned over to capture her lips with his own.

Scorpius' heart skipped a beat as Celiane did not hesitate to raise her arms to wrap around his neck returning the kiss and allowing the Shadow Angel to wrap his arms around her embracing her and pulling her close to him.

He could only watch the two as something warm and sticky trailed down his cheek.

Finally able to move he reached up to wipe away the tear that had escaped and turned away from the scene before him only to turn back to see the two break apart and smile at each other.

Scorpius slowly moved down the corridor with no destination in mind except to get as far away from that balcony as possible.

"Well, at least she must have forgotten about, David," he said hopefully. "But what does that mean for…us?..."

Scorpius stared out his window uncertain of what to do.

"Sir! Sir!" a servant banged at his door urgently.

"What is it?" he answered not moving from the window.

The servant flung the door open. "There's a Shadow Angel attacking the border patrols! They are requesting backup!"

"Are there troops being assembled?" he asked clipping his sword to his belt.

"Yes. Your father wishes for you to lead them there. He says that he will follow with more."

"Very well. Tell my father that I will be heading out."

Scorpius left the room without another word

Scorpius reached the site of the attack and gaped at the carnage that had been wrought upon the border patrols.

Not a single man or woman was left alive. The only things still living were the scavengers picking away at the still warm bodies and a single Shadow Angel standing in the center of the carnage wielding a blade dripping fresh blood from its edge.

The fury rose within Scorpius as he took in the sight of the Shadow Angel standing calmly amidst his fallen soldiers.

"You BASTARD!" he shouted at the Angel. "You. Will. Pay!"

Scorpius leaped off the vehicle he was in and started to stalk towards him. The Shadow Angel glared at Scorpius halting him in his tracks from the hatred burning within the Shadow Angel's eyes.

:I will only say this once, Wingless One: The Shadow Angel stretched the wings on either side of his head to their full intimidating length. :Return the Shadow Angel Apollonius to me:

Scorpius smirked, "Well, I hate to break this to you Shadow Angel Scum, but he came with us of his own free will. We have done nothing to restrain him and keep him within our hands."

The Shadow Angel trembled with rage and clenched his hands into fists at his sides. :That is a lie! Apollonius would never stay with Wingless filth of his own free will!:

"Why would I lie about something such as that?" Scorpius asked with a taunting smile on his face. He was determined to make this work within his favor.

He started to walk toward the Shadow Angel alone while his soldiers watched the proceedings curiously and fearfully.

:And why are you telling me this?:

"Because I am no less happy about having Apollonius within my people's midst as you are."

He had set the bait in front of this monster. Now it was the wait to see if he would snap at it or leave it.

The Shadow Angel glared at Scorpius with a penetrating gaze.

:Are you suggesting that we work together to remove Apollonius from your midst?:

Scorpius lowered his voice getting the feeling that the Shadow Angel was only projecting into his mind now.

"If that will be what it takes to remove Apollonius from amongst my people," Scorpius paused thinking about this thought, "however, I will need a little more of an incentive to be agreeable to aiding a Shadow Angel."

Scorpius' prodding was not missed by the Shadow Angel. The Angel smirked :You wish for a reward for your help in aiding me. Very well, what did you have in mind?:

Scorpius smiled, "I wish to have a feather from you that will give me the powers of a Shadow Angel."

The Shadow Angel smirked :Of course. You shall have this reward once Apollonius is back amongst his kin in Atlandia:

He turned away.

"Hold on," Scorpius said. The Shadow Angel turned back to face Scorpius. "I would like to know the name of the one who I have made this deal with."

:My name is Toma:

"I am Scorpius," he introduced.

:Well, Scorpius, we shall meet again on the morrow in your domain and I will retrieve what is rightfully ours:

Scorpius gave a curt nod in acknowledgement watching as Toma flew into the sky and through a portal.

The soldiers stared wonderingly at their future leader curious as to how he had managed to send away the monster that had killed their fellow comrades in arms.

"We are heading back!"

All of the soldiers saluted and turned their vehicles around to head home. Scorpius pulled himself back into the vehicle he had arrived in and he signaled the driver to follow and leave alongside the forces.

Author's Note: Happy Holidays and Happy New Years!

I know everyone has things to do and places to go, but I always love to hear your thoughts on my writing and what you think about how this story is coming out.

So please leave a review with your thoughts on it. I am always looking for new tips and thoughts on how to improve my writing.

Thanks for reading!