"To another planet?" Makarin asked.
"Including the Subjugglators?"
"All adults." The empress said. "There will be no adults on Alternia in the next 3 perigees."
"Empress, while I respect your decision, that isn't a lot of time." Dualscar said.
"I don't care. It's going to happen." She said, standing from her throne. "Prepare the lowblood trash for transport to the Subjugglator castle. You have 3 perigees to get rid of that vermin, Makarin."
Makarin and Dualscar simply nodded and watched her walk away.
"I don't see why she trusts a fucking maniac like you instead of a seadweller…" Dualscar grumbled.
"Maybe because I've given her results." Makarin growled before walking away from the shorter highblood.
It took an hour or so for the guards to prepare Rufio for transport. They didn't answer his questions, simply restraining him with a straightjacket before blindfolding him. One guard picked him up, carefully putting him over his shoulder before taking him to the transport vehicle. The Empress had ordered that the prisoner know nothing until he arrived at his new prison. Watching Rufio squirm and yell, screaming that he deserved to be given some information as to what they were doing to him made Makarin angry but not at his love. He was angry with the Empress for putting Rufio through this amount of stress. He remained silent though as he watched his matesprit be put into the back of a vehicle before being gagged. The door was shut and Makarin was approached by a guard.
"That should make the trip back to the Subjugglator castle a little easier to bear with that lowblood trash in the back." Makarin stared at the guard before sending him away and getting into the transport. It would just be him and Rufio as he drove back to the castle. He didn't say a word as he drove the vehicle off the property. There was quite a bit of distance between the Empress' castle and the Subjugglator castle. Makarin could hear Rufio grunting and screaming around his gag in the back of the truck, the pain in his chest swelling before he got to a secluded part of the forest.
The vehicle pulled into a spot behind a giant tree with a groan, sputtering as the engine slowed until it was off. Makarin quickly got out of the transport and went to the back, opening the doors quickly without saying a word. He brought Rufio close to him and began undoing his restraints, holding his arms and legs down with a hand and his torso before removing the gag and finally, the blindfold.
Rufio looked around before speaking.
"Makarin!" He grinned, wrapping his arms around him.
"Rufio... I'm so sorry." He whispered, holding him close.
"Why are you sorry? You got me free!" Rufio grinned.
"You aren't actually free though..." Makarin said, frowning. "I had to make a deal with the Empress to get you into my custody."
"What kind of deal?"
"I'm supposed to torture you and..." He paused, closing his eyes as if the words pained him. "I told her I would send your wings to her when I had finished toying with you." Makarin expected the worse. He prepared himself to hear words of hate, anger and dissolution of their matespritship but it never came. Rufio just hugged him tighter.
"We can figure that out later." He said, his voice soft.
"I have to take you to the castle though..." Makarin told him. "I'm supposed to keep you in the dungeon and torture you..."
"You can tell them that you're going to keep me in your room for special torture." Rufio smiled. "I'll scream and everything!"
"Rufio... I... I want you to run..." He whispered, resting his forehead against his lover's. "I want you to run as far and as fast as you can."
"What about us though?" Rufio asked, his beautiful copper eyes wide with fear. "I want to stay with you."
"You aren't safe with me, Rufio. I can't keep you safe." Makarin sighed. "I don't want you to leave either but it's the only way that you'll get to live... At least until the Empress gets all the adults off planet."
"Wait... All adults off planet... That includes you! Makarin!" Makarin kissed him gently, cutting him off.
"I'll try to figure out a way to stay on planet but I can't promise anything." He said softly, brushing his fingers through Rufio's hair gently. "I need you to live though. I can't live knowing that you died and I couldn't stop it."
"Then keep me with you. Please don't leave me, Makarin..." Rufio begged. "Let me stay with you."