A/N: Disclaimer: Refer back to Chapter 1.
WARNING: LEMON, OOC, LANGUAGE
Chapter 17: Full Circle
Cielo looked at the town square as he infiltrated the town of Arkanadara. The stage had been set.
His sapphire eyes blazed as he saw that the platform for the beheading was wiped clean and was ready for use.
He made a disgusted face.
He and his team of ten had spit up. According to the information that he had gathered, five prisoners had been taken from each of the numerous villages for the beheading.
They were being kept at mobile cages with five people each. He narrowed his eyes. Their plan was simple.
Each member of his team would infiltrate the town, dispose of the guards by the mobile cages and free the people, taking them to safety. They hope to do this before the sun rose. Darkness had always been an ally to his tribe after all.
With steely eyes, he immediately set to work.
Perching up upon a narrow pole, he looked at his prey.
Three guards were guarding the mobile cages.
With a quick blur of blue, it was all over. He had snapped their necks broken with little effort. He looked upon their corpses with cold eyes from behind his mask.
Immediately, he turned to the people within. They had been startled at first, but when he had told them that he had been sent there to help them, they calmed down.
Within a moment, their plan was set in motion.
A few crucial minutes had passed and everything had gone according to plan. They had stripped the soldiers and had switched apparel. The corpses were put within the cages while the prisoners had gone.
Cielo's teammates had done the same, killing silently at the early hours of dawn.
They needed to hurry if they were to succeed.
And so, having completed their task, the next step was to secure their way out of Arkanadara. The beheading was to begin in half an hour. The preparations were already being made.
Sweat trickled down Cielo's temple, but it did not deter him from saving these people. They had secured a small caravan and had the prisoners in incognito climb within. He watched them go towards the gates and there, explained themselves to the guards.
Cielo gripped the handle of his twin swords tightly. If anything was to go wrong, he would land there and kill them.
He held his breath, all the while having his cold blue eyes fixed on them.
A moment later, he watched the caravan move out of the gates. He nodded; all was well. Soon, several caravans made their way out.
They were in batches of ten…So, there were five caravans in total.
So far…there had been three…
'Two more to go…' he said mentally, still perched atop a tower.
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Sera gripped her bow as tight as she could as she ran through the forests. She needed to be there…she needed to see with her own eyes that her people would be safe. She needed to see Cielo.
She wore a short black kimono; cut just on her thigh. Her face, hair and neck had been concealed effectively with a black scarf that only revealed her eyes. Her legs had been bandaged carefully, meticulously and she wore tabi socks with her straw sandals. It was made so that she might move even faster, her limbs unrestrained.
Cielo had taught her how to navigate the forests. She had learnt quickly despite her relatively short stay.
She had also brought her other things with her as well.
In order to blend in with the crowd after infiltrating the walls, she would don on a peasant's robes. That way, as she mingled with the crowd, she wouldn't be noticed.
After an endless time of running and huffing, she had reached her destination. Aside from tracking, navigation and archery, Cielo had taught her the basics of stealth killing as well as his ability to leap from tree to tree.
The last one was the hardest thing that she had to learn.
Her body had to endure long hours of hard training that she couldn't even begin to contemplate as she had never in her whole life exerted such effort. She knew that she wasn't ready. Her knowledge of Cielo's abilities was almost nil. She was an amateur to say the least.
But she couldn't help it.
She couldn't bear the thought of staying behind again…
'Cielo…'
Her heart suddenly skipped a beat as another thought crossed her mind. She would be returning to Arkanadara…
'Heat…Argilla…Jenna…' she choked.
She shook her thoughts of them and narrowed her silver eyes, 'I have to be stronger…I just have to!'
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Cielo nodded; they were almost done.
Only one more…
He had just sent his teammates to guide the caravans into the woods where they could make their escape.
Now, only he remained.
He had to stay.
He needed to make sure that everyone had been accounted for.
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Heat raised an eyebrow as he pulled his stallion to stop, "Whoa there boy…Steady…" he told the horse gently, petting it.
He looked and saw the city from afar. The distance was probably quarter of a mile. But from where he was, he saw it all too clearly. He blinked; there were caravans leaving the city.
'So early in the morning?' he thought with suspicion.
He eyed the soldiers within the caravans with steely red orbs. His gut was telling him something.
His suspicion rose as another caravan passed him.
The soldiers did not recognize him. He narrowed his eyes. He had not worn a cloak and his face was clearly visible.
But it was probably because of the lack of light…
What bothered him was that they didn't even inspect him or question him. They hurried out of the city. Some of the soldiers even had their heads hanging low…as if they were exhausted…
'Or hiding…!' Heat thought venomously.
He had had enough. He rode his horse slowly and barred the path of what seemed to be the last of the caravans.
"Halt." he spoke in a clear voice.
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Cielo's eyes narrowed, "Damn!" he uttered, frustrated, as a horseman blocked the last caravan. Leaping from his position, he leapt to the trees and brought himself closer to them so that he may observe them better.
His eyes widened and then narrowed; the man was going to strike!
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Heat narrowed his eyes at the leader of the passé, "State your name and rank."
The soldier said nothing and looked at him, "Who are you?"
Heat gritted his teeth; silver eyes.
The soldier thought that he wouldn't be able to see it. But he saw it.
Silver eyes. Silver eyes weren't indigenous to Arkanadara. Green and red were…But not silver.
Except Serph. His parents had been…controversial, to say the least.
Serph had been the only Arkanadaran that Heat had seen with silver eyes.
Silver eyes were indigenous only in one place. Flavius Adeodatus.
And now, this individual looked at him with such eyes. Heat, without removing his eyes from the man, drew his sword with lightning speed and pointed it at the person's throat, his chin tilted up high in mockery, "You really think that you could fool me?"
The person shook in fear.
Heat didn't allow him to speak as he quickly swung his sword. His red eyes widened in shock as there, he saw another person in between himself and the false soldier. The intruder's twin swords blocked his.
The man pushed at him with much force and it forced Heat's horse to back a step. Heat gritted his teeth; he had never seen an opponent as bold as this one…
The man stood before him, his blue eyes steely, staring into his red pools. The man spoke behind his fox-like mask, "Leave now or lose your life."
Heat laughed and then narrowed his eyes, "Do you have any idea of who you are dealing with…?" he spat condescendingly.
The man, still keeping his eyes on Heat, signaled the caravan to move.
"Tch…!" Heat spat.
The man blocked his path again and spoke in a low and dangerous tone, "Do not bother with them Red Dragon. I am your opponent."
Heat raised his eyebrow; surprised. So he had known his true identity after all. He nodded and dismounted his horse, his eyes fixed on the shorter man, no longer the least bit interested in the caravans.
Heat gripped his sword and there lunged for the younger man.
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Cielo dodged and evaded Heat's sword. One hit from the aforesaid weapon would tear him in two. Unlike Cielo's quaint sharp and short twin swords, Heat wielded a heavy and large sword. It had good striking range that made it all the more difficult for Cielo. Cielo had to first bypass his defenses and get in close enough to hit his opponent.
He gritted his teeth in frustration as his trickery did nothing for him to have an edge in his current battle.
Heat seemed to have read his movements and predict his next location as he blurred past him in hopes of catching him off guard from behind.
But he couldn't find an opening!
Gritting his teeth further and harder, he let his swords dance with Heat's. He moved agilely to his side, barely missing the range of Heat's sword and there, he found his opening!
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Heat saw him from the corner of his eyes; his side was left wide open and there, he saw the mysterious twin-swordsman make to strike him.
With inhuman speed, he parried the attack with his sword.
The man retreated as he blurred past him and disappeared.
Heat spun all around, looking for him, "Come out and fight me!" he yelled, adrenaline freely flowing within his veins.
As soon as he heard those words did he hear a distinct sound whipping through the air from behind him. Using his speed once more, he quickly turned and caught the projectiles hurled at him barehanded.
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Cielo cursed; he had never missed before. His shuriken didn't even miss; they didn't even reach the target. Heat didn't deflect them either; he had managed to catch them barehanded!
He had to admit…his opponent was good.
He revealed himself to Heat again and there stood in front of him, "Impressive Red Dragon."
Heat smirked at him, "On the contrary, it is I who must be impressed boy."
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Sera ran to the clearing; she had heard the clashing of swords. She had seen the caravans pass by her.
There was still a caravan heading her way. Her eyes widened; there…
On the clearing was Cielo!
She ran faster and she saw that he was engaged in a fierce duel. But something else caught her eye. There on the far off distance, cavalry was leaving the city.
'They're pursuing the caravans!' Sera thought frantically.
Her eyes wandered over to Cielo and the man he was fighting. She immediately aimed her bow as soon she got in range. She narrowed her eyes; she couldn't take the shot! Cielo could get hit too.
And so, she did the only thing that she could. She assisted the caravan that had just made its way a few feet away from the duel.
She just wanted to turn a blind eye to it all…
'He'd be fine…! Cielo…!' she thought with a heavy heart.
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Cielo cursed as Heat's sword overpowered his and forced him on his knees. Heat laughed, "You still need more training, boy." he drawled.
And there, he prepared to strike.
Cielo eyed his weapon steadily, knowing what it was he must do.
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Sera turned back and saw that Cielo was on his knees, one of his swords a few feet away from him. She let out a strangled cry and ran, aiming her bow, "Cielo!!!" she screamed.
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Heat froze…
That voice…
'It…it can't be…!'
Cielo saw the distraction in his eyes! Damn! Sera! She wasn't supposed to be there. He saw Heat's blade descend upon him and there, he released the object within his hands on the ground. Smoke filled the area and he disappeared into thin air.
Heat cursed as he saw that he had hit nothing but air.
His eyes narrowed as he saw that 'Cielo' had attached something to his sword. He growled as he recognized it. It was a small pack of gunpowder within a small piece of cloth stuck to the blade of his sword.
He quickly swung his sword and detached the explosive just in time as the area in which it landed, exploded.
It had all been a distraction though. The man was distracting him!
He quickly turned around and there saw a woman in a short black robe with her hidden face. She turned to him and he turned to her and their eyes met.
Silver met red.
Heat's heart skipped a beat.
It was her.
It was Sera! He just knew it!
Immediately, he ran for her, "Sera!!"
Sera stiffened; it was Heat! She froze momentarily when she felt someone tug at her arm. She looked up and was met with Cielo's mask, "Sera! Let's go!"
Sera gritted her teeth and turned to look that Heat was running towards them. She cursed and turned to Cielo, "Let's go!"
She just didn't want to come back to him…Her world was different now…And she knew it now, more than ever…because…in the face of a choice…she chose Cielo and not Heat.
Cielo nodded and there, scooped her in his arms and there leapt for the caravan that had just reached their position.
"I'll draw their fire! Go! Run!" Cielo yelled.
"But!!"
"Not buts!" he snarled and with the wind, he was gone.
With her bow in hand, she rushed to the opening of the caravan and there saw the horses of Arkanadaran soldiers draw even closer. She took an arrow from her back, hearing only the pounding of her furiously beating heart against her ears as the thrill of the moment began to take its excruciating peak within her very soul.
She aimed and there, took a deep breath and within the second, released the arrow. With her sharp eyes, she saw that her arrow had reached its target, hitting the swordsman on horseback right in between the eyes.
Her heart got caught up in her throat as she saw him convulse momentarily before falling off the still rapidly galloping horse, only to stumble upon the grass and the earth, hindering the movements of the other horsemen.
This was her first kill…She had taken a life…
But she soon realized that she had little time for reflection. She once more took another arrow and fired another shot…
One after another…they fell…
Sera didn't notice it…
She didn't notice that she had already been weeping…
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Heat saw as this "Cielo" deposited his beloved within the caravan. He also saw that he would never get to reach them and so whistled for his horse that came galloping to him with haste.
He quickly jumped on the horse and there rode towards them…
But not before being surpassed by the Imperial Guards. Heat looked at them and saw that they had archers on horseback…
He suddenly paled.
There, on the arrows were attached explosives. Heat's heart stopped; they were going to blow up the caravan!
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Cielo gritted his teeth as he heard Heat yell. He turned back and saw the Imperial Guards with the archers.
"Sera…!!"
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"Halt!!" Heat shouted.
Too late.
The first rain of arrows had already been fired.
Heat's head turned to the caravan's direction just in time to see it explode in a million pieces…and along with it…
His heart.
"Sera!!!!" he shouted as loud as he could.
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It had been two weeks now…since Sera's death. Argilla stared at the window with dead eyes. The night had rolled in and the rain continued to pour out.
She couldn't care any less though.
Day…night…sunshine and rain…What was the difference?
'Sera would never see them again…' she thought sadly, letting a lone tear escape her dull eyes.
She sighed as she felt arms around her, encasing her in a protective embrace.
"Is it the Princess Severina again…?"
She said nothing.
The man nodded, "Aa…I had executed those responsible for her murder."
He really didn't care about Severina. His main goal had been to make Argilla suffer…by any means necessary for defying him. Severina's untimely death was an exceptional bonus. He had hoped that the execution of the fifty men would break her.
But now, as he saw her…within all those days, depressed and utterly obedient to his wishes, he knew that he had succeeded.
Severina's death had fulfilled his objective. The humorous thing was that it hadn't been a part of his plan. It was purely coincidental.
So, he didn't even feel the least bothered that the rest of the prisoners had escaped. And he did not plan on pursuing them either.
'That would be…tedious…And we already have enough boundaries to secure.' he thought, bored.
'That's good…' Argilla thought to herself helplessly…But it mattered not anyway. No matter how many men, women or children her husband killed, nothing could bring Sera back.
Serph stroked her flat belly affectionately as his lips found her neck, "Do not forget your appointment with my physicians Argilla."
She turned to him and looked at him with a puzzled expression.
Serph looked at her maniacally, "Your sister may have died, but the rest of the world had moved on. You are still my property. And I haven't forgotten about my ultimatum."
She narrowed her eyes at him as she felt her blood boil. This man…He wasn't even human!
How could he be telling her about things such as that when he could clearly see her mourning?!
Was he really this selfish?
This…inhumane?
She parted her lips and let them quiver in pain and anguish, her pink eyes seething in utter hatred for the man that she loved.
"I've done all that you've asked me to do…Shailendra. You need not remind me." with that, she turned away and walked away from him.
She reached their bed and there sat down.
Her soul felt dull…She just didn't want to live…
'Stop it…! There's Jenna!' she told herself.
'And Roland…'
She choked at that last one. For the last two weeks, Serph had confined her to their room and had her food served there. He had all of her belongings checked for more of her herbs to which he disposed off, when he found them.
But even in those times, Roland remained by her side…
She sighed and touched her trembling lips. Not a word had been spoken between she and he since that act of treachery…But it still remained within her mind.
She froze as she felt Serph's weight sink in the bed, sitting beside her. His hands touched her shoulders and turned her around. Their faces met.
She looked at him with sad eyes and turned away a moment later…
How easily could Serph change himself? She didn't know anymore…
At one time he could be cruel and hateful…and at others he would simply be affectionate and gentle…
She wondered now, as to what identity he would assume.
Serph gently touched her chin and tugged at it persuasively. She followed, wordless, but refused to meet his eyes. He leaned down and captured her lips with his in a gentle kiss.
Argilla could feel herself shudder as his lips nibbled her lower lip.
Serph pried her lips open with his teeth and tongue and pressed his body against hers tighter, forcing her to be on her back as she fell on the bed.
He wanted her again…
Argilla, not really caring on what might happen, let him do as he pleased. Her arms were at her sides even as her husband kissed her neck, and then trailing down towards her collarbone. His hands took hold of her apparel and slowly, meticulously did away with it.
Still, her eyes never left the ceiling…
She could feel the overwhelming feeling of lust reeking from Serph, but she didn't feel anything. She neither felt aroused nor disgusted…
She just felt…lethargic.
She didn't know how long she had been staring at the ceiling but she was roused from her thoughts as she felt his hungry lips and tongue devouring her breast. She winced slightly as he bit her roughly, his hands grabbing her other breast rougher still.
His hands, his molesting hands traveled all over her body, placing heat on her skin wherever they touched her…Heat that she did not feel.
She was dead to the world…Nothing but a lifeless corpse beneath him.
His hand then touched her neck, gripping it as he pulled her closer to him. He then touched her knees and with the least amount of effort, he parted them. He was fully on her now, nestled in between her long and creamy legs.
Serph looked at his wife's dead eyes and smirked. He didn't know what she was thinking of or what it was she was feeling, but he knew she was suffering within.
'Just what the bitch deserves!' his demon raged.
Feeling empowered, he quickly buried himself within her inner lips. He set a quick pace within her; cold and unfeeling as to his wife's preferences. He didn't care that she wasn't ready or that he was being too rough.
No…All that he could hear was the echo of nirvana's call…All that he could feel was the utter warmth of her skin against his…the electrical surges of hot blood pulsing through his veins…
He panted openly as he hooked her legs by his elbows, continuing to thrust within her wildly, bending his body towards hers…
He gritted his teeth…He could feel it. A moment later, all was lost…all was realized. There was only clarity…bliss.
He deposited his seed within her and then collapsed on her. He pulled out of her soon and there looked at her face. Her eyes were dull and were still glued on the ceiling. He laughed at that and touched her cheeks, fondling her skin affectionately before kissing her chastely…
He continued to appraise her dead form when a thought suddenly erupted within his twisted mind.
'It's not everyday she's like this…' his demon spoke knowingly.
'…'
'We should take advantage while we have the chance…'
'…'
Serph smirked. He blinked; his blood was still as furious as before, his muscles still as tight, his heartbeat still as loud and rapid.
He grinned, baring his teeth.
He grabbed her arms and then dragged her out of the bed. Like a marionette, she followed her puppeteer's pull on her strings. A moment later, Argilla found herself on the floor, with her arms on the bed.
She laid her head on the mattress as she felt Serph grab her hips from behind and there thrust within her wildly still.
She, now on her knees, with her head on the bed, turned her face to the side and looked at the wall in front of her casually, lazily, lethargically.
She was deaf to his moans and groans…She was numb to his rough thrusts. She didn't really care what he did with her body… As far as she was concerned, she wasn't even there.
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"The ambush was a success. The rebels had retreated though and we could not pursue them…"
Jenna heard him. She understood what his words meant…
But…she didn't understand its relevance.
At the moment, she didn't care.
It had been a week now since that strike of theirs. But she didn't really care. Gale hadn't told her anything anyway…and it had just been now that he had decided to speak to her again. At first, she would have given anything to hear his cool and husky voice again…
But after learning of what had happened…
She simply lost her energy…for anything.
She had been relieved when she had learnt that the fifty prisoners had escaped with the help of the Resistance and had only minor casualties…
Only ten had been killed…
But there was an addendum to that. Her heart suddenly stopped as she recalled it…Heat had returned and had been a witness to the whole thing.
From him, they had been told of their sister's fate.
'It wasn't ten people…It was eleven…' she thought with a choke.
She suddenly hugged herself. It was her fault that Sera had died…If only she hadn't suggested the abortion to Argilla, none of those farmers would have been condemned. The Resistance wouldn't have had to break them out…
Sera need not to have been there…
She gritted her teeth; it was all her fault. But then, another thought invaded her mind; why had Sera been there?
She had joined the Resistance.
She was surprised…She was…proud.
For the first time in weeks, she smiled.
But still, there was no need for Sera to do so…Why did she join the Resistance…? Why did she decide to take up arms…? Why did she leave…?
She felt her heart ache once more.
The answers to those questions…Sera had taken with her to the grave.
Gale looked at her, feeling empathy for her. At this moment, he knew that she felt so utterly alone. As Serph had told him, he had punished Jenna. At first, he didn't want to. But the king had indirectly insisted that he should.
And so, again, capitulating to his inner voice of removing his "weakness", he complied and had additional punishments arranged for her.
She had been sentenced to three lashings on the back just a few days prior. He winced as he remembered that. He had been there when they had chained her to the wall and had stricken her bare back.
He thought that he wouldn't feel anything…
But as he looked on, as her body stiffened in one moment only to collapse altogether from the pain, as her once perfect flesh became marred and ugly…as he heard her cries of anguish and pain…
It was then…that he felt his heart break.
And then…after that…he had her confined for a few more days within the dungeons…He hadn't spoken to her either.
But now…
Physical pain wasn't the only things that she suffered…She had been parted from Argilla, and he himself had left her to her own devices…only to be surrounded by vermin, dirt and decay.
And then…as if it weren't enough, she had learnt of her sister's death.
He knew…
She was completely in a world of her own.
He walked over to her but stopped midway, 'You're being weak again!' a voice in his head growled.
'That's why you can never be like Serph and Heat!'
Gale blinked, his eyes narrowing, his hands clenching into fists, 'I do not wish to be like them. I am my own person…Right now…I want to be with her. Now, leave me.'
The voice disappeared.
Taking a deep breath and then slowly releasing it, he made his way towards his wife and took her in his arms, "Jenna…please say something."
He cursed inwardly as his embrace made her wince. It had been the wounds on her back…He pulled away and cupped her face in his hands, "Look at me." he softly urged her.
She looked at him dully and said nothing.
Gale swallowed the lump in his throat as he peered within her silver eyes. No longer feisty, the orbs that stared back at him were…soulless.
He felt his feelings of anger fight its way to the forefront of his emotions; no. She would never hurt like this again!
He looked at her firmly, "I'm here Jenna…No one will hurt you again. Ever."
There. His heart skipped a beat. He saw a flash of fleeting hope fly through her dead eyes…She knew that he was there…Well, for now…it was more than he could ever ask for…
And what was it that he really wanted?
He wanted his wife back.
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Heat drunk the last amount of his third bottle of rum. He had been this way for weeks now. Serph had given him back his old position as the Arkanadaran general but…being in the unstable frame of mind at the moment, he refused the offer.
Serph had been understanding enough to let him mourn and told him that the position would still be open for him when he would decide to take it up once more.
And so, he continued to drink to mourn Sera's death…
'For her death…? Or is it to mask your own weakness?'
But no matter how much he drunk and became intoxicated, thoughts of Sera refused to leave him.
Everywhere he turned his head, he saw her face…
Even when he closed his eyes…he saw her.
'I should've been able to stop it!!' he yelled to himself as he buried his face in his hands, his tears flowing down from his eyes.
He had been the cause of her death. If only he had stopped his game with the Sanadan man, he could've reached her and saved her…
A thought came to mind; Sera had joined the Resistance.
He shook his head; none of that mattered now…Still, he felt proud that she made something of herself…But still, the fact remained that she was gone.
Because he had been weak.
'I should've been faster!!'
Yes. He should've realized it sooner…He should've reacted sooner! But no…like a commoner who merely speculated, he watched the dire events unfold before his very eyes.
He had been powerless to do anything.
That was what bothered him the most. He had been powerless to stop it when he should've been able to save her…
'Sera…'
So…now, now that she was gone…
Can he finally tell himself…and her soul, what he felt about her…? He remembered all too clearly…when she was still within his arms. She had asked him if he felt any feelings akin to love towards her to which he replied in a casual "no".
'You're wrong…' he thought with a blurred vision as the alcohol began to seep within his blood and take its toll on his conscious mind.
And now…all that he needed was a little push…
"I love you…Sera…" he spoke in a low tone.
That was why he looked for her; that was why he gave up his position as general…Just for a chance to see her again…
When she had gone missing, all that he thought of was her. Her smile, her scent…Everything about her…
And now that she was never coming back, he realized one thing.
He'd never love again. Sera had imprisoned his heart the moment he set eyes on her…He had loved her even before he knew her name…
And that was why…he would never allow himself to love again. She was the only one for him…When they had married it wasn't just her body that had tied her to him…No.
To Heat, their souls had been intertwined…
He narrowed his eyes, "Wait for me…Sera…" he spoke in a dangerously low tone. They would meet again…in Nirvana.
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Argilla sat on the chair. Today was the fateful day. She turned her head towards the door and saw the physicians walk in.
She turned her gaze elsewhere.
They were right on time.
'Well, let's get this over with…' she thought impassively.
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Serph walked in the chambers and saw that the physicians were preparing to leave. Serph looked at them with a glare, "Well? What say you of Her Majesty's condition?"
The old woman smiled at him and bowed, "We are pleased to inform you that the Queen had successfully conceived and is with child Your Majesty…"
Serph felt his heart swell in relief…and happiness.
But what his soul felt, his body did not betray. He continued to gaze upon the old woman's face coldly, "Are you certain?" he asked skeptically.
She nodded, "I am, Your Grace."
Still wearing his façade, he spoke, "Leave us."
The women took their leaves immediately. He waited until the doors were firmly shut before he walked over to his wife who continued to regard the sunny view of the horizon out the window.
He stood before her and pulled her gently to her feet and embraced her lovingly, inhaling that sweet scent of her hair, "Thank you My Queen…" he whispered.
Argilla could feel her skin crawl at the feel of him. It wasn't a question whether or not she loved him…To her…he felt…filthy…And whenever he would touch her, she would be contaminated.
She was repulsed by him.
So, she said nothing.
He pulled away and gave her a charming smile, "See? There was nothing to it…" He leaned down and kissed her chastely on the lips, "Don't frown so much Argilla." he said, laughing, "It won't be healthy for our child, no?"
Argilla's blood boiled…But she restrained herself. She was no longer alone. Now, there was life growing within her. She needed to make sure that it would be taken care of…
She needed to know. She needed to hear the words pass through his lips.
"Serph…" she uttered, whispering.
"What is it?"
She looked at him with eyes full of emotions, "Just promise me one thing…"
He looked at her, puzzled, "What?"
"Promise me that you'll love our child." she finished with a choke.
Serph grinned within; so she was still in love with him. Well, that was good. He really owned her now…And he didn't lie either. He really did love her and would do anything to see her happy…but the moment she betrayed him, he would ensure that she suffer as well…
Without killing her.
No. He wanted her to live and realize what a fool she had been to cross him.
All that aside, he felt happy. When their child would be born, his family would be complete…and it would bind her to him truly, heart and mind, body and soul, for the rest of all eternity.
"I would love all of our children Argilla…" he told her firmly, his silver eyes probing hers, showing her that he was sincere. His hand caressed her cheek lovingly and he smiled once more, "I love the child already…" he finished; his other hand stroking her flat belly.
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