Planning and execution are very different things. Now that I have King Armand in our vicinity I need to help him.
The awkwardness between us was obvious, though the need to push through was greater. I need to do this, I need to get it over it, help him, and move on.
*****
“I thought you were gone? we looked everywhere for you, Magnus, are you really back?” The handsome king tried to shake the answer out of me. I’d laugh if I didn’t think he needed to be healed to get better. Then the king was looking at me like he was really hurting.
“Come on, you’re in pain,”
“No, no… no… I need to get back to Basilea, one of ours in a traitor, I need her to be safe,”
“Magnus,” Gerold was the first to appear from the shadow of the cave, then Savaric tipped toed behind him trying to be invincible though he surely couldn’t.
“Who are these?” Armand demanded, questioning but not in a harsh manner.
“They were why I’ve been away, this is Gerold, a were-witch, and you might not recognize him, but he’s Savaric, in his human feature.”
“King Armand, would you let me tend to your wounds?” Gerold didn’t seem to care that I didn’t introduce him as my lover, maybe I should but I didn’t want Armand to be defensive. He was having a traitor in his midst he didn’t need to think that I was one of them.
“Thank you. Please, anything that you can do, I need to be able to use my wings again, get back to the air, back to my kingdom. Magnus, you gotta come with, Titus had been looking for you. He’d be so happy to see you.”
The mention of one of my oldest general friends made me feel the need to look at Gerold. The were-witch was taking out his supplies from his satchel. He was carefully inspecting Armand’s wing and the spot where he claimed that was shot by a poisonous arrow.
Healing Armand took a couple of hours, but he was better with time. Gerold was good at what he does, Armand showed him his gratitude, but he was not finished. The whole time he was being healed, Armand kept on darting back to Savaric as if something was off with him. That something must’ve put bad thoughts in his mind if he accused the human of knowing about the attempt that had gone wrong mere hours ago. Knowing Armand I defended the human.
“He was with me, Savaric was dying, almost died and we spent weeks at Gerold’s then more getting him back to his human form. He’s not your traitor.”
“I’m sorry,” the king slumped as he rest back on the cave wall. “I need your help, I need to get back and keep Basilea safe, will you go back with me?”
“Actually, that was why I’m here for. I had this pull, I…” I shook my head when the king took my hand and Gerold was eyeing me cautiously.
“I’ll help you, one last time then I’m going back with Gerold and Savaric. I don’t belong with you, Armand,” there, I finally said it. I need to gaze at Gerold and be strong, the were-witch loves me and I needed his love to pull me back. There was nothing, there hasn’t been anything between me and Armand. I was his plaything when I stupidly fall in love with him. The man could never love me back. Not like Gerold.
“Magnus, I’m sorry,” that was all he said but didn’t let go of my hand. I sighed and pulled back, tucking him to rest by the other side of the wall then I move to Gerold’s side.
“He had been through a lot, it’s okay.” Gerold tried to convince me but I hated that Armand could always pull me back so easily.
“I’ll help him find the traitor, he’s going to get better, then we’ll go back,” I whispered and promised Gerold when I pulled him close for a kiss.
After hours of rest, Armand was finally able to move his wing, he was eager to get out of the cave and continue his journey back to save his succubus demon. I nodded and followed him out, turns out we were not that far away. Armand opted to fly back while I told him I will follow on foot with my companions. I have no wish of leaving my lovers behind, Armand could survive an hour without me.
“Thank you, I’ll make sure the guards at the gate know that you’re coming.” He nodded before he flapped his wings and fly straight to his palace grounds.
“He’s safe, can’t we just go back now?” Savaric whined from behind me, he was obviously not comfortable with the situation. When he slept, Gerold told me that the human felt as if he was not safe in hell, he was scared that somehow his body would crumble under the heath. But Gerold assured me as he assured Savaric that the human would be just fine.
Titus was the first to greet me when I arrived at the gate. The general looked older, he look tired and somehow I felt bad for him, somehow I thought I might contribute to his new wrinkles.
“I couldn’t believe him when he told me so! Magnus! Where in heavens have you been? I’ve been searching to the filthiest corner in hell for you,” the older general laughed and slapped my back with so much force that I huffed forward and almost lost my stance.
“I was in a different realm, you wouldn’t know where to find me. But I was safe, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to worry you. Um… this is Gerold I’ve been staying at his, and this is Savaric in his human flesh.”
Titus held out his hand for Gerold then Savaric, he greeted and welcome both of them into the palatial court. He was ushering me back to my room and was going to place Gerold and Savaric at the guest chambers when I told him no.
“They will stay with me, we won’t be long here.”
There was a disappointed look on Titus’ face, though I didn’t want to be the one who caused him that feeling, I need to tell him where I stand. I was a guest, I didn’t intend to go back under King Armand’s reign.
When I got Savaric and Gerold settled in my old room, I went to search for Titus and found him on the outer side of the palace.
“Armand is in his chamber with Basilea,”
“I came looking for you,” I told him, I didn’t care where Armand was at the moment, though I used to hate her, I feel nothing towards them now. Not with Gerold being there supporting him with each of my decision.
“I feel like I owe you an explanation,”
“You did what you have to do,” Titus muttered. I know that he would always forgive me, that was just how he was.
“I’m happy now, I found someone who loves me and I love him back.”
“The witch?”
“The were-witch, yes. I hope you’d be happy for me. I just came back because something was pulling me back to Armand, my gut tell me to save him. But after this, I’ll be going back to Gerold’s.”
It seemed like Titus stared at me for the longest time before he shook his head and sighed in defeat. “I’m going to miss you, and I think you’d be better than being here. I don’t know what happened to Armand, but you should be informed. He had taken another male after you’re gone and since you’re in love with another, the knowledge shouldn’t affect you.”
Yet, it did. I didn’t go away that long. I tried to put on a calm face but Titus read me very well.
“I’ll be okay, you know me,”
Titus did, and that was when he pulled me in for a hug. He was like the big brother I never had. He had been looking out for me for as long as I could remember. I was sad when I left him when my heart broke for Armand.
“Why don’t you go back to your room, and let Gerold be with you? Let him remind you that you’re loved. You deserve to be loved, Magnus.”
“Thank you,” I pulled the older general for a deep, soul-crushing hug. “I love you. I never told you how much, but I love you, big brother.” There, I said it, there was a very slight shudder coming from him.
“I love you, too, now shoo, go to your men.”
I laughed and he told me to enjoy my youth and love hard.