Chapter 30

Bastian responded with a curt nod. Umallen was the kingdom of the witches and wizards. And he trusted that Bastian would have the information needed within no time. He watched as the angel took a step back into the shadows. Where he always seemed more comfortable, and just like that he was gone. His wings making no sound even as he flew away, and looking up was no use because Nuriel was certain that he would not see him. 

Bastian had made friends with the darkness, and it is there where he wished to dwell. But Nuriel and the others understood why he chose it to be so. The only one the angel really talked to was Drexel. They were of the same blood after all. 

" One day he's gonna have to step into the light and move on, " Quillon said as he stared up at the empty sky. 

" It has been three centuries. I fear there is no saving him, "

" And you my king? Have you truly moved on? "

" You know the answer to that Quillon. The same way you cannot forget your past, I cannot outrun mine. "

The two stood there for a few minutes. A lot of unsaid words being silently passed between them. Then Nuriel heard Drexel's voice through their mind link. 

" Are you still at the preservatory? " he asked and immediately Nuriel felt a wave of fear engulf him. 

" I am. Is everything okay? Has anything happened to Flame-"

" She is well. I assured you that I would protect her with my life, " Drexel cut in. Nuriel blew out a received breath, noticing how oddly Quillon was studying him. 

" Are you done with your business at the town?"

" Are you done with your business at the town? "

" We are. Acting that's why I'm talking to you. We are planning on stopping by there on our way back. Is that okay? "

Nuriel frowned. Then he asked Drexel why he planned on doing so. He did miss his Doseth but he did not want her to feel as if he was constantly trying to keep an eye on her. Even if he was. 

" I think your chosen misses you. She wants to stop by and see how you are fairing on I believe. "

" Are you playing games with me Drexel? "

" Surely not my king. She seemed sad when I told her you had a lot to do and only lightened up when I suggested passing by there. "

Nuriel could not contain the joy he was currently feeling. She missed him as well. It sounded unreal. Such a small thing but it filled him with unexplainable happiness. 

" Okay. I will be waiting. Thank you Drexel, " he sent back and felt as the other angel ended their link. Then he turned to Quillon and noticed how strangely he was being observed. 

" What? " he asked, trying to sound commanding but he failed in the attempt. Quillon put his hands up in a gesture of peace. Then he chuckled. 

" Nothing, I just don't think I've ever seen you smiling so hard. Let me guess, it has something to do with your Doseth? "

" Shut up! That's an order! " Nuriel said before he turned to walk back into the preservatory. But the smile would not disappear. And all because he was going to see his mate again. 

Flame stared at the building in front of her. It wielded the same ancestral feel to it. But unlike the others she had come across in the town, this one actually looked abandoned. 

Even from afar she noticed the many cobwebs that hung from the rusty roof. And the moss that grew on the outer walls. Not to mention the creaking door that could be heard even from the distance. 

But that wasn't what disturbed her most of the place. Far from it. It was how it made her feel. How fast her heart started beating with each closer step she took. How her skin began to crawl as if the spiders she was sure dwelt in that place were taking haunting strolls on it. How her conscience became weary as it warned her not to go nearer. Not to tread on that ground because it was infested with vile nightmares almost unimaginable. 

She held handfuls of her new lilac blue gown . The same one she had tried on earlier. Having chosen to wear it from the bunch that Sheila had given her. She lifted the lovely fabric to enable her to walk more comfortably. Sticking closely to Drexel's side as they drew towards the entrance of the building. But she still felt the uneasiness, she felt it as her throat dried up. As her breathing began to become jagged, more erratic. As if she were drowning in air itself. As if every inhale she took was layered with thick heaviness meant to disorient her. 

" Are you well? " She heard Drexel ask and she nodded. 

She managed to govern enough strength to fake a smile, but it was a weak attempt and he clearly realised it. 

" Are you certain? You look rather frail if I may say so. "

" I'm... I'm just a little dizzy. It must be too much sun, I'm not used to it you see. "

" Well then in that case it would be wise to get inside. "

" Yes. I guess it would. "

She dreaded that she had to. And as she watched Drexel reach for the door, as she heard the creaking of the oak as he opened it up, only one thought came to her mind. 

Evil!! 

It lurked in there. Hiding itself in the shadows, around the corners and in every place she seemed to turn. She took one step inside and it felt like she was being pulled into an ocean of tar. Of misery and pain. It was no illusion and she was certain her mind was not playing games with her. She felt it like a stabbing in her chest. A punch to her gut that took the little air she could still manage to breathe out. 

She clenched her fist and wrapped her hands around her stomach, trying to ease the hurt that she was being forced to endure. 

" Flame? " 

Drexel sounded worried. He held her shoulders and tried to ask her what was wrong. But she was too engrossed in suffering a silent torment to answer his distant questions. She groaned as the feeling got worse. Grunting as the throbbing pain continued to humm inside of her. As it engulfed her completely until it was all she could feel. 

She grunted as tears started to well in her lovely amber eyes. 

Drexel immediately linked Nuriel to inform him of what was happening. And within seconds he was there. 

" M'eudail?!"

He took Drexel's place in front of her. She could not see his face but she guessed from the desperation in his tone that he was tremendously worried 

" Can't... breathe.. " she struggled to say past her now sore and dry throat. 

" What the bloody dungeons happened to her! "

" I do not know, she was okay just a moment ago. "

" Flame talk to me! " 

Flame did not know what was wrong. All she knew was that she had to get out of there as fast as she could. The darkness she so clearly knew was there was trying to hurt her. She could hear it as it whispered her name. 

" Flame... " it seemed to say. A very nerve-racking whisper that seemed to be swept in her direction by the breeze. She heard it. Over and over.... she heard it! 

She squeezed her eyes shut, trying not to concentrate on the agony that was still consuming her. It felt like someone had grabbed her insides and was turning them into knots. She felt it as the tears slowly flowed down her cheeks. And throughout the entire time Nuriel felt like he was going insane. As he stared at desperately. As he watched his greatest fear come to life. 

He had lost those he loved once before. Had stood and watched as his father basically killed himself, and he still recalled the immense amount of suffering and pain he had been in after his mother had been killed. 

Not again!... he thought as he lifted his Doseth in his arms. He could sense her need to leave the confines of those walls, so he strode out as fast as he could. Urging. Pleading with her to not be so selfish as to leave him. 

As soon as she was out and at a significant distance away from there, Flame felt herself feel relieved. She was finally able to breathe again and the pain she had been in was slowly subsiding. 

" That's right, just breathe.. " Nuriel whispered as he held her close. As he inwardly scolded and blamed himself for not being by her side. It was his duty to always be with her. It did not matter what other issues he had to deal with. She came first! She would always come fast. 

" Angel, " Flame weakly said. Leaning into Nuriels chest because that was the only place where she could find comfort. Because that was the only place where she could find peace. 

And she did. 

" Are you okay? "

" Yeah, I think so. "

" That's not good enough. Are you positive you feel fine? " 

He held her gaze with his. Intent on making sure she was telling him the truth. She nodded and he sighed. Not willing to let her go until he was certain that she truly was not in danger.