Winterfall

“Those fiends were idiots going after her like that. Their deaths are not in my hands.” Marcel shook his head. “Stupid bastards.” I slammed my fists against the left wall of my bed chambers. “They only last four days!”

“Maybe you need to hire better minions to aid you.” Crimson said. I honestly had no idea how such a beast can keep a calm demeanor. Clearly, I needed to work on that.

I growled beneath my breath, “Please, like you could do any better than those low life fiends?” I turned and faced her. My blood boiled with anger. I wanted to destroy something, anything really. Hell, the only thing stopping me from going rounds with Crimson was that she holds the key to my domain. So, I turned back to the wall of my chambers and continued to punch the cold stone wall until there was a crevice forming. Huffing, I turned back around and to my surprise she was still there. “What?” I groaned as I grabbed a cloth that hung on the rocking chair in the corner of my room and wrapped my swollen, bloody fist.

“Charming.” Crimson said. “Now come here dear.” I crossed my arms in an attempt to plead but those fiery eyes drew me in. “There.” She said as I sat down next to her. “Breathe Marcel, the more ruckus you create up here the more they may grow suspicious.”

I took a few deep breaths before I responded, “There not even here. Theoden is cleaning up the crime scene and Maria is probably helping that bastard.”

“You’d think a girl who just got attacked would help her lover?”

“I don’t know!”

“Calm Marcel.” Crimson reminded me as my voice boomed through the four walled chamber. She brushed her warm hand against my thigh and leaned against my body. “Let me see those hands of yours.” She reached for my hands, which I was hesitant to give but I knew they needed to be healed. I may have been a devil, but my own healing capabilities were limited. I wasn’t as excelled at healing like Theoden and Maria seemed to be. But thankfully for me, my own fiery dragon had a few tricks up her sleeve.

I felt the radiant burst of energy burn through my body. Sometimes healing hurt but it was worth it. I grunted as she moved her hands carefully over my wrapped wrists as trickles of yellowish magical energy feed into them. “There.” She said, patting my hands. “Now, for your attitude, I would recommend calming yourself before you confront Maria again.”

I took a few more deep breaths, “I know. I can’t let her see me this heated. I fear if she does…they will surely find a way to get rid of me before we have a chance to finish what we started.”

“Good. You still need to invite her to the Summer Crests Festival. We can plan a dance for the two of you. A show of good faith you can call it between the kingdoms.” Crimson reminded me of the upcoming festival. If I had it my way we would have been done with this festival when I took the crown that made me king but I knew that was impossible as I would have a whole kingdom rioting against me.

“And have that dragon on my ass for dancing with his princess?” I questioned her. I had no idea what she was getting at. If I laid any sort of hands on her, I was sure to get my ass kicked by the dragon.

She chuckled, “Like he would have a choice? He won’t come if he knows what is best for the kingdom. Besides, we can utilize the festival to confirm if they have the bond that I told you about.”

“Right, the reason why Maria wasn’t falling for my mind manipulation as easily as I thought she would.”

“Exactly. If he starts to siphon that energy away, we will know for sure if they have it.”

“Unless they figure out a way to combat that without the use of the bond.” I reminded her.

“True, but you have to realize anything they get made will take a few days to a week to enchant. So, if they have something in place, this may be our only shot at figuring this out one hundred percent. We need to push it. If possible.”

I knew she was right, but pushing my limits with Maria meant hurting any chances I had with her. If I had any to begin with. I sighed, “You’re right. I’ll rest for the day. Eat a soul or two and then invite her to the festival.” I hated to admit that she was right, but her plan made sense. And so did her logic. I mean she was here before I was so, she would know more than I.

“Good. As for easing your anger, let’s put that to good use shall we?” She began to kiss my lips, stopping me from responding any further. My anger eventually turned to lust and hunger as time lapsed in her arms.

“What would I do without you?”

“Suffer at the hands of good.” Crimson said with an devilish smile.