Her Sickness, His Cure

Chapter 9 (Part 2)

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That morning. (In Silver Heights)

A stormed was brewing over the kingdom, threatening to destroy Silver Heights. The entire atmosphere was deadly and malign just like the creature who ruled its lands.

"How could this happen?!!" King Phoenix roared. The skies instantly darkened into ugly shades of grey, reflecting the growing danger within him. Dark shadows blanketed the entire kingdom. Loud thunder rumbled, making the windows vibrate to its sounds. The guards could feel the ground tremble at his terrifying voice. The temperature in the room drastically dropped as his anger flared. The Dark King's eyes turned into a wicked blood red as he glared at the bodyguards before him.

All he wanted to do was to rip them apart limb by limb. How could they fail? How could they not sense the threat that was so obvious?

Two of the bodyguards were already shivering as they saw the dark blue veins spread across their king's exposed skin. His face looked like a terrifying nightmare that haunted people's dreams.

"I'm going to ask again. How did this happen?" He sneered icily. He was seconds away from killing them. They were supposed to protect his queen. They were supposed to be watching her every second.

"It....it happened so fast my k..king. they moved so fast in that place. We are sorry....we are sorry this happened."

"I don't want to hear your pathetic apology. I want to know how and why you messed up."

"There were so many of them that attacked at once. Maybe ten to fifteen vampires. Some surrounded her while two others went for the kill."

"Vampires. You couldn't stop vampires?" General Gabriel asked half surprised half disappointed at his guards.

"They were well prepared for this attack sir. They moved like the wind. They way they used their weapons were quick and precise."

"Stop complimenting those bastards. I thought I trained you well but today has proven everything wrong." General Gabriel shook his head.

"Instead of you protecting your queen, she had to be your protector this morning. If it weren't for her, you'd all be dead. Why should I even keep bodyguards then? Hmm?" The Dark King hinted at what was to come. Every single man that stood before him paled at his words.

"Phoenix, please. What happened today was unexpected." Queen Aeval finally spoke from the corner of the room. She knew he hated it whenever she protected his guards but she knew she had to step in before he decided on an inhumane punishment for them.

Her husband did not spare her a glace. He instead glared at the men.

Queen Aeval had gone into town today. To meet the villagers and to observe the kingdom in general. Whenever she went out, she made sure to wear suitable clothing. Ones that would cater for her wings. It was normally halter neck lines with a low cuts at the back. The Dark King would not be normally pleased because she showed more skin than any other royal members. It took a lot of time for him to accept the way of fae creatures and the importance of their wings. He never got used to it as he was still possessive of her. The queen had to put up with his endless grumbling whenever she had to go into town.

"Stop grumbling already! It's just in case I need them." Queen Aeval would often say to him. And on that morning, she couldn't be more right about it.

When they came close to the crop fields, they were suddenly ambushed by around twelve highly trained vampires. All of them were armed and those that surrounded her seemed to have been preparing for some time. Her bodyguards were to slow to grasp the dangers.

They weren't exactly slow in this situation, but rather Queen Aeval was quick. She sensed how the atmosphere shifted. She could almost smell the poisonous air that screamed at her.

That's when her wings tore away from her skin. She flapped them, immediately flying up in the air, a few meters from the ground. To her astonishment, she saw four blades flew pass the position she was in just a split second ago.

Their aim was so precise that if she had been on the ground, she would have acquired some deadly wounds. Because they later found out that those blade were soaked with their dark blood. Blood from a dark being is not welcomed inside a light being. It may not have killed her but if they shot her with those blades continuously, that would have been a different matter entirely.

And this pissed her off.

Those vampires should've known better than to attack a royal fae.

When some of her guards were attacked, her anger only intensified. A sense of protectiveness drove her to call upon the ground and everything that breathe around her. Strong roots and vines coiled around a few of those vicious vampires like snakes. She tore open the grounds making room for some of them to get stuck in the dirt. This made it easy for the bodyguards to hold them captive. The turn of events happened within minutes.

Although the Dark King was pleased with his queen, the same couldn't be said about his guards. Failures like this was not to be taken lightly and he was going to punish them. The queen knew there wasn't much she could do.

He spoke to General Gabriel for some time. No doubt discussing their punishment. Queen Aeval knew that in some way, the general would be punished too. He was responsible for the protection of Silver Heights. A huge weight. If anything went wrong he was the one in question.

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Queen Aeval Florentine's POV

"Phoenix you could have gone easy on them." I said softly but firmly.

"No. And you know it so don't try anything." He said with finality as he took his seat behind his large desk. I hated it when he spoke that way. It only meant that there was no room for argument.

"Three months? Isn't that too long for that kind of training?"

"Heavy training is absolutely necessary if we want to strengthen our army. You think that was even a punishment?! What happened today was a pathetic display of what our army is capable of. Nothing!"

The windows began to rattle with the sound of his voice. I took a small step back, hoping he would calm down. My wings were out ever since the attack and in that moment, they itched to cocoon me like a caterpillar. They didn't approve of Phoenix's tone.

"Phoenix," I called to him.

He closed his eyes almost painfully as he tried to calm himself. Not knowing what else to do, I walked over to him and held him in my arms. Soon, I felt a pair of strong, muscular arms go around my waist. He then pulled me down to sit on his lap.

I buried my face in the crook of his neck while he rested his forehead on my shoulder. Looking outside the window, I saw the Sun's sharp rays penetrate the dark clouds that had gathered earlier.

"Please ease yourself Phoenix."

"How could I? You were attacked by twelve of them Little Flower. Not one or two."

"We managed to beat them all you know. Why not mention that part as well?" I smiled up at him. He did not return the warm gesture. Instead he simply stared at me emotionlessly as he tucked a lose strand of hair behind my ear.

"We were lucky this time." He gruffly answered me after a long pause. Even if I fought them all with ease, I had to agree. Anything could have happened. To me, my guards or my people. We were lucky there wasn't any innocent civilians nearby when we visited the crops. The farmers were preparing for lunch.

"This was not just any random attack Little Flower. This was planned."

"I thought so too. They were very well equipped. They worked together almost perfectly. However, they underestimated us-"

"They underestimated you. They will not make that same mistake again." I immediately pouted at him, knowing full well what he was about to say next.

"Am I on full lockdown?" I looked up at him with my best puppy eyes.

"Did you really need to ask me that? Yes you are sweet flower."

"But I won't listen to you."

"I know you won't but I need you to lay low for at least a couple of days. You'll do it because it's necessary. You'll do it for me. Yes?"

"Why?"

"They'll send more assassins now. Since they know you can take twelve vampires with ease, they'll send twenty or thirty next time. We can't let that happen. Just stay inside the castle until we figure out what's happening. Will you do that?" He looked at me. I hated sitting inside but he was right. I can't just go out again and provoke another attack. Other people might get hurt in the process and I won't have that. The best thing to do now is work with my husband and find out who these vampires work for.

"I'll send out the pixies. See if they can find anything." I said before I kissed Phoenix on the cheek.

"Yes that will be helpful. Send out as many as you see fit." He pecked me on the lips before I got up.

"Do you want me to bring you some blood when I come back?" I asked on my out if his office.

"Yes, thank you."

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I walked into the small but highly revered haven. My haven. The Core's powerful presence covered me in its protection the moment I walked in, as if sensing that today had been a dangerous day. I looked around calmly, eyes searching for a particular pixie. I hoped to gather all the messenger pixies I could find.

"Dewberry!" I stopped a very young blue pixie skipping around and playing with the butterflies. He straightened up immediately and flew towards me, stopping inches away from my face.

"Yes your majesty." He saluted me like a soldier. I couldn't help the giggle that escaped my lips. This made him frown at me like I had made fun of him. Not wanting to hurt the little guy's feelings, I too saluted him like a captain.

"How can I help you, Your Majesty?"

"I'm looking for Grendon actually. Have you seen him little one?" Dewberry suddenly became sad. His doe eyes melted at the sound of Grendon's name.

"What's the matter?" I softly asked.

"Our dear Grendon is not happy. He's sitting under the willow tree." Dewberry's voice trembled. I immediately reached out caressed his worried face with my two fingers.

"Do not be unhappy. I'll talk to him okay. Go play with your butterflies now." I said cheerfully. He cracked a small smile and nodded at me before flying off to look for his friends.

The moment I turned away, my smile faded. I began to wonder what made Grendon to be so low in spirits.

I padded towards the largest willow trees a few meters away from the fountain. Pixies flew all around me trying to get my attention. I smiled at them out of politeness and continued to walk towards Grendon who sat under the largest tree. He had a doleful look on his face as he rested his tiny back against the giant tree bark. I noted how he hugged his knees and rested  his chin on them.

"There you are." I said lightly. His eyes didn't look up and he kept his silence.

"Grendon."

Still no answer.

"Are you refusing to speak to your queen? That is very disrespectful." I lightly scolded him to get a reaction. It worked. He finally looked me in the eye but I didn't like what I saw. I didn't like the disappointment in them.

"Grendon what's the matter? Tell me this instant." I commanded him. I left him for a few hours and this is what I come back to.

"I'm not a very good help to you, Your Majesty." He said softly and looked away. Without saying anything further I sat under the tree next to him and gently took him in my hands. He was small enough to sit on both my open palms.

"Hey where is this coming from?"

"Today, early this morning. I should have been there with you. I should have been there protecting you my queen."

"Oh nonsense Grendon. You were needed here. My bodyguards and I managed to take them all down and now my hybrid king has them locked up in the dungeons."

"But my queen-"

"No buts! I don't want to ever hear you speak so lowly of yourself ever again. I will always need you Grendon. You are a worthy and brave protector. Now and always." I smiled down at him. He wiped away his tearful eyes and sniffled. Bringing him closer to me, I placed a soft kiss on the crown of his head.

"Dry your tears now. I have a mission for you. Are you up for it?"

Grendon's drooping wings were now full of life as they fluttered energetically. I then gathered the messenger pixies and told them what to do.

Once my work was done, I went into the kitchen and collected the lunch prepared by Miss Odelle. Not forgetting the chalice filled with blood of course.

Miss Odelle didn't like it when I carried my own lunch but she kept quiet if I was stubborn enough to do it.

Tired of the stairs, I simply allowed my wings to carry me to Phoenix's office.

"You're back so soon." He slowly eyed the tray in my hands and sighed. "You didn't have to do that. You could have called me down for lunch."

"Its fine Phoenix." I set the tray on his large desk and arranged our lunch. "There you go," I handed him the blood.

During all that, I willed my wings to close themselves and like always they slowly blended with my skin. Making them seem like nothing more than patterns on my body.

"Beautiful." The king murmured.

He reached forward and held my wrist tugging me towards him.

"Stop this and eat your food." He didn't listen and instead pulled me forward, making me sit on his lap again.

He began to nuzzle my neck and kiss a certain sweet spot that made my toes curl.

"You can't take your frustrations out like this you know." I said while I poked his chest. "Drink it Phoenix." I brought the chalice up to his lips. He drank a small sip and gave it back to me.

"That's it?" I asked concerned. He nodded and continued to hold me in his arms. Knowing he needed something particular to ease his worry and to satisfy his hunger, I caressed the side if his face and placed my wrist against his lips.

His eyes widened at what I did.

"Don't look at me like that. You know very well I only offer you my blood once in a blue moon." I stated. My blood was like the rarest delight for him. Since he doesn't ask for it ever since he promised to change his ways, my blood became more and more precious to him.

"How could you sound so caring and cruel at the same time?"

"Learnt from the best." I snickered while I urged my king to drink from me.

His eyes instantaneously darkened and his fangs grew out. The dark blue veins covered his face as he placed my wrist against his lethal fangs. I don't think I would ever get used to this. I would always be a little intimidated by him.

Without letting me think further, his fangs tore into my skin and he began to suck out my blood. I bit my lower lip, preventing a scream from escaping my mouth.

After hungrily drinking my blood for a short while, he stopped. Red liquid trickled at the corners of his lips. He wiped it off with the back of his hand and took a deep breath. Feeling drowsy, I rested my head on his chest.

A few moments passed before I felt him massage my scalp and rub my back soothingly.

"Thank you for that Little Flower."

"Mhmmm." That was all I could say.

"Rest now. I'll ask Odelle to run you a bath." The moment he said bath, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in." Phoenix ordered.

"My king and queen." It was Percival. I wanted to greet him but I was dozing off by the second. It wasn't only because of Phoenix, it was one hell of a day. And it wasn't even three in the afternoon yet.

"What is it Percival?"

"I would just like to announce the arrival of King Alex and Mr. Kyle Robins. They've brought a friend with them too." Percival smirked.

Phoenix stiffened at the mention of an extra person. I wanted to laugh at his funny face but I couldn't.

"Percival, please tell Odelle to prepare the queen's bath at once."

"Yes, my king. My queen." He greeted before leaving the room.

"I swear if it's Angel, I'll lose my f*****g mind. I can't bear to handle Blondie and Angel today. Not today Little Flower." I smiled up at him.

"I better get ready to meet them." With that I tried to get up but he held me close to him.

"I'll take you there." He said and stood up with me in his arms.

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King Phoenix's POV

"King Alexander. Mr. Robins," I greeted the two males in our private living room. Both of them immediately stood up and the blonde one bowed. My eyes scanned the room for any signs of my hyper brother but he was nowhere no be seen.

"King Phoenix, how has your day been?" Alexander asked. He seemed a bit different from when he arrived in Silver Heights. I bet he brought news.

"It was fine." I murmured not wanting say anything without my wife present. I glanced over at the surprisingly quiet blonde only to find him looking at the doorway. Before I could question him, another person walked inside the room.

So it wasn't Angel after all.

The witch walked in slowly. She was dressed in  a pair of black pants and a yellow long sleeved blouse with a  frilled neckline. She always dressed confidently. I just never took her for a girl who liked wearing hats. She wore a simple yellow hat with a black ribbon. It suited her outfit but it hid one side of her face.

"Miss Gunnar." I gave her a curt nod. She bowed before greeting me, the hat still hiding a portion of her face. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Blondie sit up straight.

"Who's that?" He stupidly ask with that dumb look which was permanently etched on his face.

"Her surname." Alex gritted out to him. Blondie's mouth formed an 'O' as he relaxed. Instead of making time for my pressure to shoot up, I looked over at the dumb blonde.

"How is my brother doing?" I casually asked. I didn't expect his whole demeanor to harden at the mention of Angel. He even looked at me with a hard gaze. I raised a brow not knowing what had gotten into him.

Alex nudged him snapping him out if his thoughts.

"H..he's fine Your Majesty. Doing very good." Kyle answered quickly. Too quickly. I'm surprised that he's travelled this far without my brother. Twice in a row. Guess it was a huge fight then.

I was quite amused but then I sensed something off in the room. The trio before me were too quiet. They were not themselves. The witch kept playing with her sleeves, Alex seemed to be cracking his head, searching for a good conversation starter and Kyle, he was definitely not his usual self.

"What's wrong? Spit it out." I muttered while I poured myself a glass of whiskey from the the table beside my seat.

Thinking again, I poured a drink for them as well. They seemed like they needed one more than me.

They gratefully accepted they drinks. India drank hers in one gulp the second the glass landed in her hand. I squinted my eyes at her making her to turn away. I noticed how Alex and Kyle glared at her for making the situation even more awkward. She shrugged them away and turned her attention to me.

"What is it then? It can't be worse than what happened today." I said lowly.

"What? What do you mean? What happened today?" Blondie blurted out. I simply stared at him.

"I asked first." I said flatly.

"Alex will tell you." He patted the fae king's shoulder.

"What? You've been there longer! You know more so you tell him." Alex argued.

"Yeah but describing some stuff might make me puke so you do it Alex." Blondie countered back.

"Get over it Kyle. You need to tell him everything."

"Errghhh! Do you always have to win?!"

Having had enough, I felt the temperature drop. I observed the goosebumps appear on their skin as my mood became worse. India protected herself with a f*****g spell but I couldn't care less. She wasn't the one pissing me off.

"What is going on? Phoenix it's freezing. What happened?"

Perfect timing. I was just about to freeze her brothers to into an agonizing death.

"Hey you!" Kyle ran over to my Little Flower and engulfed her in a hug. He only did that because he needed her protection at the moment.

"Are the two of you going to stop arguing like children and tell me what news you've brought?" I asked coldly. This day was already bad. These idiots only seemed to be making it worse for me.

"What news?" My wife asked pulling away from Kyle. That's when she spotted her friend properly.

"India!"

After another f*****g hug, we were all seated in the living room.

"Go on Alex. I hope it's nothing bad." Aeval said to him.

"It sort of is. There's something terrible happening in Red Kingdom." Alex started.

I observed him closely as he continued.

"We don't know what is happening exactly but...." He then looked at Kyle and India for answers.

"There has been random killings and a lot of deaths in the village Your Majesty." India turned to me.

Finally, an answer.

"Killings?" Aeval whispered sadly.

"Yes. And then there was a strange sickness that washed over the kingdom. Many lost their lives and the deaths were ninety percent human." Kyle continued.

"It's getting out of hand. I think....well we think," India looked at Kyle and Alex hesitantly. She was afraid to say the wrong thing.

"Just say it." I ordered her.

"We think there's a rebellion happening as we speak. A big one." My fingers tightened around the whiskey glass while the temperature slowly rose up. Before anything else happened, my wife took my hand it hers and the temperature went back to normal.

Is that what happened this morning?! A bloody rebellion?

"How could you be so sure?" I asked India casually. I knew Zenas would have told me about this. It's wasn't a small matter if there were deaths involved.

"She's very sure Your Majesty." Kyle cut in. He swiftly reached across Alex and grabbed India's hat. When he uncovered her face, I heard a gasp from beside me.

"India!" Aeval rushed to her. The witch looked like she was about to turn Kyle into an ugly frog.

I observed how my wife caressed her friends pale, sickly face. India's eyes were much hollow than usual and her skin wasn't healthy. Not to mention the fading bruises on the side of her face. They were not deep or too bad but that wasn't the point.

"Aeval I'm fine now, really."

"Who did that to you?" My queen asked getting angrier by the minute. If she frees her wings in here they'll create a huge mess. Alex knew this so he was trying to calm his sister down. She wasn't paying attention to him though.

"India what happened?" I asked in a in a cool manner.

"There was a little fault on my part too. I barged into King Zenas' office and demanded to know what was going on in the kingdom. He wouldn't tell me so I confirmed he had enemies. I also questioned his authority when he refused to tell us anything. I was angry because people were dying Your Majesty. I had to do something...."

That sounded like her.

"What did the king do?" I demanded.

"He said I should learn my place. He...he threw..me in the dungeons." India closed her eyes in defeat. Aeval hugged her friend.

"She was in there for about two weeks." Kyle muttered.

"What?!!" My Little Flower yelled. Her eyes glowed. Her skin glowed. She was pissed off.

Fuck Zenas.

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Yeah I know these past chapters takes place in Silver Heights and it's centered around the Kings and Queens but that's how the story goes. They're facing a possible threat for now and it involves all the characters. Don't worry, it will get back to Kyle and Tim. ❤️

Anyways feel free to share your thoughts. ??