Love Before Blood

Chapter 3

Azriel's POV

“Deep in the mountains but above the clouds in the Land of Drakes, the Cloud Palace of the royal family sits. Nothing has reached this heavenly paradise in centuries, but if anyone ever did, they were never allowed to leave. They were chained to this land the moment they stepped in. If they want to leave, they can’t go back the way they came in, look to the sky to break it. If they try without wings, they would only find death waiting at their door. This is the way of the Drakes.”

No, that’s not even close to how to describe this. I crush the paper in my hands and toss it to the shadows behind me. I try to write poems like this to keep my mind off of the horrors from the previous battles I've faced.

After sighing in defeat, I lean back in my chair, against the cold wood and close my eyes.

I recently returned from the battlefield three days ago. The humans have not attempted to attack, which was strange, but I did not deny my soldiers the right to return home for a few days.

Quite honestly, I understand why. I noticed the soldiers the humans have been sending were getting younger. I could tell that most of them, now, were at least sixteen years old. The right age for a human to experience love and what life has to offer, but they weren’t able to because the war took that chance away.

I still can’t shake the thought that I took so many of them away from their families, but what can I do. They turned their people into living weapons--something non-human. By the time they get to the battlefield they are beyond the point of saving. Their bloodlust taking over their humanity. After seeing such things on the battlefield, who wouldn’t want the comfort of their family, but as the leader of my troupe and my country, I must endure silently.

When I took their lives away, some of them looked at me with relief. As if they were happy that their nightmare was finally over before they took their last breath. And just like every death I have seen on that battlefield, they looked to the sky. To freedom. To a much better place than this field of hell and death. I keep telling myself that they’re in a better place now, but it doesn’t change the fact that I have blood-their blood- on my hands that can’t be washed off.

The image of that relief was burned into my mind, and there was nothing that could make me stop thinking about it. When will this nightmare be over?

I get out of my chair and lean against the window frame. It’s bright outside, but it doesn't make all the darkness go away. Sometimes, I wonder what is so great about the sky that gives humans hope and relief.

A knock comes from my door. “Prince Azriel, Queen Dia and King Storm would like to speak with you and your brothers. They are waiting for you in the throne room.”

I sigh and grab my black collared shirt off my chair and head towards the door. The guards escort me to the throne room. On the way there, I noticed that their faces looked grim. They probably think my legion will be sent out again. The legion I lead is usually the front lines, but the battle is usually over before the second wave of our army could be sent.

I volunteered to lead the front line because my brothers didn’t actually want to. They would offer, but there was no backbone in their voices to give a convincing performance. I guess my actions gave me an advantage over my brothers, and because they saw me as the real threat, they would take the credit and shower themselves in glory and parade the city like they actually deserved it.

When we arrived, my brothers were standing in front of the door, waiting for me.

Peri was the oldest of us, he would usually find ways to cheat in order to get what he wants. Grey, the second son, always kissed up Peri, but he would sometimes come to my room to talk s**t about Peri. I would barely listen to him, since I would have a book in my lap.

Both of them look like our father; tall, blonde hair, green eyes, and usually think with the other head; while I took on the characteristics of our mother; tall, black hair, warm brown eyes, and actually think with my head.

“So what do you guys think this meeting is about?” Peri asked. I shrugged in reply, not really wanting to participate in his guessing game.

“Maybe it’s just the usual report that we have to give them about the provisions, and the progress with the war,” Grey asked.

Not wanting to make our parents wait anymore I said,” How about we just go in and just talk to them.”

Peri sneered at me and muttered something that I don’t want to repeat. He opens the door and we walk in together. Secretly, I was hoping that they were actually concerned about us, but I knew that was impossible unless we were gravely sick or injured.

Our seats were arranged in a circle so we could face each other and not get distracted easily. After we took our seats, our father said,” I’m sure you’ve been wondering why we summoned you.”

We nodded our heads and he snapped his fingers to show us a copy of some sort of treaty. The three of us took a few minutes to look over it. When I finished, it vanished.

“So they want to get out of this war?” Peri asked incredulously.

“It would seem so,” our mother finally spoke,” They are offering their only daughter into this marriage alliance.”

Peri chuckles and says,” They do realize that they started this war because we didn’t agree to join their land, right? Now they want to use the same way to get out?”

“Yes,” our father’s voice boomed,” We know what they’ve been doing to their own people, right?”

Peri went silent. I guess it’s my turn to speak. “They turned their human populations into vampires and werewolves, and they would starve them just enough that when they get to the battlefield, their bloodlust would drive them to kill our soldiers.”

Our father looked at Peri in disappointment, and said,” Correct. Which is why this war needs to end. Not only so our soldiers can rest, but so that those humans who died on the battlefield can finally rest.”

“But wouldn’t this marriage alliance mean that their soldiers’ deaths were in vain?” Grey asked. Really, Grey?

“Maybe to the humans,” Mother replied in disgust,” but it won’t be in vain if we remember who they died for. Right now, the families of those dead soldiers and many more innocent people are suffering. The strong prey upon the weak in their lands.”

My family may act like this, but we vowed that we would never stoop down to their level in terms of preying on our people.

“Now, just like I asked you at the beginning of this war, before I force one of you to do it, which one of you would volunteer to participate in this marriage alliance?”

Peri said,” They can go to hell for all I care, but to be honest, I don’t mind adding their fair princess to my list.” I rolled my eyes.

“It’s a yes or no question, Peri,” Mother growled in frustration. If I were in her position, I would feel the same way.

Peri shut up and said,” No. Like I said, they can go to hell for treating their people like shit.”

My parents didn’t bother looking at Grey, because we knew that he would just side with Peri no matter what. Without hesitating I said,” I’ll do it. Although the royals and their nobility can go jump off a cliff for all I care, but their people are innocent. And if we don't help their people in some way, how are we better than them.”

"Thank you, Az," Mother said, and Peri and Grey were brought out of the throne room.

“When will the wedding take place?” I asked after nodding.

“The wedding will take place in six weeks,” Mother replied,” I’ll make sure that the preparations are made for this day and of course I’ll tell them what the bride should wear. Just be available when I need you for fitting and selecting venues.”

After Mother left, Father came up to me and said,” Don’t think that this will help you gain the throne one bit. You’re going to have to do a lot better than that to win.”

"I was not thinking about the throne one bit when I said that. I meant every word," I said, knowing I might get my ass kicked hard. To my surprise, he just left.

After he left, a thought occurred to me, and whispered,” Does their royal family even have an heir?”

Then I thought to myself,” It doesn't matter because maybe this nightmare will finally end.”