44. Seven in a Sorry State #3
"I was orphaned overnight and then came Jadeth within a few months of Mother passing.
He was a plant of the Goblin King as well.
He revealed it himself. By mistake I believe during his final days of madness.
But he supposedly fell in love with me and decided to 'protect' me instead.
By keeping me captive. He didn't like my succubae traits. " I recollect bitterly.
They flinch, looking shattered at my mocking words, but I don't have the energy to rehash their wrongs.
“I pieced this all together in the Duat. Then I recalled the prophecy a female Cyclops forced on me a few months before the Veilmoon.” My throat tightens and I look away, my mind shying from the memory of that night.
Baz's question brings my attention back. "Wait, you met a random Cyclops in a farmer's market of all places?"
I nod once. "It’s odd I know, but it sounded like a legit prophecy.” I recite the prophecy from memory and their faces turn ashen.
"It sounded disturbing, but I pushed it to the back of my mind to focus on more pressing matters.”
"Why didn't you tell us?" Alistair questions with genuine curiosity while the others look thoughtful. Contemplating the prophecy.
“I didn't have the time or energy to discuss it, given what you were hiding,” I retort coldly. Alistair has the decency to look ashamed. Zien winces while Rinn tugs at his nape. Ignoring the rest, I turn back to the window and stare at the cloudy sky.
"My theory is that the goblin lackeys might've heard the prophecy and plotted to send that mortal waste of space my way.
With how they've been conspiring against my family, it fits.
The whole thing with Malakai separated me from all of you, making me more accessible.
But I guess Vroc didn't anticipate me ending up in Duat or at Ispahan's place.
I wanted to use his own weapon against him.
So I used Malakai, to get Vroc's attention. "
Silas growls but I continue. "It was a chance I had to take. At minimum I expected a higher official from the goblin army to confront me. But instead Malakai got abducted. Instead of waiting for Vroc to attack, I wanted to take the battle to him. That’s where Ispahan came in."
"And what about the babies?" Rinn asks, face etched with concern.
"What about them?" Twisting, I meet his gaze head-on.
"When did you realize?" Silas speaks over him as Rinn opens his mouth to answer.
"I didn't." I turn to Silas. His jaw is clenched, every muscle rigid with restraint.
"Ammit did, and Anubis let it slip. I've been coming to terms with it ever since." I admit past the lump in my throat.
"Take all the time you need, Love. But please consider that it's not their fault. The fault lies entirely with us––their fathers." Zien pleads hoarsely.
"I don't want to talk about this now." I state firmly, feeling my pulse skitter. They nod, Silas appears crestfallen, the others wearing similar expressions.
Feeling like I've reached the end of my rope, I straighten my spine.
"Since you returned against my explicit wishes, do me the courtesy of staying out of my way.
If we must coexist until this goblin conspiracy passes, so be it.
But I want nothing to do with any of you unless someone is in peril.
Live your lives however you wish. You have no say over mine, and I have none over yours. "
"We're still married, Azizam."
"And we still love you, Flame."
Azael and Rinn protest unhelpfully.
I huff, exasperated with their reasonings. "A situation that can be easily rectified." I pointedly look at Azael who wears a solemn expression.
"And why do you love me, Rinn?" I snap, my voice rising in frustration.
"Because you saw me and didn't see a failure. Because you accepted me for who I am. And loved me regardless. You truly saw us, and didn't want to tie us down. It was we who wanted you to be our anchor. Our one and only."
"Your smiles were easy, your innate warmth so genuine, and your laughs were open, touching something in here, Love." Zien places his palm on his heart.
"You made us feel alive again, Moon." Archie smiles gently.
"You made us realize how it feels to have something precious to hold onto. With a promise of eternity, Starling." Baz adds, sounding wistful.
"You filled our lives with joy, Delight." Alistair grins boyishly, though he looks tired.
"And made us believe that love had found us." Silas whispers.
The breath in my chest stutters.
"You're all that's worth saving in this wretched world. We don't deserve you, Azizam. But we won't stop trying to be worthy of you for the rest of our lives." Azael declares unwaveringly.
Tears blur my vision and a tiny sob escapes me. The seven rush forward in distress, but I step back, unable to bear them seeing me like this.
Their confessions managed to spear my soul.
Barely able to stand the longing in their eyes, I skirt their extended arms and rush out of the room with my name falling from their lips. Sobbing my heart out once I reach my room, I lock myself in.
I sob until my pillowcase is soaked with tears. I sob until the sky turns purple. I sob out my pain, loss and love until I run out of tears. Snow hovers around my head, chirping as I fall into an exhausted slumber.