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LAUDON'S POV

Laudon rarely partakes in the same, somewhat questionable, extracurricular activities as Lila.

Her suggestion of using Sarachne as a means of helping him connect with his mother, however, did not sound as outlandish as it should have given the circumstances. 

Sarachne, a scentless liquid, is one of Myrlande's many concoctions. It was specifically made to induce relaxation and, depending on how much is ingested at once, a deep sleep. Two things Laudon has never had a problem with until now. And that—problems—is what continues to pile up around him, its weight lying heavy on his tired shoulders.

"I'll be surprised if this actually works," Laudon says after Lila returns holding a tiny vial in one hand, the liquid inside a dark purple. "But, admittedly, I'm desperate and willing to try anything at this point."

"Sometimes being desperate enough is all it takes to catch what it is that you have been chasing." Having moved to Laudon's bedroom, Lila joins him on the massive bed. She opens the vial and raises the dropper above Laudon's mouth. "Open up, darling."

"Not too much, alright?"

"I know. Trust me?"

"I do."

Exhaling a deep breath, Laudon closes his eyes and opens his mouth. A few drops is all it takes to get the job done, any more than that and he will be fast asleep. He closes his mouth and swallows seconds later, his hands clasped and resting on his stomach. He forces his thoughts to clear out, and at the feel of Lila's hand massaging his scalp, he starts to feel the drug kick in.

It was made to work fast. Laudon can feel it start at the tips of his toes, a warm tingling sensation that gently shuts off each muscle as it slithers its way up his long frame. His breathing eventually slows, and his body becomes heavier as it sinks into the bed, relaxation washing over him in waves. Soon, Lila's humming becomes distant to the point where he can barely hear it. A minute passes, then two more passes until he hears nothing but silence.

While thinking of his mother, the darkness behind Laudon's closed eyelids slowly morphs into a beautiful picture he prays he will remember when the drug wears off.

The sun shines brightly in the big blue sky above him, fluffy white clouds of various sizes decorating it. Beneath Laudon's feet is healthy green grass which covers the rolling hills around him. In the center of this serene picture is a tree that stands several feet high and is just as wide, the branches and leaves on it full and thick. Laudon walks towards the tree after seeing a speck of white move at its base. His walk turns into a sprint, then a full-blown run when the white speck is revealed to be that of a woman dressed in an all white gown.

The one woman he has dreamed of meeting since he was a little boy.

Mother... Is it really you?

Her hair is long and dark in color, her eyes golden and shining brighter than the sun above them. The warm smile on her face, the tears in her eyes, and the sound of her angelic voice as she calls out his name is enough to ruin Laudon completely. He collapses into her arms when he reaches her, sobbing with so much joy he feels he may choke on it and die. A happy death it will be, no doubt.

My son. My sweet, beautiful boy... Words cannot express the feeling that came over me when I felt you calling out to me.

Mother, I...

I know you have questions. I will answer them all in due time, but please let me look at you for just a moment. Let me see the man that you have become.

Laudon takes a step back but keeps hold of his mother's hands. Her golden eyes assess him from head to toe, and when finished, her smile grows even wider. She pulls Laudon in for another hug before gesturing that they take a seat underneath the shade of the tree. She wipes away Laudon's tears, her heart throbbing with guilt as he leans into her touch.

I hope you have not shed too many tears for me, my son. I am undeserving of them all. I wish... I should have been there to raise you alongside your father. I cannot express how sorry I am for being absent. It is my fault that we ended up here. My fault that—

Mother, please save your apologies. I do not need them anymore.

No? Are you not upset with me for not having been around to see you grow up? You can speak honestly. Your feelings are valid whether they are good or bad.

I confess I did hold resentment towards you at first, only because I could not understand why you would abandon me and father, which is the lie that he told me... But I know the truth now, and somehow, someway, I will free you from this place. So I do not need your apologies, just your promise to remain strong until I am able to properly rescue you.

Neira smiles again, though this time it does not reach her eyes.

This place where we are right now is nothing more than a mirage. Where I truly am, where I have been imprisoned for all this time, it is a place you will not be able to reach no matter how powerful you become. I love you immensely for wanting to free me, but I beg that you do not put yourself in danger because of me. God will not spare you a second time.

Laudon sighs, his blood beginning to boil.

I know that I am a halfling, mother. I know if I am not careful with how I manage my powers, one could overcome the other one day. That is a risk that I am willing to take, transforming into a full-blooded angel, if it means I will be able to walk past the gates of Heaven to get to you.

Neira shakes her head, squeezing Laudon's hand.

This is the first time that we have been able to have a secure connection, and I do not wish to waste time arguing with you, my son. I have spoken my peace on the matter and can only pray that you reconsider this plan you have come up with.

Mother...

Has Maggie passed along my messages to you?

Yes. She has been... quite helpful, despite what I have put her through.

That girl is incredibly special, as I assume you already know.

I do know.

You must keep her close, my son. I cannot explain it, but during one of her visits with me, a portion of my power was replenished. She is the reason that I was able to create this mirage to help shield you from seeing where I really am; a place I did not want you remembering after we met.

I can recall my past visions with you, mother. Though they were not all that clear, I know you are locked away in a cage somewhere in Heaven.

Neira frowns, briefly breaking eye contact.

Still, I am glad we are at least meeting this way. I have tried so many times to contact you over the years, tried and failed... It is a miracle that finally it is happening for us.

I have an inkling that our connection has gotten stronger because my angelic powers are no longer lying dormant within me.

Lying dormant? I do not understand...

I hate to be the one to tarnish father's image for you, but shortly after I was born, presumably to keep me safe while living in Hell, he used a spell that essentially hid my angelic aura. It put my angelic powers to rest for what was meant to be indefinitely, then Maggie Brumfield happened and now everything is a mess inside of me.

Oh, I see.

I have not been the same ever since meeting her. I feel things that I have never felt before, I want things I know I should not have, and it has all been quite an unsettling change for me.

I believe the two of you were destined to meet. For the hardships that you will soon face, having Maggie by your side will allow you to get through them and remain alive.

She told me about the soulmate's curse. Do you think it is possible that she and I... that we could be... you know?

Once you get to know her better, your heart will be able to answer that question for you, if it has not already.

Neira's smile returns upon seeing Laudon's cheeks tint a rosy red.

Do not think too much into it, my son. Trust in your feelings and listen to your heart.

Is that what you did with father?

Yes, and I have no regrets when it comes to falling in love with him.

You told Maggie that he was coming back. Are you still unsure about when?

With our bond having been broken for so long, the connection that I once shared with your father is almost nonexistent. When I have visions about him, they are short and out of focus. The only reason I know for certain that he is coming back is because I saw the three of you together in Hell.

The three of us?

You, your father, and Maggie...

Laudon suddenly begins to hear the girl crying. His eyes flash open and he sits up in bed with a panicked expression, his chest rising and falling rapidly as he struggles to catch his breath. At the feel of two hands squeezing his shoulders, he releases a deep growl while grabbing for the person. His senses are heightened, and his emotions are scattered all over the place as he accidentally throws Lila from his bed.

"Hey, you prick! No manhandling without my permission," hisses the confused redhead. She lands on her feet, producing a small dagger in each hand as she prepares for the worst. "You were supposed to be chatting it up with your mother, or did the reunion not go as planned?"

The sound of Maggie crying seems to intensify, making Laudon go on high alert as he strips out of his dirty clothes in exchange for a fresh pair. Lila makes no sudden moves, says nothing as he races about the room in silence, eventually leaving and slamming the door behind him.

Someone has made Maggie cry. How Laudon knows this, how he can hear it and feel it are all questions that he plans to pick apart to try and answer later.

For now, he must go to Edreial. He must find Maggie, must comfort and console her, and then he will make some poor bastard pay for hurting his soulmate.

. . .