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LAUDON'S POV

Only a fool would reject a kiss from their mate.

Laudon considers himself a fool and then some. The opportunity of a lifetime had been presented to him moments ago, an opportunity he now wishes he would have taken full advantage of. His lovely Maggie had climbed into the palm of his hand and practically begged for him to eat her up. She gave him the sexiest pair of bedroom eyes while whispering sweetly for him to kiss her. An innocent question he now regrets having thought too hard about.

I know I shouldn't want to be with someone like you, and yet this feeling of needing to be near you whenever you aren't here...

Maggie's confession is stuck on replay inside Laudon's head. He swore he felt his heart flutter when she had asked him to kiss her, and when she so boldly pressed her warm body against his, purposely drawing attention to how hard he was, Laudon had desperately wanted to give in to his primal urges and fuck the girl until he had his fill. Then again, would a day like that ever come? Not possible. Laudon could never tire of Maggie Brumfield.

In this life and the next, he will love her wholly and fiercely until death takes him away.

"Damn hospital. When did I become so picky? I should have fucking kissed her." Laudon sighs heavily while taking a seat at his desk.

A cold shower did nothing to tame his desire, and part of him continues to ponder whether or not he should return to Edreial and give Maggie a kiss so passionate that she will have no choice but to profess her love for him by the end of it. His mouth, after all, is good for more than dishing out orders. One day soon, he hopes to show Maggie all his best tricks.

"I need to focus," Laudon tells himself. "It's my fault she's stuck in this cursed deal. There must be some way for me to break it without further fucking things up."

Despite there being much bigger problems for him to solve, Laudon chooses to search for a solution regarding spell reversals. There is, unfortunately, not a lot of material for him to go through simply because when one willingly plays with dark magic, they do so with solid intent and purpose. There are levels to spellcasting and, be it a positive or negative spell, rarely, if ever, does a professional spellcaster make a mistake and need to undo a spell.

However, given Maggie's current predicament, Laudon now realizes that there are certain situations that call for such a complex request. The type of magic and power required to break the spell that is currently tied to Brinton Forest is something that only the King of Hell possesses. And if there is one thing in this world that Laudon absolutely despises... it is asking his father for help.

"Enter," Laudon answers the knock at the door, his eyes still scanning the pages of the book in his hands.

Yari, one of the guards whose job is to watch and protect the gates of Hell, steps into the office with a bright expression and a smile so wide one can almost see every fang inside his big ugly mouth.

"I come bearing wonderful news, my prince."

"Hurry and get on with it, Yari. I'm quite busy."

"Your father will be arriving soon. He was spotted riding Qahnarr approximately three hundred miles from the gates. Would you like me to contact Varibol on my way back so that we can quickly prepare a feast and a party for the King's return?"

A different kind of feeling causes Laudon's pulse to race upon hearing Yari's news. A feeling that forces him to go into defensive mode. A feeling that makes him want to break out in a sweat and panic because it is only a matter of time before his father finds out about Maggie, eventually becoming curious about the powers she definitely should not have.

That feeling is fear. Fear that something terribly bad is about to happen. Fear that multiple lives are about to be put in danger. Fear that the happiness Laudon has experienced within the last twenty-four hours is now minutes of being taken away from him forever.

"My prince?" Yari calls. "Did you hear me? Shall I—"

"Yes. Contact Varibol and do as you have suggested," Zul interjects. "The King will be extremely pleased to come home to such a joyous welcome. He should be able to see and feel how deeply his people have missed his leadership. Now leave us, Yari. I need to have a private word with our little prince."

Laudon stands from his desk as Zul enters his office with two glasses in one hand and a large bottle of wine in the other. He is dressed casually in all black, his dark hair cut low, his face and arms decorated in new battle scars. Laudon can see there is a newfound confidence about his old friend and guardian. The smug grin on Zul's face is telling, makes Laudon want to smack it right off him as Zul shuts the door and takes the seat in front of Laudon's desk.

"I'm shocked but not at all surprised to see that you've made it back just in time to witness my father's return," Laudon speaks calmly, still standing. "Did you enjoy your... vacation?"

"I have a new tongue and a much better attitude, so I must say not all of it was as bad as I am sure you intended for it to be." Zul smiles. Laudon scowls. "I brought the wine for another reason, but now that we know your father has returned, shall we drink to him instead?"

"No. Tell me the reason why you're here and then get the fuck out."

"Ah. I see you still harbor resentment towards me for what I did to Maggie's friend."

"Say her name again and I'll cut off more than just your tongue."

Zul pours them both a drink, laughing at the threat and dismissing the way that Laudon's eyes change from black to red. "She is actually why I am here."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. I understand now that you have very strong feelings for the girl, and if your souls speak to one another, then who am I to interfere?"

"Glad you're finally getting it."

Zul nods, downing his drink and refilling his glass. "I miss our friendship and I wish to return to work. I wish to remain by your side, my prince, so I hope that you are willing to let bygones be bygones and will think about giving me one final chance to prove my worth."

"I feel as though I have given you enough chances." Laudon sighs, taking a seat. He accepts the other drink from Zul, hissing from the burn that travels down his throat, only to help calm his nerves. "Why give you another when I know you don't deserve it? You've lost my trust, Zul. That is something that will be next to impossible for you to regain."

"I am up for the challenge." Zul stands from his seat just as Laudon's vision begins to blur, his heartbeat slowing to a deadly pace. "I wonder if you can say the same for yourself, little prince."

"What... h-have you done...?" Laudon's words come out slurred and quiet. He glances at the bottle of wine on his desk and then at the two glasses; his glass is empty but Zul's remains full. "No... you b-bastard..." Laudon tries to get out of his seat but fails and ends up face down on the ground. "Zul..."

"This never would have happened had you not turned your back against your people and against your home." Zul moves around the desk and squats near Laudon's head, roughly grabbing a fistful of his hair so that their eyes meet. "You do not deserve the title of Prince and you will never be King. I will see to it that your father understands why. For now, I encourage you to rest well, little prince. When we meet again, it will be on the battlefield."

Laudon can only watch Zul walk away; the potion having worked quick as full paralysis sets in. He cannot move nor does he have the energy to summon his powers. All he can do is wait and hope  that someone other than his father finds him before it is too late. Too late for him to kill Zul and prevent him from telling lies to Lucifer. Prevent him from telling all of Hell about Laudon being a halfling. Prevent him from going after Maggie out of spite.

Maggie.

Laudon sheds tears for his soulmate. Tears of anger for having let her down in such an embarrassing way. The rage in which he is drowning in is primarily directed towards himself, a small portion belonging to Zul's betrayal. Laudon should not have been so blind to the signs. He should have seen this coming.

This betrayal is one that he will never forget or forgive. A betrayal that he will seek vengeance for as soon as he is able to move again, and when he does, may the old rulers bless all the disgraceful souls residing in Hell. For there may be nothing left standing once Laudon is finished wreaking havoc.

. . .