Wrath

One clean swipe, I watch my blade cut through the demon like he's made of water, not flesh and bone. It's been twelve long torturous days away from Rosa and my home, but I need her to want me as much as I crave her. So this is necessary. I've spent enough time in her head to know this is driving her crazy. Her thoughts of me have increased tenfold, and they're not all aggressive. That's a start. I grunt, dropping down on my hands to avoid the military flail aimed at my head going breakneck speed.

Running errands for angels and mercenaries. I've never imagined my life taking such a trivial turn. Even so, if I help her people and whatever cause they fight for. Then I help Rosa, and by helping Rosa, I free her up to be with me. It's a win-win situation. Having spent much time on the earth realm, I have learned plenty. I've even brought a few things home from the luxurious realm. With its many inventions, Earth is obviously made to make life easier or to aid the lazy specimen. It's obvious why earth men are small in stature. They do not have to move much or yield swords; I wonder if they have ever had to battle?

Rosa will be returning home today. Her thoughts have been bleak and tasteless. So insignificant they barely register. I know the thought of magics excites her because it's the last clear emotion I've picked up on. My link to her is strong, although I only get bits and pieces. It's not enough, but under the circumstances, it will have to do. There, I've cleared the area and sealed the rift between the worlds. Now the heavens owe me a favor.

I materialize inside my home with a trophy. The head of a soul eater I can post as a testimony to my strength. It takes great concentration and stamina to kill one. I wonder down the hall in search of Rosa. When I see her, I lose my breath. Her beauty is incomparable to anything I've seen in my centuries lived and in all the realms I've been. I escort her to her world without a word as my thoughts swirl in my head. This, too, will take restraint, another test. Rosa is pushing my will, control, and intellect to its limit. She will be my biggest feat yet. We're in the garage, and before I have realized, my control nearly slips. Grasping her chin and looking into the swirling chaos of her deep brown eyes. I want to take her mouth and make her beg for my attentions. But that would be a superficial win, short-lived and fleeting. I want her in my fucking skin. Embedded in my soul a part of the very air I breathe, the same way she's bewitched me. When I fuck her, I want her to not know where she begins and I end. Mindless, with need and addicted to me. Craving only my touch. I harden at the thought and leave before I seize her.

I no longer want her as my concubine. I want her as my queen. My equal. She's made me obsessed. The last thing that plagued my mind and soul like this was winning my title and like that. This, to will be won with my blood, sweat and tears.

"Sir?"

Easel enters my room, jarring my train of thought. He has a note in his hand and his expression is dower. This will surely dampen my optimistic mood.

"What is it?" I ask concern lacing my tone. He clears his throat, stepping forward,

"A letter, sir... from your brother."

My eyes snap up to meet his, reigning back unleashed anger.

"You didn't tell her he is my brother, did you?"

Easel gives a vigorous shake of his head and I catch the slight tremble of his voice.

"Of course not! I would never go against your wishes."

I break eye contact and retrieve the note sitting down at my desk.

"Thank you Easel, you can go home now."

Dayzues has always coveted my possessions, tested my rule, and loathed my very existence. I still blame him for our father's death. Though I can't prove it, I suspect his involvement with the poisoning. He either promised the culprit riches and free passage or planted the idea in his head. Either way, it doesn't matter. What's done is done. Even now, I know he's plotting. Petitioning to any fae who will listen or promising wealth he doesn't have and power he can not grant. Pathetic, but I won't stop him. I'll let him have his dreams and even try to challenge me. If I don't allow him to play this out, Dayzues will never stop and our realm will forever be at odds.

If Rosa knows he's my brother, I can't guarantee she will leave the situation alone. Her softer side may cause her to get involved. She may try to smooth over centuries of hate, jealousy, and greed. An impossible task, or her instinctive defiance, could lead her to join him. Just to thwart my attempt at seducing her. Either way is too much risk. Best to keep him an enemy in her eyes, nothing more.

I pull the scotch from my pocket and take a swig. I call for Bertie, who comes bustling in with the chimney sweeper. Sitting back laughing at her state gets me on her bad side. She scowls as I take her in. Her newly graying blonde hair is doused with black soot and her lavender gown looks absolutely dreadful. It looks like we both need to bathe.

"I'd like a bath drawn, and Bertie... it's late. When you're done, take the night off."

She smiles her thanks, and I grunt my acceptance, moving away before her praise can make me uncomfortable. Watching her leave and shut me in. I begin to drink myself into a stupor. After a few more swigs while stoking the fire, I start to feel the familiar warmth only good drink can give...

I must have dozed off. I look around, wondering what woke me. The fire is nothing but embers now, and the room is dark. I hear angry shouts coming from the main hall. If I'm not mistaken, Bertie is the one yelling. I only hear bits and pieces as I make my way closer, but it sounds like she's trying to ward off someone who refuses to acknowledge her. I push open the doors to see my brother standing at the entry. To say I'm surprised is putting it mildly. Bertie stands in front of me with a broom clutched firmly in her hands. She glances my way,

"I'm sorry sir, I tried!"

I ease the broom from her tight grip and rub her bunched shoulders in an attempt to soothe her.

"It's okay Bertie, leave us. He won't try anything. His ego would not allow a stolen victory. Isn't that right, Dayzues?"

He smirks. It's cold in feeling and I wonder when his hate for me became the obsession I see before me.

"You know me well, brother, it is as if I do not need to speak my intentions."

Bertie gives me one more wary glance before abandoning the fight altogether and retiring to her room at my request. She never questions me, has complete faith in my judgement. It's why I trust her with my home.

"What are you doing here, Dayzues?"

He walks a tight circle around me. I follow his movements, careful not to give him my back or take my eyes off the entrance.

"Is it not obvious?"

He stops, peeking behind me into my quarters. I wonder what he's playing at and patiently wait for his purpose to emerge.

"A little birdie told me you had a special woman here... fae, but human. Is it true?"

I knew this would come about. My eye begins to twitch, speaking volumes about the height of my anger. I know Dayzues has picked up on the tell, but he ignores it, smirking at the small victory.

"Would you keep such a treasure for your own personal pleasure alone? We are brothers after all, whether we loath the connection to the marrow of our bones it's custom to share."

Just like that, I lose the calm I fight hard to keep and charge toward him with uncontrolled rage. Before I can reach his neck, I'm pushed back by an unforeseen force. Magic, and it's strong. He's been practicing. I watch his eyes fill black as I stumble in my step.

"No, it can't be?"

His eerie laughter echoes through the hall.

"You have sold your soul to the devil. There's no coming back from this."

"Haud yer wheesht, it's a simple exchange. Power for power. There's no harm in it."

My breath escapes in a sharp whistle of disbelief. I don't know the man before me. If he was once my kin, he isn't anymore. I don't know what he is now. Yet I'm determined to reach him.

"Whatever deal you made, reverse it."

He laughs again, like I'm the one delirious. It's not practice that's made him this way. It's disease of the mind. Someone has been funneling power into him. His eyes distinctly show its effects are harrowing his being. If he takes anymore... it could kill him.

"Our minds are not built to harness magics from the gods. It will pollute you, brother. You've heard the tales the same as me."

His smirk is sickening, his black-filled eyes all the more unsettling. He tsk's before continuing.

"A tale is but a myth. I am stronger for it... test me, brother, and you will not like the consequences. Share the girl with me and I will call off our stingy rivalry. You can be king and I will accept it, even keep to my quarters... all will be well. Deny me this and I will get what I want my way, and many will die."

I'm sickened by him, cannot even stand to look upon him. I would never hand Rosa over to a monster like Dayzues, no matter the cost, and he knows it. This is just a sick, twisted game he's indulged in to show off a power that will be the end of him.

"No!"

His eyes light with mock surprise. I stand firm with my fists clenched and ready to fight.

"Is that truly your answer?"

I nod once before growling my response.

"Yes, I'm sure. She is not for you and never will be as long as I breathe! "

He steps back and spins on his heel, heading toward the door.

"Remember those words brother... because I'm going to make you choke on them"

Dayzues slams the doors, leaving in a rush. I sit down with my head in my hands. I only hope that I can stop him before he makes a move. The tightness in my chest is nothing compared to the worry in my head. I hope I have not traded my kingdom for a single woman. No matter how innocent and unique she is, my actions would never be justified by my people.