My demons, though quiet, are never quite silenced.
Calm as they may be, they wait patiently for a reason to wake, take an overdue breath, and crawl back to my ear
~Unreadable
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"What are shadow knights?"

She started to breathe heavily, and I guided her to the small couch to sit her down.

"They...they're like a group of people, but they aren't people..."

"What do you mean?" I asked, pushing her to continue.

"They're dead, or at least they die and then, with the help of this potion, they're resurrected with fake memories, and if they kill the leader they swore to protect, they become immortal. They're evil...Irene locked up the shadow lord, but I guess he somehow found a way to transfer people in and out of the nether realm" small tears rolled down her face slowly. I wiped them away, and then I pulled her into my chest.

"It's okay, I killed him"

"No, you don't understand, there's far more than one, there's a whole army. And you can't just kill them, it's harder than that"

I rubbed her back soothingly and tried to calm her nerves.

"They ruined my life, they're terrifying"

"Shh, it's going to be okay. They won't hurt you, I'll make sure of it"

She seemed to calm down, and now she was just slowly hiccuping for air, in my arms.

"Let's get some sleep, we have to leave early tomorrow" I reminded her. She nodded as we stood up, walking over to the beds. She hesitated, looking at the bed and biting her lip as if she were debating something.

"Is something wrong?" I asked. She looked over at me, and then looked at the ground with a light blush dusting her cheeks.

"Um...I'm...I'm still shaken up...a-and I...I just...ugh how do I say this....can I...sleep with you tonight?"

I smiled and let out a small chuckle.

"Of course"

We pushed the two beds together, and I got in first, removing my mask and shirt for more comfort.

"Oh come on, I don't bite"

She smiled a little and laid down beside me, cuddling up to my chest. I wrapped my arms around her waist, yawning.

(For what little of my sanity I still have, I'm just gonna say that every time they share a bed or something she puts her wings back in, I'm saying this because it would get very repetitive and it's just...tedious in my opinion.)

She let out a happy sigh and I smirked.

This was easy. Maybe it was too easy? I just needed her to fall in love with me, last time I checked, love was harder to achieve. With Zoey...it took me forever just to get one date, but I guess since she's different from Zoey, it might be easier?

But I still can't shake the feeling that all of this is so easy, so simple. There's always a problem when it comes to relationships, so why isn't there one right now?

I dismissed the thoughts and went back to thinking about the little situation. The Dark Queen smelled of lilacs and freshly fallen rain. Her raven black hair was soft on my chest, and it seemed to shine. Her touch was cold, and fragile, almost as if she was a porcelain doll.

"Goodnight" she whispered, her breath grazing my chest.

"Night" I answered, my voice in a low tone. I watched as her breathing slowed to a steady pattern, and she was fast asleep.

The next morning, as soon as sunlight kissed our faces, we woke up. We got dressed and ready to head out for the day. We walked outside of the small hotel, and saw the bustling city before us. I re-adjusted my mask to try and hide my face as best as I could. We left ScalesWind with no trouble, and it was now time to set out on the long journey ahead of us. We walked through the forest, not breathing a word just like before we entered ScalesWind. And again, it was a very uncomfortable silence.

The day escaped us quickly, and it was getting to be night. I didn't want to waste anymore time than I had to, so we didn't set up camp and walked all night. After the rest of the next day, O'Khasis finally came into view.

We walked through the front gates and down the streets until we reached the castle. As soon as we entered, my mother engulfed me in a hug.

"Garroth! You're alright," she pulled away and cupped my face, "I hate when you go away for so long, I get so worried!"

I chuckled and let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding.

"I'm fine, mother, I can look after myself"

"Well...I worry about you, you don't have any magic so..." She trailed off, and I felt my emotions turn grim.

"I'm fine, mother, I don't need magic to be strong!" I snapped, a little angry. My lack of magic was a sore spot, and it was a wound that could easily make me turn into an angry person.

"Garroth..." The Evil One whispered, placing a gentle hand on my arm. I glared at her.

"Don't try and comfort me, like you know how it feels to not have magic" I growled and marched off, steaming.

For the rest of the day, I locked myself in the training room. Taking my anger on the dummies that lined the walls. By the time I had decimated each one, it was late in the night. I went into my room, and out the balcony doors. I hoisted myself onto the railing, one knee lifted and one of my arms resting on it.

"Hey"

I turned my head slightly towards the moon, my voice a whisper.

"Why'd you have to go? Zo, I need you. You were the only person who understood me"

"And now you're talking to yourself like a crazy person" I heard the Dark Queen giggle, she flew up and was flying in mid air in front of me.

"How did you...?"

"I was out on a midnight walk, and I heard you mumbling"

"D-did you hear what I said?"

"Nope"

She sat on the railing in front of me, and looked down at her feet, her features full of sorrow.

"Look...about earlier today, I didn't mean to try and patronize you. But you yelled at your mother, and I was just trying to calm you down, I didn't mean to push any buttons. I'm sorry"

"You shouldn't be the one apologizing, I snapped at you when I shouldn't have. You and mother didn't do anything wrong. I'm the one at fault"

Silence between us grew, and suddenly she asked something I would have never expected.

"Was she pretty?" Her voice, so soft and playful.

"Who?"

"The woman you were in love with...Vylad told me what happened...and what today is..."

The anniversary of her death...

"Oh...yes, she was beautiful"

"I wish I could've met her" she looked up towards the moon, smiling. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't be so nosey. I just get so curious"

"It's fine"

She looked at me, a pity filled smile to match the sympathy in her eyes.

"I'm gonna go, just thought I'd apologize for earlier today. Seeya tomorrow"

Before she flew away, I grabbed her wrist. She turned to me, raising an eyebrow. I took a deep breath and pulled her to me, smashing my lips onto hers. I felt her tense, but soon she melted into me, returning the kiss.

I knew that kissing her now, at this moment, was probably a horrible thing. But I needed her to fall for me, and it was romantic under a full moon.

I'm sorry, Zo

I pulled away, looking at her baffled features.

"Garroth..."

"I'm sorry, I just-"

"It's fine, you don't have to apologize, it was just...unexpected"

"Sorry, I got caught up in the moment"

She didn't say anything else, she just flew off the balcony, without even giving me a second look.

Nice one Garroth, you most likely just screwed everything up.

That night I could barely sleep. I kept thinking of things I shouldn't have been thinking of. Late night thoughts are the worst kind of thoughts sometimes.

I woke up from my restless slumber, and got out of bed. It was one of those mornings where even getting dressed seemed like too much of a chore. Well I suffered through the getting dressed, and walked down the halls. Every time I saw the Dark Queen, I would try to talk to her, but she would just run away and avoid me.

Ugh, I really screwed up

A/N For some reason this chapter took the longest to write, but it wasn't because of literal length, it was just me procrastinating. Maybe cause I'm dreading a future part? Speaking of future parts.....I'm really excited for the next one......You guys know me, sadistic and nefarious.................................................MUahahahahahahaHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA-ahem, I'm not sure. Anywhosie, I love you all devils, byeeeeeeee.