The roses have wilted
The violets are dead
The demons run circles
Round and round in my head
~Unknown
•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•

I got home and went into my basement, taking off my coverings and looking the same way I did before I left.

I went upstairs into the bedroom and saw The Dark Queen asleep in bed.

I small smile tugged at my lips to see she was in a peaceful state. I walked over and knelt down at her bedside. I placed a hand on her cheek and felt some tears still. I sighed and gently shook her shoulder. She woke up and yawned.

"Garroth?" Her hoarse voice mumbled. I nodded even though her eyes were closed.

"Yeah, it's me"

"Where did you go?"

"I went to settle some...business" I explained.

"Oh, did everything go alright?"

"Yup"

"That's good" she rolled over and her wings gently brushed my face. I chuckled and stood up.

I removed my shirt and walked around the bed to get in. I got under the covers and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear.

"Garroth, can I ask you a question?"

"Sure"

"Why do you where a mask?"

"Well...it's kind of like a security blanket, I guess" I shrugged. I was trying my best not to be too harsh and cold towards her, she had a really hard time with that woman.

"I'm so sorry for being hard to deal with" she apologized again and hid her embarrassed face.

"You haven't been hard to deal with," I sighed, "I'm sorry I haven't been the best to help you deal with this"

"You've been perfect" she smiled and showed her small fangs.

She's actually really cute-

Garroth, no, don't go there.

Well...would it really be that bad? I mean...father did say to make her fall for me, which I still have to do, but I mean...it would be easier if-

Stop being irrational, you can't fall in love with her. She's a military weapon, it'd be like dating a sword.

I shook my head and got more comfortable.

"We should go to sleep" I sighed. She nodded and rolled over to sleep, putting her wings in her back.

"Goodnight, Garroth"

"Goodnight....Aphmau"

I felt pure glee radiate off of her from me using her name. I was glad she was feeling so happy.

The next morning I woke up and the Dark Queen wasn't in bed. I walked downstairs to see she was cooking.

"Morning" she smiled at me.

"Morning" I sat on he counter beside where she was kneading bread.

"You're gonna get the counter all dirty"

"My counter, my rules. We should head back today"

"Alright" she shrugged, placing the bread into the furnace. "How long has its been since you've been home? I've been cleaning all morning, everything was heavily coated in dust"

"Awhile" was all I said and walked to go get changed, "as soon as the bread's done take it out and wrap it so we can leave"

"And back to you being cold and distant" I barely heard her mumble under her breath. I ignored her words and got changed.

We got the bread and made our way out of the house. She held the basket of loaves, and I kept a close eye on every surrounding.

We got to the castle and we were greeted by my mother.

"Garroth! Aphmau!" She hugged us both and pulled away, "Zane told me everything that happened. I'm so happy you're alright"

The Dark Queen smiled and nodded.

"Would you like some bread?" She offered. Mom smiled and took one of the individually wrapped loaves.

"Thank you, Aphmau, go freshen up and then you and I will have our lesson"

I escorted the Dark Queen to her room.

"This will be your room, if you need anything you know where my room is and my house. Also, servants and guards scatter the area if you want help"

She nodded and looked around the room, picking up some trinkets that scattered. There was a small statue of Irene and she took particular interest in it.

"Why do you have this?" She whispered, a small empty smile on her face.

"It's Lady Ir-"

"I know, but why do you have it?"

"Because she's who we worship in this land"

"I miss her"

"What...?"

"She was like a mother to me, she was asked if she wanted to be immortal, but she decided to give it to me instead"

"You knew Lady Irene?!" I asked in disbelief.

"Mmhmm, she found me when I was seventeen, gave me my immortality at twenty five....you're immortal too, aren't you?"

"Yes"

"It sucks, doesn't it?" She laughed like the whole thing was ironic, "I wanted to die years ago in that temple. And when I tried reaching out to people, they would become afraid"

"Wow..." was all I could say.

"Yeah...I have a confession, I've never killed anyone"

"Doesn't surprise me, you're too nice" I leaned on the doorframe,

"Thanks...so I'm a little weary on this whole war thing"

"Understandable. Follow the map to the garden, that's where my mother will have her lesson with you"

I stood up and started to walk away, but The Dark Queen grabbed my wrist.

"Wait!" I turned around and she wrapped her arms around me tightly, "thank you..." I hugged her back, a small chuckle escaping my lips.

"No problem, seeya"

I stuffed my hands into my pockets and walked away, I walked to my father's office and walked in. He looked at me and sighed.

"Son, I would like to know your progress on making the Dark One fall in love with you"

"There has been no progress, I apologize but-"

"Take her on a date tonight"

"W-what?!"

My face burned like a thousand suns.

"A date, tonight. A nice dinner, a moonlight walk. Maybe even a kiss or two?"

"You can't be serious"

"Am I one to joke?" He rose a skeptical brow. I sighed and looked down at my hands.

"No, sir"

"You will take her out on a date tonight"

"Yes, sir"

I nodded and exited the room.

I took a deep breath and went into my room. I sat down in the chair and looked out the window. I saw my mom and the Dark One in the garden. They looked up and grinned, nodding. I vaguely waved back and turned my chair to my desk.

A date...

A/N there we go! So, Aphmau and Garroth have to go on a date. It's so weird writing this kind of stuff so early, cause usually I wait awhile. Like How We Met, they don't even confess until like chapter 40ish. I dunno, anyways I love you all devils. Byeeee