Chapter 16

-Martin-

Trying to pull a sword out of my chest whilst I’m busy healing around it is pretty awful. But, I managed to do it. I have to just lie there on the ground for a moment. I only removed the sword because it hurt, and I do know.

I know what I have to do.

I know that Kossiq gave me a second chance.

I know I have to save him.

But I can’t.

Physically, I’m ok. Kossiq healed me. But…I just can’t move right now. It feels like I’ve had my heart stolen from my chest, and I had to see it get dragged away by mercenaries to take back to a cruel woman.

I feel so empty, like I have nothing inside me. For a while, I had friends, and someone I loved. And now, I have nothing.

Nothing at all.

—————

The sun is physically burning my eyes. It feels like everything is burning me. It feels like my mind is burning me.

I lie in the dust for a bit, just letting my mind go blank. And then I get angry. Yvo betrayed us. After everything he said, he still betrayed us.

I can’t let Kossiq get hurt.

Pulling myself upwards, I grip the sword on the ground next to me. It’s all I have, other than the clothes on me. I have to rescue him, with only a sword. A weapon I don’t even use often.

“I can’t do it,” I whisper, feeling angry and upset. “I can’t even save him.” My vision goes blurry, and I wipe my eyes. “Of course I’m fucking crying, I’m so worthless,” I whisper, hiding my face in my hands.

I have to go rescue him, but I can’t. It’s too hard. Everything is too difficult right now.

Sitting back down against a tree, I stare up at the sky. I need to pull my thoughts together, come up with a plan, so I can rescue Kossiq.

I need time. Time I don’t have.

—————

-Yvo-

“You lied to me,” I whisper, falling to my knees in front of the Duchess. “Silly boy. I told you your mother would die if you didn’t bring back my angel.” I glance up at her, my eyes filled with tears and anguish.

“I did everything you wanted! You killed my mother! You tricked me!”

Derevene snorts, crossing her arms across her chest. “What does it matter? She was weak, she was wasting my resources to keep alive. I merely told the servants to stop giving her the medicine. It’s her fault for being weak.”

Anger flares within me, and I stand up. “I’m done with you. I refuse to let you control me any longer,” I say quietly, pulling the door open and coming face to face with a tall, burly man.

“Silly Diviner. You don’t get to decide that,” The Duchess coos. “Put him with my angel, we can sell them both.”

No. This is ridiculous.

All of this. I caused all of this, to try and save my mother. And she was already gone.

I killed Martin.

I couldn’t save my mother.

“What have I done,” I whisper as the man throws me into a cell. I see Kossiq curled up in the corner, his wings spread around him protectively. I try and cry silently, but it’s just too much. My friend is dead because of me. My mother is dead. My other friend will never forgive me, and my Archangel can’t help me without pushing me closer to my demise.

I’m all alone.

—————

-Kossiq-

I try and ignore him at first. This is all his fault; he’s the same as Arche - they both just want to make things harder for me.

This is all Yvo’s fault.

And then his crying won’t stop, but I can tell he’s trying to keep himself quiet. Sitting up, I sigh. “Surprised that things didn’t go your way? Surprised that the one person you preached to Martin to never trust, actually betrayed you too? How crazy,” I say icily.

I have no sympathy for Yvo. I know he was trying to protect his mother, but he made an active decision to forsake us. It’s still his responsibility.

“I’m sorry,” he whispers, and I roll my eyes. “I- I’m so sorry.” Sighing, I rest my head against the wall. “I loved him, you know. And I might never get the chance to tell him. He might survive, in which case, he’ll finally be free to live his life.”

Yvo curls up in a corner, nodding. “I knew you loved each other, but I- I made a mistake, and I killed him,” he whispers. “Maybe, or maybe he’ll survive. I tried my best, but everything is up to him now.”

Yvo glances up at me, confused. Well, that’s how I feel when you said we loved each other. Did Martin love me back? I can’t let myself think like that; can’t let myself have any more hope. I’m putting all of my hope into the chance that Martin will survive.

“What are you talking about?” Yvo asks quietly, and I hold up my bandaged limbs. “I bled on him. I don’t know if it was enough to save him, but there’s a chance.”

Yvo stares at me for a moment, before standing up. “I can get us out. Arche can possess me, we can use a little more power, and we can get out,” he says firmly. I stare at him blankly. “Not sure if I can trust you, to be honest.”

He crumples a little, but he knows he deserves it. “I know, but please. If there’s a chance Martin is still out there, the least I can do is get you out there too. Please, let me help you. This is my fault, let me try and do something good.”

I think about it for a moment. Really think about it. What would I do once I escaped? Go back and try to find Martin. He was only a day’s ride away, maybe less. I could reach him. He could start a new life, maybe I could be a part of it.

“Alright. Get us out.”

—————

-Yvo-

“You want to use more power?” Arche asks, worry evident in their voice. I nod, resolute in my decision. “Yes.”

My Archangel sighs, stroking my cheek tenderly. “This will kill you.” I nod again. “I know. But I have to do this.”

Arche sighs, pressing a soft kiss to my lips. “I love you. And I’m proud of you,” they whisper. I feel a few tears prick my eyes, and I kiss them back.

“Thank you. And I love you too.”

And then, my Archangel possesses me for the final time.