@flashfictionfridayofficial
It was dark outside. The sun had set and the shattered moon of Malacyria was the only source of illumination that splattered the world in its bluish hue. Devi stood in the gardens of the palace this time not going to rest by the cherry blossom tree as he would all the years before. No, not this time. This time the tree would not grant him respite. Not when his son's spark was extinguished in that stupid duel. He shouldn't have joined the war, he shouldn't have put his life in the hands of ten paces and rapiers blade.
He remembered it so perfectly, something he could never forget. Something so vile was remembered so perfectly. From the first sight of James lying on the ground bleeding out of his chest, rapier laying beside him to the moment he had passed in his arms to the moment Angel wept the tears that promised death.
He remembered what she had asked him “did you know?”.
He could still feel the sting of her hands gripping his shoulders like a vice.
Of course he didn't know. He was fighting a war against the Pallid Rose. How could he have known his son, the prince of Malacyria and the future of his people was in a duel.
Angel walked up behind him. Dressed in black and pink, Devi turned to face her his eyes that were once filled with hope for a better tomorrow, the same ones that led him to the war against Michaelis now gone, replaced with a lifeless mix of amaranth and dark red. Angel's eyes looked the same. Nothing but a lifeless crystal blue replaced the once joyous eyes she had. Her eyes looked tired, like a smile torn, heavy and stained with runny mascara. Devi held out his arm. Not really he had only moved it by an inch hoping desperately hoping that Angel would hold it tight so he could have a sense of security in this madness. No hand ever came to him. Angel turned away to head back inside. It had started to rain. She always loved the rain but this time she didn't say she just turned to leave.
“Wait!” Devi called out. Angel turned back
“What is it, Devi…” she replied, not wanting to converse with him at the moment.
“Please, beloved, you need to understand… I didn't know he'd be there-”
“Oh really?” She asked, turning back and walking closer to him, " That why is he dead? IS THAT WHY MY SON IS DEAD!?”
“Just listen! I know… I know that I don't deserve you or our children or anyone at this point I've done too much…”
“But hear me out… that would be enough, Angel”
Angel stopped, the dampness of the rainwater grew heavier on her shroud. She clutched it tighter. Staring into her husband's eyes waiting for him to speak.
“If there was a way I could turn back time… if I trade his life for mine. He'd be standing here right now and you would smile…and that would have been enough”
He dropped to his knees gripping the hem of her black dress firmly, not daring to let her go.
“Im so sorry Angel im so fucking sorry…”
“Just give me one more chance…
One. Last. Chance… to make everything right or at least to try to mend this”
Angel knelt down. Her hands cupped Devi’s face and made him look at her. Her eyes were watery, trying to hold back the tears that she kept in the entire evening. And she smiled and that was enough for Devi. He let go of the hem, his hands meeting hers on his face…
“Angel, Do you like it up here? It's quiet up here…”
She almost laughed she didn't want to but she almost did.
“Yes… I like it up here…”
(i had to fix some mistakes, autocorrect was being a bitch)
@ark-inkweaving @aalinaaaaaa @mymomsaysbobcipher @yaboiii-azzy @wingedcatastrophe @rayne143 @rybloodandfire @ren-the-fae @starwright @that-little-lychee @darkluminosity
