Inheritance

Chapter 32- Reality

There were many moments like that. The years melted away. What was once a month blew by in a second. We spent years travelling around the world together, and even started dating. After 13 years, we agreed to give each other promise rings. For when we finally settle down, we can get married.
It was the happiest day of my life.
but it didn't last.
How was I supposed to know?
We set up camp outside of a city. We knew it would be risky, but we needed supplies, and it was already dark out.
We sat underneath the stars. I put a wing over him as we watched the moon, amazed by the beautiful colours. When a star shot by, he pointed it out, and then we would laugh and just talk about anything and nothing.
Then, eventually, we went to bed.
I woke up to hear a shout. Instantly I opened my eyes and got up, alarmed and disoriented. I blinked like a owl.
Soldiers in silver armour had ambushed us. They held Nico, a sword against his throat. He kept struggling, but there were too many to fight off. And I knew his strength was more towards staying behind the lines instead of rushing in, like me.
I glared at the soldiers, deciding right then that I would destroy them.
"Drop your weapons and surrender yourself, or we will kill him."
Nico's eyes widened. He struggled more, but they pressed the blade up against his throat. He was forced to stop or have his throat cut open. He looked at me helplessly and desperately.
"You can't take us alive. You know it. Now let him go before I kill you all!" I took a threatening step forward. Some guards got ready, their weapons glistening in the morning light. The sword got pressed more and I froze. I couldn't let him die because of recklessness on my part.
"Abaddon... Run." Nico whispered, tears in his eyes.
I shook my head, denying it. I would NOT leave him to die. Because I know they will kill him for his traitorous act.
"Please... They don't care about me. They care about YOU. Run... We'll meet up at the waterfall. Remember the waterfall...?"
A tear rolled down Nicos cheek.
"N-No. I'm not leaving you."
"Then come with us. Or we'll kill him." The guard threatened.
I bit my lip, indecisiveness taking over me. I was filled with stress. I felt my magic increasing as well. I took a step forward, then stopped. I had no idea what to do.
Nico's eyes widened. He screamed, "Run!"
Then a arrow shot at me from behind, piercing through my flesh and coming out the front of my chest. I gasped, and my whole body went rigid. Then I fell to my knees.
Nico cried out something, but I couldn't hear it. Nothing seemed to exist anymore. Sound was muted compared to the beating of my heart. My whole body felt cold. I couldn't move. I couldn't think.
I was dying.
I saw in slow motion as Nico escaped from the guards, spreading his wings and smacking them in the face, elbowing, anything. They shouted, or at least I assumed so for their mouths were moving, and grabbed at his arms. But they missed by a fraction of a inch. He ran to me, speaking something quickly. He held my head in his hands, shouting. From the way his lips were moving he said... I don't know what he said.
Then he hugged me. He grabbed the arrow and pulled it out, then his entire body began to glow. He wrapped his arms around me.
That was when I realised he was going to try and heal me, even though I was as good as dead.
I wanted to tell him to stop, that it was too risky, but my mouth wouldn't work. He had never healed this kind of wound before. I was scared he would die from lack of magic.
He wrapped his wings around me, Holding me close. I saw over his shoulder as the guards rushed forward, their weapons ready to kill. I shut my eyes, held Nico close, and lost myself to the simple comfort of his presence for the moment.
Then I heard him scream.
I opened my eyes and saw they had cut off one of his wings. His magic faltered then vanished, gone because of his lack of concentration. I growled, and twisted around, dropping him behind me, as I raised my wings to deflect a oncoming blow. I fought like I had never fought before, not caring what injuries I gathered only that I protect Nico. But there were too many. They surrounded us. Desperately I turned to Nico. He looked very weak, a large pool of golden blood underneath him. My heart died in my throat. I quickly grabbed him and flew off, trying to get as far from the soldiers as I could.
My wings burned from the cuts and slashes the soldiers had placed upon it, and I was forced to land only a mile away. I laid him in the grass and started desperately trying to patch up his wounds, although I knew it was useless.
He laid a hand on my cheek. With a start I looked at him. His eyelids were half closed and heavy. I gently laid my hand over his, my lip trembling.
"Don't go... Please don't go Nico."
"Abaddon... You need... To move. Their going to come any second..."
"I am not leaving you like this."
"I c-can't heal myself even if I wanted to... I'll only slow you down."
"But...I...."
"P-please..."
I felt my heart breaking. I shook my head, trying desperately to convince myself this situation was NOT real. It couldn't be...
"Abaddon... I love you."
And with that his eyes closed, and his hand slowly slipped out of my grasp.
I stared, not comprehending what happened, when the soldiers landed nearby.
This couldn't be real... He had to still be alive...
Right...?
"Surround him, we'll take him back to the dungeons where he will be punished for his crimes against the crown."
Its not real....
One of the guards grabbed my arm and tried pulling me up. I growled, tears streaming down my face, and punched them in the face. The force of my blow snapped their neck backwards and they died instantly. My vision was red. I was angry, angry as I ever was. My power grew to a almost uncontainable level. My heart seemed to pump furiously from the force of the power coursing through it. I raised my arms into the sky, looked at the heavens, and for a moment everything stood still.
Nico...
Then I released it.