Heart of Darkness

Rayven teleported to the royal castle, to be exact into the king's chamber without getting ready and changing his clothes. A maid was combing Skender's hair and screamed in horror when he appeared out of nowhere.

Skender was quick to get up, grab her shoulders and compel her to calm down before the guards outside barged in. "It is alright." He told them and they went back and closed the door.

"What is wrong with you?" Skender said turning to him.

"Well, you said to come to the meeting this morning."

"Yes, as a lord and a courtier. Not as a caveman."

Skender sat back on his chair again and the maid went back to comb his hair as if nothing had happened.

Rayven sat down on any chair he found in the room feeling like he was out of breath.

'You are better than anyone I know.'

Did he say that? Why would he?

He had definitely lost his mind. If he wasn't going to do things right then he shouldn't give her signs that he would. She should never get used to him or begin to like his company because he couldn't see himself wanting to stay in this world.

Skender motioned for the maid to stop and turned to him with a concerned look. "Is something wrong?"

Rayven chuckled darkly. "Do you see anything right with me?"

"No. And now you are drinking. When did you start?"

When? He wasn't sure but it was definitely after he decided to marry Angelica. Feeling miserable he had gone to a tavern and began drinking until the sun went down. All while listening to people's pathetic thoughts. Still, not more pathetic than his own.

"Anyway, we don't have time. We need to attend the meeting soon. Maria, bring him trousers, a shirt, and a nice coat."

The maid nodded and went to bring him some of Skender's clothes.

"Hurry! Change."

Rayven felt like a child being told what to do. He hated it but had no choice but to change. Then the maid combed his hair nicely. Skender couldn't help but put some perfume on him and then shook his head at him.

"I hope after doing all of this that you are not thinking of stepping down from your position." He said.

"I don't know anymore," Rayven stared emptily at his reflection.

He had been alright with going through with his plan but the last few days the people around him confused him. Made him question and doubt himself. Made him more miserable than he already was.

He didn't know why he was letting their words affect him. He was good at shutting things out. His fingers itched. He felt like hurting himself again.

Putting his hands in his pockets he stood up with a sigh. "Let's go." He said ignoring the chaos in his head.

The meeting was as dreadful as he expected. After saying a few words about what happened in his town, which he truly knew nothing about, he listened to their thoughts about how he was ruining his reputation by going through with this marriage. How they pitied him and that he was marrying such a woman because he couldn't find any other woman willing to marry him. They also said that Angelica was only marrying him because she had no other choice. Otherwise, why would a beautiful lady like her marry a beast like him?

Rayven tried to stay calm, keeping his hands in his pockets but he was losing it soon. As if sensing his anger, Skender brought the meeting to an end and dismissed everyone except for the seven of them.

Rayven was finally able to breathe.

"Rayven?" Skender had that same look of concern on his face

"It looks like he is going to faint?" Acheron pointed.

Faint? Or explode?

Lazarus chuckled. "I heard that the bride faints sometimes. Why is the groom fainting?"

"I am alright." Rayven breathed but his claws were already making holes in his pockets.

Standing up, he dragged himself out but Lazarus came after him. "You are not asking anything about the wedding preparation?" He said.

"Rings, food and drinks, and some people attending. I think you can handle that. No need for complications," Rayven said.

Lazarus stopped him and then smiled his usual wicked smile. "As your unwanted friend, I will give you some unwanted advice. I know you want to die but while you are alive… live with some dignity, my friend." He adjusted his shirt for him. "The whole not caring about others while caring about their opinions…" He leaned closer. "It is getting boring," he whispered.

Then he leaned back and took a look at him, before dusting off something from his shoulders.

"At least look good for your bride. I am taking care of the wedding for you. A decent wedding for your bride. It might not mean anything to you, but I am sure she will remember it for the rest of her life. Also..." He leaned closer again. "If you plan to die, why get a wife?"

"Is it complicated?" Rayven said.

"It is still for some gain. Why gain something if dying? Unless you plan to take it with you to your grave?"

Rayven chuckled but realized he was indeed taking his face to his grave. What was the point then?

"I want to once see myself before I die." He said.

Lazarus nodded as if understanding what he meant. "I hope we can all see ourselves, our real selves, perhaps even our better selves before we die." He clapped him on the shoulder. "I will send the details about the wedding and a few items to your home." He said before walking away.

His real self? His… better self?

He rushed to his horse and rode up the hill fast letting the wind cool him down a bit. Once he was at the top he found Angelica working in the garden again. She was on her knees, burying something in the ground. She was so engrossed in her work that she didn't notice that he was standing close and watching her.

"Why am I even doing this?" she muttered filling the hole she dug.

She was in a bad mood?

"I wonder the same." He said.

Startled she looked up at him with a gasp. "My Lord," She tried to get up on her feet so fast that she stumbled backward.

Afraid that she would fall he quickly grabbed her arm and pulled her a little too hard so that she came too close to him.

Her blue eyes widened. "I was…" She was speechless for a moment before she took a step back and straightened herself. "I was planting. There is no life around the castle."

The confidence returned to her eyes. So she was going to pretend that the rules didn't exist.

"Well, this is outside the castle, so I thought cleaning it would be alright." She explained herself when he said nothing.

He would think she could read his thoughts. He looked at her soiled hands.

"Ah, I shouldn't soil myself before the wedding." She said hiding her hands. "I will make sure to look my best tomorrow."

Her best? He wanted to curse. Tomorrow would be hell.

This woman would burn him with the blue flames of her eyes and the red flames of her hair.

He was already bothered, again, by the few strands of hair that fell over her face. He placed his hands behind his back to prevent any stupid move.

"I actually wanted to ask you... about the bats from last night…"

Ah, the bats. Perhaps he should have used them when he wanted to chase her away had he known she would be so frightened.

He used his senses to call a few and when she saw them fly above, she squealed with a soft cry and ran to him. Rayven stiffened when she grabbed his shirt and buried her face in his chest. He stopped breathing as he felt her hot breath through the thin fabric of his shirt.

"They are here." She whispered still holding onto him and refusing to look.

It took Rayven a moment to get out of his shocked state and carefully try to pull her away but she refused to let go of him.

"They are gone." He said realizing how scared she was of them.

Why did it have to be bats? He was almost disappointed.

Slowly, she looked up and around and when she saw none of them she released him.

"Oh…" She breathed relieved until she saw something on his chest. "Your shirt." She reached for him and tried to remove the stain caused by her soiled hands. Having her hands anywhere near his chest again made him panic and he grabbed both her wrists to stop her.

"I need to add another rule. No touching.." He said.