Chereads / The Prince of the Ombrae / Chapter 21 - A companion

Chapter 21 - A companion

The same night, Jäwell walked in the garden one last time. He never passed by here, so he took the time to discover the place by night. 

He never tried to understand why Miroïr loved this place as he didn't care but now his brother was about to leave him, the garden never was so important, and Jäwell stopped in the middle. There was a statue of a woman. Carried by the rage, he punched it so strongly that the statue was cut in two. 

Jäwell fell to his knees in front of the broken statue, he couldn't hold his emotions anymore and he started to cry, he placed his hands on his face. He felt like being the little scared boy he was in the past once again. The same little boy who was terrified to be abandoned by his loved ones, scared to be left alone after his father passed when he was a child, terrified to see his beloved brother getting sicker every day.

In a sob, Jäwell felt his heart breaking like never before. He could not stop thinking that if he didn't try to fight the golden soldier and didn't die the situation would have been entirely different, but anyways, Miroïr and Zarkhaïm planned to leave him alone, and Jäwell was still deeply hurt by this, his brother always have been his whole life.

"I don't want my brother to leave me. Mama, please, help me to let him stay. I don't know what to do now. Please, Mama, help me," he pleaded quietly in the night.

He punched the floor before he felt a hand on his shoulder. He didn't dare to turn his head, ashamed to be seen like this. The feminine voice was smoothing in the night as a sweet and warm comforting lullaby. 

"You are not alone Jäwell, your soldiers believe in you. Some people admire you in silence. You simply need to find them." 

Jäwell raised his hand and held the gentle touch of the woman. Her thin hand was cold but felt warm to his soul. 

"And you? Do you admire me? Do you like me?" 

The voice whispered in his ear. 

"Yes, I have admired you since the very first time I saw you."

Jäwell turned his head and saw Leïlana's dark eyes staring at him. For the first time, he felt like someone else than his brother mattered. He was a handsome man and he used to bring pretty young women without ever being involved emotionally but on this particular night, he needed the company of someone, someone that could handle who he was for real. She caressed his face deformed by the beast's appearance. 

Leïlana smiled at him before proposing in a murmur, "Make me like you." 

His eyes opened while in shock, he was not sure he understood correctly.

"What? Why?" 

Leïlana continued to caress his cheek, then his neck, his shoulders, and his arms. Her fingers were wandering on his body freely, gently pressing through his clothes, enough for him to feel her.

"What do you think is going to happen when we run out of supplies and when I will be on the verge of death? Zarkhaïm doesn't care about me, all he cares about is Miroïr and he thinks he'll find a solution quickly, but if things don't go according to plan, what will happen? Do you think Miroïr will let me die and resist changing me to save my life? And even if he does resist, how long do you think he'll last alone in that tower with the memory of my death?"

The truth stroked Jäwell. Miroïr would have to handle the loss of his only companion and live alone knowing he could have saved her. Jäwell didn't think of it for long. He immediately stood up, took her hand, and led her into his bedroom without even adding a word. 

Jäwell's red eyes were staring at her, this would be his gift to his brother. A creature who would eternally stay with him. Even if she was strong, Leïlana was terrified by what was about to happen, but he didn't let her time to think about it twice and he pierced her skin and flesh with his fangs. Embracing her at the same time, Leïlana was torn between fear and admiration. He took a dagger and sliced his wrist, then placed it while bleeding in front of her lips. A wave of pleasure ran through her body as she sensed the true power penetrating her when she drank his blood. 

They cuddled on the sofa for a while arousing each other with intimate caresses. Jäwell then kissed her shoulder amused by her goosebumps. 

The power came into her veins, and as life was leaving her, the cursed blood entered her body. She felt an explosion of joy in her dying heart as she intensely liked it. The shadows around started to dance. It was a symphony in the darkness enjoying this climax with them, they were spreading all around the couple. Jäwell felt them awakening, his power was attracted by it and the black smoke joined the ballet in a superb and terrifying orgy of figures all mingling. 

That night Leïlana became a creature like Jäwell and Miroïr. She awakened in the shadows, her fingers became silver claws and she felt growing long and powerful fangs. She hugged Jäwell and scratched his skin, blood pearled on the couch. 

For an answer, Jäwell bit her with force, so strong that he ripped out a piece of flesh from her body. He smiled at her with satisfaction when she touched the hole in her shoulder and laughed out loud. 

The wound was already healing and her skin regenerated under her fingers. They continued this way all night, testing their limits while discovering the other's body, always further. When the sun rose, they left the room together to join the tower. 

Jäwell closed the door after Leïlana had gone out first. He smiled proudly when he saw the blood on the walls and the broken furniture. It had been an intense night like he hadn't had for a long time. Miroïr and Zarkhaïm were already there, waiting. They both sensed that a new creature was born that night but they kept silent about it. 

After an ultimate farewell, they entered the tower. Miroïr closed the door and leaned against the door to eventually sit on the floor against it. During this time, Leïlana activated the orb. Miroïr placed his hand on the wooden door with tears in his eyes. 

"I love you."

On the other side, Zarkhaïm lowered his head, hiding his face under his long hair. He whispered in a trembling voice.

"I love you."

The tower activated and they left in silence. Zarkhaïm saw it from outside disappearing in front of him and his heart tightened, he felt broken. He turned to Jäwell with a gloomy look. 

"Don't forget to never create another one." 

Jäwell nodded, "I don't want to wait for someone special like you did. Transforming her was the best choice possible. He will not be tempted to save her when the moment comes." 

Zarkhaïm agreed, they knew Miroïr was deeply kind and he would probably not stand letting Leïlana die without trying to save her. They knew he would eventually transform her. It was hard for Zarkhaïm to admit that Jäwell did a smart thing for once. He took the direction to the throne. Followed by Jäwell, he pushed the secret door leading to the Ombrae. The king turned to Jäwell and placed a hand on his shoulder right before leaving.

"You will be a great leader. I will come back to search for you when I find a solution. Wait for me." 

Zarkhaïm passed the door, and suddenly, Jäwell was alone once again.