Fie Wright's P. O. V

"Do you think this is going to turn out alright?" Ezra asks in a hushed voice, his voice travelling through the quiet night, well a relatively quiet night as rain scatters down all around us, thunder rumbling in the background as lightning cascades from the heaven. Each bang louder than the next causing the man to jump up, a low cuss escaping his lips as he settles down beside me once more.

I let out a long withdrawn sigh, shrugging my shoulders while settling closer to the warmth of my cousin as he grunts, throwing an arm around me as I ponder over his question.

"Honestly," my voice gets cut off as another crash drowns out all the rest of the noise before silence reigns again, "I have no damn clue and what makes me angry about all of this is the stupid fact that Malleus is shutting me out to 'protect' me. What kind of absolute cliché bullshit is this?" I seethe angrily, huffing in protest while wrapping my arms tighter around myself.

Ezra hums in agreement, nodding his head before he removes his arm from my shoulder and leans against the rocky wall instead, shivering as the cold seeps through his thin cotton shirt. The entire time the both of us were sat here consisted of complaints and grumbles about our significant other's, especially when they were the same ones who had the not so bright idea of leaving us behind in a castle with nothing to do.

Ezra and I decided to fortify our fronts a little over an hour ago, practically sulking at our mate's words of denial to us trekking along. The rain being something both of us finding comfort in since a young age, Ezra and I went to the left wing of the castle that was rarely used if you don't count the continuous scurrying of maids running to and fro from one part of the castle and over to the other. In the left wing as we whined and moaned, we found a nice balcony that sheltered us from the rain and gave a great view of the night lights twinkling from the town below us and stretched far ahead, the pluming smoke getting quelled as they rise from the chimneys of the village, supper being cooked in hearths to fill little tummy's.

Little tummy's like mine that sadly aren't so little and currently making hungry whaling sounds which my beloved mate will catch onto at any moment.

The low walls of the castles edge here on the balcony also not helping our misery soaked states as the wind smacks face first into us. Ezra's cheeks and nose as rosy as ever but the both of us not giving up, much too stubborn to turn back to Rui and Malleus who had rather excellent points.

But why on Earth would we listen to people who know better and are only looking out for us? Obviously because that's not what we want.

The sound of faint footsteps entering the hall one away from us has Ezra and I sharing disgruntled expressions, already knowing it's Malleus coming to fetch us, or rather me before I catch a cold. I grumble deeper, sinking into my own embrace as I wrap my arms tighter around myself, waiting for my mate's appearance which doesn't keep me occupied for long. Malleus pops his head in through the partially open sliding door, a frown on his face as he catches sight of my huddled on the ground before his eyes trail to Ezra.

"Fie," Malleus begins and then reluctantly adding, "Ezra, both of you should come inside. Rui is looking for you. She said she wanted to discuss something the two of you mentioned before?" My eyes dart to Ezra, narrowing into slits as I pretty much glare a hole into his body, willing him to stay put and not abandon me as we throw our tantrums.

The glare doesn't seem to be doing an effective job because as soon as Rui is mentioned, all previous anger and pouty lips are forgotten as the man jumps to his feet, patting my head on the way before mentioning a quick thanks to Malleus as he runs away.

I bet it was something to do with sex. Rui plays a sly game I'll give her that.

Momentarily my own mind jumps to using sex as a coercion tactic but one glance at Malleus has not only my anger returning but it also has the sensible side of me riling in protest. I don't want to throw away something that's precious to the both of us in a game of manipulation.

I can simply find other ways to manipulate him.

"Fie? Are you seriously giving me the silent treatment?" Malleus questions with disbelief as I turn my head to stare at the rain ahead of me instead of him.

"Fie." He warns again though this not giving him much of a reaction as I take in a deep breath, enjoying the next breeze of air as the rain patters down.

"You do know I can make it so it stops raining right?" This gives him a reaction of me huffing in protest, knowing he won't go that far since the rain is the only thing keeping me calm.

"Come on, my little wolf. I don't want you getting sick. Please baby?" The added pet names have me melting in my spot, nearly giving in it it weren't for my mother's stubborn blood flowing through my veins.

Oh no, I won't let my mother down. I'll stand strong for the purpose of being petty.

Malleus lets out a king exaggerated sigh as he realises I won't be getting up any time soon. The sound of shuffling feet have me thinking he's making a move to leave me and go back inside, which admittedly has my heart dropping to my stomach. It's like I can't decide what I want to do. I get taken by surprise, however, as a tall and warm body slinks down next to me on the cold floor, Malleus' body heat already making me feel nice and toasty.

"You know I'm only doing this to keep you safe. It's the only logical conclusion there is." Malleus whispers to me, my once silent treatment temper now feeling as I stare at him in disbelief, words flowing out of my mouth before I can ponder on them too much.

"Logical my ass, Malleus. Why on Earth would the King, who is in charge of the whole damn Kingdom, wander off on a hunting party because of some deranged witches? I know you like being involved in matters of the realm, but you won't have a realm to look after when you're dead!" I exclaim loudly, waving my hands in the air and nearly smacking my mate with the ferocity.

One part of me is angry because my mate is being so unbelievably stupid and the other part of me is in a cold soaking sweat just at the thought of him being in danger.

"Kings have generals under them for a reason, Malleus. They have soldiers and other staff because a King's job is to look after his subject, not head into trifling matters where they could potentially die." I say with a now dull tone, too fed up and tired with explaining this whole benign concept to him repeatedly.

Malleus tentatively inches his hand closer to mine, watching if I move my hand away from his or not. I don't yank mine away but that doesn't necessarily mean I clutch it close to me, my hand lying like a limp noodle in his causing his shoulders to drop significantly.

"Fie. I'm the King. I'm not about to let other people lay their lives on the line when I can very easily do the job myself while risking zero to little deaths." I smack my free palm against my forehead, the man missing my point entirely.

"You don't understand what I'm trying to say," I chew down on my tongue, my argument about to get nullified because of the stupid tears which threaten to fall whenever I get ready to bring my point across, "You have the possibility of saving a few lives, yes, but if something happens to you out there on a simple mission, those few lives won't be able to compare with the ones that will be lost in the turmoil which comes with a kingdom that has no leader. Your uncle tried killing your mother when she was pregnant with you. What's stopping another person from attacking when the next in line to the throne is vulnerable?" Luckily no tears make their way down my cheeks and me furiously batting my eyelashes in a less than charming manner has them being kept at bay.

The grip Malleus has on my hand turns harsher than ever before as I glance up at his face to see what's wrong while being taken by surprise at the anger and hurt showing clearly on his face.

"Are you saying I won't be able to protect you? That I won't be able to keep you safe enough?" His question has me completely baffled as I let out a quiet 'huh?' Not realising his train of thought coupled with my words led him down that path.

"No, you big buffoon. That's not what I'm getting at. I'm saying you should let me go instead. There's no point of me staying behind to look after everything since I haven't even really started my Queenly duties and the whole course I have to take. It's better I go since it'll help me with my advisory duties and the King will be sat on his throne ready to poke at other people who try to take over." I say with a matter of fact tone, gently caressing his hand in the hopes it'll help soften him up.

Malleus stays silent for a few moments, most likely processing my words as the frown on his face deepens. "But that doesn't make sense. Why would the Queen to be go on a potentially dangerous journey?" I scoff at his words, resisting the urge to thwack him on the arm.

"Why does it make sense for the King to go? No sense at all. Keir should go since he knows where they are, followed by Apollo and a few guards along with a mage to help in case things get tricky magic wise. Usually an advisor is sent as well to help out any potential diplomacy issues. You don't see a President running off to war every time their country clashes with another." I point out to which my mate ponders in silence.

"Well Presidents are stupid. They should go and fight their wars." He says in a tone that makes me think he's actually sulking.

"Yeah," I say with a disbelief scoff, "Go off and let the rebels or whoever come along. That's how anarchy starts off." I say snidely to which he rolls his eyes.

Malleus pushes himself off of the ground, the cold replacing his lack of warmth immediately causing shivers to wrack down my spine. I try to hide them and appear unaffected but that doesn't stop me from quickly grabbing onto Malleus' hand as he brandishes it towards me, an offering which I yank upon while getting to my full height which isn't much.

"I'll be leaving along with Keir and Apollo at first light, Fie. I know you don't like it but there's nothing I can do about it. I'd like to spend the rest of the day with you so if you'd please, cooperate with me and come inside?" He asks gently, my stubborn side rearing its ugly head but I smother it silently, pursing my lips before nodding.

"Fine. I'm still mad at you but I guess my love for you trumps that. I'll nag you once again when you get back though." I inform the man to which he laughs quietly, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead before leading the both of us inside.

As we head back inside, I find my grip on Malleus' hand tightening as I throw one arm around his waist. The stance is rather awkward as we make our way through the castle but my mate doesn't complain as he throws his own arm around my shoulders and pulls me close. None of us say anything but the hammering of my heart in my chest is more than enough to voice out the fears eating away at me internally. The lump in my throat makes it hard to swallow and I try to control my breathing to come out in normal lengthy breaths, laying my head on Malleus' chest while wishing nothing happens to him and he comes back in one piece.

It isn't a surprise to anyone when the rest of the day goes by in much the same way, random spurts of me getting uncomfortable with my messed up emotions since I don't deal with them. I usually shove all bad emotions to the side, letting them bubble over and then having one good crying session but still trying my best to never think about the reason for those tears.

Malleus and I mostly lay in bed all day, the television playing on mute just to make some sort of excuse to be in the bedroom as the rain wages on outside. Both of us taking comfort in the pitter patter going outside while Kitty lays at the foot of the bed, purring away and not caring she's still unnamed.

"What happens when you leave? Does the rain stop?" I further clarify when he sends me a confused look, pulling the comforter tighter around our shoulders while I sink lower into the bed, the comforter now at my chin while I snuggle deeper into his chest. Malleus let's out a deep throaty laugh, pressing a kiss to my lips for the thousandth time today before he shakes his head and sends me a teasing smile.

"You just love me for my rain and that's it. I see how it is." I feebly hit him on the chest with my palm, the act not even noticeable to him as Malleus tilts his head to the side, gazing down at me with an unreadable expression. "No. To answer your question; the rain will stay. It won't leave your side." He says solemnly while I stand up in shock, eyes wide and lips parted.

"You can control the weather from so far away? Just how powerful are you? How is that humanly possible?" I thrown questions after question but the sheepish smile on his lips has me stopping. "What?" I ask one last question.

"Well it's not about me being powerful but more the fact that the Real of Tenebris always has forecast for rain. I just help it along you could say." He says with a small laugh, eyes darting to the side in fear of admonishment while his cheeks turn an adorable shade of red.

The stirring pot full of trepidation in my stomach seems to bubble over as I end up laughing hysterically. Malleus' admission followed by the stress that's been eating away at me all day finally causing me to snap as I flop down onto the bed, continuous giggles escaping me with no sign of stopping me. Malleus' warm hand on my back has me calming down slowly but surely, the tears in the corner of my eyes slipping down my cheeks but drying just as fast. Sitting back up, I wipe helplessly at my cheeks before clearing my throat.

"How long will you be going for?" I ask while trying to hold back the tremor in my voice. Even my wolf has gone haywire with the numerous possibilities, feeding scenario after horrible scenario of all the things that could go wrong. She doesn't understand the fact about me not being able to go with Malleus but instead, thinks that conjuring up the most horrid images of my mate will help motivate me to push harder.

"Probably four days? Could be sooner if Thaddeus helps around with the gate to the realm." Malleus mistakes my blank look for confusion on the latter topic as he tried to further clarify, "The gate acts like a teleportation device not only between both the realms but also into particular areas within them. If Thaddeus can activate it again, I'll try and be back in three days. Although it'll probably be difficult with all that black magic swirling around." He ventures off into deep thought while I splutter out my words.

"F-four days?" I ask to which Malleus nods quickly, cooing his words out at me while brushing his fingers through my curly hair which doesn't get him very far.

"Baby, don't worry. The four days will be gone before you know it. I'll be right next to you in the blink of an eye." He tries to console as I lean out of his touch, giving him the stink eye.

"I know," I say in a deadpan voice, keeping the disbelief out of it but the expression showing up on my face anyway, "I thought you'd be gone for months damn it. Now you're telling me it's only four days?" I ask, my heart soaring with relief as Malleus merely blinks back at me.

"Why would I be gone for months?"

"Why wouldn't you?" I quip back. "You don't know exactly where the witches are and I thought a peaceful settlement would take longer time so I deduced it to months." I answer back, my eyes narrowing with suspicion while Malleus let's out a sound of disbelief.

"No. You're wrong. Keir knows the basic whereabouts which means he'll be off a few miles at most. We go, talk, maybe fight a bit and then I'll go over through some peaceful options once again. Standard procedure. They fold within two days at most and if it takes longer, well I'll just leave Apollo to handle it. I can't leave my mate to suffer all on her own now can I? That and I have a kingdom to run." He adds quickly at the end while I throw myself at him, peppering kisses all over his face as he wraps his arms around me.

"You're forgiven!"

—————-

AN: Hi everyone! Could you tell I was stalling with this chapter because I had writers block so I was just 🧍🏻‍♀️ the entire chapter (insert Robbert Pattinson meme. Hell I'll just insert it).



Anyways, yeah next chapter with potential action coming up. Also I'm not really a fan of the whole kidnapping trope so a spoiler alert, there won't really be any of that? I mean I might surprise myself but yeah no.

Question: What is your least favourite trope (action wise)?

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