Chapter 74

~Kamari~

Ryuu leads us to a place secluded from the buildings of the Kingdom; still inside but on the outskirts, the hedges grew taller in the middle and that's where Ryuu led us. Inside of the brush a familiar flower glow with an ethereal light.

"What?" I say under my breath, "But how? I don't remember doing this." I look to Mael whose eyes are glued to the flower and start to get the feeling that he is holding something back. "Mael what aren't you telling me? What's the real reason you don't want me doing this?"

Mael sighs heavily, "The Hearth stone." He pauses, then runs his hand through his glossy platinum blonde locks. " The Hearth stone carries a part of us, Kamari. It's a weak spot." He spits out the word weak. "I don't understand, you ripped this same flower from the earth and your fine."

"That's because I never showed anyone what was below it." Mael's eyes narrow his gaze piercing at the flower. "This is exactly why I didn't want you doing this, Kamari. If an enemy knew this was here, they could harm you."

I look back at the flower, my gut churns and yet another part of me, feels contentment. It made sense that after all this time, blood, sweat and tears I've spent trying to make this land better that this would happen. My Eden was Nivillia. "Then I guess a Barrier is needed now." Mael head slowly turns to Kamari, his starts to breath heavy, "This isn't something to take lightly, or think is a gift." Mael marches up to me, his face inches from mine, my heart jolts ever so slightly, "This could kill you," I could feel the intense emotion coming off of him, his eyes were wide. "You were trying to protect me." I realize, "but it's too late for that Mael, what's done is done. Now I need your help."

Mael face contorts in anger, "Are you enjoying getting your way?" He spits out at me. I leer at him, "I had no control over this Mael. I never knew this was here and know that I know I'm not going to cry over it. I've had many threats to my throne. This just gives me added fuel to protect it." My gaze steels on him, I step forward, my voice unyielding, "And remind yourself who you speak to. You may be in the Pride now, but I won't tolerate being spoken to like that." I look to Ryuu, whose eyes lock on Mael. I walk up to him, "Does this worry you?"

"No." Ryuu's voice is firm, "I know how strong you are, and why no one should test you." Ryuu's gaze locks onto Mael, responding to my words, but I knew the who they were truly for. I place my forehead on Ryuu's, "You know I'd anything to protect you." My memories flash to my exhausting labor to give birth to Ryuu, every trial he's been through and still stood tall and healthy. I lean back from his, cupping his face, his eyes reminding me of the first time I got to see him before he left to seas. It scared me to death. "I know Nivillia will grateful to have you one day." The contentment in Ryuu's face falter's, he places a hand on mine, and I suddenly get an odd feeling. "Are you alright?"

Ryuu's hand cradles the back of my neck, "I know you are strong, and that is why you will be strong without me." My eyes widen, and a rush a cold stiffens my body, "What?" My words barely audible, I shake my head, "What are you talking about? A-Are you leaving?" I try to remain calm but the knot in my chest was only getting bigger, suffocating. Ryuu sighs, "Yes. Mother you never asked me if this is what I wanted. You made it my fate, but it's not what I want. I long to be free from concrete walls, to explore this world with Calea-"

"Calea?" I step back, "She's leaving with you?" I suddenly feel short of breath. Calea never told me anything. Was she planning on leaving not saying a word? Just the thought made my heart sink, although when I thought about it, I didn't give him Ryuu a chance to seek out his own life. I did place it on him, just like my parents did to me. I turn around and bury my head in my hands. "Good Goddess…" Was I that horrible of a mother? To not take into consideration of what he wanted and just slap a label to him. I felt so sick to my stomach.

"Is this truly what you want Ryuu?" I ask, my back still towards him. Ryuu's voice has no falter, no doubt. "Yes."

Fuck.

I take a shuddered breath. No, I can't be like them, I won't be like my parents. I take a deep breath, and try to calm myself, then I turn to him, my eyes soften when I look at him. "I won't make you stay. If being free is what your truly wish, then that is what I want for you. You shouldn't have to bear what you don't want." I can't help the tears that well up in my eyes. "But I will miss you terribly," my voice cracks. Ryuu pulls me into a tight hug, his scent, his warmth, everything, it made it worse, but I can't be selfish. I can't. Even though every fiber of my being screamed for me to fight it and make him stay. Ryuu would hate me for it, and I didn't want that. 

I pull back from him, and wipe my tears, "Ugh, I hate crying…" Ryuu wipes the tears from my cheek with his thumb. "You have the pride, you have Ignis. You will not be alone."

"You have no idea," I chuckle bittersweetly. Ryuu places his forehead against me once more, "I will not leave without saying goodbye."

"If you do, I'll track you down and kick your ass." I chuckle. He pulls back from me, his gaze goes to Mael, a heaviness in his eyes, one with a warning, then he turns and leaves. My body starts to tremble, I let out a shuddered breath, I start shaking my hands out, "Oh good goddess don't panic, don't panic." I chant to myself my hands on my knees.

"You've raised him well, Kamari. Once he's got years on him, he'll be a force to reckoned with." Mael's voice makes my heart spike. I had forgotten he was here. I sniffle and try to get myself together. I turn to him and try to get my mind off of it. "So will you help me or not Mael?" I'm drained after all that, and I wasn't in the mood to argue. Either he was in or out. I could find other ways to protect my hearth stone. Mael sigh heavily, his hand running through his hair, "Goddess above woman," his voice is laced with irritation, but I see a softness in his gaze. "You might just be the death of me," he says, then smiles, "But it's only fitting." I couldn't help but breathe a breath of relief. Mael closes the distance between us, "But to be the most affective, we might need a certain witch to give us a hand." He adds, and my gut churns even more. Now I had to speak with Calea about this knowing she's leaving. I was losing two people who meant the world to me.