Run

MICHAEL

She laughed even though I did not find what I said amusing.

''Oh my, Your Majesty, you are so funny.''

How?

''Animals are quite the intelligent ones. They would know how to survive during winter.''

''What about Bats? Do you like Bats?'' Her face reddens at my question resulting in a small smile.

''I don't know Your Majesty. I prefer the cute, fluffy animals...because of my personality.''

I nodded.

''What about you, Your Majesty? What animal is your favorite?''

I thought about this deeply. No one has ever asked me that before. It felt weird, but I had to try and think of something.

''Doves.''

''Doves?''

''Yeah. Doves.''

''Why...Doves?''

''Well, em...I just like them because they represent purity.''

''Oh, right. Well, what is your favorite fruit, Your Majesty?''

''I think...Grapes?''

''Nice. I prefer Apples.''

The last time I had apples was a very long time ago. I remember my mom buying them for me whenever she went out of town when I was still small. But since the time we started living in Avalore, there was no room for both freedom and apples.

''Your Majesty, I prepared for you a special kind of tea. The environment is chilly and somewhat unbearable. Would His Majesty mind a cup of warm tea?''

Do I mind? ''What kind of tea?''

''It's a secret.''

''What if I don't like it?''

She smiled, ''Trust me, you are going to die for it.''

.

.

.

I don't feel good. My neck burned and I tried my best to remove the amulet Hazel put around my neck because of the burning sensation, but I could not. It was stuck around me like a second skin.

My skin itches a lot and I felt very uncomfortable. I tried many times to let my demon out but I couldn't. Even if I did, it would be very painful to the extent that I would have to let it back in.

I feel weak and I am losing my balance gradually. This is not the first or second time this would happen to me. But this one felt choking and unbearable.

The sun was about to set so I staggered to rest in my room. On my way to my room, I felt like I was being followed. Though my vision was a little bit blurry I could still sense it.

My demon has been put to sleep by a force and I am solely depending on my human senses.

I groaned as the flesh around my neck hurt again and my stomach did another painful twist. What is happening to me?

I entered my room and made sure to lock the doors. I wondered where the guards to my room went all of a sudden.

My skin crawled and I felt a tingling sensation in my throat. It was so itchy.

I looked around when I felt that presence again in my bedroom. A dark bird let out a strange cry from my balcony.

''Levi?'' I called out.

''Levi, is that you?''

No response.

I drew out my sword and waited for the worst kind of creature to launch an attack on me from the shadows of my room. But nothing happened.

I decided to relax on my bed, after throwing up a dark spit to deceive whatever creep was watching me from the shadows. I lay on my bed with a groan right after I placed my sword under my pillow and waited again for the worst to happen.

I tried shapeshifting into my demonic form but the pain was overwhelming.

God, what is happening to me? Why do I feel like I am about to die?

I waited in silence as my heart began to beat wildly.

I felt the presence approach my bedside. The person was calm and relaxed. I dug my left arm under my pillow silently and held onto my sword while counting to ten.

When I reached ten, I opened my eyes and swung into action.

The person let out a feminine scream as I pinned down the person beneath me with my sword to the person's throat.

I was shocked at who the person was.

''Nowel?''

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.

.

NOWEL

Today's meeting with Illinois was quite exhausting. I changed into my nightwear and brushed my hair.

I wonder if Michael is okay.

I decided to visit him in his room. When I got there, I was surprised to see that there were no guards at the door. I immediately entered to see if my demon was okay.

I entered to meet with the darkness and a strange-looking bird on the balcony. I gently closed the doors and walked towards Gorgeous bed. I'll just check to see if he is alright and go back to my room. I have no intention to wake him. He must be very tired.

I relaxed when I saw him sleeping. He is alright and there is nothing to be worried about. Good.

I turned to leave when a hand pulled me towards itself and pinned me on the bed.

I screamed.

Michael pinned me to the bed with his body and my eyes widened in horror when I felt his sword so close to my throat.

What in the world...

''Nowel?''

I struggled to break free under him but he was just too strong.

''Yes.'' I hissed. The pressure he put on my arms increased causing me to whimper. This was not how I imagined my checking on him to be!

''What are you doing here?''

I rolled my eyes. Great question. Let me ask you one as well. ''You sleep with a sword under your pillow?''

He withdrew the sword from my neck and tossed it on the bed. ''That was not the question I asked you.''

Oh, for the love of sanity! ''Why? Were you expecting someone else?''

He just stared at me as I struggled to free myself under him.

''Nowel...were you following me?''

What?

Following you?

Why? To get pinned down by you on your bed at night with a sword? How romantic.

''No.'' I answered, ''And please get off me.''

He hesitated before he finally got off me. I sighed as I could breathe properly. I got off his bed to face him. ''Michael, why do you have a sword under your pillow?''

He turned to look at the sword in question on the bed before he faced me again. ''Go back to your room.'' He dismissed.

''Don't tell me to go back to my room. Are you in danger?''

''No.'' He lied. ''Leave me alone Nowel. I am so tired.'' He bent over and spat out a very dark, semi-liquid substance and my entire face was horror-filled. Rushing over to him, I stopped when he held his hands out to me, "Stop."

"Michael," I whispered.

He straightened his back and wiped his lips with the back of his hands.

"I am fine. It is just a...demon...thing."

Moaning in pain and vomiting dark spit is not a 'demon thing' I am not a fool.

''Michael, tell me what is wrong with you this instant or you'll be sleeping with me tonight.''

He blinked in surprise. Even I was shocked by what came out of my mouth as the heat rose to my face in embarrassment.

''No...no, no, no, no. No. I mean on the bed beside me and not...''

He tilted his head a little bit to the left. As if doubting what I meant by sleeping with me.

My back hit the wall as he came closer to me. He stared at me softly.

''You...want that?''

My lips parted slightly in a jar. This demonic spirit is a pervert!

''I don't...'' The remaining words died on my lips the moment his lips met mine.

I...stilled.

His lips molded into mine softly and with passion. My brain couldn't keep up as he had me pinned to the wall and his lips showered mine with unknown lust. He was willing to have me this time and I submitted completely to him, My demonic spirit.

My face twisted in irritation when I began to taste metal in my mouth.

My eyes opened in an instant when the taste became more pronounced every second and I felt how tightly Michael held onto me. A kiss shouldn't taste like metal, right? Something is not right here.

My eyes noticed the tears that were streaming down his cheeks as he continued to deepen the kiss happening between us. As if he wanted to have all of me at once.

I struggled from his firm grip and freed myself with a startled gasp as blood stained my mouth.

I saw a humanoid figure standing behind him and my heart began to race as Michael continued to bleed from his mouth. The bloody tip of the blade protruded from his stomach as more blood gushed out of his lips in full force.

I

Screamed!

The figure behind him drew out the sword and Michael gasped in pain. He fell to his knees and spat out more blood from his mouth. My mind began to spin as my heart increased in its rhythmic beats.

Gorgeous stared at me with pained, pitched-black eyes as he fought to stop the life force in him from wasting away by pressing his palms to the bleeding area of his abdomen. His face began to fade from its original bright color, leaving behind a pale blue color with veins popping under his slowly cracking skin.

My throat gave way for another ear-splitting, high-pitched scream again as the scene before me happened in slow motion.

"I..." He began as he choked on his blood once more.

"...Love you too. But, please, run."

His body jerked once more and he became one with the ground with a final groan of pain.

"Michael!!!!"