Easton felt butterflies fly around in his stomach when he said those words. It was like his heart flipped the switch that said go fast as he felt his cheek beginning to heat up. "You would really?"Easton's voice was soft and shy almost. "You're not joking right like you're not just saying this because we both might die in 10 minutes?" Easton let out a breathy laugh. "I really don't deserve you, you know that right?" Easton went to reach Abrose to embrace him but only heard the sounds of the chains linking him to the wall. "How about when we get out of here we go somewhere far away and have our first date there. No interruptions, no confusion, no rules, and no one telling us what we can and can't be. Just us…" he asked. Easton no longer had hope in his eyes, but determination.
Abrose nodded his head and gave a smile, the best he could do as his heart broke again. He couldn't bring himself to shatter Easton's dream, especially since he too wanted that dream to come true. "No my love, I'm not joking. I'd love nothing more than to run away with you where no one knows our name, where we can be ourselves without having to look over out shoulder all the time." He rested his head against Easton's shoulder, raising his hand so it was lightly ready on Easton's cheek just so that they could have some contacted, despite being in chains. "No interruptions, no rules, and just us? Sounds good to me." He mused, pressing a kiss to Easton's cheek.
Nick came back banging on the cell. "This is sad. Get up time for trials." He groaned unlocking the cell. Nick unhooked the chains from the wall pulling Easton up. He pulled Abrose up after escorting them out of the cell.
"Don't touch him," he growled like a wolf ready to kill.
"Quit your growling puppy, I wouldn't lay a hand on him the queen will do that for me." Nick scoffed.
Easton looked over to Abrose obviously worried and concerned by what would happen in the next few minutes. "I'm sorry" he mouthed.
A ride looked up as Nick entered the room, heart leaping to his throat. Surly it hadn't been an hour. Or maybe it was never supposed to be an hour. He sucked in a steadying break and hauled himself up. He glanced over his shoulder as Nick got Easton out of his chains, glad that at least he's be free soon enough. He shook his head slightly as they were brought through the corridors to the throne room, whispering 'its not your fault' to Easton as they entered the throne room.
The queen sat at her throne, a sword casually resting against her throne. Only a prop, Abrose knew she didn't need any weapon to kill. She only needed to shift into some terrible beast to end his life. She grinned as the two were brought firth, leaning her head on a delicate hand. "I've been waiting quite a while for this." She purred.
"Have you your Majesty?" Easton questioned as he straighten his back and stood tall. "I've been waiting for this too." He slightly moved in front of Abrose, so he would have enough room to shield him if he needed to. Nick on the other hand had dropped the chains and gone off the stand on the sides. He had bowed, feeling proud that he had brought in Easton and Abrose. "I'm guessing you're going to kill us correctly. What is the point of a trial if your bias is clear your Majesty? You want us dead." His voice was angry, but soft at the same time.
Her Majesty feigned a hurt expression, gracefully standing from her chair and Cong to stand at the top of the dias. "Honestly Captain, when will you learn to listen then speak? Especially when I've done nothing wrong." She shook her head as if disappointed in a child and watched carefully as her Captain came to stand in front of Abrose. "How very interesting." She murmured thoughtfully, "and here I thought you were the one in control. I do believe you're exact words were 'wrapped around my finger' but it seems to be the other way around." She mused, laughing to herself. "I should have known with the numerous questionable lovers you had, you'd inevitablely end up falling for the witch." She shrugged and waved to a nearby guard. "What good would it be fulfilling my own desires, I already know the witch is a danger. But I need to convince the people as well, else how would they see their Queen if she just went around killing silly little humans rumored to have magic?" She took a vile from the offered tray from the guard and motioned to Abrose. "Nicolas if you'd be a dear and prong our guest forwards."
Easton's eyebrows furrowed out of frustration. He wanted to be the one to tell Abrose about his past affairs but instead, she had said bluntly. "As you wish." Nick said doing exactly as he was told.
"You're sick you know that." Easton seemed to struggle when Nick fulfilled his duty. "I can't believe I used to think like you. I hope your kingdom rots in the deepest parts of hell and your crimes against every citizen will be known across the world." Easton's nose was stretched up like he smelled something bad his body weight 60/40 in aggressive position. He would spit on the queen if he could. His eyes would keep flickering back to Abrose to make sure he was okay. "Besides how are you going to convince the entire country which is mostly made of people like Abrose to kill him. You must have a pretty good plan if you want to do that." he smirked.
The queen roamed back to her throne as Abrose was brought forwards. "Don't you understand captain? That is exactly how u cane to power. I instil fear near and far. I know exactly where to cause the most harm to make the biggest impact, ensuring that o one else dare come after me. If you don't think I'm.right, take a look at our little conundrum here. I've got your little toy, now you're willing to do just about anything to get him back. You wouldn't dare do something that would get you pretty pet hurt." Her eyes glittered with victory as she swirled the vile in her hand, watching as the sickly blue liquid swished around. "Oh I don't need to convince anyone." She smirked right back and gripped Abrose's hair hard enough to release a Yelp of pain from him, long enough for her to force the liquid down his throat and swallow it entirely. "He'll do that all on his own. All I have to do is be the fair and reasonable queen my price assume I am and deal with the criminal as follows by the jurisdiction they give him." She stood and nodded for Nick and another fellow guard to bring Easton and Abrose along. She crossed the room to another set of doors, these leading into a sort of court room, now filled with Fae-kimd, all waiting, ready and hungry for the blood of a witch.
For once Nick hesitated but soon carried out the orders. Easton on the other hand had no response. He growled biting at her hand that was attached to Abrose's hair before they started moving. "What the fuck did you give him?" his voice was definitely angry and more so got even louder than it was before. His growl could almost shake the ground. He looked back at Nick with pleading eyes, but he kept pulling forwards. Easton's face showed a scared expression not for him but for Abrose. He never got this far with all of the dirty work, this is new to him. Nick please do something… he begged in his head.
She glanced over her shoulder unsymmetrically as she climbed to an erected wooden platform above the crowd of fae nobles. A stage for the queen to showcase her latest entertainment, for Abrose, an executioners platform. He begrudgingly followed after, not having a choice as he was yanked up by Nick, already feeling as his mind swimming with whatever he was forced to swallow. The only face he could really focus on was Easton's. He tried to say something like run or go but his tongue became heavy with the words. Finally, through his drunken state he recognized the liquid he'd consumed. Valerium. A specific root mixed with various other components in order to create some sort of truth serum. While in reality it only forced the brain to focus on a single thought, it had a habit of forcing the truest of thoughts as well, the guilty feeling mixed with lying having always caused a naseating effect on those tested. He barely had register what the Queen was babbling on about to her loyal puppets until she turned her gaze to him and slowly knelt in front of him. He barely registered surprise when she took his hands in hers, almost as if wanting to offer him comfort for what she was about to make him do. He took as deep a breath as he could mister and let himself be inerrigated, already feeling the defeat in his bones as his own abilities tried to push the serum out of blood, just as it did with the alcohol.
"Abrose, what is your last name?" He heard we ask.
"Nightingale." He breathed, a memory of his mother and his sister flashing in his mind. He barely registered the tears as he continued to ask every single horribly invading question she asked with the most amount of honesty.
Easton whipped his head over to Abrose, giving him a look of confusion. "No…" Easton knew that truth serums were possible but he never used one nor did he have a reason for it. He was just the one bring them in. "Nick! Stop this!" Easton's head still hurt and the chains blocking his abilities were not helping. he struggled against Nick hoping maybe he could break free. Just maybe…Everything was so overwhelming and he just couldn't handle it. Not right now. "Don't do this Abrose, Look at me…" he whispered. "Fight it. Please…" he begged. If there was even one hint of Abrose that was an actual crime in his memories somewhere it would come to light and he wanted anything other than that happening.
Abrose continued to answer the Queen's questions as the room grew deathly quiet, save for Easton's please. In his state, Abrose could barely hear Easton, let alone respond. Everytime he turned his head or tilted it in his direction, the queen would demand his full attention by digging her nails into his hands. He shuddered violently before returning his gaze back to the Queen's, staring emotionless into her eyes as he finally question slipped from her lips. "And finally, Abrose Nightingale, what unearthly, demonic powers do you possess?"
At this, Abrose tilted his head "demonic?" He whispered, a small, almost angelic smile crossed his features. "Abilities yes, but they are not demonic." He laughed softly, almost a sweet sound if it weren't for the situation.
The queen let out a low growl, "accidentally" digging her nails deep enough into Abrose's hands that they drew blood. "What abilities do you possess." She repeated slowly. Abrose flinched, tears streaming down his cheeks, the deepest parts if him knowing this was all wrong.
"The knowledge of any plant." He muttered.
"And?" The queen pressed.
Abrise's features twisted into agoney as he tried to shove down the answer.
"Don't fight it Abrose, it'll only hurt more." The queen warned, seemingly kind but he could hear the malicious undertone
He inhaled sharply, back arching in pain. "And how to use then to kill anyone." He gritted out "including fae-kind."
Easton fell silent. "What…" Easton took a step back. "No…he can't mean that…" The room as well fell silent. Even Nick backed up some. He knew that what he could do with those plants was beyond his knowledge, but never like this. Easton shut his mouth as soon as he went to open it. He couldn't find the word to make this situation any better. There was no fixing this. Abrose had just exposed himself in front of every Fae.
Nick gulped slightly. He didn't know whether or not to do something or leave everything as it was. At this rate, they both would die. He didn't want his best friend since he's known since birth to die because of something his heart can't control. He took a big gasp before saying, "Why does that matter? If he really wanted to kill us he would've done it already correct. We wouldn't be standing here right now having this exchange if he wanted to kill us. If he wanted to kill the Queen, could he? Maybe that's the real question you should be asking. If he could I'm pretty sure I would be serving him not you, your Majesty."
Easton listened to his words with a smile. "Thank you." he mouthed.
Gasps rang out through the hall the moment Abrose confessed followed by murmurs. The queen smiled and slowly let go of Abrose's hands, his blood staining the tips of her nails. The moment she let him go, Abrose collapsed on his side, shaking violently as his body was finally able to fight the serum without resistance from the queen. Her majesty turned to her onlookers, her features contorted in pain. "As you can see, my dear people, we have a witch among us. As much as it pains me to say this, especially about someone who's seemingly helped those humans and fae alike beneath our ranks, I must protect everyone. While there is no absolute proof that this witch has hurt or killed anyone, how, I ask, can I, as your Queen, can I allow for someone who has openly confessed to have the ability to kill our kind roam freely?" He glared around, daring anyone to apose her. No one in the crowd dared, but Nick's voice rang out in the halls. The Queen slowly turned, teeth bared as she gave her second in command. "And tell me, how do you know he hasn't yet?" She inquiries. "Seems to me he already has, considering hems twisted the mind of my Captain, making him fall in love with him and now apparently convincing my second to appose me." She whipped back to her people and pointed an accusing hand at Abrose. "Will we really let this continue? Let this witch terrorize us? Instill fear within us and our children?" She asked desperately, trying her best to ignore Nick's taunts and the murmurs that arise in the crowd agreeing with him
"As I seem to recall your majesty he controls plants and nature and things that grow from the ground. The last time I checked, I was a human being who out of my mother's…well you know the rest. He said it himself, his powers are not demonic, simply plant-based, and nothing more. While your at it ask him if he has ever used this power and if so why and we'll see who the real which is. There are plenty of plants that could kill you. I figure he could enhance that killing power into something stronger, like any magic-user. But of course, if you don't want to listen to me ask him yourself. How does he kill fae-kind when he can control minds. I'm the only one who could even remotely hear thoughts. So how would a plant user play mind games?" Nick dropped the chains letting Easton bend down to Abrose.
"Hey…can you hear me?" Easton said quietly not wanting to interrupt Nick's very sassy speech about how the Queen should give the people more information.
The queen let out a deep growl, eyes shifting from a deep green to an Amber. "Tell me, how you could stand knowing that this human has the potential to kill you without any consequence. How you can stand by defending him when could easily poison your meal." She snapped, teeth sharp and pointed. She half turned towards Abrose, still curled in on himself. "I should have gone out myself and ended you all those years ago. Then I could have saved you from this." She shook her head and turned back to her people, glad to at least see some who seemed to agree with her. "Tell me, people of Bellaluna. Are we going to allow this witch to continue with its life only to put ours at risk? Or will some of you side with the captain and the second? Pathetic as it may be."
Ambrose recoiled as a sharp pain shot down his spine, forcing himself not to vomit right then and there. He warrily glanced up at Easton, vision distorted with tears and from the serum. He tried to respond, a mixture of incoherent muttering and moans of pain the only sound he could muster. He shook his head and curled up into a tighter ball, not even wanting to look at anything anymore. When would they just kill him?
"But isn't Easton still alive and Abrose had cooked for him tonight?" He was hoping to stall long enough that Abrose and Easton could attempt to getaway. Easton watched Abrose wish he could reach out the chain was too restricting. He gave a deep growl that seemed to make the floor shake as he watched the one he loved struggle in pain alone. Nick had fallen silent when the chains broke. "What the…"
Easton had taken Abrose in his arms, holding the other closer to his body. "You're okay…shhh…I'm here…" he reached down and broke the other's chains as well. Easton kisses his hand giving a soft smile. "You're okay…just focus on me. Focus on my voice. Rest now okay?"
Nick could hear his thoughts loud and clear, he wasn't angry nor sad, but worried. He wanted Abrose to be okay. "Tell me my fellow fae, does he seem like a threat right now. Do either of them look like they could tear this village apart and kill all of you. What would they gain from that? They're just like you, no? Have there been sightings of a human running around killing fae-kind? Not that I've seen. If anything I would call you the witch, your Majesty." He watch out of the corner of his eyes as Easton picked up Abrose carry him in his arms. He wasn't listening to what he said he just wanted to get out of here.
The Queen was seething, her teeth barred as she pinned Nick with a stare, ignoring the fact that Easton had managed to slip by to her prisoner. That was until she heard the sound of metal being torn apart, the sound annoyingly high pitched to their sensitive fae ears. She flicked her gaze between the two, knowing that if she declared death before a trial, her people would rebel. But she had been waiting years to finally wipe out the Nightingale lineage. While a minor neucance compared to those across seas, the family has always been consistent in producing offspring with strangely powerful abilities. While Abrose seemingly didn't show anything lethal to her or her people, she didn't want to take that risk. She breathed out steadily through her nose and addressed the crowd.
Meanwhile, Abrose tried his very best not to pass out. He could sense movement around him but he didn't really know what was going on. His gaze landed on a blurry version of Easton, determined to keep his face in veiw. His hand twitched at his side, almost as if to reach out to him but his limbs would move in the right way. He wimoered slightly at being moved but was glad to be in Easton's arms. He tested his head against his chest, finally letting himself slip into unconsciousness.
Easton kept silent for a few seconds kissing the boy's forehead. "I think I know why you want to kill him so badly…" he said quietly and calmly not wanted to wake Abrose. "You're scared aren't you. He can kill you if he wanted. That reality scares you. You think you are invincible because you have royal blood. Abrose can break that standard in an instant. Instead of handling the situation and telling him to leave you simply cower behind your monarchy and your queenship to do what you please. Nothing about this is justified or justice and you know that. So, tell us what personal vendetta do you have against someone who wouldn't hurt a fly?" His heart was beating out of his chest from fear, confidence, worry, and anger building up.
The queen narrowed her eyes at Easton "justified? She breathed, hands clenching at her sides as she turned her anger onto Easton. "Oh, no dear, I'm not scared if dying. But far too much pain has been caused by this family." She growled, sing down at Abrose. "My personal vendetta?" He laughed softly and rolled her eyes, ignoring the crowd behind her. "Let's just say I made a little promise to his father long ago that I'd destroy his family, one by one, until the Nightingale was gone." She flicked her gaze upon towards Easton. "Their family has a tendency to break hearts. You've seen that first hand, haven't you captain? Or did your mystery date in red not devastating leave you alone that night some time ago?" She asked, tilting her head. "And tell me, how do you know he won't break your heart again? Or even kill you? You'd be willing to take that risk for him?"
"I don't know if he will, but if we can bounce back from it once who says it can't happen again." Easton looked down at Abrose who was sound asleep and kissed his forehead. "You're a sad excuse for Queen and even more so as a human being." He spat. Easy enough he took a deep breath in and out, trying to regain the claim feelings he felt before any of this came into play. "You can play your mind games with others, but not me. You know that. So, should I suspect that a Nightingale broke your heart and that's why you are on your throne alone? If your reason for wanting to wipe out the Nightingale family is because someone told you too and/or they broke your heart, doesn't that make you an assassin out for revenge and less of a Queen who's supposed help her people not kill them for being something they had no control over since birth?" He tilted his head with a fake wince. "Oh, my apologies did I disrespect you? I didn't mean it….is this the part where I get on my knees and beg for my life or after you point a sword at my neck and yell 'silence!'?" Easton said in an extremely mocking tone, with a childish smirk plastered on his face.
"it's a good thing I'm not human then." She spat back rolling her eyes and flaring over at the crowd, one nod of her head to a guard in the back had them ushering the people outside. The trial over. Now that was left was a fight. "You as well as anyone here knows I don't need sword to make you beg. Why would I when all I need to do is hurt your little pet just a little for you to do just about anything." She smirked wickedly and stated stalking the length of the platform. "Come now captain, we all know you're doing this for show. Only a few months ago were you so willing to eliminate your latest target. A measly little human was nothing more than another dead body to you. Don't lie, I saw how you were so eager you were to go out and complete my little errand."
Easton only looked away from the queen. Her words were true and everyone knew it. He did want to kill Abrose. He hated him for years and for what? Easton gave a heavy sigh. "You can hurt me, you can rip me apart limb from limb, but if you hurt him I swear, you'll be the one in pieces. Do you think I'm the only fae who cares about him?" His voice was a low growl as his heart began to beat faster, this time from pure anger. He was out of words, out of arguments, however, he looked over Nick as they made eye contact. He throw Abrose at Nick, who caught him swiftly before he started running.
"oh I fully intend to do so, then I'll finally be able to go after your precious little human." She growLs back, stopping her pacing and rolling her shoulders, a sickening cracking of Bones and tissue filled the air as she shifted into something truely beastly, some sort of pale wild cat with sharp fangs and claws.
"come on girl, just a little faster." Mel encouraged, ducking low as they cleared the treeline and made it to the city, the made beneath him huffing hard but unwilling to slow down for a second. He lifted his head to see many fae leaving the vacinities, some in carriages, some on foot, all coming from the same direction. The castle. "Oh no, rose. Please no." He whispered, not allowing himself to cry yet, not until he saw the body.
Nick who had been one of the first people out having left early stood in the front entrance not really sure what to do for Abrose. He was laying in his arms and he was very confused as to why Easton gave this responsibility. Soon enough people started to rush out and he knew why. However, instead of waiting for Easton to comb back he simply started running.
Easton however was out with the rest of the nobles and faes in the castle. "Nick?" He asked running up to him who was holding Abrose.
"Oh, finally my arms were getting tired. Here you take him and go somewhere. I'll try and fight her off for as long as possible." Nick handed Abrose of to Easton as he stopped and mentally prepared himself for what he was going to have to do.
Easton looked to Nick then back to the people running then back to Nick. "Don't die, idiot." With that, he was looking for someone that Abrose might know or someone who had a clue what was going on, but he didn't have time to stand there so he jogged around watching the panicked fae's run as fast as they could. Even in dressed they were still fast.
