Chapter 66: Chapter 66
Vida
The Royal Palace, Kingdom of Howard
She ran towards Colter, slipping out of Tessa’s grasp who only screamed in horror as her friend put herself in mortal peril.
“Vida” she screamed but Vida did not mind her, she had moved herself through the debris, stepping aside the blood and fire, and managed to reach Colter who instantly hesitated when their eyes locked.
“Please remember me” Vida thought fervently as Colter’s crimson eyes found her amber ones, he let out a ragged breath that was filled with panic as his arms were still motioned upwards, wanting to stab down at his fallen brother.
As Colter hesitated, Vida found her opportunity in his hesitation and grabbed Colter, locking him in a tight embrace.
“Colter!” she cried out, tears spilling uncontrollably as she felt the heat of his anger burning inside him, his heart was also beating fast, “It’s me Vida. I crossed a world for you, please remember who I am. Remember who you are. Look into your heart, Colter. It’s me.”
She heard Dyron laughing from somewhere, but she dared not look, keeping her face firmly in Colter’s torso. He was struggling, not only against her touch but against his own existence.
“Good show!” Dyron mocked them all, “Star crossed lovers? Illicit affairs? A human in love with an Ecanus, the most forbidden of sins! How entertaining!”
Vida’s frustration built as she kept on begging Colter to remember her, to remember what they did and to remember everything in his time on earth.
She felt Colter’s arms suddenly wrap around her, Vida’s heart stopped, it was a gentle touch that she had longed to feel from the prince, then her heart broke, he had pulled her away from him and muttered in a demonic voice “I do not know you, harlot. Stay away from me!” He brandished his sword at her and tried to slash down but Vida, in desperation leapt at him again and this time put her lips on him. She tasted the blood that was in his mouth, while Colter’s eyes widened. Dyron roared in frustration this time, but Vida paid him no mind and kissed the prince like everyone’s lives depended on it. And it did.
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Colter
The Royal Palace, Kingdom of Howard
It was dark, followed by a burst of fire. His senses tensed up in readiness as he thrashed around in the darkness, walking blindly, it was a lonely feeling as he traversed the blanketing darkness then it came to him. Slowly, it was a bunch of little fireballs dancing in the darkness.
“Fireflies…?” Colter whispered, his voice echoed in the darkness, “They are beautiful.” He felt a sudden pain jolt all over his body, it was as if something was being pulled out of him forcefully. It was a pain that seemed familiar, yet painful. Visions flickered in the dark, he saw memories, he saw his life flashing in this little dark space of his mind.
A tree suddenly appeared out of thin air and Colter recognized this, it was the Evodia tree that he and Vida saw in central park, their first date. Fireflies danced around it, illuminating it in a beautiful way and Colter’s eyes started to tear up as he remembered this.
Another flash of light and he found himself in a familiar room, it was the palace before it fell into ruination by Dyron’s attack, he stood in front of a chest that was opened up. He reached into it and found a piece of paper. It was the sketch of Vida as he saw her in his dreams, before he managed to experience her warmth and her love. Another jolt of pain shot through his head this time and the scene changed.
He found himself back on earth, lying down in a familiar sidewalk, a woman was standing over him asking him if he was okay. It was the girl of his dreams, worried and trying to get him up.
“Vida…” Colter whispered weakly, another flash of pain, this time shot through this body.
He was standing outside Burn’s bar and Vida was talking to another man who had given her a bouquet of tulips while he stood there carrying only one. He remembered the shame and guilt, the insecurities and the pain of this moment, he had turned away but who came running after him...?
“Vida” Colter muttered again as he felt her light taps on his shoulder, she ran after him after she noticed that he was leaving, while Harry Fletcher watched.
Another pain, this time it was tolerable, he was making love to Vida for the first time, they locked their bodies, they let out their desires, better than the dreams could ever make as he felt her softness, her warmth, her voice crying out his name and he cried out hers.
“Vida!” Colter shouted again, in the dark corner of his mind while the scene changed, there was no more pain this time, they were flying through the night sky, Vida holding on to him for dear life as the night breeze whipped their faces and hair, it was one of the happiest moments of his life as he had finally told Vida what he was, but it was also the saddest because this was one of their last interactions.
Another flash of light and Colter found himself in the darkness again, there were no more scenes, there were no more visions, he just heard footsteps approach him and as it closed, Colter muttered her name as she stepped out: “Vida.”
Brown hair, amber eyes, pale skin and a smile that melted his heart. Vida stood in front of him with a grin, “Took you a while, dummy. Yes, my name is Vida and it’s time to wake up!” the Vida in his head told him and a flash of light once more, took Colter away from this darkness.
He felt her lips on him, it was the best feeling of his life, they were like satin pressing against his body, realizing who he was, what he was and who this person kissing him was, he kissed her back. Passionately. Vida gasped at this as she realized that Colter was finally returning the kiss, she had given him.
Then, with a bit of sadness, he pulled away from her. The markings across his body were gone, his eyes were now back to their beautiful emerald color and his hair had returned to its natural shine. He scanned the area and saw the following people in order:
Gian was lying in a heap near them, bloody but slightly breathing.
Malik, his father, was looking at him with relief.
Regina, his mother, was crying tears of joy at the return of her child.
Tessa was there too, for some reason, there was a look of shock on her face that slowly turned to happiness.
Dyron was staring at this scene with hate and malice.
And in front of him, still embracing him tightly.
“Vida…” Colter whispered, kissing the top of her head, “You found me.”
“Yeah, dumbass.” Vida sniffled, “It took you while but welcome back to reality”
Colter chuckled lightly and pulled himself away from her, “I remember everything” he announced to the whole room and a wave of relief filled almost everyone, “Step away for a little bit, Vida. I have some business to take care of.” The girl of his dreams nodded and stepped away, back into the safety of Tessa who had moved closer to the queen.
“You.” He said pointing his sword at Dyron, who answered him with a grin of his own, “How dare you tear us all apart. But I do thank you, King of Darkness, in your actions and motions to tear me from everything and everyone that I hold dear, you made us stronger.”
Dyron snorted at this and yelled “I gave you the power you needed and you just throw it away like filth! You will never be the king, you will never be powerful and you will never be enough to their eyes which is why I took you in! But you betray me! How dare you!” Dyron’s cool had disappeared, the cold and calculating demeanor was changed into a rabid animal that has been cornered.
“Enough words, let me return the favor, King Dyron Havocc. For all the gifts you have given me, I shall impart upon you a gift as well.” He threw the ‘Black Phoenix’ sword aside and conjured his flames once more, it was no longer sinister in color, it was his usual orange and blue aura that everyone from the kingdom recognized. Regina let out a sigh of relief while Malik could not help but feel tearful and proud at the return of his second son.
“Do it, Colter!” Regina and Malik shouted at once, willing their son to start fighting, this time for the kingdom that was being ruined by an ambitious madman.
“I give to thee, King of Darkness, the gift of death.” Colter said in a deadly voice and prepared to launch himself at his rival.