CHAPTER 55: RESTLESS NIGHT

Theo looks at Julian.

"Jules—"

Julian shakes his head. "I’m okay. Really. Arthur’s right. He’s right. Of course he’s right!" He sighs. "But I can’t think of any other explanation, Thea."

He gets up. "I’m taking back this watch. I need to recheck if it’s functioning properly before I return it to you. As for the space pouch—" He takes out a delicate bracelet from his pocket and hands it to Theo.

"Wear this. I was going to give it to you for your birthday a few months ago. With everything that’s happened and the coma, I forgot. Here."

Then he leaves.

Theo watches his back until the door closes. He looks down at the bracelet in his palm. The chains are fine and glitter under the light, small gold links adorned with tiny gems that look like diamonds—but Theo knows they’re Heartstones. The bracelet is delicate, feminine, perfectly suited for Thea.

He slips it onto his left wrist.

Lightning flashes outside his window. He walks closer, his mind replaying the dinner and Julian’s revelation.

I’m sure Liam would want to learn how to wield magic. Should I teach him? Should I not? He’s young and naïve. Can he handle magic addiction? How should I do this? I need to be really careful. Magic is not for everyone. Why is Arthur so adamant that magic doesn’t exist?

I should ask him—then how does he think his space pouch works? Theo sighs. I should’ve asked Julian.

He stares at the dark sky, lightning flickering across the horizon. I can’t just ask him.

Suddenly, the hair on his neck stands up. What is it? He wraps himself in a shield to prevent any nearby watches from beeping. Without moving, he uses wind magic to spread his senses, searching for anything abnormal nearby.

A massive headache hits him. Theo winces, his magic faltering. Argh. I forgot this body is still recovering. I can’t cast multiple spells at once.

He steps back from the window and closes the blinds.

Someone is definitely watching me, and it’s not one of the Montroses. Thea, did you have enemies?

The headache pulses harder. I need to rest.

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Out there in the dark, a man stands on a tree branch, watching the beautiful snow-haired maiden by the window.

She’s still stunning. The longer he watches, the heavier his breathing becomes. I can’t wait to meet you again, Theodora.

He watches as she falters backward, holding her head, her face twisting in pain. Ah, you’re not well, my dear Theodora. You should rest.

He stays there, unmoving, as the young woman draws the curtains shut. A few minutes later, the lights in the room go out.

You’re very obedient, Theodora. Just how I like it.

Rest well. I’ll see you soon.

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"You can’t just ignore me! I’m the King! I’m your King!"

"Not right now, you’re not! Right now you are nothing but a jealous, close-minded, petty man!"

"What did you just call me? Petty?"

"Yes! Petty! And closed-minded, and jealous, and you are most definitely not a king!"

"How dare you!"

A blast of power erupts, knocking the other man backwards.

"Is this it? No wonder he beat you!"

"Do NOT underestimate me! I am your KING!" The King’s magical aura erupts further, knocking the furniture in the room, before burning them.

Two man standing in the middle of the blazing fire. Neither of them seems to be bothered by the fire. They are looking at each other, in silent.

Until the fire is doused by water that appears out of nowhere.

"Your Majesty! Master Archmage! Are you okay?"

"Stay out of this!" Both the King and The Archmage yell at the same time.

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Theo opens his eyes. He blinks several times and groans. Aldric. He can’t stop the emotions that comes with the name. Grieve. Love. Grieve. Respect. Grieve. Guilt.

Theo sighs and flips the bedcover. He sits on the edge of the bed, tries to regulate his breathing. It’s useless. He gets up. I won’t be able to sleep. He heads towards his closet, taking out his excersice clothes.

I might as well train.

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Theo pants, completely out of breath. Lying flat on the floor, he can no longer move. He’s spent. The exercises he did tonight were beyond his usual. He knows his muscles will be sore, and he welcomes it.

He’s trying to get Aldric out of his mind, but he can’t. He’s been pushing his grief aside, and now it’s back with a vengeance. Ever since he came out of the dungeon—ever since he really used magic again—he’s felt like himself, complete with all the baggage that comes with it.

The high is gone now, replaced by withdrawal. He wants to go back to the dungeon, to chase that high again.

Training Liam? Hah! You can’t even control your own addiction! How can you teach others to control it? You’re dreaming, Theo!

He can’t get rid of Aldric’s shocked face. His last words to him were, "I hope you die!" And his words came true. Aldric died thinking Theo hated him.

Tears start to well in his eyes. The guilt, the regret, the sorrow come in waves, and Theo starts to sob. He can’t hold it back. Once the tears fall, the dam breaks.

"I’m sorry, Aldric!" he cries between sobs.

"I’m sorry! I didn’t mean for you to die! I’m sorry!"

He curls up like a child, still sobbing.

"I love you, Aldric! I love you!"

Words he never said to Aldric are now spilling out of his mouth, over and over again.

Theo cries until he falls asleep on the gym floor.

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Theo is not the only one having a restless night.

Liam lies on his bed, eyes wide open. His blanket is crumpled at the corner of the bed, long forgotten. He flips his pillow again and glances at the digital clock on the wall. 02:48 a.m.

He closes his eyes, trying once more to sleep, but his mind keeps drifting—to dinner, to his father’s words, and to those mesmerizing grey eyes.

Those aren’t grey. They’re blue.

Are you color blind, Monfort? Can’t tell grey from blue? And yet you want to learn from Aldriana? The woman of power? If there’s a trophy for dreaming, you’d be the undefeated number one.

Fine! Those eyes are bluish grey! Happy?!

Liam shifts to his side and groans. "I must be insane, arguing with myself."

Then he remembers Linus’s last words before he left for his room.

"Make sure you find Aldriana and pull her to our side. You have three days, maximum. If you can’t find her by then, I’ll search for her myself."