Page 80 of Cursed By Gold

Greystone descends the steps toward us, magic crackling ominously around his hands. "I knew you were trouble from the start, witch," he spits viciously. "After I finally end your miserable life, his Majesty will serve my ambitions nicely."

His hand flashes out, vile magic bursting towards me like a bolt of venom. I twist Remme behind a protective marble pillar just in time, the spells shattering stone right where we stood. In Greystone's moment of distraction, I slip a knife from my belt and hurl it in one smooth motion straight through his shoulder.

Greystone clutches the wound in dumb shock. A body slams into me as a member from my guild takes down one of Greystone’s men, pulling my eyes off of Greystone for a moment. When I looked back, he is gone. Cursing under my breath for letting him escape, I'm half tempted to chase after him, but I can’t pull myself away from the king.

I turn Remme as gently as possible, though he remains limp and terrifyingly pale. At the sight of his freely bleeding wound, something inside me finally snaps.

"No!" I scream in primal anguish, clutching Remme's body tightly. Around us the battle still rages, my companions barely holding back the endless attackers. We are gravely outnumbered. At this rate, we will all be slaughtered.

Desperation and fury roar through me. I cannot lose him like this! With a ragged cry, I call out to the only one with the power to save us. "Halisar, give me strength!"

In response, an ancient wooden staff materializes in my hands - the God of Thieve's own weapon, overflowing with divine magic. I grip it tightly, allowing Halisar's essence to flow into me, granting his supernatural skills and strength.

Raw power surges through my veins like lightning, sharpening my senses. I gently lay Remme down and rise to my feet, eyes blazing. With a thought, I summon eight of the discarded daggers to float in the air around me, poised like fang-filled vipers ready to strike.

The remaining soldiers advance warily. With a guttural scream, I unleash my rage and pain through Halisar's staff. Blinding divine light explodes outward, disintegrating the attackers instantly. Their ashes drift to the ground, all threat removed in a breath.

At the altar, Greystone watches in wide-eyed terror, unable to flee. With icy calm, I command the circling daggers to shoot forward, pinning his limbs to the marble. He howls in pain and fear. But my onslaught is not through.

I stride forward until I stand directly before the whimpering man. Making eye contact, I pour all of my grief and fury into one final strike. The daggers yank free and converge as one, driving straight through Greystone's blackened heart in a deadly metal bloom. His screams echo, then fade to silence.

The staff tumbles from my shaking fingers as I fall to my knees, fully spent. The divine presence recedes gently from my mind. Halisar's aid was given freely, not forced.

Fairy Godmother's arms encircle me comfortingly. "It's over, child. You are safe now."

I cling to her, exhausted and hollowed out. But despite it all, we endured. And with Fairy Godmother's guidance, perhaps in time these wounds will heal as well.

She begins rocking me gently like a child as my wracked cries echo emptily through the bloodstained cathedral.

Healers hurriedly enter the cathedral, I can feel their hands on me but I push them all away. Mumbling something about the king. I don’t matter. Only he does. I can’t help him now. I need him to live. I have too many unsaid things that are bursting from within that I need to share. He can’t be gone. I won’t let him.

I Can’t Hurt Her

Remme

Everything is dark and muffled, like I am underwater. Distant shouting echoes around me, but I can't make out the words. A heavy weight presses down on my chest, making it difficult to breathe.

Where am I? The last thing I remember is the battle raging in the cathedral, and the searing pain as Darius' pierced my side. After that, only darkness.

Sensation begins returning slowly. I become aware of softness beneath me and a dull throbbing in my abdomen. With great effort, I pry my heavy eyelids open. Blurred shapes and colors swim before me, gradually coming into focus. I am in my royal bedchamber, weak sunlight filtering through the arched windows. The familiar opulent gold furnishings and silk draperies surround me.

Turning my head is a monumental effort. I see a figure slumped in a chair beside the bed, face hidden by cascading golden strands of hair. Scarlet. She is here. I try to call out to her,but only manage a faint rasp. Still, it is enough. Her head jerks up, eyes wide.

"King Remme!" Scarlet cries, leaning forward to grasp my hand. "Thank Halisar, you're awake!"

I reflexively flinch away from her touch. A look of confusion and hurt flashes across her face. My chest constricts at that, but I have to be cautious. The curse is still upon me. I cannot risk harming Scarlet too.

"I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have," she mumbles as she pulls herself away.

I sigh, my voice still rough and weak. "No, please. It’s old habits. I just don’t want to hurt you."

Understanding dawns in her eyes. They soften with sympathy, but she respectfully moves her chair back a bit. "Of course. I'm just so very relieved you're recovering. We were all terrified we might lose you."

My lips quirk up slightly. "Come now, you know me better than that. I don't fall so easily." I slowly push myself more upright against the pillows with a wince. My side still aches fiercely, but the bleeding appears to have stopped. One of the perks to having to always be healed with magic and no physical touch is that all of my healing happens quickly.

Scarlet gives a small smile at my bravado, though her eyes are still shadowed with lingering fear and grief. She has endured so much hardship. I wish desperately to comfort her, but do not dare get closer. Her eyes flick down and I realize that I’m naked and only covered slightly by a golden blanket covering only the most important parts at this point. I adjust it so more of me is covered but find myself enjoying the way her eyes are soaking me in.

An idea comes to me then. "Scarlet, please open the top drawer of my desk. There is something inside I need you to bring me."

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