Fan Fiction ❯ Shielded in Broken Armours ❯ Part 3: Rise of the Phoenix ( Chapter 22 )
Anime/Manga: Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Fantasy / Adventure | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 11.30.2004 | Pages: 2 | Words: 3.8K | Visits: 170 | Status: Completed
by Alice Montrose
completed July 31, 2004
Chapter Twenty-Two
Having to lean on someone for support while walking was something Marzio was not entirely comfortable with, but Ignis considered he was still too weak to manage on his own. The worse had been when Marzio had to make use of the privy, which was located down the hall from the suite the prince currently occupied; but it had been amazing how quickly Ignis' guards had cleared the corridor from any unwanted witness - including themselves, as well as prying servants and other Demon delegates.
Ignis was currently staying at a private villa located right outside Quiris, which judging by the amount of people that had moved in had become a miniature copy of the palace in Aquiline. However, also this meant that the prince had the luxury of a private bathing room which Marzio made good use of that afternoon. He was also provided with clean indoor clothing, including a thick robe which kept away the chill that took hold of the Angelian's body at times. And, most importantly, he got to share Ignis' living quarters. What more could he ask for?
His mood changed with the arrival of Tempesta Neri-Lokh and Owen Alisi-Feit. Apparently, Ignis had ordered his Supreme Commander to take over the negotiations that day, for he had been 'indisposed'. How he had managed to get away with it was, for the time-being, a mystery.
Steeling himself for what would come, Marzio allowed Ignis to lead him into the small receiving room outside his bedroom. The guards had been given specific orders not to let anyone in all evening, so it was just the four of them.
'At least I won't make a fool out of myself in front of people I never met,' Marzio reasoned, not missing the glance Tempesta and Owen exchanged when he entered the room, leaning on Ignis as he was directed to a couch in front of the fireplace, opposite to the one that the two Dreak were currently occupying. 'And I will be physically comfortable, if nothing else.'
The Demons were silent as he recounted his story, from the way in which he had defied Kelan in Council to his brief detention in Lucifer's hands, trying his best not to leave out any detail that might prove of importance.
After he finished, he room was wrapped in silence. Ignis seemed deep in thought and Tempesta kept shooting questioning glances at both of them. Owen apparently did not know what to believe, but by the look in his eyes he probably considered Marzio crazy - which was not that different from the reactions Marzio had anticipated.
Then Ignis snapped out of it and turned to his lover, touching his cheek and smiling gently. "I am sorry," he said. "I should have anticipated at least part of what happened. And I should have warned you about her."
"You... you know that woman?" Marzio asked, still not quite sure what to make of the fact that Ignis apparently believed him.
"Pale skin, long white hair, teal eyes, voice sounding like it's coming from inside a tomb... She is not really a woman, you see. She is... how can I explain this? In Demonis, we call her the Sorceress. She is a high-ranking daimon, and there are some people who occasionally dream of her. It is said that she brings the guidance of Drako to his chosen servants, called 'the Luminate'."
"Yes, it is said." Owen's sarcasm was quite obvious. "Of course, there is a difference between fairytales and reality..."
"A difference that is not as great as it seems," Tempesta cut in. "Of course, there are still many things you have to explain to us, Ignis. Like the matter of a certain prophecy?"
Ignis shook his head. "Not now. There are other, more important things that we need to decide upon tonight. If Lucifer and Kelan really were working together, then we need to find a way to keep the information about the High Priest's untimely death from leaking, and at the same time find a way to ensure we haven't spent all this time on peace talks that will have no finality."
One had to hand it to him, the prince really knew how to turn a discussion away from topics he was obviously uncomfortable with. And it was plain that everyone in that room had noticed that. It was clear that Tempesta really wanted her answers, and by now Owen probably had a few of his own, even if he did look at the three of them like they were quite insane. Marzio himself had a few questions for his secretive lover.
"The way I see it," Marzio began, "Kelan would have avoided contacting Lucifer unless it became absolutely necessary. He may be a pain in the ass, but he's not stupid. According to Lucifer's words before he found himself at the pointed end of your dagger, a position I do not envy him," he winked at the prince, who winked back, "he was supposed to poison you during the weekend before the treaty was signed. How many days are left until then?"
The three Demons looked at each other and blinked. "Two days from now."
Suddenly, Marzio found himself swept in an enthusiastic hug. "You are a genius!" Ignis declared, kissing him soundly. Deciding it was not worth letting go, he let Marzio rest in his embrace; which was just fine with the Angelian, as he had started feeling tired again. "There are no official meetings scheduled for the next two days, and if I keep well out of sight there is no reason for Kelan to suspect something has gone wrong.
"I can cancel all of your appointments," Tempesta suggested. "Or I can go in your place, whichever suits you best."
Ignis considered this. "I have no important meetings tomorrow, but I am supposed to see the mayor and some merchants' representatives from Tulse the second day. Cancel everything except that one. If anyone asks, I am feeling 'indisposed'; they can interpret that any way they like.
"We also need to know exactly where the Angelians stand regarding the treaty. Not the Councils, but the rest of them. Owen, I want you to get in touch with Ceni Mah-Kel first thing tomorrow morning. Schedule another 'dinner meeting' for the evening after. He'll probably be able to provide some information our regular channels may not find out in time.
"We'll hold our planning sessions here, for lack of a better space. Marzio, don't get any strange ideas: you are in on this."
"Hmm?" Marzio said, opening his eyes; he had nearly fallen asleep in Ignis' arms. He was so tired...
"Alright, time for you to get some sleep," Ignis decided. "Tomorrow should be a busy day." He dismissed his friends, then he helped Marzio on his feet and directed him toward the bedroom.
The following day was spent going over different ways off approaching the matter. Finally everyone agreed that a lot depended on whether the Angelians approved of the peace treaty or not - Marzio believe that most of them did, but Tempesta had decided that they needed solid proof - and on keeping Kelan and his cronies in the dark for as long as possible. The chaotic day ended with a trip to the tailor, everyone acting exhausted over dinner, and going to bed early.
Compared to that the following morning was uneventful, with breakfast a quiet affair after which Ignis and Marzio chose to retire back to the prince's bedroom to keep up with appearances.
The prince told him exactly who the Sorceress was supposed to be, and everything that was known about her. Marzio became lost in the tales, Demon mythology proving to be a fascinating subject. Ignis would not say much about the prophecy, however, which made the Angelian very suspicious because Tempesta had mentioned it and also because there was obviously something she knew that Marzio did not and that Ignis didn't want anyone to find out.
Still, that did not account for the sudden pause in conversation during which Ignis studied Marzio quite intensely, then turned his attention to his own hands as if they were something fascinating. All in all, he had the air of a man who wanted to say something but did not know if he should; which did not fit the Demon's personality at all.
Finally, Marzio gave in and sighed deeply. "You might as well say whatever is on your mind. I can see that it troubles you."
The prince looked up and smiled shyly. "I have a question, but I do not know if this is the proper time for it."
Marzio laughed. "Ignis, if there is one thing I learned in the past few months, that's that there is no time like the present. Just ask."
"Well... Marzio, please stop chuckling, this is quite serious. I know we have tried to live in the moment and never quite talked about the future, but I was wondering if - after things settle down of course - you would consider coming back to Aquiline with me and do me the honour of becoming my consort."
It took Marzio a few good minutes to recover from the shock of Ignis' words. A few minutes for their true meaning to sink in, for him to realize the whole suite of implications that would follow. At first, he thought the prince had not truly meant it, that it was just something to make his lover feel more comfortable with the whole situation. But no, Ignis had meant every single word - one look at him sufficed to bring forth the cruel confirmation; and Marzio felt awful about it, because he knew he would have to give an answer on the spot. And he did not wish to be a burden, or to turn Ignis' life into a nightmare. No, he certainly couldn't do that.
He sighed deeply as he looked at the Demon again; Ignis was carefully posed and ready to intervene at any sign of weakness that Marzio might give. Ready to confront another fit of hysteria, or offer him anything he might ask for.
At the moment, the Angelian wished Ignis he weren't dealing with this deeply-concerned lover, but the strong and authoritarian Prince of Demonis. He was aware they were one and the same - but he also knew that Ignis would not even dream about ordering him around as if he were just another person to deal with. And that was precisely the hard part.
Marzio closed his eyes for a moment and gathered his thoughts. He would have to be strong now, and not let his emotions get hold of him. He would have to go against his heart and speak a truth that was in fact a lie, a great lie he had devised to keep himself from further emotional turmoil. It was resignation, and the fact that not even Ignis could change the past, that Marzio had made his choice and that, perhaps in time, both of them would understand the true depth of that sacrifice.
"I cannot," he told his lover. "You know I cannot accept what you offer."
Ignis just stared at him. Marzio expected now his acceptance, the kind words of reassurance that always came...
"You can't be serious!" the prince blunted, bedazzled at the refusal. "Marzio, if you truly love me..."
"It is because I love you. My prince, try and understand. I was raised to believe in honour and devotion." His voice caught and he forced himself to continue. "All these things are lost to me now. I have betrayed my country, and given up my honour. I am no longer the man I was when we first met; I am not General Zain-Reil anymore. I am nothing now. Nothing. I no longer have a name, a home, a place in the world. I knew this was the price I would have to pay for my decision, and I accepted it then as I accept it now.
"But you, you have everything you had before, and more. The treaty is almost signed. Kelan's conspiracy will be thwarted. You will bring peace to our lands, and your people will love you even more for it. You will be that legendary prince, with or without his companion.
"And there is no place for me in all of this. I have no place by your side. The Angelian traitor." He snorted, disgusted he would use such words to speak of himself in front of the one he loved and respected above all. "What would your people say if I were to become your Consort? They would call you mad. A wingless Angelian! Ignis, they would undoubtedly overthrow you and choose another ruler. One that would never share his power with a worthless cast-out!"
Marzio's laughter was grim and ironical. No, Ignis could not be allowed to do that mistake. Ignis could not throw away all he had accomplished so far.
All the time, he watched the Demon's eyes widen in astonishment, then probably utter disbelief. Then, when Marzio spoke no more, and when he had digested all of it enough, Ignis stood in front of him, his eyes severe. No longer the lover, but the Dreak. No longer compassionate, but determined. Had he realized the truth, then? Had he believed what Marzio had forced himself to accept as reality?
"Is this what you think?" the prince demanded. There was an edge to his voice that Marzio had not heard in almost half a year. "That you are worthless now? That you should mean nothing to me, after all you have done for me?"
"I have not done anything. You know that is true."
"I know nothing of the sort." The voice was gentler again, persuasive. "What I do know is that you were willing to risk everything pursuing something that might have been a false lead. That you have come here to warn me, ignorant to what that meant in terms of your own safety. You have risked your life to save mine, damnit!"
His hands were on Marzio's shoulders now. The two marks on the Angelian's back burned, making him aware of what he sought to obtain. Goddess, how he wanted to accept Ignis' offer, to be in the safety of those arms forever, abandon all prejudices and grasp that new truth, living by its rules as if nothing else mattered.
But he could not, could he? It would go against everything he had believed in his whole life.
"Truly, Ignis, this is going nowhere. I cannot accept something you cannot offer without destroying everything you have worked so hard to accomplish."
Rage crossed the claret eyes. "And who are you to determine that? How can you know what I hold true, what my people holds true?"
Marzio tried to sound reasonable. "I know you, my prince. I have grown to know you better with every moment we have spent together. I..."
"You what? You know me better than I know myself?" The Demon was positively furious now. "Do you realize how many times I have heard these words? How many mouths said them, not knowing what a great lie they were? You know nothing, Marzio. And you cannot decide my future in my place."
Without realizing it, the Angelian shot back, "I wouldn't try to if you would think straight! How can you possible want to share your life with a crippled traitor?"
The back of Ignis' hand landed across his face making him fall back on the bed. It was a good reminder of the prince's physical strength, which Marzio had almost forgotten; and it also showed the Demon did not like to be questioned about his decisions. However, he had never before hit anyone in Marzio's presence. In all their contradictory debates, he had never raised a hand against his lover.
Marzio's left cheek burned like fire and he instinctively covered it with his hand, the fall of his hair hiding it from sight. It would undoubtedly bruise; but what was one more mark to the ones already covering his body? Why would this one be any different?
'Because he did it. The one you love gave it to you!' his mind told him just as Ignis spoke again, all of a sudden distant and cold.
"If that is how you feel, then there is nothing more to be said between us."
The door was slammed almost hard enough to make it jump from its hinges. Ignis left Marzio to crawl fully onto the bed, still holding his face, alone with a myriad of unpleasant feelings and thoughts.
Three hours later, the Prince of Demonis was still pacing furiously in the antechamber, mumbling incoherently under his breath. Tempesta had been watching him for some time, though he had barely acknowledged her presence since she had returned from the lunch meeting with the mayor.
And he was quite angry.
'Why would Marzio say such things? Does he truly believe he was worthless? And crippled, of all things?! Why, he radiates more strength and self-awareness that I can remember ever seeing in him!'
That Marzio loved him, he had no doubt. Nor did he question his own love toward the Angelian. But then, why had Marzio refused to see the truth? Why would he hide behind lies and superstitions he no longer believed in?
"Fool!" he said out loud, wearing another trail in the thick carpet. "Angelian idiot!"
And Tempesta knew better than argue with him, of course. Actually, she probably agreed to these epithets, deep inside... But no, she respected Marzio just as Ignis did. She did not show it, that was all. She had never liked discussing this matter.
"I wish he's crawl into a hole and stay there!" the prince spoke again, eager for the utter cliché that the words represented, eager to be someone normal for a change and not the sovereign of Demonis, the future of two lands laying on his shoulders. Why did this always happen to him? And why in Drako's name was he always doomed to loneliness?
"You don't mean that," Tempesta finally cut in, sipping elegantly at a glass of ruby wine.
He glared at her. "And how would you know?"
He was being mean to her without a reason, and he knew it just as well as he knew he didn't really want to lose Marzio. But the Angelian general had always had the most annoying ability to twist Ignis' words and give them a meaning they did not have.
His friend smiled. "You said it yourself - you're in love with him. And frankly, this time even you know it's the truth - prophecy or no prophecy."
He growled and let himself sink onto the couch next to her. "Why are things so complicated? Why does he always have to interpret everything I say? Was I not blunt enough? But he is smart, he figured out what I meant. Then why...?"
He let his voice fade out, and wished his inner turmoil would take the same path. "Perhaps I should have waited a little longer. Maybe he is not ready for such a commitment." So many explications ran through the prince's mind, so many alternatives unexplored before that detail had caught his attention.
And he had slapped him; he had slapped his lover like a haughty lord would a lowly servant. He was ashamed of it, and it pained him a great deal. Just as the harsh words he had forced himself to say, and which he wanted to take back. He wanted to go back into that bedroom and make things right between the two of them.
"This fight, was it his fault or yours?" Tempesta demanded, still sipping at her wine, her mind elsewhere.
"I believe we both said things we should not have brought up. But he looked so convinced of them - a pack of lies, really. He said he loves me, and yet his following words spoke different. He declared my best interests... and yet I do not see things that way."
She nodded. "And is there another secret behind this?"
"I only asked him to come back to Demonis with me and become my Consort."
The woman chuckled. "No wonder he quoted your best interests! I imagine he did not agree."
Ignis frowned. "He claimed he has no worth left, that he is no longer the man I knew." He shook his head indignantly. "He is. Not the one I knew, but the one he would have been, had he been allowed it; the one I caught glimpses of all the time. And he is too stubborn realize it!"
"And his refusal made you furious, I imagine," Tempesta concluded.
"Hell yes. Raving. I shouted at him and..."
"Ignis, to paraphrase something you said long ago, there is no couple I know of that does not have a fight every now and then," she interrupted him. "But things often turn out for the best. Now, why don't you go apologize and explain yourself to him? I'm sure once he understands the way you see things, he will reconsider."
There was truth in her words; and yet he had been so harsh with Marzio! Would his lover ever forgive him?
'Well, there is only one way to find out, and it is not by sitting here,' he decided. He stood up and made for the bedroom hurriedly, not bothering to face his general and friend as he said, "No matter what you hear, stay out of that room. This is between him and me alone!"