Cruel - Prinxiety [Sequel to "Savage"] (ON HOLD)

Chapter Ten

Virgil's eyes fluttered open slowly. His limbs felt heavy and warm, telling him that Thorn had used her magic to put him to sleep. He scowled to himself in confusion. He wasn't injured during the attack, was he? He checked himself for any pain and found none. What had warranted the use of Thorn's magic?

He sat up, feeling strange after his discussion with Janus. He'd learned a little bit about dream walking. However, he hadn't gotten the illusionist to tell him anything about his connection to Dorchadas. 

A sigh escaped his lips. He then blinked a couple times and looked around. He'd been taken to his room and judging by the fact that he was tucked under the blankets, he guessed it had been Roman to bring him there. Virgil felt his chest expand a little at the thought. He scanned his room and gasped a little in surprise. The prince was curled up on a chair facing his bed, asleep.

The dark mage frowned a little as he moved to leave his bed; however the rustling of the bed sheets managed to wake Roman up. He stirred and looked up. "Oh- Virgil!" he said. "You're awake!"

He rushed to his side. He looked concerned as he took Virgil's hand in his own, squeezing it. "Yeah, yeah... I'm awake," he replied awkwardly.

"How are you feeling?" Roman asked. 

Virgil swallowed a little bit, feeling all the dread of what happened washing back over him. He sighed heavily and leaned back against the pillows. "I'm feeling like crawling into a dark pit and just dying, to be honest with you," he said dryly. The prince smiled a little bit at his tone, but his eyes still shown with worry. "Sleeping didn't help."

"Oh? Why?" he questioned, lacing their fingers together. 

The action pulled him out of his train of thought. Their hands holding each other like this was familiar. After so many years, it still caused butterflies to swarm in his stomach. Virgil closed his eyes and shook out his head. He needed to focus.

Roman had just asked him about what had happened while he was asleep that made it unpleasant. He needed to make a decision about telling him about Janus or to avoid the subject. He wasn't sure what to do. His gut was telling him not to say anything about Janus when he didn't have that much information about him, but he knew that he'd have to tell him eventually. Roman wouldn't appreciate being lied too. 

Virgil sighed heavily as a headache started to form. "I- Well-" the dark mage started. 

Hello again... a deep voice echoed through his mind. He paled, knowing who it belonged to. You've been asleep for ages, I couldn't talk to you. You are a skilled dream walker, I could use you among my ranks, my child.

He squeezed his eyes shut as he thought of a reply. You don't control me Dorchadas. I will never follow you, Virgil thought back. Leave me alone.

"Virgil?" Roman said, pulling him out of his head. "Hey? Are you okay?"

The dark mage blinked and shook his head. He locked eyes with Roman and made a choice. "I can hear him," he whispered. He squeezed his eyes shut again as Dorchadas' voice continued to speak to him. He tried to block it out, raising his hands to his ears. He was beginning to tremble. "I can hear him in my head. He's talking to me. He... He doesn't know what I know... He can't read my mind, but he can talk to me... I can't- I hate it-"

"Whoa, whoa, it's okay, I'm right here Virge," Roman said quickly, sensing another panic attack. He needed to act fast he wanted to prevent it. "It's okay, look at me. You're not with him. You're with me. Shut him out, love, you can do it. I'm right here."

Virgil met his eyes and nodded slowly, focusing on the prince before him. He could still hear Dorchadas, but he was starting to fade out. Roman's voice was stronger and kinder; it comforted him.

He grew still as silence filled his head. He sighed in relief and relaxed, looking at Roman appreciatively. "Thank you," he murmured. 

"My pleasure," he replied, smiling warmly at him. 

He raised his hand to his cheek and leaned in close to his face. Virgil blushed as let his eyes slip closed as their lips met gently. It had been quite a while since the last time they'd kissed. The dark mage had been avoiding Roman for so long that they'd stopped being affectionate. They pulled away and smiled a little. 

"How come it's been so long since we've done that?" Roman inquired. He arched an eyebrow as the other man flushed. He opened his mouth to defend himself but he raised his hand to stop him. "I know, I know, I'm teasing. It's okay, it's in the past."

"I shouldn't have treated you like that..." Virgil said. He ducked his head in shame, recalling the months of dodging him in the hallways and brushing off his attempts at conversation. "God I'm so stupid. I was just so terrified of screwing up the one good thing left in my life that I almost screwed it up anyway!"

The prince chuckled a little. "You never could have screw this up, you'd have to commit genocide in order to get rid of me, Virge," he teased, leaning forward to brush the tips of their noses together in a bunny kiss.

"You say that, but if Dorchadas figures out how to control me, I just might," the dark prince muttered in reply. 

"No, none of that talk, you're not allowed to mention him when we're having a nice moment. It's a new rule. Every time you say his name when we're enjoying each other's company, I'll be forced to kiss you," Roman threatened.

Virgil felt his chest warm as a smile fought its way onto his lips. For the first time in almost a year, he felt normal again.