He could have left me.
Allowed me to perish like my own family of royal blood.
Left my broken body behind.
Let the darkness take me to the ends of death.
But he helped me.
He saw my craving desire for life.
He didn't need me to prove my worth for him to aid me with a chance at life.
He cares.
Someone cares.
"Listen to me." He grabbed my attention as I fought against the sobs that followed. I bit my lips to muffle them as he clung to my face and whispered, "You have gained a second chance at life. I'm not going to bullshit and say that this is going to be an easier life. If you agree to have me help you all the way through, it's going to be filled with many painful moments."
He was preparing me to make a decision, one that either meant I'd remain alone in this world or have a shot at retribution.
"The world outside these walls… It's far scarier than one would think. Definitely frightening for a ten-year-old," he asserted. "You're not an ordinary child and from the pain you've experienced already I know you can handle the dark things that fight to claim one's life in the pits of nightfall. However, if you want a chance to get your wings back, you'll have to trust me, and I need you to stop crying."
I slowly nodded, letting the last bit of sobs leave me as I blinked away my remaining tears. He waited for me to calm down before he gently stroked my head.
"Good girl," he praised, his softer tone of voice returning. He let out a sigh and sat a little taller. "My friend Klaus was here and put a spell on you so you wouldn't die from the shock of pain. It won't last long, and now that he's been summoned to a territory we're not supposed to enter, it seems as though we're going to have to go to him and not the other way around."
"A territory we're not supposed to be in. Meaning territorial trespassing?" I inquired.
He blinked for a moment, once again thrown off by my words of conclusion before he bobbed his head. "This land forbids most kinds. If you enter, it normally means prison or death. Klaus is allowed to be there because he's a demigod. We're not."
"Demigod," I whispered. "Children of gods, send down for purposes beyond the human and supernatural plane. To be around one is a blessing, and to be protected by them can lead to a prosperous life."
"Did you memorize that definition?"
"Yes," I quietly replied.
"Good." He grinned. "I can deal with smart cookies easier than stupid ones that will slow me down."
"Being smart doesn't mean you're fast," I acknowledged.
"Okay, maybe you're too much of a smartass," he muttered, but it made me smile a little.
"Celeste," I introduced.
"No last name?"
"You don't have one," I acknowledged.
"You're right." He had a smug look on his face while his eyes darkened slightly. "I gave away my association with my family when I pulled out of the pack."
"Pulled out of the pack?"
"It's a story for the journey ahead," he suggested.
"Will you actually tell it?"
"If you want to listen."
"I do."
"Then I'll share it when we're on the move," he assured me. "Just know I go by Zackery."
"Or Zack?"
"That's the other me."
"They scary one."
"Are you scared of him?" He seemed a bit amused. The boyish grin that graced his lips revealed the younger teen side of him that lit his face up, even in the dimly lit room.
"No," I replied.
"We'll see if you say the same thing when you see his true form."
"I'm not afraid of the big bad wolf," I mumbled, remembering the fairytale. He pouted his lips at me, and I followed his lead. "What?"
"I want to reply, but Zack thinks otherwise."
"Does he want to get me a red hooded cape first?"
"Nah." He shook his head and actually smiled. "Black suits you better. Goes well with your hair."
That made my cheeks grow hot as I looked away. I hadn't gotten a compliment about my hair in a very long time, or even my appearance in general. It felt weird...in a good way.
"Celeste."
I returned my gaze to him, and he offered his hand while his face remained serious.
"I'm not an adult yet and you may not be my responsibility, but I vow to try and help you the best I can. You don't need to trust me yet, but no matter what happens ahead, lift that chin up and don't let anyone who isn't your ally see you shed a tear. Even when you're in pain."
"Okay, Zackery," I replied and placed my hand in his.
Unexpectedly, he lifted my hand and lowered his head and pressed his lips against my flesh. His eyes were closed briefly and when they opened, there were those golden orbs with silver lining.
"All those who caused you pain will receive their punishment. Until then, we will work on rising above their lack of hope in us."
I nodded in determination.
"Yes," I agreed with a firm voice. "They will see us rise, and we'll enjoy watching them fall."
In my despair, I made my first ally. It was now time to head into the wrong territory.
Journey With An Omega
"Are you sure you can keep going?"
I decided to take that moment to stop. My exhales were heavy as sweat dripped down the side of my face. The spell that this man Klaus had set on me was beginning to wither at slow pace, leaving my body in a growing agony with every step I took.
This pain was nothing like the initial strike of silencing pain that occurred when my wings were ripped off of me. Or the internal pain that had sprouted within my heart and laid roots.
This pain I could handle, but it was only a matter of time before it became unbearable with absolutely no treatment.
I was a little relieved that I couldn't see my back, see the wounds that were still open and merely covered by white bandages and a new black cloak that Zackery had and fixed to fit my small, short frame.
Being ten sucked when you were trying to fight through life's ordeals.
At least I'm not alone.
"Are we allowed to take a couple of minutes' break?" I breathed. Zackery glanced around, his eyes shifting from forest green to gold as he sniffed the air.
"For a bit," he concluded. "You'll have to brave the cold a little since fire will invite trouble we don't want to deal with."
"That's fine," I replied. "The cold doesn't bother me anyway."
"Even in your predicament, you've watched that classic?"
"To my mother's standards, Frozen was good research material to prove that a woman doesn't need a man to save herself."
"I feel hurt," he mumbled, putting his hand to his chest and giving me his best hurt expression.
"Good." I genuinely smiled while catching my breath.
"Let's sit over there. You should eat a little more."
I nodded as he guided me over to a tree stump. Sitting down first, I watched him summon the magic suitcase - its tiny frame quadrupling in size and landing on the soil or ground beneath us.