The Devil's Warrior Queen
Chapter 232: Blooming

Chapter 232: Blooming

{Malika & Zamiel’s side story}

Finally, after a few days of learning how to wield her angelic abilities, her training came to an end and so did the quality time they spent together, the side glances he stole of her and the faint smile brushing his lips discreetly while he watched her laugh was now a lingering memory in her head.

In the past few days, he had opened up to her, his emotions and vulnerable sides had been disclosed to her proficiency, like a blooming flower whose petals had been unfurled to the world.

Stealing side glances at him, she would gape at his otherworldly beauty while his attention was stolen for a second. She would watch his hazel strands dance hypnotically with the wind on a windy day, his reddish hazel eyes that were cold and callous now retained slight pinch of warmth in them, a warmth that only she was aware of.

Using her eyes, she would trace his chiseled face, his dark-red cupid shaped lips, every perfect jawline and outline of his features mesmerized her as well as stimulated vulgar fantasies brewing in her head, fantasies that she never knew her mind was capable of concocting and her face turned beet red whenever they popped up.

A few times, they had shared discreet kisses, like secret lovers away from the prying eyes and knowledge of others, sometimes it would be soft, affectionate ones passing down unspoken messages of his ardor to her, other times it would be passionate, fervent ones proclaiming that she was his and his alone.

Pouring his heart to her, he had laid it all out, his unspoken emotions and hidden feelings that he seemed to bury underneath the hard layers of his icy heart, but ultimately, underneath that steely ice heart of his, her presence seemed to melt through it as he opened up to her freely.

He had once narrated the ordeal of watching his little sister die in the cruel hands of his father without being able to save her and since that day, he had reveled in the feeling of helplessness with a guilt eating heart, but she sensed it wasn’t the reason for his cold and stoic demeanor.

He seemed to have always been that way and as he narrated still, he refrained from talking deeply about his emotions and rather replaced it with hate and a malevolent feeling, it seemed to be easier for him to live with by hate and bitterness gnawing through his soul.

Although, watching him in that state where he rather filled the hollow gap of guilt and helplessness with malice and bitterness, she never said a word about it or tried to advice him to let go, because she felt exactly the same after her grandfather had disclosed the truth of her mother’s death to her.

It was okay to feel however kind of way, as long as they were strong enough to live with it and not get destroyed in the process.

But amidst everything he explained to her youthful knowledge, he brought the dangers of his treacherous world to her understanding, how everything and everyone that would be plunged into a world as dark and melancholic as theirs always ended up in an abyss of damnation, forever reeling in the torment of their hellish path.

But him warning her to stay away, trying to scare her away with the perils made her chest twist painfully. She knew he was right, it was indeed dangerous and just dipping a toe into his world revealed to her knowledge the malevolent forces and precarious machinations that awaited her, but she was ready to take the risks.

Growing up and hearing stories of the supernatural realm, she had imagined the paranormal world to be fascinating and adventurous, full of ethereal beings and mystical sceneries one would revel in.

It was indeed, but the dangers and malicious entities ready to devour one the moment they get swept off their feet by masks of deceptions, lurked around the shadowy corners like ominous sentinels.

But still, she didn’t mind the dangers anymore, she was now powerful enough to protect herself and the people she held dear to her heart.

After lord Zamiel had finally taught her how to wield her celestial powers, she hadn’t caught sight of him since then. Meanwhile, she had heard of the King and Queen leaving the castle to go live in a secluded area for a break and now, Lord Zamiel was in charge of the kingdom’s affairs.

She comforted herself with the idea that he was simply busy with the duties and affairs of a king, and he was not avoiding her presence, even though her intrusive thoughts said otherwise and managed to bury doubts in her fragile heart.

The idea of going to see him popped up in her head once or twice, but the thought of visiting him in his chambers would elicit the wrong impression of him, in her defense, it was the only area of the castle she was sure he would be available in as she had no certainty of where he was sure to be at.

But alas, she shoved the idea of going to meet him and thought of giving him a bit more time or technically giving herself some time to calm her wrecking nerves down even though she missed him so much she could feel her heart throb with the rhythm of longing.

On a sunny day with clear blue skies, she stood on the balcony, leaning on the metal rails as she looked out at the garden below while servants scampered here and there, doing menial work.

A sense of nostalgia hit her, but it made an acrid tang spread on her tongue as she thought of it. She could still vividly remember when the dark witches attacked the castle that unfortunate day, taking so many innocent lives with the wrath they spewed on them.

Now, she felt a sense of remorse, knowing she had powers all along but was concealed away from her. If only she had known earlier then she would have undoubtedly saved a lot of lives, if only she knew but she didn’t.

At that moment, she felt the intensifying heat of rage burn through her skin. It was all her grandfather’s fault, if he hadn’t lied about her existence since birth, then she would have saved people, something the angels failed to do, something he failed to do when her mother was at the mercy of the cruel humans.

The feeling of rage slowly crawled into her being, poisoning her soul with darkness as she thought of it and the unfairness innocent humans had to put up with, because they were weaker, they had no powers against the high ranking beings and as humans failed them, the celestial realm seemed to fail them also.

Taking in a deep breath in, she suddenly heard the clinking of boots behind her as it approached closer, until the figure called out her name as she stood beside her.

"Malika?" The voice was as soothing as it bled danger, but it was a voice she could listen to speak, but it was familiar.

Turning mechanically to the side, her eyes momentarily locked into the bright red orbs belonging to Madam Eleanor.

"Madam Eleanor." She greeted but as she was about to bow, Madam Eleanor stopped her.

"A higher creature as yourself shouldn’t stoop so low as to bow to me." Madam Eleanor suddenly said, throwing Malika aback in confusion, but it took the unaware girl a good while before she could comprehend the meaning behind her statement.

"How...?" Malika wanted to ask how she knew about her celestial lineage, but then she realized they were living in the core of gossip and rumour harbingers occupied every inch of the castle.

Madam Eleanor smiled, revealing a normal set of white pearls with slightly tipped canines. It must have been the first time she saw her smile and she looked even more gorgeous wearing a warm smile on her usually tepid countenance.

"Of course everyone knows already, it’s probably escalated over the kingdom and beyond neighboring ones too, including the queen’s transitions. You know the walls have ears, there is no secret here in the castle, as well as you and lord Zamiel’s affair." Madam Eleanor pointed out rather nonchalantly, but Malika’s face twisted grimly.

Defensively, she spouted out "I’m not having an affair with lord Zamiel, he’s my mate!" She said, almost yelling.

"I’m well aware of that, anyway I wanted to check up on you, I sensed a strong emotion from you, perks of being a vampire." Madam Eleanor pointed out with a straight face.

"What?" Malika blurted out.

"The stench of rage oozing from you was very potent, just don’t let it devour you, it always ends up with blood soaked hands or a lifetime of regret and in some cases, both." Madam Eleanor remarked and then left.

Malika watched her retreating figure, as she disappeared down the hall with squared shoulders.

She inhaled deeply as her words slithered into her skull. She either had to let go of her rage or it would blacken her heart, but she was scared she would never be able to let go. It scared her to her bones, because she had no idea what her raging, revenge hungry self was capable of.