The Tyrant's Pet

Nightmares were not new to Aries. Those nightmares haunted her, forcing her to wake up, out of breath. She used to hate them -- she still does -- as they only remind her of the hell she went through after the downfall of Rikhill, and then a different kind of hell in the Maganti Empire.

Although those nightmares slowly disappeared as she moved on with life, Aries regressed two years ago. But her nightmares this time were different.

Every single night, each time she would close her eyes, she would dream of being with Abel. Most of the time, her dreams were simply memories she created with him. They were beautiful memories filled with nothing but love, affection, sincerity, and silliness.

These wonderful memories made her happy, pulling her up to heaven, only for her to wake up to reality. Her reality where he wasn't with her.

Aries slowly opened her eyes in the middle of the night, waking up to a nightmare called reality. Her expression was cold, gazing at the slightly opened balcony where the wind blow, making the curtain flutter.

"A bad dream?" Her brows rose when a voice spoke behind her.

Aries rolled to the other side, only to see Abel lying on his side. His temple was propped against his knuckles, flashing her a short smile.

"Missed me?" he asked with his classic smirk.

Her lips quivered as they parted, but her voice was stuck in her throat. Aries felt frozen on her spot, staring at him.

"Hah..." she let out a short and breathy laugh. "Did you?"

"Very much." His eyes softened, stretching his hand to brush her cheek with the back of his fingers. "Did you?"

Aries smiled as her body relaxed. "Very much is an understatement."

"I missed you..." she whispered, holding his hand that was on her cheek. "... to the point, I'd wake up to another dream."

Aries closed her eyes, squeezing his hand as she gritted her teeth to stop herself from crying. It had been two days since she had that glimpse of the emperor's seal, and since then, she would always hallucinate him.

Just like tonight.

When Aries reopened her eyes, the corner of her lips curled up into a subtle smile. She didn't speak, knowing whatever he would say was only a part of her thought. These powers of hers, being able to see the different paths of life and even create a realistic hallucination, were akin to a curse.

If Aries was not careful enough, she would lose her mind, living in a world where she was... safe.

"I'm tired, Abel," she confessed under her breath, knowing she could only show vulnerability in front of him. Whether he was real or a mirage -- no matter what he was -- he was always her safe haven.  "I... am exhausted. Take me away from here."

Spending another second in this place was hell. Maximus might've not tormented her physically like what Joaquin and the Imperials had done to her, but it was the same. In fact, it was worse.

With every step she would take, Aries, needed to be extra careful and hold her breath. Every time she would breathe, she still feel breathless. And with each passing second, the chains bounding her felt heavier. It wasn't something one would get used to or increase her tolerance. It was simply something she had to endure on top of finding ways to survive daily.

Aries might be the holder of Maleficent, the most powerful witch to ever exist. However, she was still a human, and thus, she could get tired.

"This isn't living, Abel," she whispered through her gritted teeth. "Take me away from here."

"Soon." His smile grew gentler, holding her hand and guiding it to his lips. "I promise."

Aries smiled, despite knowing that promise was a part of her wishful thought of what he would say.

"I'll wait then." She moved closer to him, squeezing herself to his side while he kept her in the safety of his embrace. Aries clutched his chest, eyes down. Her smile was full of bitterness, breathing out the tension in her throat.

"I'll wait," she repeated under her breath. "You know where to find me, right?"

"In my heart?"

Aries chuckled weakly. "Mhm. In your heart."

"You're safe there," he humored with a deep voice, stroking her back gently. "Sleep now."

"Mhm." Yet, she didn't close her eyes as she tried to feel his impossible warmth. "You too, Abel. Let's sleep."

"I've been sleeping for two years."

"No, you're not," she argued softly. "I've been watching you. You didn't sleep at all and just kept staring into the sky for days."

"Sadly, even if it's my world, I am still restricted to doing whatever I pleased. Can you believe it, Abel?" Aries let out a short bitter laugh. "It is my world, and I created it, but alas, I can only watch you from afar."

"Is that what Gods do?"

"I have no idea, but I guess it's the same case?" Aries blinked until it turned weaker. "It's not like the gods weren't listening to our prayers. It's just that they can only do as much as give us hints to relay their help and message. If only one pays close attention, that is."

"I didn't pay attention."

"You don't need to." Aries blinked once before her eyes slowly closed. "Your violent outburst every time I get closer is enough for you to know I was around. But you don't want me around you; you can't stand my presence."

"Because you were Maleficent and I'm a Grimsbanne. Therefore, I naturally loathe you," were the words she last heard from him before Aries succumbed to slumber.

As the night fell deeper, the person embracing her slowly disappeared, leaving Aries sleeping on the large bed all alone. Aries was left hugging herself to sleep, and unknowingly, while deep in her sleep, a tear rolled across the bridge of her nose.

What a nightmare.

*******

Meanwhile, in the large ocean, a rowing boat was floating on the calm waters. Inside it was Abel, sleeping while using his arm as a head cushion, his other arm was over his eyes. When he moved his arm up to peek at one of his eyes, a shallow breath slipped past his lips.

"You... break my heart, darling," whispered Abel, dragging his body to sit upright. "Seriously. She makes me sad."