Nathaniel closed his eyes, trying to soothe his beating heart. “I just had a nightmare.” He mumbled, wrapping his arm around the small of Ember’s back, fearful of potential future events. “It’s nothing major, dear.” He flexed his claws, staring at the void that was his ceiling. “Ember? What do I do if I feel something I haven’t felt in a long time?” Fear crept into his throat. A powerful creature like him shouldn’t be able to feel fear.
Ember smiled as kissed his cheek "okay just take a deep breath I'm here" ember nuzzled into him and sighed "what are you feeling dear what do you mean"
Nathaniel’s face reddened, a pink blush growing on his cheeks. He took a few deep breaths, trying to calm his beating heart and the voices in his head. He rolled onto his side, pulling Ember closer to him. “I feel— fear. I have not felt fear in forever. It’s been such a long time… I have forgotten how it feels.”
"What are you afraid of? She looked at Nathaniel with a warm expression hoping to help him in the slightest she held him close as she listened to what he had to say she stroked the hair on his head gently he had seemed to like it before
Nathaniel clinched his jaw, staring Ember in the eyes. "That the dark force that tried to kill me will return and finish me off for good." He looked away, watching the bright red take over the sky. A new cycle. Had it really been a whole night? It seemed to pass by quick. "I cannot die by some—stupid—force of darkness. I'm the force of darkness! NOT IT." He growled, closing his eyes. He let Ember root through his hair, liking the soothing feeling.
A shiver went up her spine as she looked at Nathaniel "Nathaniel…. Don't talk like that everything is going to be okay, for now let's just… Leave the book alone for now though okay? " she placed her hand on his cheek stroking it gently with her thumb "just be quiet a breath dear yelling isn't going to fix anything. "
Nathaniel groaned. "I can't help but think about it, Ember! The voices tell me otherwise! It's frankly annoying!" He sighed. "Even if I don't touch the book now… I still have touched it— meaning I'm still tied with whatever wants me dead." He leaned his head into her hand, annoyed at his own stubbornness. "Yelling make me feel better. It makes me feel understood. It gets rid of my anger." He sat up, resting his arms on his knees. "If you want to be a queen— First you must learn how hard it is to be a king."
Ember sighed and sat up with him " look I understand your scared and that's okay but that doesn't mean you can raise your voice at me when I'm trying to help you! Just breathe we will figure this out I promise you that we just have to think of a way.. "
Nathaniel groaned in anger. "You don't understand, Ember! I'm not scared… I'm not supposed to be scared! But I'm terrified." Little tears started to well up in his eyes, shocking the demon further. He didn't know he still had the ability to cry. He took small, little breaths, screwing his eyes shut. In turn, that made some tears roll down his cheek. "I don't know if there is a way. It's part of me. You have to kill me to get rid of it—" He paused, a few straggler tears rolling down his face. "And don't mention this to anyone. I'm not supposed to cry."
Ember looked at him shocked before she pulled him into a hug "Nathaniel it going to be okay I promise you just have to calm down please"
Nathaniel clung to Ember, swiping at the strange tears falling down his face. He didn't like it one bit. How could a creature like him manage to cry? It baffled him. "The world has been out to get me since I was born.” He huffed, taking in small, deep breaths. The king wiggled his way out of Ember's hug, laying down and pulled the sheets over himself. Closing his eyes, Nathaniel fell back asleep after fighting his current mental battles.
Ember just sat there quietly looking down at the bed when he laid back down and rubbed her arm not really knowing what to do now she just sat there for a while worried that if she moved she'd wake Nathaniel she eventually moved over to the edge of the bed and sat there she was restless but she didn't want to leave his side so she stayed there with him
Nathaniel opened his eyes, yawning as he stretched. He popped his head up, looking at the edge of the bed. "Is there something wrong, Ember?" He inquired, moving closer to her. He hadn't slept for long, maybe 20 more minutes at most. "Did I say something you didn't like?" Rubbing his eyes, he moved out of the bed, sitting on the edge of it next to her. "It wasn't the best night of many before, but there are still plenty to come."
"Ember turned her head to look back at him and shook her head yeah I'm fine I'm just not tired is all don't worry… How did you sleep? " she looked down and her hands that were down in her lap and swung her legs a bit
Nathaniel studied her carefully. "Are you sure? You're not one to be restless. And something seems off about you." He ignored her question, placing a hand on hers. "Would you like me to teach how to use a weapon? To fight— like me?" He was trying to speak in a gentle tone, but there would always be a rasp to it.
Ember nodded yeah I'm just thinking about stuff I promise… " she glanced up at him and smiled a little at his attempt to speak gently and she nodded her head "sure I guess we could do that"
Nathaniel glanced off to the side. "What stuff are you thinking about, Ember?" His hand tightened around hers, and he leaned on her, resting his chin on the top of her head. He cupped his hand on her cheek, pushing her head, so it fit right in the crook of his neck. "Don't be afraid to tell me anything." He pulled away and leaned right back in to give her a few kisses on the neck. "What weapon are you experienced with? I want to start with what you know, rather than having you try and match my capabilities."
She just shook her head "oh it's nothing I'm just thinking about you.. And me.. And other stuff.. It's nothing to worry about I promise" she gave him a guarded smiled as she listened to his next question "I mean I've never really used a weapon before… I'm a werewolf so it did seem necessary.. "
Nathaniel let go of her hand, smiling. “You and I. What about us. Is there something that is worrying you about our relationship?” He leaned his head on hers. “I don’t scare you, do I?” He giggled, wrapping his arms around Ember, pulling her closer. “I think a dagger will be sufficient weapon to use on your first try. Don’t want to go tooo complex.”
Ember shook her head quickly "no no nothing like that I assure you Im just worried about you is all and what if something happens to you? And Amaze…. Does something to me? " she went quiet again for a moment before nodding that should work for now.. "
Nathaniel softly smiled, a sweet look in his eyes like if you were watching two puppies playing. “I’m alright sweetheart. Nothing will kill me. I’m an unstoppable beast!” He placed a fist over his heart. “And I don’t go down easily!” Pulling his fist away, he opened his hand to a small flame of hellfire. He blew on it, but no matter how strong his lungs were, it didn’t put out the fire. “I’m like that flicker of hellfire. You can’t put me out quickly.” He closed his hand. “And no one is going to harm you, Ember. Not anymore. My subjects have learned from Azazel’s harsh punishments. They’re scared!” He bellowed out, seeming proud of himself. Standing, he yanked Ember up with him. “Yes it should. Unless you’d like a bow and it’s arrows.”
"But you fear dying… Don't you? " she wouldn't look up from her lap she just sat there quietly she glanced at the flicker and brought her hand up making a slightly smaller one and she looked away from him like she was waiting for a punishment for not telling him she could do that "even if they are scared… If someone believes in something so much, it doesn't matter the cost" and then she answered his question
"I suppose I could try both it wouldn't hurt"
Nathaniel froze. “Perhaps I am, dear. But I cannot do much about it.” He ran his fingers through his messy blonde hair. “The clock always ticks no matter what. Demon or werewolf. I can still die somehow.” He saw Ember’s flame and smiled proudly. At least he had someone to be proud of. “I don’t like the implications of the cost. It’s scary, but I’ve never listened to the cost.” Nathaniel started to walk out of the room, expecting Ember to follow. “Both wouldn’t be too bad. Just depends on your fighting style.”
Ember looked up at him once and shook her head
"yes but if something happens to you what stops the people that want me dead I'm no match against a demon let alone an army."
She stood up and followed after him quietly with her hands in front of her "I'll just have to find out I guess"
Nathaniel noticed something was wrong. "No one will harm you even if I do disappear. I have protections in place. No army will harm you. You are my partner. The partner of the king cannot be harmed." That wasn't true. If the royal blooded king was to die, the partner had to die too. It cleared the throne for the next pair. But he wasn't going to tell Ember that. "What's wrong, dear? You look exceptionally sad." He trudged down the stairs, and ended up in the great hall again. Nathaniel walked down the hallway he lead Ember down on her first day, pushing open the palace doors. Hell wasn't exactly the best…outdoor environment.