#SABELINA CAN BE HER CHAIR IF I WANT HER TO BE | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

macabremoons · 9 months

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Even Forever Takes Breaks

TW: Power imbalance, possessive behavior, sicko for sicko romance, and general dark themes. Be safe!

A/N: Thank you to @sugar-phoenix for editing this. She's so good at it omg. Also to @wipsbymor for convincing me to post this LOLL. I don't know how canon this is ngl. Right now I'm just writing short stories to get a feel for the WIP.

I haven’t seen Grimoire in five days.

I wish I could say that I was happy about it, yet there’s a lack of giddiness in my chest. Instead of popping champagne and cheering, I find myself waiting for him to come back.

I don’t miss his company. This much I am sure of. It’s just that when a parasite settles within you for so long, it’s odd to be without it. I can’t feel eyes on me when I should be alone. There’s none of his idiotic commentary. It’s been nearly a week since I’ve heard one of his gorey promises. I know he’s coming back. Just as the rooster knows when to sing its call, just as the moon knows when to come out and when to go to sleep, just as the seasons pass, Grimoire will be back.

The clock ticks in the corner, and I try my best not to stare at it.

I go to my advisory meetings as if nothing is wrong. I can tell my advisors notice Grimoire’s absence, but my eyes are too sharp for them to ask questions. They bow just as deeply even without Grimoire glaring at them from over my shoulder.

“Queen Sabelina, the people have faith in your might and have requested that you defend them from the neighboring country,” Horus, one of my least favorite advisors, says. He stands to reach over the map resting on the long table. “The kingdom appears to have this small providence surrounded. I am happy that they have sought you out, but it’d be near fruitless to try to help them. We would lose money and men—”

“Lord Horus, what house do you belong to?” I interrupt. Horus goes still, and I can see his mouth slightly twitch downwards.

“The House of Griffin. We have served the thrones for centuries.”

I try not to roll my eyes. Being loyal to the throne does little to comfort me. I am not centuries old. I know some question my claim to the throne. Someone loyal to the throne might even betray me.

“Yes, and when your house nearly fell to ruin a century ago, did my forefather abandon you? Did he not come to your aid?”

I watch as denials run to the tip of his tongue. I’m sure he hates being compared to commoners. “He did, Your Majesty.”

“Good,” I say, standing. “I was afraid for a moment you had forgotten. This kingdom refers to me as their Blood Queen, and what use is a queen drenched in blood if it is not the blood of her enemies? An attack on any part of my country is a personal attack against me, and should be taken as a personal attack to everyone in this room.”

“Say we lose this town.” I look at the map. “Whithallow. Who is to say our enemies will stop here?”

My advisors stare up at me, and I do not let down my gaze. For a moment, I think that they will disagree with me. All of their familiars are close to their person, stored in their brooches, yet mine is empty. They could easily kill me. I’m sure Horus wants to.

Lorin speaks up. “Perhaps we are just unused to seeing a monarch so enthused about protecting their people.”

I narrow my eyes. “Well I’m here now.”

Another advisor I haven’t bothered to remember the name of speaks up. “Surely though, Your Majesty, you do not view your men as so disposable? The houses have been doing the work of the throne for longer than the history books can accurately scribe.”

“The houses are important,” I agree, sweeping my gaze over them, “but they are just one part of the kingdom. A very powerful part, but still very small. Am I to reject all my subject’s care to coddle you with golds and silvers?”

“Of course not—”

“Then we answer my people’s call and tell them we are on our way. Meeting adjourned.”

They leave wordlessly, and I slump back into my chair. I see it now: I am a fool in their eyes. They bow their heads because of my claim to power, but just as I yanked the throne any one of them could as well. Without Grimoire, there is no Blood Queen, just Sabelina.

I curl into bed defeated and cold and close my eyes so I can pretend I’ll get any sleep tonight. Before I can spiral too much, the bed dips, and I sit up quickly.

It’s him. There’s tears in his eyes as he leans closer to me, and I allow him to embrace me in a tight hug.

“Please, do not make me leave you for any longer,” he says, face buried into my neck. “There is no moon without your presence. No stars, no gravity, no reason for me to go on. Scorn me as much as you like it. I welcome your anger, just do not make me leave you.”

“I’m surprised you listened.”

“You commanded it. Due to our bond I had to.”

Oh. I feel stupid now. With as powerful as Grimoire is, it is easy to forget that he is my familiar.

“You… may come back.” He doesn’t move. “I have to sleep, Grim. Get off.”

Grimoire shifts to his side. His arms go stiff to his side. I want to turn away, to look away, but I am so stunned by the fact that he’s truly back at my side.

“Tomorrow I will schedule a meeting with my advisor to discuss some battle plans.” I pause, suddenly embarrassed. “Perhaps you could scare them. Just a little.”

He jerks his head. “Anything you wish, my love.”

For once, as I close my eyes to sleep, Grimoire’s intense stare does not unnerve me.

I did not miss him, I tell myself. I think it, so it must be true.

Taglist (tell me if you want to be added): @lyra-brie, @immortaladrien

#my bloody masterpieces #my writing #project forevermore #fiction #short story

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