Gigi could feel hot tears streaming down her cheeks. The air was bitter cold as she walked in a daze through the streets of Poppy. She pulled her wool coat tighter as the wind cut through her. Frost tickled her nose and tender ears. What have I done? Why did I say those things? Her heart felt as if it were made of lead. It pulled at her soul as it began to crack and break. The hurt in his eyes - the betrayal - haunted her.

She had gone home to the bakery first, hoping he would just be in their room. Perhaps angrily painting or drawing something, like he usually did when upset. But he had not been there, nor had anyone seen him return since he had left with her that morning. Gigi had searched the entire village for him, even going as far as the lamias’ ranch, but they hadn’t seen him either.

Gigi was going to the only person she could think of when she made a mistake this big: Secco. He will know how to fix this. While he had never been particularly successful in his love life, Secco had a keen eye and wit, making him an excellent confidant. If he couldn’t help her, she would be beside herself if she had truly lost Drake.

Gigi came to the massive clock in front of the Spinning Gear. Snow dusted the clock and the various mechanical automatons that decorated his yard. Gigi trudged up the walk to reach the door, bending down to give the clockwork cat a tearful pat on the head. Bawling, she opened the door to the shop.

“Hello there!” Secco boomed from somewhere unseen.

“Secco, Drake’s gone! I can’t find him anywhere. I’m scared he really left,” she huffed.

Secco threw the curtain back and stepped out from behind the purple drape. “I find that very hard to believe, my dear,” Secco said with a smile. “Perhaps a small lovers’ quarrel? Come, tell me all about it. I’ll put on some tea.” The inventor motioned for the crying goblin to follow him.

“I’m terrified, Secco,” she sobbed.

“Gigi, I’m sure it will be alright,” he said, leading her to the living quarters of the shop. He put a gentle hand on her shaking back.

“Why is life like this? Ugh, I hate it!” she cried.

“Now, now, tell me what happened.” He sat her down at a small table in the store’s tiny kitchen as he put on a kettle. Gigi wiped the tears from her eyes and tried to calm the quiver in her chest.

“Well, we were at Ariana’s place. He had collapsed when he tried-” the memory brought fresh sorrow, and she stuffed it down, “It doesn’t matter.” She began to twirl her hair in his fingers frantically. “Anyway, Drake spoke with the Black Lord again-”

“The Black Lord?” Secco questioned.

“Oh, the god or whatever that gives Drake his powers,” she said absently.

“Ah, of course, silly me.”

“The point is, Drake dies a little every time he uses his magic,” her voice hitched.

“Oh dear.”

“When I found that out…” she went silent momentarily. “It felt like the sky was falling. Like my heart had been ripped out. Secco, he can’t die! I just-” She broke into sobs again. “I can’t lose him. There has to be something I can do to make this right.”

“Oh, you poor things.”

“Secco, I don’t know what to do.” She tried in vain to wipe away her tears.

“Is that the end of the story?”

“Oh, no…I got so mad at him for not telling me. I might have said some dumb things. I was just so scared.”

“What did he say?”

“That he wasn’t sure if he even should tell me because I still haven’t…” She looked down and away. “I still haven’t told him…I love him.”

“Ah,” Secco said with a nod. “Then you said…?”

“That I haven’t said it…Because I didn’t know, and now I didn’t think I ever would.” She put her head on the table with a thump.

“Oh, Gigi-”

“Secco, he was so hurt,” she said into the table.

“What did he do? Did he get mad?”

“Worse,” she said, sitting up. “He got quiet, then he said his goodbyes. I’ve never seen a man look so hurt. I tried to stop him, but-” her voice cracked. She took a moment to collect herself. “Now, I can’t find him anywhere.”

Secco sat and took in the story solemnly. “Gigi, I don’t think you’ve lost him forever.”

Her ears perked up as her face continued to kiss the table. “Why?” she asked, the faintest edge of hope in her voice.

“I can say with the utmost confidence that boy loves you. He’s probably just as scared of losing you as you are of him.”

“Then why is he using his magic and life on shadow puppets for kids? Every time he did that, he shortened our time together.”

“That is true. However, Drake has not had much of a life. It was clearly filled with few joys and far more hardships. Is it so surprising that he would give up a piece of himself to make the only people he has ever cared about happy? Even if just for a short while?”

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

Gigi said nothing. She thought back to when Drake had first shown her his magic. He had made her shadow wave at her. She wondered how much of his life that little trick had cost him. Seconds? Minutes? Days? Months? The thought of spending less time with him cut her to the bone.

“There is one more thing,” Gigi said.

“I’m all ears,” Secco replied.

“The Black Lord offered Drake a new deal.”

“Oh? What would that be?

“If Drake brings followers to the Black Lord name again, he won’t take any more of his life.”

“What did Drake say?”

“That he would have to think about it! Can you believe that?!” Gigi cried.

Secco nodded. “It is not difficult for me to imagine at all.” Secco shrugged. “Drake is not interested in fame or fortune,” he paused and stood. “I think he just wants to be free to live with you. Perhaps he thinks that making this Black Lord a household name again would prevent him from doing that?” He shrugged. “That it would draw unwanted attention from those with ill intent.”

“Maybe, but-” She didn’t know what to say. It made sense, and she hated it. She grunted in frustration and ran her hand through her hair.

Secco set down a steaming cup of tea in front of her. “I think perhaps I ought to show you something.”

Gigi tilted her head in confusion. What could he have for her that would help? Perhaps liquor for her tea?

Secco disappeared into the shop before returning with a large wooden box. It was heavily polished and looked like whatever was inside was expensive. “A little while ago, Drake helped me with a small problem. Do you know what he wanted as a reward for his help?” Gigi shook her head. “A gift for you, my dear.” He set the box on the table in front of her.

“He did?” she asked with fresh tears.

“Yes. I can say without a shadow of a doubt that boy loves you with all his heart. Perhaps you should open your present before you drown in sorrow?” Secco offered. Gigi sniffled and nodded in agreement.

She felt the smooth surface of the polished wood and wondered what was inside. For a moment, she thought it could be a ring, and she grew elated, but then reason took over. The box was far too large for a ring or any jewelry, so what was it? Her fingers found grooves in the opening of the case and pulled it up. She gasped.

Before Gigi sat a pair of silver gauntlets and a set of greaves beneath them; they were both finely styled, with intricate designs laid into the metal with the most extraordinary craftsmanship. Gigi picked up one of the gauntlets and examined it closer. They had flowers worked into them, and what looked like the elemental fox kit was on the back of the attached bracer. Gigi thought they were gorgeous.

“Drake, had these made for me?” she asked dumbfounded.

“Like I said, that boy loves you with all his heart. He was very insistent that you had enough rings and things. He wanted to get you something that was truly you,” Secco said.

Gigi gripped the gauntlet and hugged it close to her chest. “You wonderful idiot,” she whispered into the metal.

“You’re both very fortunate,” Secco smiled.

A thunderous knock sounded on the front door. “That’s strange. People don’t typically knock to come into a business. I’ll see who it is.”

“You do that,” Gigi said, slipping on the gauntlet. It felt snug and perfect against her wrist. She quickly put on the other one and squared up against an invisible opponent. With a few lightning-fast punches, she laid out her imaginary challenger.

“No, I’m afraid I haven’t seen a human man of that description or any goblins, I assure you,” said Secco loudly from the front of the shop. Gigi’s interest was piqued. Why was Secco lying to whoever this was? She had to know. Gigi stealthily made her way toward the door.

Before her, Secco stood talking to what appeared to be a knight. He was a giant of a man. However, there seemed to be something even bigger behind him, but she couldn’t determine precisely what it was.

“I SMELL GOBLINS!” came a thunderous voice from outside. Secco stiffened and put his hands up pleadingly.

“I mean, yes, the village has goblins, but-”

“Why don’t we just take a quick look around the store,” the knight said. Gigi slunk into the shadows. She had no idea who these jerks were or why they were looking for her, but she would be prepared.

***

Drake exhaled steamy puffs of hot breath as he surveyed the forest. Snow crunched under his boots while he walked the path hidden by the white carpet.

Just admit that you’re lost. The voice of the Black Lord echoed in Drake’s mind. Drake shook his head as if doing so could free him of this new nuisance.

“How are you still talking to me? I thought we severed the connection,” Drake said.

It doesn’t work like that. The more you and I interact, the closer our bond becomes, which means you’re stuck with me to a layman.

Drake stopped walking. “Forever?” he asked.

Let’s not get hung up on the details.

Drake put his hands on his face and sighed into them. He took them away before trudging forward. “I’m lost. The love of my life doesn’t know if she wants to be with me, and now I have a dark god in my head. This day is just one for the books.”

I have to say, kid, you are one of the strangest avatars I’ve ever had.

“I’m not your avatar.”

No, but you could be, and with it, you wouldn’t need to worry about dying suddenly. What makes you hesitate?

“I’m tired of fighting other people’s wars. I’m not a killer. I just want to be with her.”

Ah, but what about your own war?

“My war?”

The one you rage against this world every day you wake up? You rebelled against those who would call you their servant. Will they let you go so quickly?

Drake said nothing. He knew the Black Lord was right, and he hated it. “I just want to be with Gigi. I don’t want to fight.”

Kid, I’m saying that if you want to be with her, you will have to fight like hell. Do you think I didn’t see the business with the trolls? How you called upon my power to save those you loved?

Drake said nothing for a moment. He hated to admit it, but he had used the power. He had needed it. “Well, if Gigi even wants to be with me-”

Gigi is your little goblin lover, right?

“Don’t call her that,” he snapped.

Little?

“My lover.”

Oh, why is that? Do you not love her anymore because of a little fight?

“Of course I love her! But she doesn’t know if she feels the same way. If she doesn’t, I might as well throw myself back in the river where she found me.”

Is that the spot we’re looking for? Where she found you?

“Yeah, it just…Makes me feel better.” Drake turned the bend in the path, and there it was. The clearing where they had first met. Where Gigi had saved his life.

Can I tell you something?

“I don’t think I have a choice,” he sighed.

I’ve been around a long time and witnessed many mortal affairs. I have watched many people fall in and out of love, and hells, I’ve seen gods fall in and out of love.

“What’s your point?”

Maybe she isn’t ready to admit it to the world and herself, but that woman loves you.

“You really think so?”

I do, but you know who you should talk to about this.

“Gigi.”

“CAPTAIN, WE FOUND HIM!” came a holler from the woods. Drake spun on his heels to meet the voice, seeing nothing but trees. Before long, he heard the crunching of snow under a multitude of boots. He reached out with his magic to sense the shadows around him, frowning when he sensed the movement. There were dozens of moving shadows, all converging on him. They had found him. He didn’t know how, but they were here in Poppy.