Gloom in Gold: The Awakening

Chapter Nine

Forced Perfection.

Lilith was a little disappointed as she woke up alone in her bed the next morning. Nolen must have carried her to her room after she fell asleep. She was confused as to why, but did not think much about it. She would ask him when she saw him next time.

She strolled through the residence after finishing her breakfast as she spotted Erros passing through the hallway. Instant joy came to her as she called out his name.

He halted, eyes flickering to her as she jogged up to him. "Hey!" She stood there like a high school girl greeting her crush, heart bumping fast.

He did not look at her or move anyway else, almost as if he did not want to see her. "Hello."

The smile on her lips was not reciprocated. Noticing his off behavior she raised a brow, examining his tight expression. "Is everything alright?"

"Yes." He paused for a second. "I must go." The cold and distant tone in his voice matched the look in his icy orbs.

"Where to?"

"Not of importance."

She blinked a few times. "Okay... um, will you be gone long?"

"Several days."

"So you will attend a mission?"

"No."

"Did something bad happen?"

His features twitched, body tense. He remained silent.

She waited for him to look at her for a moment but he did not. Therefore she walked in front of him, smiling hopefully as their eyes met. The coldness of the ice almost made her flinch. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to. Stay safe, okay? Oh, and can I get a goodbye kiss?"

His expression grew even more strained. There was a pause long enough to make her think he would not answer and worry came to her. "No."

Ache struck her chest like lightning. She stood there, desperately wanting to say something but finding herself unable to. Before she had any chance to gather her thoughts, his figure left her side. Her lips twitched, mind torn. Tears flew free and tainted her cheeks as she stared in the air where he stood a moment before.

Why did he treat her this way? Yesterday everything was fine, even better than that. She thought that he enjoyed their intimacy as much as she did. She thought this would be another step in a relationship that would grow closer. But apparently she was wrong.

Her thoughts went into a frenzy she almost lost herself in. Did she do anything wrong? Does he hate her now? Why? What happened? She shook her head after several moments.

Only now she realized that she cried. Jumping in shock she sprinted away, hoping she remembered the directions Fellon has taken her. Guilt accompanied the pain Erros brought her. She desperately hoped she did not bother anyone with her blood and she ran. She ran until she felt the fire in her lungs spread through her entire body. The bones in her legs were struck by lightning, as she chased her pain through the forest, not seeing anything besides the contrast of black trees and light snow. Desperation kept her going nonetheless, until her feet got caught in a root that send her flying through air as cold as the look in Erros' eyes. Expecting to crash on the ground she was even more mortified to find arms catching her. After a moment she realized what happened, she struggled against the grip. She kicked and punched at the figure, screaming at them to let her go.

"Holy shit," a well known voice gasped and she was free, "I'm aware that I'm an asshole, but is it that bad?"

She caught her breath, staring at the man that stood in front of her. "Fellon? Why- What are you doing here?"