Queen's Shadow || Kingdom at the End of the World - Book II

[4.1] Love Lost

Gabriel burned.

The demon thrashed. Something held his hands together, binding him in place. Panic burned his lungs. There was ash on his tongue, blood in his eyes, pain pain pain.

"-odd. Lord Todd!"

Gabriel sat up with a gasp. He doubled over, hands wrapping around his bandaged torso. The discomfort receded.

The anger did not.

"Awake, my Lord?" Advisor Xiang asked.

Gabriel nodded curtly. A hiss of steam at his elbow caught his attention, summoning him back from his dark thoughts. A good portion of the room appeared to be on fire. Xiang Yi was methodically pointing at various burning surfaces, smothering the flames with precisely aimed spells, economical as ever. The sleeves of the advisor's brocaded robes were singed.

Gabriel straightened his shoulders, hiding his embarrassment behind a haughty sneer. "My apologies."

The room flashed red. The fire died out, called back into Gabriel's body.

Xiang Yi watched Gabriel from his post at the side of the bed. His eyes were troubled. "Are you alright, Lord Todd?"

Gabriel sighed. "What is it, Ah-Yi? What did I do? I assure you, I am sorry."

"You have not done anything," Xiang Yi offered hesitantly.

Gabriel laughed shortly. "Leave."

"Gabriel," Xiang Yi protested.

"Ah, so you do remember my name," Gabriel interrupted.

Xiang Yi took a seat at the edge of the bed. When Gabriel made no move to chase him off, he reached across the gap between them and placed his hand over the demon's clenched first. Gabriel turned his palm and interlaced their fingers.

"I thought it would make things easier," Xiang Yi admitted.

"Unusually foolish of you," Gabriel said, and leaned against him. After a moment hesitation, Xiang Yi wrapped an arm around the demon and pulled him close.

"Are you well?" the man asked.

"There's a hole in my chest," Gabriel said.

"I noticed." Xiang Yi's tone was dry enough to blister.

Gabriel smiled wanly. The room was dim around them, intimate and soft and quiet.

"It's not my body that hurts most," Gabriel whispered at last.

Xiang Yi stroked his fingers through the demon's hair. His face was carefully composed. His eyes glittered, wet. Gabriel swallowed over the lump in his throat.

"What are they like? The one who carries your soul?" Xiang Yi asked quietly.

Gabriel's smile was genuine. "A hard-headed, foul-mouthed, tiny little man."

"Just like you always wanted."

Gabriel chuckled. He focused on Xiang Yi's even breaths, his solid body, the soft touch of his fingers in Gabriel's hair.

"It doesn't change anything." Gabriel's voice broke. "I still care for you."

"I know," Xiang Yi said.

Gabriel made a dissatisfied sound. His grip on the man tightened, bordering on desperate. "Do you?"

"Yes. I also know you, Gabriel. You won't let him go, now that you have found him," Xiang Yi said.

"A soul bond does not require a romantic entanglement. Mari and Sonn," Gabriel began.

"Mari and Sonn are not you," Xiang Yi interrupted. "Their circumstances are unusual besides. Do not lie to yourself, Gabriel. Or to me. It is what it is."