When Blindfolds Fall

12: The Last Promise We'll Ever Make

Quite to Viktor's dismay, after dancing with Josiah, he had to let him go and meddle with the people for a few more hours until the end of the ball. At least it was drawing nearer now, but now both were aching to be alone together without fear of exposure.

While Josiah was occupied, Viktor retreated to his office to find something. Something he had had for a short time, but never quite used it for its purpose.

Tonight, seeing all those marriage proposals to Josiah, realizing how attached he'd grown to him and vice versa, started turning some gears in his head. If their mate mark couldn't be exposed, there had to be another way to show everyone Josiah was taken.

There was one way. And while he never intended to do this a second time, Viktor most certainly would never do this a third time. At least, not in this lifetime.

Finally, at the end of the ball, Josiah left the ball room and searched all over the castle for Viktor. He had already checked their room, the halls, the dining hall, even his office, but he was nowhere to be found.

"Where is he? It's already so late." Josiah thought as he tried the halls one last time.

In one turn of his head, Josiah finally spotted something unusual in the gardens. He couldn't quite see it from the inside, but there seemed to be some form of unnatural lighting around the sacred peach tree. For some reason, he felt a pull to follow it, so he went out of the castle and walked towards the area.

As soon as he stepped out, a breeze of spring swept over some pink petals of the tree. The sky was clear with the moon shining brightly in company of the gentle glow of countless constellations. But as breath-taking as the night was, Josiah was mesmerized by the path of candles lighting a way to the sacred tree.

He followed it, confused, and in awe until he got the canopy of the majestic tree. Josiah looked around, noticing the entire circumference of the tree was lined in candles. Even some dotted the edge of the pond to his side.

"All done for tonight?" Viktor's voice broke the silence of the night and Josiah turned his head in his direction.

"Y-Yes." Josiah replied, but exhaled as he admired all the décor. "Viktor, what's all this?"

Viktor looked at his feet briefly and took a few steps closer. It wasn't until he reached out a hand to start the playing of a gramophone that Josiah noticed it was sitting on the ivory bench next to him.

A sweet, romantic ballad started playing and Josiah grew even more confused as Viktor held out his right hand to him and said:

"Will you dance with me Josiah?"

Unable to close his mouth, Josiah nodded slowly and gave his hand to him. The doctor brought them closer until the tips of their noses were away from each other's by a few inches. Viktor held Josiah by the small of his back as he rested their joined hands on his chest.

"What are you doing Viktor?" Josiah whispered as they subconsciously inched closer to touch their foreheads together and danced.

"Remember how I promised you a few months ago that I would do anything to keep you from feeling sadness?" Viktor inhaled deeply.

"Yes?"

"Well, I noticed how tonight after all those people offered up their daughters for you to marry them, you looked so sad. As if you wished that didn't happen."

"I suppose you're right. I just wished I could tell them all no because I had you. Because I am mated at last."

Viktor smiled at the brief sparkle in Josiah's eyes and paused in their gentle swaying. He lowered their hands, to be holding each other, and looked into his kind eyes as he said: