Open Your Heart

Chapter 22

Pulling up to the manor, he looked at his lover beside him. The snake was distracted with the notebook in his hands, rereading the notes he'd jotted down during his research. Notes that his father had mysteriously requested. How long had it been now since they'd hunted down Chardenay? A month? Arackniss couldn't help but wonder if this seemingly random meeting between them all was a result of the deathstalker's influence. The doors to the car were opened on either side by Luka and Stefano, so he slid out, deciding he would find out soon enough rather than simply wondering.

Moving into the building, he looked around, curious that they hadn't been met at the door. Leading the serpent to his fathers at home office, he knocked, but there was no answer. Peeking inside, he found the room empty. "Huh."

"What's wrong, Nissy?" Pentious said the words lowly so it wouldn't be heard by just anyone passing by. Shaking his head, Arackniss started off toward the drawing room instead. Again, he knocked with no answer, and found the room void of life. "Could your father be somewhere else?" Thinking about all of the rooms in the manor, he cringed. There were tons there, but usually his father took meetings in one of those two rooms. Looking around, he hunted down the first employee he could find, a maid cleaning one of the hallways, and asked where the forest scorpion was.

"Oh, Don Henroin and Chardenay are in the library." Arackniss looked at her in confusion.

"The library?" The woman nodded and started pointing to where it was, but he stopped her. "No, I know where it is, but my father is rarely in the library." The woman shrugged.

"They've been spending a lot of time there recently. I have heard that Chardenay loves the library, so that may be why." Nodding, he quickly thanked the woman and led his lover through the halls until they came upon the large wooden doors leading to their goal. Even from outside the panels, they could hear the soft music playing just beyond. Sharing a look with Pentious, Arackniss cracked the doors open so that they could see inside.

The couches had been pushed aside to make more space for the two to move. Hand in hand, the two were swaying to the music slowly, their tails wrapped around each other. His father was wearing one of his regular suits, but it some how looked more sophisticated when paired with the simple outfit Char was in. The well fitted black jeans and flowy black satin tank top had been coupled with simple black pumps and some subtle gold jewelry. Something about it still seemed elegant, however, which he had to admit was impressive.

"I had no idea your father danced." A glance up at his lover showed his confusion.

"He does but... he hasn't in forever. He used to with my mother, but that's the last I've seen him do it since... well, since their last date that I actually saw." The serpent hummed.

"It looks good on him." At first, he was confused by what his lover meant, but watching his father spin Char around and then pull him close again, Arackniss smiled.

"I don't think the dancing is what looks good, Pen." No, in fact he was sure that the dancing had nothing to do with it. The two were clearly talking as they danced, and whatever conversation they were having made them both happy.

"Do you think he remembers that we have a meeting today?" Lightly slapping the man, he shook his head.

"Even if he doesn't, I don't wanna ruin this. It has been way too long since he's been this happy, and if he's happy, Pen...." The serpent nodded.

"If he's happy, he leaves you be. And that means... we can be happy too." Leaning lightly against the snake, he smiled. They simply watched as the two scorpions danced and chatted in the space they'd made, getting closer and closer until they stopped moving and simply stood in the middle of the room. Arackniss didn't know if he should feel happy or awkward watching his father steal a small kiss from the deathstalker. It was nothing sexual or needy; just a light brush of their lips, but it held so much more than just any old kiss. "Should we go sit somewhere until they're done or...."