I MARRIED A CUPID

23: HER EXCHANGE

CHAPTER 23

AILA

I carefully caressed his cheek, running my hands on his beautiful curls that is currently framing his face, brushing his forehead tenderly. He is sleeping soundly, his mouth slightly opened.

I smiled wistfully - I don’t want for him to wake up, yet.

I tucked my hair beneath my ear and leaned down to kiss his forehead, pecking his lips and pulling away abruptly, for I do not want to be tempted of the idea of snogging him quite blatantly without his consent.

Caelon looks so serene when he is like this – asleep on my lap, with no worries about what is going to happen; no worries about my limited time here with him.

I huffed.

How am I going to explain all of these to him?

The question that popped inside my head appears to have alerted him as he shifted on my lap, his eyelids twitching before he finally opens his eyes. I braced myself for his hate and anger, for his wrath to dawn, instead, I am met with the warmest embrace I have yet to receive from him.

“Rubin!”

His relief was apparent, while he kept on murmuring my name as though it were a prayer. He pulled away, touching my face like he couldn’t believe that I am standing here, right in front of him.

“How did I – I mean – how am I?” He let go of me, rubbing his hands on his face, “I traded my soul –“

“Yes, you did.” I gritted out, trying not to break under her guilty gaze. “Without even informing me, you have traded your soul.”

Caelon shrugged, flashing me an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry,” He pulled me closer, nuzzling his head on my neck, “I am so stupid.”

“Yes, you are.”

 “But, how come I have been restored? Did Hades let me go? Did he void the trade I made with him?”

“No, he didn’t.” I sighed, biting my lips. I bowed my head, trying to find the words I shall say to him that will explain my situation.

A silence passed between the two of us and I can almost imagine the cogs in his head working thrice as hard as he thinks. It takes a little while after when I heard his sharp intake of breath, “You made another bargain?”

I bowed my head, before tucking it in between my shoulder and scratching my ear. I tried to burry myself within the depth of my knees but the jerk on my chin made me look at Caelon, filling me with such guilt as I catch his accusing gaze, “Rubin, tell me what is it that is bothering you? Why are you acting like this?”

“I didn’t do it on purpose.” I whispered, bowing my head again but he sharply jerked my chin back, making me cry out.

“What did you do?”

“I stick with the original bargain – of Hades taking my soul.” Caelon closed his eyes as he groans, letting me go, “No, that won’t be possible. I saw you drink that nectar! Even with just a vial, Hades cannot take your soul for it was tampered, already.”

I sighed once again and turned, refusing to see his face as I say the next words, “He could. I have asked Aphrodite to restore me back. Hades has given her choices and I asked her to choose you, Caelon, because no matter how much I want to live here on earth, I won’t survive or even experience happiness without you.”

The sound of fist hitting flesh is the only thing that made me look back at him.

Caelon’s face was murderous but his eyes were full of guilt and sadness as he said, “Do you think I could? Do you think, I do this petty sacrifices to show off my powers? Rubin, I do not care, okay? If Hades takes me then, so be it. It should be my punishment for defying and escaping Hades the first time I died. I don’t need you to save me.” His words were like arrows aimed at my heart and I didn’t like how it hurt me.