A Million Times Shattered | boyxboy

CHAPTER THREE

Crazy, Dwren thought. It was the second time he found himself in a trance when he saw the boy in red and gold, one that he thought was perhaps too beautiful for even the word. He wondered where they met but couldn't place it.

Thinking back to the many times he snuck out of the palace to see the surrounding town. He was sure if he had seen the boy, he wouldn't be able to forget him. Not his face, his air of confidence, the craftsmanship put into the red robe that reminded him of a candy apple with gold and silver trimmings made just for him. So was he a dream?

Dwren understood little of dream or their meaning. For as long as he could remember, dreams showed him things he feared, like loneliness and death, all he believed were inevitable. Yet, the stranger was like pure joy, and he was happy to see him as if the reason he was born was for this very moment.

Dwren could feel the boy's anger radiating from where he stood. After hearing what had happened, he didn't blame him for being angry. It was like he felt his pain in every word, and even he couldn't help but feel sad. Still, it was a surprise to see someone with a stiff uncaring face have empathy for another. 

The boy was fascinating. Dwren turned away from him to look at the two he was with. They all looked like variations of each other, dressed slightly the same, which told Dwren they might all be siblings.

He knew it was not his business, that siblings should be able to talk or fight out their feelings, but now wasn't the time. So as they stared at him like he had killed someone they all loved, Dwren finally uttered. "This is not the time for that."

The sibling about to take a beating looked like his world had just fallen apart when Dwren spoke to them. He stepped away from the two but was pulled back by the girl. All while, the beauty stood like he was trying to process his words.They spoke the common tongue, so Dwren knew they understood him, but they looked at him like he spoke in riddles. After a few minutes of watching their shocked faces, Dwren snickered.

When the boy, too beautiful to speak, finally found his words, he uttered, "Mind yours only!" In a warning tone. His voice is low but enough for him to hear the growl.

Rather than heeding his warning—especially since Dwren didn't know him, he couldn't help but find him funny. Dwren smiled. He found the crimson trio interesting. Dwren simply couldn't help himself, so he teased him by uttering, "Is that how to speak to someone who saved your life?"

The boy looked like he could no sooner turn into flames.

The girl with him took his hand and turned him to face her. The touch was so tender, Dwren wondered if they were siblings.

"Look, there's no reason to be so uptight. If we are going to survive, we might need to all work together," Dwren replied.

"How about you focus on yourself!" the other boy scolded. "Do you know who he is?"

"Should I?" Dwren asked when Orto joined his side, Dwren looking to see if his brother recognized them. Orto looked disgusted and uncaring of whomever they were.

Dwren took a few steps closer and saw the panic in the beauty's eyes. It wasn't fear. No, Dwren wasn't convinced many things feared him. The boy just didn't want him to get any closer.

Dwren knew those from the nation where flames are practiced wore red, but he only wanted to see the emblem on the left side of his chest to place his position. When he saw the crown of flames, Dwren realized they were members of Loris' royal family.

"This is Lorem, the crown prince of Loris," the other said disgustingly as he stood in front of his cousin to block Dwren from getting closer.

Dwren knew the severity of the situation and knew now might not be the right moment to do this. However, he couldn't help wanting to further tease the royal house of the distant country he had heard so much of growing up.