(MalexMale) The Crimson Immortal [Crimson Immortal Series: Book 4]

27: Realization

For the first time in a long time, Sei didn't have a nightmare. His dream was pleasant and Zhil was there. The pesky soul mage smiled as he dragged Sei through a field of flowers, stopping every few feet to pick a new one and place it in Sei's hair. Sei matched his every move until both of them had crowns made of leaves and flowers. Then they sat next to each other never saying a word. It wasn't needed, the comfort Sei felt just being by Zhil's side was enough.

He threaded their hands together and they stayed there peacefully. The sun warmed his skin while Zhil's touch warmed his heart. Even though Sei knew it was a dream he could have sworn he smelled Zhil–campfire charcoal with a hint of pine. As night came and the stars began to glisten, Sei laid back, falling into Zhil's arms. He closed his eyes and fell into a peaceful slumber.

Sei awakened alone feeling refreshed and laying on a bed, a cloudless night had returned and indicated to him he'd been asleep for a while. Because he wasn't feeling the aftereffects of magical exhaustion, Sei figured Mysia used her healing magic on him. It was probably why he had such a restful sleep.

His hand brushed his hair behind his ear wanting to feel Zhil's touch again. The bittersweet dream hung heavily on his mind as he looked around the vacant room. Sei sighed, feeling relieved to have a moment to himself.

"How was your sleep?"

Sei adjusted himself, pulling the blanket tight around him. He rolled his eyes, of course, Mysia wouldn't be too far away. Why should he have expected anything different? The dream must have left him in a state of blissful unawareness.

Mysia sat crossed-legged on a chair near the back of the room. The hint of her golden eyes reflected lightly in the moon's glow.

He gritted his teeth but spoke softly, "Fine."

"And your dream?"

Sei didn't react because he knew it was a test. She probably planted the illusioned dream wondering where his loyalties lay. Had he not been careful enough? Or perhaps too careful that she noticed the change? He had been trying to slowly adjust his attitude to be more compliant, without giving her signs his original self returned.

"It was pleasant," he answered cautiously.

"Is that all?"

Sei's stomach twisted, he had to be extremely tactile with his words. Any hint that he had feelings or knew Zhil would not bode well for him.

"There was a man with me. We sat together for a while." Sei faked his nervousness by doing some odd mannerisms, running his hand through his hair and scrunching the bedsheets in front of him.

He turned toward Mysia and gave her an innocent look, "Do I know him?"

Mysia used a light spell and lit up the room–dim but bright enough for both to clearly see each other. She wore a simple white top and tan linen pants. Her hair hung loosely over her shoulder. Her face expressed no emotion but behind her eyes, there was something of skepticism.

She crossed her legs and rested her chin in her hand. "It's been relaxing to have you so compliant these last few weeks," her words were cold.

Sei instantly recognized the hidden meaning behind her words.

Shit.

Sei's eyes locked with hers. The redness staining his eyes turned a shade darker. He knew he wasn't going to get out of the situation without torture. He needed to think of a cover fast. His mind was a jumble after the dream. Usually, he was good in these situations but he stumbled to get any coherent idea. The dream must have affected him more than he realized.