Unsevered Ties

17. Of Consummation

Chapter 17: Of Consummation

“So you dared to show your face to me after all? Years of disgrace and you purposely put yourself in my presence?”

Phillius sat in the same chair he would sit in years ago to sit by the fire and think of who knew what. The scene this time seemed different from the melancholy one Aiden remembered as a young boy. This time around, a young boy happily played with little car toys on the floor. Aiden glanced at Sega and then back to the small child, paying them no mind.

It wasn’t the hardest thing to understand. The boy looked like the late Lady Layahla with her cinnamon skin and blue hair. He looked up at his father, who gave him a blank look in return. As Rafeo said, the child had lived, but the lady died in childbirth. Aiden frowned slightly, it seemed that he’d helped take a mother away from more than one person. The regret he felt coming here became tenfold.

“Such a serious expression,” his father said in a bored manner, his eyes cold as ever. “As if you’ve seen a ghost. I suppose you have.”

Aiden swallowed. His father did not hold back his harsh words, as always. “You haven’t changed one bit,” Aiden said gruffly. “There are many things I’d like to say to you, but they are the same things I know you wouldn’t care to hear, so I will make this brief.” He looked down at the child again, who looked up at him with eyes just as odd as Naki’s. For the first time, he realized this boy was a half-brother to him and Naki. It made him feel a bit odd about his situation now.

“You need not take any interest in him, Aiden. He has no reason to know who you are, nor do I plan on allowing him to. If you have not come to grovel for an ounce of respect from me, then you may leave my home.” Phillius looked at Sega. “Forgive my rudeness, Prince, but I am not in the mood for a long visit, so if you would kindly speak your reasons for coming.”

Aiden spoke up instead. This meeting was going just as he expected, and his father’s scorn felt more disappointing than usual. Everyone he had hoped to see a happy greeting from had treated him like a snake that had poisoned someone and returned with no shame. It was true he felt like the role of a snake, but he had not returned without shame.

“I have not come for a long visit father, I simply came to inform you that I have gained an important role in the Pack I ran away to. While I ask for your respect and blessings, it does not seem like that will be happening. I will make this short, for reasons you won’t care to understand. I want to mate Naki. The Prince, however, has also taken an interest in him. As you are his adoptive father. We ask for your blessings over this union.”

Phillius’ brows shot down over light eyes, his expression of displeasure deepening. “What did you just say? You tell me you want to mate with that boy?”

He looked at Sega with equal disgust. “And you as well, my Prince? Such a sought-after talented young man and you want to have that pitiful boy with you.” His nose raised, disgust spreading across his entire expression. “He is another male. Even if his circumstances have changed. That is not what nature intended. The mere idea is one I cannot accept, and that boy has nothing to do with me. Rafeo is his legal guardian now. Whom he raises his ass to is of no concern to me.”

Phillius rose, offering his hand to the quiet child on the floor who eagerly rose and took his hand. “You’ve disgusted me as a man and as a son for long enough, Aiden. You will have no blessings from me. I wish you nothing but misery with that mistake of a boy. Make sure you both never stain my vision again.”

Aiden’s nails dug into his palm. His father still treated Naki like he was some flea that came attached to his late love. Remembering now, often their father’s scorn had prompted Aiden’s own towards Naki. Aiden had feelings about his late mother and resented that Lady Layahla showed the boy such love, but she also tried to dote on them as well. He behaved like an upstart brat back then though, and he felt weary of her and her intentions. She was truly a kind and warm woman.