Unsevered Ties

47.Kisses

Chapter 47: Kisses

Sega stared absently at the blade he'd brought with him. The sabre was a little longer than usual and made sleeker, more of a mix between a rapier and a sabre. It was new, never tarnished with blood or battle. Initially, a late Age Day gift to Naki, yet he didn't feel right giving it to his younger mate on the actual day. He felt Naki would think he was trying to win him over by giving him lavish things.

It wasn't untrue, but this gift was well thought out, something from himself with the help of another. He had watched Naki practice, and he studied his mate's frame, his technique, and his learning ability. When it came to swordplay, Naki would be a natural. It was only fair for a young man to have a blade made especially for him. His body, his personality, a mirror image of the man in a blade.

The night after Naki's birthday had gone to shit and since then, there was no way to give it to him. It was customary for the one asking for the mating hand to give a gift. This was a perfect excuse. A few days had passed since he had asked Naki to become his Royal Mate and the other stormed away.

Sega had an obnoxious amount of eyes on him at all times, and Naki preferred Aiden's company during trade discussions. He scoffed. His mate saw Aiden as the Jack of all trades and didn't know which set of skills Sega proved to be the superior.

After his talk with his mother, things had suddenly become rather intense for Sega. He didn't want to recap the rest of the conversation right now. Being told he had to die was just a slice of the cake...

Sega finally found an Aiden free moment to slip in, catching Naki between whatever wayward activities he and his little crew got into. Naki had eyed him with such suspicion he could only smile at the memory of the look. Despite all his fire, Naki still looked like a deer ready to bolt from a beast when they encountered each other.

Blue eyes stared back at their owner as he slid his gaze up the blade, watching the way it caught the light. He needed to change things and set things in the right direction. No amount of triumph mattered if he had forever burned his bridge with Naki. It all felt minuscule. His whole life they had groomed him to be someone's vessel, and now his eyes were open to the truth. Sega was all too aware of the nasty mess that had spread around him. Though handsome to the point of being ridiculous, he felt twisted and ugly. Sega saw too much of the Sega he was molded to be and not enough of the Sega he was born to be.

The double doors opened and the person in Sega's thoughts appeared, dressed in light clothing for sparring. He couldn't help the smile that tugged at his lips. Sega felt happy, an odd feeling. Excitement rolled through him. Naki chose to come and spar with him, to start the sword practice they never got around to. The day was still early, and they had the great room to themselves.

Sega felt awkward, really. After all, he couldn't just blurt out the truth to Naki. *Oh, by the way, I'm not a sadistic asshole. Your power just triggers the crazy parasite my father made me take in my body. Let's start fresh. He rolled his eyes because not taking responsibility for his actions always went over well. There may be demons riding his back, but he was the one who offered them the ride. Now it was time to make a few stops and a round trip to get back to where he was supposed to be.

Naki's hair was getting a bit long, and he liked the look so he did not want to cut it. It was, however, a hassle and a half to leave hanging. Right now it brushed his shoulders, so he had it up in a short little ponytail that flared out in all directions because when did his hair ever behave? He wore a lightweight shirt that had a deep cut that dipped and exposed a bit of his forming chest. His pants were loose, rolled at the hems, and tied with a sash to keep them snug to his waist.

When Sega approached him, he almost ran. He did not want to know what the man would say. If he brought up the mating thing again, Naki would have given Sega a headbutt to the gut. No other action would have sufficed. Being in the breakfast room didn't allow him to easily bolt, and he found himself having a conversation with his mate.