My Warmth Is Yours

Chapter 11: And Then There Were Two

"We need to talk." The comfortable silence was broken by Aether's surprisingly sharp words. "I know you didn't say everything when we were talking to Amber." He let go of the Kriedeprinz' hand. "I still have questions and I know you have the answers. I want to be able to trust you, but I can't if you're going to dodge questions." The Traveler shook his head. I do want to trust him, and I know he has the right to keep his secrets… but if those secrets are going to cause him pain, he should tell someone. And I know I sound mean but how can I leave him alone? I don't want him to be in any more trouble than he already is. He walked into his bedroom, letting his friend follow and shutting the door behind them. the two sat down on the bed, Aether trying to figure out how to start this conversation.

"I'm sorry," they both said. Aether looked at the prince.

"For what? You have nothing to be sorry for."

"... breaking down like that. In the city. I shouldn't have done that."

"I would've been worried if you hadn't." Aether suddenly felt the urge to hug him like he had before, but he held off. "That kind of reaction is natural. It's not a bad thing to cry."

"...is it not?"

"Absolutely not."

"Then why is it that parents often tell their children not to cry?"

"Because they just want their kids to be happy. But letting your emotions out isn't a bad thing at all. It's necessary." Aether shook his head. I'm getting off-topic.

"Uh. Anyway… sorry I sounded a little harsh just a minute ago. But still, we do need to talk."

"I know. You have questions, and I have the answers."

"Yeah."

"Go ahead. It doesn't take that long to ask a few questions, does it?"

"Why do you sound so condescending when you say that?"

"What do you mean? It doesn't take that long at all to ask a question. It's simply logic." He folded one leg over the other, raising one eyebrow towards the Traveler. "So go ahead and ask." Aether rolled his eyes.

"All right, if that's how you want to play it. First question- what the hell was that up on the mountain?? We got out of Starglow Cavern and you just collapsed. Seriously, you looked like you'd been punched or something, you were not okay. And then we get halfway down and it happens again. And you just ignore it. Keep going like shit's normal. No??? What was that?? Cause if the word normal describes anything, it's not that." The prince sighed.

"I wasn't going to say anything about it until I had a solid hypothesis. Having said that, yes, it did hurt. Quite a bit. But the one possible explanation seemed… ludicrous. And yet it's the only one I have so far."

"Tell me. Trust me, I've seen a lot that most people would describe as ludicrous. It's not easy to faze me. What happened, did you start hearing the souls of your dead citizens?"

The Kriedeprinz just stared at him.

"...what? Did I say something wrong?" Aether suddenly felt uncomfortable. Why does he stare into my eyes intensely like that?? What did I say? Did I insult him with that last comment or something?

"It doesn't seem like you have any explicit ability to read minds, but perhaps you're simply extremely observant. Yes, that was precisely my theory."

"...wait, seriously? I was just kidding…"