Buried and Rotting

Chapter 3

"So-" He turned to see Demetri looking at the forest through one of the large windows. "How long are we staying here?"

"Well hopefully this could be where we live. I would have preferred Stratus Falls but this city is nice too. This place used to be an artsy town for the wealthy, even purple souls used to come here on vacations. It's surprisingly beautiful...if you ignore all the rot and the stench and...everything else. Anyway it got a fairly good review from a noble that visited about five years ago and if we can fix it up and make it beautiful again who knows maybe purples will want to visit like they used to."

"...You want the V3 here?" He was playing with his hair like he always did when he was nervous.

"Is that a problem Demetri?"

"...Violets are never nice to us. Why would you-"

"To get a good reputation. To not look like a joke for having a soulmate like you!" He flinched at his harsh words, he hadn't meant to sound so cruel. "Sorry, you know I love you, it's just unbearable being treated like I'm nothing after everything I-... If we make this place as beautiful as it used to be and have violets coming here to vacation and having a good time and talking us up, maybe things could be different...for both of us." As he spoke he moved forward gently wrapping his arms around Demetris' waist only to have him respond, as usual, by pulling away.

No matter how gentle or how careful he was, it was never enough. He saw Demetri wince and suddenly realized he'd tightened his grip to prevent him from moving farther. He quickly let go and looked up to see his gorgeous eyes finally looking at him. It hardly lasted a second before Demetris' gaze had dropped to the floor. This time he moved his hands behind himself keeping them from Demetri and stepped forwards standing on tiptoe to reach up and close the distance so their lips could meet. He looked surprised but didn't pull away, until the door was flung open and a group entered the room.

"Lord Xyer, we have news from the parks." He sighed, turning to the brunette in the doorway.

"Maybe try reading the room next time, Noelle."

"Oh, I'm sor-"

"Never mind, what's the news?"

"At the parks...well most of them were okay but there was a bit of an uproar at one and...and people were killed." She replied slouching down and playing with her fingers nervously.

"Ashen?" She nodded. "You're a teal soul aren't you?"

"I am." Her response sounded like more of a question, the girl seriously lacked confidence.

"Then start acting like it. Everyone knows exactly what your kind does. You're killers, so don't be so squeamish about some ashen souls. No one cares about them."

"Sorry sir."

"Good." He Looked at the other teal souls who were waiting "Well?"