Shadows of Avarice (BxB)

Chapter 12

When Xia regained consciousness the next morning, the first thing that he noticed was the hard surface that lay beneath him. He opened his eyes, to find himself resting his head on Osiris' chest. He glanced up at the sultan's face to see that he was already awake. When Osiris noticed that Xia was also now awake, he gave him a gentle smile. 

"Did you sleep well?" Osiris asked.

It was sweet of him to ask, and Xia was surprised that Osiris was still here. He thought that the sultan would have left by now. He wasn't expecting to wake up with him. Osiris was much more caring than the rumors made him out to be. Of course, Xia only heard the commoner's side of the story. They were the ones who suffered the most, so they would express their grievances to each other. He wouldn't hear the good stories about their ruler.

Xia nodded. He decided to speak his mind. "I thought that you would have left me."

"I do have to leave, but I didn't want to without saying goodbye first. I have an important meeting this morning, but they can wait for me. I would like to spend a little more time with you." Osiris had his hand on Xia's back and slowly rubbed it up and down. Just as it was last night, the feeling was soothing to Xia.

But he couldn't get too comfortable with Osiris. As much as he would have enjoyed to stay here and enjoy this feeling, this wasn't an option. Xia needed to make the first move to get Osiris to leave. He tried to get out of bed, but Osiris seemed to have other intentions.

Osiris grabbed Xia around the waist and forced him on top of him. Being on top of Osiris, straddling his hips, made Xia blush intensely. He felt his heart beat faster when Osiris' hands found their way to Xia's thighs. He rubbed Xia's bare skin that the slits in the skirt revealed. Quickly, Xia grabbed Osiris' hands. He was getting bold in his touch, and Xia was not about the risk exposure. Xia took Osiris' wrists, and pinned them down against the bed.

"Oh, how very kinky of you. I do quite like this position." Osiris smirked at him.

"S-shut up. You're such a pervert." Any nice thought that Xia may have had of Osiris, he took it back. Osiris acted sweet and as though he would respect Xia's boundaries. Yet, here Osiris was, touching Xia without his permission.

This made Osiris chuckle. "Am I not allowed to tease you, Xia? If I recall, you never denied me permission to touch you. Also, didn't you kiss me last night?"

"That was a goodnight kiss! It wasn't even on the lips." Maybe Xia should have made Osiris leave last night. Then he wouldn't have to deal with these feelings first thing in the morning. Xia had been flirted with on multiple occasions, but he usually had the upper hand. Xia wasn't sure how to deal with Osiris.

"Even so, it was a kiss without my permission." Osiris turned Xia's logic against him. In one quick motion, Osiris flipped them over so that he was the one on top now. He smiled down at Xia and said, "After last night, I feel as though you owe me. Xia, may I give you a proper kiss?"

Xia could feel his heart pounding in his chest. He looked up at Osiris' face, which he couldn't deny was extraordinarily handsome. Osiris was by far the most attractive person that Xia had ever met. Even the women in his harem didn't match his beauty. For a moment, it made Xia feel weak to his charms.

"You may," Xia quietly answered.

Xia wouldn't pretend as though he wasn't curious to feel those lips on his. He wondered if he would enjoy kissing Osiris, or if the sultan would end up being like all the others. Since Xia only ever kissed people to trick them, it was never enjoyable for him. It was only an act to get what he wanted, and he doubted that this time would be any different. He longed to feel something, though. He wasn't sure if he wanted this because he was physically attracted to Osiris, or if it was because he was lonely.

He waited in anticipation for Osiris to make a move. The sultan seemed stunned that Xia agreed to the kiss, but when he regained his composure, he leaned in close to Xia. Xia closed his eyes, waiting for the moment of impact. He could sense how close Osiris was, but their lips never had the chance to touch. There was a knock on the door, then the person entered without waiting for a response.

"Good morning, Xia! I hope you're ready to . . ." Alishba trailed off when she finally noticed that Xia was not alone on the bed. She glanced back and forth between the two men, who were very close.

Osiris got off of Xia and stood up. He nodded at Alishba and said, "Good morning. I apologize for making you witness that."

Alishba gave a shy smile and held her hands together. She was doing her best to watch her manners while in front of the sultan. "No need to apologize, Your Highness. I'm sorry for barging in while you were having a moment with your betrothed."

She glanced at Xia, her eyes questioning what she had just witnessed. He could tell that she was dying to know the details, and she would bombard him with questions the moment that she had the chance. He could also sense a tinge of annoyance radiating off her. She would surely scold him for this.

Osiris turned his attention back to Xia briefly. He planted a quick kiss on his forehead and said, "I promise to visit you later if you would like. We can continue where we left off then."

With a smirk, Osiris departed, shutting the door behind him as he left the room. The moment that he was gone, Alishba wasted no time interrogating her brother.

"What the hell was that all about? I couldn't see everything, but were you actually making out with the sultan? You do realize that if he wanted to take it a step farther, then you would be in big trouble, right?" She sat down on the bed in front of Xia, facing him.

Xia covered his face with his hands, embarrassed to be caught by his sister. "We didn't do anything. There was no kissing, only a minimal amount of touching."

"What were you thinking? Xia . . . Please, you have to be more careful. All it takes it one slip up, and we'll be executed for trying to fool the sultan," she said, her tone serious for once. As much as she teased her brother, she didn't want him to get caught.

"Sorry, Alishba . . . I wasn't thinking. I was caught off guard by his pretty face, so I wasn't thinking rationally." He had to remember that it wasn't only his life on the line. She could get in as much trouble as him if they were discovered.

She let out a small giggle. Alishba didn't want to be mad at him for long, so she said to lighten the mood, "Wow, you're so gay."

He looked at her, his face turning red. "Shut up. I'm not gay. I just . . . have a preference for men."

"Well, Grandma was right in thinking that she'll never get grandchildren from either of us." Then, Alishba gave a sad smile and said, "Just don't fall in love with Osiris. Once this is all said and done, I don't want you to be heartbroken."

She was back to being serious, and Xia knew that she was right. He had no intention of falling in love with anyone. Xia had a goal in mind, and nothing was going to stop him from achieving it.

"I promise, I don't have feelings for Osiris, and I never will. All of this is just an act." Saying those words felt wrong to Xia. Why did he suddenly feel bad for lying to Osiris?

Alishba seemed to catch Xia's tone of voice. "I would rather he gets hurt from this than you. Lying to him is necessary for our goal." She stood up from the bed, then held her hand out for him to take. "Come on. Let's explore the palace and get our minds off of this."

Xia took his sister's hand, ready to put this conversation behind him.

With a smirk, she added, "But first, let's pick out a cute dress for you to wear."