Shadows of Avarice (BxB)

Chapter 22

The day of the party arrived quicker than Xia was prepared for. In the days leading up to the celebration, Xia and Alishba attended Shiva's classes as they were instructed. Though Xia wanted to disappear on multiple occasions, he stayed on his best behavior. He only did so for Osiris. When Osiris learned that Xia was attending his classes, the sultan visited Xia as he promised. Xia knew that he shouldn't, but he looked forward to those nights.

Nothing much happened on the nights that Osiris visited him. They made small talk, kissed, and then fell asleep together. Osiris was always there when Xia woke up in the morning, only for Alishba to kick him out when she arrived. Xia never thought he would enjoy Osiris' company as much as he did. He kept thinking about the sultan until Alishba roughly tugged on his long hair. She was in the middle of braiding his hair to get him ready for the night's festivities. A dress and some flowers for his hair were picked out for him already. He was starting to get used to this routine every day.

"You seem happier than usual," Alishba commented. She noticed her brother smiling more and he seemed more at ease. He was also more focused on Shiva's classes than when they first started.

Xia shrugged. "I guess palace life isn't as bad as I thought it would be." 

His sister rolled her eyes. "You're only acting this way because of Osiris. I get it. He is unbelievably handsome. Hell, I don't even like men, but he would make me straight. However, I think you're losing sight of what's important. Don't forget about your family because you're falling for a pretty face."

Xia glared at his sister through the mirror. "Osiris is more than just a pretty face. Maybe I like him for more reasons than his looks."

"Oh, so you're admitting to having a crush on him." Alishba sighed. "This isn't going to end well. Maybe we should leave sooner than expected before you fall completely in love with him. After all the gifts he bought you last time, we should have enough to sell and keep us afloat for a while in another kingdom. I heard Ambria is always a good kingdom to settle in. Or we could always go overseas to Cordea. I just think that we should leave before we end up suffering. If Osiris finds out that you're a man, we're going to be in big trouble."

He couldn't meet Alishba's eyes this time. He didn't tell her that Osiris definitely already knows. After the night in the baths, there was no way that Osiris didn't know. But he couldn't tell his sister about any of this. If she found out, then she would surely kill him.

Instead of commenting on this topic for a moment longer, Xia stood up after his sister applied the last flower to his hair. He glanced at the red and gold dress sprawled out across his bed. The dress was made specifically for tonight. The garments would match Osiris' outfit, which Xia looked forward to seeing. Well, he was more excited to see Osiris than to see what he was wearing. He never felt this ecstatic to see someone before. He didn't know if it was because he liked Osiris, or if he just enjoyed having someone's attention like this. He still didn't know what Osiris was trying to gain by pretending not to know that Xia was a man.

He knew his sister had a point. Xia could fall deeply if he wasn't careful around Osiris. There was the possibility Osiris would betray him after everything that happened between them. He knew this was a very real possibility that he was trying to ignore. For a moment, he wished they didn't go through with this little scheme of theirs. He could have continued to steal treasures from the temples and coin purses from the people in the streets. He wouldn't be having feelings for another person. There wouldn't be any doubts.

He crossed his arms, unwilling to admit he may be wrong. He turned to his sister and said, "You can wait outside while I change."

"Fine, but remember what I said, Xia. Your family is more important than this man you've known for a month." With that, Alishba left the room.