Daevari -II-

Chapter 6.3: Seal It With a Kiss

Besides his rare trips back to his room, Ari remained in the library. He had finished the books Cyrus provided within a few hours of receiving them. After that, Ari found his thoughts drifting to Sai and his intentions—wondering if they truly aligned with his own. To keep himself focused, he immersed himself in the stories and tales before him. Some of them seemed more fantastical than factual, but Ari savored every word. However, the distraction only lasted for so long.

With a sigh, Ari closed the book in front of him. He had not seen Cyrus or Auovin since that intimate moment they shared. He could not shake the feeling that Auovin was avoiding him. How occupied must one be to not even seek out one's lover—if he even considered Ari such? There was too much left unspoken for Ari to believe everything had been resolved. He lacked Auovin's trust, and trust was everything to a demon—to a lover.

What he thought they shared seemed as fleeting as clouds. The thought filled him with a bitter emotion, one he could no longer deny. Auovin resisted rekindling their relationship, and given time to reflect, Ari understood why. What he asked of Auovin was no simple request. Ari recognized that now.

He gazed at the flickering candles. Eyes had come to replace them. He watched as they moved silently through the room, exchanging the low-burning candles with new ones and lighting them. Their robes swept along the floor in silence, ignoring Ari's presence.

Despite thinking Auovin should offer him more time, Ari realized it was not his place to assume what Auovin wanted. He wished to speak with him again, to confirm his thoughts. If they proved correct, Ari was prepared to accept that. It was better than being left with nothing. The very idea unsettled him, and his hands trembled in response.

Ari rose from his seat, keeping his hands clenched into fists as he exited the room. He did not know where to begin his search, as it seemed likely Auovin would avoid that secret place in the garden now that Ari was aware of it. If Auovin wished to evade him, it made sense not to return there. So, where should he begin? The throne room? Ari shook his head. No, that would hardly be private.

His personal quarters? Ari did not know where they were, truth be told. He knew so little about Auovin—about where he lived or many other things. That realization bothered Ari, and he hoped to remedy it soon. He should at least know where his dearest person resided.

Ari absently thumbed his lower lip as he walked through the halls, ignoring his surroundings, too lost in thought. As he considered the matter further, he realized he was approaching this all wrong. Auovin felt some form of love for him—Ari was certain of that—but whether he was still in love with him as he once was remained uncertain, and with good reason. Ari would not impose himself as he had before. No, he would wait. Let those feelings return naturally. Perhaps what they needed was distance—after one last meeting.

Afterward, when their feelings were laid bare, Ari would decide what to do with all the newfound knowledge. He would seek out Sai and proceed from there. Yes, that seemed reasonable. For no matter how favorable the outcome, Ari knew his heart would ache too much for him to remain close to Auovin.

Ari glanced up, spotting a line of Eyes, their heads bowed and hands tightly clasped behind their backs, standing off to the side.

"You there," Ari called out. Upon closer inspection, he noticed they wore masks fashioned in the likeness of the demons of old. The one in front wore a maroon robe, unlike the rest, who were clad in black. They murmured among themselves, but the one Ari presumed to be their leader silenced them with a gesture.

The red-hooded Eye bowed deeply before him.

"What is it you seek from me?" a gravelly voice inquired.