Shadows of Avarice (BxB)

Chapter 40

Night had fallen, and Xia was curling up beside Osiris in bed. After their night together, Xia felt closer to the sultan than ever before. He felt at peace as they lay next to each other. Osiris' curse was gone for now, so it was safe for Xia to stay with him for the night. They didn't do anything besides lay with each other, but that was enough for Xia. He didn't need anything more than this.

He might have felt relaxed, but there was something at the back of his mind. After his encounter with his sister, he had a hard time getting her off his mind. He felt terrible for the way he treated her earlier. He knew Alishba only said those things because she was worried about him. He overreacted, and he wanted to apologize to her. Xia was never good at saying he was sorry. He always had some excuse not to apologize for his actions, but he couldn't get away with that this time.

Osiris noticed that Xia seemed restless. He rubbed his back and asked, "Is something on your mind?"

Xia had always been good at hiding his emotions in the past, but he had become weak ever since getting closer to the sultan. Sometimes, it felt as though his emotions would overtake him, and now was no different. He didn't understand why his feelings felt so strong. Now that his sister was gone, Xia could feel the loneliness trying to overtake him. What was wrong with him?

"I-I may have had an argument with Alishba. I said some rude things to her, and now I feel bad. She's only worried about me, but I brushed her concerns away. Now it feels strange being in the palace without her. This will be my first time staying somewhere without my family." Xia was always with his siblings and grandmother. Without one of them with him, he felt lost.

The only other time he was away from his family was when he was in the desert, but he felt different about those times. At least then he knew he would be returning to them eventually. Now, Xia didn't know when he would see them again. He wanted to, but then he would have to apologize for his actions. He needed to build up the courage to admit that he was wrong.

"So that's why she left the palace. I heard she left, but I didn't know the reason why. Xia, if you want to be with your family, you are not obligated to stay here. You may leave the palace whenever you please, but don't forget about our engagement. Once I get a few more things sorted out then we can finally work on making things official," Osiris said, tightening his grip around Xia's waist.

Xia sighed as he buried his face against Osiris' chest. "I don't want to leave the palace, though. I want there to be a way to keep you and my family, but they don't want to live here with me. At least, Alishba doesn't, and I doubt the others will want to either. My siblings want grander things in life. They want to leave Rasea for good, and this makes things difficult for me. How am I supposed to have you and my family when my family wants to leave?"

"Xia . . . if you're separated from your family, that doesn't mean things have to end between you. You're going down a different path from them, and even if they leave, you'll be able to see them again. I'll make sure of it. I will provide whatever I can for them to go down their path, while you choose yours. Even if you choose to go with your family, you'll always be welcome here." Osiris rubbed his back, comforting Xia.

Xia didn't need time to think about what he wanted to do. He wanted things to work out with his family, but Osiris was right. They would do whatever they thought was best for them, even if that meant leaving Rasea. Xia didn't like the idea of his grandmother traveling through the desert, but with the proper equipment and guidance, she should be fine. She took care of them as they grew up. It was time for the siblings to do the same for their grandmother. She could have a better life outside of Rasea.

"I don't want to leave you, Osiris. I came to the palace with the intention to steal from you, but I never thought that things would change, and I would start to feel this way." He didn't care that he was admitting this. Osiris already knew Xia's true intentions when arriving at the palace. It was obvious from the start when they met in the desert.

"It is funny how fate brings people together. I think we're meant to be," the sultan said with a chuckle.

His words made Xia's heart race. He didn't believe in fate. He believed he was in control of all of his actions, and nothing was predetermined. But Xia did like the idea of them meaning to be together. He didn't want to be anywhere but at the sultan's side. Being with Osiris felt right.

Xia sat up slightly and leaned close to Osiris' lips. He planted a soft kiss before pulling away and blushing. "Osiris, I . . ."

He couldn't get the words out. The idea of what almost slipped out made his heart race. Everyone kept telling Xia that he was in love, but he was still in denial. He never felt this way about someone before, but could this really be love? How could he tell if this was love or something else?

The sultan looked up at him with a smirk. "What were you about to say, Xia? I want to hear it."

Quickly, he pulled away from the sultan. There was no way Xia could say the words now. He was too embarrassed. And if he said it, would Osiris return the words? Did the sultan even feel the same way about him? It was obvious that Osiris cared about him, but that didn't mean he loved him.

"Y-you say it first." Xia glanced away as the embarrassment sank in more.

Osiris sat up beside Xia, putting his arms around the other man's waist and pulling him close. He leaned in close to Xia's ear. The suspense was starting to get under Xia's skin. He gave him a sideways glance as he waited for Osiris to say the words first.

Before saying anything, though, the sultan planted a few soft kisses along Xia's jaw and neck. Once he was done kissing him, he returned to Xia's ear. His voice was low and seductive as he said, "Xia . . . I like you."

This wasn't what Xia was expecting to hear. His face was burning up as Osiris teased him.

"Osiris! Don't pick on me like this!" Xia shouted at him, pulling away from the sultan once more. When he lay down this time, he crossed his arms and turned his back to Osiris. He couldn't believe that the sultan would mess with him like this.

Osiris chuckled, laying down with Xia again. He wrapped his arms around his waist. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. I only wanted to tease you a little. But Xia . . . I really do like you."

"I . . . like you, too," Xia responded.

He liked Osiris, but he was a little disappointed that this was all they were admitting. He had a feeling Osiris was waiting for Xia to get past his embarrassment and admit to it first. Maybe one day Xia would be able to say those words, but today wasn't that day.

For now, Xia would accept this. He let out a deep breath and tried to relax in Osiris' arms.