Threads of Fate

Chapter 14 ~ Choices Made

    Azael wasn't sure how long he lingered beside the fireplace, merely thinking as he watched the flames, but when he came to, the room was empty and the house was silent. He blinked his trance away and smothered the fire before setting off in search of a bedroom. No doubt that was where the others had gone.

    He turned down a narrow hallway and found a flight of stairs leading up to a second floor. The landing opened into a wider hallway this time, lined with crystalline windows that reflected soft moonlight. Azael crept down the hall as quietly as possible, keeping an eye out for any open doors.

    Most of the ones in this area were closed and he pursed his lips. He didn't want to disturb his companions by opening the wrong door if they were already asleep. There was another flight of stairs at the end of the corridor, but just before it, he spied a door still partially cracked. He reached a hand for the knob, but paused as a sound reached his ears.

    He glanced through the narrow sliver, brows knit together, then froze. There was a four-postered bed right in his line of sight, shrouded by semi-translucent curtains. Two figures were on the other side of the bed. Only one was fully visible. The other was seated on the bed, obscured by the curtains, but the long dark hair that spilled down its back and onto the bed...

    Azael's heart thudded almost painfully as he watched Kaius lean down to slant his mouth over the other person's, then tip his head sideways as lips traced down his neck and onto his bare chest. Fingers reached for his already unlaced pants, then slipped beneath the fabric. Kaius's lips parted in a soft moan, and the seated figure edged further back onto the bed.

    The male followed, planting his knees on either side of their hips. His hand found the nape of that dark hair and he shoved their lips together again, using his body to push his partner's down onto the bed. Azael ripped his gaze away and pulled the door closed with an imperceptible click, not fast enough to conceal another pleased groan. There was a flash of silver beneath the door and the room became silent, muted by a magical shield. 

    Azael could barely think straight enough to keep his footsteps quiet as he raced up the steps. Anything to get away from that room and what he knew would be happening in it. His eyes ached with a familiar dry burn and each breath seemed to slice through his lungs like a white-hot blade.

    He reached the third floor and all but ran to the opposite end of it, as far from that room as possible. He found another bedroom with the door fully open and ducked inside. He closed the door and locked it fast, sucking down rapid breaths.

    He would not lose himself over this. Not again. Not now. Not when he knew it was coming. He'd already told her to make her own choices, and now she had. He'd told himself he would live with it. She had made her choice. Was making it.

    His back pressed against the door and he slid down it until he met the floor. He unbuckled both swords from his hips and threw them aside. Azael threaded his fingers through his hair, still making himself measure his breaths. His vision blurred, salty liquid lining his gaze, but he forced his eyes wider, refusing to let it spill over.

    He had made his choice. He'd told her his choice. He'd pushed her away for years. He'd hurt her so many times, wishing she would leave and not look back. She always looked back. Except tonight, when she left the room.

    Except tonight, when she'd been lounging in that chair, and the firelight reflected off her features so beautifully that he'd been committing the image to memory. And then her voice had called his name so gently that he hadn't dared to look at her, knowing if he did he would've been on his knees in a heartbeat, begging to hear it again.

    But it was Kaius who would get to see those brilliant sapphire eyes. It was Kaius who would hear her whispering voice calling his name. A harsh breath escaped his mouth, sounding dangerously close to a sob. Azael clamped his lips shut, still refusing to blink. Refusing to let a single tear fall.