Chains of Vengeance

Chapter 199: There You Are

Narinder stood alone in the temple, in complete silence. The air was permeated with the residual energy of the portal to the Veil, which was no longer there. The space that had once held the threshold was now only a warm, trembling void, as if reality were still readjusting after the magical opening.

With great care, Narinder placed the black hourglass on the floor, watching as the grains began to fall with hypnotic slowness. Each particle of that sand was a reminder of how long he had to wait. Just ten hours. Alone.

He licked his lips, still warm from the kiss he had stolen from Ramael. A soft blush tinged his dark cheeks as he touched his lips with two fingers, as if wanting to preserve the exact shape of the kiss.

It pained him to have him away, but with that gesture of love in mind, he could resist. He could endure each of those endless minutes.

So, smiling to himself, he left the temple.

Night met him at its deepest point. Around three in the morning, the waning moon bathed the road in a cold, silvery light, barely enough to see without magic. The silence was almost total, broken only by the crunching of the grass under his feet and the distant chirping of crickets.

Narinder arrived home with a light step. He gently pushed open the door and, upon entering, was greeted by the distinctive sound of a hurricane trapped in a cavern: the snoring of Goliath.

Suppressing a laugh, Narinder quietly closed the door, leisurely removed his robe, and moved into the room. There they were, his two loves. Lambert was sleeping face up in their shared enormous bed, his expression utterly peaceful, his woolly chest rising and falling with each soft breath. Goliath, on the other hand, occupied a far corner of the mattress, about three pillows away, face down, snoring so loudly he could have woken any adept with half-hearing.

Narinder smiled tenderly.

With silent steps, he approached Lambert and gently lay down on him, letting his face rest on the lamb's soft chest. He inhaled deeply. His scent was a comforting blend of lamb, warmth, and that scent of camellias. He hugged him gently, as if not wanting to disturb his sleep, and murmured, almost in a whisper:

"Good night..."

But just as he said it, Goliath's snoring abruptly stopped.

The goat opened one eye, half-asleep, and when he noticed Narinder lying on Lambert's body, something stirred in his chest. It wasn't exactly anger. It was a slight pang of gentle jealousy, of silent possessiveness, though he was exhausted enough to say nothing.

Without a word, Goliath lazily stood up, walked over to Narinder and Lambert, and casually lay on top of Narinder, partially covering him with his sturdy, warm body. He rested his head on Narinder's shoulder, slumping like a weary mountain.

Narinder felt the goat's sturdy weight enveloping him. It was warm, strong, protective. It didn't bother him. In fact, it was perfect.

He purred softly, feeling loved and sheltered between Lambert's soft wool and Goliath's firm body. A fleeting thought crossed his mind, and a mischievous smile graced his face before he closed his eyes:

"Perhaps, just perhaps... there might also be room for sweet Ramael in this chaotic and loving mix."

With that thought as a lullaby, Narinder finally allowed himself to sleep.

---

Meanwhile, in the Veil, Ramael walked with his heart pounding, still shaken by what had happened. Narinder's declaration of love... and the fact that he had been sealed immediately afterward... mingled like a whirlwind in his chest. It was a confusion he didn't want to acknowledge, much less feel. But there it was, beating strongly, undeniable.