Shadowburn (2)

Chapter 40

It was strange for Andreas to be walking with the elf by his side in an almost comfortable silence -- at least, it was comfortable to him. He really did hope they could be friends, something he never thought he would be capable of thinking. Andreas didn't care about making friends.

But it was important to Sin. Important to his wife. Gods, he would never get tired of calling her that -- not in his mind or out loud. Even though he had always, always been opposed to getting married. The idea of being married to Sin... it didn't bother him at all. Not one bit. The fear, the ever present fear that she would wake up one day and realize she'd made a mistake, that she didn't really want him, that he was too much of a monster, was still there. Andreas didn't think it would ever go away. But, she'd agreed to marry him. In the spur of the moment no less. They were bound, the two of them, in a way that promised forever.

Andreas held on to that thought, the one that she was now his in the most complete way possible. And that he was truly and utterly hers.

He'd meant it when he told her what was his was now hers, and vice versa. Which meant, Andreas would need to get along with Thorn if this was ever going to work. After seeing all the memories Sin had about him, Andreas couldn't hate him anymore, couldn't bring himself to muster even a shred of resentment. He truly wanted to try and be his friend.

The elf didn't seem too keen on that idea. But Andreas had no doubt that eventually he'd wear him down. He could be very charming if he needed to be. It was just going to take some work.

Gods, how much the Djin had managed to change him in just a handful of weeks. Here he was, openly admitting that he loved -- loved -- someone, and trying to make friends.

Andreas shook his head absently, smiling to himself. Yet another thing Sin changed. He was smiling all the freaking time. He hadn't thought it possible.

They were moving at a rather slow pace, one that was starting to annoy Andreas quite a bit. If he had gone alone as he'd initially planned, he'd have kept a much closer range to the girls, cloaked in shadows so they couldn't see or hear him. But with Thorn with him, he couldn't exactly do that, and they'd fallen behind because they were 'chatting', or attempting to at least.

The sun started to rise through the trees and Andreas sighed. "You feel like going faster? The slowness is irritating me. I can transport us a couple of miles ahead of where the girls should be about now."

Thorn glanced at him with a wry shake of his head. "Do it."

Andreas placed a hand on Thorn's shoulder, much to the elf's dismay. Thorn frowned and barely managed to blink before they were gone.

They ended up at the edge of the woods, the girls behind them, their voices drifting over to where Andreas and Thorn stood. Andreas nearly laughed at the expression on Thorn's face. He looked queasy, like he'd eaten something bad. He shook his head before rubbing a hand over his face. After a moment, he shook his head, as if trying to get rid of the dizziness. Andreas had forgotten to warn him. He grinned.

"There you go touching me again. Casian would be so disappointed," Thorn muttered.

Andreas shrugged. "He'll get over it. He's a big boy."

Thorn straightened, shaking his head as he continued trying to push away the dizziness. He didn't say anything, but looked ever so faintly amused. Andreas smirked.

"A cloaking spell, then? At this distance, the girls will be able to hear us or see us if we attract any kind of attention, which, let's be honest, we are going to do." He gestured at the both of them. "No way their keen eyes won't find us at some point, regardless of how inconspicuous we try to be."