Obsidian's Reign ¹

∷ Chapter 31 ∷

"WHAT IS THE meaning of this?" Jae asked with a distinct frown on his face as he approached the trio.

It wasn't certain to whom his question was directed to, but neither Clara nor the brothers Cain were hard-pressed to give him a response. And so, they remained equally silent. Jae wasn't alone either, flanked on both sides by his trusted subordinates, both of whom held terrifying scowls on their faces; although the recipient of their frustrations differed.

Though Rylan had his stare fixed on the loathsome angel and the way the prince had a death grip on his forearm—as though to keep him in place—Zephyr had eyes only for the princess who was trying her hardest to look anywhere but at him.

"I thought I detected the scent of an angel," Rylan spat in disgust. "Never assumed I'd find one lurking the halls of Farrador and definitely not in the company of the prince of Raikar and the princess, of all people."

His sharp gaze landed on Clara as he spoke and it was his unspoken insinuation that seemed to bring offence. Though it offended someone none would have dared to guess.

"What are you trying to say?" Zephyr asked, finally shifting his attention away from Clara.

"I wasn't saying anything," Rylan shrugged, unaffected. "What you make of it is none of my concern."

"Clara has nothing to do with this," Zephyr defended.

At the mention of her name, Jae shifted to look at her.

"I think it best if we let her explain herself," he said.

The air was thick with the tension brewing between the demons as they scrutinised each other with stern expressions on their faces. After a moment's hesitation, Clara gathered the courage to say, "We were just having a conversation."

She glanced at the prince and his brother, uncertain if that little fact was her secret to tell. Besides, it didn't seem right of her to divulge such a discovery on her own accord.

Having picked up on her hesitance, Adric said irritably, "The walls have ears. Take us somewhere private if you wish to hear the explanation behind our circumstances."

Jae required no persuading, for the situation was bizarre enough to pique his curiosity. He motioned for the group to follow along as he guided them through the hallways to his office a short walk away. Once inside, he faced the two, his eyebrow raised in expectation.

"Adric?" Icarus said, the one word enough to alert the former of his silent request. It was his manner of seeking approval for the information they were about to disclose.

"Do what you want," the prince said, unable to stop his expression from twisting in a strain.

Much like the first time, Icarus decided that a straightforward manner was the best approach to the confession. And so, he said, with similar nonchalance, "Prince Adric and I are brothers."

"That's preposterous," Rylan claimed. "You're an angel–"

"I'm not," he interrupted with a shake of his head. "I've always been a demon."

"But, how . . . ?" Zephyr muttered, trying his best to comprehend the matter at hand.

Icarus appeared visibly concerned, wringing his hands nervously as he turned towards the prince, worry evident on his features.

"You don't need my permission for everything," Adric huffed in clear disgruntlement. "If you want to tell them the truth then so be it. I'm not going to stop you."

The assurance in his words did not seem to lift the worry on Icarus' face as he placed a hand on his brother's arm as though to determine if his declaration of being fine is the spoken truth or a downright lie.