Bloodstream

Chapter 22

Avriel wasn't tired, he didn't get tired, but he retired to his bedroom. He didn't need a bed, but he had one. In fact, there were several in his house. He walked quietly around his bedroom observing the deep rich colors of the drapery and bedding and wooden furnishings. He let his fingertips gently trace over the intricately carved wood of his dresser then the posts of his bed as he walked the room and let his mind wander. He reached his bed and let them run over the different textures of the heavy bedspread that covered it. He didn't question why he had chosen such strong and dark colors. The deep greens and rich reds of the forest back home had always called to him, especially as a child. It was only natural that he would surround himself with the colors that reminded him of good and pleasant times. The black he added to complement the green was a natural choice. If he closed his eyes he could see it in the spaces between the trees. It served a great purpose in his home. It blocked out excess light from the sun and protected his sensitive skin from its harmful rays.

He took off his shoes and put them away, slipped out of his socks and put them in the hamper for the maid. He hung up his jacket in the closet and closed it, unbuttoned his shirt and let it fall off his shoulders and tossed it in the hamper with his socks. He sat on the edge of his bed in his jeans and t-shirt, his bare feet almost touched the floor. He laughed to himself. Figured he'd purchase a bed that was tall enough to keep his feet off the floor. He let his eyes rove from his toes dangling over the rich colored Persian rug to the deep red and ivory pattern that was very pleasing to his eyes. He enjoyed the way that the rug's colors accented his choices for drapery and bedding and still played so elegantly with the deeper red-mahogany colored wood floor of his room. He loved how the same wood color permeated the whole of the house. He loved more that the staff kept it clean for him.

Avriel looked around his empty room. For the first time in a long time, he felt alone and quite a bit lonely. His thoughts wandered to Ariel as they tended to do more and more every day. She was beautiful in a simple, yet very complicated way. When he closed his eyes, he could see her flecked and chipped emerald eyes looking carefully through him. He felt the touch of her pale, rosy like a porcelain doll's cheeks, skin on his fingers. He saw strands of her raven hair loose on her neck, flowing across her throat and in front of her collarbones contrasting sweetly against her skin. If he let his senses wander he could smell the sweet red wine, citrus, and roses of her perfume. His mind was full of her. He couldn't fathom why. He felt her in his mind, her energy flowing through his body. She had captured him, somehow captivated him and stole a part of him that he didn't mind her having.

The bed was a comfortable place to relax. Over the years he had taken to laying in them for long hours and daydreaming of various things and places. He had traveled the world over once maybe twice. He had walked in many places amongst the flowers and the trees. He could recall all the vibrant colors and strange scents that he encountered during his many adventures. He hadn't found a purpose for that bed other than that.

He slid off the edge of the bed and padded in bare feet to the bathroom. He could never relax completely when his hair was bound the way it was. He untied the ribbon that held it and let it fall to his shoulders. He looked in the mirror, perhaps he should get it cut. He laughed out loud and shook his head. Long dark hair flowed down in front of his shoulders. He ran his fingers through the silky waves. That wasn't going to happen. He brushed his teeth and checked them in the mirror. They looked just like they did the last time he checked. He smiled. Took care of the mundane things he needed to and ventured back to his bed where he lay down on top of the comforter and closed his eyes. Visions of Ariel flooded his thoughts immediately.