Obsidian Ring

Chapter 13

When it seems like you are all out of options, there is really still one thing left to do.

"Well...did you love her?" Aislinn asked, her arms still around Caisimir after the replay.

"I was very much human," he replied, "Of course I loved her."

"As a husband?"

"No, as a human being."

"Why didn't you tell her?" she asked, looking up at last.

He gave a wry smile. "I actually didn't hear the question. You may think I know everything now, but I was on the brink of death back there, Ace."

"...Oh." She did think that he had merely chosen not to answer, graceful as his curtains fell. "So...you didn't know she stayed either."

"I found out when I arrived...here."

"Did you see her?"

"I almost didn't recognize her."

"Did she?"

"She did. Until I became king."

Now, Aislinn released him, standing straight. A serious expression on her face, she seemed ready to say something important.

If Caisimir had a heart, it would perhaps be skipping a beat now.

Before she could say anything, he invited, "Would you like to pay her a visit?"

Maybe she would need more time, he thought. Maybe he could postpone her rejection. After all, Aislinn never hesitated when it came to rejections, and it didn't seem like she was hesitating now.

She nodded. "Okay."

For the second time that morning, his wings enveloped them both, creating a gust of wind that forced Aislinn's eyes shut. In the next instant, they were at the back of Etta's coffeehouse. Caisimir's wings, horns, and cloak disappeared, leaving him in his normal getup.

They rounded back to the front door. Just as he had before, Caisimir turned the doorknob.

"Welcome to White Coffeehouse; I am your hostess, Etta White," came the same greeting, by the same woman, in the same pose. But now, it felt different.

Without further greeting them, Etta strode over to her counter. "Coffee?"

"Please," Caisimir replied, leading the way to a table. Aislinn followed.

As Etta made coffee, Aislinn glanced at Caisimir. What about what happened this morning?

"Everyone forgot about that," he whispered, "It was just another morning." Then he shrugged with a smile, as if it was not at all his doing.

Etta returned with coffee, again taking a seat with the two. She flashed a smile that somehow widened her eyes even more. "You came together again," she noted. "Anything good happened?"

Aislinn smiled to herself, lowering her head without answering. In response, Etta arched her eyebrows.

"That depends." Caisimir was the one who answered. "But let's talk about you today."

"Yes, let's," Etta agreed, smoothing out her dress just for the sake of it. "Everyone knows that my coffeehouse closes in the evening."

Aislinn tilted her head, and nodded. "Yes...?"

"Well, my house is just upstairs, and a while after I came back last night following my little rendezvous with Ace, a boy was waiting right. At. The. Door."