Dakyres of Ardor | BoyxBoy ✓

12 | Call Me By My Name

FALDREY

Returning from the Young Mistress's room, Faldrey had a resting vague expression on. He felt empty inside. He had gotten accustomed to the perpetual mocking and teasing from his Mistress, nothing moved him now. He just lived the life of Byron, waking up and going through with the same routine every day, with the little tinge of maltreatment from his Mistress spicing up some days.

Faldrey had gotten used to seeing the scarfed face of the Young Tal Dane everyday in the terrace of the Green House, and that was the only sight that made him feel anything; the presence of the Young Tal Dane, and the Tal Dane himself.

He couldn't quite place his hands on what he felt, he tried not to jump into any sorts of conclusions. But deep down he wished the Young Tal Dane would talk to him, at least for one day. He needed to understand just why he spoke with so much concern when he was presented to the royal family.

Faldrey had spent over a month going about the castle but not for once had his path crossed with the Young Tal Dane, not for once had he gotten the opportunity to pose his question. But he kept hoping to Zaal, the only otherworldly force that hadn't completely forsaken him when all others did. The reason he still believed in hoping.

The pain in his shoulders still lingered, reminding him of his very first day with the Young Mistress. Reminding him of her abnormal level of lust and carnality. He'd tried healing himself but he felt drained of Stoichi. Ever since the red haired Mage cast the spell on him he couldn't as much as tip over a small cup of water.

On getting to the kitchen he saw a gleeful Aphrodite skipping towards him, Faldrey wondered what might have gotten her so high-spirited.

"How was it?" She asked when she approached him, stopping him from walking any further into the kitchen grounds.

"Ordinary," he shrugged, "no insults or anything this time. I just kept it and she ordered me to fade out of her sight, as usual."

"Classic," Aphrodite shook her head while clapping. "Well I've good news for you." Pulling him out of the large hallway and onto the soft grass that surrounded the work chambers.

The wind was quite becalmed, so their long hair wasn't being blown all over the place.

"The Young Tal Dane asked that you meet him in the Green House, he'll be waiting at the terrace." She informed him all at once.

Faldrey swallowed hard. There wasn't much making his heartbeat race these day so the phenomenon felt new. He stood, gaping at Aphrodite.

"Do you know why? Maybe he told you why he sent for me?" He finally found his words.

"No," Aphrodite lied, avoiding his gaze. "But he was calm, and I could even see his smile from behind that mask he's always wearing. I don't think you're in any type of trouble." Faldrey remained mute, staring at Aphrodite with now glassy eyes.

He couldn't believe he was about to cry. It's been over a month since he felt sadness, the kind of sadness that made him want to shed tears at least. He just felt like a lonely boy in a foreign land and that was fine by Byron, Zaal had answered his prayers to survive the raid. Now he was just a walking replenishment for the Mage.

He always cringed when he thought about the dark practice the Mage would have to carry out to drain a Dakyre's lifeforce for himself.

"Hey, don't you dare do that." Aphrodite took his hand in hers, squeezing it compassionately. But it was already too late. A tear successfully escaped his right eye, slowly trailing down his face. "Stop, please don't do that."