What Makes a Monster

♱Sixty-Seven♱

Work is (somehow) even more awkward after the dinner date with Soran last night. If anyone was second guessing our relationship, they definitely aren't anymore. The only one really talking to me or treating me semi-normal is Hael and even he seems to mull over every word he says like he's speaking with the king himself. I'd be moping about it if there wasn't something else to mope about as I learn mere moments before lunch;

"The prince is coming?"

Soran nods from behind his desk. I'm shocked the letter hasn't burst into flames from his heated glare.

"Apparently, His Majesty has instructed his son to give their condolences for your capture and discuss what should be done with the clear violation of our treaty with Emperor Pihre. The Baylor's will not sit idly by after their precious citizen was attacked." Soran's scowl states that he smells all of the bullshit. "He will be here for dinner. It would be best if you kept to your room."

My jaw drops. "My room? What am I, a child getting grounded?"

"I certainly don't mean to treat you as such, but I don't want him anywhere near you."

After what I've learned, I understand why. Soran's hatred towards them, his reactions around them, the pieces of the puzzle now fit together. The picture that remains is more gruesome than I could have imagined. Soran is practically reminding me of the past with his gaze. Although he doesn't beg, he sure as hell looks like he is.

"I don't want you alone with Cathen either," I mumble when scuffing my feet against the rug. "And do you honestly think he won't find a way to drag me here to meet him?"

Soran averts his gaze, focusing his annoyance on a stack of papers. Again, how have they not caught fire? I feel the heat from here.

"We both know he's probably coming to be a nosy asshole," I add, stepping around the desk to be at his side. He won't look at me until I take his hand, which is as tense I expected it to be.

"The Baylor's know about us. I don't want to run and hide from them. If you act like prey then they will treat you like prey," I say to him, frowning when he sighs. His dark bangs are ruffled from the sudden breath of air. "Do you think he will try anything with you right in front of him? Isn't the safest place right beside you?"

"I don't think there is any safest place," Soran answers honestly because he really does know best. "However, if the Baylor's were up to something, I doubt they'd alert me about it. If anything, Cathen is probably coming to check my condition."

I raise a brow at that, one that Soran notices. He rolls his eyes when spitting out, "Assassins continue to come for me even now after all the failed attempts. It's because they're always trying something new, a new poison, a new spell. If they visit and find me weak then that's proof that Leschandeal is on to something."

"If you can figure that out so easily, wouldn't they suspect you to hide the truth if you were hurt so why bother coming at all?" I ask.

"If I deny the visitation then it's proof it worked. If he visits and I show signs of weakness that's also proof. Since I am obviously fine, it's best to take them up on their offer to remind them that I will always be a thorn in their side."

"You sound pleased with that."

"Because I am." Soran finally grins. "At least I can get back at them by being an immortal annoyance."

I laugh at that. Soran's grin falls though. Each day I'm understanding more and more why he's on edge all the time, why he once smiled so little. That's changing now, but even when we're together, the stress of it all lingers; a constant stain in the back of his mind.