Queen of the Ashes

Chapter Seventeen

Brassica:
I am hurt
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«I wish you all luck in the future Ethan» it sounded from the other side of the phone and Ethan couldn't help but smile at his aunt's voice that grew more and more strained as he could tell she was trying to not give away that she was crying.

«And remember what I said about those speech-classes. I'll happily pay for them!» She said and Ethan bit his lower lip as he contemplated it. But he eventually came to the conclusion that he wouldn't do it, it felt like too much to take on his plate right now. But maybe later on?

«Y-yes...t-thank you...I'll think a-about it» he said as he let his gaze travel over the empty space of the kitchen. It was wired to see all trace of someone living there being gone. All the cookbooks Maze had bought, all the magnets on the fridge, all the utensils, and equipment. It had taken a month but the house was now as good as empty.

The only thing left was the plant Maze had bought him three months back, but he had decided to let it stay. It would welcome the new owners of the home. Unless it died before his aunt managed to sell the house.

«Gerald just came home, I'll talk to you later» his aunt announced on the other line. It was an obvious lie, but Ethan didn't pay it any mind.

«O-okay, b-bye» he said and his aunt replied by saying a set of words that must've even shocked her as the line went dead straight afterward. Ethan frowned and placed the phone in his pocket just as Maze walked into the kitchen. She joined in on the frown instantly.

«What's the matter?» She asked and Ethan just shook his head, brown locks following like a curtain as he was in need of a hair cut.

«I-I think she is s-struggling a little» he replied and Maze tilted her head at this.

«Who?»

«M-my aunt...she s-said she loved me»

«So?»

«S-she's never said that b-before...w-we don't... s-say stuff like t-that in my family...»

Maze shrugged. «You didn't know demons existed two months ago, things change»

Ethan couldn't help but smile as he nodded his head. She was right.

The demon walked over to Ethan and embraced him in a hug. Ethan responded right away by snuggling into her chest, snaking both arms around her waist.

«Ready to go?» She asked and Ethan sighed before nodding.

****

«H-how did you manage to m-manage to move all of our stuff here?» Ethan asked as his wide eyes ran over the spotless yet decorated big apartment. It hosted all sorts of riches, yet also had the home-feeling to it as it contained all the old pictures and decorations that used to be decorated around Ethan's old house.

«Teleportation» Maze answered nonchalantly as she slumped down on the couch in front of the big flatscreen tv. Her eyes closed as she exhaled loudly. Even as she would never admit it to Ethan she was tired. Teleportation took a lot of energy from her.

Ethan walked over to to the demon and crouched down next to her. Carefully he peeked her lips, but as he went to pull away she placed her hand at the back of his head and deepened the kiss. After a while she sealed the kiss with a small peek, before she let him go.

Ethan was flushed from head to toe but stood up nonetheless. He walked away, using some time to find the bathroom as the house truly was massive. When he, at last, found it he did his business and as he washed his hand he spotted a shower behind him, reflecting in the mirror.