The Rise of the Divine Oracle

Chapter 116 - Begging

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It took a few seconds for Wangji to recognize what woke him up. Last night was one of his worst nights ever. Some truths about his soul-bond were revealed and all he could do all night was watch Wuxain sleep in his arms and ponder the choices he made since they bonded. What Yuxio said burned deep in his soul and if Wuxian truly feels this way, then Wangji needs to up his game and fix it. Bonded or not, if Wuxian dies this time, he will die too.

He can hear two people whispering on the other side of their room. He slowly opens his eyes to take a look and sees Wuxian sitting in front of the mirror while Keeper Daozi fusses around him, fixing his hair with jade ornaments, adjusting his fancy robes and adding more flashy elements to his attire. Wuxian would smile at Daozi when he looked and his expression would drop when he wasn't. Wangji couldn't take his eyes off of the sad beautiful man. If his fake smile was not enough to convince Wangji of how Wuxian felt about being dressed up like a doll then his white knuckle clenched fists was more than enough.

Wangji almost smacked himself for not noticing this before. He was so blinded by his needs that he failed to see Wuxian's displeasure. He saw Wuxian thank Daozi as he kissed Wuxian's ring hand and took his leave. Wuxian turned to look at himself in the mirror, as the hollow feeling of apathy started to spread within him. Wuxian never thought of it before, but Yuxio got it right. This is not him.

Wangji made his way towards his soul-bond and stood behind him, looking heartbroken at him through the reflection of the mirror. Wuxian's eyes widened when he realized that the taller man saw through his emotions. Wuxian turned and smiled at Wangji: "Lan Zhan, you're finally awake."

Wangji puts his hand up, ready to touch his mate but halts as doubt starts to color his thoughts: 'Does he even like it when I touch him?'

Wuxian saw his hesitation and grabbed his hand, kissing his palm gently and placing it on his cheek: "I love it when you touch me."

Wangji felt relief wash over him. He pulled the smaller man into a tight embrace and asked: "Why are you awake this early? You fainted from exhaustion. You need rest."

Wuxian closes his eyes, feeling Wangji's warmth wash away some of his worst thoughts: "I had to get ready. You seemed tired so I asked Keeper Daozi to help me get ready."

Wangji: "Ready for what?"

Wuxian chuckles at Wangji's confused voice: "I am your soul-bond and the Divine Oracle. We have Clan Leaders to schmooze."

Wangji pulled away to look at his soul-bond: "Did you forget what happened yesterday?"

Wuxian's smile dropped and he sighs: "I didn't. It's just.. Not the right time to fix my insecurities.. We have a violent clan to tame. It's more important than my woes."

Wangji cupped Wuxian's cheeks: "You can't expect me to put this on hold. What Yuxio said yesterday was.. jarring. Tell me the truth. Was it all true?"

Wuxian bit his lips and looked desperately at his soul-bond. He didn't want to admit it. He didn't want to add to Wangji's problems. His soul-bond was stretched thin with his duties just like him.

Wangji saw the look of desperation and moved close to place his forehead to Wuxians: "You asked another for comfort. You asked another for help. And now another has become your voice. I must be the worst soul-bond to ever walk the earth if my partner thinks so low of me."

Wuxian started to panic: "What? NO! That's not true!"

He pulled away to grab Wangji's arms: "I just.. I know how tired you are all the time. I didn't want to worry you over trivial things."