NOVEL NEXT Chapter 8: Sev
As the twin suns soared high in Xyloria's radiant sky, their light painted the world in a kaleidoscope of color. Crystals of every shade shimmered across the landscape, their reflections dancing off the obsidian and sodalite, fading into lush emerald greens and deep mauves that dotted the Kingdom of Valyndris.
Emrys stood at the threshold of his office, the splendor of the morning fading into the background of his troubled thoughts. Distant laughter and joy danced through the air from the bustling market below, but to him, the sound felt muted, a distant echo of the warmth and happiness he could no longer feel.
Basi was sprawled on his makeshift bed that he proudly made, oblivious to the chaos of emotions swirling within Emrys. The creature, a unicorn with sharp horns and sharp fangs, hadn't seemed to grasp the gravity of the recent turmoil in his life.
Shaking his head, Emrys sighed and leaned into his chair even more, feeling the weight of the world resting heavily on his shoulders.
"Time to set things right," he muttered to himself, though doubt lingered in his heart like the remnants of last night's painful visions. Each moment spent trapped in memories of betrayal and confusion gnawed at him.
The office felt suffocating today, the walls closing in around him as he sank deeper into his chair. The leather was cool against his palms, a small comfort during his turmoil. His guards, Slyv'Xya and Alyx, sat across from him, their concern evident in the furrow of their brows and the silence that stretched uncomfortably between them.
"Boss," Slyv'Xya began, his voice hesitant, breaking the silence like a crack in a fragile surface. "We can begin gathering intel on Aélius, but your focus… it seems fragmented."
Emrys absently twirled a silver pen between his fingers, the faint rhythm against the wooden desk a poor distraction from the thoughts that plagued him. "I just need to know. I need to understand what happened." He glanced up, meeting Slyv'Xya's gaze. "The vision I had… it felt real. I could feel what he was feeling…"
Alyx shifted in his chair, the seriousness of the situation settling over him like a thick fog. "Still boss, you need a clear head. With thoughts going spiral, you won't be able to focus."
Emrys leaned back, allowing the weight of their words to wash over him. His mind flashed back to the soft touch of Aélius's lips—the mixture of love and confusion that had filled that moment. It was a bitter reminder of his vulnerability, a moment that had left him more lost than ever.
His memories felt like a labyrinth, each twist and turn revealing another hidden fear. "I don't know which way to turn," he admitted, frustration lacing his voice. "But what I do know?" His voice lowered, deep and breathless. "I don't care which way it goes. No matter what, I will find what I want." He paused for a second, his head tilted slightly as his hair fell over his face. "And what I want after? Is the planet destroyed."
Slyv'Xya leaned forward, his expression unreadable, but he could feel it—the subtle shift in the air, the tension that coiled between them. He could feel his own heart racing, skipping a beat every other second.
"You gather as much information as you can—this will give you intel. As for you?" Slyv'Xya's voice was steady, but there was an underlying urgency to his words. "Go relax."
Emrys nodded, his gaze drifting to the expansive window that framed the lush landscape outside. The people moved freely, their laughter echoing through the air, blissfully unaware of the turmoil brewing within the halls of power. "Fine," he said, though the word felt heavy on his tongue.
---
The hallways echoed as his boots hit the floor, walking with urgency yet elegance at the same time. Emrys hummed a lullaby, not realizing it, his presence barely registering amidst the clicks of his boots and the hum of his voice. His mind was elsewhere, consumed by thoughts of Aélius and the kiss that had left him so unsettled.
He didn't see him at first—Aélius, standing in his room door, preparing himself to knock.
That is, until he glances up, eyes roaming the walls for a second. Emrys froze, his breath catching in his throat. For a moment, he considered turning away, going back to his office, and relax there. But something held him in place, a force he couldn't quite name.
Hearing the boots, Aélius turned, his eyes locking onto Emrys's. There was a moment of silence, a pause that stretched between them like a taut wire. Emrys's heart pounded in his chest, his mind racing with thoughts he couldn't articulate. He wanted to confront him, to demand answers, but the words wouldn't come.
Instead, he found himself walking toward Aélius, his steps slow and deliberate. When he finally stood before him, the words tumbled out in a rush, raw and unfiltered. "I was scared," Emrys admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "I ran from the kiss because I didn't know if I wanted it or not. If you… wanted it or not."
Aélius's expression softened, a flicker of understanding passing between them. He didn't say anything, didn't need to. Instead, he stepped closer, his movements slow and deliberate. Emrys's breath hitched as Aélius's lips met his, the kiss slow and passionate, a stark contrast to the chaos in his mind.
Emrys hesitated for a moment, his body stiff with uncertainty. But then he kissed back, the tension in his chest unraveling as the world around them faded into insignificance. The kiss was a confession, a surrender, a moment of clarity amidst the storm.
Slowly, almost reverently, Aélius walked them backwards into his room, his lips never leaving Emrys'. The door clicked shut behind them, cocooning them in their private world, away from prying eyes and whispered judgments. In the dim light of the room, they moved together, hands roaming, exploring, memorizing every curve and plane of each other's bodies.
Clothes were shed, tossed carelessly aside as the heat between them grew to an inferno. Emrys gasped as Aélius' hands trailed fire across his skin, leaving goosebumps in their wake. He arched into the touch, craving more, desperate for the connection and the release it promised.
---
Later, in the quiet of Emrys's chambers, the world felt far away. The bed was a sanctuary, a place where the weight of their decisions and the chaos of their lives could be momentarily forgotten. The night was alive with the sound of their breathing, the heat of their bodies mingling in the darkness.
But even in the aftermath, Emrys's thoughts refused to be silenced. He lay awake, the warmth of Aélius's body beside him a stark contrast to the cold uncertainty in his heart. He slipped out of bed, his movements silent as he made his way to the balcony.
The night air was cool against his skin, the three moons of Xyloria casting a soft glow over the kingdom. Emrys leaned against the railing, a cigarette dangling from his fingers. The smoke curled into the air, a faint wisp against the backdrop of the night sky.
His thoughts were a tangled mess, a labyrinth of fear and desire, love and doubt. He wanted to speak, to let the words spill out of him like water from a broken dam. But they remained trapped, locked behind the walls he had built around himself.
Instead, he stood in silence, the weight of the three moons pressing down on him. The kingdom of Valyndris stretched out before him, a reminder of the world he was supposed to protect. But at that moment, all he could think about was the man sleeping in his bed, the man who had kissed him with a passion that left him breathless.
Emrys took a long drag from the cigarette, the smoke filling his lungs before he exhaled, the tension in his chest unraveling with each breath. The night was quiet, the world still, and for a moment, he allowed himself to simply exist, to be.
The balcony door creaked softly behind him, and Emrys didn't need to turn to know who it was. Aélius's presence was like a flame, warm and undeniable, even in the cool night air. He felt the weight of Aélius's gaze before he heard his voice, low and rough with sleep.
"You should be resting," Aélius said, stepping forward to stand beside him. His bare feet were silent against the stone floor, his body radiating heat despite the chill. Emrys didn't respond immediately, his eyes fixed on the horizon where the three moons hung like jewels in the sky.
Aélius leaned against the railing, his shoulder brushing Emrys's. "You're overthinking again," he murmured, his voice carrying a hint of amusement, though his eyes were serious. "I can hear it from here."
Emrys let out a short, humorless laugh, flicking ash from the end of his cigarette. "Someone has to," he replied, his tone lighter than he felt. "If I don't, who will?"
Aélius turned to face him fully, his expression softening. "You don't have to carry it all alone, Emrys. Not anymore." He reached out, his fingers brushing against Emrys's hand, which rested on the railing. The touch was gentle, almost tentative as if he were afraid Emrys might pull away.
For a moment, Emrys considered it. It would be easier, wouldn't it? To retreat into himself, to keep the walls intact. But the warmth of Aélius's touch was a reminder of what he was going to do. Of what he felt during the vision.
He turned his hand, lacing his fingers with Aélius's. The contact sent a jolt through him, a spark that cut through the numbness that had settled in his chest. "I don't know how to do this," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "Any of it."
Aélius's grip tightened, his thumb brushing over Emrys's knuckles. "Neither do I," he said, his voice steady despite the vulnerability in his words. "But we'll figure it out. Together."
The words hung in the air between them, a promise and a challenge all at once. Emrys felt the weight of them, the thoughts spinning around and plans planning inside his mind.
He turned to face Aélius, their hands still intertwined. The moonlight caught the gold in Aélius's eyes, turning them into pools of liquid amber. Emrys felt his breath catch, the words he had been holding back rising to the surface.
"I'm scared," he confessed, the admission tearing free before he could stop it. "Of losing you. Of failing you. Of… of not being enough."
Aélius's expression softened, and he reached up to cup Emrys's face with his free hand. His touch was firm and grounding, as if he could anchor Emrys to the present with just the weight of his palm. "You're enough," he said, his voice unwavering. "You always have been."
Emrys closed his eyes, leaning into the touch. The words settled over him like a balm, soothing the raw edges of his deep fears. He didn't know if he believed them, not entirely, but for now, they were enough.
When he opened his eyes again, Aélius was watching him with a quiet intensity that made his chest ache. "Come back to bed," Aélius said softly. "The world will still be there in the morning."
He nodded, letting Aélius lead him back inside. The warmth of the room enveloped them as they stepped through the doorway, the weight of the night lifting just enough to let them breathe. Emrys didn't know what the future held, didn't know if he was ready to face it. But as he lay down beside Aélius, their bodies fitting together like two halves of a whole, his face turned into a scowl. Glaring off in the distance, he didn't know what was coming. He didn't want to think about it. But he knew he had to.
Tightening his grip on the arm draped over his stomach, he side-eyed Aélius sleeping form before closing his eyes, going into a deep slumber.