Array
(
[text] =>
CHAPTER 4:
“I don’t know why you’re asking me.” Cyan groaned, shouldering past me to take a seat on the palace steps. We were outside, watching Ciel and Kieran sit and stare at one another. “You probably offended him, like always.”
“I didn’t.” I insisted. “I was overwhelmingly polite. I humored all of his weird commands. I went on that weird walk and he just… he took off and now he’s avoiding me. Everytime I go back to the forest those stupid little fairies are in my face telling me he’s busy and that i have to go.”
“Maybe he is busy.” Cyan volunteered. “He is in training to be an elder. That must be a lot of work.”
“The fairy is hiding something.” I declared, watching Cyan visibly tense. “What? What is it?”
“Nothing.” Cyan sighed. “Just give him space. I don’t see why you’re so focused on Incendio anyway.”
“He did something to me Cyan!” I practically yelled. “He… he messed with something inside me and now he’s all I can think about. It was the walk! He did-“
“From how you describe it, he did everything any other elder would do during a walk.” Cyan countered. “They relax you, they press against you and then they kiss you. It gets really hot and then it’s over just like that. Then they tell you what to do. Simple.”
“He didn’t tell me what to do!”
“Yeah, that’s the crazy part.” Cyan said absentmindedly, his focus back on ciel, who was currently having his wings stretched open softly by Kieran. Ciel grimaced, obviously uncomfortable, but bearing it.
“How long is that going to be a thing?” I asked, deciding to drop my issue and focus on what Cyan really wanted to talk about.
“A few weeks. He has to get comfortable stretching them, but it hurts too much for him to stretch them himself. Kieran insists on doing it and Ciel prefers he does it anyway. He says Kieran is gentle.” Cyan had a soft smile on his face. “Ciel was crying the other day. I thought it was because he thought he wouldn’t ever fly, but that wasn’t it. He was crying because he new his wings would never be strong enough to carry him and Kieran. That was his dream. His dream wasn’t just to fly, it was to make sure Kieran flew too. I mean, how cute is that?”
“Adorable.” I agreed. “How much do you want to bet they’ll bang when they’re older?”
“Kric!” Cyan cried, smacking my arm. “Those are my kids! They’re practically brothers!”
“But they aren’t actually brothers.” I pointed out. “Who do you think will be the bottom?”
“Oh my solar.” Cyan covered his face. “I disagree with you and I refuse to have this discussion.”
“Fine.” I pouted. “You’ve got to admit though, their bond is a bit… weird.” I gestured to the boys who were back to making intense, prolonged eye contact.
“I prefer the word special.”
“Why do they do that?” I continued, a bit uncomfortable by their obvious intimacy.
“The elders came to visit once. They told them something about eyes beings the window to some inner flame. Now they have this habit of trying to find it in each other.” Cyan explained. “We’re working on it.”
“Those damn fairies seem to make a game out of messing with people’s heads.” I grumbled. “Just look at your kids.”
“Hey!” Cyan snapped, clearly offended. “There’s nothing wrong with my kids!”
“They have a surprising number of quirks for five year olds.” I said, not the least bit apologetic.
“They aren’t quirky. They’re special!”
“Special, quirky, weird… not much of a difference.”
“If you keep insulting my kids, you can leave.”
“Hey Ciel! Kieran! You’re a couple of special quirky weirdos!” I called, making the kids laugh. Cyan began to grumble under his breath. “No one is insulting the boys Cyan. You decided that those were insults. They didn’t.”
“How many times do I have to tell you to stop being a better parent than me?” Cyan whined.
“You’re still better than Elijah.” I consoled.
“A hamster is a better parent and they eat their young.”
“Woah.” I turned to the little king, whose face was bright red, obviously appalled that he had said something like that. “Trouble in paradise?”
“Mind your own business.”
“It’s just a question.” I nudged his tense shoulders. “I mean it’s definitely not my place to judge. My last relationship was… well you know. That ended about as badly as it could.”
“You mean when you bonded with Marco and then fucked some random girl in the coat check closet the next night and she screamed so loud everyone ran to see what was happening?” Cyan turned to glare at me.
“Yes.” I sighed. “Leave it to you to still remember.”
“It’s not everyday I have to pull one of my best friends off of you to keep them from strangling you to death.”
“Yeah, Michellie sure was pissed.”
“She had every right to be.” Cyan sighed, although the venom was quickly leaving his voice. “You fucked over one of her best friends no more than twenty four hours after literally fucking them.”
“Yeah well, Marco had a hell of a right hook. He stood up for himself.” I reminded him. “Michellie jumped in afterward.”
“Yeah well, I don’t blame her.”
“You never hit me though.” I mused. “I never really thought about that until now, but you’ve been a lot harder on me for a lot less.”
“What can I say? I was pretty relieved for it just to be over.”
“What do you mean?” I frowned, watching as Cyan realized he said too much for the second time today.
“Nothing. It doesn’t matter.”
“Fine.” I narrowed my eyes. “So what’s up with you and Elijah?”
“I was really relieved that you and Marco were done.” Cyan admitted.
“Why?” I probed.
“Because…” He paused for a second and that small pause seemed to be the breaking of the floodgates. “Because you guys weren’t right for each other. I mean, sexually, you guys were totally on par. You fucked each others brains out constantly, but when you guys weren’t fucking… it was like you were just waiting till you could fuck again. God, and your fights! I’ve never seen two people so desperate to hurt each other, only to kiss and make up once you were bored. I mean, and no offense to either of you, but it totally feels like Marco roped you into it and you just played along because it was entertaining. You liked him, more than you liked most of the people you slept with and so you were more willing to play along, but it just prolonged the inevitable. You obviously didn’t want a commitment. You guys fought for weeks when Marco asked to bond and you only did it because he wasn’t interested in being together anymore if you didn’t. Of course you fucked around on him. I mean it’s not an excuse. You were a total dick for doing what you did, but it’s hard to blame it all on you. I mean… if anything, you were very upfront about not wanting to bond. He wasn’t the one for you after all. You weren’t each others soulmate and so I was glad when it ended, even if it hurt you both.”
We both stayed silent for a while, mutually unsure of what to say. “How are you so sure?” I finally mumbled, voicing something I had worried about but never vocalized. “How can you be so sure he wasn’t the one and I just blew it?”
“Because.” Cyan answered immediately. “If he were the one, you wouldn’t have blown it.”
“You underestimate my ability to completely destroy all the good in my life.” I joked. “Keep in mind you recently took my job from me, the most important thing in my life, because of my own stupid actions.”
“Wow.” Cyan chuckled. “So you’re willing to admit your actions were stupid?”
“I’m willing to admit you think they’re stupid.” I corrected him.
Cyan rolled his eyes. “So I shouldn’t tell you this. In fact, it makes me the worst friend in the world for doing it, but I can’t help myself.”
“What?”
“I was told by a certain green eyed fairy to keep you away from the castle tomorrow evening when he comes to see us with the rest of the elders.” Cyan informed me.
“Oh really.” I said slowly. “Now why would you tell me then? That’s out of character. You’re always taking his side.”
“I’m not taking anyone’s side.” Cyan defended. “I’ve just been staying out of it. Unfortunately, the last time I let you figure stuff out on your own, I had to pull Michellie off of you. That wasn’t easy by the way. The girl is small, but she’s got the strength of a mother bear.”
——————-
Incendio’s p.o.v.
“It’s exciting.” Fiera whispered again. “I can’t believe the elders are taking you with them to consult the kings. That like being an elder!”
“They’re only letting me come because King Cyan wanted to see me.” I countered, putting on the clothes I kept for occasions when I was forced to leave the forest. I prefered not wearing any fabrics, enjoying the smooth, coolness of interwoven vines and leaves over the scratchiness of typical clothing.
“Still,” Fiera insisted, “You’ll be going on official elder business!”
“I suppose.” I smiled, trying to mimic her excitement. It was exciting, honestly, to have the opportunity to watch the elders work. They were powerful and wise and everything a fairy wished to be one day.”
“Come Incendio! The elders are leaving!” One of our sisters cried, making me hurry to catch up to them. I took a deep breath, trying to calm the nagging feeling in my stomach.
———–
“Incendio!” Ciel cried when he saw me, his tiny little body rushing to slam into me. His small arms encircled my waist, practically lifting me up. “Daddy said you were coming to see me! I’m so happy.”
“Your happiness is my happiness.” I told him, patting his soft black hair. “How have you been, young prince?”
“Awesome.” Ciel informed me. “I had my last surgery. That means my wings are all fixed… or as fixed as they can be. Daddy says that Kric is going to help me learn to fly because King Elijah doesn’t have time to teach me.”
“King Elijah?” I frowned.
“My other dad.” Ciel released me. “You know him don’t you?” I nodded, still confused as to why he would refer to him as such, but I kept quiet. “Do you have any special secrets to tell me today Incendio?”
I pretended to think, watching as his face lit up as I nodded. “I have two very secret secrets for the young prince… oh wait, where is Kieran?”
“Kieran is with daddy.” He told me, his smile turning into a pout. “Daddy took Kieran to get more of his special medicine, but i’m not allowed to go.”
“I see, well I suppose you’ll have to tell him when he returns.” I motioned him forward, laning into his ear. “The first special secret is about your Aunt Michellie.”
“Oh yay!” Ciel clapped.
“You’re not going to tell anyone, right young prince?”
“Cross my heart.” Ciel promised, drawing a cross against his chest.
“Good boy. Now here’s the secret: Michellie is going to visit soon and when she does, she’ll lose one of her favorite earrings. She’ll offer everyone a reward to find it. Do you want to know where it will be?”
“Yes.” He giggled.
“You’ll find what she seeks in the hands of our goddess.” I told him.
He pulled away for a second, his face scrunched up in deep thought. I almost laughed, wondering how long it would take him to find it stuck in the carpet in one of the guest rooms, right in the hands of the woven image of Solar. “One more hint?” He begged.
“What she needs for her ear, she’ll find below her feet.” I added, watching the realization hit him.
“On the floor! But where is the goddess on the floor?” He went back to thinking.
“It’s alright. You’ll have plenty of time to think about it.” i assured him. “Would you like to hear the other secret?”
“Yes.” He agreed, leaning back into me so I could whisper in his ear.
“This one is a little less certain.” I told him. “You mustn’t tell anyone. They’d only be worried.” He nodded rapidly. I began to whisper the vague premonition I had come up with, making sure to emphasize the most important parts. “You have to make sure you do not forget, alright?”
“Forget what?”
Both Ciel and I jumped, the presence of someone else in Ciel’s room almost making us scream. “Nothing.” Ciel said quickly, rushing to hug his new visitor. “Look Incendio! It’s Kric.”
I slowly turned, frowning as the dragon lifted the small blood angel above his head and twirling him around. “What were you two whispering about just now?” Kric pried, but I smiled a knowing smile in his direction.
“A whisper is for words meant to travel only a short journey.” Ciel recited.
“The fairy trained you to talk in riddles?” Kric cried, still holding the boy in the air.
“A riddle is a direct answer meant to confuse those resistant to truth.” Ciel recited again.
“That’s it! No more talking to the fairy.” Kric declared, dropping Ciel on his bed. “The next time he tries to teach you another catchy phrase, tell him you aren’t allowed to keep secrets from your favorite dragon.”
“Ciel!”
Kieran rushed into the room, jumping onto the bed to lie down beside his friend. “Kieran!” Ciel exclaimed, throwing his arms around him. “I missed you!”
“Kieran! Ciel! Oh.” Cyan entered the room, shocked to see both Kric and myself. “I didn’t expect you to be here yet.” Cyan wrapped me in a hug, pulling back with an awkward cough. “I was just coming to get the boys. They left the biggest mess in their tree house.”
“No we didn’t!” Ciel lied, his arms still clinging to Kieran.
“Oh really? Then who did?”
“King Elijah!”
“Ciel!”
There it was again. Cyan’s face turned bright red as he eyed me cautiously, hoping I hadn’t noticed who Ciel chose to blame. Ciel, for his part, buried his face in Kieran’s neck, refusing to acknowledge his dad’s angry shout. “I can clean.” Kieran volunteered.
“You’re both going to clean.” Cyan insisted.
“I’m sorry, did he just say King Elijah?” Kric interjected.
“Mind your own business Kric!” Cyan growled.
“I’m sorry. It’s just, is that normal?”
“Can you not? I’m trying to handle this!” Cyan was clearly agitated. It was obvious Kric should let it go, but the foolish dragon continued.
“I’m just saying, he calls you daddy. Why in the hell is he calling-“
“Now is not the time to talk about it!” Cyan turned back to the boys on the bed. “You’re both going outside and picking up that tree house before I chop it down myself!”
I couldn’t contain my gasp. “Look, now you’ve upset the fairy!” kric pointed out.
“Again, Mind your own business!” Cyan repeated. “Now march you guys! Don’t make me-“
“Make King Elijah do it!” Ciel yelled back, wrenching away from Kieran and running from the room.
Kieran sat on the bed, looking at the door where Ciel exited and then back to Cyan. “Just go after him.” Cyan groaned, not needing to tell the boy twice. He was off as quickly as he had come. Cyan decided to turn his wrath on Kric at that point, something i found deeply amusing. “When I say i’m handling it, I mean shut your damn mouth and let me deal with my boys! If you can’t do that, then get the hell out of my house!”
Kric remained unfazed. “So are you going to explain the ‘king Elijah’ thing?”
Cyan scoffed, pushing past the dragon and out of the room. “It’s just a simple matter of intimacy.” I mumbled, quickly getting the dragon’s attention. I could feel his eyes combing over my body, making me tumble over my words. “One is a father to Ciel and the other is a name he picks out of stories.”
“Cyan told you that or did you see it in some vision?”
“I saw it in his eyes.” I answered.
“Well don’t tell Cyan that.” Kric sighed, sitting down on the bed. “He’s still a bit touchy about anyone telling him anything about his kids. He’ll just tell you he’s working on it and to mind your own business.”
“He’s trying his best.” I looked out the door everyone had exited. “It’s hard to acknowledge your shortcomings when you have no way of fixing them.”
“Wow. For the first time I actually understood something you said.” Kric laughed. “It’s like his entire life is those kids and the second one issue resolves, a new one starts. He doesn’t exactly have a moment to dwell on anything he does because then he’ll just mess up more.”
“He feels terribly alone.” I whispered. “He’s trying so hard to make sure Ciel doesn’t notice his father’s absence, that he’s become absent himself.”
“You lost me again.”
“Stretch yourself thin enough, eventually you’re barely anywhere.” I elaborated, watching as my words dawned on him.
“SO what you’re saying is, you and I are going to be helping the poor boy not run himself into the ground?”
“I didn’t-“
“Good plan.” He stood up, taking calculated steps toward me. Each step he took had me backing further away, desperate to keep the space between us. “You know, I’ve been meaning to talk to you.”
I attempted to think up something deeply confusing to tell him, hoping it would give me enough time to escape. “Talking is-“
“Nope. No psycho babbling until after I speak.” Kric commanded, having now pressed me up against a wall and placed a finger to my lips. “You’ve been avoiding me and normally I wouldn’t care, but something is off.”
“Off?”
“Off.” He pressed his finger to my lips harder, urging me not to speak again until he was done. “Since you took me on that walk… i’ve been having weird dreams and it’s like all I can think about is the walk. It’s like my entire body is on simmer and then I see you and i’m a raging fire. Why is that?”
“I don’t know what you mean.” I lied, watching as he saw through me completely. “It doesn’t matter.” I corrected.
“Of course it does.” Kric cried, shocking me. “You’re all I can think about! It’s torture! I came to see you because the kings took my title away. I can’t fight until I know what it is you’ve done to me. Why can’t I die?”
“What?” I was shocked, completely taken aback by his revelation. “You came to see me because-“
“Don’t act like you don’t know!” He growled. “You had to have seen! You know everything!”
“I do not!” I argued. “I see all, I do not know all! Those thing are not mutually exclusive!”
“What did you do to me?” He continued. “Answer the question.”
“No!”
“Why not?”
“It’s for your own good!” I pushed against him, frustrated that he didn’t even budge. “Stay away from me Kric the dragon! For your own well being-“
“Don’t call me that! You don’t want me calling you little fairy, so don’t call me that!” Kric stepped away from me, finally. “Tell me what you did.”
“You know what I did!” i countered.
“Then tell me why! Tell me how!”
“I had to!” I looked down at the floor, unsure of how to answer the other question. Thankfully, I heard the tinkling voice of Udiya calling me from downstair. “I must go.”
“Wait.” He grabbed my wrist, frowning deeply at me. “You haven’t answered my questions. “
“I already told you. You know the answers.” I paused when Udiya called for me again. “Now if you are wise, Kric the dragon, you will stay away from me.”
“Listen here, little fairy, and listen good.” He pulled me toward him, his face not even an inch from mine. “I’ll follow you around for the rest of our immortal lives if I have to. You aren’t getting rid of me until you give me the answers because until then, I can’t do my real job.”
“I can’t.” I insisted. He was so stubborn, I thought miserably. He had no idea how those answers would affect his future. He had no idea that those answers could kill him.
“Then get used to seeing me babe.” He released me, but i found myself unable to back away. Kric’s face seemed to be slowly moving closer, centimeter by centimeter until our lips were brushing against one another every time we breathed. Just a single move and they’d be pressed against one another, I realized, trying desperately to take a step back.
“Incendio!” Udiya called again, making Kric pull away. Before he could say anything, i turned around and flew away.
Here you go darlings! Special thanks to logencecea who asked me to update on every single paragraph of the clash chapter!!!!
Remember, if you’re dying for an update, all you have to do is comment on ever single paragraph of the chapter! That will get you an update, a dedication and a follow!
If you have some free time, I’d love a little feedback:
-what are your thoughts on Incendio and Kric so far?
-would you guys like to see more of cyan, Elijah and their babies?
-what’s the most interesting aspect of the story so far?
-what do you think after knowing Kric and Marco bonded?
-also, as just an extra little question, I’ve been writing a one shot book as well as a few separate short stories and I haven’t posted them because I don’t update them as often and I wouldn’t want to frustrate anyone, but I also love giving you guys stories! So should I just post them under the explanation that their updates will be far in between, or should I keep them to myself until I have time to update them regularly?
Thanks for reading darlings <3
Vote, comment, follow, etc. <3
[text_hash] => 9f2e5e90
)