"What do you an by that, Xion?"
Since Xion had gotten his mories back, he had been thinking over a lot of things that shouldn’t exist.
Like the thirteen elders.
"There is a group of gods who bless soone only if that human’s body can hold a fraction of their power. They hope that the chosen person will do good in their nas. More good deeds an more devotion. And more devotion ans more authority."
Darius grabbed Xion’s hands, warming them with his own. "And," he asked, "what if the human did sothing bad instead?"
The Archduke was very familiar with the insidious human nature that was easier to corrupt.
"That’s the thing." Xion caught a snowflake in his palm, watching it lt against his skin. "They can’t. Once given, the gods aren’t allowed to take back their blessings. That’s why they are so careful with whom to bless."
If not, they might accidentally kill the mortal, and that wasn’t an ideal situation.
After all, not everyone could bear that power.
So, when deciding on the human to bless, the gods would usually bend the odds in his/her favor.
Like how they had been favoring Michael despite the darkness he harbored inside his soul.
The Archduke used his sleeve to wipe the dampness away before enclosing both of Xion’s hands in his grasp.
"So, what are you getting at? The thirteen elders are certainly not fake. I’ve seen them use their powers with my own eyes."
Xion had too. Elthen’s father had used his power of truth on him. Twice, if he counted both of his lives.
"I an..." the healer mused loudly. "What if they aren’t blessed by the goddess at all, but by sothing else?"
"Like what? A demon?" Darius gently rubbed his fingertips over the red knuckles while snuggling into Xion’s neck. "I have never heard of soone that powerful, though."
Goddess Myrthia’s rival should be soone very strong, and yet there wasn’t the slightest hint in Sakura i’s diary.
"Could be." Xion shook his head. "I’m not sure. But we do need to stop them. And maybe even..."
When he faltered, Darius pressed a kiss to the crown of his head. "Kill them," he finished with a tiny smirk. "That sounds awfully easy. But why do you look so tense?"
Yes, Xion was tense. Especially after Father Michael’s sudden disappearance from his church.
The thought of not being able to know the next move left a hollow pit in his stomach, and from his past experiences, it was never a good sign.
"Do you rember that statue I blasted in Talia’s church?"
How could Darius rember when he hadn’t even seen it? Still, he humd in agreent.
"Yeah, that one. What if... what if that was the real thing that blessed the elders? Including Talia Valaria?"
"Could be." The Archduke frowned. "You’re thinking of finding sothing that matches that statue? I can ask Allen. Just give the description."
The harsh wind whistled, forcing a tremor down Xion’s spine.
"Yeah. I was thinking of checking your personal library first. It’s cold," he huffed, his breath misting in the air.
There was a slight layer of ice on his long lashes.
Darius was quick to clean his face before scooping the smaller figure up, carrying him toward their chambers.
"I’ll have them bring anything related to demons to our room. You can read while resting."
Xion looked up at the handso face and couldn’t hide the smile gleaming in his blue eyes.
Being carried in the hallways had always embarrassed Xion, and yet, he found it oddly nice. What did it matter if there were many eyes staring at them?
The guards could look as much as they wanted. Anyway, Darius was there to shield him.
Wrapping his arms around his husband’s neck, he leaned closer.
"Are you caging to your bed, Your Grace?" he whispered like a goblin. "What are you using this ti? Your robe? Rope? Golden chains?"
As if on cue, the bracelet on his ankle gave a tinkle.
The grip on his body tightened slightly before pale green eyes flicked at him.
"Xion." There was a warning edge in his raspy voice, one that only made Xion smirk like a little devil.
"Too bad," the healer clicked his tongue, though his smile only widened. "Even if I lay naked, you can’t do anything to ."
His body was too fragile. It wouldn’t survive another night of roughness without falling ill.
And that was sothing Darius would never allow again.
So the Archduke gently laid the little nace on the bed only to pin him down.
"Caging you, huh? I suppose I can do that."
Xion wriggled his wrists, but it was useless. Soon, his giggles filled the chamber as Darius rained airy kisses across his face and neck.
"Hahaha — stop! Hahaha —"
"Still teasing ?" Darius gave him a mock glare before shaking his head.
Even if it was an act, he could never truly be angry at this adorable kitten.
"Be good, and wait for to bring your books, alright?"
Xion lay there catching his breath, chest rising and falling as if he’d just run a marathon.
"Michael? And how are you planning to handle the hunt without Zen?"
Darius pinched his flushed cheek with a doting smile. "Don’t worry that darling head of yours. I’ll just use one of our rare crystals instead of Zen."
Xion blinked, then his watery blue eyes widened.
A laugh burst from his lips, echoing through the Archduke’s chambers.
Zen was so rare that most people didn’t even know what it was, much less how it worked. With its ever-changing form, they could easily trick the royals.
"You are so bad," the grinning healer tapped his husband’s head. "How do you even co up with these ideas to fool Silas?"
"Silas is just that stupid," Darius replied flatly. "I don’t even need to be clever. Smack him with a crystal and he’ll swallow it whole."
Maybe that was the truth. And Xion hoped that Zen would soon find its way to Silas’ mind.
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