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dracoqueen22a/n: Special thanks to azardarkstar for the betawork on this. It's now suitable for reading! :)
Series: Infinity's End, Prequel
Master List: The Break of Day
Summary: A friendship that takes everyone by surprise slowly evolves into a deeper bond as Azriel, illegitimate son of the house Celestine, and Kieran, heir to the house Azura, throw themselves into the heart of a building altercation that explodes into an all out revolution.
January 6th, 1981
Oatmeal was mushy. Tasteless. Lumpy. And the pat of butter swimming in the middle of the milk was not making it any more palatable.
Of course, Kieran could also blame his lack of interest in his breakfast on the fact it was too early to even think about eating. All he could do was stare, brain firing at half its usual speed. His mother was all but radiating amusement at him as she ate her own meal.
“Late night, dear?”
He made a noncommittal noise. More like a grunt actually.
“Had a project.”
“I thought I heard you stumbling around.” Aislin dabbed at her mouth with her napkin. “Anything of interest?”
Kieran stared at his juice, mesmerized by the bright orange shade.
“Only on the schematics.”
Nothing last night had made it into production yet.
“I'm sure you will work it out in time.”
He contemplated lifting his spoon. That took too much effort though.
“I guess I just need a break.”
The feel of determined, irritated aether was Kieran's only warning before Marduk swept into the room. Kieran froze, staring at his father, who had never joined them for breakfast in all the years he could remember. Well... there was the one time right before Kieran left for his first day at the Conservatory, but it was more an in and out affair on Marduk's part.
Aislin smiled. “Good morning, my husband. Is everything well?”
“For the most part, yes.” Marduk circled around the table, leaning over to kiss his wife on the cheek as he so rarely seemed to do. “I have one manner I wish to address before I leave today.”
Breakfast was suddenly even less appealing than before. Kieran felt it was time to beat a hasty retreat and rose to his feet.
“In that case, I'll make myself scarce,” he said.
He didn’t even make it a foot.
“Sit.”
There was no arguing with Marduk's tone. Kieran planted his behind back in his chair with a wary glance at his father, who was now taking the head of the table, just to his wife's left.
“Eat your breakfast.”
Kieran dutifully picked up his spoon, casting a pleading look at his mother. Aislin, however, was more concerned with her own meal. In this, she would defer to her husband.
Damn.
For a moment, silence reigned. Kieran choked down his oatmeal, and Marduk patiently waited to be served. It wasn't until afterwards that he spoke again.
“You will be graduating in a few months,” Marduk began, stirring cinnamon into his oatmeal. “Yet, I haven't received your application for the Jeode.”
Kieran decided it was in his best interest to play dumb. “I didn't know I actually had to apply. Besides... it's a little early.”
“We begin reviewing applicants as early as February. I want to see yours by Monday.”
Kieran blinked. “That's in two days,” he said as if he couldn’t believe his own voice.
Marduk sipped at his tea very calmly. Aislin was quiet beside him.
“It is more than adequate time,” Marduk commented. “Surely, you have many projects that are appropriate.”
Kieran slumped. “That's beside the point. I mean, I haven't--”
“Haven't what?”
His voice degenerated into a mumble under Marduk's intense stare.
“Haven't decided what I want yet.”
There was a soft click as Marduk set down his spoon.
“Decide?” His voice was still mild, too mild. “What else would you do than apprentice the Jeode? Join the Brigade? I think not.”
“I have other options,” Kieran replied. Though for the life of him, he couldn't think of a single one. “I want the opportunity to choose for myself, Father.”
Marduk stared at him; Aislin was noticeably silent.
“You have many choices you can make,” the man reminded him. “But unless you've suddenly lost interest in all things science, there is no other place for you than the Jeode.”
“I could go independent,” Kieran argued, a hot trickle of stubbornness racing through him.
Marduk arched a brow. “And succeed without the Azura name? You don't know an iota about procuring your own materials. Who would loan an untested child the necessary funds? Who would put their faith in a boy without the papers to back him?”
A shudder worked down Kieran's spine. “I know more than you think! Can't I do anything without you picking it for me?”
“Is that what this is about? A youth's rebellion?” Marduk's lips thinned. “I have tolerated your protests, your free-spirited behavior, and your relationship with that… man. But now the time for childhood fantasies is gone. You will behave with the maturity your heritage demands.”
Kieran bristled. “Don't insult Azriel. You don't know anything about him either!” He shot to his feet, heat racing through him.
Marduk had no idea of Azriel's struggles, no clue what battles Azriel had to fight. He had no right to make such judgments when he hadn't even met Azriel.
“Sit down,” Marduk commanded with that same infuriating calm, dismissing Kieran's outrage as though it were pointless. “You're not a child anymore.”
“No, I'm not,” Kieran said firmly, his eyes flashing. “Which means you can't keep deciding my life for me.”
“This is not a discussion.” Marduk's aether flared then. “You will apply to the Jeode, and you will conduct yourself as befitting an Azura.”
Something inside Kieran snapped. Words crawled onto his tongue, words he would be forced to regret. He dared not say them.
Instead, he glared fire at his father and spun on his heel, storming from the room. His aether was a messy whirl around him, betraying his lack of control. One of the many framed paintings on the wall rattled noisily.
“Kieran!” his mother called after him.
Kieran ignored her. Nor did he heed his father's summons. He had nothing he wished to say to either of them, though he hoped Aislin understood that he wasn't angry with her. Just Marduk.
He left the dining room and then the mansion without a second thought on his actions. Fury burning in his gut, he contemplated his laboratory but only briefly. It was not really his anyway; it belonged to the Azura. It was the same as being in his father's clutches.
Outrage, irritation, and fury won out. Kieran left the estate all together, heading right out of Stonewall on a steady march.
There was only one place he wanted to be right now, and it was nowhere near his kin. Or the nobility for that matter.
He headed straight for Azriel's home. His best friend shouldn't be working right now, and Kieran desperately needed some of his calm. To sit next to his closest friend and soak in the familiar pulse of Azriel's aether.
Unfortunately, when he arrived, he couldn't sense Azriel's presence. Kieran frowned and knocked on the door, bouncing impatiently on the balls of his feet. His energy was a roil of disarray.
Miss Neorah was the one who opened the door with a soft smile. “Kieran? What brings you by today?”
“Good morning. Is Azriel home?” He craned his neck to glance past her.
“No, dear. I'm sorry, but he's not.” Blue eyes looked him over with concern. “Is everything all right?”
Kieran's shoulders slumped. “Do you know where he went?”
“He'll be back soon enough.” Miss Neorah stepped aside. “Come on in. I'll make you some tea.”
Azriel wasn't here, but Kieran could still enjoy Miss Neorah's company. They both had the same calming presence. Even now, Kieran felt some of his anger draining out of him.
“Thanks.”
Kieran stepped inside, Miss Neorah closing the door behind them. Azriel's house was warm and inviting, a stark contrast to the wet chill outside. It smelled of vanilla and spice, too. Perhaps Miss Neorah was baking. A thought which made Kieran's stomach growl. Two mouthfuls of oatmeal weren't nearly enough to satisfy.
“Anytime. You know that you’re always welcome here, dear.” Miss Neorah smiled. “Come. Join me in the kitchen. Perhaps I can convince you to tell me what's bothering you.”
Kieran nearly tripped on his own feet. “What makes you think something is bothering me?” he asked with a casual tone that was fooling no one.
“Call it mother's intuition.”
She led him into the kitchen, and Kieran pulled up a chair at the table. Miss Neorah bustled around, preparing a kettle and all the necessary additions. Kieran took off his coat, hanging it on the back of the chair.
“So where’s Azriel anyway?” he asked as he grabbed a brownie from the tray Miss Neorah set out.
Aether rippled through the air as Miss Neorah flash-boiled the water in the pot.
“Running some errands I believe. Milk?”
He shook his head. The scent of cinnamon and nutmeg grew stronger.
“Just sugar. Are you off today or do you have a later shift?”
“I'm enjoying a rare vacation.” Miss Neorah served the tea before choosing her own seat. “Now, what has your aether so frantic?”
Kieran curled his fingers around the cup. “A case of youthful angst.”
“Of what sort?”
He sipped his tea for a minute, enjoying the soothing heat. She was kind enough not to call him on the delay tactic.
“My father and I don't exactly agree on my future.”
“Ah.” Miss Neorah inclined her head. “And what is it that you wish to do?”
Kieran shifted uncomfortably. “Independent research. I haven't picked a field yet though. And there isn't anyone I want to apprentice under.”
“Do you have an aversion to working with the Jeode?” she asked with a soft tone.
He huffed. “Not exactly. But that's what my father wants me to do.”
Miss Neorah sipped at her own tea. “And you have no interest in following Lord Azura's example.”
“I don't like being told what I should do,” Kieran answered before he thought twice about it.
This was, after all, the heart of the matter.
“I see.”
Kieran shrugged. “I sound like I'm just being contrary, don't I?”
Miss Neorah chuckled. It was a pleasant sound.
“A little but that's to be expected. It’d feel like bowing down to Lord Azura's designs if you applied to the Jeode, wouldn't it?”
It sounded so petty when she put it that way.
Kieran reached for the tray of snacks so helpfully provided.
“Exactly. But it's not like I have some greater desire that I'm chasing. I'm not like Harper or even Souya.”
“How's that?”
He sighed and brushed crumbs off his shirt.
“They are rebelling against convention to chase what they want. I am about to graduate, and I have no clue what I want. I'm just railing against my cage.”
“Not everyone knows at once, Kieran,” Miss Neorah put in gently. “I suspect that you will figure what you want in time.”
“It's not soon enough,” Kieran grumbled. “I have to pick something by the time I graduate.”
She reached over and patted his hand. “Perhaps spending a couple years among the Jeode will help you decide. You don't have to follow Lord Azura's path completely.”
Kieran scrunched up his nose. “What do you mean?”
“You don't have to apprentice under him or choose the same focus. His field doesn't seem your cup of tea.”
Kieran didn't bother to hide his shudder.
“No, it's not. I dabble in chemistry, but my interests lean more toward organic research.”
“Which is my point.” Miss Neorah patted his hand one more time before she curled her fingers around her cup again. “Consider the Jeode as a launching point. Or at least, a few more years you can use to decide your emphasis.”
Hmm. She actually had a very good point.
“Well...” Kieran munched on a cookie.
Miss Neorah rose to her feet. “Also,” she continued as she puttered around the kitchen. “You still have plenty of opportunity to rebel. If you feel you must.”
Kieran laughed, the last of his irritation flittering away. “I wouldn't be happy unless I was making life hard for Marduk.”
He paused, cocking his head as he felt the approach of a familiar aether. Kieran straightened, a grin attacking his lips. Azriel was about to come through the door.
Miss Neorah chuckled as she turned and set a third cup on the table. “From the look on your face, I can assume Azriel is near.”
As if on cue, Kieran heard the distinct click of the front door opening.
“Mother?” Booted feet hit the flooring, probably knocking out packed snow and icy mud.
“In the kitchen,” Miss Neorah called out warmly. “You have a visitor.”
“A visitor?” Azriel's voice grew louder as he came down the hallway.
Kieran laughed outright. “Do you really need a guess?”
Azriel appeared in the doorway, unwinding a striped scarf from around his neck.
“Of course not. Though now I am quite certain the two of you are plotting something nefarious behind my back.”
“Oh, Azriel, whatever makes you think that?” Miss Neorah teased with a sly wink at Kieran. “Now sit down and have some tea with us.”
Azriel dropped down into a chair, specks of water snow in his hair giving evidence of the weather outside.
“It's snowing!?” Kieran said, half-question, half-explanation, cutting off whatever banter Azriel had been preparing.
The other man tossed him an amused look. “It just started, but it's falling fast. Judging by the clouds, it'll be here all night. Which is why I hurried home.”
Kieran loved the snow, but he was torn. He could walk home and admire the quiet, soft snowfall. Or he could play on a mother's instincts and wrangle himself an invitation to Azriel's home for the night. Decisions, decisions.
He swung his gaze to Azriel. “Speaking of... what have you been up to today?” He nudged Azriel's foot playfully beneath the table.
“This and that.” Azriel exchanged a glance with his mother, his response oddly vague.
Kieran frowned. “Anything interesting?” he prodded.
Azriel ran a hand through his hair. He didn’t look at his mother, but it was obvious he wanted to.
“Not unless you consider browsing history books fascinating.”
The words were offhand, but his tone hinted of something more. Something that he wasn’t saying, and Miss Neorah was looking at him oddly, though she tried to hide it.
Kieran looked at one of them and then the other.
Was Azriel... lying to him?
Why? What would he have to hide? Hadn't Kieran proven himself trustful so far?
Kieran swallowed.
“No, but something on chemistry could be helpful,” he replied, once again torn and trying to decide what to do. To say.
Should he make an issue of this? Call Azriel out on his lie? Or should he let it go? Maybe it was as simple as Azriel spending time with Titania and feeling embarrassed about it. After all, he had been with her a great deal lately. Kieran had barely seen him. Which admittedly – in Kieran’s worldview – meant they didn’t see each other every day.
He swallowed again.
Kieran had to admit this stung. Azriel not trusting him hurt. After everything else Azriel had shared with him, what could be worse? What wasn't Azriel telling him?
“I'll remember that for next time,” Azriel said with a small chuckle. “So what brings you by today? Not that I mind.”
Kieran's internal debate lasted another ten seconds or so before he let it go. He had no right to demand anything of Azriel. He would bury the hurt for now and trust that Azriel would tell him sooner or later.
“I needed some advice... and somewhere to vent,” Kieran admitted and then grinned. “But your mom was kind enough to help me out with that.”
Azriel raised a brow. “Advice for what?”
“It doesn't matter anymore. We've solved it.” Miss Neorah grinned and served more tea and sweets.
Kieran happily helped himself.
****
a/n: One more chapter to go before Part One will be complete. And then I get to start on part two. The work never ends. :)
I'd love to hear some feedback if you have anything to say.
Series: Infinity's End, Prequel
Master List: The Break of Day
Summary: A friendship that takes everyone by surprise slowly evolves into a deeper bond as Azriel, illegitimate son of the house Celestine, and Kieran, heir to the house Azura, throw themselves into the heart of a building altercation that explodes into an all out revolution.
----------------------------------------
The Break of Day
Part One: Chapter Nineteen
---------------------------------------------
The Break of Day
Part One: Chapter Nineteen
---------------------------------------------
January 6th, 1981
Oatmeal was mushy. Tasteless. Lumpy. And the pat of butter swimming in the middle of the milk was not making it any more palatable.
Of course, Kieran could also blame his lack of interest in his breakfast on the fact it was too early to even think about eating. All he could do was stare, brain firing at half its usual speed. His mother was all but radiating amusement at him as she ate her own meal.
“Late night, dear?”
He made a noncommittal noise. More like a grunt actually.
“Had a project.”
“I thought I heard you stumbling around.” Aislin dabbed at her mouth with her napkin. “Anything of interest?”
Kieran stared at his juice, mesmerized by the bright orange shade.
“Only on the schematics.”
Nothing last night had made it into production yet.
“I'm sure you will work it out in time.”
He contemplated lifting his spoon. That took too much effort though.
“I guess I just need a break.”
The feel of determined, irritated aether was Kieran's only warning before Marduk swept into the room. Kieran froze, staring at his father, who had never joined them for breakfast in all the years he could remember. Well... there was the one time right before Kieran left for his first day at the Conservatory, but it was more an in and out affair on Marduk's part.
Aislin smiled. “Good morning, my husband. Is everything well?”
“For the most part, yes.” Marduk circled around the table, leaning over to kiss his wife on the cheek as he so rarely seemed to do. “I have one manner I wish to address before I leave today.”
Breakfast was suddenly even less appealing than before. Kieran felt it was time to beat a hasty retreat and rose to his feet.
“In that case, I'll make myself scarce,” he said.
He didn’t even make it a foot.
“Sit.”
There was no arguing with Marduk's tone. Kieran planted his behind back in his chair with a wary glance at his father, who was now taking the head of the table, just to his wife's left.
“Eat your breakfast.”
Kieran dutifully picked up his spoon, casting a pleading look at his mother. Aislin, however, was more concerned with her own meal. In this, she would defer to her husband.
Damn.
For a moment, silence reigned. Kieran choked down his oatmeal, and Marduk patiently waited to be served. It wasn't until afterwards that he spoke again.
“You will be graduating in a few months,” Marduk began, stirring cinnamon into his oatmeal. “Yet, I haven't received your application for the Jeode.”
Kieran decided it was in his best interest to play dumb. “I didn't know I actually had to apply. Besides... it's a little early.”
“We begin reviewing applicants as early as February. I want to see yours by Monday.”
Kieran blinked. “That's in two days,” he said as if he couldn’t believe his own voice.
Marduk sipped at his tea very calmly. Aislin was quiet beside him.
“It is more than adequate time,” Marduk commented. “Surely, you have many projects that are appropriate.”
Kieran slumped. “That's beside the point. I mean, I haven't--”
“Haven't what?”
His voice degenerated into a mumble under Marduk's intense stare.
“Haven't decided what I want yet.”
There was a soft click as Marduk set down his spoon.
“Decide?” His voice was still mild, too mild. “What else would you do than apprentice the Jeode? Join the Brigade? I think not.”
“I have other options,” Kieran replied. Though for the life of him, he couldn't think of a single one. “I want the opportunity to choose for myself, Father.”
Marduk stared at him; Aislin was noticeably silent.
“You have many choices you can make,” the man reminded him. “But unless you've suddenly lost interest in all things science, there is no other place for you than the Jeode.”
“I could go independent,” Kieran argued, a hot trickle of stubbornness racing through him.
Marduk arched a brow. “And succeed without the Azura name? You don't know an iota about procuring your own materials. Who would loan an untested child the necessary funds? Who would put their faith in a boy without the papers to back him?”
A shudder worked down Kieran's spine. “I know more than you think! Can't I do anything without you picking it for me?”
“Is that what this is about? A youth's rebellion?” Marduk's lips thinned. “I have tolerated your protests, your free-spirited behavior, and your relationship with that… man. But now the time for childhood fantasies is gone. You will behave with the maturity your heritage demands.”
Kieran bristled. “Don't insult Azriel. You don't know anything about him either!” He shot to his feet, heat racing through him.
Marduk had no idea of Azriel's struggles, no clue what battles Azriel had to fight. He had no right to make such judgments when he hadn't even met Azriel.
“Sit down,” Marduk commanded with that same infuriating calm, dismissing Kieran's outrage as though it were pointless. “You're not a child anymore.”
“No, I'm not,” Kieran said firmly, his eyes flashing. “Which means you can't keep deciding my life for me.”
“This is not a discussion.” Marduk's aether flared then. “You will apply to the Jeode, and you will conduct yourself as befitting an Azura.”
Something inside Kieran snapped. Words crawled onto his tongue, words he would be forced to regret. He dared not say them.
Instead, he glared fire at his father and spun on his heel, storming from the room. His aether was a messy whirl around him, betraying his lack of control. One of the many framed paintings on the wall rattled noisily.
“Kieran!” his mother called after him.
Kieran ignored her. Nor did he heed his father's summons. He had nothing he wished to say to either of them, though he hoped Aislin understood that he wasn't angry with her. Just Marduk.
He left the dining room and then the mansion without a second thought on his actions. Fury burning in his gut, he contemplated his laboratory but only briefly. It was not really his anyway; it belonged to the Azura. It was the same as being in his father's clutches.
Outrage, irritation, and fury won out. Kieran left the estate all together, heading right out of Stonewall on a steady march.
There was only one place he wanted to be right now, and it was nowhere near his kin. Or the nobility for that matter.
He headed straight for Azriel's home. His best friend shouldn't be working right now, and Kieran desperately needed some of his calm. To sit next to his closest friend and soak in the familiar pulse of Azriel's aether.
Unfortunately, when he arrived, he couldn't sense Azriel's presence. Kieran frowned and knocked on the door, bouncing impatiently on the balls of his feet. His energy was a roil of disarray.
Miss Neorah was the one who opened the door with a soft smile. “Kieran? What brings you by today?”
“Good morning. Is Azriel home?” He craned his neck to glance past her.
“No, dear. I'm sorry, but he's not.” Blue eyes looked him over with concern. “Is everything all right?”
Kieran's shoulders slumped. “Do you know where he went?”
“He'll be back soon enough.” Miss Neorah stepped aside. “Come on in. I'll make you some tea.”
Azriel wasn't here, but Kieran could still enjoy Miss Neorah's company. They both had the same calming presence. Even now, Kieran felt some of his anger draining out of him.
“Thanks.”
Kieran stepped inside, Miss Neorah closing the door behind them. Azriel's house was warm and inviting, a stark contrast to the wet chill outside. It smelled of vanilla and spice, too. Perhaps Miss Neorah was baking. A thought which made Kieran's stomach growl. Two mouthfuls of oatmeal weren't nearly enough to satisfy.
“Anytime. You know that you’re always welcome here, dear.” Miss Neorah smiled. “Come. Join me in the kitchen. Perhaps I can convince you to tell me what's bothering you.”
Kieran nearly tripped on his own feet. “What makes you think something is bothering me?” he asked with a casual tone that was fooling no one.
“Call it mother's intuition.”
She led him into the kitchen, and Kieran pulled up a chair at the table. Miss Neorah bustled around, preparing a kettle and all the necessary additions. Kieran took off his coat, hanging it on the back of the chair.
“So where’s Azriel anyway?” he asked as he grabbed a brownie from the tray Miss Neorah set out.
Aether rippled through the air as Miss Neorah flash-boiled the water in the pot.
“Running some errands I believe. Milk?”
He shook his head. The scent of cinnamon and nutmeg grew stronger.
“Just sugar. Are you off today or do you have a later shift?”
“I'm enjoying a rare vacation.” Miss Neorah served the tea before choosing her own seat. “Now, what has your aether so frantic?”
Kieran curled his fingers around the cup. “A case of youthful angst.”
“Of what sort?”
He sipped his tea for a minute, enjoying the soothing heat. She was kind enough not to call him on the delay tactic.
“My father and I don't exactly agree on my future.”
“Ah.” Miss Neorah inclined her head. “And what is it that you wish to do?”
Kieran shifted uncomfortably. “Independent research. I haven't picked a field yet though. And there isn't anyone I want to apprentice under.”
“Do you have an aversion to working with the Jeode?” she asked with a soft tone.
He huffed. “Not exactly. But that's what my father wants me to do.”
Miss Neorah sipped at her own tea. “And you have no interest in following Lord Azura's example.”
“I don't like being told what I should do,” Kieran answered before he thought twice about it.
This was, after all, the heart of the matter.
“I see.”
Kieran shrugged. “I sound like I'm just being contrary, don't I?”
Miss Neorah chuckled. It was a pleasant sound.
“A little but that's to be expected. It’d feel like bowing down to Lord Azura's designs if you applied to the Jeode, wouldn't it?”
It sounded so petty when she put it that way.
Kieran reached for the tray of snacks so helpfully provided.
“Exactly. But it's not like I have some greater desire that I'm chasing. I'm not like Harper or even Souya.”
“How's that?”
He sighed and brushed crumbs off his shirt.
“They are rebelling against convention to chase what they want. I am about to graduate, and I have no clue what I want. I'm just railing against my cage.”
“Not everyone knows at once, Kieran,” Miss Neorah put in gently. “I suspect that you will figure what you want in time.”
“It's not soon enough,” Kieran grumbled. “I have to pick something by the time I graduate.”
She reached over and patted his hand. “Perhaps spending a couple years among the Jeode will help you decide. You don't have to follow Lord Azura's path completely.”
Kieran scrunched up his nose. “What do you mean?”
“You don't have to apprentice under him or choose the same focus. His field doesn't seem your cup of tea.”
Kieran didn't bother to hide his shudder.
“No, it's not. I dabble in chemistry, but my interests lean more toward organic research.”
“Which is my point.” Miss Neorah patted his hand one more time before she curled her fingers around her cup again. “Consider the Jeode as a launching point. Or at least, a few more years you can use to decide your emphasis.”
Hmm. She actually had a very good point.
“Well...” Kieran munched on a cookie.
Miss Neorah rose to her feet. “Also,” she continued as she puttered around the kitchen. “You still have plenty of opportunity to rebel. If you feel you must.”
Kieran laughed, the last of his irritation flittering away. “I wouldn't be happy unless I was making life hard for Marduk.”
He paused, cocking his head as he felt the approach of a familiar aether. Kieran straightened, a grin attacking his lips. Azriel was about to come through the door.
Miss Neorah chuckled as she turned and set a third cup on the table. “From the look on your face, I can assume Azriel is near.”
As if on cue, Kieran heard the distinct click of the front door opening.
“Mother?” Booted feet hit the flooring, probably knocking out packed snow and icy mud.
“In the kitchen,” Miss Neorah called out warmly. “You have a visitor.”
“A visitor?” Azriel's voice grew louder as he came down the hallway.
Kieran laughed outright. “Do you really need a guess?”
Azriel appeared in the doorway, unwinding a striped scarf from around his neck.
“Of course not. Though now I am quite certain the two of you are plotting something nefarious behind my back.”
“Oh, Azriel, whatever makes you think that?” Miss Neorah teased with a sly wink at Kieran. “Now sit down and have some tea with us.”
Azriel dropped down into a chair, specks of water snow in his hair giving evidence of the weather outside.
“It's snowing!?” Kieran said, half-question, half-explanation, cutting off whatever banter Azriel had been preparing.
The other man tossed him an amused look. “It just started, but it's falling fast. Judging by the clouds, it'll be here all night. Which is why I hurried home.”
Kieran loved the snow, but he was torn. He could walk home and admire the quiet, soft snowfall. Or he could play on a mother's instincts and wrangle himself an invitation to Azriel's home for the night. Decisions, decisions.
He swung his gaze to Azriel. “Speaking of... what have you been up to today?” He nudged Azriel's foot playfully beneath the table.
“This and that.” Azriel exchanged a glance with his mother, his response oddly vague.
Kieran frowned. “Anything interesting?” he prodded.
Azriel ran a hand through his hair. He didn’t look at his mother, but it was obvious he wanted to.
“Not unless you consider browsing history books fascinating.”
The words were offhand, but his tone hinted of something more. Something that he wasn’t saying, and Miss Neorah was looking at him oddly, though she tried to hide it.
Kieran looked at one of them and then the other.
Was Azriel... lying to him?
Why? What would he have to hide? Hadn't Kieran proven himself trustful so far?
Kieran swallowed.
“No, but something on chemistry could be helpful,” he replied, once again torn and trying to decide what to do. To say.
Should he make an issue of this? Call Azriel out on his lie? Or should he let it go? Maybe it was as simple as Azriel spending time with Titania and feeling embarrassed about it. After all, he had been with her a great deal lately. Kieran had barely seen him. Which admittedly – in Kieran’s worldview – meant they didn’t see each other every day.
He swallowed again.
Kieran had to admit this stung. Azriel not trusting him hurt. After everything else Azriel had shared with him, what could be worse? What wasn't Azriel telling him?
“I'll remember that for next time,” Azriel said with a small chuckle. “So what brings you by today? Not that I mind.”
Kieran's internal debate lasted another ten seconds or so before he let it go. He had no right to demand anything of Azriel. He would bury the hurt for now and trust that Azriel would tell him sooner or later.
“I needed some advice... and somewhere to vent,” Kieran admitted and then grinned. “But your mom was kind enough to help me out with that.”
Azriel raised a brow. “Advice for what?”
“It doesn't matter anymore. We've solved it.” Miss Neorah grinned and served more tea and sweets.
Kieran happily helped himself.
a/n: One more chapter to go before Part One will be complete. And then I get to start on part two. The work never ends. :)
I'd love to hear some feedback if you have anything to say.
