Azael was granted privacy for a little more than half an hour, much longer than he had expected. In fact, he'd been in a hurry to bathe himself right after getting in, just in case someone else came to make use of the washroom's facilities. He only lingered now because no one had, and he was trying to give Tissaia as much time as possible while also sorting through his flustered thoughts. The images she had placed in his head today...

He blinked them away before they could take shape and torment him further. It was too soon to be considering anything of that nature...wasn't it? And besides, her brother would be right next door, and he didn't doubt for a moment that the male knew Tissaia had lied about their bedroom furnishings.

Azael closed his eyes, combing his fingers back through his drying hair, and a hesitant smile tugged at his lips. He had wanted to hold her again ever since the first time, and it seemed she must want that too if she was willing to share a bed with him. That would be enough. Simply holding her throughout the night and ensuring she was safe.

Azael lifted his head from the rim of the tub, hearing someone enter the washroom. He glanced over his shoulder and around the half-wall that gave him the illusion of privacy. But it wasn't a Human he saw in the doorway. Talarion nudged the door shut and strode over to him.

He arched a brow as Talarion paused beside the wall and leaned his hip against it, folding his arms across his chest. "Can I help you?"

The male's answer came in a gruff tone. "I know exactly what kind of shit Tissaia is pulling."

Azael bit back a groan and somehow resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "I suspected as much. If you've come to cut my dick off as a precaution, don't bother. I don't intend to do anything untoward."

Talarion chuckled at that. "My sister will make her own choices of that nature regardless of anything I might do or say, and I suspect you will as well. But I've actually come to do the opposite. I've come to tell you to use what's attached to your dick and be the male you claim to be. Be honest with my sister for a change."

He furrowed his brows and crossed his own arms. "I have been honest with her."

"Not completely. She's told me a little bit about what has changed between you two, but I can tell she still has questions and she's still confused about many things. She has no idea what you expect from her although you have made it very clear what you don't want."

"What is she still confused about?"

"Ask her, not me. And when she tells you what she wants to know, be honest with her. She's been hurt more than enough for one lifetime and I'm tired of watching her heart break over and over again because of you. You know it has always been yours. If she were able to give it away, she would've done so long ago." Talarion pushed off the wall and turned abruptly.

Azael leaped for the first defense that came to mind. The only explanation he could offer. "I've only ever tried to protect her."

Talarion paused and looked back, meeting his gaze. "From what, Azael? You say this, and yet you're the one who's been breaking her all these years." He flinched at the words, even as he recognized the truth in them.

"She doesn't know what you want from her, and neither do you, so maybe it's time to think about something else. What does she need from you, and what are you willing to give her?" He left without another word, and this time, Azael didn't stop him.

He mulled over the words as he emerged from the tub, and dried and dressed himself. As much as he hated to admit it, Talarion was right. He was the one who had been breaking Tissaia for the past centuries. Chipping away at her indomitable spirit one harsh word at a time, and he had only recently begun to try to make it right. But he could do more. As he'd told her this morning, he couldn't promise to make her his Queen. Not yet.

But...perhaps he could somehow show her that her heart was not being wasted on one who did not care in return. He just needed time. Time to sort through the dark prophecy around his future, and what he could do to spare her from it. Maybe it was time to tell her about it too. She could offer a fresh perspective, and she might have ideas where he did not. Azael left the washroom, feeling strangely light for once.

•༻☽☾༺•

Kaius looked up as the door creaked open, then closed once more. His foot ceased tapping its uneven staccato and he stood to greet Talarion. "How did it go?"

"About as expected. I'm not sure he took any of what I said to heart."

"They'll make their own choices in their own time."

"I know. I'm just worried they'll make them at the wrong time." Talarion dropped onto the bed with a sigh and lay back, resting a palm over his eyes. "They're both headstrong and stubborn. Prone to act out of emotion and speak before they've really thought about what they're going to say. And Tissaia is so hot-headed while he's so set in stone. Sometimes I worry they'll kill each other."

"If it hasn't happened yet, it won't any time soon."

"I know, but I'm afraid Tissaia is going to do something rash and end up heartbroken all over again. I've seen the change between them and I don't doubt that it's genuine, but I feel there might be more depth to it on one side than the other."

Kaius sat down beside him and gently rubbed his palm over Talarion's resting arm. "We can't make her decisions for her. If that's a chance she's willing to take, then all we can do is hope for the best and be there for her if it comes to the worst."

"I don't want it to come to that, for her sake. I remember how I felt when Erel broke my heart after I almost gave my life to protect him."

His jaw clenched before he could catch it. Kaius jerked his gaze away as anger flooded his chest in a fiery pang. Talarion's head shifted towards him and he knew his mate had felt the emotion from their bond. He wouldn't apologize for it. Talarion knew his feelings on the matter. Ever since he had first mentioned his former lover and what he suffered to keep him safe, Kaius had been suppressing the itch to hunt the male down and force an apology from his lips.

Talarion had nearly been strangled by his own father for protecting the male, and he had moved on almost immediately after leaving Lochren, not even sparing a thought for the one who had saved his life. Talarion had managed to dissuade him from his vendetta thus far by pointing out that Erel had no way of knowing what he had been through after his departure, and he didn't begrudge his former lover his happiness.

Kaius leaned down and brushed a few soft kisses to his mate's throat. Talarion shifted his palm from his eyes to caress his bare waist. He didn't balk at the scars left behind from fanged teeth, just as Kaius had never balked at his. Talarion lifted a finger to trace the point-less curve of his right ear.

"Azael is as thick-headed as they come," Kaius said, "but he's a good male at heart."

Talarion gave a scoffing laugh. "As idiotic as he is wise, and as much of a prick as he is noble."

"Yes, but he genuinely cares for Tissaia, even if he's not able to admit it yet. And your sister is strong. She could survive any amount of heartbreak, like you did, although I hope she doesn't have to, and I wish I could remove the pain you've felt."

He took Talarion's wrist in hand and lifted his right palm to his mouth, touching a kiss to the scar there. When he let go, his mate didn't lower his hand, but instead threaded it through the unruly ends of his hair.

"You're right," Talarion sighed.

Kaius laughed. "I usually am."

Talarion rolled his eyes and shoved his shoulder playfully. "And rather full of yourself these days, M'cor anam."

"Only because I know it's true." Kaius twisted out of reach before Talarion could shove him again. He crossed the room and picked up his rolled cloak off a rickety chair in the corner. He pulled the material back just a fraction. "Why do you think Azael got rid of Orilight?"

Talarion just shrugged. "Who knows? Maybe it reminded him too much of what he'd left behind, or he simply didn't feel worthy. He doesn't have quite the same appreciation for the gods that you do."

Kaius fought back an anxious shudder and pushed the heavy cloak beneath their bed. "Sometimes I think he dreads going home as much as you and Tissaia do."

"Do you think Mavron is anything like my father?"

Kaius thought for a moment, then shook his head. "I've never seen him act like Roshan except in words alone. But those can inflict just as much harm as a blade, though the scars might be less visible." He sat down on the bed once more and pressed his cheek to Talarion's shoulder. The male stiffened, a flicker of worry crossing their shining bond, and he slipped an arm around his waist. "I don't want to talk about them anymore."

"Oh?" There was a faintly suggestive note in his answering tone. Kaius smiled, but didn't lift his head. The feeling of concern deepened. "What is it?"

"Nothing. I'm just tired."

"I told you to sleep last night."

"I couldn't. Firstly because I didn't know that you were safe, then because I was worried about you, and then because I couldn't get up to make my sleeping tea."

"Kai..." His name was quiet, resigned. Talarion cupped his cheek in his palm and lifted his face. For a moment, he appeared to be studying his features, and Kaius studied his in turn. His bright, narrow eyes, and full, downturned lips. "You can rest, M'cor anam. You're safe for tonight, at least."

"You've kept me safe every night, M'anam cor," Kaius replied. "Rest just doesn't come easy anymore."

"Is there anything I can do?" Kaius shook his head, but he didn't resist when Talarion laid back and pulled him down too. He pressed closer to the male and Talarion wove his fingers through his hair once more. "You're wrong about one thing," he murmured.

"What's that?"

"I've survived a lot, but I couldn't survive losing you." Kaius met the dark sapphire of his gaze. "You are the heart of my very soul," Talarion whispered. "I love you."

Kaius knit his brows in concern and swept the back of his knuckles across the male's cheek. Talarion leaned into the touch. "And you are the soul of my heart," he replied. "I'm not going anywhere, Talarion. I love you too." He pressed their lips together in a firm kiss.