'I'll never let anything happen to you.' He'd told her.
'Never?' She'd asked innocently. He smiled at her.
'Never.' And he kissed her. It was different from the other kisses they'd shared in their short time together. As usual, it was soft. He was always gentle with her. She was the only thing the Eyrien was ever gentle with, actually.
But this time, this kiss, had a sadness to it. And it scared the fearless witch. It wasn't the fact that it meant something was going to happen. It was the fact that he was sad, even afraid, of it.
Andulvar Yaslana was rarely sad. And he did not scare easily. It was a part of who he was. Not just as an Ebon-Gray jeweled Eyrien. Sure, that was part of it. But an Ebon-Gray jeweled Eyrien Warlord Prince? Scared? Sad? Yeah. She didn't like that one bit.
Alarian, however, would not let it get to her, because if it got to her, it could ruin everything.
Too bad everything was already ruined. They just didn't know it yet.
*************************
Knock, knock. Knock, knock.
"Dammit SaDiablo, let me in." A gruff voice growled impatiently and knocked on the door. It was Black-locked.
Andulvar Yaslana opened his dark, membranous wings slightly and waited in the hallway, and waiting was something he didn't do well.
*Andulvar? Didn't anyone tell you I wasn't available?* An irritated psychic thread sent along the Red.
*Yeah, but that was an hour ago. You should know I don't listen.* He shot back. *Open the damn door.*
He heard an annoyed huff before the door opened and a man stood in front of him. Saetan SaDiablo. High Priest of the Hourglass. High Lord of Hell. Black Jeweled Warlord Prince. But also Andulvar's closest, oldest friend. Saetan wasn't what anyone in any way would call bad looking. What with his dark skin, black hair, and gold eyes of the Hayllian race. No, he was not bad looking.
But, Hell's Fire! He looked terrible right now. Tired. Sick. Andulvar shook it off and walked into the study, past Saetan, and took a seat in a chair by the blackwood desk.
"I don't recall inviting you in." His friend said dryly.
"I don't recall caring." He countered and used Craft to shut the door, "so you're just going to sit in here and mope until you wither away to nothing?" Saetan blinked at him, acting as if he didn't know what he was talking about.
"Is that why you came? To scold me?" Even his voice sounded so pathetic. So vulnerable. But it still had that edge to it. The edge that would have made Andulvar shut his mouth, would have, if Saetan hadn't looked so weak.
Andulvar snorted. "No. I came to check on you. Isn't that nice of me?" He couldn't help but roll his golden eyes. Their eyes met briefly. Andulvar looked away and shook his head. He then stood and rolled his shoulders.
"Andulvar.." Saetan murmured gently, "is there something else?"Of course there was. Andulvar didn't have time for pointless visits. Alright. Maybe he had a little time. But, this wasn't intended to be a pointless one. Something was bothering him and he thought he'd let Saetan know. However, he didn't know his old friend looked as though if he had another burden on his shoulders he would break under the pressure.
The Eyrien walked to the door and opened it. "Don't bother. It's nothing I can't handle." He growled and walked out, trying not to slam the door behind him. Once he was out of the Hall, he spread his wings and took off into the clouds.
The door shut in his face. Saetan swallowed the lump in his throat and turned away, letting out a sigh. "Oh, Andulvar. Let's hope that Eyrien arrogance doesn't fail you this time."