Chapter 8:
The repairs to the baths hadn't taken long, and soon Akkarin was back to his usual work. During the two weeks it had taken to complete he had seen very little of Lorlen. He had gone to the Night Room the evening before in hope that Lorlen would be there, but he never showed up. Neither had Osen, so he couldn't inquire as to where he was. So he concluded that Lorlen didn't want him any more. That thought had broken his heart. But he couldn't mope about, if Lorlen had really had enough of him from that one argument then he mustn't had loved him fully. There was a small flicker of hope left however, which wouldn't be doused until he knew for sure. Lorlen couldn't avoid him forever, so he decided to confront him when he knew he was in his office. His stomach knotted tightly by the time he reached Lorlen's office, he was scared what would happen and almost couldn't bring himself to knock. Thud. He knocked. Osen opened the door, eyes widening at the visitor.
"I very much doubt Lorlen wants to see you." Osen hissed harshly.
"Let me in Osen, this isn't your office just yet." Osen scowled at him and reluctantly let him in. Lorlen's face crumpled as Akkarin entered and set to a frown. "Osen was correct, I don't want to see you." A flash of pain erupted in Akkarin, yet he carried on determined.
"Well we need to talk. Privately." He said sending a warning look at Osen. Osen stood firmly rooted despite Akkarin's words, and sent a questioning look at Lorlen. Lorlen sighed and signalled for Osen to leave, to which Osen disapproved. "Make it quick, I don't want to talk." He said hurriedly.
"I want to know whether you still want me." Lorlen flinched at his words, knowing that if he did go back to him he might have to reveal his affair with Osen. He chose his words carefully and said "I don't know," he paused stopping Akkarin from interrupting him "that depends if you stop being so possessive."
"Possessive? I was not being possessive! You are being closed minded!" He replied offended.
"I was not!" He growled back. "And if you can't admit that you were wrong then nothing can happen." Lorlen felt terrible as the words escaped his lips. Akkarin's eyes glittered dangerously.
"Maybe I am not the one who can't admit my mistakes. At least I don't jump at the first man who gets close enough." And with that he exited. Lorlen was in complete shock. He knew. Osen returned slowly, wary of what Lorlen would do. Lorlen looked up at him with tears in his eyes and sighed heavily. "He knows." He choked out.
"About us? Well that doesn't matter. Forget him. He has hurt you enough." Osen held him tightly and smiled "I won't hurt you." He then proceeded to kiss him tenderly, and Lorlen's thoughts faded away with Osen's touch.
Akkarin raced away from the Guild as fast as he could. Reaching the spring was his only concern as it always calmed him and he could collect his thoughts. As he neared events from his last encounter entered his mind. This is where it had begun, where Lorlen had kissed him. A part of him wanted to destroy it, like Lorlen had destroyed their flame, but he could not destroy such a beautiful place. He sat down gently and uncovered a hidden box. Inside was a bottle of his favourite wine, in case he wanted more, or in emergency. As he lifted the bottle, his thoughts returned to Lorlen playfully keeping a bottle out of his reach. Akkarin sighed, even the wine made him think of Lorlen. He put it away and covered it again ready for another time. He should forget about Lorlen, he had moved on. At first he thought Osen was being protective, but he saw the tell tale signs of something more. They both stunk of stale sweat and the smell of the room was almost unbearable. It had then taken all his control not to cry. Lorlen had been with Osen. He knew Osen would try and take him away, but he didn't think it'd happen like this. Fine. He said to himself. If Lorlen wants Osen then he can have him. We weren't in a relationship anyway, though it had seemed that way. It had been a night of passion, that's it. 'A lovely passionate encounter.' His mind bantered. And now it is time to end it. Akkarin knew what to do and felt better. His mind had settled and he could start to move on, after this last thing.
Undressing, Lorlen entered his bedroom and lazily lit a globe light. He stopped in his tracks when he saw what was on the bed. There lay a beautiful red flower on his pillow. A knock at the door took his attention away and he tied his robe back up, then opened the door. Osen stood grinning at him and a servant beside him had several bottles of wine on a tray. Lorlen's eyebrows raised at the amount of wine, and stepped aside to let them in. After the servant had deposited the wine, he left and Osen jumped at Lorlen. He embraced him tightly and held him very close, Lorlen could feel his excitement very clearly. Osen planted his lips on Lorlen and grabbed his face eagerly. "I love kissing you!" Osen breathed. Lorlen chuckled and kissed Osen back firmly, pulling him in even closer and squeezing him. "So what is with the wine?" He eventually managed to say.
"I thought I could cheer you up with some nice warmed pachi wine." He smiled. Lorlen took glasses from his cabinet and opened the first bottle of pachi wine. Time sped past as they drunk more and more they became heavily inebriated and soon found themselves laughing and slurring their speech. Only when the last drop of the last bottle was drunk did they try and head for the bedroom. Osen started to undress Lorlen as they headed into the next room, but Lorlen tripped on the corner of his chair and fell back onto his sofa. Osen followed him down and they ended in a fit of giggles. Rising again, they backed into the bedroom and they were soon on the bed. In their passion, Lorlen had lain on the flower left for him, and it fell to the floor losing its petals and landing with a soft thump. A fleeting thought of Akkarin was washed away by Osen's sweet kisses.
