Chapter 111, A New Old Mystery To Solve
"Well, how does it feel to be head of a Cabal?" Blaise's lips twitched as he glanced over at Gellert. The family had just returned home after breakfast with the Cabals. As soon as they were inside, Gellert and Blaise had headed directly upstairs.
"Nice," Gellert replied thoughtfully. "It feels new and refreshing and exciting, while at the same time almost familiar."
Blaise's smile widened."Better you than me," he nearly gloated. "I am pleased that you're happy with it, though."
"I thought we were in this together," Gellert reminded gently. He hated feeling the odd, unwelcome surge of what he could only call insecurity at Blaise's lack of interest in his family legacy. Of course Gellert wanted the leadership of the cabal, but he didn't want it alone. He and Blaise were supposed to do this together. They were better together. Stronger. That and he didn't like the idea of separation in any way. If Blaise wasn't invested in this with him, what would he be doing instead? There was the shop, but Gellert enjoyed that as well, and didn't want to be left out of crafting enchantments if Blaise chose to do that without him while he saw to Cabal business.
"I did promise to help and to be there with you, but you're the Head, not me," Blaise said, his amused smile still in place. "That means I am not responsible for a damned thing. No burden for decision making shall rest on my elegant shoulders."
Gellert laughed as an amused relief flooded him. Blaise would remain at his side, and that was all he wanted. "That is fine. Though I'm quite certain that you will have more insightful input as things progress than you think. Just give it time. This cabal will grow on you."
Blaise shrugged. "If you say so."
"I do say so, because I know you best," Gellert said, giving Blaise a knowing smile as he approached to slide his arms around the dark haired wizard. "Now why are we still dressed? Are you aware that you were making me half wild at the Cabal meeting in front of everyone," he asked, suddenly switching topics as his mind recalled him to pressing physical needs. I have learned that I very much need to work on my inner self control when it comes to you when others are around."
"You do know me best," Blaise agreed, leaning into Gellert, pressing his face into the blond's hair. "And, no, I was not aware of having such an effect on you today." He gave a low chuckle. "I must say, though, considering the circumstances, the fact I could distract you in any way is flattering."
"You could distract a stone," Gellert declared, drawing Blaise hard against him. "Now are we celebrating or what?"
"Most definitely," Blaise replied eagerly. "And you deserve the royal treatment today. You head a very dangerous Cabal now, after all."
"And what constitutes royal treatment," Gellert wondered. As he spoke, his hands wandered across Blaise's back as the other man's hands slid through his hair in that way that always gave him the most pleasant shivers of raw anticipation.
"We're about to find out together," Blaise said, giving a low chuckle as he slipped Gellert's robe over his head. "You've got me feeling creative."
"I like finding out together," Gellert said honestly. "That's why it's important that you are a part of this with me, whatever it turns out to entail." As he spoke, he wasted no time in divesting Blaise of his own dress robes, drinking in the sight of his lean toned body.
"And I shall try to develop an interest just for you," Blaise said, lips twitching. His face grew serious as he stepped closer, ice blue gaze locking onto Gellert's own. "I want you to know, though, that I am so proud of you. You were amazing today. Hell none of us knew what to expect. Part of me thinks they made it easy for you, but then again, had you made the wrong step, I think it could've become quite complicated rather quickly."
Gellert nodded. The words of praise from Blaise meant a great deal. It was odd, as he'd never needed or expected such before. He led and could be proud of others, but this was different. It meant something different with Blaise and from Blaise. "This official adding you to the family thing, I like it a lot too," Blaise added.
"As do I," Gellert replied. "It means more than you can know."
"We shall do great things together, beginning right now," Blaise declared before putting his arms around Gellert and kissing him deeply. Blaise's words thrilled Gellert as much as the kiss. As he enthusiastically responded, they tumbled to the bed together where they remained for several blissful hours. In the old days, Gellert would've considered such behavior irresponsible and utterly unnecessary, but that Gellert had not understood the necessity of such. That Gellert hadn't found his other half either, so it wasn't his fault, Gellert reasoned as he lay sleepily in Blaise's arms. "What's next, I wonder," he murmured.
"Well, we could go again eventually, or do some work on those seven league boots that old Frenchman commissioned last week, or we could go down stairs and see how long before dinner," Blaise replied lazily.
"What's next with the cabal, I mean," Gellert clarified, forcing his eyes open to peer into Blaise's own. His body was so relaxed that he'd be perfectly content not moving at all, but then they would just fall asleep, which would only serve to ruin their schedule.
"Mmmm," Blaise replied. "I suppose they'll write you when something comes up. How else are you going to know whatever they want you knowing, after all."
"Yes, I suppose that's true," Gellert replied. "I wish I'd asked before we left the gathering today, though."
"If you're concerned, just write Mauro about it or something. I'm sure he can find out for you," Blaise suggested. "Or Nonno. Up until today, he held your position, after all."
Gellert nodded. While Mauro may be more entertaining, Nonno was likely to know more without having to ask anyone else. "Nonno it is," he said, reluctantly rising from bed and padding across the room to write his letter of inquiry before getting dressed. As he penned said letter, Blaise got dressed. Once the letter was written, Gellert dawned his robes again as well. The two went down stairs together and Gellert asked Bramble to deliver the letter. "Dinner shall be ready in five minutes, so do stay about," Bramble said, plucking the rolled parchment from Gellert's hand before vanishing. The two exchanged a look. "Fine. Shall we just wait in the dining room to avoid his displeasure," Gellert suggested, and chuckling, Blaise nodded. "That seems safest," he agreed. The two were alone in the vast dining room. The parents were probably in the library, but Gellert felt staying close so that Bramble didn't have to hunt them down when he returned with Nonno's reply was safest. It was always wise not to annoy the cook. An annoyed cook could make one's stomach pay for days, Gellert was certain. He was equally certain that their dear Bramble wasn't above such demonstrations of his displeasure.
As they settled into their chairs at the dining table, Gellert's mind returned to the mystery of the ninth cabal and the look he'd exchanged with Blaise at the meeting when the topic was so easily dismissed by everyone else. "You believe there is something to the ninth cabal as well, don't you," Gellert asked.
"Sure," Blaise agreed easily. "Every legend has some truth to it, and the cabal history doesn't seem to me the place to be penning fanciful legends."
"Exactly!" Gellert nearly shouted in his enthusiasm. "It, like the Hallows once was, is a legitimate mystery that I intend to solve."
Bramble returned then before they could say more on the matter. "The old man assures that you'll be sent notifications, not to worry," the elf said. That was as they had suspected, but Gellert felt better knowing for sure what to expect. For several days, he heard nothing, and life returned to normal with he and Blaise working on new enchanted items at their shop as per usual. Over the weekend, they partied at one of their favorite wizard bars in Germany. In spite of heading up the Zabini family's cabal now, it was easy for Gellert to return to the young carefree mindset to which he'd grown accustom. A week and a half passed before he had any word from the Cabal. When it came, it was in the form of a letter announcing a meeting to which all eight Cabals would gather to vote on an item of political interest. The address given was the same one previously used, and this pleased Gellert. He'd enjoyed the ancient grand feel of the underground lair.
"We are to report tomorrow evening at seven. The meeting is to be held at dinner."
"It seems they do a lot of business around meals," Blaise observed, arching thin black brows. "We shall have to watch our wait." Studying Gellert, he tilted his head. "Tell me, though. Did they say that *WE* are to attend, or just you? I wouldn't want to impose." Blaise's lips twitched and Gellert scowled.
"You promised to," he began, but Blaise cut him off with a laugh.
"I'm going. I'm just giving you hell about it because you make it so bloody fun, not to mention easy."
