Awari nursed his drink at the edge of the party, playing the wall-flower as per usual. And Kiaris stood beside him, the small human dwarfed by Awari's height, playing the quiet servant of a disgraced and anti-social noble.

Awari leaned down to whisper in Kiaris's ear, "Have I done my social duty yet?"

"Another hour at least, my Lord." Kiaris whispered back.

Awari groaned silently as he straightened his back and took another sip of the "chilled" blood in his glass. His lip curled back when the liquid touched it. Lukewarm.

"Awari!" Conrad called over the soft music and quiet whispers, coming towards the pair. Awari's eye twitched and he downed the glass of blood.

"Lord Conrad. Pleasure to see you again." Awari forced a smile.

Conrad's scarlet eyes flicked from Awari to Kiaris and back again. "I see you still have my gift."

I see you're still rude, Awari barely bit back his words with the help of a gentle touch of Kiaris' hand as he took his glass. "Yes well," Awari's cold, slender fingers lingered on the glass, on Kiaris' hand, before Awari folded his hands in front of him. "He is an excellent worker..." With a gentle voice he added, "And quite beautiful too."

Kiaris bowed his head to hide the blush on his cheeks with his long, white hair. He moved gracefully away in order to find Awari a fresh glass.

"What is our darling former queen doing these days with her newfound freedom?"

Awari shifted on his feet, "You know my mother. She's off travelling the world and forgetting to talk to her loving son. Haven't heard from her in about a year." Awari smiled.

"Do give her my regards when you next speak with her." Without waiting for a response, Conrad turned on his heel and left, disappearing into the crowded dance floor.

Kiaris returned with a glass. "Conrad left already?"

Awari continued to stare at the people milling about the dance floor, not reaching for the glass. "He's up to something."

Awari sighed, rubbing the crease between his eyebrows. "How much longer until I have fulfilled my social duty?"

"You may leave. I'll make your excuses."

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

Awari pulled his hand away from his face, "Really? It certainly hasn't been an hour."

Kiaris nodded, "It will be alright. Start heading home, I'll be right behind you."

"Oh thank fuck." Awari breathed out in relief, quickly heading for the exit.

Awari took in a deep breath once he was outside. He took a few slow steps away from the hall then turned back to wait for Kiaris, a light smile on his face.

"Lord Awari? Why are you out here?" Awari's smile disappeared as he turned to the source of the voice.

"Lord Elazar," Awari gave him a stiff nod, his mouth pulled tight, "Was on my way home. Stopped to enjoy the night air for a moment. Now if you'll excuse me." He bowed again and turned to continue on. I'll walk slowly, Kiaris should be able to catch up.

"Leaving so soon?" Elazar asked, one of his hands dropping onto Awari's shoulder, gently forcing him to turn back around.

Awari's jaw tightened, then he plastered a tired smile on his face, "Yes, well, I'm not feeling well so I wanted to go rest at home."

Elazar tilted his head to the side, his dark, thick brows pinching together into an expression of concern. False. "You haven't been feeling well a lot lately. Perhaps you should see a doctor."

Awari took a step back, letting Elazar's hand slide off, "I think I just need some rest but thank you for your concern. Now, please, excuse me."

Elazar nodded, his expression relaxing into neutral indifference. He folded his hands behind his back, his loose, black robe pulling a little tighter. "Of course, rest well, Lord Awari."

"Enjoy the party." Awari turned, this time determined not to stop for anything, and started walking on the stone road towards his home, head held high.

Awari's pointed ears twitched at the familiar sound of labored breath and soft, quick feet. Awari looked down at the red-faced Kiaris as he caught up to walk beside him.

Kiaris wasn't the only one that came up alongside Awari, "So this is the human you've managed to keep alive for 3 years?"Elazar took a tress of Kiaris' white hair in his hand.

"He's a capable one." Awari said, resisting the urge to pull Kiaris close to him, away from Elazar. Instead he just glared at the hand entangled in white strands.

"You must like him a lot. Before him you never seemed to have a human for longer than a month." Elazar slowly retracted his hand, letting Kiaris' hair fall through his fingers like water.

"He's never given me a reason to throw him away." Awari's eyes darted to the road, gazing desperately.

"Pardon, I've been holding you back. Until next time, Lord Awari." Elazar lightly touched Kiaris' shoulder before leaving.

Awari held back his sigh of relief until he made it through his front door.

"Would you like me to draw a bath?" Kiaris asked as Awari slid to the floor with a groan. Without an answer, Awari grabbed Kiaris' wrist, pulling him down into his embrace. Awari buried his face in Kiaris' long, thick, wavy hair, inhaling deeply.

"Did Elazar scare you?" Awari asked, lips against the curve of Kiaris' neck.

Kiaris' hands briefly gripped Awari's shirt before letting go and wrapping his arms around his neck. "A little." Kiaris admitted, with shaky breath.

"I'm sorry." Awari murmured, kissing his neck and pulling him in tighter, enveloping Kiaris' smaller frame completely in his embrace.