Chapter 23
Chapter Twenty-Three
ORPHEUS
Alex lingered upon the castle steps, waiting for Jadeon’s return. A thousand questions storming his mind.
I had left him like that—confused.
Leaving him behind made me question everything—even as this had been part of the plan all along.
The night faded fast. He was well. No bandage upon his wrist now, and the fever had left him.
He was forever changed.
His mortal coil would never hinder his beauty that deserved to remain unhindered for eternity.
Before I returned to him, I had dreaded the moment but had to inform Alex that the time had come for me to leave. Alex pleaded with me not to go. I managed to subdue him with the promise I would only return for him if he calmed down.
Just minutes before I had rested on Alex’s bed, staring down at the weakening mortal. Jadeon had left for the convent, and I had taken great pleasure in watching him panic, knowing that Catherine was secretly locked up in the dungeons of his castle and he had not detected her.
While sitting in Alex’s private chambers, I had pushed some strands of his sweat-soaked hair out of his eyes, reconsidering whether I could cope with leaving him behind. “Do you remember anything of our conversation the other night?” I had asked him.
“For some reason, things are still a little fuzzy. I don’t really remember much about the night of the ball,” Alex had said.
“Taking a small amount of my blood can do that,” I had told him the truth.
“What?”
“That night, we shared a moment.”
“I don’t get you.”
“I know, it’s one of those things in life where an explanation inadequately explains the reality.”
“Reality of what?”
“Perhaps I could show you?”
He stared at me with his large blue eyes.
“Alex, it would be sacrilege for me to let you grow old.”
“You’re scaring me.”
“The greatest bestowal of all is life itself.”
Alex shuffled uncomfortably.
“It’s time I gave you your gift,” I said.