24. Elora
24
ELORA
A llocer was an amazing host, and I found myself growing fond of him quickly. He was the complete opposite of Amon, with tall lean muscles and a tapered waist. His hair was as silver as mine, and it fell in loose curls just past his chin.
His face was kind, with sharp features and an angled jaw. He had white eyes, and rimless glasses sat on his nose.
His horns weren’t as large as Amon’s, much thinner actually, and they arced towards the crown of his head.
He was handsome, soft spoken, and seemed to have an affinity for cats. I’d seen many as we dined.
The light here was different. It wasn’t as bleak, and although I still couldn’t see the sun, the light filtering through the windows was a lot brighter than that of Amon’s realm.
I was grateful for it and felt my mood improving with each passing second I spent in Allocer’s company. I had come to learn that Allocer was an astrologist.
He told me stories of how he had chosen to teach humans how to navigate by the stars, how to read them, and how to find the stories of time etched in their patterns.
I listened, enraptured. It was amazing to me that his kind had chosen humanity at the expense of their souls.
After lengthy conversation, Allocer excused himself. “Will you be ok? I have to get back to my study.”
I nodded, assuring him I’d be fine.
He’d left me, pausing at the threshold of the dining room to look back at me with an unreadable expression.
I sat at the table alone, fidgeting with the food left on my plate. My mind drifted back to Amon, and I wondered how long he’d be gone.
I decided there was no better time than now to explore. Amon’s castle was huge, and I found myself getting lost rather easily.
Allocer’s was much smaller, and I enjoyed walking the corridors.
The difference was like night and day.
Literally.
So much light and color had been brought into Allocer’s home. The art scattered about the walls reminded me of some paintings we had hanging on the castle walls of Delyra.
I felt a twinge of homesickness at the thought.
I had never felt further away than I did in this moment.
I missed my brother, and my sister, and I was sure Granuail was worried sick. I wondered if my father even worried himself with where I had gone.
I swallow the lump in my throat, refusing to let the tears fall as I turn away from a rather beautiful painting of green rolling hills.
It reminded me of home.
Continuing down the corridor, I stop in front of an arched glass door.
On the other side lies a small courtyard. Glancing behind me, I reach out, trying the latch. The door opens with a clank, and I step outside, closing the door behind me gently.
The courtyard was small, with a few blooming bushes and a wrought iron bench. It was small and walled off on all four sides by tall castle walls, but at least it was outside.
I walk around, leaning over to smell the flowers before sitting on the bench.
Tears burn the backs of my eyes, and I move to lay down, tucking my elbow under my head.
I don’t stop the hot tears that fall unbidden.
I missed Delyra, and I missed Amon.
Elora
I had no idea how long I slept, but when I woke it was dark as night. Startling, I sit up, looking around me before remembering where I was.
The courtyard was dark, but a faint glow filtered through the glass door from the corridor.
I stretch before placing my hands next to me on the bench. I let my head fall back, my eyes roving over the sky.
I gasp softly.
There’s stars here.
I didn’t see anything in the skies of Amon’s realm. No sun, no moon, and definitely no stars.
It was like the sky was always overcast.
It was refreshing, and I smile. It brought me a sense of peace. Like maybe I wasn’t as far away from home as I felt.
I didn’t hear the door open and close, nor did I hear the footsteps of the demon behind me.
A gentle hand brushes the hair away from my neck, and I start, turning to see Amon standing there, looking like a god.
His face is shrouded by shadows, but the amber depths of his eyes seemingly glow in the dim light.
“You’re back.” I breathe. Standing, I walk around the back of the bench to throw myself into his arms. He wraps his arms around me, lifting me from the ground and burying his face in my hair to inhale deeply.
I grasp his forearms as he sets me back on my feet.
“I heard you and Allocer hit it off.” He says, a small smile pulling at the corner of his mouth. My eyes fall to his lips, and I lick my own.
When I look back up again, I notice his eyes have darkened significantly. Desire blooms within me.
“He’s wonderful,” I breathe, “You two are nothing alike.”
Amon chuckles, wrapping an arm around my waist to pull me closer to him. “You noticed, huh?”
My heart skips a beat as he places a hand at the small of my back, pressing me against him gently.
“Allocer is more humanized than I am. He’s spent more time on Earth.” He brushes his lips across my temple.
“I’ve only ever dealt with people when I’ve had to.”
I listen, but my attention is on the way his thumb rubs up and down against the small of my back. I look up at Amon through dark lashes, searching the shadows in his eyes.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, reaching up to brush a strand of hair from his face. Amon grasps my hand, bringing it to his lips. He doesn’t respond, instead planting soft kisses against my fingers.
Flattening the back of my hand to his palm, he lifts my hand to place it against his face.
My heart swells as I run my thumb over his cheek. He leans into my touch, his eyes fluttering closed.
I frown, a slight sinking sensation settling in my gut.
“Amon, talk to me.” I whisper.
His eyes open, and he looks down at me, his eyes full of something I can’t quite place.
“Let’s go home.” he says, taking my hand in his.