Before I could respond, our moment was interrupted by a knock.
Only one person remained in the mansion, apart from Lily.
Lily reluctantly let go of my hand, then went to open the door slightly.
Lily's decision to stay with me didn't displease me, but I would be lying to myself if I said I wanted to keep her dangerously close to me.
"Is he staying here for the night?" I heard him ask Lily. There was respect and subservience towards Lily anytime I saw them interact, but at this moment, a hint of displeasure filled his tone, one of the emotions he had towards me.
I didn't mind how he saw me or treated me, because he only cared about Lily's orders and needs, which was enough for me.
"Is he lost?" he asked after Lily confirmed my stay.
That's an odd question.
"He's staying here with me for as long as I want him to, don't ask why," Lily frowned at him.
Respectfully, he bowed. "Then I shall prepare a room for his—"
"He'll stay with me, didn't I make that clear?"
A shiver ran down my spine, hearing Lily declare that. It was true that we were bound together in ways others wouldn't understand.
And we'd spent so many nights together, I could paint the marks on her skin even if I were blinded, but I feared my other personality—myself.
That urge to immortalize her had not yet been quelled, only that it'd been suppressed.
"Very well, will food be necessary?"
Lily turned to me, and I shook my head.
"No," Lily closed the door.
She came to sit on my lap, wrapping her arms around my neck and resting her head on my shoulder.
Cold, yet warm.
Carefully, I allowed myself to hold her.
"You can't kill me, you're not that powerful, so don't worry."
I sighed, tense muscles relaxing.
She's right, how could I forget how strong she is?
Killing Lily was nothing but me building an empire in the clouds. I couldn't kill her even if I wanted to.
We stayed together in this bittersweet moment that allowed us to enjoy momentary peace.
For an hour, I listened to her breathe.
For another hour, I felt her gentle heartbeat.
And that was the end of our moment, and the beginning of our hell.
A sizzling sound woke us both up. Lily immediately sat up, staring at the black burn on her wrist. I looked at mine, and a ringing flooded my ears, getting louder with my pulse.
This mark was what appeared anytime we were given a task, which was always to kill something.
We would immediately appear in the ring, then be told what creature it was.
But then again, it could also mean something else. That another ascended was near us.
I stared at my mark, wishing we would disappear and reappear in the ring to receive a task, but after a minute, nothing happened.
"Chris..."
Lily looked at me, troubled. I had never seen her this way before.
I held her dearly, the beating of my heart growing so strong that it could jump out. I needed to prepare my mind; I needed to remind myself of what I wanted to protect.
I looked at her lips, not resisting the urge as I leaned in to taste her.
She was soft, she was sweet, and she was mine.
I wanted to merge her with me, keep her protected somewhere, and for a moment, I gripped her strongly, not letting her breathe.
Lily trembled, fragile in my arms
I kissed her to prove to myself she was still here.
I needed proof of her warmth, her coldness, and her life.
For the first time, Lily struggled against me, and I felt her suffering and discomfort, yet I didn't stop. Passion, fear, and need consumed me as I consumed her.
Lily kissed back, but compared to her gentle response, I was a raging inferno, consuming her very existence. It assured me, but didn't remove my fear.
The fear grew.
If she stayed this close, no one could take her away from me.
She pushed back, and my arms tightened around her.
I needed more.
More.
Realizing she wouldn't be able to struggle further, Lily gave in and fought back, trying to take control. She bit my lip, her fangs sinking deep in, causing me to bleed. Blood mixed in our mouths, reminding me of death.
My hands slipped from her face to her neck, but just as I was about to tighten my grip, I realized what I was attempting and pulled back.
I gasped, and she coughed.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to..."
I held her carefully, wiping the blood from my lips.
She stood up. "I feel what you feel," she said after regaining her breath
"You won't lose me, so don't—"
A knock on the door stopped her. It was the same familiar knock.
"You are needed."
I stood up immediately, rubbing the black scroll burnt into my wrist.
This would be our first encounter with an ascended, and what I dreaded the most was the strange abilities they each had.
We had never met any of them, but knowing how powerful we were and the fact that we were the lowest of them all, we didn't need to meet them to know their capabilities.
We followed the ever-calm butler as he led the way.
Every step felt heavier as we moved, and I couldn't help but wonder as I looked at him.
Would you lead her so calmly if you knew you were taking Lily to her doom?
I expected to meet someone the moment we reached the living room, or to find our obstacle at the entrance, but no, he led us to the back.
As we approached the door, he finally broke the silence.
"I've served you for so many years, but you don't even know my name, Lily."
She didn't respond, and she didn't look at him.
"But I don't mind because I met someone who knows me and cares for me. He let me know my true purpose, which I am going to fulfill."
Lily grabbed my hand, seeking comfort when she usually wouldn't need to.
"I also met my brothers, who were also lost. We found purpose in the fold, and nothing is more deserving than that."
He opened the doors.
"I hope you serve your true purpose."
We stepped out, and I remembered the last time I came to this place, when I saw Lily's feral side.
That was all gone now, and instead, the place looked larger than it had been, and the trees were gone, the rocks were gone, and instead, it was a fresh pastureland.
The mark on my wrist burned and chilled at the same time.
Lily tightened her grip.
Somewhere in the empty lands, a bell rang.