Chapter 58: 58-Exhausted
Sseraphis wiped the sweat off his forehead. Finally, after hours, he managed to detoxify Aenyra’s wound, let out all the poison and bandage her up.
He brushed the back of his finger over Aenyra’s cheek. "You are going to be alright, Aenyra."
His released the heavy breath he’d been holding in his lungs. Saving Aenyra had been hectic but completely worth it.
In the new family he found in Nytherael and Aeltharion, she was the one beast who always shielded him from problems. Even though she was younger than him, she always acted older and defended him, regardless of whether he was guilty or not.
"Now to tell Aelthie the good news," he said and glad for the door.
When he touched the door knob, his entire body froze up black energy enveloped his eyes until his pupils disappeared and only a black void remained. A breath later, it vanished, and his vision cleared.
Thinking nothing of it and assuming it was simply exhaustion, he opened the door and stepped out.
At the sound of the door opening and approaching footsteps, Aeltharion, Nytherael, and Sheana approached him.
Sseraphis smiled at Aeltharion warmly. His smile, however, froze when he glanced at Nytherael and Sheana.
"Why is she here and not locked up in a dungeon somewhere?" He quickly asked, forgetting the good news he was to deliver to Aeltharion.
"She’s worried about Aenyra... we all are."
Sseraphis moved back, stepping away from Nytherael as though avoiding an infections disease. "Save your fake concerns for someone who hasn’t seen your truth."
"Now is hardly the time for you two to be fighting," Aeltharion stepped in. "How is my sister?"
"Aenyea will be fine. Her wound..." Sseraphis’ body paused, a black snake-like energy slithered underneath the skin on his neck. It was too quick for anyone to notice.
"Her wound is what?" Aeltharion inquired.
Sseraphis shot his head up. His mind seemed frozen for a second, and he’d forgotten what he was saying until Aeltharion asked.
"I’ve patched her wound up. Removed all the poison and toxins in her wound. She’s safe," he said, feeling exhausted.
"Oh, thank you, Venom," Aeltharion jumped on the opportunity and hugged him, kissing his forehead, hair, and cheeks out of happiness.
His happiness skyrocketed. Aeltharion thanked the heavens in his heart for sending him Sseraphis. The snake was perfect, always there when he needed him and always delivering on his promises. He was the companion that Aeltharion never knew he needed until he had him.
With Sseraphis around, he didn’t have to face the worst that fate and life had to offer alone. The venomous male was always there to get him through the hell in order to give him heaven.
"I am lucky that in life, you are mine as I am yours," he confessed.
His appreciation showed in the way he held Sseraphis close their bodies were almost merging as one.
Nytherael, on the side, felt envious. He, too, wanted to thank Sseraphis and congratulate him on a successful treatment of Aenyra, which he had full faith that Sseraphis could achieve. But there was no way for him to do that without Sseraphis acting repulsed.
"Can I go in and see her?" Aeltharion asked for permission.
Even though he didn’t need consent to go in, he still asked out of respect for Sseraphis and his efforts that secured his sister’s life.
"Yes, of course," Sseraphis agreed without a second of hesitation. "Just careful not to wake her. Don’t touch her wound and allow her rest," he advised.
"I’ll keep that in mind," Aeltharion released him but not before stealing a peck on Sseraphis’ lips.
"Go."
"I’ll see you in a bit," Aeltharion leaned down and whispered. "I owe you my second all the way to my tenth life for this. I love you, Venom."
"You better."
Aeltharion entered the guest room to see his sister, who had been moved from the infirmary.
Outside, Nytherael took a step closer to Sseraphis. Feeling a little nervous to speak to the snake, he had no idea what to say that wouldn’t provoke Sseraphis into a poisonous retort.
"Great job."
"Tsk." Sseraphis clicked his tongue. He opened his mouth to counter with a remark so harsh Nytherael would break apart when his mind went blank. A warmth travelled through his cold-blooded body for a full minute.
"Can I also go in and see her. I’ll be quiet and keep my distance," Sheana uttered her request.
Her voice snapped Sseraphis awake. He massaged his forehead and the spot between his eyes. Something felt amiss with his body, and because he’d been up and focused on treating Aenyra for hours, he dismissed it as exhaustion and didn’t think much of it.
He ignored Sheana and extended his hand to Nytherael. "Escort me to my chambers," he said, not a request or an order, something in between.
Nytherael beamed, he quickly took Sseraphis’ before the snake could change his mind. The cold ink painted fingers surprisingly felt warm. Nytherael narrowed his eyes with suspicion, but since nothing stood out, he brushed it off.
Sseraphis leaned his slim weight on him and allowed Nytherael to guide him.
"I’ll take your silence as permission," Sheana let out.
"Any other day, I’d have your tongue for being so brazen in my home," Sseraphis said without looking back or lifting his head from Nytherael.
Sheana shrugged off the threat and headed in to see Aenyra. Watching the three lovers bond had her heart yearning for a moment with her icy dragoness, too.
Sseraphis ignored her presence on account of his exhaustion. He leaned deeper into Nytherael, breathing him in to recharge.
Nytherael blushed. His heart enjoying evety second of Sseraphis’ vulnerability that made the snake lean on him for support.
He silently wished that the line of sick beasts for Sseraphis to treat would be endless so that the male would be too tired at all times to argue with him and would simply fall into his arms.
Nytherael intentionally walked slowly, and since Sseraphis was following his lead, the snake moved slower, too. He thanked his lucky stars for the rare moment of peace between him and Sseraphis.
The black snake-like energy continued to swim around under Sseraphis’ skin. The more it moved, the warmer Sseraphis’ body became.
"Why are you getting hotter?" Nytherael asked, troubled by the rising temperature of his wife, who was supposed to be cold-blooded.
