Temple of the Goddess Kronosis
The dawn hovered silent over the Temple. The cold and solemn corridors seemed to keep unspeakable secrets, immersed in the gloom that solitary sails could barely break. There, where the sound was so sparse that even the breath sounded like a confession, a man covered by a heavy hood sneaked into the shadows. He avoided any contact, moving with the dexterity of a predator, even if it was only a lackey of larger plans.
Some knights of the temple made their rounds keeping the security. The hooded subject was hiding behind pillars and walls, avoiding entering the field of vision of the knights who wore silver armor. He waited patiently for the armed men to pass in firm steps, ensuring a clear path through the shadows.
The path was already drawn in his mind: he carefully skirted the central atrium and, skillfully, went to the well of the Temple, which supplied the sacred water used in rituals and quenched the thirst of all who resided there. According to the information he received from his contractor, that wkell was always abundant and the subject of regular prayers with the faithful. The priests must have already made the assessment that the Imperial Palace asks for from time to time.
Wouldn't that make that moment ideal for the plans?
When he reached the edge of the pit, the subject held the ampoule with firm but anxious fingers. He observed the transparent liquid in the small bottle — a subtle, odorless and invisible poison, a silent weapon.
He opened the bottle and without hesitation poured the liquid into the well.
A fine vapor rose as it fell into the water, diluting rapidly until it disappeared from view. For a moment he backed away, watching the result of his act with icy eyes and a tip of malicious satisfaction.
"May the Temple feel the same cold of death" he muttered, disappearing as quietly as he had arrived.
As soon as he heard steps, he pulled the hood and ran to hide. He needed to redo his entire journey not to be caught. Now it would be a matter of time until the symptoms appeared.
Grimwood Mansion - Roveaven's Capital
Walking through the garden, Lucian watched the night sky while he was stuck in his own thoughts. Since that night in the temple where the truths were revealed, he spent more time with Cassander. It was hard to believe that everything was true, that one day it was your life and now would be living that again...
Why?
All through the desire of Cassander and Rehael?
A single forbidden ritual would be able to make such a mess in your life?
The icy wind made Lucian hug his own arms and shudder. The knot in his throat was as hard to swallow as every word he heard that night. Even several days having passed, Lucian still felt a wrap in his stomach.
With each step he took, feeling his shoes sink into the snow, he became more and more lost. His long golden hair flew with the cold wind, and a little smoke escaped from his lips at every breath. The winter he was not used to, seemed so strange and unknown that it became comic. Should not be more accustomed?
A blanket covered his shoulders. Looking back, he saw Magnus wearing a similar blanket, and his black hair was messed up by the wind.
"What are you doing out here, Lucian? It's too cold to wander."
"I couldn't sleep. I feel like I'm letting something slip..."
Magnus sighed low, keeping his arm around the husband as looked at him calmly.
"You must be tired. Today you spent the day in the temple doing prayers for imaginary beings."
"Dear, I can feel your hostility from here" Lucian laughed, finding the husband's reaction amusing.
"It is true."
Holding Magnus' hand, Lucian kissed the knots of his fingers and opened a thin smile.
"Let's go in. It's too cold for you."
"Ha... that's lovely."
Lucian continued to hold Magnus's hand as they made their way into the mansion. He left behind his worries, as it could only be annoyances caused by tiredness.
Yes, the prince continued with his activities as a saint. He even talked to the High Priest about the New Year's Ball, until he heard about the sudden illness of the old man. Thanks to this, Skyler became even more busy taking care of the temple duties and Lucian's training.
Of course, this left a certain omega very happy, because Skyler would spend less time with Lucian. But the prince just wanted to take advantage of the sight of Magnus trying to get his attention with games of seduction.
The warmth of the room covered their bodies. When the couple finally returned to bed, Lucian realized how messy it was. Not only with a nest of blankets and pillows strangely laced, but even some pieces of Lucian's clothes were there.
"Why is my coat here?"
"It's mine!" Magnus grabbed the coat quickly and quickly sniffed "Don't mess with my things."
Surprised, Lucian blinked a few times and then opened an innocent smile.
"I understand. You know that you can ask for a hug and a kiss whenever you want, right dear?"
"What does that have to do?"
"I'm just talking."
Magnus just turned his face and organized... or disorganized, the bed even more. But as soon as Lucian lay down again under the covers, the omega shrank in his arms and searched for its infamous and despicable woody aroma.
Just being in each other's presence was enough for Lucian to forget any problem. The smell of wine and the warmth that came from his husband's body was all he needed. Unconscious, Lucian knew exactly how to fit the omega in his arms in a cozy. Could hear a positive response from Magnus, who rubbed his face on his neck like a rebellious cat.
"Sleep well, dear" whispered Lucian with red cheeks.
The next morning, Lucian walked through the corridors of the Temple. The soft light of the sun reflected in the stained glass, projecting shadows and bright colors on the walls. He tried to focus on his responsibilities, greeting devotees and priests, absorbing the serene energy of the place.
However, there was something different in the air, something he could not name. A subtle but latent malaise that seemed to pass through the people who came to ask for their blessings.
"Saint Lucian, my son has complained of a strange fever" a woman with pale countenance commented, holding a boy by the hand. "It is panting since yesterday, and today barely managed to eat."
Surprised by the sudden appearance, Lucian crounched before the boy, watching him carefully. The boy, though frail, scooped a smile as he found Lucian's gentle gaze. Lucian noticed that he was pale and sweating cold, but still could walk well. Lucian was not a doctor to go out giving diagnoses, and he really hated it when he was stopped by sick people who longed for some miracle.
Trying his best to keep the mask of kindness, Lucian just fulfilled his role by stroking the boy's head.
"I'm sure you'll be fine soon. May the Goddess Kronosis bring calm to this young man's body and mind" he whispered, noticing that the boy reacted softly to his touch.
"Thank you, Saint!"
With the mother's gratitude, who had tears in her eyes, Lucian watched as she pulled the child believing in such a blessing. Many commoners had no money to pay a doctor, leaving only despair and hope for a miracle. Still, Lucian really hated it.
Following his path through the temple, Lucian found other similar reports: children with fever, exhausted elderly, some priests with a paler color than normal. And for the first time, he felt a slight anxiety about the tranquility of the Temple.
"It's just a passing flu," he tried to convince himself. However, when he again came across a young priest bent over with his eyes half closed by fatigue, he felt a shiver.
"Lucian, sorry for my appearance, I... think it was the mood" the priest whispered, almost without strength when he ran into Lucian.
Lucian held out his hand, holding the priest's arm. He could feel the priest's arm trembling under his fingers.... or rather, it was Lucian's fingers that trembled. Avoiding as much as possible to show weakness, Lucian just kept the composure of the blessed and gentle Saint that the temple wanted so much.
"You need to rest. The body has its needs, and the spirit only rises if we take care of it." Lucian smiled, but within himself the discomfort only increased.
"Yes, I will. This winter is being harsh on us. Take care too, Your Holiness."
Throughout the morning, the symptoms spread through the Temple like a silent, unnoticed shadow. Lucian did not pay so much attention in the beginning, since he was busy with his duties as Consort and Saint. And even when he returned to the Grimwood Mansion, where he spent all afternoon in his office looking after the finances of the mansion and the territory for that winter, he was caught with an unexpected question.
"Your Highness, is there a problem with your arm?"
When Argus asked that question, Lucian realized he was doing arm exercises. It wasn't intentional.
"It's no big deal... I'm just feeling my arm tingling. Perhaps I have carried too much weight in helping the priests organize the sacred library."
"I understand... but you look exhausted. Should I brew some tea?"
Lucian agreed to the request. A cup of tea would be nice. His head was throbbing and his eyes were burning with exhaustion. For some reason he remembered the child he falsely blessed earlier. But soon he startled the thought. He needed to focus on budgets.
Hardly knew that was a mistake.