The courtyard was quiet under the moonlight.
The wind carried the faint scent of chamomile and old stone, and somewhere in the distance, the devil twins were finally asleep—tucked safely under Cael's arms like wolves in sheep's skin.
Sir Hallen Vire, Captain of the Devil Guard, leaned against a cold pillar, arms crossed, watching Cael stretch and roll his tired shoulders.
He had been watching him for a while now.
And he still didn't understand.
"You're not scared of them," Hallen said finally.
Cael blinked, turning. "Huh?"
"The twins," Hallen clarified, stepping forward. "You've seen it. What they can do. What they've done. People run when they hear their names. Some don't even look them in the eye."
Cael didn't speak.
Hallen's voice dropped lower. "But you—" he tilted his head, studying him, "you act like none of it matters. Like their bloodlust, their madness, their power... doesn't touch you. Why?"
There was a long pause.
Cael looked up at the stars.
Then, softly, "Because I've seen worse."
⸻
He sat on the stone edge of the fountain. For once, there were no smiles.
"I was twelve the first time I killed someone," Cael began, voice calm. "It wasn't for honor. Or justice. It was revenge."
Hallen stayed silent, respectful.
"They came for us when I was five. My mother died screaming. I saw it all. The blood. The fire. I survived because I was small enough to hide. Because someone held the cupboard door shut even as they died."
His hands clenched on his knees.
"I found every one of those men later. One by one. Tracked them. Learned how they breathed. And then I ended them."
He looked up at Hallen, eyes calm.
"I've lived with monsters before. But I never became one."
⸻
Hallen was quiet for a long time.
Then finally—"You should be dead. Or mad."
"Sometimes I think I am." Cael gave a humorless smile.
"But you're still kind," Hallen said. "Still gentle. That's... rare."
Cael's voice softened.
"It's because of the people who loved me. My mother, my father—even if he was flawed—and my brother. Their love... was enough to keep me sane."
He stared out across the courtyard, the shadows stretching long.
"That's what I want for the twins. I want them to feel it. Love, warmth, patience. The kind that heals, not controls."
Hallen looked at him—really looked at him.
"You think it'll change them?"
"I don't know," Cael said quietly. "But if no one tries... they'll become exactly what the world already thinks they are."
⸻
He stood then, brushing his hands off.
"Please don't tell anyone what I told you."
"I won't," Hallen said, immediately. "You have my word."
They stood together in silence for a moment longer, two men bound by survival, by pain, and by the stubborn refusal to let it make them cruel.
Then Cael smiled a little, tilting his head.
"We friends now?"
Hallen chuckled under his breath. "Gods help me... I think we are."
⸻
And as the wind stirred the flowers at their feet, for the first time in years—
Cael had an ally.
Not because of fear.
Not because of blood.
But because someone saw the storm inside him...
And chose to stand beside him anyway.
Something was... wrong.
Not loud. Not obvious.
But wrong.
Eryx felt it first.
He was halfway through tearing apart a gameboard with a silver knife when he paused, his red eyes narrowing.
"Where is he?"
Viel looked up from where he was silently sketching Cael's sleeping face in charcoal. "He said he was in the courtyard. Talking to Sir Hallen."
Eryx's fingers tightened around the blade. "Still?"
Viel tilted his head. "It's been a while."
They both fell silent.
Not angry. Not yet.
Just... alert.
Cael wasn't supposed to be gone this long.
Not without them.
⸻
Down in the courtyard, Cael laughed softly as Hallen handed him a wrapped package—more of those smoked herb roots from the Western border. He thanked him warmly.
Hallen chuckled. "They're calming. You might need them."
"I live with two miniature demon gods," Cael deadpanned. "I definitely need them."
Hallen smirked. "And yet, you're still alive."
"Barely."
⸻
At the edge of the corridor, two pairs of glowing red eyes peeked around the stone arch.
Watching.
Listening.
Their expressions were unreadable.
Eryx's smile was thin. Dangerous.
"He's laughing."
Viel's fingers twitched. "With someone else."
They both stepped back into the shadows.
Neither spoke for a while.
But something deep inside them curled tight with possessive hunger.
⸻
That evening, when Cael returned to their chambers, he was immediately tackled from both sides.
"Whoa—!" he stumbled, blinking as Eryx wrapped both arms around his shoulders like a vice, and Viel clung to his waist like a barnacle.
"Missed you," Eryx purred, his voice too sweet. "You were gone so long."
"I was just—"
"With Hallen," Viel finished, voice quiet. "We saw you."
Cael froze.
Their arms around him suddenly felt like chains.
"Guys... I'm allowed to talk to people," he said gently. "You don't own me."
Silence.
Then Eryx leaned in, his mouth brushing Cael's ear.
"But we do."
⸻
Cael pulled back a little, forcing a smile. "Don't be ridiculous. You're just tired."
Eryx's smile didn't fade.
Viel's grip tightened slightly. "You didn't tuck us in last night."
"I didn't think—"
"You always tuck us in," Eryx said, still smiling, still sweet. "You always kiss our foreheads. You tell us goodnight."
"You didn't last night."
Cael blinked.
Gods. They're serious.
"I'm sorry," he said finally, running a hand through his hair. "I didn't mean to make you feel ignored."
Eryx's smile grew satisfied. Viel buried his face in Cael's side again, as if claiming territory.
⸻
Later that night, they curled up around him like they always did—but this time, closer.
Clinging. Clutching.
Not just affectionate.
Claiming.
As if they feared someone would take him away.
Cael stared at the ceiling, his throat tight.
What have I done?
⸻
Because once the twins loved something...
They never let go.
And now, they had tasted warmth.
They had learned jealousy.
And next, they would learn how far they'd go to never lose it again.