14 14: To shield you

~Laith~

"I'm broken. I'm messed up inside and it's mirroring on my body," I melted into his arms.

His warm embrace always holds me when I'm down. It was oddly comforting, the anger burning my skin withered away. 

Peace, he felt like peace. A word whose meaning was fading from my mind with the passing moments. The world getting darker, and my heart growing colder. 

The feelings I have are tearing me apart. I'm torn between what I want and what is. Two different things that don't stand to comparison. 

The love of my life was preparing to walk down the aisle with another person. While I was here, broken beyond repair. 

"I'm shattered," I admitted weakly. "The pieces are way too small to put back together," I added clinging onto him.

"Oh, darling," Zephirin sighed. "You should know the world is way too cruel for those who are considered broken," he let out. 

His words touched on my concerns. He put into remarks the worries of my heart. The fact that the world will forget its kindness towards me when my truth is discovered. 

"What did I say about wearing your heart on your sleeve?" he asked. 

"You should work on hiding your feelings better if you are to stay alive, my tainted Incirion," his sweet firm voice melodic voice from the garden resounded in my head. 

"I should work on hiding my feelings better," I replied steadying my voice. His words sounded so smooth on my lips. Almost impossible to tell that I was quoting him. 

Prince Zephirin leaned next to my ear. "I loved how you called out my name a moment ago. Zephevi sounded so charming with your dark tone," he winked at me. My lips stretched into a smile. 

His eyes scanned me up and down, in a way that made me blush. Then he stepped aside and broke the hug. 

"Let's get you ready for the party," he snapped his fingers to call forth on Rhon. 

Rhon swallowed hard. He got up from the ground, straightened his dress, and came towards me. His steps are hesitant and scared. 

I wouldn't blame him. I saw only a fragment of my face in Prince Zephirin's eyes and it terrified me. What of him who not only saw me transform but was almost blown away by whatever darkness I summoned? 

"I'll fix your ma..makeup," he trembled. Zephirin ushered me to the dressing table. I closed my eyes, refusing to glance at my reflection in the mirror. 

I've had to glimpse at different parts of me I never knew existed in that mirror today. It was too much, it was best to keep some more shocking revelations for the next day. 

"Don't be scared to face your darkness, love. If you forget to love all parts of you, even the dark ones then you'll be lost to it," Prince Zephirin spoke. 

I wasn't ready. I wanted to open my eyes and face myself however, I couldn't do it. Somehow I felt that Zephirin understood and didn't mind. Whatever choice I made, I had a feeling that he was going to understand it. 

"Done," Rhon claimed openly. 

"Let's go," I bite my lip and shift uncontrollably on my feet. Taking a step to the side, as I do, my hand brushes against his. He flinches. 

A shiver ran down my spine. Prince Zephirin took my hand in his, he ran his fingers on my wrists. Cold wavering touches barely lingered on my skin. His touches reminded me of the second prince. 

"Stop."

My body found an irritation to soft almost non-existent touches. They had hidden meanings that at the end of the day meant nothing. My heart can't take it anymore. 

Prince Zephirin continued his movements without a halt. Surprisingly, his composed temperament gave off a serene atmosphere that calmed my racing pulse. 

In no time two silver bracelets formed on my hands. One on each wrist, similar bracelets formed on his hands. 

"These will keep your darkness from reflecting on you. Every time you tap into that dark part of you, the dark energy will travel from you to me through the bracelets," he let go of my hands. "I'll be here to shield you."

My lips fell into a frown. I missed the warmth from his touch. 

"I'll get you through whatever comes next. Rest assured that the world will never know of the stain in your heart," he promised. 

His words comforted my heart. It boosted my confidence and spirit. With him around, the skies seemed within reach. 

"Why?"

He was the last person should cared for me. The one who should marvel at my broken soul, celebrate the stain on my holy cloth. 

However, he was the one trying to pick up the pieces of my broken soul, even though he wasn't the one who broke me. 

I didn't deserve the kindness from him. He was too good for me, he was everything that I never knew I needed by my side. The light in this dark era of mine. 

"Have fun at the party," Prince Zephirin gestures to the door. Letting me know that he intends to leave. 

"Won't you be there?" I take in a long, slow breath and let it out just as slowly. 

"Anything that celebrates someone who doesn't blink after breaking someone else isn't for me," he bridged the gap between us. He landed his warm soft rosy lips on my cheek. His hot breath hit my skin. Sending electric tingles down my body. 

I can feel my skin heating up at the contact. It takes all I have not to let my eyes flutter closed. He was dangerously standing close to me. 

"Huh," a gasp sounded from behind. 

Prince Zephirin stepped back. He glanced over to Rhon and flashed him a warm smile. "Take care of him, will you?"

Rhon gulped. He shook his head in response. Unable to respond with words. I leaned my head to the side, blocking his view of Rhon. 

A part of me disliked having his attention on anyone else. His eyes were made to glance at me and only me. 

"That party isn't for me either," I commented. "What will you be doing, I'll join you," I offered eagerly. 

In his company, I felt alive. His presence easily erases the pain in my heart and gives it a new flatter. With him around it was impossible for me to think about anyone else. 

He was the cure to my ailment. The strange bond between us was weirdly comforting to my lonely soul.

"You need to attend to keep up appearances. Questions will arise if you fail to go. Questions im sure you aren't ready to answer," his consideration and care were astounding. 

"Can I see you after...."

Prince Zephirin vanished with the wind the same way he came.