Chapter 54: The art of courting II
Time seemed to stand still, the background noise fading until the only sound they could hear was each other's heartbeat.
That same jolt from their first meeting surged through them, warmth spreading through their bodies at the same time. In that moment, Hael knew—without a doubt—that Ceremus was the one. And Ceremus shared the same sentiment—albeit begrudgingly.
The play ended and the two men quickly slipped out of the theatre without drawing any attention to themselves. It was already a shock that the King of Trojas was attending a play and they already started a commotion when they made their appearance. Ceremus didn't want to risk attracting more attention as he didn't want to have to deal with the scared and intimidated looks from his people. It always left him feeling unsettled. Unconsciously grabbing Hael's hand, he led the tow to their chariot and rode off to their next destination—this time, a fighting ring.
Sports were an integral part of entertainment in the kingdom, with fighting pits and rings being the most popular arenas. These venues featured leveled grounds where warriors, wrestlers, and boxers competed, while terrace stands and raised platforms ensured spectators could watch safely from a distance. The King and his guard took their place on the elevated platform reserved exclusively for the monarch, awaiting the start of the match.
Once again, Hael found himself marveling at the ingenuity of it all. Excitement sparkled in his eyes as he watched the two competitors step onto the stage, anticipation coursing through him.
While Hael's attention was fixed on the match, Ceremus' was fixed on Hael. Unbeknownst to him, his expression softened each time Hael cheered alongside the crowd, his joy infectious.
For the first time in a long while, Ceremus felt he had made the right choice in stepping away from his duties—if only for a night—to spend time with Hael. Strengthening their connection had been his intention, but as he watched Hael, he realized he had gained something even more precious.
At the same time, Kaleeso watched the scene from her glass mirror, and a smile bloomed on her angelic face. She could see the darkness blocking their connection was slowly disappearing and Ceremus was starting to accept his feelings for Hael. Their bond would only get stronger from here and she couldn't be happier for the two. However, her joy was short-lived when one of her subordinates came to her quarters alerting her that there was movement in the lower realms. According to their informants, Dicaeus was planning on sending the bull of judgment soon.
There was no time to waste anymore so she contacted Cornelia and let her know that the time had come to send the two heroes to conquer the sphinx.