Chapter 33: Spirals of Affection and Possession
Aziz remained seated under the tree for a few more minutes, staring at the starry sky. The two pale moons shone silently, watching him with a distant, almost mocking serenity. He let out a deep sigh, running his hand over his face, trying to organize his thoughts — but all he managed to do was laugh at himself.
"Being kissed twice in such a short time... it’s much more than my entire past life, hahaha."
He remembered the taste of Sofia’s lips — sweet, soft, gentle. Then came the fierce heat of Zia’s kiss, so fiery and possessive. His mind was still tangled with everything that had happened, but one thing was certain: that night would never be forgotten.
His body still vibrated silently with the echoes of those moments, and even if he tried to convince himself that he was just a boy dealing with confusing feelings, deep down he knew it was more than that. There was something in Zia’s kiss... something that went beyond desire. A need? A promise? Or a veiled threat? He still couldn’t say.
He stood up with some difficulty, as if the ground itself was holding him back for a moment longer, and began to walk toward the garden’s exit, which now rested in an almost respectful silence. As he walked, his eyes swept the surroundings illuminated by small magical lights floating like enchanted fireflies. They created a soft contrast with the darkness of the night sky, drawing subtly ethereal shapes on the walls of living stone.
Entering the corridors after leaving the garden behind, each of his steps echoed on the smooth floor like a reminder that, even in such a grand palace, nights tend to be quieter. It was a lonely sound. Almost ceremonial.
When he finally arrived at the door to his room, Aziz paused for a moment. The hallway was empty, and the air there seemed denser. He reached for the doorknob — but before touching it, he felt an inexplicable chill run down his spine.
For a moment, he hesitated.
There was no sound coming from inside. Nothing. Not the crackle of a candle, not the whisper of the wind. But a strange sense of alertness invaded him, as if he were about to cross an invisible border, a thin line between the familiar and the unknown.
He swallowed dryly, straightening his posture. Took a deep breath.
"It’s just exhaustion," he told himself in a low voice, trying to convince his body to move forward.