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Armando stood in the living room, staring at the viewing screen mounted on the wall. He’d intended to avoid the news, but his curiosity had gotten the better of him. Almost two weeks after The Gathering, the media still intensely examined the events that had shocked the human and Nitelvosa populations. A special evening news segment, devoid of opinions from him and Izdahl, would be airing shortly.
I’ll probably hear about the events for the foreseeable future, he thought. Maybe the frequency of the discussions would slow down, but the speculation would continue.
The news reporter began speaking and Armando turned up the volume on the viewing screen.
Traditionally, The Gathering is only for Nitelvosa. This year’s festivities were meant to be auspicious, a start of a stronger bond, with humans attending for the first time. Nitelvosa and humans created incredible memories.
Nevertheless, unfortunate events at the Elite Fire Dueling took center stage. The competition was marred by the death of Izdahl Amasi, and his resurrection at the hands of Armando Medina. How did all this come about? We still don’t have the answers. Even now, the seven Velzos are investigating what happened. It’s unclear what will be the outcome, especially for Amasi and Medina.
While we await the results, we have experts here to discuss the semi-final match between Izdahl Amasi and Deyn Marnel that took a vicious and deadly turn.
The feature lasted for two hours, with footage replayed from Izdahl and Deyn’s fight, especially the part with Izdahl dying and Armando bringing him back to life. In the recap, the power and magic of a soul fire column illuminated the entire arena.
As Armando viewed the special, the soul fire magic that had burned into the veins of his arms pulsed. His arms had been permanently changed by the event, even at a molecular level. Shortly after The Gathering, Hadil, Izdahl’s mother, had given Armando magically-infused gloves to wear. Those gloves now kept his arms from disintegrating.
Watching himself drag Izdahl’s soul back into his body made Armando’s heart ached. He grabbed his chest, mentally transported to the night he almost lost the love of his life. He pulled away from the brink of disappearing into those dark moments, reminding himself that Izdahl was alive and nearby, right in the study.
As he told the viewing screen to shut off, Armando mentally chastised himself for watching the harrowing footage. He left the living room to find Izdahl, who’d been in the study for most of the day. Classical Nitelvosa music, perfect for anyone in a pensive mood, drifted from the room. The primary instrument had deep and rich tones similar to a cello.
Armando leaned against the doorway, watching Izdahl intently. Izdahl sat in an armchair, staring at a large painting mounted on the wall. It was a scene of a famous Nitelvosa general, Gisera Amasi. Dressed in luminous baltium armor, she hovered in the air with her massive black wings completely unfurled. Izdahl had bought the painting a week ago and seemed mesmerized by it.
Armando walked to Izdahl and pressed a kiss to his temple. “You’ve been more pensive than usual.”
Izdahl looked up at him, smiling. “Have I really?”
“Yes. Is everything all right?” Armando tipped his head toward the painting. “Why are you so focused on that?”
“Just a few things rumbling in my mind.” Izdahl rubbed his jaw and sighed. “Looking at this painting of Gesira helps me focus. I promise I’ll explain more later.” He left the armchair and moved to one of the couches. He patted a spot by him, with an inviting smile on his face. “Thanks for bringing me out of that spiral.”
Armando sat by him. “I feel like I just had one myself. I’ve been watching the news. We were in another special report. I wonder how much longer this will continue.”
“For a while,” Izdahl said. “Not much time has passed since The Gathering.”
“I know.” Armando pinched the bridge of his nose. “And there are so many questions about what happened.” He glanced at Izdahl. “I’m really worried about the meeting with the Velzos.”
“It’s not a ‘meeting.’ GG Xeira says it’s a ‘casual conversation’.” Izdahl chuckled, but the sound contained no joy. “Well, as casual as you can have with the seven most powerful Nitelvosa.”
Xeira, Izdahl’s great-grandmother and head of the Velzo Council, had arranged a discussion. Armando and Izdahl would soon speak with the Nitelvosa leaders.
Armando glanced at Izdahl, his expression earnest. “I know you said the conversation would be casual, but I feel like I should prepare. Maybe there are things you could tell me about each Velzo. I know the basics but...”
“How about this? This week, I’ll give you my analysis of each Velzo. You already know Xeira and Great-Aunt Sunja.”
Armando nodded. “Right. So, there are the other five Velzos. Some of them are really intimidating.” He let out a long sigh. “I don’t want us to become political fodder, but it might be too late. I guess we’ll see how things go.”
“Yes.” Izdahl stroked Armando’s cheek. “But the conversation is next week. Don’t let it weigh on your mind tonight.” He gave Armando a teasing smile. “I’ve made plans for us.”
***
Izdahl folded his arms behind his head, as he looked up at the clear night sky. Armando rested at his side, in a similar position. "Right now, I can almost believe everything's perfect."
They relaxed naked after riding their steeds and then swimming in the nearby fresh water lake. While it was still winter, ten acres of woods on an Amasi property were under a summer spell. The weather within the enchanted area was that of a gorgeous summer night, warm with a pleasant breeze. Armando and Izdahl wanted to make the most of the soothing atmosphere and concentrate on each other.
Izdahl looked off to one side. His luraga, Koraiy, drank deeply from the shimmering lake. He and Armando had ridden their steeds to the private lake on the main Amasi property. Yohan, Armando’s horse, made his way over to Armando and nudged his hand.
"More mangoes?" Armando asked.
Yohan threw his head, as if he were answering. Armando smiled and opened the container of fruit intended for the animals. He gave Yohan several thick slices of mangoes and watched his horse happily trot away.
Settling again next to Izdahl, Armando stretched out his arms to the sky. The silver magical infused lines on his arms glowed with power. “Here’s our reminder that we have a new normal.”
Izdahl reached out and linked his left hand with Armando’s right one. “Yes, but we’ll be all right.”
Armando turned to him and smiled, the motion having a tinge of sadness to it. “I want to believe that.”
“I mean it, ‘Mando,” Izdahl said firmly. “After what we’ve already gone through, I’m not letting anything or anyone take our happiness.”
“I know, it’s just that...” Armando let out a long sigh. “Never mind. We didn’t come here for me to be moody.”
“That’s right.” Izdahl grinned at him, before taking out his mobile. He gave it an order and a thin two-inch long camera drone detached from the side. He directed the drone to fly high and take video and pictures for the next five minutes.
“I need more sexy photos and videos of you,” Izdahl said.
“You’re doing this to feed your fantasies.” Armando covered his face, as if he were shy. He looked at Izdahl through his fingers. “I’m more than a hot face and body.”
Izdahl poked him in his ribs, making him laugh and uncover his face. “You know that’s not how I think of you.”
“I need some convincing.”
“Well, I can—”
Strange energy pushed against Izdahl’s rib cage, as his heart heated. The shock of the sensation robbed him of his voice. He gripped his chest, sat up, and closed his eyes. When the pain disappeared, he let out a sigh of relief.
“Are you all right?” Armando asked, as he rose to face Izdahl. “Maybe we should go to the hospital.”
Izdahl couldn’t look at Armando. He didn’t want to see the concern and worry again. “I’m good for now.”
Armando clicked his tongue. “We’ve talked about this. We said we’d be honest with each other.”
“I know.” Izdahl scrubbed a hand over his face, focusing on Armando. “I want to be honest. Still, more than that, I want to shield you from any pain. Even if I’m not directly responsible for the problem, I—”
“We’re in this together. Remember? We promised each other that.”
Izdahl nodded. “I remember. And I’ll do better.” He bit his bottom lip for a moment. “I think there will be other changes because of my injuries.”
“Like what?”
“My heart’s been bothering me more. There used to be just spasms. But, sometimes, there’s a sharp pain and I keep feeling like I’m being stabbed.”
“You’ve had multiple medical appointments. They haven’t found anything.”
“No, they haven’t.”
“Maybe more tests will work. What does your mother say?”
Izdahl rubbed the jagged circular scar on his chest. A few months ago, during an Elite Fire Dueling match, an enchanted stake had tunneled into his heart and ended his life. It was only due to his mother’s quick thinking and Armando’s love that Izdahl had been reincarnated. While he was glad to be alive, the mark was a reminder of his trauma.
Armando touched his arm, shaking him out of memories of that horrific day. “Did you hear me, Iz?”
“Yes. The stake was guided by obscure magic. Mother’s been researching sources.”
“And there’s really nothing I can do?”
“No,” Izdahl said. “Don’t worry. This is why I didn’t want to tell you. It will be all right. It has to be.”
“We’ve gone through so much already. I don’t want to believe otherwise.”
“Look, let’s not keep talking about these things. It would be a shame to waste this beautiful night. I have an idea. Indulge me.”
“What do you have in mind?”
“I think you know.”
“Oh, I do. There are silver rings in your eyes.” Armando gave him a playfully bashful smile. “But out here? For all of nature to see?”
“Would that be all right?” When Armando nodded, Izdahl placed a quick kiss on his lips. “Perfect. I brought what we need.”
“Hmm. I noticed the lube in a pocket of the picnic basket.” Armando stroked his jaw. “I thought it was strange to include in our diet. But now I understand your intent.”
Izdahl gently grabbed Armando, pulling him back on the blanket. They playfully wrestled, with Izdahl teasing Armando about needing to improve his jokes. As their laughter faded, Armando held Izdahl tightly, bringing their mouths together.
Izdahl was about to deepen their kiss, when Armando tapped him on the shoulder. He pulled back, giving Armando some room. “What is it?”
“Before we get started...” Armando pulled away from Izdahl, moved the fruit several feet from them, and returned to Izdahl again. “We don’t want Koraiy and Yohan interrupting us.”
Izdahl laughed heartily, as he fell back on the blanket with Armando. He nuzzled Armando’s nose with his own and Armando gave him the sweetest of smiles. The tenderness in Armando’s eyes warmed his heart. “I really wish we’d been together longer.”
“So do I,” Armando said, softly. “I’m sorry about the time we spent apart.”
“I didn’t say that to make you sad.”
Armando nodded, as he curved a hand around Izdahl’s neck, bringing him close. They kissed and contentment ripple through Izdahl. They were still kissing, when Izdahl felt something bump against his left hand. He looked up to find Yohan peering at him.
He chuckled. “Your horse is interrupting us.”
“It would seem so, despite my plan.”
A moment later, Yohan nuzzled Armando’s head and then his right shoulder, making him laugh. Yohan stared at him expectantly.
“Fine. I get the message.”
He untangled himself from Izdahl and pushed to his feet, going to get the basket of fruit. He grabbed a banana, broke it in half, and offered it to Yohan. The horse stared at Armando, before clamping his teeth around the basket’s handle. He slowly walked away, taking the whole thing for him and Koraiy, leaving Armando with the banana.
Armando pointed at Yohan. “Did you see that? He’s so obnoxious, sometimes. I put the basket in the perfect spot and he could have just gotten what he wanted. Instead, he messed with us.”
As Izdahl laughed, Armando set the banana aside, cleaned up, and returned to him.
“Do you think that’s too much fruit for them?” Armando asked.
Izdahl shook his head. “I doubt it. Now what were our plans? Ah, that’s right. I was about to seduce you.”
Mischief lit Armando’s eyes. “I mean you can try.”
“Oh. I’ll just use my hands and mouth to tease you. I’ll touch you every place but where you need it.”
“You think you’ll break me? You’ll see.”
Ten minutes later, “Izdahl, I give in!” rang through the night. Armando’s shout of defeat was followed by Izdahl’s deep and lusty laughter.