Chapter 125

Chapter 125: Chapter 125

"We can leave for Aysel tonight, I’ll make the arrangements." Dulce informed, right away going to pack up his trunks. "Do you need help packing up?"

Caedos wrenched his gaze away, starting for the door. "I don’t. I’ll tell the others."

"Thank you," Dulce appreciated, he had planned to do that after packing up.

He had hardly spent any time in the palace so there was little organizing to do, and when he was done, he made his way to the kitchen.

Kath’tan was still seated at the dining table, almost like the Demon had been waiting for his return.

"I saved you a portion." He said gruffly when Dulce approached, although no one had bothered to eat the meal he had painstakingly prepared.

"Thank you," Dulce appreciated, sitting at the table to eat.

Kath’tan waited to watch the Vampire eat, pleased with the sight he was presented. "What do you think?" He asked mildly, fishing for compliments.

"It’s delicious, I can believe you made this with Caedos’ fire."

Kath’tan’s smug expression fell off his face, unwilling to share even a compliment. He rose to his feet when Dulce emptied the plate, leaving the kitchen to go prepare for their departure.

Dulce cleaned the kitchen, emptying the storage of food and properly packing it up to be taken with them. They couldn’t be left behind in the palace or they would go bad and become a nuisance whenever he decided to return. They had no use for the food items on their journey, perhaps the caravan would better appreciate it.

Ruoxi found him when he was about done with the kitchens, the Incubus was back in the loose cotton shirts they acquired from Aysel, his black hair gathered out of his face. "Do we really have to ride through the night again?" He complained.

"It’s mostly for the luggage." Dulce explained, the camel handlers would arrive at the oasis by late afternoon, in time for the beasts of burden to get enough rest for their return journey through the night.

"Then have them carry just the luggage. I’ll take you to Aysel," He offered generously, closing the distance between them.

Dulce thought about it, there was no harm in warping to Aysel. They could then bide their time in an inn until their luggage arrived, then the journey to Boussiney could begin.

"I’ll make the arrangements, could you take this to the veranda by the garden?" He asked, leaving the kitchen. It would be even easier for the caravan to only have to transport belongings.

Dulce first went seeking Kath’tan, finding the Demon in his room. He knocked lightly, looking up when he got a response. "Would you rather warp to Aysel?" He asked directly.

"Do you want me to take you?" He offered right away.

Dulce tried to look past him into his room, "Ruoxi was kind enough to offer. Do you need any help with-" He was interrupted by a kiss, the brief gesture silencing him.

"I don’t," Kath’tan turned down, retreating into his room.

A journey that should have taken all night was over in a matter of moments, it was barely noon when they made it back to Aysel.

The dusty city was quiet at the height of noon, the winds picking up, causing colorful curtains to billow out of square windows.

The journey back to the west would be quicker if they just warped there, but Dulce was in no hurry, and traveling had its own charm.

By nightfall, they were seated on the ground floor of the inn, lively music playing while dancers spun around in tune with the music.

Morning brought the caravan from the Rahana desert, a large carriage already prepared so that they could begin their journey soonest.

The journey to Boussiney took a little less than a week, the atmosphere in the carriage strangely tense. Dulce found himself worrying about Asael often, he left detailed instructions but it would be difficult for the Demon to figure out where they were based on his notes.

He barely noticed the gazes on him, unable to focus on the book he held as he thought of the possible right time to summon the Shadow Demon. Perhaps when they returned to Marlen? But that was about a month-long journey, what if Asael had already woken long before then and was on the search?

Boussiney was as lively as always, several ships moored in the harbor. Finding a ship that journeyed to Hurwell was incredibly easy, there were even a handful of ships to choose from, the vessels filling up quickly with the never-ending line of people who wanted to travel to the west.

They had spent the night in one of the inns by the harbor, so they were one of the first on the ship to Hurwell. By mid-morning, the ship had set sail, Boussiney getting further and further away.

Dulce was on the deck when it was allowed to be, it was already getting colder and Boussiney was still in sight. He wore a dark blue dress shirt and a white waistcoat over it, staring out into the water.

He wasn’t alone for long, Caedos immediately singling him out as soon as the Hellhound stepped on the deck. "I was searching for you."

Dulce spun around, his back to the banister. His pale hair was neatly tied back, the wind gently blowing through it. "Did you need something?"

"Yes, your company."

Dulce was immediately struck by the image of Caedos curled up on his bed while he read quietly. "Do you want to go below deck?"

Caedos stepped up to the banister as well, leaning down to rest his arms on it. "This is fine."

Dulce mimicked him, turning to face the ocean, the salty breeze cool against his face. This was a pleasant change from the arid heat of the desert, he turned to Caedos. "Do you prefer the cold?"

Caedos turned to him, "Either makes no difference." His internal temperature was high but steady, now accustomed to his extremities, external temperatures had little effect on him.