Day must have used every argument imaginable to get Minndt's father to agree. This god was extremely touchy when the subject was his son, Nyx had not exaggerated his point. Every argument the blonde had made had been taken down with a ferocity that had baffled him for a moment. The lack of support didn't help the young god but he didn't give up however and continued to persist, again and again. Until he said yes. That simple little note sounded like a triumphant victory for Day.
"Don't smile like that, there is nothing pleasant in this situation. Don't make him go out, that's all I'm asking of you Day-sama. I don't want to have to run all over the monastery because of the stupidity of some."
"Understand."
"If he doesn't answer you, don't insist on making him say an answer."
"Heard."
"If he asks you to go out, you go out. If he doesn't want something, his refusal will remain a refusal."
"A no is a no, no matter whether it is pronounced or not."
"Exactly. Be careful, he can still get into your head and he will know if you are lying to him."
"I do not see why we would go lie."
"Tell whoever lied to us."
"It was for a good cause."
"Everyone has their definition of a good cause then."
Day hadn't added anything after that and hurried back to the card room, not even giving his father a look or a word. Why would it be up to him to take the first step, was it he who had abandoned him? The bitterness of his lack of support for him hadn't weakened the good news, however. He had to focus on Minndt's healthy, his came next. The news had thrilled his friends and the Duke until theory turned into practice. Saturday, June nineteen was the date chosen by Leit for them to go to Minndt's room. The sky was devoid of the slightest cloud, the temperature was pleasant; it was a good day to go see him.
"We're coming to see Minndt," Day told the guards outside the door.
"Minndt-sama is still sleeping, Day-sama."
"We'll wait until he wakes up then."
"Sorry to ask you that but are you sure what you're doing? If he gets angry, we won't be able to intervene."
"We will make sure not to anger him."
"Be careful he can do whatever he wants with your mind."
The taller guard opened the door a crack and, facing the silence of the room, motioned visitors to enter. The room was plunged into darkness thanks to the thick curtains, but the lantern, placed on the nightstand on the right, lit up the room and the sleeping god. He seemed so peaceful in his sleep. Moain was the first alpha to step forward, quickly followed by Leit who sat down on the edge of the bed.
"He looks so peaceful," Orthon said nervously, too anxious to be able to move away from the door.
"He doesn't seem to have a fever," reassured Moain after removing his hand from his forehead. "We just have to wait, he's deeply asleep."
Day took a seat around the tea table and waited patiently, occasionally looking at Foud who seemed to be inspecting his eyes. The god of lightning ends up opening the cupboards without the slightest embarrassment, teasing everyone else.
"But shut up, what are you doing?!" Nyx got on his nerves in a low voice.
"I occupy myself, bugger!"
"Rummaging through his things?!"
"Rho, calm down, it's not like he's going to wake up. Anyway, I opened the sheet closet. he should change colour, it's almost only blue sheets."
"He's allowed to like blue. Okay, stop snooping around and come sit down."
The omega god ignored him and opened what he thought was a closet before realizing it was Minndt's closet. His boundless curiosity prompted him to walk into the small room and run his hand over the clothes, his eyes riveted on the weapon's display unit. But the only one that caught his attention was the one at the back of the room.
"I found where he keeps his sword!" Foud informed, coming a little closer.
"You're going to be in for a rough time if he sees you here, get out of there!" Moain got angry in his turn.
"No, I'm busy! He should think about changing the kind of boots, all of his pairs look the same!"
"Get out of there damn it!"
"It's a total disrespect," Day added before turning to the bed where the sleeping body was fidgeting."I think he's waking up, get out of there."
"Let him take some clothes along, I want to get dressed."
Even though Minndt's voice had almost returned to normal, it still sounded fragile. Everyone turned to him in the hope of seeing him, but the god of spirit and feelings had hidden under his sheets. Like a child terrified by the storm. Here the storm in question had the name "alpha" and was several.
"I have your clothes!" exclaimed Foud suddenly, breaking the heavy silence in the room."Hey, where are you?"
"He's under the covers," Toxin replied, pointing at the little lump on the bed.
"I need to know if what I took is okay, at least get your head out."
The silence was the only response but the god of lightning was not discouraged, taking a few steps towards the bed before placing the pile of clothes there.
"You didn't specify what kind of clothes you wanted so you're going to put on pants, a tank top and a shirt! It's sunny today and the temperature is nice," he informed without worrying about the amazement of his friends.
"And?"
"And so it's a time to go outside."
"Go outside?"
"Yes, outside the protective enclosure of the monastery, but if you prefer, we can go for a walk in the vast, very large garden of the monastery."
"Um…"
"How about the hot springs? That would relax you."
"Hmm..."
"Not convinced the little god who is hiding, what would you like to do?"
"Get out of my bed."
"Nothing prevents you."
"Them."
Foud turned to the alphas in the room who shrugged, unsure whether or not they should go out.
"But they're not going to do anything to you," he smirked as he sat upon the edge of the bed.
"If you want they can come out," Day added gently, patting the hunched back gently under the sheets."Aren't you warm buried under your blanket?"
"I 'm fine like that."
"Um, I think you'd be better off if you went out."
"You think I should go outside."
"Also yes. You can get out from under your sheets, they won't budge from their place."
"They lie!"
"They didn't say anything."
"They lie!"
Nyx looked at Day for a moment before getting up and walking over to the bed, Minndt's tremors only increasing as the footsteps got closer and closer. He was very close to his bed, very close to him. The beta grabbed the dagger from under his pillow and held it tight before Nyx spoke.
"You can let go, I'm not going to get any closer," he promised, stopping in front of the small step that gave access to the bed space.
"Liar."
"It's not something you can blame me for it seems to me, you always say that my frankness is sometimes a fault. I know that..."
"You don't know anything!"
"So explain to me. Explain to us why you're afraid of us. We're all ears."
Again Minndt fell silent but stuck his head out from under the sheets. He scanned each person at the foot of his bed but his gaze grew sharper at the sight of Orthon. If he could have hit him from his place, the god of spirit and feelings would have. But the fear on his face was real and the tears that beaded at the corners of his eyes were sincere.
"You are violent," the god finally spoke, hugging the edges of his sheets in his hands.
"When?" Moain asked as he cocked his head to the side.
"When you have your ruts."
"Did some have their heat while they were holding you captive?"
"Yes! You are monstrous, you are worse than animals!"
"But you're a beta..."
"I know, they kept just saying it was a pity! That I was useless...What is true, we have no heat, we are normal...They were not part of the human race, they were only animals! Again and again...I always feel like I feel their hands on me no matter how many baths I take! "
"Minndt."
"They never stopped, they never listened to me! Their pheromones were disgusting!"
"Minndt."
"Shut up!"
Moain fell silent but walked closer to him, positioning himself right next to Day before crouching down.
"Minndt, please don't put us in the same basket as some stupid alpha rapist motherfuckers," he said harshly but without the slightest nastiness. is no alpha in the monastery. Nobody is going to do anything to you, I promise."
"Yes, that's it!"
"Ah, if I had to have you in my bed during my ruts, I would have done it many years ago!" Leit joked, stepping forward in turn, "Well on the other hand, breasts, can you have some more? Can you have softer shapes and a much bigger waist?"
"I am not a woman!"
"So you have nothing to fear. Sorry to tell you that but you're not the type of Toxin or temperamental twin brothers let alone Moain's. You don't have to be afraid. There are idiots everywhere but it is no longer likely these morons would do anything."
"How can you be so sure?"
"They are dead."
"I don't remember that."
"You were sleeping and it was no small task falling asleep. You kept moving."
"But if you want I can tell you the sweetest details," DarkNyx implied, biting his lip."The sound of little bones cracking, blood coming out of severed arteries ..."
"The silence coming from your mouth," Day added in the same tone.
"Hey, not cool!"
"He doesn't need to hear that and neither do I!"
"Not even when a..."
"Hush! Say Minndt, do you know why they wanted you?"
The god thought for a moment before nodding, poking his head completely out of the sheets before sighing.
"He wanted to spread their message using my powers to make it more… unforgettable. Brainwashing if you prefer, that was why. They kept on going, the electricity kept coming in and that necklace was horrible. I felt like I was going crazy! I couldn't think anymore and…and…"
"And?"
"I don't want to lose my sanity…I'm not crazy. I'm fine, I'm thinking right!"
"Of course you're not crazy. Your voice starts again to derail."
"I want to sleep."
"To be in good shape for your walk!" recalled Foud.
"I didn't say yes."
"You didn't say no. Hot springs, lush gardens, fruit..."
"Chocolate."
"Chocolate...Wait, what?"
"I want chocolate."
"The gods of the spirit and the feelings and their addiction to chocolate. We'll bring this to you if you get out of bed, go get up!"
"Not now."
"So no chocolate for you. Everything for me."
Minndt sat up abruptly and slice claimed his chocolate, earning only amused looks and laughter. Even the Duke couldn't help but laugh at his facial expression which he found extremely cute. Foud opened the bedroom door and asked the guards to bring chocolate before looking at the beta god.
"It takes a lot of chocolate!" he exclaimed between laughs.
"Stop making fun of me!"
"Yeah, when you have a stable voice, it sounds like a teenager who has his voice who changes!"
"Rho, stop spoofing him," Day smirked, getting up off the edge of the bed."We are going to leave you alone, are we waiting for you at the hot springs?"
"I don't want to go out alone."
"We are waiting for you in front of your room then. Come on, we go out. Foud stop laughing like a hyena!"
The lightning god continued to laugh and did not come out until Moain pushed him out of the room, the room quickly regaining its silence. Minndt sighed in relief and sank on the pillows before remembering anything. Orthon had not crossed the threshold of the door. His eyes snapped open and searched for the Duke to find him in the same spot, his feet firmly planted on the ground. But cautiously, he took a step forward and, faced with the lack of reaction, continued until he reached the small step leading to the bed.
"Make me lose what has left of my life afterwards but listen to me please," he implored feverishly while squeezing his forearm tightly.
"Stay away from me!"
"I don't mean to, I just want to talk to you. I know asking for your forgiveness is stupid but…please forgive me. I have my share of responsibility but I didn't know what they were doing to you. I learned it along with your friends."
"Do I take your word for it?"
"No, but you can read my mind. You can scan my soul."
"Sure of you."
"Sure. I didn't know, I just had to take you to my house for the doctor to talk to you. That's what the Order told me. My way of doing things was bad but desperate, desperate action. I just want to find my family, I beg your pardon."
"Do you know what it is like to be defiled in the most abject way?"
"No, I do not know."
"I can't look at myself in a mirror anymore, I can't even stand my own body anymore because stupid alphas vampires have taken my virginity!"
"I am sorry."
"Really? Yet you wouldn't have been against joining them, would you?"
"I would not have shared you. It is because of me that the Order was able to reach you. I have always found you fascinating and the Order has known it."
"Am I still fascinating, disgraced this way? Do you admire me still as much as I did in that alley you attacked me in? Am I not disgusting now?"
"I will always find your way of being and your beauty captivating. You will always have my admiration."
"You are mad."
"A madman who is consumed with guilt then."
"Maybe yes."
"I have lost all my chances of being able to have your attention, to have your sympathy but please, I beg you, don't let me fall under the weight of guilt. Please. I know that I am a bad guy who only deserves what happens to him, but please don't hate me you too."
"You don't deserve to be treated that way."
Orthon looked up from the sheets to lead them to Minndt's, reluctantly admiring their captivating blue colour. This blue so deep, he could drown in it with pleasure.
"The guards didn't have to hit you. You didn't tell the others about it," the god of spirit and feelings continued.
"I deserved it."
"No. You would deserve that if it didn't come from me."
"Nothing prevents you from doing it. I'm here, I'm not moving."
"I don't hit the desperate, I welcome them. Even though I'm defiled, I'm still worthy of it, right?"
"You could set the world on fire and blood that I would always find you worthy and good of."
"You are crazy."
"You already told me."
Minndt got out of bed with the half-undone kimono and walked over to Orthon. The size difference was not excessive, but it baffled the vampire. Only one small yard separated them before the god erased the gap, his hands resting on either side of his head. The Duke's mind resisted for a moment, a short moment, before letting the thoughts be read and the memories unblock one after another. The secrets losing the dark veil that surrounded them. The vampire's blank gaze was riveted on that of the god who was twisting his mind, inspecting his most painful thoughts about him.
"You are not a bad person," Minndt said softly before removing his hands from his head.
The nobleman blinked several times, looking haggard, before remembering where he was and with whom.
"You feel so lonely."
"You have no idea."
"I got a glimpse with your thoughts." recalled the god of spirit and feelings before sitting down on the edge of his bed.
"Am I so pitiful?"
"Someone's distress is often pitiful but I don't pity you. I know how to detach myself from things, I am not the god of feelings for nothing. I have learned not to feel anything. I have learned to remain impassive in front of the tears of someone dear to me. I have learned not to cry at night when my thoughts remind me of how much I need to feel something."
"You are hurting yourself..."
"I know but suffering is not as bad as feeling everything. I feel everything more intensely than the others. A simple gesture could fill me with happiness as it could plunge me into the abyss. There is none half measure for a god of spirit and feelings. My soul is too sensitive and fragile and I am scared. I am scared it will break more."
Orthon silently watched the god get up and go to his bathroom with it, before seeing him come back. The kimono was even more undone and the nobleman couldn't help looking at the scars on his chest and abdomen.
"You like the view it looks like a duke, doesn't it?" the god questioned, pulling him out of his thoughts.
"Sorry, I just looked at your scars!"
"I find them ugly personally. Could I have my clothes to cover them?"
"Oh yes, of course."
Orthon grabbed the small pile of clothes and came to bring them to him, but at the last moment, Minndt turned and walked into the adjoining room.
"You can come in."
"Do you want to take a bath before going to the hot springs? You will have to wash you before going in hot springs."
"I will always be dirty, so what's the point of worrying about that? The baths relax me."
"You are not dirty or disgusting and your scars are not ugly."
"These are."
"You have others?"
"In my back. The phrase "being stabbed in the back" was once literal."
"Say, I don't understand."
"What?"
"The way you act. Why are you so…kind now? You let me take your clothes to your bathroom."
"Why be afraid of the harmless wolf when he is afraid of other wolves? You need attention, like a child."
"I haven't been a child for a long time."
"Yet when we were in the alley, you looked at me like a child is looking at something he desires more than anything."
Ortho's cheeks blushed delicately and he looked away for a moment, amusing the deity who took his clothes from his hands.
"You're right, I'm not going to take a bath now."
"Are you sure?"
"Sure. Thanks for the clothes, you can come out and join the others. I will be right by."
"Okay, take your time."
"I don't see why I will hurry. By the way..."
"Yes?"
"Call me Minndt. Just Minndt."
This time the vampire's cheeks flushed and he couldn't utter a word, just nodding before stepping out of the bathroom. The god of spirit and feelings could say whatever he wanted, his greatness remained intact. He was still so impressive and although his hair had grown well, his beauty had not been damaged. Orthon looked at the bed one last time now and wondered if one day, just one small day, he would lie beside Minndt. He shook his head to chase his obscene thoughts away and hurrying out of the room. But if the Duke had forgotten one thing, it was the singularity of the owner of the place who, pressed against his door, looked in the mirror at his crimson cheeks.