Miroïr worked with Leïlana in the early morning. He noticed her malicious look.
She knew better than everyone else what was in Miroïr's heart. She had seen the dreaming look Miroïr had each time they were speaking about the king and each time, he eventually blushed trying to hide his thoughts.
"How is your integration, Leïlana?" Miroïr asked, hoping she would not ask questions about his activities with the king in the gardens.
"The men don't accept me and judging by their eyes on me all night I will need a separate room with a lock to be able to stay longer," she growled.
Miroïr was not surprised, he wrote a note immediately to find a solution. She watched his handwriting, the letters were not as beautiful as usual, Miroïr was not focused. She replaced a few books on the shelves and she used the moment to talk to him about her training and her progress.
"I need more books, I finished the one you gave me. I need something more advanced."
Miroïr had a plan for her indeed. He started to take a book from a shelf and was about to give it to her when she smiled at him, she looked like she had a lot of fun.
"You spent a lot of time with our king recently. You look happy, you know."
Miroïr was about to answer her but the door opened at the same moment. Zarkhaïm entered with a large smile. He seemed content to interrupt. Instinctively Miroïr placed his hand on the hand that was touched by him a few days ago.
"Miroïr, I have to show you something very important."
Miroïr was surprised by this irruption to ask him to come with him and he rapidly took a pile of books.
"Here, Leïlana. You should have enough to work for some time with these books. We will talk about it later."
Zarkhaïm had a grin. He watched her from top to bottom with a cold stance. By chance, Leïlana had a very strong character and she was not intimidated easily. Miroïr sighed. He wanted her to stay as long as possible with the mages and he was quite protective of her, he didn't understand the attitude of the king towards her, especially after Miroïr confessed to him how much she was important to him.
Zarkhaïm was already leaving, he didn't wait for Miroïr. They walked very fast through the castle. Zarkhaïm led him to the throne room, then, behind the throne, there was a little wooden door hidden under a large heavy curtain. He opened the door and invited Miroïr inside.
But when Miroïr passed the door, his blood froze, he couldn't believe what he was seeing.
That was the most beautiful garden he ever saw in his life.
It was night in this garden even if it was the day outside the castle. Miroïr saw a kind of golden moon in the sky. It was an explosion of senses.
He saw colors he never saw before, smells he never scented, even the sense of touch was solicited only by being there, he felt gently caressed by the humid air.
It was very warm, and comfortable, like an embrace covering absolutely all of his body. Zarkhaïm took out his cloak and placed it on a bench. Then he came to Miroïr to help him and remove his cape. Miroïr let him do it, he was stunned by the place and was completely following Zarkhaïm in awe. He admired absolutely everything around him.
"Where are we? What is this place?" Miroïr asked in a whisper.
Zarkhaïm answered him with a low voice.
"We are in my kingdom, the Ombrae."
Miroïr had eyes wide open. They knew each other for a while now and he never heard about this place, ever.
"What does it mean Zarkhaïm? Your Kingdom? What about our home?"
Zarkhaïm sat on the bench and lowered his head.
"The kingdom you know isn't my home. It was only a hobby. I am the king of the shadows, the king of the Ombrae."
After taking his breath he continued.
"We could live in Ombrae together eternally. Miroïr, if you wished to come with me, this could be our home. Together."
Miroïr felt dizzy, the discussion they had seemed surreal.
"Did you plan to tell Jäwell about this place?"
Zarkhaïm seemed very embarrassed.
"I didn't plan to tell him anything. He was supposed to be a ruler after me in the world of light, I didn't plan to bring him here."
Miroïr sat on the bench near the king. Zarkhaïm looked like a child at that moment, lowering his eyes and twisting his fingers in his long black hair.
"Why, Zarkhaïm?"
Zarkhaïm raised his head, he watched Miroïr's red eyes looking at him desperately waiting for answers. Zarkhaïm placed his hand on Miroïr's cheeks and caressed him with his thumb tenderly.
"Because I am allowed to have only one eternal companion and I want it to be you. I want to share everything I have with you, I want you by my side until the end of the world and beyond."
Zarkhaïm paused himself, his look was intense, almost wet with tears as the passion overwhelmed him.
"I am eternal, immortal, and I have been searching for my soul mate to share this eternity with me. I have found you. I can share my power with you, by giving you a part of me, you will be eternal. You are the one destined for me, the only one I have chosen to become like me, for us to share the power of the shadows together."
Miroïr took his hand, trembling. His heart was pounding in his chest so strongly that it was almost painful to him. Zarkhaïm continued, it was easy to see the fear of rejection in his expression. He was so vulnerable at that moment that Miroïr could not believe his eyes.
"I thought Jäwell could take my throne and you could come with me. I want you to be with me forever, Miroïr. Jäwell will have a life as a ruler, children, wealth, and we will be here. Hidden and happy in our secret garden. Tell me you accept it, please. Be mine, and let me be yours."