Kovan stared at him in that stunned expression again.

It took five seconds for Tyler’s fuse to fizzle, before he regretted his outburst.

Whilst he expected to punished for his insolence, Owner merely erupted into laughter. He settled down his bowl so as not to spill his soup, hunching over with raking laughs.

“Oh, my desert wolf, I’m not going to stop you. You can sing as much as you wish. So long as it does not affect your running.”

Tyler gave a wordless reply, mouth opening and closing like a gasping fish. He was lost on how to respond.

Kovan snickered, seeing his response, tickled by him. Noticing that, Tyler snapped his mouth shut, lips pulling into a taut line. He hated being the source of someone else’s amusement. Hated more, that he swung from one end to the other like this, which happened often since moving in with Kovan.

Because Owner was so contradicting to everything Tyler knew. He had no idea what to expect from the man, and since he didn’t, he wasn’t sure how he should act. What he knew for certain, was that only time would shed light into Owner’s peculiar nature.

As for now, Tyler forced himself to clear his mind of his confusing thoughts, focusing on the delicious soup, eating heartily. He abandoned his wooden spoon and just tipped the rest of the soup into his mouth, gulping in rapid pace.

He cleaned his lips with the back of his sleeves when he was done, and noticed Kovan was staring at him, amused expression still in place.

“Do you want more? I’ve prepared a big pot.”

Tyler nodded stiffly, then suddenly realized someone important was missing –the food runner, who should have stayed until an Upper class was done with their meal.

His train of thought came to a crashing halt at that point.

Fire crackled in the hearth, jarring him, ringing in his ears like crystal flints on Silica bells.

The food was cooked right within the hearth, and not brought up from elsewhere.

“Where’s the chef?”

Amusement twitched at the corners of Kovan’s thin lips.

“Right here.”

Tyler nearly choked at the confirmation.

“I-I shouldn’t have eaten.” He paled and put the empty bowl onto the ground.

Dusty blond brows rose in question. “I don’t understand what you mean.”

His dark brows jumped. Surely, Kovan was joking.

Tyler took a deep breath.

“You weren’t supposed to cook for me.”

“And why not?” 

Tyler eyed him warily. It seemed like Kovan genuinely had no clue what bothered him.

“The difference in our class, of course!”

“Is that it?” Kovan looked unconcerned, “Because I was told you happily ate whatever that Joah made.”

“Well,” Tyler paused and bit his lips, “But I’m not bonded under him. I’m bonded under you.”

A strange look passed over Kovan’s face. His eyes darkened.

“I don’t really see the difference. Besides, accepting a well-meaning gesture is the only courteous thing to do.”

Tyler sucked in his breath, suddenly finding himself in shaky waters.

Owner had lowered his lids, eyes becoming slits, gaze sharp and critical.

Tyler became baffled why Kovan got upset over a conversation like this, when he was hardly ruffled by his earlier shouting. If this was the past, Tyler would usually be predisposed to press further, to ascertain the logic behind such responses. However, as it were, he was a bondsman now, and he had no place questioning or arguing with his owner.

Owner’s displeasure reminded him that he should keep his mouth shut and be obedient. Wasn’t the easiest thing for him to do, but not impossible.

“I apologize, I didn’t mean be rude.”

His gaze lightened a bit, though his lips still remained in a stern, taut line.

“Then help yourself to more. You need to replenish your energy after the earlier race.”

Tyler nodded without any further protest, feeling somewhat drained and lackluster.

The soup however, was so appetizing that he couldn’t stop helping himself. He downed three bowls before he called it quits, earning a very pleased look from Kovan.

After washing up the dishes, Tyler retired to bed, following Kovan’s insistence. A heavy lull came on anyway because of his full meal, so he did not attempt to do any strength training like he normally would.

It occurred to him how fortunate he was. He didn’t know of any other bondsmen allowed to take a mid-day nap, instead of staying vigil by their owner’s side, ready to attend to any request at their behest. He didn’t even ask if Kovan might need his help getting ready for the party – he just took advantage of Owner’s good graces, falling asleep nary within several minutes after he sank into his cot.

When he woke, the outside sky was a deep orange, sun close to setting. He panicked for a moment, wondering if they would be late to the party. It seemed a lot of influential people would be there, and many members of the Upper class, which was a good opportunity for him as a Torch to get exposure and gain supporters.

Tyler sat up, bracing a forehead with one hand groggily.

“Good, I see you’re up.” Kovan appeared, parting the beaded curtain at the arch separating Tyler’s sleeping quarters. “I have something for you.”

Kovan entered, a garb draped across an arm.

“For the party?” Tyler croaked, and got up slowly, body lethargic and unresponsive.

Kovan stopped dead in his tracks at ten feet away, eyes balling.

“Uh, y-yes,” Kovan stuttered, quickly averting his gaze.

He made an abrupt turn to set the clothes atop a small, side table.

“Change into these.”

As quickly as he have said it, he was out the room. Tyler frowned, pondering at his strange reaction.

He stepped out from the overly large cot and nearly tripped. Glancing down, he realized his towel had fallen amongst the thick sheets of cot, tangling his feet. He hadn’t worn anything after bath – just that piece of towel wrapped around his hips. It was just as well. He kicked the towel a way off, and changed into the new clothing Kovan had given.

At first still abit groggy, his senses snapped to attention after picking up the outfit. The linen material was crisp and new and lightly perfumed, aroma a mixture of something minty and sweet, which helped to wake him up.

An iridescent flash of color within the ivory fabric caught his attention. He blinked rapidly, and held it up at arm’s length to get a good overview.

The linen material was of the finest grade – soft and gentle on the skin, unlike the coarse, uncombed linens he used to wear. And the tunic, though simple in its cut, was in the original, pre-dyed shade of the fabric, which was the perfect canvas to set off the beaded neckline of semi-precious stones.

The pants, were of varying strips of diaphanous silk-linen – threads finer, and weaved thinner, so they were translucent, and over laying atop one another, creating a stylistic effect of solid and lucent depths that adequately covered his modesty.

On top of that, the size fitted perfectly, telling him that Kovan must have had it tailor made.

Tyler felt himself flushing with pleasure and excitement, beside himself at donning such a luxurious garb.

“Am I really worthy of this?” Tyler asked when he ran out his quarters, voice lightly quivering.

Kovan didn’t reply.

He drew a slow, measuring gaze from his head to toe, looking deep in thought.

Tyler shifted, becoming uneasy under that unfathomable stare.

“Is there something wrong?”

Kovan jolted, hearing him this time. His Adam’s apple bobbed hard, obvious enough for Tyler to notice.

He cleared his throat. “No, nothing. Come here.”

Tyler pondered at the tightness of his voice as he strode across the common area, but any questions he had, flew from his mind when he noticed something in Kovan’s hand glimmering under the fading sunlight.

“To complete the look,” Kovan informed. This time, his tone returned to his usual.

He took Tyler’s hand, and took a few tries testing to see which finger fit.

They exchanged glances, laughing after they found the right fit. The ring slid up his second last finger and sat perfectly. It was a simple band, with a small maroonish-burgundy gemstone that shone in myriad shades of gold, reflecting what little light remained of the setting sun.

“It’s beautiful,” Tyler breathed, admiring it.

A smile spread across Kovan’s face.

“Do you like it? I picked it out to match the color of your hair and eyes.”

Tyler felt his breath catch in his throat, heart fluttering in a mix of nerves like a bird startled from its perch. Owner was certainly generous, and such consideration shown in his selection of his gift, was normally reserved for someone of a close relation, or importance.

Was he of enough worth substantial enough for Kovan to prepare such offerings?

Tyler didn’t realize he was staring into Kovan’s eyes, searching for an answer. Until Kovan’s eyes suddenly looked brighter, and larger, perhaps standing out because of the fading light. Catching himself swirling into those green depths, Tyler roused himself, dismayed that he let himself be pulled into Owner’s mesmerizing beauty.

Heat suddenly filled his cheeks, hot blood rushing under his skin that he was openly staring at Owner so intently. It wasn’t like he was attracted to him or anything – definitely not towards his owner – even if Kovan was indeed, a very attractive man.

Kovan’s gaze remained on him, silently expecting, then he realized he must be still waiting for an answer.

Tyler ought to nod and agree and thank him.

“Well then, it matches almost everyone I used to know.”

Those words fell out instead in a clumsy manner, stubborn nature refusing to verbally acknowledge the rush of pleasure and delight Tyler actually felt.

Owner’s face fell, seemingly disappointed with his reply. Unnerving silence accompanied immediately after.

Tyler frantically searched for something to break the awkwardness.

His gaze fell on a ring on Kovan’s left hand, also on the same finger.

“Yours matches your eyes,” the words rolled off his tongue, then, sweeping a quick glance over the rest of him, continued, “You look breathtaking.”

Tyler might have used that as a desperate attempt to skip past his own embarrassment; still he was surprised by his own words.

Kovan too, seemed taken aback.

And it might be a trick of the light, that Tyler thought Kovan blushed a bit. Before he could confirm it, Kovan turned around.

“Come,” he cleared his throat abit, “Time to go. We can’t be late for our own party.”

Seemed like Owner was too embarrassed to properly thank him for his compliment as well.