The sorcerers of the land of Verendus are known to be servants of the dark and are associated as the reaper of death for the chaos they invoke wherever they went during the time of war. Now, they were often torn between living a normal life or succumbing to their previous alignment with the demons in hell. Briar has never met a sorcerer in fear of being discovered and exploited, for he was no ordinary being as much as he wanted them all to believe in. And Castriel Persimore, in all his tantalizing glory, was no exception to such a stigma until he could prove the museum curator was different from the many sorcerers he had heard. He wanted to believe Castriel was different...

Until he woke up to see the man treacherously close, trapping him if he tried to escape or defend himself. The corner of the young master’s lips curved at the scene, crossing his arms together to regard the sorcerer, who remained silent. Not even an explanation, nor any sign of embarrassment present.

“Oh, so you’ve decided to show your true self this early, Mr. Persimore?”

“I…” The sorcerer did not budge from his spot, hands still pinned on either side of Briar’s head. The distance between them dangerously closed in. “I was about to go out when the coach shook. I would have tripped and ungracefully kissed the ground if I did not do this. I apologize if it may appear clandestine, for I do not know what else to do.”

“Really?” Briar drawled, twirling the cloth of Castriel’s cravat. The eye-captivating hue of the sapphire on the brooch glinted under the light that dappled into the window. “So, I have nothing to worry about?”

“I am being honest. It was the same rattling that woke you up from your peaceful slumber.”

Pulling the sorcerer close, Briar chuckled softly at the shell of the man’s ear before whispering. “I shall take that as the truth, then. But if you try anything that seems suspicious, I won’t hesitate to retaliate, Mr. Persimore. I hope we’re clear on that.” Expecting obedience from the handsome suitor of his, Briar almost gasped out when Castriel met him dead in the eye—an attempt of deterring his doubts. Their noses brushed, his warm breath fanning his lips.

“I wouldn’t do anything to make you uncomfortable, Briar. However, the way you’re acting right now seems like you have such a tremendous secret to hide.”

A boisterous laugh bubbled out of the young master’s throat at observation, letting Castriel go. “Don’t act as if anyone doesn’t have a secret or two. And it won’t remain a secret if everyone knows.”

“Agreed.” Fixing his cravat, Castriel sighed. “I apologize. I shall try to compensate for making you uneasy. Believe me, it wasn’t my intention…” Hearing no reply from Briar, who merely stared at him, Castriel excused himself before leaving their private cabin. Left with the tense atmosphere, Briar leaned back in his seat and let out a long groan. He wanted to avoid a confrontation, especially since he doesn’t know the sorcerer well. To think he agreed to such a trip and to stay with him for one month, Briar suddenly realized how reckless he was. Yet, his curiosity got the best of him, and there was no way out now.

I must apologize to him once he gets back, Briar solemnly thought as he relaxed into the cushioned seat. The private cabin now is spacious and lonelier without Castriel with him. A few minutes passed, prompting Briar to stand and look for him when the doors slid open. In came Castriel with a basket full of sweets. Eyes wide, the young master watched as he came in and presented the basket.

“For you.”

“Y-you didn’t have to,” Briar mumbled, accepting the gift. Candies, chocolates, cookies, and cupcakes—everything seemed heavenly for the nervous nineteen-year-old. Guilt for berating the gentleman slipped into his heart, bashful at the act of kindness. “I’m sorry about my behavior a moment ago. This is my first time traveling with a stranger and I’m nervous. I didn’t mean to burst out like that. It would certainly make things awkward between us… I promise it won’t happen again.”

“It’s understandable to get overwhelmed. I often feel the same way whenever a new exhibit has to be perfect for the public’s eye.” Castriel hummed, sitting himself down before gesturing at the pastries and sweets. “Help yourself. You must be hungry since lunchtime is approaching. And don’t worry, this is just a little bump on the road. It won’t make me see you in an awful light.”

“Aren’t you hungry as well?”

“I’d like to work up an appetite. Besides, lunchtime won’t be for another hour and a half. I went out to inform the employees to prepare it earlier since I knew you must be starving.”

So, that’s why he wanted to leave the cabin.

“This is making me even guiltier.”

Castriel blinked. “It’s… not my intention to make you feel guilty—”

“No, not because of you. I’m ashamed of my own actions.” Briar covered his cheeks, feeling the warmth seeping through his gloved hands. “I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions. Therefore, I apologize once again. I must have looked like a fool…”

The sorcerer smiled softly, extending a hand out to pat Briar’s thigh. “There’s nothing to apologize for. Anyone who has heard of sorcerers like me would be putting their guard up naturally, so I don’t blame you.”

“I wish I shouldn’t have…” Trailing off, Briar sighed. “I must get to know you better than letting such a stigma get to me. Castriel, would you let me?”

“That’s why we are on this trip, Briar. To get to know each other.” Castriel pointed out, taking the book he put down earlier and closing it. “Why don’t we start now? To avoid such… unpleasant thoughts of the unknown?”

“All right, that sounds like a great idea.” Perking up, Briar sat up straight and munched on a cookie. “You said you were barely human last time… Care to tell me about that since you didn’t touch upon it much. Unless it’s a sensitive topic for you, of course!”

Shaking his head at the enthusiasm, Castriel responded softly. “Based on my observations and tests done, I discovered that one of my parents may have been an elf or a minor deity.” After the words left his lips, Briar’s eyes instantly went to his ears, earning a laugh from the sorcerer. “Sadly, no such characteristics were passed on to me. I even began to think I was a normal human… But I could never forget my encounter with an old witch who singled me out in the orphanage. She said I was not like the other human children who resided there. That I was a fraud attempting to mimic their way of life, for I was the odd one out. From that encounter alone, I sought out the truth of my origins.”

“What are the proofs you’ve found?”

“Shouldn’t you let me ask a question first?”

“Sorry,” Briar mumbled, abashed at how impatient he seemed. “Go ahead, you may ask. However, you can never ask me more than three questions per day. So, choose your questions wisely.”

“I never thought you would implement such a rule. Fine, the same shall apply to you for it to be fair. Would that be all right?”

“Fine by me.”

“Very well.” Castriel went silent, thinking hard about a question he wanted to ask the young master since they met. Briar waited for a few minutes, heart pounding at whatever the man may throw at him. Clearing his throat, the sorcerer asked. “You may answer truthfully, or just in spades. I won’t force it out of you. Last time, you mentioned that you couldn’t live long because of a disease. Could you share with me what it is?”

Already expecting the question, Briar nodded lightly. “All right. It’s… not like a disease, more like a hereditary thing. A curse, if you may. Passed down from generation to generation. My father fell ill because of it and it took his life. As his son, I, too, have it in me. The only way for me to survive is to counter it…” Tears started to blur his vision, his throat closing up as he struggled to gasp for air. “I-I’m sorry, that’s all I can divulge to you.”

Castriel watched the young master quietly wiping his tears, hand itching to reach out and comfort Briar. “Don’t be. Remembering how your father died is heartbreaking. I won’t ask you again until you are ready to tell me.”

“Thank you…”

“And to answer your inquiry, the only proof I have of not being fully human is the old witch’s observation, this brooch, and the nature of my blood.” Hand touching the gem, Castriel’s eyes fondly gazed at it. “The caretaker of the orphanage said this was with me the day I was found. A clue to my origin and my parents. The materials and the gem itself are rare. I’ve traced its origins and so far, the pointy-eared people came up. As for my blood, I’ve run some tests, and it revealed a rather intriguing truth.”

“Intriguing?”

The sorcerer nodded, glancing up to stare into Briar’s eyes. “Yes. It displayed the same components belonging to certain creatures blessed with endless life. The same power mere mortals crave and kill for.”

Suddenly, it clicked in his head. Briar knew the human’s greed for eternity had no bounds. It was the same greed that led his family into hiding for many centuries. Hunted down to be ground into powder and mixed into tea from a cheap glass bottle with the promise of eternal living.

“Immortality.”

“Indeed. And I have it in my blood, which makes me different from them. Announcing it to the world gave me plenty of opportunities humans couldn’t have… Even people who suddenly sought me out to become friends were frequent.”

“It boggles me how you’re not even married yet.” Briar’s mirthful laughter was music to the sorcerer’s ears, welcoming the melodic tune. “You almost have everything, to be honest. Wealth, popularity, and achieving your dream. Castriel Persimore, who has the looks and the things every person would swoon for, but still doesn’t have a partner for life.”

“I… haven’t achieved my dream yet, Briar. And it’s one of the reasons why I’m unmarried.”

“What made you decide to do so, now?” It was a genuine question, one Briar really wanted to find out. And one Castriel wasn’t too keen on revealing with the telltale cheeky grin on his lips as he gestured to Briar.

“I believe it’s my turn again, to ask a question.” He responded with a ghost of a smug smirk on his face. “You asking me why I’m not yet married also counts as your second question.”

A pout was what he earned. “You cheat!” Briar grumbled playfully. His ridiculous attempt at an expression of anger was replaced with a beaming smile afterward. “Fine, your turn.”

“As a person who is interested in you and plans to win your hand in marriage… I think this question is appropriate for me to know the answer to.” Adjusting the collar of his shirt, Castriel asked innocently. “Have you ever experienced another man’s embrace?”

“And this is my last question to you, Castriel. Are you really asking me if I am a virgin or not?”