19:Ageless and eternal

~Laith~

"Your scars don't scare me, " I assured him before dropping the mask to the ground.

His mask came undone. I was thunderstruck. I got to do something in this moment that not many people had the chance to do. Glancing at Prince Zephirin's face.

No mask, no black mist covering his face, or a hideous illusion that Prince Zephirin used to cover his real face. He tricks people with false faces so that no one sees his real face.

Earning him many titles in the palace such as the devil king of many faces. A faceless demon without a face of his own, that is what people assumed he was.

I was surprised to find Zephirin is an ethereal beauty, he knelt on the ground looking handsome, ageless, and eternal.

His peaceful purple eyes glimmered in the golden light that lit the sky. His long golden hair fell softly on his back and laid gently on his shoulders.

The male had just sucked up enough dark energy to summon a demon army but he couldn't look more perfect. With the grace of an angel and an aura of the devil, his looks caused my jaw to drop.

"What?" he voiced out confused by the look I gave him. "Is something on my face? "

I blinked my eyes and started keenly at him in case I was seeing things. The deposed prince had no mark or scar on his face. I had assumed the attack from his father left a permanent hideous scar on him, forcing him to hide his face behind a mask all his life. But I was wrong, his face was flawless.

Prince Zephirin gazed at me waiting for his answer. None came, as I was tongue-tied by his beauty. To the point that I couldn't voice out anything.

'Why wear a mask when you are so good-looking? '

"I will hold this day in my memory but im afraid this is where we part ways, " he expressed in a pained voice. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Laith, " Zephirin cups the back of my head and pulls me in for a kiss. He pressed his lips lightly on mine. Electric tingles ran through me like water.

I closed my eyes. A tear rolled down my cheek. This was the saddest goodbye I've ever had to make.

"Laith, " Zepherin groaned my name as his eyes darkened. Then his other hand moves to my waist, pulling me a little bit closer. "Laith," he struggled to let go.

I opened my eyes to stop him. Convince him to stay, to be by my side. My eyes flew open and he was gone. Lingering warmth hovered in the place where his hands were and on my lips.

The golden light in the sky dimmed out and night returned to normal. Rhon raced over to my side. His voice sounded so distant. My eyes gazed at the place where the Zepherin knelt.

My heart squeezed in pain at the thought of never seeing him again. "Are you alright, Incirion? " Rhon panicked.

"Laith, are you hurt? " Prince Caelan anxiously asked. He scanned the area looking for the deposed prince. "Where did my brother go?"

Ignoring his inquiries I got up from the ground. Brushed off the dust from my pants. Once again prince Zephirin vanished with the wind. Bringing an end to our moment.

"Let's head back. I am tired and wish to get some rest, " I spoke drained of energy.

I brushed my finger over my lip. There lingered a burning sensation from the kiss. It was enchanting, to say the least. My first kiss, under the blinding lights of the golden flame from the bracelets. It was magical.

"Wait," Prince Caelan called out halting my movements. Oddly enough, his voice didn't tag at the strings of my heart. It irritated my ears but that's as far as the uncomfortable feeling stretched. "You've changed, " he claimed.

"Of course, I've changed," I admitted. "That's what pain does to people. So instead of stating the obvious maybe you should have avoided toying with my heart, " I put in. Prince Caelan became speechless. "You are too quick to notice how I've changed but not how your actions influenced that. Why am I not surprised?"

I walked away. One step at a time, creating distance between me and him. "I'll go ahead and prepare your bath, " Rhon excused himself and raced ahead.

My thoughts raced back to Prince Zephirin. He showed me so much courtesy that my heart had no choice but to flatter to the tune he was playing. The kindness in his eyes that was directed only at me, the softness of his voice as he called my name.

The care and concern from his heart to mine. Melted my every being. Being with him gives me a bittersweet feeling, it's addicting.

Prince Caelan grabbed my hand and veered me around to face him. His hand lingered close to my skin yet not touching me. His fingers wrapped around my wrist barely grazing my skin.

"Give me a chance, " Prince Caelan emplored seeming sincere.

"A chance for what? "

"A chance to show you that I can make you happy, " he answered in a low tone.

"From the shadows, right? Or do you plan to give up on the idea of getting married to Princess Zakishi?"

Prince Caelan dropped my hand and took a step back. It was amused me how I let him treat me this way. Stepping away from him. I raced to the holy house.

The night had escalated faster than I anticipated. What started as a wish for me to be by Zephirin's side ended in a goodbye. The deposed prince had left my side and I was too caught up in the kiss to focus on what that meant.

That moment when our eyes locked...and knew. Without words to state the obvious. A moment that opened my eyes to a new truth; I don't exist for one path and it's possible to rewrite my stars to align with the story I want for myself.