“Uhm… did I just hear him say my name as well? I am also invited?!” Iryz asked. Her brain was still in a mush after that… after that kiss… oh my gosh! She could not believe she had just kissed him!!! His lips were… oh gosh oh gosh. It was… Though on the outside she was still behaving as normal, inside, she was squealing like a little schoolgirl.
“I don’t know what Alexander is planning right now, including you in the invitation but…” he observed her closely. “Are you… okay with that? Do you mind coming along with me?”
“Alex…? Alexander…” she did not even know where to begin. That name… could it be that… her eyes that were full of question looked at Zeres.
“Yes. It’s that very same Alexander I’ve been telling you about in the past.” Zeres gave her a lopsided smile as he answered her silent question.
Her lips parted. Wow! She was seriously starting to feel dizzy from all these things that she was learning. It felt like the world she knew was no longer the same world that it was anymore. And it was just so mind blowing. However, she was not complaining! It all seemed more interesting, more magical, more… just more!
“Does Alexander even… even know me?” she had seen only a small portion of Eris’ memories, but she did not seem to recall having seen any conversations between Eris and Alexander. She did not even know what this famed Alexander looked like.
“He does. I had told him about you before this, when we snuck into the Black Forest to get something in there.”
“Wait a moment. But that was Eris, right? And isn’t Eris supposed to never have showed her face to anyone? How come Alexander managed to connect me with her?” Iryz was confused with how things were rushing along so quickly. She felt as though her mind was constantly in a buzz with so many new things that she needed to process all at once.
Zeres stilled. Looking like curiosity had just hit him as well. He had not thought of that at all. Not until Iryz mentioned it.
He looked out the door, his brows creasing at the already missing messenger who had left immediately after delivering the message. “That guy…” he breathed. Did he know something about this all along? But that does not seem to be possible. After a few moments of silence, he spoke up. “Never mind, I’ll ask him about this when we meet up.”
“Okay.” Iryz could not help but feel curious about this person and his lover as well. She wanted to go and see Alexander for herself and maybe hear what he would say. The urge to know more about Zeres’ acquaintances were getting stronger each moment. And her curiosity in learning more of these seemingly immortal creatures was also getting stronger. “But is it really okay for me to be there?” She could already imagine what kinds of people would be there and she could not help but already feel both intimidated and thrilled at the same time.
“He invited you, Iryz. Remember? Your name was mentioned along with mine.” Zeres reminded Iryz.
“You are definitely going, right?” Iryz asked.
He nodded. “I haven’t seen the babies yet. Nor have I seen Abigail. It has been for months now. So I guess it is about time I go over for a visit.” Zeres shrugged as he explained to Iryz.
“Alexander and Abigail…??” Iryz tilted her head to one side as she wondered on their relationship.
“They’re married now and just had twins.” Zeres said simply.
“W-wow!!” Iryz looked really speechless as she stared at him wide eyed. She wondered how Zeres was taking this as he used to have feelings for Abigail.
“I’m good, Iryz.” He smiled as he answered her unspoken question again, knowing that she wanted to know, all the while leaning against the door frame. “I’ve long accepted that those two were meant to be together. They’re like… a family now. Alexander said I’m an uncle now. It felt really strange when he told me that. I never disliked it. But… I’ve avoided them though. I ran away from them all. I don’t want to keep running away and continue isolating myself anymore. I want to see all of them. Especially the babies.” There was a gentle small smile as he mentioned the twins.
Iryz smiled as well. She could see nothing but acceptance and genuine gladness in his eyes. And that was enough for her.
“Let’s go together, Iryz. I really want to go with you.” he offered her his hand. Iryz stared at his large palm, and she placed her hand there as she grinned at him. In his eyes, there were only excitement and anticipation. She did not see any sadness or disappointment in them. And she decided that she would go along with him and nodded her acceptance.
“Alright, I’ll escort you there. In exchange, you’ll take me out for a date after we are back. How about that?” she negotiated, raising a brow at him. “Do we have a deal?”
Zeres’s gaze fell onto their entwined hands. He truly wanted her to come with him. He did not know why, but he had a feeling that it would be better if she came along with him. Right now, he was a little overwhelmed with everything that was going on. Especially with matters between the two of them.
She was still such a shocking thing for him. The appearance of someone like her in his life… was still a bit too good to be true for him. He had long gotten used to the thinking that he would never find someone special just for himself – one that would love him alone.
Every time he catches her staring at him with those twinkling, lively eyes, he wondered if he was deserving of someone like her, of her love.
“Deal!” He agreed. And when she beamed at him, he just could not take his eyes off her face. She had a thousand-watt smile that could melt an icy heart.
“Alright!” she said in high spirits. “I’ll go cook for lunch for us, then we’ll get ready for the travel tonight.” She let go of his hand rushed back into the kitchen.
Zeres stared down at his now empty hand for a long while before he moved and followed her into the kitchen.
