Chapter 166: _Is That Jealousy I Smell? Kyren’s POV
"L–Lord Kyren..." Sylas stuttered, his face going pale when his eyes locked with the rogue king. The lad took a few steps away from the library door and quickly bowed while Elian stood still. His little flame seemed more annoyed than bothered, folding his arms in front of his chest. "Forgive me, I was just showing your mate the library... At his request." Sylas continued, not daring to raise his head. "Please, don’t revoke my access to the library. I’ve learnt so much in the little time you’ve given me and it’s become a haven." Kyren rolled his eyes, placing his arms behind his back as he stepped forward slowly. He didn’t say anything, nor did he make any gestures to signal Sylas to rise. Most of his attention was on Elian who soon spoke up. "You and the others are finally done with your banter? Or did you kill them first?" The sarcasm in his tone wasn’t lost to Kyren. But he also didn’t mind it, grinning with amusement when he finally got in front of the two omegas. "You don’t seem to care if I’d killed them," Kyren remarked, tilting his head. "Neither do you seem to care about the fact that I was nearly killed by that poison." Guilt flashed through Elian’s eyes, but before he could say anything, Sylas raised his head in disbelief. "S–Someone tried poisoning you, my lord?" He asked but one stoic look from Kyren was enough to make him know his input wasn’t needed. The rogue king sighed lightly, stretching out his right hand which held the blood pendant meant for opening the library doors... Which he had magically snatched from Sylas.
"L–Lord Kyren..." Sylas stuttered, his face going pale when his eyes locked with the rogue king. The lad took a few steps away from the library door and quickly bowed while Elian stood still. His little flame seemed more annoyed than bothered, folding his arms in front of his chest. "Forgive me, I was just showing your mate the library... At his request." Sylas continued, not daring to raise his head. "Please, don’t revoke my access to the library. I’ve learnt so much in the little time you’ve given me and it’s become a haven." Kyren rolled his eyes, placing his arms behind his back as he stepped forward slowly. He didn’t say anything, nor did he make any gestures to signal Sylas to rise. Most of his attention was on Elian who soon spoke up. "You and the others are finally done with your banter? Or did you kill them first?" The sarcasm in his tone wasn’t lost to Kyren. But he also didn’t mind it, grinning with amusement when he finally got in front of the two omegas. "You don’t seem to care if I’d killed them," Kyren remarked, tilting his head. "Neither do you seem to care about the fact that I was nearly killed by that poison." Guilt flashed through Elian’s eyes, but before he could say anything, Sylas raised his head in disbelief. "S–Someone tried poisoning you, my lord?" He asked but one stoic look from Kyren was enough to make him know his input wasn’t needed. The rogue king sighed lightly, stretching out his right hand which held the blood pendant meant for opening the library doors... Which he had magically snatched from Sylas.
"Don’t let anyone else in without my permission, boy." Kyren winked, handing the trinket to him. "Now go."
Sylas didn’t hesitate, grabbing the pendant and bowing repeatedly.
He glanced back at Elian who clicked his tongue at Kyren.
When the lad scurried off, Elian yelled out. "See you around some other time, Sylas!"
Eventually, the lad turned a corner and left, leaving the rogue king alone in the corridor with his little flame.
"What was that all about?" Kyren cocked his head to the side, giving Elian a slow once-over. "I never saw you as the type to make friends."
Elian craned his neck slightly to get a better look at his taller frame before he let his lips pout. "Is that jealousy I sense?"
Kyren chuckled darkly, shaking his head. "Why would I be jealous if you’re actually making a friend? I can’t be with you all the time in this palace although I try my best."
He paused, his eyes fleeting to the large library doors briefly. The magic wards he’d placed decades ago thrummed silently with power, as if daring anyone who wasn’t given access to come fuck around and find out.
"If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you’re the one who sounds jealous, Elian." He muttered, trailing his eyes back to him. "Or am I wrong?"
Elian’s violet eyes widened, his face turning all shades of red. But he soon regained his composure, coughing awkwardly.
"Like you just asked... Why would I be jealous?" His little flame forced a cheery smile, his voice strained. "He already told me... The relationship you two share. Nothing to worry about."
Kyren didn’t buy that for a moment, keeping his eyes locked on him for several seconds.
The silence between them was thick, Elian shifting uncomfortably and scratching the back of his head like a child caught stealing candy.
Kyren loved unravelling him with a mere look. It was cute when the lad tried acting mysterious.
"Anyway, all that aside..." The rogue king finally faked a cough, breaking the silence. "What did you even need in the library?"
Elian blinked, disbelief riddled across his features. "Really? How come Sylas gets a free pass into your grand library and I don’t?"
Kyren smirked, unshaken. "There is that jealousy again..."
He was so adorable right now Kyren could almost see himself pinching his cheeks.
"I’m not jealous!" Elian snapped, his brows furrowed with frustration. "Oh my gosh, you might be more annoying than the others."
Kyren didn’t flinch, taking a few steps closer, filling the space between them. "Why?" He drawled.
Elian stiffened, taking a few steps back until his back pressed against the library door. The magic on the door should’ve zapped him upon contact but Kyren’s presence prevented that.
"Is it because I’m the only one who can really see you?" Kyren raised his right hand slowly, pressing it on Elian’s chest. "Or because deep down you know none of them make you feel the way I make you feel?"
Elian’s lips parted repeatedly, his breath coming out in shaky bursts as he struggled to maintain eye contact.
Kyren’s breath ghosted on his face, his lips dangerously close to his as he lowered himself slightly.
"I... I..." Elian swallowed hard. "I just want to see what you’ve got in the library, Kyren."
The rogue king didn’t move, keeping him pressed on the door until he could hear his heart beat quickening rapidly.
"Anything in particular you want to read?" He queried, his crimson eyes going from Elian’s eyes to his tempting lips.
The thrill of almost getting killed was getting him in some kind of mood and this seemed like the perfect release.
Teasing his little flame.
"J–Just some notes on magic if there are any." Elian finally spoke with an awkward smile. "Obviously I can’t actually use magic... But I’ve always found it interesting."
Kyren squinted. He indeed couldn’t sense any magic energies from him.
So why did he find his words hard to believe?
He drummed his fingers on Elian’s chest for a couple of seconds, contemplating deeply.
"Magic isn’t child’s play, little flame." He whispered, his tone a warning. "And it’s not as fun as you think. There are a lot of theories and concepts to ground yourself in if you ever want to understand it... If you had it anyway."
He finally let go of Elian gesturing at him to step aside from the door.
The lad was flustered but he obeyed nevertheless, walking to his side and staying close.
Kyren glanced at him one last time before shrugging. "Oh, well. I guess a book or two on magic wouldn’t hurt."
He proceeded to flick his wrist, activating a spell that dissolved the protection wards on the door. The doors swung open with an almost ancient creak.
When Elian saw the interior, he gasped.
"Holy..."