The floors were hardwood, the entrances and doorways around the place were framed in wood, even though the walls were a deep teal. And like its name, there seemed to be many turns and small hidden spots.
Large wooden lanterns casting yellow light hung from the ceiling, looking as if they were on vines that had grown from the wood framing the walls. Smaller lanterns floated above each table. The tables themselves were simple, round and covered in white table cloths, but the chairs, like the lanterns, looked as if they’d grown into their formation rather than having been carved.
He just loved when things appeared to be naturally formed, even if they weren’t. The booths continued that style, thick branches and vines coming up to form them. He gasped happily when they passed an alcove that had three arched windows displaying an aquarium, fish and all types of aquatic life swam around inside.
“Thank you,” he said to the maître d' as the man led them to a small secluded booth, in an alcove of their own, at the back of the restaurant. Another view into the aquarium was to their right. The man nodded and backed away.
Looking at Severo, his smile widened. “It’s lovely.”
“Wait until you try the food. The place is actually owned by a Nymph, so a lot of dishes are catered to your kind!” Severo said with clear excitement.
Seri giggled. “Sounds amazing. I can’t wait to taste what they have to offer.” He eyed the table, frowning. “They didn’t give us menus.”
“Maybe our waiter will bring them when they ask about our drinks?” Severo suggested. “We can just sit here and relax a bit before then. It is still pretty early.”
“Yeah,” Seri sighed. “Not even eight yet.”
“How were the listings?”
“They were…better. Better than what I saw when I was looking on my own, but honestly…”
“Not what we are looking for?”
“I mean, they are close, yet…for the ridiculous budget you gave, I don’t want to settle for less.”
Severo hummed. “I have to agree. From what I saw, I didn’t see anything that screamed ‘the one’. If we are buying a house, with the amount I’m offering, most of the things we want should be included, without it being a fixer upper. Not that there's anything wrong with fixer uppers.
“Yet…the houses that Matt has sent to us so far have seemed way overpriced. I don’t think any bank would even approve a mortgage for them. Not that we need one…but I am thinking of reaching out to the realtor my parents use. I didn’t before as she will totally blab to them, but… I can’t say I’m impressed with what the man has sent us so far.”
“Seri North! Are you buying a house with this man?! What about Preston?!” a voice rang out, that had him stiffening in horror.
Severo growled, but it was lost under the onslaught of reporters yelling when they burst around the corner.
The flashes came, as did more questions. Seri found his heart speeding faster than the first time this had happened, as new fear twisted in his stomach. Why couldn’t they just leave him alone?!
“Is it true that you cheated, Seri?! That all this has been a lie?”
“Are the rumors that you were actually a prostitute true?!”
“What—” His words were buried under the onslaught of accusations.
“You claimed that Preston raped you, but be honest, you wanted it!”
Seri’s eyes widened, tears forming in his eyes.
“Enough!” Severo roared. Having scooted by his side, the man pulled him into his arms.
And when he thought it couldn’t get any worse…it did. The lights flickered out.
Seri screamed as the world plunged into darkness, broken up by blinding flashes of light. Even then the questions kept coming, but they blurred together.
Seri fought Severo’s hold, his touch felt too much. It was all too much. Sobbing, Seri clawed at his throat, his voice no longer coming out as he struggled to breathe. Taking gasping gulps of air, he willed his gills to give him what his lungs would not.
And then suddenly, the flashing lights were gone. The voices no more… He took more uneven breaths, head swaying while his brain tried to make sense of it.
“Seri, Seri. It’s okay, breathe. Come on, Seri, breathe. They can’t see you now. They can’t get to you. Open your eyes. It’s no longer dark. We are in pure indigo now.”
His eyes snapped open, even though he couldn’t remember closing them. Staring at the indigo world of Severo’s Shadow Realm, he could see that the reporters were still there. The looming figures of deep indigo seemed threatening…but he couldn’t hear them, and they couldn’t get to him.
