Eyes narrowed, Cecil peered up at him. Roth had a big-ass grin on his face, which didn’t bode well.
Sitting in one of the chairs in the corner, Sin quietly sipped some bloodwine and surveyed the room.
This year, their winter solstice celebration was being held in the mansion’s ballroom, instead of a rented hall. Snow, an Ice Demon—believe it or not—had done a fantastic job with the decorations.
Soft music flowed around the room. Frost cracked and swirled on the walls—cold to touch, defiantly standing up against the heat of the ballroom.
High above, in the vaulted ceilings, it appeared as if flakes of snow were floating down. But they always dissipated before they landed on anything. Seemingly untouched by the falling snow were silver lanterns floating throughout the air—their flames burning bright.
Two long, silver tables placed against opposite walls were weighted down with drinks and food. To Sin’s displeasure, it was mostly sweets. Which is what he got for allowing Benji to be in charge of food. Not that Sin hated sweets, it just would have been nice to have more than that.
Despite the cheerful music playing, and all the people around him drinking, laughing, and having fun, Sin could not find it in himself to enjoy any of it.
His heart felt heavy. The one person he wished to spend the night with was missing.
Sin rolled his eyes—not missing, absent by choice. Cecil refused to come near him. Guilt plagued him for chasing Cecil away from what may have been his first time celebrating the winter solstice.
Sin sighed and took another sip. Maybe he should leave. That would at least give Cecil time to enjoy himself. Leaving…
He would be leaving soon, anyway. Roth and Dante would be overseeing the takedown of Cecil’s father, and the men involved in this area. Sin would be working with his group in Dusburn for the others.
Truth be told, he was not needed here anymore. Maybe it would be for the best if he headed back earlier than planned. However, Sin still had to tell Cecil about his father. It was not right to keep him in the dark. He deserved to know that his mother was missing, most likely dead. That it was more than likely that she had not abandoned him as he had come to believe.
But Sin could tell him none of that, as again, Cecil would not speak to him. He supposed he could always ask Roth to do it.
That thought had him grimacing. Sin wanted to be the one to tell Cecil such important news. It was a selfish want. One that had more to do with him wanting to be the one to comfort the man.
The thought of Roth comforting Cecil brought on feelings that Sin did not often experience—jealousy. Growing up, while he had yearned for many things, he had never begrudged others for having them. Sin’s rage had been focused on those who had betrayed and used him.
When Cecil walked into the room with Roth’s hand on his shoulder guiding him forward, Sin admittedly felt a tad bit jealous. But the rest of him was elated to see the young man.
From where he was sitting, he had a clear view. Cecil was wringing his hands and appeared uncomfortable. Probably partly due to the fact the arcadian had hid himself away for weeks, the other part was most likely the clothes.
Cecil usually stuck to jeans and loose, long sleeve shirts.But at the moment, he was wearing a white button-down and black slacks. His short white hair was curling around his long, pointed ears that were slightly flushed. Cecil’s glowing teal eyes seemed uncertain and worried.
For a heartbeat, Sin just stared at the beautiful man, but in the next, he was weaving his way through the crowd toward the one person who caused his heart to flutter.
When he broke through, again he stared, but this time, it was intently down into Cecil’s eyes. Nibbling on his bottom lip, Cecil shyly stared back. The music, the people surrounding them, everything faded away. Eyes softening, Sin smiled as he became entranced by the man he cared for, the man he may even love.
Cecil’s lips parted and his eyes glowed brighter. But it was not due to joy, but vulnerability. Very much like an abused animal who hoped that its new owner was better than the last.
Sin did not know what he intended to say when his mouth opened…and he would never find out because Benji took that moment to clear his throat loudly, shattering the wall Sin had created between himself and the rest of the room.
All the noise rushed back, and once again, he was surrounded by people laughing and having a good time.
Turning a frosty gaze Benji’s way, he growled, “Yes?”
Apparently, Benji didn’t notice his mood—or had just ignored it. “I have a present for you both,” the man chimed happily.
Sin looked back at Cecil. Sadly, the man’s eyes were now downcast and he was rubbing his arm.
“And what would that be?” Sin murmured, his gaze never leaving Cecil.
His head jerked back when something green with berries on it was shoved in his face. “What?”
Cecil was looking up now, and appeared to be just as confused as Sin was.
“It’s mistletoe,” Benji announced, like it explained everything.
