Chapter 164: Aziren Can’t Control His Powers Which May Hurt Elyn...
Chapter 164: Aziren Can’t Control His Powers Which May Hurt Elyn...
Elyn’s POV
I walked with my hand tucked firmly in Aziren’s, his fingers warm—no, hot—against mine, like holding onto a very polite, very small forge that hadn’t yet learned it was not supposed to be touching humans.
The heat was too much, so I released his arm. He didn’t mind, though. He just hummed happily, like he had already decided that today was going to be a good day and nothing was allowed to argue with him about it.
Ignivar straightened then, shoes scraping softly against the floor as he rose to his full height. He hesitated for a moment, clearly fighting with himself, before finally speaking.
"Your Highness," he said carefully, "are you... truly alright with this?"
I glanced back at him.
"With walking?" I asked. "Yes. I mastered that years ago. It was a very proud moment for everyone involved."
That earned me absolutely nothing in response except a deep, worried frown.
"I don’t mean that," he said. "I don’t wish to pressure you. You don’t need to take care of my son for me. I can keep Aziren with me. Truly."
He gestured vaguely, as if prepared to scoop Aziren up and barricade himself somewhere safe and flammable-proof.
"I appreciate the concern," I said honestly. "But it’s fine. You and Naviel have work to do after all. That’s why you came to the palace in the first place before you were roped into lying to me by Zorathys," I said with a smile that showed my teeth. "You should do that."
Ignivar swallowed nervously at that. Aziren just looked at me with awe in his eyes.
"I like her," he announced proudly.
Of course you do, I thought. I was new. Children loved new things. Especially new things that had not yet scolded them.
I turned my head toward the far end of the hall.
Naviel was still there.
Very still.
Very far.
Like a demon who had personally offended heat in a past life and was now determined to avoid it forever.
"Naviel," I called. "Why are you all the way over there?"
He adjusted his glasses with a precise motion. "I hate heat."
I blinked.
"That’s it?" I asked.
"Yes."
I stared at him for a moment, then gestured vaguely at Ignivar. "You work with him."
Ignivar’s hair even burned brighter than Aziren’s. There was always heat whenever one was next to Aziren.
Naviel adjusted his glasses again. "Ignivar is an adult," he said calmly. "He can control himself."
Ignivar just rolled his eyes at that.
"Aziren," Naviel continued, "cannot."
I frowned.
"It’s better if I remain at a safe distance," he added. "For everyone’s sake... trust me."
I hummed softly, nodding as the pieces slid into place.
Ah.
That reminded me of Morthen.
Specifically, of Morthen in my office while explaining how young demons tended to struggle with power control. His lecture had been focused mainly on succubi, but I suspected that maybe that extended to all demon children and not just the succubi and incubi.
I glanced down at Aziren, who had his mouth in his hand again. His other hand curled like he wanted to hold something.
Ignivar cleared his throat.
"Your Highness," he said again, more firmly this time, "please don’t consider Naviel’s discomfort... he’s mighty irrelevant."
"More relevant than you," Naviel said from where he was.
Ignivar rolled his eyes, but he was undeterred. "I’m more concerned about you, Your Highness."
"Aziren cannot yet control his power," he continued. "He may burn you. And I don’t even mean a first-degree burn."
Aziren removed his hands from his mouth immediately.
He looked up at his father, ears twitching anxiously.
"I’m a good boy," he said quickly. "I won’t hurt her. I promise. I like her."
My heart did a very inconvenient little squeeze.
Ignivar’s expression softened, but he shook his head. "I know, Aziren. I know you mean it. But you don’t have to want to hurt someone to do it by accident."
He looked back at me.
"He could promise and still harm you later," he said quietly. "Even him being around you is a risk. He burns carpets just by walking."
I glanced down at Aziren, considering what he had just said for a moment, and then looked back at Ignivar.
"Is there something you can give me then?" I asked. "Something to help with the burns?"
Ignivar froze.
"...Give you?" he echoed.
"Yes," I said reasonably. "An amulet. A charm. Fireproof gloves. A potion. A very aggressive moisturizer. I’m not picky. Just something to help me. I’ll even take food too."
He hesitated, then slowly shook his head.
"I... have nothing," he admitted. "Aziren’s fire does not affect me nor his mother, and he hardly ever leaves the castle. We never needed to acquire protection."
Of course you didn’t, I thought. You’re literally built for this. Must be nice, walking around without worrying your children might spontaneously ignite someone because you guys are built for it.
"Is there any way I can get something?" I asked.
Naviel spoke up immediately. "The tailors."
I turned toward him.
"They’ll be able to help," he continued. "You can summon Versha. She would know which ones specialize in protective enchantments."
I nodded. "Right. Of course."
Tailors.
"I’ll do that," I said decisively.
Ignivar still looked torn, his gaze flicking between me and his son.
Aziren tugged gently on my clothes. "Are we going now?"
"Yes," I said. "It seems our time isn’t up yet."
He smiled.
I beckoned slightly with my free hand. "Come on."
Ignivar hesitated one last time. "Your Highness—"
I looked back at him.
"I’ll be careful," I said. "And I’ll get protection."
He exhaled slowly, like someone surrendering to a battle he had already lost.
"...Very well," he said.
Naviel adjusted his glasses again. "I approve of this solution."
I raised an eyebrow. "Thrilling, seeing as you were not even interested in the first place."
Naviel shrugged as Ignivar chuckled at that.
Aziren bounced once, clearly deciding that the adults had finished being boring.
"Can we go now?" he asked excitedly.