Chapter 5: A Burden
1098 Words
Chapter 5: Desmond's POV
*Present day*
*Bang* Snapped out of my memories by Dante slamming his fists into the dresser top; I focused back on him again. Observing my brother, his honey golden blonde hair was messy as he had not bothered to do anything other than brush it since I had been sitting with him. Although he put minimal effort into his appearance, Dante was one of the most fashionable of us because, even as a bedhead, Dante had looks that could kill others. He is wearing a special forest-green tuxedo, a white button-up shirt tucked underneath. Dante was more well-put together most days. His usual daily attire was tuxedos, ties, designer shoes, and trendy hairstyles.
Today, Dante has adorned his body with jewelry as usual, from six small earrings of various colors in each ear, the most important seventh earring being his top cartilage on both sides, which held a unique gemstone I had never seen before. Still, it looked black indoors, and they would shine white gold when we went outside. He had the chiseled face of a true god, just as I did; his lips were plump like his female counterpart with a good Botox surgeon and an intense yet dainty nose. Dante's eyes were unique most of all. He had one sapphire gray eye looking almost translucent, like a blind eye, and one jade green eye. You could see the golden yellow cracking through the green like an earthquake splitting open the earth's surface. His eyes made me think of strength and compassion. I know he would make a fantastic king next to me.
I wanted a pair of those earrings since he showed them to me. They are my favorite pair of earrings; he will never tell me where he got them. He said I would have to wait, and although I wouldn't say I like waiting, I know my brother will never break his word. I will get a pair of the same earrings I love. I do not nag him for them because Dante would never break a promise. There was just one thing I always worried about: this little secret regarding my brother's choice of physique. It was his physique that he took no measures to make sure he at least was more on status with what a Menyaka-born child should look like, and I wish he would at least consider it less evident that he has a secret. "Brother, do you think they will notice you have barely grown into a Menyaka Alpha when looking at you today?" I teased, eyeing him from head to foot and chuckling to myself.
Dante ran a hand through his hair and turned to look at me. "Do you think I should tell them the truth?" he asked, shrugging his shoulders as he began to put on his ceremonial gown and took a few swift glances in the mirror to ensure he was at least acceptably dressed according to what was expected of us. I could tell he was already bored at the thought of giving up. "What do you mean, brother? I thought you wanted to prove a point." I fired back. Why go through a year of hiding your secret if you will not follow through with it? I glared at Dante as he attached his embellishments and pins to his uniform, knowing I was encouraging him not to give up. He sighed. "You're right; it would not be any fun if I threw in the towel just because no one wants to acknowledge me here," he said with a fake grievance, but I knew my brother too well. He was not grief-stricken; he was enjoying this and would not throw in the towel over minor bullying. I may externally be the strongest in our pack, but if everyone knew what I knew, they would know that Dante is equally as strong in mental stability and mental strength. We have been practicing my powers on him, trying to fight off my psychological attacks, and it has incredibly made him stronger against psychics.
Dante reached for his ceremonial gown, satisfied with his appearance, and slid on the gown around his formal attire, completing his appearance. I gave him a thumbs-up of approval as I looked him over again. He has grown into a fine man despite the past year hardening my brother's carefree and go-lucky attitude. Dante's personality is as bright as the sun; he smiles even on bad days, and his laugh is far more contagious than a baby's. Finally done getting ready for the breakfast ceremony, Dante turned to me with a grin and exclaimed, "I hope you are ready, as today is the most important day which will determine our lives forever, dear brother!" Dante skipped over to me, wrapped his muscular arms around my neck, and embraced me. Dante's scent hit me like a landslide crashing over my senses. He smelled like coconut musk, sandalwood, and cedar mixed in a heavenly brew. His scent washed over me as I wrapped my arms around my brother's slim muscular waist and returned his firm embrace. "I am ready, but promise me you will be very careful during the breakfast ceremony. If you need me, link your mind with mine as we practice. Please, Dante, be careful. I do not want to lose you." my body became frigid as I warned my brother again about the dangers coming for him. Dante pulled back without breaking our embrace, looking me in the eyes as he spoke, "Oh, Des, I am not going anywhere. I told you we will change our destiny. We have to make sure the two spells I have in place for today's ritual work, and then we will not have to worry about being separated or harm coming to our kingdom." Dante's voice soothed my worries, and I remember he said that we would be placing a barrier around the kingdom today. As we untangled from our embrace, Dante pranced over to his dresser and grabbed items, then turned to me and handed me two items. One is a dagger in its sheath, and the other is a chalice with magical properties once you put something in it. He turned around once more and grabbed two more things before facing me with a smile almost as unsettling as the nightmare I had last night. Fear settled into the pit of my stomach as I tried to reassure myself that everything would go just as planned and I would not be losing my twin despite what my fears said.
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