16

"I can't stand by when someone is offended. You are my

friend and I care what happens to you. How do you feel?"

"Everything is fine! Don't worry about me… friend"

"But I was so worried! Why did you stay with him after

everything he did to you?"

"It's not all that bad. I'm tired to resist ... And he is so

strong and obsessive, he sings ballads about love."

"You are straight, why do you allow him intimacy? You

must be disgusted!"

"That's not what I was afraid of. This kind of male unity.

Merger they call it..."

"Was it just between you?" - Gedeon was surprised. - "It's

strange that he didn't move on..."

"Move on?"

"I mean physical intercourse."

"There was no such thing. Only deep kisses and hugs. We

fell asleep together."

"Thanks gods!"- Gedeon perked up. - "If you want, I will be

your bodyguide, and no one else will touch you..."

"Uh, yeah? How are you going to protect me?"- Denris was

puzzled.

"Let's live together! In one room to keep an eye on you..."

"To make everyone think we're lovers?"

Gedeon laughed and explained:

"Yes, you have got it correctly! This is how patronage

works."

"Well, it looks like I don't have any options..."

"Then... let's go to my place."

Gedeon happily slapped his friend on the shoulder, and

they slowly made their way to the Queen's tower along

the deserted street.

"How to get a magical weapon like yours?"- Denris asked. - "Its

effect is impressive."

"Honestly, I don't know. Sometimes magic itself chooses

whose body it will climb into. This gift appeared after my

long-term amnesia, which I mentioned to you,

apparently, the magical sphere of the syrinxes wished to

see me as a defender and rewarded me with it. Everyone

is afraid of me and dreams of becoming friends, but I

know vamps well, they are cunning and treacherous

creatures, ready for anything for their goals. Do not trust

anyone! They are deceivers and rapists! You already

understood this. If only you knew everything they do

after the reformation of society. Sometimes I want to

roast each of them thoroughly and make them suffer."

"Do you hate them? But at the same time you are a

syrinx."

"But not a vampire."

"I don't understand," - Denris was perplexed. - "Why are

you immortal and not a vampire?

"I'm too young... and besides, I'm a half-breed and born

from a mortal. I don't really know anything about my

father. I was orphaned early and adopted by King of

Zaria, Lariel, from which I inherited love magic. I was

forcibly dragged here by our Overlord to serve the royal

family, according to the status of Lamori, so I hate their

world of insatiable hedonists and strive to help those

offended by their lawlessness."

"Finally, explain what "Radiance" means?"

"Your inner Essence lives in a higher dimension, only you

don't realize it yet. The mana that your fiery body emits,

the syrinxes are able to see and sense, and there is

nothing sweeter for them. Liorif absorbed it from you

during the fusion, imbuing you with his magic in return."

"Why do they need such meal, they are already immortal

magicians?"

"Bliss and ecstasy from interaction with Radiance - that's

what they lack for complete happiness. It is difficult for

you to understand this, you have lived many lives in

human bodies and remember nothing at all. Your Essence

is somehow special for vampires, until I found out why."

***

"Here is my favorite bedroom, come in," - Gedeon, looking

contented, led his friend into a spacious room with a

large bed, curtained by a dark, thick canopy with fringe.

"Demure royal luxury. I like it. Where will I sleep?"

"Next to me, the bed is quite big. I hope my shaggy wings

will not disturb your restful sleep."

"Uh…well, okay," - Denris drawled. - "There really is enough

room. I thought I'd have separate bed..."

"Don't be afraid, I'll just protect you. I won't bother

hugging in the middle of the night," - Gedeon grinned,

sitting in the middle of the bed, scattering long strands of

his hair across the bed.

"Do you have a girlfriend, do you often spend time with

her?" - Denris asked.

"No, not often! Luanlia has two vampire husbands,

Tarmio is a hefty brawny with pink eyes..."

"What? Pink eyes! On a brutal guy? So funny!" - Denris amused.

"And the elegant handsome Esmionis, blue-eyed with

ashy curls..."

"And how they all get along together, it's interesting..."

"How? I don't know!" - Gedeon burst out laughing. - "But she

didn't want babies from them, only from me, her lover. I

try to appear less there because of Tarmio."

"Is he dangerous?"

"No, but he is annoying and wants to have a close

relationship with me."

"Send him to hell!"

Gedeon gave his friend an adoring look.