Page 9 of Serpent In White

All I can think is that the last time he went alone into his lounge was days ago.

Solitude.

“So, you wanna grab something to eat? Or maybe take a walk, or…” Kinsey rambles as we leave the temple, but I cut her off.

“I can’t. Sorry, Kins, but I should really practice for tonight.” I pat her on the shoulder, as platonically as I can.

“Oh… right. Sure!” She smiles wistfully, and I really hate how that look is making me feel. “Well, I’ll see you tonight, then. Can’t wait!”

“Yea. See you then,” I mumble and stagger off, back toward my trailer.

I need to get my head on straight. I have work for a couple of hours before reflection tonight, and I should try to stay sharp. But even though I know these things, it doesn’t stop me from floating around the rest of the day in my thoughts.

I go to work. Cleaning duty. And as I’m polishing the floors in the study, I find myself sneaking closer and closer to the forbidden door of Darian’s lounge.

Really, it’s just a room. We clean in there, so we know what’s inside. It’s nothing crazy. It’s set up like a spare bedroom. And yet I’m still restless to step inside.

I know I shouldn’t, but I’m like a curious kitten right now, pattering up to the door and twisting the handle. It’s unlocked.

Checking over my shoulder, the coast is clear. It’s quiet in the house, or at least on the first floor it is. Everyone’s bedrooms are upstairs. This is the only room with a bed in it that’s down here, which seems interesting to me. And as I slink inside, I’m even more intrigued at the fact that I think this bed is the same size as Darian’s regular bed. It’s huge, and it has those large canopy things surrounding it, tied back like drawn curtains.

Poking around, as silently as possible, I tug on a few drawers, which are locked. I observe a large painting on the wall. I’m sure I’ve seen it before, but I’ve never noticed how…eroticit is.

It’s a man’s body, naked, lying contorted into a rather compromising position. I swallow over my dry throat and turn away, looking out the window. The view of the lake from right here is breathtaking.

And then I notice something.

Hmm…

From where this window is located, one could theoretically look in from outside and see what’s happening in here…

“Abdiel?” Gina’s voice calls from the hall, and I flinch.

“Coming!”

Hustling out of the room, softly closing the door, I scamper back toward her, putting the position of the window to Head Priest’s lounge out of my head as best I can.

For now.

The fire crackles, an easy sound trickling into the quiet that stretches right before we start.

A breath in, hold one second, and then Jordan’s first chord strikes. The crowd of my family is silent, bopping to the music, listening closely and watching us with wide, attentive eyes.

I come in for the first verse, working my namesake.

We don’t believe in last names in The Principality, but elders will usually give you a nickname as your surname, depending on what they decide makes you special; unique.

My name is Abdiel Harmony. And this is why.

Jordan strums me into the chorus ofComedownby Bush, and I see a few people singing along. We may not have much technology access, but the one thing we openly admit to cherishing from the outside world is music. Head Priest feels it’s important to many aspects of life, and I would have to agree since, you know…Harmony.

I peek over at Jordan, and he grins back, singing backup to my second bridge. I love jamming with Jordan. Even more so, I love doing it by a fireside, surrounded by my family. It’s such a chill vibe.

This here is Principality life at its finest. A cup of beer, a joint, and a good acoustic performance by the fire. This is what it’s all about.

Tapping on my leg through the rhythm, I look up and almost fall backward.

He’s here.