Pray for the Wicked | ATEEZ

21.

As we made our way deeper and deeper into Heaven, I realized that the looks of wonder which had been painted in the darkness of the demons' eyes was most likely mirrored in mine as it had been practically weeks since I had had the chance to visit the city as well.

I didn't even try to hide the smile on my face as I took in the endless facades as we passed them, some impossibly tall, some pristinely white and blindingly bright in the light from the sun as it continued its course across the sky, others overgrown with ivy that danced slightly in the occasional breeze which was just as hot against the skin as the air itself.

The heat had become almost unbearable to the point where pulling down the hood on my cloak and shaking out my hair hadn't been enough, feeling the need to tear off the rest of the fabric as well as noon passed and the shade disappeared, bunching it up and clutching it underneath my arm instead.

I felt slightly embarrassed by the way some of the people on the street would occasionally stop as if momentarily stunned only to mumble, "Long reign the empress."

As if the words in themselves were a greeting and not a nightmare shrouded in good wishes; a stark contrast to what Hongjoong's subjects had told him during our night out in Odeion.

"Give our blessings to the empress."

Hongjoong. I came to an abrupt halt as I suddenly remembered the son of Lilith, having forgotten everything about him and his whereabouts as I had gotten lost in the bright scenery, whipping my head around to glance back at the other end of the bridge from my spot right above the water.

But the demon was nowhere to be seen, and I felt a sense of suffocating panic settle within me, bubbling just underneath the surface as it changed from nervousness into something else, something like worry, as I searched face after face-

And then I spotted him, in the midst of a sea of angels, of enemies, slowly making his way across the water as if anything faster than walking would make him crumble, the sunlight catching in the golden helmet atop his head.

I barely had time to breathe a sigh of relief as I instinctively ran for him, running my eyes across his figure as I took his hands in my own, his dark eyes finding mine.

"I thought you were right behind me," I began, frowning a little as hit hot breath hit my face, "Are you okay?"

"A little tired," he admitted, taking another slow breath that made my worry deepen, settling around my heart like sharp talons, slowly into something darker, something heavier, as I watched him in silence, how he tried to brush off his obvious discomfort, having followed me without a single complaint the entire time.

"It's really hot out," he added, and I had to fight the urge to pout as I slowly nodded my head.

"Come," was all I said as I turned back around, keeping my hand in his as I guided him across the bridge, slowly this time, eyes searching the facades of the blindingly white buildings onto they locked onto a small in hidden between some of the bigger structures; nestled halfway between the street and a cozy alleyway somewhat hidden from view.

Hongjoong's protests and claims that he was really fine were cut short as I dragged him with me and barged through the door to the inn, the son of Lilith freezing as all eyes went to us and, for a painful couple of seconds, the conversations inside the room faltered only to continue again a moment later.

"Hello," I chimed, noticing the way the demon, holding my hand a little tighter albeit absentmindedly, let out a shaky breath and followed my eyes as I greeted a chubby old woman who huddled over to us with a wide smile.

"How can I help you?" she piped up, her voice melodious and carrying that edge of storytelling talent that only time is able to bless you with, her eyes crinkling slightly at the edges which seemed to brighten the rest of her features; warm with age rather than cold and dust like the librarian's had been.