How to Make a Sinner Sleep - Chapter 49: Chapter 49

"I've arranged for a visit to a haunted cabin. A trip of two nights, carefully arranged by yours truly, from the dawn of the fifth day, to the seventh."
Niklas' announcement was both flamboyant and dramatic, with his arms spread wide and nose tilted to the sky with confidence. From the time of his announcement to the day of the trip, Kaden felt nausea rolling in his stomach.
Noah's attitude towards him was dismissive, waking early and leaving, as if he weren't a roommate, but a guest. Kaden had simultaneously felt too awkward to go bother the dragon, when his avoidance was obvious.
Throughout the week, Niklas watched their disagreement quietly from the sidelines. Kaden who made excuses to speak to the Professor, and Noah who said nothing and wandered off on his own like a true lone wolf.
At some point, Nicola had approached him worryingly. "Niklas. Has there been a disagreement between the pair?"
Holly, clutching books and with an eager glint in her gossiping eyes, nodded. "Yes! They used to be two peas in a pod, the corn and a cob, a book and its words—"
"Holly." Nicola cleared her throat.
The other woman grinned shamelessly. "Yeah, yeah. Nothing I've said been a lie, and you know it. But it's odd, and really disturbing to see them wander off on their own—and don't you see? Both are alone, Niklas, step it up."
"Excuse me? Since when are they my children that I'm supposed to take care of?"
"They're less children, and like two dogs that you have, no, a dog and a cat that need to become friends in order for a peaceful life, do you know what I mean?"
Niklas brought a finger to stroke his very bare chin, musing. "Oh~ I do, I do. You're absolutely right, I can picture it very vividly."
He grinned, and Holly winked in return, their wavelengths meeting and practically granting them telepathy. She winked again, meaning,
'We'll have to be their little helpers right?'
And Niklas winked back, meaning, 'Naturally, we need to reunite the separated couple—'
A book landed lightly on both their heads with a light tap, and Nicola sighed. "I fear that whatever your diabolic plans lead to will actually only worsen their relationship."
"Nonsense. We're professionals." said the two simultaneously.
"Hm, in romance?" Nicola smiled sweetly, a gentle and kind smile. "With what relationship?"
At toying with people, was the right answer that Niklas and Holly internally agreed upon.
Nicola knew as she smiled and shook her head lightly. She also hoped for Kaden and Noah to end their separation streak—it was unnerving to see, when they'd spent so long glued to each other's side.
A distant memory clouded her warm gaze as she turned her head to the window, where the leaves frayed with orange tints swayed in the light breeze. The seasons were changing, and time ever flowing.
In fact, if Kaden truly wanted to end his friendship with Noah, she would stand by his side with it and not question a single thing.
But she didn't think that was the case.
Down the hallway, a tall and slender man strode closer to the group, his black vest neatly over the ironed collar of his shirt, gold-spun locks pushed to one side, and his solemn blue eyes intelligent.
"Nicola." He called out, and his lips tilted into a soft smile. A real one, promised to only her and another whose portrait he kept folded securely in his pocket.
The Prince stopped, nodding to Holly and Niklas calmly. "Hello."
"Your second most beautiful highness," remarked Niklas dryly, a sharpness sliced in his voice. "This should be our first meeting."
"I believe it is."
"I work at your palace, actually. One of the dashing carriage drivers—I drove your brother, my bestest friend, might I add."
Reed's jaw tensed, a faint tick of irritation running along it. "Is that so? I'm afraid I've been busy recently and haven't the opportunity to visit the recent hires, I apologize. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Pleasures all~ mine."
Niklas was unamused by the Crown Prince's polite demure, an evident facade to hide his cruelty. And really, many Kings or Queens before him were plenty cruel, harsh rulers that likely committed unspeakable deeds under a sweet smile.
But there was an extent where a person went too far.
Niklas wasn't one to reveal his dislike for a person, that was giving away valuable information, but he didn't intend to amuse a prince that abused Kaden. In the end, no matter the inner workings of Reed's mind, Niklas couldn't forgive him.
His fingers curled inwards. Between the two of them, there was a debt that had to be repaid. However, he'd yet to determine which of them would have to pay it.
"Niklas." whispered Nicola in a warning tone, reminding him of his attitude.
He shoved his hands in his pocket, a lazy grin curling at the edges of his lips, mischief glinting in the warm, cheery gaze.
"Now, now. As the student president, and the future ruler of the Kingdom, I'm sure you don't mean to use your status to break the Academy's rule of equality? If you wish for me to treat you like a prince, you need only tell me."
Reed's smile twitched. "Of course not. And any friend of Kaden's is a friend of mine too."
"I'm sure you mean that."
"...I've been informed that you intend to go on a trip during the weekend? Do take care, I've heard of many incidents involving Academy students recently."
Nicola stepped forth, looping her arm delicately around Reed's own, shuffling her books into her other hand. She smile gently, the sort of blooming care that made one melt under the softness of it, unable to resist calming with her presence.
"Reed. I'll be attending their retreat as well, don't scare me."
His voice lowered. "Are you? Nevertheless, be careful. You know as well as I that wandering on our own isn't safe."
This time, his warning was less of a threat and more of a worried reminder.
Niklas rolled his head to the side, regarding them curiously. He wondered if even that farce, the relationship between Nicola and Reed, were made of lies as well. They were walking a pathway pieced together by fallacy, crumbling behind with every step.
Nicola held Reed's arm carefully, with care only an actress could fake. When she lifted her gaze and caught Niklas' quiet stare, she slipped her arm away and smiled.
"Sorry, sorry, prince. Please don't feel too left out, I'd have invited you, but I'd hate for your pretty face to become scarred. It's dangerous, after all." laughed Niklas cheerfully, spinning with his hands still in his pockets, raising one to wave goodbye.
"I'll see you on the fifth day, Holly. Nicola."
The morning of the fifth day came quietly, clouds shading the sun from revealing its proper brilliance. The birds chortled sweetly, echoing messages to each other than humans couldn't decipher.
Kaden felt the conflicting urges to either escape back into the warmth of his blankets—or the lack of warmth, since his past few nights had been sleepless—or to pretend nothing was wrong and enjoy the triviality of a trip with friends.
The blankets called him, and had they been a little warmer as they'd grown to be, he would've been more tempted.
But a necessary warmth had long turned his nose, the dragon residing in his own bed, slipping in and out without a word. Kaden had felt too embarrassed to realize that his nightmares returned shortly after.
When Kaden threw himself into the carriage, slumping back as he rested his eyes, Niklas frowned. "While you're always handsome, my dear friend, I don't think the dark eyes suit you all that much."
"Thanks for your input." said Kaden wryly, wincing at the sun. He tugged the curtains down, and Niklas threw them back open.
"I don't think you need to worry about tanning, Kaden."
"The sun burns my eyes."
"I think you should learn to get used to it—you know, seeing sunlight more often? Have you just been going straight from classes to the dorms, without even stepping outside for a walk?"
"I went outside. From the class to the dorms."
"It's connected by a little passage, which yes, technically is outside, but hey! You know what I mean." Niklas examined the paleness of Kaden's skin, and the dragging darkness under his closed eyes. "Hey, maybe you can join us tomorrow instead—"
"No!" snapped Kaden before blinking in surprise, and smoothening his nerves.
The lack of sleep made him feel at edge, walking by a long and curving crevice. A single misstep, and his breath would jump out of his chest and he'd be plummeting down—
"Kaden?"
The man swallowed, taking a deep breath before smiling. "I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be? You worry too much, Niklas."
"You're as fine as you are honest." muttered Niklas and shaking his head. "Whatever you say. It's a haunted house, remember? Find yourself lost, and you may never find yourself again."
Kaden frowned, his mind too foggy to process the words properly. "And what's that supposed to mean?"
"If you're unable to understand that, there's clearly a problem."
"I'm fine."
"And I'm waiting for you to eat those words." Niklas waved, leaning against the window as a blur of towering, moss covered trees enveloped their surroundings.
He'd chosen to rent a carriage merely because Niklas concluded he felt too lazy to lead one, even if it was technically his job—but he claimed it didn't matter since he'd be paying for it with his own money.
The rest of the ride was quiet, and Kaden managed to slip into some semblance of dreaming although keenly aware of every roll of the wheels, every turn in the path.
When they arrived, he stepped a foot out and missed, stumbling over air.
Niklas' eyes widened and he grabbed the side of the carriage door, the other wrapping around Kaden's waist. His first thought was of the disparity of the larger jacket, hanging loosely over the man's shoulders and perfectly hiding his narrow waist.
His thoughts sunk momentarily. Kaden certainly exercised a lot, always practicing and studying even when he didn't realize his own habit marked to his bone.
But Kaden rarely ate.
And it wasn't that he didn't enjoy it—on the contrary, he seemed the sort to relish in everything he ate, with the exception of few foods. But it was that he didn't seem to be used to eating regularly.
Although Noah had made it a habit to load a little extra food onto the man's plates, stuffing snacks pulled out of the air into Kaden's arms.
Well, that was settled. Niklas caught Holly's eye as she left the cabin to greet them, surprised at the sight. Observant as she was, she immediately noticed the issue with Kaden, similar to the incident in the past when he hadn't slept.
The two made eye contact and shared a similar thought.
'We'll leave him to Noah.'
After all, even troublemakers like themselves would be unable to resist the terrifying scolding of the dragon's stern voice.
"Careful, Kaden. Don't go breaking something."
Kaden pulled himself away, tensed as he nodded in gratitude.
"I won't. Thank you."
"What are friends for?" grinned Niklas, though his gaze remained worried.
Holly waved in a sweeping arc, hand outstretched. "Hello! Welcome to our humble, very haunted abode! I've yet to see any ghosts, and am somewhat disappointed, but I'm sure with your presence we'll see some!"
Kaden regarded her. "With my presence?"
"The air of somebody that attracts misfortune and haunted things, you know?"
"Holly." sighed Nicola as the doorway, her long hair braided over her shoulder, a beige apron hanging around her slim shoulders. "He'll run away before even entering the building."
"It's a compliment, really." insisted Holly, a twinkle of mischief ever present in her bright forest green stare. She'd pulled her curly locks of gold back into a high ponytail, giving her a youthful and energetic air.
Kaden smiled, greeting Nicola. "What's the apron for? Are you cooking?"
"While we were waiting, I explored the surrounding area and found some herbs that I've been researching in class. I wanted to taste and mix them to find different combinations." explained the woman softly, and he saw the green stains on her fingers.
"Found anything life-changing?"
"Not life changing, but there are some flavour combinations that would fit perfectly over a slice of baked bread, and a slather of melted butter."
Kaden imagined it, and felt his mind drool at the imagination. "Sounds delicious."
"I'll bring it back, and we can try it sometime at the Academy."
"I'd like that."
Niklas popped his head beside Kaden, turning his head up and sniffing the air like a hound. "Oh, I can smell it. You certainly couldn't be talking about food without thinking of offering any to me, right?"
"Do you deserve it?" wondered Kaden, quirking a brow.
Niklas grinned. "Naturally. There'll come a day when you learn to appreciate my brilliance, Kaden. You'll know me as your life-saver, the all wonderful and all-knowing—"
"Yeah, yeah." Kaden laughed with a flicker of amusement. "I'm sure."
"You know what I always say. I—"
"—would never lie to me." finished the pink-haired man with a smile.
"Of course. I mean it, absolutely. Anyway, the purpose for today is to explore and relax, and then when night falls, it's ghost haunting!"
Holly's ears perked with great interest. She whipped out a notebook and a pencil, peeking into the forest. "You were serious, then? There really are ghosts?"
"That's what the rumours say, but maybe they'll hide away at being watched with such eager, predator eyes."
"If they hide away, it'll be that your liveliness scared them." said Kaden.
"Ah! A compliment from you—perhaps you've used up our miracles for the day."
"...enough. Let's go inside first."
"Wait, say it again. Compliment me more."
"Are you that desperate to be praised? Should I call you a good boy?"
Niklas' face dropped immediately and he wrapped his arms around his body protectively. "Now, Kaden, don't tell me you've been after my body all this time."
"Sit, boy. And stay. Forever, ideally." said the other in response, disgusted.
Kaden ignored Niklas' theatric acts and passed Nicola to enter the cabin, a small shack that was worn at its wooden walls, thick logs stacked by hand, overgrown with vines and moss that slithered in its cracks.
Despite the age of the cabin, it was large and sturdy. Perhaps once, it was a house built with immeasurable love, inhabiting a small family.
Or perhaps it belonged to a sole man or woman, living in the peaceful solitude of the wind, the stars and everything that lived but couldn't speak. Kaden wondered, stepping over the small bump at the entrance, what sort of person lived.
When he pried off his shoes, slipping onto carpeted floors that had been carefully placed and cleaned, he felt somebody looking at him.
He tilted his head to the old wooden staircase in front of the entrance, but there was nobody there. Not a ghost or a breeze. Kaden felt goosebumps along his arms, shook his head and turned to enter through the archway leading to either a kitchen or lounge.
There, leaning against the frame of a door with a book in hand—always in hand—the dragon observed with quietly with the vortex of his charcoal eyes.
His silver-rimmed glasses perched at his tall nose, eyes narrowed from sleepiness, languid and lazy. "You're here."
Kaden swallowed and nodded. "I'm here."
"Not avoiding me?"
"I think it's been you, dear Bellamy, who has been running away."
Noah cocked his head slightly, as if asking an unspoken question. He pushed himself off the wall, each step closer quiet, yet Kaden felt as if the floor trembled with Noah's movements.
He stopped, head angled, right before Kaden.
The dragon's eyelashes cast shadows along his sharp cheekbones, and while looking at a person up close made one notice every little imperfection—because even dragons weren't immune to flaws in beauty and self—Kaden thought absentmindedly,
'The whispers about his beauty can't compare to observing him up close.'
And in a hushed mutter, harsh and irritable and yet at the same time gentle and frustrated, Noah spoke.
"It's you Kaden, that has always been running away."