As Argus stepped back, his eyes wide with surprise, Hylos's grip on Iras's arm tightened. Iras felt a spark of electricity run through his body at the touch.
"Who are you to touch him like that?" Hylos demanded, his voice low and menacing.
Argus swallowed hard, his eyes darting to Iras and then back to Hylos. "I-I'm Argus, a friend of Iras's from childhood," he stammered.
Hylos's gaze narrowed. "I don't care who you are. Don't touch him again," he warned, his voice dripping with possessiveness.
Iras felt a flutter in his chest at Hylos's words. Despite their complicated past, Hylos still seemed to care about him. He glanced at Argus, who looked shocked and confused.
Rabik, who had been watching the exchange with interest, stepped forward. "Hylos, calm down. Argus didn't mean any harm," he said, his voice soothing.
Hylos's gaze flicked to Rabik, and for a moment, Iras thought he saw a glimmer of recognition. But then Hylos's expression hardened again. "I don't need your interference, Rabik," he said coldly.
Iras felt a pang of concern. He knew Hylos's behavior was unpredictable, but he had never seen him react like this before. He reached out and touched Hylos's arm, trying to calm him down.
"Hylos, it's okay. Argus didn't mean to offend you," Iras said softly.
Hylos's gaze turned to Iras, and for a moment, their eyes locked. Iras felt like he was drowning in the depths of Hylos's golden eyes. Then Hylos looked away, his expression unreadable.
"I'll be fine," Hylos said curtly, pulling his arm away from Iras's touch.
As the tension between Hylos and Argus dissipated, Rabik turned to Argus and smiled. "Hey, it's good to see you again," he said, clapping Argus on the back.
Argus smiled back, his expression relieved. "Yeah, it's been too long," he said, glancing at Iras and Hylos. "What's going on with those two?" he asked Rabik in a low voice.
Rabik shrugged. "I don't know, but it's complicated," he said, his eyes flicking to Ajah, who was watching the scene with interest.
Ajah's eyes met Rabik's, and for a moment, they just stared at each other. Rabik felt a flutter in his chest as Ajah's gaze seemed to bore into his soul.
"Let's get out of here," Ajah said finally, his voice low and husky. "I think we've caused enough of a scene."
Rabik nodded, feeling a surge of excitement. He knew that with Ajah by his side, he could face anything.
As they walked away from the celebration, Iras and Hylos fell behind, their silence between them palpable. Iras glanced at Hylos, wondering what was going through his mind.
Hylos's gaze met his, and for a moment, Iras thought he saw a glimmer of emotion. But then Hylos looked away, his expression unreadable.
"Iras," Hylos said finally, his voice low and rough. "We need to talk."
Iras's heart skipped a beat as he wondered what Hylos wanted to say. "What is it?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Hylos's gaze met his, and for a moment, Iras felt like he was drowning in the depths of his eyes. "Later," Hylos said finally, his voice curt. "Not here."
Iras nodded, feeling a sense of anticipation build inside him. What did Hylos want to talk about? And what would happen when they did?
As Hylos closed the door behind them, Iras felt a sense of anticipation build inside him. He watched as Hylos stepped closer, his golden eyes shining in the dim light of the private chamber.
"Iras, I'm sorry, I' I forgot that I'm still your husband," Hylos said, his voice cold but gentle.
Iras's heart skipped a beat at the words. He had longed to hear Hylos acknowledge their relationship, and now that he had, Iras felt a sense of happiness wash over him.
Hylos's gaze met his, and Iras felt like he was drowning in the depths of his eyes. He couldn't look away, couldn't breathe, couldn't think.
"I know I've been distant, ," Hylos continued, his voice low and husky. "But it's only because I was hurt. You faked your own death, left me behind without a word."
Iras felt a pang of guilt at the words. He knew he had hurt Hylos, and he was willing to do whatever it took to make things right between them.
"I'm sorry, ," Iras said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I did what I thought was necessary at the time."
Hylos's gaze narrowed, his eyes flashing with emotion. "Necessary?" he repeated. "You call leaving me behind necessary?"
Iras took a step forward, his heart pounding in his chest. "I did it, I try to go back hylos," he said, his voice filled with conviction. "But the world keep distance us,. I couldn't bear the thought of anything happening to you that's why I disguste myself to reach you."
Hylos's expression softened slightly at the words, and Iras felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, they could work through their issues and rebuild their relationship.
"Why did you bring me here, Iras?" Hylos asked, his voice low and husky.
Iras's heart skipped a beat at the question. "I brought you here to keep you safe," he said, his voice filled with conviction. "There are those who would seek to harm you, Hylos. I won't let that happen."
Hylos's gaze met his, and Iras felt like he was drowning in the depths of his eyes. "You're still protecting me, even after all this time,after I always hurt you ,"Hylos said, his voice filled with emotion.
Iras nodded, his heart pounding in his chest. "I'll always protect you, Hylos. You're my husband."
Hylos's expression changed at the words, and for a moment, Iras thought he saw a glimmer of something in his eyes. Something that looked almost like... love.
But then Hylos's mask slipped back into place, and he looked away, his expression unreadable. "Let's just focus on keeping me safe for now," he said, his voice cold and detached.
Iras felt a pang of disappointment, but he nodded, knowing that he had to be patient. He would wait for Hylos to come to terms with his feelings, to realize that their love was still alive and burning bright.
As they stood there in silence, Iras knew that he would do whatever it took to keep Hylos safe, to win him back, and to make their marriage work. He would fight for their love, no matter what it took.