Mated by Twilight (True Match)

Chapter 23

Tillos

“Die, loyalist scum!” Tillos roared, slashing his sword across Sollit’s chest.

His brother and mortal enemy let out a roar of agony, his body dropping back, as blood burst from the ‘wound’ Tillos inflicted upon him. The cut through the costume was a trick of Shorvi’s involving a clothing seal and the tip of the sword. The blood, however, was a light prop. A hologram projected onto the stage. Hologram props were extremely versatile and helpful for stage craft – and they moved with Sollit, spilling dramatically on the ‘ground’ and ‘staining’ his clothing as Sollit fell back, grasping for his wound.

Overhead, Leah lay in her bed. Motionless and beautiful.

Shorvi had made some alterations to her dress. It glowed under the bright lights in a way it didn’t in the dressing room, making her something of a guiding star in their story. But he had also added a delicate piece of lace, extending from the off shoulder sleeves, up and around her neck. Concealing her chest but keeping her absolutely stunning.

He was rude and unpleasant, but he was thoughtful in his way.

Leah was doing great. Not peeking. Not moving at all. And that was really the hardest part of the role. The actress playing the queen absolutely couldn’t move. It maintained the question of whether she was dead or just cursed. Some plays didn’t even have a live actress playing her. They kept her as a dummy or a prop and either removed the arm drop or had the one who stabbed her nudge her enough that it happened by way of gravity.

Tillos and Sollit were the ones that had to remind themselves not to peek at her.

She was just so beautiful and wonderful. She played the sleeping queen so effectively, Tillos found himself questioning if she was even breathing at all. When there was a scene that neither himself nor Sollit were part of, they met understage and agreed that there was no one who had ever played the sleeping queen quite so perfectly before.

She was a natural. Made for the stage. Tillos couldn’t wait for her to be brave enough to actually sing for their audience. They would adore her. And she would shine.

And once he and Sollit were done feeding her?

There would never be a more beautiful person. He couldn’t wait to see how she looked when she was properly tended.

But that was something to look forward to later. It was just so immediately on his mind because he had recently seen his mother. Truly, his fathers did an excellent job of tending to her. She looked even more beautiful than the last time they commed.

Maybe they should have taken more notes when their fathers were giving them advice. Never too late, of course.

But for now, he had to focus on slaughtering his brother and gloating over him – after he finished reciting his death monologue, of course.

Which he did with much aplomb and grandiosity. Sollit never failed to give one hundred percent of himself into a performance. Sometimes, he had to be told to dial it back a bit. But no one could ever accuse him of not bringing the proper emotion into a scene.

The tragedy of his death.

And the horror of his return as a ghost haunting Tillos throughout the rest of the play. Right until he met his own tragic end after killing Leah.

The play ended with many tears and a lot of applause. Tillos and Sollit waited eagerly understage for Leah – the final character presented for applause – to come down.

When she appeared, gown floating around her, beautifully waved hair glittering, her face was flush with excitement, her smile wide and excited, it was like being struck by a plasma bolt in the chest. Stunning, burning, overwhelming. She threw herself at both of them, one arm around each of their necks, laughing with joy and delight.

“That was so much fun! ” She yelled as they squeezed her back.

“Wait until you actually have lines!” Corvidair yelled from clear across the room.

“How did you even hear her?” Tillos yelled back as Sollit laughed.

The large male just snorted, turning to get back to his duties. It was indeed a silly question. Like the director and owner would miss a chance like that to encourage his newest talent to be more comfortable on stage.

Sollit continued to heap praise upon their female as Tillos turned, guiding their mate and his brother towards their dressing room. It was time to get ready for the fan meeting out in the front entrance hall. The queen was always admired during these moments, so they had to make sure that their female was perfect – though, of course, she already was. More perfect, then.

And this time was no different. The doors opened and the cast walked, in full costume, into the packed entry hall. There was an immediate roar of approval and excitement. Leah walked at the front, Sollit and Tillos flanking her, only a step behind. Ready to help her run or hide or whatever else she might need.

They’d warned her of this part. That the queen, though she did almost nothing during the play itself, was going to be very popular afterwards. The fact that she was always there, that she was the most beautiful person in the play, and that, for this time at least, she was being played by a completely new, human, actress, would automatically make her popular. She said that she might panic and run away once she was met with the crowd. They were prepared to cover for her, to play it off as a mysterious, brief appearance meant to whet the appetite.

But the opposite happened.

Leah brightened. Beaming, she walked towards the railing of the highest, third floor balcony – the one that only staff could access, and she began waving at the crowd. Tillos and Sollit both put their arms around her, down low, claiming one ass cheek each, their arms crossing in the process. No one below would be able to see it, thanks to her dress, but the claim was instinctive. Leah jumped, her face getting brighter, but she didn’t try to move them.

It was nice to hold onto her like that – Tillos squeezed the plump flesh as Sollit patted his half – before they turned, taking her towards the steps. They only removed their hands right before they started their way down the last set of stairs and were almost amongst the fans. Of course, they weren’t going to leave her alone to deal with the crowd, but they didn’t need them tittering over the fact that they couldn’t keep their hands off her.

That would come later. They’d rather she alone be the focus of attention this time. It was her debut as an actress. She deserved all the accolades and excitement without anything to distract from her.

And she received it immediately. Fans were met in order of who bought the best seats. So, those who paid more got greeted immediately. They could only see everyone for a few moments before moving on as this wasn’t a true meet and greet though.

Leah did really well. She smiled at everyone. She spoke to them like they were friends and wasn’t even overwhelmed by their exuberance.

She looked like she loved it. She looked like she was having a great time. Tillos and Sollit shared a smile behind her back as she moved through the crowd. Flanking her like bodyguards. Not letting anyone crowd her or get in too close while still doing their job as actors to greet their own fans and accept their appreciation.

The extra diligence meant Tillos spotted Biella before she reached them.

The feelings he had seeing that female were so specific to her, Sollit knew exactly what was happening the same moment he did and turned his head. Frowning as he followed Tillos’ gaze. It didn’t take long to find the glistening pink scales of their biggest fan. She was bouncing eagerly in place, looking around those in front of her, already locked on the two of them.

Tillos looked away quickly, careful not to catch her eye. The moment he did, she would take that as permission to push her way through and approach.

Sollit did the same. They leaned in towards each other behind Leah’s back, using her as a cover.

Tillos leaned his head towards Leah. “She doesn’t like it.”

“Stay back?”

“Can we?”

“Er…” Sollit frowned. “Excuse?”

“Like she’d listen.”

“You got better?”

Tillos hummed thoughtfully. “Claim her?”

“No way. We’re not stealing.”

“Ugh, you’re right... Oh. I got it.”

“Tell.”

“Together.”

“You think?”

“Follow along.”

“What are you two whispering about?”

They both straightened, smiling at Leah as her gaze darted between them.

“Just making plans,” Sollit told her, looping her arm through his.

Tillos did the same on the other side. Her head whipped back and forth, confused but not unwilling, as Sollit let out a loud call, right as Biella stepped in front of them-

“Excuse me, everyone!”

“We have an announcement!” Tillos continued.

Tillos lifted Leah’s hand. On the other side, following along so closely, only those watching carefully would notice he wasn’t acting in time with him, Sollit did the same.

“It is our pride to present to you,” Tillos called over the staring crowd, “the newest member of the Twilight Troupe!”

“A beauty as dazzling as the stars,” Sollit continued, easily picking up on his intentions. “Come to us from a far world to grace us with her loveliness and talent.”

“With a voice like a choir of farasie!”

“And the beauty of an akilii female at her prime!”

“The fantastic-”

“-darling-”

“-incomparable star of the Twilight Troupe!”

“Leah!” They finished together, bringing all the attention onto their pretty female – who was once again bright red, but smiling as everyone cheered for her.

And Biella, who was trying to approach, had no choice but to be swallowed by the crowd as everyone focused on Leah. As her presenters, Tillos and Sollit stayed right by her side, escorting her through the audience on the pretense of showing her off, but in reality, just getting her away from Biella.

Their female hadn’t liked how close Biella was to them – even when they tried to maintain boundaries with her. So, therefore, Biella wouldn’t be allowed to be so close to them again. At least, not if they could avoid it.

Which they definitely could do now. This wasn’t a formal meet and greet. There was no reason to see everyone here. A fact they took advantage of as they walked Leah around, showing her off to everyone like the absolute gem she was. Giving everyone a chance to admire her before taking her back to the stairs and up.

And most importantly, as they left, Leah was beaming brightly. Happy. Excited about everything that had just happened.

Like she had been born for this life.