Celestial Monsters (The Sunbearer Duology #2)

by Aiden Thomas

“And the closer we get to Los Restos, too,” Teo guessed with a groan. “I’m gonna grab him—” “If we avoid the more densely populated areas, we’ll have fewer obstacles and be able to move faster,” Aurelio confirmed, but he didn’t sound happy about it. Obviously Aurelio wasn’t keen on the idea of avoiding people who needed help. “And I’m gonna shake him—” Niya continued, pantomiming in the background.

head for Los Restos,” Aurelio said, looking to Teo for confirmation. “Until his stupid little head pops off—”

“Dammit, Teo!” Niya barked. “Don’t try to make friends with evil roosters!” “I wasn’t, it was monologuing!”

The worst thing to do to a Son of Amor was to lock him in a room alone where he didn’t know where his friends were or what was happening. And the second worst thing to do was to make the boy who loved him watch.

“AYO, I FOUND A SWEET SPOT OVER HERE!” Niya’s voice ripped through the air, startling several things in the nearby underbrush. Teo heard a particularly unhappy spotted owl let out a screeching AAAH!

Niya grabbed him again. “They mangled you!”

Aurelio rolled his eyes, but even in the dark Teo caught the red blooming in his cheeks. “Eventually you won’t just be able to charm me into every situation,” he muttered. “It’ll wear off.” He straightened his posture and started down the dock. “Wait a second!” Teo chased after him. “What’s that about me being charming?!”

Teo placed a hand over his heart in faux surprise. “Noooo, that can’t be! Little Miss Instagrafia Influencer? Her three-inch acrylics just scream, I love hiking!”

“You hear a baby crying and your first instinct is to pull out a sword?” “IT’S ALL I HAVE, TEO. WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME?”

Suddenly, Teo jumped. “Wait! Isn’t water bad? Should you not even take a shower?!” Aurelio glanced up at Teo with an amused grin. Teo frowned back. “Will it make you worse?!” When Aurelio snorted a small laugh, Teo threw his hands up. “Fine then, die! See if I care!”

Aurelio stood up, his clothes tucked under one arm. When he passed by Teo, Aurelio lightly touched the small of his back. “I appreciate your concern,” he murmured in a low, smoky voice before disappearing into the bathroom.

Aurelio was joined by a toddler who just stood there, staring up at him with wide eyes. Whenever Aurelio awkwardly glanced in his direction, the little boy burst into gleeful laughter.

The question was so abrupt, Teo jolted to a stop. “Uh … I was going to kiss you.” Damn, was his game that bad?

To be honest, Aurelio could’ve drooled on him, stepped on his foot, or even sneezed directly into his mouth and it wouldn’t have mattered because he was kissing Aurelio for the first time after dreaming about it for so painfully long.

Niya bobbed her head. “Yeah, Stela was like that, too.” She said it so casually it took a second for Teo to register. “Wait—what?!”

Niya rolled her eyes, grabbing Auristela’s hand and threading their fingers. “Oh, shut up. You’re so annoying.” Auristela scowled up at her, but left her hand where it was.