Walking down the beautifully decorated hallway, guards and maidens bowed at the sight of the royal couple. Laura and Blake followed in their shadows as Elias pushed Rowan forward. They constantly smiled, touched hands, or acted a little intimate. One could tell the blooming period was on.
Deep down, Elias felt like a caged animal. His face carried smiles, but his heart drew out daggers, ready to stab the man before him.
"Smile more," Rowan murmured, squeezing his hand tighter. Elias chewed his gums, his hands tightening on the wheel.
"Don't push it, Rowan. We all know one push is all it would take to unmask your true nature," he snapped, still wearing a fine smile.
"You wouldn't dare," Rowan hissed, but Elias was not one to bluff. He had the courage and the will; all he needed was a motive.
"Dare me, and the miracle of the crippled prince suddenly walking would be the next big news."
Rowan looked up at the man behind him. Their eyes met. Though their lips wore smiles, their eyes burned with rage.
Meanwhile, in the Queen's private courtyard, Queen Melissa sat with her son, Prince Theron. They spoke in hushed tones, with their eyes and ears on alert.
"I thought you said it was going to be easy and swift? So why did he make it?" Prince Theron asked.
"I don't know," Queen Melissa answered honestly. She had used it too many times to count, and it had never disappointed.
"The noble who died—his body is to be examined, and I am afraid Rowan has his eyes on this one like a hawk. He won't let it slide easily." She sighed heavily, sipping her tea.
"We can't stand a chance at risking ourselves getting too involved," she added. Theron's fingers clenched. He was frustrated. For the longest time, he had wanted nothing but to take over, to be the man he was born to be. But like every other time, his step-elder brother was the pillar in his way.
"I can't go another year watching him in the seat," he hissed.
His mother sighed and nodded. "I know. But we have to be cautious. Rowan is not one to underestimate. And he is only crown prince now—not yet king," she reminded. A little ruffle came from outside the walls, catching their attention, and a maid rushed in.
"My Queen, His Highness is here with his concubine to pay respect," she announced.
"Showing off so soon," Theron hissed.
"Silence. We wouldn't want to give ourselves away," his mother cautioned. The prince was pushed in while Blake and Laura remained at the gate.
"Greetings, Mother," Rowan smiled, reaching out a hand that Queen Melissa warmly received.
"Rowan… I am so happy to see one of my sons has finally settled. Now we have to find Theron a good match," she beamed, but her smile never reached her eyes. Rowan nodded, then turned to Elias and took his hands, pushing him forward.
"Officially, I am here today to show my consort to Mother. So, how does he look?" Elias's eyes snapped to the man on the wheel, but he held his hands tightly.
"Isn't he perfect?" Rowan smiled proudly.
"You certainly have good eyes... but you should know looks deceive." Queen Melissa's piercing gaze settled on Elias, who smiled warmly.
"Not to mention, he is here to produce an heir," Theron added.
Elias turned to the man by his side, his gaze piercing and a double-edged sword. His nails dug into his skin.
"Of course, an heir," he smiled tightly.
Breakfast was served, and the small family sat and ate, chatting over everything and anything. Elias couldn't wait for it to be over. And when it finally did, he let Blake and Laura resume their duties. He was done playing the perfect couple.
They went about for a while, Prince Rowan making more introductions and reading out rules and obligations, and Elias listened keenly. As they reached their private chambers, Rowan smiled.
"Sonia and Kim will fill you in on the rest," he announced. Then Blake took over as Laura retired for the night.
"I have a late-night meeting with the council," Rowan said, and then he was gone. Elias turned to the two eagerly behind him. Sonia looked younger, her black hair down to her back, and her small eyes shone under the light. But Kim was more captivating. His tall figure, strong-looking body, and blue eyes were enough to light up a room.
"You can retire for the night. I won't be going anywhere," he said, then walked in, but no one moved. Elias turned.
"What? Aren't you two tired?" He sighed heavily. "I am not planning on doing something stupid, okay? It's been a long day, and we must rest." Kim turned to Sonia, who nodded, then bowed and bid her goodnight.
"And you?" Elias's eyes narrowed.
"I am not to leave your side, Consort." Kim bowed. Elias wanted to be mad, to yell—it would be useless.
"In private, just call me Elias… It's an order," he said, then walked into the bathroom. Kim watched him prepare for bed, but he knew better. Elias may look weak, but he was not. He was capable of taking care of himself.
"Good night, Kim," Elias whispered. Then the room dimmed, and darkness took over.
While all was still and the court settled in peaceful slumber, eyes watched in the dark, swords readied, and hearts pounded.
"It's been confirmed, Alpha… Beta Elias was spotted going around the court with the crippled prince."
Alpha Kael's jaw clenched, and his hands trembled.
"Elias would never marry another," he whispered, but his words sounded ridiculous even to his ears.
"What is our next step? We're running out of time," Masha, Rowan's new beta, reminded.
"I know. One way or the other, we have to get him back… He is our only hope."
Back in the royal chambers of the Crown Prince, Prince Rowan walked back. The castle was quiet, and everyone was asleep. He dismissed Kim and then walked in to see his consort soundly sleeping. He sat on the bed. Under the guidance of the peeping moon, he traced his soft, thin lips.
"You look cute when you're quiet," he chuckled. Elias stirred as if he heard the words, and the prince quickly withdrew. Elias suddenly gasped, his body trembling, and his temperature rising by the second.
"No… let go," he cried, still deep in sleep. Prince Rowan rushed forward, pulling him into his arms.
"You left me… I… I love you," Elias choked, his body trembling even harder as the prince tried waking him up.
"Don't… no," he cried, tears falling from the corners of his eyes.
Elias reached out, his hands desperately trying to hold on to what was gone. Kael stood in the distance, his arms wrapped around another. Then his eyes shot open. Prince Rowan stared at him worriedly.
"Are you okay?… It's okay." He pulled the trembling figure into his arms. Elias's lips quivered, and sobs broke through. It was all too vivid. Even awake, he could feel it. The pain—it was gushing out his heart.
He leaned in, his trembling hands tightening around the man before him, his face buried into his chest as if his scent calmed him, his lips parted, and the words echoed like a thousand stabs.
"Kael"