by Pelaam
“I believe your friend Tom and Hayate will announce their engagement once you return to England. I will give them a suitable gift, too.”
“Is there nothing I can tell you that you don’t already know?” Bertie asked with a smile.
“This is something I would hear from you. Again, and again.” Ichirou leaned forward. “Tell me that you love me.”
“I love you.” Bertie closed the distance and kissed Ichirou. “I will never tire of telling you that I love you, and you may hear it as many times as you wish. I will write to you every day when in England, and visit you as often as I can.”
“Such a great distance, Bertie-chan. And you’ll have a life of your own to lead.” Ichirou whispered, his expression sorrowful.
“You are my life.” Bertie peppered Ichirou’s face with kisses. “You always will be. Never forget that, Ichirou. Maybe one day you can leave this life, be free to come to my world. You wouldn’t be able to live like a prince there, but you would be the prince of my heart.”
“Free.” Ichirou whispered the word, but anything else he may have said was lost as Keitaro dashed into the room.
“My apologies, Ichirou-denka, but Takeshi is coming, and I wanted to ensure I got Bertie-san safely away.”
“Go, my love, I will see you again.” Ichirou pulled free of Bertie, who stood up.
“I love you. Remember that, always.” With the parting words, Bertie allowed himself to be led away.
Chapter Twenty-Two
The day that Bertie dreaded had finally come around. With the contract between the company and the prince signed, there was no reason for him to stay any longer. To Bertie’s deep disappointment, he’d seen very little of Ichirou since the prince had been deemed well enough to resume his royal duties. Even seeing Makoto or Cherry Blossom had been limited to infrequent and fleeting meetings.
From his seat beside Ichirou’s beloved pool, Bertie watched the fish as they meandered around without a care in the world. I expect I’m seeing the real way things work in the palace now. With everyone doing their normal work, rather than devoting time to guests.
Nor was there any mention of Ichirou replacing Takeshi. There was nothing to prove the courtier had purposely known the nature of the beast. As Ichi-chan said, Felton may have been Takeshi’s favorite, and even recommended Madam Kana to him, but it was Felton who brought the vampire cat with him. Takeshi can feign both innocence and ignorance, but Ichirou can never trust the man again. What a terrible way to have to live one’s life.
“Bertie? Are you out here?” Tom’s voice drew Bertie from his reverie, and he stood up.
“Yes, over here.” Bertie waved as Tom trotted into view. “What is it?”
“Hayate and I are going to ready the balloon. We’ll be leaving soon. I just wanted to make sure that you’ll be ready.”
“I’ll be ready.” Bertie nodded. “I just hoped to see Ichirou one last time. Just the two of us.”
“I dunno, Bertie. We’ve hardly seen any of them since Ichirou was deemed well enough to resume his duties. Everyone’s been running around like madmen for the last few days. I even heard that Takeshi had been sent on a mission, and to be honest I haven’t seen him anywhere.”
“No.” Bertie grew thoughtful. “To think of it, neither have I.”
“You know, I’d have thought things would be a lot calmer than this, but if anything, things have got even busier.” Tom scratched his head and shrugged.
“You’re right. Well, you get along and I’ll be there presently.” For a few moments, Bertie stood and gazed toward the palace. I can’t believe Ichirou would let us go without saying goodbye to me. But perhaps he can’t be seen to be sad at our going, or maybe it’s not the done thing here for the prince to be present. I wish Makoto or Cherry Blossom would come and speak to me.
Although Bertie waited another five minutes, no one from the prince’s court came and looked for him. With a deep sigh and aching heart, Bertie trudged toward the palace. No one stopped him or came to him with a message from Ichirou. Nor did Cherry Blossom or Makoto make an appearance.
On reaching the palace, Bertie was surprised to be intercepted by a courtier who bowed repeatedly. His English wasn’t the best, but Bertie managed to understand that Hayate’s balloon had been moved to outside the palace.
Bewildered, Bertie wondered what he was expected to do when Suoh approached them. The dragon-shifter dismissed the courtier, then smiled at Bertie.
“I’ll escort you.”
“I was hoping…” Bertie sighed and shook his head. “It doesn’t matter.”
“You love him very much, don’t you?” Suoh cocked his head. “Ichirou, I mean.”
“Yes. But his world and mine are so different. I can’t live here, and he wouldn’t fit in mine.” Bertie sighed. “His happiness must come first. He’s a prince. This is his home.”
“I see.” Suoh nodded. “Well, I suppose you each know your own mind best. This isn’t my world, as such. My kin live high in the mountains. I’m taking Keitaro to meet them, then we’ll travel the country for a while. Ichirou has given Keitaro leave, so he can resume his place as captain should he so wish. But I think we’ll travel much farther afield than just this country. I look forward to showing him the rest of the world.”
“I’m happy for you both.” Bertie offered a smile he hoped looked sincere. He truly was happy for them, but his heart ached for Ichirou and already the specter of long, empty months stretched before him before he might get an opportunity to return.
“Come with me. Keitaro and I will send you off in style.” Suoh sauntered ahead, and Bertie trailed behind, keeping a constant look out in case he caught a glimpse of Ichirou for the last time.
The balloon had been set up a short distance away from the palace, and as he approached, Bertie muffled his sigh of disappointment that only his friends and Keitaro were there. It would seem that not even Makoto and Cherry Blossom will be bidding us goodbye.
The balloon was already fully inflated, and a ladder erected which led onto the gondola’s deck. Tom and Hayate waved as they saw Bertie approach and he returned the gesture. Then Bertie saw Keitaro emerge from the far side of the gondola.
“Thank you for seeing us off, Suoh.” Bertie glanced at the dragon shifter as they walked the last of the distance side by side. “I appreciate you and Keitaro taking the time.”
“We both felt it was important to bid those who became good friends to us farewell. Who knows? Perhaps I’ll get Keitaro to visit England with me. I’d like to see your country.”
“You’d both be very welcome.” Bertie nodded. “Well, are we ready to go then?” He added a crisp note to his voice as he addressed Tom and Hayate. “It was a pleasure to have met you, Keitaro. I wish you and Suoh all the best for your future.”
“Thank you.” Keitaro bowed. “I’ll miss you all. Suoh said we may visit you one day.”
“Yes, and you’ll be very welcome, my friend.” Bertie extended his hand and Keitaro took it hesitantly.
“We can’t go just yet, Bertie.” Tom shook his head, then pulled down his goggles to peer into the distance. “Makoto said that there would be a cart sent to us with a parting gift from the palace.” He shrugged. “I have no idea what he meant. Oh, here it comes.”
A few moments later the cart, pulled by two huge, wickedly horned oxen trundled to a stop. The bulky driver who didn’t raise his head, leaving his face shadowed beneath a battered, wide-brimmed hat, remained in place, but his companion jumped down and scurried around to the back of the cart.
“Perhaps you might lend a hand, Bertie?” Suoh nodded and Bertie stared at Suoh for a moment, then stomped over.
Then his whole world spun, and if it hadn’t been for Suoh’s strong hand, he was certain he would have fainted.
“Ichi-chan.”
The prince was dressed as a commoner, and the driver’s companion who stood beside him was Natsu. Both men grinned at him.
“I hope you’ll forgive my deception
, but I couldn’t risk any of Takeshi’s people getting word to him. I’m no longer prince of this province. I abdicated in favor of my cousin. One who is married and already has two fine, healthy boys. By the time Takeshi realized what I’d done, my cousin had taken over rulership. And his first order of the day was to send Takeshi as an envoy to a remote part of the province. It’s an obvious rebuff and humiliation, but since my cousin has courtiers of his own, the rest of the palace are treading very carefully, concerned for their own positions. My cousin is strong, but fair. The people will like him. He’ll rule well.”
“And you?” Bertie barely got the words out, he could hardly breathe.
“And I am just Ichirou, and I hope I might travel to England with you. Along with my friends. Makoto is the cart’s driver.” Ichirou leaned forward, his gaze never wavering. “Will you take me with you?”
“Answer me one thing first.” Bertie grasped Ichirou’s hands. “Will you marry me?”
“Yes, oh yes.” A cry of delight escaped Ichirou’s lips and he nodded eagerly.
“Then I will inform my father that I’m not only returning with the contract as he wished, but a fiancé, too. I can send a telegram from the city. As much as I would have liked to return home in Hayate’s balloon, it isn’t big enough to convey us all the way there.”
“I will leave it for my family.” Hayate shrugged. “One of my brothers will take over my business. I can start anew when Tom and I reach England.”
“My cousin was a generous man.” Ichirou indicated the trunks in the cart, and a small, dragon-adorned, lacquer chest. “I have clothing, personal items of value to me, jewelry, and a substantial fortune he permitted me to bring.”
“Will we manage to transport it all, Hayate?” Bertie looked at the inventor who pursed his lips, clearing making the requisite mental calculations regarding the added weight of people and belongings.
“Of course you will.” Suoh laughed, a deep rich sound. “In my dragon form I can ensure your balloon remains airborne. However, I won’t descend into the city with you. Instead, Keitaro and I will then head off to the mountains to reunite with my kin. Get it all aboard, and you, too, Keitaro. I’ll release the anchor ropes, and help the craft ascend.”
“Come on, Bertie. I want to leave here as soon as possible.” Ichirou tugged at Bertie’s hand to galvanize him into moving. “This was never home to me.”
For a moment Bertie wavered as uncertainty tried to take hold of him. Uncertainty that Ichirou, a prince of a powerful province, would ever be able to settle into an ordinary life. Then he remembered the first time he’d met Ichirou, believing him a musician, and who’d described the palace as a gilded cage. The times that Ichirou had most seemed to be true to himself were when he was away from royal life.
The last fears he had about his beloved leaving the only world he’d ever known evaporated in Ichirou’s incandescent smile, and Bertie nodded. As he went to pick up one of the smaller chests, Ichirou laid a hand on his.
“Take care with that one.” Ichirou opened the chest and Bertie laughed out loud.
“Your fish.” The chest contained a bowl that fitted perfectly and from where Ichirou’s pet fish seemed to gaze up at him.
“I thought I’d have to leave him, but Suoh sang to him and he swam into the bowl. You said you had fountains, perhaps this may inspire you to have a pond?” Ichirou looked at him with such hope that Bertie couldn’t refuse.
“It shall be my engagement gift to you.”
With a musical laugh of delight, Ichirou closed over the box and marched jauntily to the gondola.
“You’re well matched.” Suoh whispered to Bertie. “I see a long and happy future for you. Now hurry.”
The nudge in his ribs was the galvanization Bertie needed. The next few minutes were a bustle of activity and much laughter as everyone settled the luggage aboard. When Hayate gave the signal, Suoh released the ropes and shifted into dragon form as the balloon slowly rose.
Standing beside Ichirou, his beloved’s hand in his, Bertie looked over the gondola rail as Suoh flew over them, carefully clutching at the balloon in his claws and lifting it higher with ease.
“Oh, Bertie. I’m free. I can hardly wait to see your country and your home.”
“I can hardly wait to show it to you.” Bertie leaned in to claim a kiss, then smiled as Ichirou leaned into him. A long and happy future, with the one I love at my side. What more can a person ask for?
His life was going to change in ways Bertie had never imagined, and he was ready to embrace it wholeheartedly.
The End
Other Books by Pelaam:
www.evernightpublishing.com/pelaam
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BONUS SAMPLE CHAPTER
THE AVIAN EMPEROR
Pelaam
Copyright © 2016
Sample Chapter
Lounging on his veranda, a whiskey in his hand, Bram gazed out over his immaculately tended garden. The young man on his knees, working on a flower bed glanced back at him, but Bram didn’t indicate for him to come over. The sag of youthful shoulders didn’t go unmissed, but in truth Bram wasn’t of a mind for a tumble between the sheets.
However, he continued to look his fill at the naked, muscular back. A faint stirring of lust heated his groin. Well, maybe in another half hour or so.
“Pardon me, sir. There’s a call for you. On the library telephone.”
Bram jerked his attention to his butler. The man was so much a part of the fixtures and fittings of the place that even Bram was guilty of not noticing him approach on occasion. “Thank you, Jackson.” He glanced back at the gardener, allowing himself a slow smile, as he set his drink aside. “Ensure he gets a bonus today. I’m feeling generous.”
“Of course, sir.”
Bram didn't miss the appreciative gaze Jackson gave the young man before he bowed curtly. Rising from his chair, Bram chuckled to himself. Jackson might be ten years his senior, but the man kept himself in peak physical condition and looked younger than most men in their early forties. The youth would likely get both a physical and a monetary bonus.
“You’d best ready the carriage, too. I’ll wager I’ll be leaving home fairly soon.”
“Indeed, sir. A shame. You haven’t really had time to recuperate from your last— adventure.”
“No. But that’s the name of the game.” Bram patted Jackson’s upper arm. “At least this time I’m not carrying any injuries. I’ll be fine. Once this one’s over, I’ll ask for a short break.”
“A good idea, my friend.”
Even though Jackson had said those last words in a bare whisper, and the fact that he would be so familiar with him anywhere outside of his private quarters told Bram how concerned for his welfare his friend was. “I’m fine. Not burned out as yet.” He offered a brief smile of assurance before striding swiftly into his library.
He picked up his telephone, the shine on the copper casing was so highly polished that he could see his reflection on its base. Perhaps he did look a little tired, but there was no time to worry. If he was being called so quickly, the matter was a serious one.
"Bram speaking." He settled into his leather desk chair. He could at least be comfortable while he took the call. Sitting back, he rested his feet carefully on the blotter in the center of the desk. The old monstrosity was never used for writing. He much preferred the typewriter that gleamed as brightly as the telephone. So much cleaner and distinct when entering into correspondence.
“Gerard here. I’m terribly sorry, Bram, but there’s a spot of work we need you to take a look at here in the office. It’s a little complex. Do bring an overnight bag. You could be away from home a day or two.”
“That’s a little disappointing. I take i
t none of the other partners have the right level of experience in this matter?” There was no way Bram would decline, but as he’d really only just returned home, he felt a token measure of resistance was acceptable.
“Believe me, Bram, I wouldn’t disturb you unless I felt it essential.”
Pursing his lips, Bram gazed at his reflection in the phone’s base. That was as much of an emergency call as he’d ever heard. “I see. Well, needs must when the devil drives.”
“The devil indeed, my friend. Pack wisely.”
“I’ll leave as soon as I can. You can expect me presently.”
“Good. I’ll catch you at the office.” The line went dead and Bram let the earpiece dangle in his hand, swinging it back and forth for a few seconds before replacing it. Major events were happening, likely to involve overseas travel, and be very dangerous. His curiosity was piqued despite his exhaustion and the bruises that were still healing. He rose to his feet and headed upstairs to his bedroom.
Once at his wardrobe, Bram twisted one of the hooks inside, causing the back to slide open. This was his real armoire. He perused his cache of weapons. Pack wisely. In other words, come armed. And if they have to warn me, I do indeed need to choose wisely.
He picked up his ring gun. The tiny device was always a useful addition to his arsenal. Especially since he'd had the ring part coated in copper which he kept at a high shine and where the bullets were stored covered in thin stained glass. The ring then became a show piece as jewelry without anyone suspecting they admired a lethal weapon if discharged at close range.
Next, Bram selected a brace of pistols, as well as his oversized revolver. He took the weapons and laid them on the bed after releasing the hook to close the hidden compartment. A large leather trunk at the bottom of his bed held four black leather valises packed and ready to go. Bram made it a habit to always keep them that way for emergency travel so he didn't have to waste valuable time.