Butterfly Prince

by Britannica Tany

  5. Do not love who you are protecting

  Aiden never followed the rules anyways, even if it happened to be that he didn’t know he was breaking them.

  Lit by Flames Pt. 1

  The crackling echoes down the hall; nothing could be seen through the gray haze of smoke and it was hot—burning. Skye coughs, clutching her chest and fumbling through the fire. Oh god, please help me. A bookshelf falls from behind her, the sound would have been deafening but her eardrums had already been blown. She grabs for the wall, her hand slipping down the cracking plaster. Her eyes stung and her lungs felt as though they had been stuffed with burning cotton. “H-help me!” She struggles to scream, her voice a rasp. The fire was eating away at the carpet, taking each fiber away as it snaked along ground. Her shoes were once a vibrant red, now they were covered in ash and torn at the heel. “Please!” She tries again, her fingers twisting a knot into her shirt. She looks behind her and then in front of her, her hair frizzed atop her head. “Is anyone there?!” The hall seemed endless and no matter how far she trudged she couldn’t escape the flames. “The baby, the baby it wil—” she’s cut off by a hard cough, knocking her forward and to her knees. WHOOMP—something else falls, this time in front of her, blocking her path. It was a painting of the Prince; he sat poised, his lips a single line on his face. “Ka-Kael!” She yells for him, hoping that he got out safe. “Kael!” She calls again, hoping that this time he’d emerge like an angel and save her. She hiccups, tears streaming down her cheeks and burning her skin. It hurt, everything hurt, she felt as though she was shrinking away. The painting of the Prince was soon eaten away by the flames; burning the edges and then curling around the pendant on his neck. She extends a trembling hand forward, her stomach giving a little squeeze. “The baby…” She croaks. “The baby…” The fire continues to crackle, like a symphony of death, sparks light in front of her and then lick at her feet. “Aiden,” She sobs, burying her face in her hands. “Aiden, I’m sorry.” She hiccups. “Your sister’s sorry.” Her heart was aching, and then it became a dull thump in her chest as the flames swallowed her whole.

  A month before the fire…

  Aiden was sitting up excitedly in his bed waiting for his sister to return with a new book for him to read. Aiden liked reading, it kept him busy at times when his mind wouldn’t settle. He had many thoughts for an eleven-year old. There’s a light tmp on his door. Aiden lights up, calling gleefully for his sister. “You can come in, Skye!” A moment later the door clicks open and there she is smiling, holding a book in her hand, and waving it from side to side in front of her face. “You ready?” She asks leaning against the door. Aiden nods waving her over. Skye glides over to him, rolling her sweater sleeves up and taking a seat on the bed beside his feet. Aiden catches a whiff of her perfume and his smile broadens. “Skye, you smell sweet.” He blurts and Skye laughs with pleasant surprise.

  “Sweeter than the fruit mom bought yesterday?” She teases and Aiden looks as though he’s thinking hard about it; his eyebrows furrowed, teeth sunk into his bottom lip. “Your head’s gonna blow like that.” She warns, poking her index finger in the middle of his forehead. “You’re…as sweet as the fruit, sister.” He says after a while to which Skye responds with a light laugh and a ruffle to his dark hair. “Let’s read, it’s going to be late soon.”

  “And then you’ll have to leave early in the morning…” Aiden grumbles crossing his arms over his chest. Skye places the book down on her lap and takes his cheeks with the palms of her hands. “But I’ll be back, mmkay?” Aiden nods slowly, his brown eyes pooling into hers. “Let’s read, shall we?” She taps his knee before opening the book to the first page. Aiden tugs the blanket up to his chin and lies against the pillow. The pages crinkle as Skye turns them, her eyelashes were shadowed across her cheeks as she read the words and she spoke softly, her voice resembling the flutter of flowers. Aiden closes his eyes listening as his sister read to him, a small smile lines his lips. Skye glances up from the pages and looks tenderly at her brother who was dozing off. She reaches her hand forward and strokes his cheek and then down to his jaw. She bites her bottom lip to keep from crying. Her hand was trembling now, her eyes shaking with each tremor. “Aiden.” She calls softly and when he doesn’t answer a tear rolls from her eyes. It slides down her cheek, dangling from her chin before plopping to the blanket. “Your sister’s going to do something, okay?” She continues to caress his cheek, the book falling from her lap and to the floor. Both their parents worked; their mother was a psychiatrist while their father ran a factory. Their dad didn’t have much say in his job—like all things—the king and queen chose it for him. Women get a chance at having options (since the King tends to favor them more) men on the other hand are stuck with what’s given to them. That’s why Skye was doing this—she had to—if she could continue to fawn over the Lennon family…then maybe they would spare her brother. Maybe he wouldn’t have to give up his life. She sniffs, wiping her nose with her shirt sleeve. She gives Aiden’s cheek one last stroke before rising to her feet. She bends to pick up the book and her back spasms. “Ouch.” She rubs her fingers into the lower part of her spine, her eyebrows furrowed. Once she’s shelved the book, she flicks the light off and trudges into the living room. The TV was playing softly, the voices nothing but a faint hum in the living room, her mother was sitting on the couch an open book in her lap but she was staring across the room at nothing. “Mom...” Skye calls from the hallway, her back resting against the wall. The middle-aged woman looks up and her once vacant eyes fill with warmth at the sight of her daughter. “Skye-light,” She calls Skye by her nickname patting the empty spot on the couch beside her. Skye hurries forward and sits down beside her.

  “Is he asleep?” She asks as Skye lays her head on her mother’s shoulder. “Yeah, he was out before I could even get to the second page.” They share a soft giggle and once their laughter fades away the static of the TV echoes throughout the room. Skye closes her eyes as her mother’s slender fingers stroke the top of her head. “Mom…”

  “Yes?”

  “Is it…okay…if I…” Skye swallows and her mom looks to her with inquiring eyes. “If you do what, my Skye?”

  “If I…have sex…with someone…” Her mother’s heartbeat slows and her eyes widen, her cheeks also flush over. “Skye!” She exclaims flustered. Skye laughs nervously. “I mean, I just, I’ve been wondering, I’m in my twenties I can…start a relationship.”

  “I know you can and I’m not saying you can’t, but having sex and having a relationship are two totally different things.” Skye was sitting up now and her mother was staring into her eyes. “Who is it you want to…” Her mother hesitates before asking in a hushed tone. “Have sex with?” Skye doesn’t blink when she answers.

  “The King.” At the statement of his name her mother’s eyes bulge and she raises a hand to slap Skye, but stops midway. “Is it because of Aiden…?” She questions, her voice small. Skye doesn’t reply. “You don’t—no—you can’t continue to do things like this for him.” Skye’s mother rises to her feet. “What you’re doing right now—recording their history, writing a book—that’s enough.” Skye’s gaze was cast to her feet. “You can’t give yourself away, Skye. Aiden wouldn’t want that, he wouldn’t want his sister on her knees for the King!”

  “He’s too young to know what he wants…” Skye grinds her teeth, tugging at the hem of her shirt. “Excuse me?” Her mother questions.

  “He’s too young, mom, he won’t understand! If I just—If I tell him that the King really likes me then he’ll think it’s just that.” She rises up, now face to face with her mother. “He won’t know mom.” Her eyes were shaking and she wore an odd smile. “He won’t know at all and I’ll be able to save him—he won’t have to, he won’t, he won’t.” She rambles on and even though she was staring at her mother she wasn’t truly looking at her.

  “Skye…” Her mother’s shoulders droop and she stands there staring at her daughter; lost and not
knowing of what to do. In her office as clients poured their worries onto her, she pondered for a time what her family would do. How could they save their son without losing their daughter? “You need to go to sleep…get some rest.” She places a hand to Skye’s shoulder and squeezes. “Stop having these thoughts and rest.” She takes her daughters hand and leads her to her bedroom. She opens the door and ushers Skye inside. “You need to tie your hair up.” Her mother scolds softly. Skye doesn’t react to her words and instead falls onto her bed. “Mom…”

  “Yes, sweetie?”

  “I know you and dad try for us, but I’m the only one who can do this.” Her mother makes a face. “Now you’re just being melodramatic.” Skye laughs, her smile genuine. “Am I?”

  “Yes,” Her mother smooths her brunette bangs back, revealing her forehead. “You are.” Just like when she was little her mother tucks her into the bed, making sure the blanket came up to her shoulders and that her feet were also tucked away. “You’re still just like a child, Skye,” she mutters under her breath and Skye turns away from her. “Only a child..” her mother says before continuing on softly. “Go to sleep, okay? And stop thinking thoughts like those.” She says and Skye nods, closing her eyes and trying to go to sleep despite the feeling of dread that was pressing against her chest. The door clicks shut behind her mother and Skye’s eyes snap open. She stares at the darkness and pictures a life without royalty; no king or queen or even…a prince. Her heart gives a little twinge. Maybe the Prince would treat Aiden right, maybe her brother wouldn’t die while protecting the Prince, and maybe it’ll be alright if I stop now. Those thoughts came to her late into the night and she’d toss and turn, her neck pooling with sweat, but when morning came she was all smiles, her blush dusting her cheeks flawlessly. She’d entertain the Prince while flirting discreetly with the King and catering to the queen. And so the next morning that’s exactly what she did.

  ~*~

  Kael was standing at the front door waiting patiently to hear the sound of Skye’s car pulling up into the wide arch way of the castle’s drive-way. He was skipping back and forth on the wooden floor, his dark hair bouncing each time he landed on his feet. After the first month of having Skye at the castle, Kael would get up and choose two books that they’d read together and then he’d wait at the front door, his eyes sparkling because Skye was his friend. A low rumbling could be heard from outside the brass doors. Kael’s eyes widen and he hurries to open the door, he takes off down the marble steps and nearly trips as he greets Skye. “Woah, there!” She exclaims, gripping his right shoulder so he wouldn’t fall. The Prince looks up and smiles at her, his teeth as white as snow.

  “That’s no way for a Prince to greet their guests.” She scolds teasingly. Kael blinks and then steps back. He places his right hand to his heart, looks into Skye’s eyes and then takes her hand. “It’s my pleasure to make your acquaintance ma’am.” He says, his ten-year old eyes temporarily flicker a deeper brown making him appear older. Skye’s cheeks flush slightly and she bends to ruffle Kael’s hair. “Aah, that’s better.” Kael’s lips break into a smile and he drops Skye’s hand.

  “But refer to me as sister, ma’am makes me appear older.” She sticks her tongue out in distaste. Kael laughs turning towards the castle and bounding up the stairs. Skye lags behind for a moment, a hand on her hip as she stares up at the Royal Lennon family’s estate. “I never realized how big this place is in comparison to me. A giant that could crush me…” She thinks aloud, heaving a sigh before following after Kael. Once in the castle they head towards Kael’s room. On their way they pass Janus. “Skye, welcome back.” The butler bows, Skye smiles thinly at him; she personally liked Janus. He had a warm aura, but also—as cliché as the phrase is—a shadow of mystery. From time to time Skye felt as though Janus could see through her, like he knew what she didn’t know about herself. “Are you two going to read again?” he asks, standing upright, his expression lax. Kael nods excitedly. “We’re almost done with all of the books.”

  “Oh wow.” Janus bends to adjust the Prince’s tie on his neck. “That’s amazing.” Saying this he looks to Skye, his gaze flicking from her eyes to her light pink lips. He smiles when her gaze meets his. “You look beautiful today.” She blinks pleasantly surprised and bows her head slightly.

  “Thank you.” Kael looks between the two adults, his mind trying to piece together their emotions. “Come on, Prince Lennon, let’s go.” Skye reaches for Kael’s hand and tugs him forward. Janus watches them go and waves when Kael glances back at him. He could see it in the Prince’s eyes; the longing to understand what went through adult minds; why they did what they did and what they thought. Janus wanted to pat him on his head and say, ‘Stay young as long as you can…it hurts less…’ But a child has pain too, hidden and unknown, wrapped like a gift waiting to be torn apart. Kael grunts as he pushes the heavy brass door open, his little hands flat against the surface. Skye giggles lightly giving him a little help until the door was wide open. He steps back with a huff, a hand to his hip. “What do you want to read today?” She asks and Kael shrugs.

  “Anything. I’ll read anything if you’re here with me.” Kael smiles and Skye’s heart gave a little flutter. She swallows clenching her fist and hurrying past Kael so he wouldn’t be able to see her pained expression. “Okay then!” She clears her throat choking back tears. To think that I even thought of this child being…killed. She bites her bottom lip and buries her face in her hands.

  “Sister?” Kael steps up to her and places a hand to the lower part of her back. She quickly flashes a smile and smooths his dark hair down. “Nothing’s the matter.” She says, squeezing his cheeks between her palms. Kael blinks, his eyes flicking across her face. “I’m serious.” She exclaims pinching his cheeks and moving his head from side to side. “You’re lying.” He blurts. “No I’m not.” She continues smiling, Kael hesitates as though he wanted to say that he knew she was fibbing—without knowing how he knew—he just did. Instead he beams striding across the room to the bookshelf. Skye shoves a hand through her hair and sighs.

  After choosing a book they recline in a chair near the window; Kael was sitting at her feet, staring into space as she read. “‘So I lived my life alone, without anyone that I could really talk to…” Skye’s voice was mellifluous, seeping into Kael’s ears and taking him to a different place. He hated reading before Skye came, it was a chore on his parents check list for his life—they said he could learn from books: “There’s so much you don’t know!” They’d exclaim, but Kael understood that it was only a way to keep him from going insane while being locked away in this castle.

  “’I jumped to my feet completely thunderstruck,’” Skye reads from the book dramatically, Kael shifts on the floor, resting his head on Skye’s knee. She pauses her reading to look down at him fondly, her eyes glazing over. This Prince…has been alone all his life. She closes the book suddenly and ruffles Kael’s hair. “Would you like to meet my brother someday?” The question catches Kael off guard, his feline eyes widen and Skye catches the twinkle of excitement in his eyes before it’s taken over by skepticism. “Why…?”

  “Why? Don’t you want to meet him?” Kael shakes his head, his bottom lip rolling out slightly. “Not really…” Kael turns away from her and rises to his feet. “I’m going to go to the bathroom.” He says suddenly. Skye stares after him confused, he hurries out of the room and across the hall to the bathroom. She sits in the silence and thoughts of how she’d seduce the king infiltrates her mind. I could come on to him easily, in a few weeks the queen will be going away to a gala in Rosary—it’s a beloved city that is a three hour drive from Gloria—f or three days.

  She uncrosses and crosses her legs. Today I’ll have to greet him being that I’ve only seen him once…She chews on her thumbnail, her eyebrows furrowed slightly. “I’m sure he’d pay me with my brother’s freedom…” She thinks aloud. The first time she met the King was months ago…it was a brief welcoming.

  …
.

  The King was pacing back and forth in his room, his robe floating out behind him as he awaits the arrival of this supposed ‘writer’, historian or whatever the hell she was called. He checks his wrist watch and takes his crown off setting it on the table beside him. The King hadn’t planned on having a son (he believed that he could live forever) but of course that wasn’t going to work well in this aristocracy. He needed an heir; like his wife so often nagged, “You aren’t immortal, all people die.” The King laughed at that; he couldn’t stop Kael’s birth so he decided that he would love his son to a certain degree. Tmp, tmp, tmp. He looks up at the sound of knocking on the door. With a sigh he places his crown atop his head and calls. “Come in!” What feels like forever—silence weighing in—the door creaks open and a petite figure appears. The King looks from the woman’s feet, over her legs and then up to her waist and bust, her neck and chin, then finally to her face. When their eyes meet, Skye’s quick to bow, her hair cascading down in front of her like a golden stream. “Your majesty.” She greets. The King stares down at her, his eyes tracing from the nape of her neck to the dip of her back—his gaze was lascivious. “I’ve come to write all about you and your wife.” She says with her head lifted. The King still hadn’t spoken. “I wish to serve you well.” She smiles and the King continues to survey her.

  ….

  He explained in further detail what her job was to entail and how long she had to document their history if she wished to see her brother free from being a bodyguard. That’s all there was to their meeting. She was going to do it, she was going to see her plan through. Her reason behind it and what would always be her reason…was Aiden.

  The day progresses as usual; they read for a few hours before taking off into the garden. During these times Aiden would be in class at his elementary school. He didn’t like school much, he complained that they taught him the same things over and over again. And that he didn’t have enough time with his sister.