The Kindness of Kings

by Chelsea Ballinger

  “Actually, she kind of kissed me… and I kissed her back,” Louie said.

  “Dude that’s awesome. I feel like that’s what you always wanted.”

  “No… She stopped it, which means she regrets it… and also there’s Sedgwick. I can’t do that to him.”

  “Are you serious? Sedgwick left.”

  “Yeah, but he still loves her. He told me a few days ago on the phone.”

  “Key word: Phone. Listen, Louie, I’m your best friend, right?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Okay, well here it is… if you ask me, you have what Sedgwick has always lacked. Courage man. You’re strong. We could have been in another country somewhere sleeping with hot girls, but you chose to stay here… for Mina. So I feel like as much as I love Mina, she’s stupid if she thinks you’re not good for her. And you are too, because I know that’s what you think… but you are man… you are.”

  Louie looked at his friend and smiled. “Remember when I used to make fun of you being fat?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Why did you stay my friend?”

  Bartleby chuckled to himself. “Truth?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Well, you were always mean to Mina, and it was clear you liked her, so I figured that meant you actually liked me too.” Bartleby’s face dropped. “And I’m not being gay, by the way.”

  Louie laughed. “I know buddy. I know.”

  As Louie continued with his workout, he considered Bartleby’s advice. Could he make that step, a step towards Mina and everything he wanted? But the fear of rejection still existed.

  +

  Caius walked in through his office doors to see the Bishop sitting at the seat in front of his desk. He requested a meeting with him to discuss the first step of his plan for the future.

  “Sorry Bishop, I was in a meeting.”

  The Bishop bowed to his King, then shook his hand.

  “It’s alright. So you have news for me?”

  “Yes,” Caius sat at his desk. “I’ve decided to step down as King at the end of the month.”

  The Bishop’s eyes widened, shocked at what the King had revealed. “What? Why so soon?”

  “Yes… I believe it is time for Sedgwick to take what is rightfully his.”

  “Really? Are you sure he’s ready?”

  “Of course, especially with me beside him.”

  “Excuse me, Your Majesty, but Sedgwick is still young. I believe a longer wait is needed for him to grow.”

  “He can grow as a King. I had to.”

  “Are you ill?”

  “No.”

  “There have been rumors in the royal court and church. They say a war might be declared against Magna… and that Serenity might side with Gibbeth.”

  “Why don’t you handle the church, Bishop? I will handle the country.”

  “It is God’s country,” the Bishop spoke with conviction. “Therefore it is also for me to handle. You are truly stirring this country into oppression.”

  “What did you say?”

  “Sedgwick is not ready. And personally… I don’t think he will ever be ready.”

  “He is the Crown Prince.”

  “But he is not the only option.”

  The King’s face faltered as the Bishop’s eyes showed him the truth he did not want to embrace; a truth that was truly his worst nightmare.

  “You are out of your god-damn mind. You speak of things that are completely impossible and ridiculous.”

  “It may be ridiculous to us, but God’s will is never impossible.”

  “Well you and I both know God has been my enemy for quite some time now.”

  “Which is why this Kingdom is continuing to fall.”

  “Even though you are a very respected man, I would like to remind you that it is not wise to speak to the King in this manner.”

  “Caius… you and I both know if Sedgwick becomes King… Serenity is likely to fall.”

  “Bishop, I remind you that my power can manipulate many things… God has no power here… only me. I am the one that makes the hard decisions and receives the judgment and the praise.”

  “And what about Louie?”

  “What about him?”

  “You are so blinded by your own father’s obsession with defying a higher power that you do not see the truth.”

  “No! My eyes are open wide and clear. For centuries kingdoms have been manipulated by the worldview about what is right, but my father taught me right. A King can only choose what will lead to a win.”

  “And what win is that? The win to gain more power, or the win to fix your family’s mistakes in obtaining our resources? Or the win about the truth in the King’s obsession with tradition and emotional scars brought on by his father? Or the win over a child you failed to nurture, the same child your wife chose over you because even she saw the hope inside of him?”

  “Enough!” Caius banged his fist on his desk with fury. He breathed heavily and gritted out his words. “My wife was a fool who was easily manipulated by her weakness.”

  “Which was her heart… but it was not her weakness. Louie has it too… Sedgwick is a good man… but he won’t rise… not like Louie”

  “I think it’s time for you to leave.”

  “I know you remember the sign.”

  “I know that this meeting is over… I suggest you make preparations for the new King of Serenity.”

  The King’s guards entered to escort the Bishop out.

  “Oh and Bishop… I remind you that a Bishop can be easily replaced… easier through death.”

  The Bishop was not scared of the King’s threats, only disappointed in another failure of mankind. Since he was a boy he had been blessed with the gift of seeing clearly what God had wanted of his people. He had seen the possibility of good in a race that had become so stuck in obscurity. The Bishop not only blamed the King, but himself. He should have never told the King of his first vision of Louie and Sedgwick. That vision had become misinterpreted and Caius believed it was an omen so much so that when they all finally saw the true sign, he refused to believe it.

  It was the hottest summer, Serenity had ever seen. Louie was sixteen and Sedgwick was eighteen. Their second cousin, Karen, a duchess, was getting married to a senator who was also the son of a well-established trader from Magna. Their union caused the King to receive first pick in goods from Magna so the King held their wedding ceremony at Serenity Castle. During a special occasion, four doves are released from a cage, sending them to soar through the skies, seen by the people as a blessing from God.

  “Sedgwick!” Caius had called for his son who was exchanging glances with his girlfriend at the time, Mina. He quickly turned to his father who was smiling and standing next to the newly married couple. “Why don’t you go release the doves?”

  Sedgwick nodded and before he walked to the cage, teenage Louie whispered to him, mocking their father. Louie laughed as usual and Sedgwick just shook his head at his brother’s jokes. Mina watched Sedgwick’s every move, not being able to take her eyes off of him while Louie watched her. It was the same routine. Everyone watched Sedgwick while Louie watched her.

  Once Sedgwick neared the cage, the doves began to rattle in the cage. During a beautiful day, the doves’ cries in the calm atmosphere become intense as Sedgwick reluctantly placed his hand on the handle. The miserable cooing coming from the doves caused guests to cover their ears and watch nervously at a frozen Sedgwick, who did not understand why these peaceful creatures were scared of him.

  “Damn it, Sedgwick! Lift the hatch!” Caius yelled at his son, watching as Sedgwick did what he said and lifted the hatch. The doves burst out of the cage like wild animals and flew through the guests who ducked down to the grass.

  The doves went after Mina, and Louie dropped his drink, ready to protect her until he saw that instead of causing harm, they circled around her half a dozen times, creating some sort of aura in the texture of the wind. They then came to Louie, who didn’t know
how to react, and circled him more than a dozen times. Everyone watched in amazement as the doves surrounded Louie and one landed on his shoulder. Louie side eyed him and saw the eyes that peered at him, feeling for a moment that he was in a trance with the beautiful creature. He felt it communicating with him through that look, that no human look compared to. Caius and the Bishop saw the dove had made its mark, landing on hope.

  +

  Louie sat in his room staring out the window at the stars. His birthday had been okay. He really missed his mother, and even Sedgwick. When they were younger after their mother died, Sedgwick would sneak Louie out on his birthday to run through the woods to their mother’s grave. They would talk about her and laugh, thinking of good times. Louie cherished those moments with his brother. When Sedgwick finally called to say happy birthday, he asked about Mina. Louie, overcome with guilt, told his brother she was okay. Louie glanced at the clock to see it was 10 o’clock. It was still his birthday, but in all reality, he just wanted it to end. Louie turned around when he heard a soft knock at his door.

  “Come in.” Mina walked in and closed the door, locking it. Louie didn’t know what to expect.

  “I need to ask you something.”

  “Okay,” he said, standing there looking at her beauty in her blue button up and blue jeans.

  She stared at him hesitantly, noticing how well he filled out his black wide V-neck t-shirt and gray dress pants.

  “I need you to tell me the truth, Louie. Don’t be scared… don’t do anything, just be truthful.”

  “Okay,” Louie said, nervous and anxious to hear what she had to say.

  “Why should I stay?”

  Louie’s brow crossed in confusion. “What?”

  “Why should I stay… in this room with you… tonight?”

  Chapter 16

  True Passion

  Louie didn’t think he would ever hear Mina ask him something like that.

  “Mina, what are you doing?”

  “You told me you stayed for me… that you’ve loved me since the moment you saw me. So, tell me why… tell me why I should stay. Why should I give into this feeling that I have for you… cause I do, Louie. Something has changed between us to the extreme where you are all I think about. You’re the one person that when I wake up, I want to see and talk to and now be with in the most intimate way. I need you to tell me; that kiss last night was−"

  “Excruciating,” Louie interrupted.

  “What?”

  Louie couldn’t believe he was about to do the most selfish thing he had ever done. the scariest thing too.

  “For me… it was excruciating.” He closed his eyes for a moment then focused on her. “It is so painful to truly love someone so much and not have them. For years I practiced tolerating that pain. Around the time I was sixteen I could finally stand to look at you. So, I did, all the damn time. I watched you so carefully. I captured every smile, every frown, every tear from you. I wanted you… but I couldn’t have you. Then one day we became friends and the pain came back, but I didn’t care because you were my friend, my best friend. But when you kissed me, I realized the feeling I had before was nothing compared to what I felt when we kissed. I felt alive… and guilty and betrayed, because it’s not fair. It’s not fair for me to go through that… to want to kiss you every day, every hour, every minute for the rest of my miserable life, but I want to. I’m afraid that it will get to a point where I need to. I have been in love with you since I was eight years old. I have hated the way my father has treated me, but nothing has hurt me as much as the pain of my mother’s death except seeing you and my brother in bliss. What I want is for you to stay in this room with me. I want to feel how you feel, taste how you taste, and completely fall in you because I’m just… tired of always wanting what I can’t have. I want to make you smile, make you happy… I want to be inside you… I want to give you pleasure in every way… mind, body, and soul… I am completely, madly… and utterly in love with you… and it hurts… because I can’t have you. And it hurts because if there is a chance that I can then it is possible that it will turn out to be my tragedy and misfortune. And all I can say to that … I accept my tragedy… but I don’t wish it.”

  Mina soaked in his words while Louie finally took a breath. For so long he had wanted to let her know how deep-rooted he was in her. His heart literally jumped from his chest waiting for her reaction. Half of him wanted her to stay, but the other wanted her to go.

  She slowly exhaled and spoke softly. “Okay.”

  Mina started to unbutton her blouse and Louie’s heart stopped. She slowly removed it, revealing a dark blue lace bra. She dropped her shirt on the floor and Louie watched in a daze as it fell. She began approaching him. The closer she got, the harder Louie breathed until they were face to face. She gazed into his crystal green eyes in awe at the man she ignored for so long only to arrive at this moment where she wanted him more than anything.

  “Once we start, Mina,” He spoke against her lips as they grazed his. “I won’t be able to stop.”

  His warning was clear and Mina’s answer was more transparent.

  “I don’t want you to stop.”

  She pressed her lips, but he didn’t move. She slowly moved her lips against his, pressing her hands on his chest, slipping her tongue out, licking the top of his lip, asking for entrance. He grabbed her by the arms and studied her for a moment, wanting to protest, but her eyes and the gesture of her licking her lips made him ignore every warning and completely give in. He attacked her mouth with his, kissing her passionately and deeply, just like the night before. He slipped his tongue into her mouth intertwining with hers. As the kiss continued, she unbuckled his belt with need and touched the bottom hem of his shirt. As she lifted his shirt Louie broke the kiss and raised his arms for her to remove it. Mina stared at his rippled chest and placed her hands on it, tracing every ab and muscle. Tracing his happy trail down to his pants, she unbuttoned and unzipped them. He grabbed her hands and raised them as he bent down, kissing her cleavage and stomach. He glided his tongue across her as she rubbed the top of his head and grabbed his right hand, kissing it. She even kissed the gold royal ring placed on it, which caused him to pick her up by her legs and throw her on his bed. She laughed at Louie’s eagerness and predator face as he crawled on top of her, kissing her ferociously on the mouth and trailing his kisses down to her stomach. He unbuttoned her jeans while staring at her. She pulled his head back up as he slid his hand under her panties, feeling the liquid warmth he wanted to know best. He felt the evidence of how he made her feel and she slowly grinned at the satisfaction in his eyes. He entered his two fingers inside of her slowly and rubbed her clit gently with his thumb as she gasped at the unnatural feeling inside her. He kissed her neck as he moved his hand, as she gripped his back as her insides tightened with pleasure. She bit his ear as he moved faster and she felt her release coming, but he stopped as soon as he felt her start to quiver. He had to admit to himself it was the arrogant man in him wanting to punish her a little for making him wait so long and at the same time opening the door into something he knew he would never come back from. He rose and stared at her like she was a goddess.

  “Take off your bra,” he said gently, yet commanding. Mina was eager to follow his order. She slowly unsnapped it from the back and slid it off of her, revealing her breasts. He grabbed her jeans and underwear by the waistband and pulled them down until they were completely off as she laid back on his bed. She rose as he threw her jeans on the floor and took his face in her hands, rubbing her face and lips gently across his. She rose on her knees, face to face with him and continued staring him in the eyes as she dipped her hand into his underwear, feeling how hard he was for her. His mouth slowly opened as she stroked it. She kissed him across his chest and Louie’s blood pumped at every stroke and every kiss.

  Mina kissed him on his lips again and smiled against them. “Take off your pants,” she breathed. “I want you inside me.”

  He stood
as she watched, adopting the same predatory look he had when he was watching her. He slid off his pants and underwear and revealed that one of the rumors about the Prince was true. Mina smiled while staring at the evidence of the man he was physically and grabbed his hand, pulling him back to the bed. She sat him up in the middle of the king-sized dark red bed and rose high over him. Louie leaned back and watched her face as she slowly fell into his lap, sliding him inside of her. She winced and whimpered at the feeling of fullness. She had never been that full before. With her legs wrapped around him she quickly grinded against him, replacing the uncomfortable feeling with something so intoxicating that she wanted to scream at the top of her lungs. She tilted her head back, savoring the pleasure and looked at him, his mouth wide open at the intense pleasure of being there, inside of her, with her wanting him, every inch of him. She moved again and again and soon he followed. He grabbed her waist and never looked away from her as she bit her lip and moaned at the passion that surrounded them like a plague. With every move the sensation increased. More and more Mina gasped and cried out, while Louie continued to try to keep quiet. He kissed her neck and breasts, sucking and nibbling on them, causing her to lose her mind. She gripped the back of his buzz cut hair, wishing she hadn’t told him to cut it off, wanting something to hold onto. He wrapped his arms around her, pressing her chest against his, kissing and sucking on her neck as he grunted and thrusted into her with fierceness. She grinded faster and felt the building climax waiting to be released. Louie brought his face up to look up at her and she stared back at him. They stared at each other as and kept going, showing each other just how good they made each other feel. Finally Mina’s eyes widened, and she let out a sweet cry, her release spilling all over Louie as he thrust deeper and faster until he finally came.

  They breathed heavily against one another, Mina rubbing Louie’s head as it laid against her chest. Louie tried to catch his breath. He was still shaking. Mina cuffed his head in her hands, raising it to meet hers and sweetly kissed him on the forehead, resting her head on his shoulder. Louie pressed his lips against her soft skin and calmed down, rubbing her lower back. They stayed intertwined for a moment longer, not wanting to end the afterglow that left their hearts jumping and skipping and their fears out in the open. Their lovemaking was enough evidence for them to predict that the possibility of them could lead to a road that would either destroy or grant them everlasting happiness.