by L Ward
“That’s all for this session. I hope you’ve all enjoyed yourselves and are ready for the second round of elimination next week,” he addressed the room, turning his back on Blaise.
“I think we should get out of here,” said Cass, tugging Jeremiah’s arm.
“You got it. Evan mate, you coming?” asked Jeremiah.
Evan glanced back at Blaise; eyes hardened with fury as his friends milled round probably trying to big him up a bit. Steely eyes wandered to Evan’s hand, still in his pocket, and back up to his face. Evan turned away.
“Celebration pizza!” Cass cheered to her own applause. They booked it to Court.
“For you, perhaps,” said Jeremiah over his ham and pineapple. Cass turned her piercing gaze on him, his face immediately warped into a goofy grin. “I’m only joking you did really well, both of you guys.”
“It was epic what you did with the flowers,” said Evan, folding a slice of pepperoni and posting it into his mouth. “How did you do it?”
“I discovered the exploding daisies yesterday: they’re a cluster of tiny bud spores and as soon as they make contact with water- they bloom! Fortunately, their residue is extremely sticky to skin and animal hides,” said Cass, eyes twinkling with malice. Her cheeks were flushed; her ponytail had never been messier. “All I had to do was summon them as a barrier and,” she snapped her fingers, laugh pixie-like.
“He sure as shit didn’t expect it,” said Evan.
∞∞∞
“I’ve heard you put on quite a show last night,” said Nath.
All the blood left Evan’s brain as he sank into his seat in rune enchantment Monday morning. He was speechless until Will turned around and ruined everything.
“He were shit. Didn’t even have a unique and only drew because that other guy sucked,” said Will.
Nath glared.
“I never claimed to be good. I signed up to have fun with my friends,” said Evan, bristling.
Will yawned, drawing a finger across his neck, eyeing Evan like he was a steaming pile of dragon faeces.
“I’m glad it was you who knocked him down a peg,” said Nath, glancing at Blaise.
Heat spread through Evan’s body, and he laughed so loudly Sir Madick looked over.
“How was your weekend?
“Boring. I attended several dreadfully long meetings with my father and his councilmen. The only highlight was drinking in a deep, hot bath last night,” said Nath, face spreading in a slow smile.
Evan’s brain was too starved of oxygen to speak so he stared like a fool. A weird little noise escaped his throat.
Will turned round, staring at the prince as though he’d just been dropped off by aliens.
“What about you? How did you finish your weekend?” asked Nath.
All over a photo of your face, he wanted to say it just to see Will’s brilliant reaction but restrained himself. “Lots of reading,” he said, “to be honest, I couldn’t wait to get back to classes.”
Chapter 9
Thursday rolled around fetching a beautiful, clear evening. The sky awash of endless ebony bleeding agonising indigo and poisoned pink; diamonds winked from the heavens and the moon hung a solid first quarter. Evan’s telescope pointed to the gods, chart sprawled across a pop-up table, weighted by chunks of quartz he found in the grass. He’d loved stargazing all of his life, fascinated by the movement of the universe and his significance in it.
He made another quick recording and took the opportunity to look around the deserted west wing gardens. Everything appeared ethereal, bathed in moonlight and kissed by stars. The trees danced in the crisp breeze carrying the heady scent of bonfire leaves and sweet grass. Lights glittered in most of the palace windows reminding him that no matter how lonely it felt out here, he was safe within the battlements. The palace was safe, even from the growing unrest in the Dead Country which dominated the newspapers and radio every morning. Riots, rogue pyromancers and werewolf attacks had become recycled horrors that never ceased these past years.
Back through the lens the moon glistened watching the world go by. Checking coordinates a second time, Evan didn’t even hear soft footfalls behind him.
“Up for a little company?”
Evan jumped so badly he nearly broke his telescope. “Shit," he gasped, heart slamming up his throat. “Nath,” he gasped, belly full of butterflies.
The Prince was grinning with his arms behind his back, blonde hair falling perfectly across his forehead. “Charting the phases of the moon?”
Evan felt hot and nervous; magic sparkled around them as though Nath were creating the fragments of light. “Yeah, it’s something I’ve been doing since I was a kid,” he said watching Nath’s eyes travel slowly from his chart to the sky and back down again, an odd, unreadable expression crossed his face.
“It’s five days until the full moon,” he observed.
“Thanks,” said Evan, noting it down beside his diagram. His belly twisted with excitement.
Nath reached over and began fiddling with the telescope, “Adjusting it just a little…” he said, “I hope you don’t mind?”
“Not at all,” said Evan, too engrossed in wondering what other things those fingers could work to care. The fuck was this guy doing to him? he'd liked guys before, but he'd never felt like this and it was making him nervous.
“Done.” Nath smiled, stepping back to admire his work.
Evan blushed.
“Have a look.”
Evan swallowed, heart fluttering. From this distance he was certain Nath could hear his heart. He leaned into the scope and the moon appeared crisp, swollen and clearer than ever before. “Wow.” He tore his gaze from the lens to the boy luminous in the moonlight, hair the colour of spilled stars and eyes like assorted gemstones. “You’re a lunarmancer.”
Their eyes met and Nath’s cheeks dimpled. “Is that your final answer?”
Evan swallowed feeling like all of his problems had vanished, “yes.”
Nath’s smile didn’t falter. “If you really want to know, then look up,” he said.
Evan looked up; his heart became a comet and shot through the sky. The stars had shifted, millions of them lined up forming the letters EVAN.
“Nath-” Evan tried but the words died on his tongue. He could do nothing but stare into the prince’s eyes and hope he wasn’t dreaming.
“I guess you were right,” Nath’s voice was light, dancing on the breeze.
“You’re incredible,” said Evan. “Can anyone else see it?”
“Anyone looking at the sky tonight,” said Nath.
“Oh. Wow.”
Nath’s pupils glittered.
“I don’t know what to say,” he felt giddy and breathless.
“Then don’t say anything,” said Nath.
And suddenly he understood. All self-control took flight and Evan closed the gap between them with his lips. Nath met the kiss softly and heat rushed up Evan’s throat; one of his many of his fantasies came true.
Nath’s lips curled in a smile, front teeth snagging Evan's bottom lip; cheeks blooming in the moonlight. Their lips popped apart. “Oh. Wow,” he said, and they burst out laughing; stopping abruptly when Nath closed the gap again.
This was beyond anything Evan ever felt before. He’d kissed a few guys- most of whom he’d met around his dad’s shop. This was different. WAY different. “How are you gay?” the words tumbled out before he could stop them. Nausea clenched its iron fist of punishment for such rudeness.
Nath stared at him in confusion. A half-laugh of uncertainty escaped his lips. “How do I answer that?”
“Don't,” Evan laughed, shaking his head. “Sorry. What I mean is… I really didn’t expect you to like guys let alone…” he didn’t need to finish that sentence. “Ignore me, I’m embarrassing myself.”
Nath’s face relaxed and he laughed. “You’re not embarrassing yourself,” he said, smile echoing his words. “You wear your bashfulness like a badge.” He bit his bottom lip in
a way that made Evan burn.
“So, it’s okay if I kiss you again?” Evan asked.
“More than okay,” said Nath, parting his lips and accepting another kiss.
It was wonderful; his breath smelled faintly of peppermint.A thought crossed Evan’s mind. “How did you find me?”
“I bumped into Cass and she told me you were out here so I thought I’d come and see you,” he said.
“I’m glad you did,” said Evan.
Nath’s smile was radiant; he turned back to the lunar chart, tracing the inky diagrams. “I take it astronomy is a passion of yours?”
“Yes,” said Evan.
“Then, we must do this again,” said Nath. “There’s to be a beautiful meteor shower in a few weeks, would you watch it with me?” hope rose in his voice, and his eyes twinkled more than the stars.
“I’d love to,” Evan was giddy, lightheaded even. His lips tingled with aftermath. “It’s a date.”
Nath tensed.
Evan closed his eyes a moment feeling such a fucking idiot saying the wrong thing every time. Of course, the prince wasn’t going to agree to an actual date with him. Kisses were one thing, but dating another.
“I’ll take you out formally,” said Nath, smiling with satisfaction. “I’ll double-check the time and let you know exactly when. Leave it to me,” his eyes sparkled, pearly whites on full display.
“Is this okay, though?” asked Evan, drenched in a tsunami of surprise.
“What do you mean?”
“Are you allowed to date me?” he asked, awkwardness cutting deep in his gut. The atmosphere glimmered, rich with uncertainty.
Comprehension dawned on Nath’s face, and he laughed again. “Dad knows I’m gay, if that’s what you mean,” he said.
Evan stared, at least a hundred questions swirled in his mind, many of which he felt a burning need to ask.
“It’s freezing out here now,” said Nath. “You’re shivering.”
Evan hadn’t noticed the temperature drop. He wrapped himself tighter in his cloak and Nath, ever the gentleman, magicked Evan’s things into his bag.
They headed inside, warmth glazing over them the moment they stepped through the doors. The halls were quiet, the few students around nodded, bowed or dropped their gaze as Nath passed. A group of students milling on the staircase stopped and stared in open-mouthed awe at the prince.
It took Evan a moment to realize he was being escorted to his room. Fortunately, his floor was deserted and illuminated only by the snaking veins twinkling like fairy lights.
“I’m looking forward to seeing you again,” said Nath, stopping outside.
Evan didn’t give a shit if anyone saw, he'd manage any outrage tomorrow with a stiff upperlip and plenty of fantastic dreams. He melted into the kiss feeling every type of right that ever existed. They broke apart and Nath bade him goodnight with a devastatingly sexy peck to the back of his hand leaving him hot in all the right places and desperate for private time.
In his slight bathroom, Evan splashed water on his face, his entire body tingled with excitement. Looking at his reflection he let all the sensation rush back. He kissed Nath. He kissed Prince Nathaniel of Enchanted Britain and they were going on a date. Evan’s head spun a tangled web of questions. Nath was comfortable enough with his family to tell them about his sexuality, but wouldn’t they be angry with him for dating a commoner? Would he even be allowed to go public with this sort of thing?
“Wow, someone had a good date!” said the mirror.
The amount of times he’d fantasised about those petal-soft lips, thinking there was no way anything would happen between them, and yet…
Evan stuffed the telescope in the bottom of the narrow wardrobe and pinned the chart to the wall. Staring at it made everything feel all the more real. His bedroom glimmered with magic and tasted of budding romance. Outside, his name still gleamed among the stars. Evan sank into bed; no way was he closing the curtains tonight. No fucking way.
∞∞∞
Morning burst through his window in a blaze of golden sunshine, caressing his skin; birdsong serenading the late-summer breeze. He allowed the covers to pool around his nudity, last night’s memories filling him to the brim. Evan’s toes tingled; skin prickled with pleasantries. He was really starting to enjoy life in the palace.
∞∞∞
Mysticism was easily the most relaxing lesson all week. Mr Daniels- Evan still refused to call him Uncle- issued a reading session allowing them to prepare for their first submission in a couple weeks on the rise of elective vampirism which granted Evan permission to relax by the window and pretend to work with Angelika.
Her eyes bore holes in her text; he daydreamed about a fair-haired prince.
Cass and Jeremiah caught up with him at Court.
“Okay, spill. What’s going on?” Cass asked taking in his failed attempts to mask excitment.
“Nothing,” said Evan.
“Quit lying I can tell something is going on,” she said, suspicion clouding her eyes.
Evan shrugged keeping his eyes on his plate. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said, biting back a smile.
He remained silent until they arrived at lore and promptly went to pieces the moment Nath turned his smile on him.
Cass caught the exchange; a look of realisation crossed her face. If he hadn’t been so engrossed in gazing at the guy before him, he might have noticed the look of piercing hatred shadowing Will’s face.
“Your first submission will take place next month and, yes, it will count toward your final mark for this year,” said Flint.
A murmur vibrated the room, anxiety spread like the plague.
“It’s nothing to worry about, but I’ll require a certain standard to pass,” he continued. “It’s going to be a four thousand word essay on The Rise of the Dead Country Riots, citations required on a separate back sheet.”
Relevant in terms of the current media coverage. The morning headlines reported a possible sighting of Artemis on the boundaries of the Dead Country near the Black Mountains, but while the King still holds supreme power and the love of the people, it seemed unlikely Artemis would take action, at least Evan hoped that was the case. Others thought otherwise.
“Sir,” Blaise’s back went ramrod straight. “Don’t you think it’s a bit unfair that there’s people in here with a certain advantage?” his eyes flicked to Nathaniel.
“Come now, he’s not going to put classified information in a university report, is he?” Flint said lightly.
“Maybe not, but he has more information about recent events than we do,” he said. The room bristled and smelled of scorched matches and mistrust.
Evan wondered if more than one person felt that way.
Nath was a picture of calm and understanding, he’d expected this.
“Maybe you’re just a jealous little bastard that can’t handle competition,” said Will.
Evan wanted to laugh but the universal look of shock put that idea out the window.
“Settle down, boys,” Flint raised his palms, sidling between the desks. “I believe everyone in this room has the opportunity to submit incredible pieces if they put their minds to it. I’m expecting a real effort from all of you you’re not kids anymore, understood?” he said. A few murmurs of agreement, and Flint turned away from Blaise. “Let’s get back to the session at hand.”
Blaise was bursting to say something for the rest of the class, but the look on Will’s face kept him at bay.
“What time is the dueling tonight?” Nath asked, brushing past on their way out.
“Half seven,” said Evan.
Will walked up behind him, breathing down the back of his neck as he shouldered Evan out of his way.
“I’ll see you later,” said Nath, shooting Will a pointed look.
Will glared, dark eyes sliding over Evan. He wore boredom like jewellery and smelled of expensive aftershave. Without a word he left letting the door bang in his wake.
“Maybe he’s ill,” said Evan.
Nath shook his head, chuckling. “I don’t mind, and he’s not ill, he’s pissed off. Are you going to Court?”
Evan’s stomach bellowed in response and the Prince’s face lit up with laughter. “Walk with me?” Nath asked.
Evan nodded, the butterflies in his belly took flight and he twined his fingers nervously round his bag strap. “Got the night off?”
“In exchange for Sunday afternoon,” said Nath.
So he’d specifically asked for time off to watch the dueling. “Working on a Sunday?”
“I’m supposed to help Mum with some details of a charity we’re setting up for people with serious neurological disorders,” he continued, a little misty eyed.
“That’s amazing. I had no idea,” said Evan, intrigued. Sunlight danced through the windows, gilding Nath. He was breathtaking.
“It’s something we’ve organised together- Mum and me- we’re working hard to reduce stigma and encourage people to seek support. It’s not just about therapy and procedures,” he explained, voice rising a little. His face was flushed with excitement, this was something he truly cared about, put his own time and energy into doing, and that made him, in Evan’s eyes, a fucking legend.
“This might sound like a dumb question, but what kind of treatments do they offer?” Evan asked, curiosity nipping his heels, that, and he wanted Nath to keep talking.
“We’ve set up teams of employees and volunteers; doctors, nurses, counselors and distributors to name a few. The purpose is to help people on an entire spectrum of problems from standard mental health to blacklisted psychological disorders only affecting the magical population,” said Nath, face studded with dimples. “They’re currently undertaking studies to treat more complex issues, and we’re hoping members of the public submit themselves to be studied,” when he saw the worried look on Evan’s face he quickly added, “not to be experimented on or anything such horror. This is an ethical charity.”
“If there’s anything I can do to help, let me know. What you’re doing is incredible because there’s not enough support out there,” said Evan, truly feeling excited.