The Lunar Prince

by L Ward

  A million colourful questions flooded Evan’s mind, but he remained silent

  “One night they unleashed the monsters in the palace; many guards were killed trying to stop them. Hell hounds: animated corpses, shadow monsters,cursed fae, and werewolves were unleashed upon us,” he continued. “I remember being woken up by the noise and found my guards being torn apart by a pair of werewolves. I tried to run, but a third got me. It all happened so fast; Gerard and his wife Marianne came to my rescue, raising hellfire on them. I was in agony from the bite but I’ll never forget their screams,” he said, turning his haunted gaze on Evan. “It was too late, of course; within hours I broke out in a violent rash. I was changing.”

  “And you’ve been a werewolf ever since,” said Evan.

  The prince nodded, mortified. “It was over quickly; the attackers were dead, dozens of guards were maimed, or deceased, and three servants were killed. My parents and the Starstone’s kept my affliction a secret. Artemis and Undermouth know of the servants and guards, but they never found out about me.”

  Evan pulled Nath into his arms watching the weight of the world crush him. Thunder rumbled overhead and the gardens looked like an ocean storm. “Keep going,” he said softly.

  “This is why my parents are so protective of me. If the public find out I’m a monster they’ll hate me and dread my ascension. They won’t want a werewolf on the throne. I could lose all public support and that would put the country in jeopardy, here and abroad,” said Nath, skin opalescent. “I’m a fucking failure. How will I ever be a good king if I can barely manage being a good prince?”

  Tiny pinpoints of light glittered around the darkened room reminding Evan of their first kiss and wishing stars. “I don’t think you’re a failure at all. What about Queen Kathryn?”

  Nath shot him one of those you’re joking looks. “I’m not nearly deserving of the comparison,” he said.

  “Either I’m hallucinating, Nath, or I’ve seen youopen a Trust for seriously ill people, perform royal duties, attend university, you’ve got me fucking smitten with you, and you make the sexiest noises when I—"

  Nath’s face burst into flames.

  “You see my point,” said Evan. “You’re not a monster.”

  “You haven’t even seen me,” he laughed sourly, but his cheeks were still warm and his eyes twinkled.

  “I’ve seen enough of you to know you’re not dangerous,” said Evan.

  “You've never seen me at the full moon,” said Nath.

  Evan leaned into him, mind twirling with possibilities. Lycanthropy was a blacklisted disease and: werewolves vampires, elves, eternal fae and kishi fell under the Dangerous and Blacklisted sector of their law. Restrictions and punishments for criminal acts were inhumane at best. Tales of werewolves were used to frighten children at bedtime after the 1926 Werewolf Massacre where over 100 of them decimated villages and towns within a thirty mile radius. “Is this what Will’s been trying to tell me?” he asked.

  “Yes,” Nath sighed again. “He thinks if you know my secret you’ll leave and Dad will hand me over on a silver platter.”

  “If dropping the werewolf bomb didn’t stop me undressing you, I don’t know what will,” said Evan. His face split in a brilliant smile.

  Nath burst into a fit of infectious, adorable laughter. “Perhaps you’re insane. Most would run a mile.”

  “I was raised to form my own opinion on individuals, not join a collective viewpoint,” said Evan watching Nath’s face light up. “You’re the first werewolf I’ve knowingly met, and now I've known you a couple months I'll say I don't think you're a danger. It’s not like you’ve tried to eat me.”

  “Are you sure I haven’t tried to eat you, Evan?” his eyebrows twitched, and excitement flooded Evan’s stomach again and they erupted with laughter.

  “Any lycanthropy symptoms I should watch out for?”

  “I’ve never put you at risk,” said Nath, turning their touch into a cuddle.

  Evan’s heart soared.

  “But if you were infected symptoms would appear within twenty-four hours; a red, blistering rash spreads everywhere, chills, fever, unbearable pain in every part of your body, tremors, deliriousness, loss of consciousness and oftentimes sudden death. I’m talking about a full moon bite though.”

  “And you went through all of that?”

  Nath nodded and continued, “that’s excluding the blood loss you’d suffer. If you survived there’s the permanent scarring which eternally glows as a reminder of the disease; the colour is different depending on the moon you were bitten under.”

  Evan’s fingers brushed the scar again and it glistened. “Yours is red like a cursed blood moon,” he said.

  The prince shuddered but his lips held a smirk. “Yes. I remember the change, but I was delirious in a matter of hours and fell unconscious soon after. My body was so weak, Dad called his holy man and by evening I was barely breathing. Mum demanded they take me outside, it upset the medics and panicked Dad, but there was nothing more they could do. So, outside I went and lay on the balcony beneath the stars,” he said and met Evan’s gaze with twinkling eyes; the life and happiness sucked from them moments ago was returning like a lifeline on the darkest night. “It was the day they found out I’m a lunarmancer. I’d lain by the sunny hospital windows all morning and nothing helped. They tried moonlight, and just like that,” he snapped his fingers, “I started to rally, and in an hour was able to eat and drink again. Afterward, I went to sleep and my symptoms waned. My leg healed and the following full moon I was contained and observed.”

  “There’s no cure for lycanthropy,” said Evan.

  “I don’t run amok and kill people, Evan. I’ve never hurt anyone and never will so long as I’m confined when the full moon rises,” said Nath. He searched Evan’s eyes.

  Stars glittered around the room, it was dark but Evan could see the prince’s face clear as day. Magic. “And the rest of the time you’re just Nath,” he said.

  “As normal as a royal can be, but I can’t risk others finding out about this, it could ruin me. Dad has enough concerns at the moment without this type of exposure,” said Nath, twirling a lock of Evan’s caramel hair round his finger.

  Evan snuggled closer enjoying the sensation. “The Dead Country?”

  “Tensions are at an all-time high, and the media are making matters worse. The deal Dad struck with them last year, which even their people agreed to, has been revoked by Undermouth. Troops are heading to the border to maintain control and return anyone not permitted to cross over,” said Nath.

  “Can they be contained?” he asked.

  “Yes,” said Nath, surprised. “As far as we know the troops are handling it smoothly.”

  “That’s a relief,” Evan sighed.

  “You’re more frightened of the Dead Country than the werewolf in your arms,” Nath was grinning, handsome and smelled of their rendezvous. “You truly are a remarkable person.”

  “I’ve read transformations are agonising,” he said softly.

  “You’ve read correctly,” said Nath, flashing a tiny smile.

  “Can I heal you?” Evan asked.

  Worry clouded Nath’s eyes and specks of silver settled in his hair as magic dusted the room. “In the days leading up to it yes, but I don’t want you to see me like that, at least not yet,” he said.

  Evan’s smile widened and he pressed a sloppy kiss to Nath’s cheek. “I can live with that.”

  “What about the meteor shower?” the prince’s dimples flashed like witty spells.

  “If I’m up for sucking your dick, I’m up for that too,” Evan grinned cheekily. His boyfriend, Prince of Enchanted Britain and clandestine lycanthrope was a hugger.

  One of those wonderful, peaceful silences descended and Evan relaxed mulling everything over. No wonder the king and queen had been so strict with the media. A child in front of a journalist could blurt anything out. Nath would have to face ascending the throne as one of the most hated and da
ngerous beings throughout history, and this business with the Dead Country werewolf attacks was putting him in a terrible position. Then, of course, there was Will.

  Anger struck a match in Evan’s belly. The audacity that guy had to risk exposing his future sovereign.

  “You know this means dinner with my parents now?” said Nath.

  “Yeah,” said Evan, “but I’m not anxious anymore knowing they’re not the scariest ones at the table,” he smirked.

  Nath shot him a panicked look but relaxed into laughter when he realised Evan was teasing. “There will be no end to the wolf jokes now, will there?” he sighed.

  “Probably not. When’s this dinner?”

  “Friday?” Nath offered with a side of handsome.

  “What time, and should I bring anything?”

  “I’ll pick you up at seven,” said Nath. “You don’t need to bring anything, just be yourself.”

  ∞∞∞

  The weekend disappeared and the celebrations for the dueling team continued. Evan had been congratulated a dozen times at least; most of which weren’t for his winning a spot on the team, but for dating the prince. He recalled how on Sunday evening in the sitting-room he’d been bombarded by three girls and a boy wanting to know everything from how he met Nath to whether he had any tattoos.

  By the time they hit midweek, celebrations finally settled. For the next few weeks the four victors would attend theory lectures to study rules, guidelines and tactics before the strategising began. The aim in the competitive matches wouldn’t be to knock their opponent off their feet, it would entail a series of random obstacles kept secret until the day. Blaise made it abundantly clear he didn’t think Evan deserved to be there. The first duel would take place the second week of January, which felt like an eternity away, but Evan knew it’d sneak up on them like a haunting reaper.

  ∞∞∞

  October’s final days were upon them; Hallowe’en and the full moon loomed around the corner. Evan was flirting with Nath outside the elemental magic tower when Will stormed over in a cloud of aftershave, dressed to intimidate, wrists and neck glinting with wealth.

  “So, he’s meeting the family, is he?” he spat, standing far too close to Nath.

  The prince cleared his throat and said, “yes.”

  Will’s bittersweet eyes flashed with betrayal. He turned on his heel and stormed away, embers drifting in his wake.

  Other than that, Evan’s day had been going well until he walked in on Cass and Jeremiah arguing again.

  “At least you’ve got until January to sort your priorities out!” Cass shouted, striding to dinner, arms wrapped around her books.

  “It was once at the newsletter! I promise I won’t miss any more meet-ups. I know it was really important to you but the newsletter is important to me,” said Jeremiah, heaving an exasperated sigh.

  Cass slammed to a halt. “What?”

  Jeremiah realised he’d made a mistake.

  The air fizzled with tension and stank of regrets. Evan wanted to leave but an oncoming crowd blocked the doors.

  “It isn’t once though, is it? You ghost me all the time; I get it, you’re busy, and you have other commitments, but could you at least be there for me like I am for you? I support you with everything you do. How many nights have I stayed up late helping you with homework?” asked Cass, voice strained.

  “I said I’m sorry, Cass, I’ll do anything to make it up to you,” said Jeremiah.

  Evan pursed his lips. The tension was so thick it hung in a stagnant cloud. The crowd dispersed and he made his bid for freedom into the lively music-filled court.

  Chapter 19

  Nathaniel

  “They’re all dead,” said the king, pacing before the magnificent log fire in his office.

  Nath lowered himself by the window. “Is this your way of telling me the situation has become dire?”

  “It was a warning- a terrible one. We lost six soldiers to Dead Country rebels and their slaves. If we cross into their lands again it’ll be much worse,” Elijah replied, massaging his temples.

  “What will happen to their citizens who cross into our lands illegally?” asked Nath. “They’ve murdered innocent people!”

  “They’ve been apprehended and are scheduled for execution tomorrow,” said Elijah, looking up to meet his son’s eye. “Hopefully this will resolve matters. Border tensions have settled over the past hours but we won’t know more until later. I’m sending in more troops as reinforcements.”

  “Are they following orders from Undermouth?”

  “Not just Undermouth, Artemis too. I’ve sent intelligence to infiltrate so we’ll have greater detail soon,” said Elijah.

  “May the gods have mercy on their souls,” Nath’s gaze drifted over the battlements. The sky was a woolen blanket of charcoal grey bloated with water. The atmosphere tasted of rural mugginess and misery. He hadn’t realised how long he’d been watching time pass until his father spoke again.

  “Your mother tells me we’re having dinner with your boyfriend on Friday,” he said calmly.

  “Yes, and last weekend I told him I’m a werewolf,” said Nath, flushing and meeting his father's stunned gaze with a brilliant smile.

  “Nathaniel!”

  “He still likes me,” said Nath, the room was gleaming with magic. Elijah stared in stunned silence, multiple realisations dawning alongside sheer panic.

  “Why in the name of all celestial phenomena would you tell him? How can you be sure he’s trustworthy?” he demanded. A muscle pulsed in the king’s hardened jaw.

  “Evan found my scar,” said Nath, face on fire. “What was I supposed to do? Lie? He’s not stupid.”

  “He’s a commoner,” said Elijah.

  “Evan is the most gracious person I’ve ever met,” Nath replied with all honesty. “He gave me his word he won’t tell a soul and so far so good.”

  “You’re obviously smitten with him,” said Elijah with a heavy sigh. “I’ve actually had a number of complaints about him.”

  Nath’s smile faded a little and confusion muddled his eyes. “From who?” he asked.

  “William. He doesn’t think much to your taste,” his voice became light with laughter, “I said that I’ll be the one to judge if he’s good enough for my boy.”

  Nath relaxed and watched rain speckle the windows. “I don’t think much to Will, or the way he constantly harasses Evan. He’s assaulted him and gotten away with it.”

  “Will’s an incredibly well-bred, handsome young man with an extremely wealthy future ahead of him; he’s liked by a lot of nobles and foreign state visitors,” said Elijah, brows furrowing as he spoke.

  Nath opened his mouth but bit back the words he didn’t want his father to know just yet. “You’ll change your mind when you meet him,” he said calmly.

  “I don’t speak ill of him. I’m wondering when you’re going to tell me you love him,” said Elijah.

  Nath pointedly avoided his eye, blush creeping up his neck and staining his cheeks pink. “Dad—”

  “Why don’t we agree to see how this dinner goes, alright?” said Elijah.

  “Good idea,” said Nath.

  Chapter 20

  Friday’s lore session was hot, and not in the good way. Quite literally the temperature was stifling owing to Will's unreasonable rage. He refused to look at either of them for the entirety session; the atmosphere splintered with brilliant orange shards as the drifting particles of magic were incinerated.

  “Where are you off to?” Evan asked, catching Cass’s arm on his way to change. She was jogging with a group of girls levitating boxes and parcels, rubber boots rode to their thighs and each girl donned a wide-brim waterproof hat.

  “Gathering Shrink Caps while the weather’s prime,” she said, waving her friends on.

  “Jeremiah’s waiting for you,” he frowned.

  Cass snorted. “Don’t be daft! He’s not there. I waited for half an hour, got changed, went back, and he’s still a no-show,”
she shrugged, averting her gaze. “He can find me and carry my bounty back if he’s anything of a gentleman.”

  Evan sighed. “I pity him for messing with you again, Cass.”

  “Again. Always again. Well screw him I’m not being a hanger-on, he can find me when he’s ready to apologise,” she said, and turned after her friends.

  Evan’s mind was elsewhere on return to his rooms. In less than two hours he’d be dining with the king and queen. Anxiety made him sick to his stomach, and he bent-double twice as he showered, shaved, and dressed in his nicest clothes. This dinner would be a make-or-break moment for their relationship. He reminded himself to stay calm and even went as far as to tuck his shirt into his trousers.

  “You clean up nicely!” said the mirror.

  He wasn’t a bad looking guy, pretty average, in his own opinion, with soft green eyes and a straight nose; a little shorter than Nath, but still above average. Pushing aside his cloak, Evan checked out his waistline. Thicker around the middle than Nath, too. Perhaps he should jump on the band-dragon of morning jogs in the gardens, he wasn't overweight, but most of the guys around the palace were thin and toned. He'd never thought about it must before- hadn't cared, but compared to someone like Will: tall, taught with muscle, dripping in gold and devastatingly handsome, he felt like a plump, food-loving book boy, that, for whatever reason, Nath professed he preferred.

  The king and queen must be as confused as he was.

  A knock at the door snapped him out of his stupor.

  Nath wore a heartbreaking smile. “May I escort you to dinner?” he asked, bowing to Evan like royalty.

  A guy and a girl emerged from a room down the hall and paused to stare at them, nudging and whispering to each other.