by L Ward
“You may,” said Evan and, tingling with pride, he locked his door and was swept away down the staircase.
Nath was dressed in casual finery: loose indigo shirt, black jeans under a rippling cloak of darkness; gold winked around his neck and wrists. “Are you still nervous?”
“Terrified,” said Evan.
“You look hot,” he said with incredibly sparkly eyes.
“Thanks. I wasn’t sure how formal I should be,”
They breezed through the east wing and up a winding flight of stairs carved from the same threaded jet stone as the rest of the palace. A series of weighty phoenixs in various states of flight rose along the handrails, gleaming with gold and dusted finely with magic.
Anxiety drummed its relentless beat; it felt as though they were ascending Heaven’s stairs, which must have been enchanted because Evan wasn't remotely out of breath. Great marble doors rose ahead, flanked by two enormous guards wearing the king’s livery. They relaxed into deep bows for the prince and opened the doors into a dimly-lit lobby. The distinct chink of china plates made every hair on Evan's body stand to attention.
“Ready?” Nath asked, looking at Evan like he was the center of the universe.
Evan wanted to scream no, and I’m probably going to shit myself, but refrained and nodded. Nath’s smile melted his anxiety and in seconds he'd stepped into their dining quarters.
Theparlour was expansive; glistening with magic and smelling of riches; tasted metallic like power. Medieval paintings adorned the walls and a strip of plush silver carpet stretched the length of the room and upon it rested a long table dressed for four. The king and queen were toasting by the fireside, talking quietly.
Evan’s insides seized as they turned curious gazes upon him.
“Mum and Dad; Evan. Evan; Mum and Dad,” Nath gestured back and forth between them brandishing his dimples.
King Elijah rose and Evan clammed up in a nervous smile. He accepted the proffered hand and said, “good evening, Your Majesties.” He turned to Queen Miriam and executed a careful bow.
“Need not be so formal with us, Evan,” she chuckled, eyes twinkling.
“Come and have a drink,” the king rested a fatherly arm across his shoulder and poured two glasses of whiskey. “Nathaniel tells me you’re on the university dueling team. Is it something you’re interested in professionally, or more of a pastime sport?”
“More of a pastime. I didn’t expect to win because I don't have much experience with dueling, Your Majesty,” Evan replied, hoping he hadn’t said the wrong thing. Dear lord, the whiskey fumes alone would get him drunk, it smelled of a thousand Scottish asses and burned worse than a bad bong rip.
“You may call me Elijah, and I typically find that hidden talents are the most entertaining.” He sipped his drink, staring curiously at Evan. “I’ve known many a duelist in my time, it can be a dangerous profession. Have you heard of Simon Charmwick?”
“Yes, he’s fantastic! My brother is a huge fan,” said Evan. Simon was a young guy from Australia that won the International Professional Duelists League over the summer; what made his story more incredible was he’d been disabled only two years ago after falling into an infantile dragon enclosure, he’d not only lost his left hand, but he was partially crippled by his burns.
Elijah seemed pleased. “I was amazed by his skill. I knew him before his accident when he was training. He was foolish, of course, pulling stunts for attention. Although, it didn’t harm his career.”
The fire crackled, hissing as the log split like a hot dog and the room filled with a strong smell of cooking.
Evan wasn’t sure what to say so he took a painful gulp of whiskey hoping to settle his nerves. Gratefulness engulfed him when a manservant appeared announcing dinner.
“See? No reason to worry,” Nath said quietly, placing a hand on his lower back and sliding him beneath the table in true gentlemanly fashion.
Anxiety’s heartbeat fluttered in his belly and a merry warmth spread to his fingertips as servants appeared, serving him like royalty. He glanced at Nath, whose eyes were dancing like fireflies.
“I was telling Elijah we’ve met before,” said Queen Miriam, “I said Evan was the sweet young man who spoke eloquently at the Prince’s Neurological Trust meeting.”
Evan’s entire body was crimson.
“And I reminded you that I saw him first when he was snogging our son in the gardens thinking no one was watching,” said Elijah, blue eyes glittering as they slid over both Evan and Nath. Evan wanted to crawl in a hole and hide, but Elijah’s face spread in a boyish grin that reminded him so much of Nath; he was teasing.
Evan smiled and sipped the whiskey. Relaxation was creeping up on him and he hoped the food was dense enough to absorb this kind of vintage.
“Now, what embarrassing stories about Nathaniel would you like to hear?” Miriam asked, gazing at him wearing a whisper of a smile.
Nath’s face was stricken with abject horror. “Mum!”
Evan laughed. “The most embarrassing you’ve got,” he said watching Nath’s cheeks ignite.
“I can answer that,” said Elijah. “It was this past summer when I caught him in his office with his hand in his trousers.” His grin could rival a shark.
Evan tried to stifle his laugh under Nath’s horrified, flame-grilled gaze. “It happens to all of us,” he said calmly. Damn, fantasies really do come true.
“Evan’s family have had good news recently,” said Nath, driving a wedge in the conversation. “A Canadian company want to buy stock of his father’s smokewares, some of which Evan designed and enchanted himself.”
Evan’s stomach with anxiety, but his eyes were on the food. Silver gravy boats and dishes stuffed with roasted vegetables: fluffy, fat mushrooms bursting from their skins, golden-drizzled mash, roasties, and prime cuts of steak settled on the table before him. It was Heaven.
“Ah, yes, you've told me of his family's business. Quite an achievement. Is it equipment like pipes and that sort of thing?” Elijah frowned.
“Yes,” said Evan. Among other things. “He makes everything.”
“I’m curious, what enchantments does he place on them?”
Evan snatched another sip of courage; the jarring warmth was welcoming. “The range is pretty extensive, but the most popular are: self-cleaning; flavoured, anti-burn, self-lighting, purifiers that remove additives from herbs, and age-proof enchantments. We’ve thought of most things, really.”
“It sounds charming,” said Miriam, eyes twinkling like a fae. “What does your mother do?”
“She’s a housewife; I’ve got a twin sister and a thirteen-year-old brother. We were homeschooled. The rest my dad taught me in the shop; I learned a lot about design and tech,” said Evan, sinking his fork into the pigs in blankets and watching the caramel ooze from deep within. The food was incredible; the alcohol left him toasty and ravenous.
“I’ve always been fascinated by the traditional family homelife,” she said wistfully.
Evan's eyes drifted to Nath's plate and he noticed with some level of shock, the bloody steak he was eating.
“So, what are your plans for the future?” Elijah asked.
“At the moment I'm focusing on my education. I've worked in Dad's shop since I was twelve, so I'm seeing where life takes me,” said Evan. He knew this would fail to impress them, but then again, they’d known from a very young age what lay in their futures, and the alcohol was giving him loose lips.
“Hard little worker, aren’t you?” Elijah smiled after a time. “Perhaps you’d consider dueling as a profession if it works out well. God knows, Nathaniel hasn’t stopped gushing about you since the try-outs,” he said.
“Dad, come on.”
“All right, but if you don’t mind my asking, what is your unique?” Elijah’s eyes were fixed on him curiously.
Evan’s palms prickled.
Nath set down his knife and fork, catching his gaze and smiling with princely confidence.
&
nbsp; He was aware of how ridiculous he looked and stupidly necked the rest of the whiskey, savouring the throat-closing burn. “I’m a healer,” he said.
No sooner had the words escaped his lips, the atmosphere changed. A brash scraping signified the king’s rising. “I hope you’re not toying with me,” he said smoothly, eyes like chipped granite.
“No,” said Evan, tasting fear.
“He healed me,” said Nath, rising to meet his father’s gaze.
“Many can perform simple healing spells or tricks, it doesn’t make them a healer,” Elijah replied, eyes shifting between them.
Evan stood up feeling anxious and a little tipsy- not a good combination. Magic glittered all around them. In all honesty, he had no idea what reaction to expect from them. He'd anticipated this question, of course, and consented to sharing his powers when he discussed it with Nath, hoping his powers may impress them.
“I’m sure we can settle this,” Miriam said softly.
Quick as a dart, Elijah slashed the air.
It took Nath a moment to react, he stood, eyes clouded, deep in the realms of thought. He yelped as blood ran down his fingers and pain stung his palm. The acrid stench of hot blood filled the room.
Seized with urgency, Evan captured Nath’s hand, magic spilling freely into the wound, clotting the blood at thrice speed and tugging the skin uncomfortably over the gash.
“Incredible. Just incredible,” Elijah boomed. He strode forth, eyes roaming over the mere white line.
Evan tickled his fingertip over it until Nath stopped squirming with discomfort and it vanished altogether. Anger ignited in his belly; lava filled his veins, fueled by alcohol and disbelief. He glanced at Nath, studying his hand keenly.
“It’s a remarkably rare gift,” said Miriam.
“I’ve put him on my books. He has no wish to be shackled in some noble’s country house. Valuable he may be, but he deserves quality of life,” said Nath, meeting his father’s gaze, dimples glinting like armor.
Elijah’s expression was unreadable. He stroked his beard and turned to Evan. “I wasn’t expecting to find you quite as intriguing. Nathaniel, you understand why I did that?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Shall we return to civilised dining?” Elijah’s easy smile was back; the dense clouds of magic swirling above their heads fell, coating the ground in a layer of glittery powder.
Evan’s anxiety bobbed about confusingly; his mind swam with questions.
“Wonderful,” said Miriam. “He's our guest, after all.”
Nath smiled and guided his chair back under the table.
They finished the main course and the servants returned flourishing gluttonous platters heaped with profiteroles, sticky buns, glistening balls of ice cream, and fluffy chocolate meringues.
Conversation had been delightful. Miriam shared many a story of her childhood fluttering about Europe with her parents following a herd of unicorn trekking the continent. Kalani would love her.
Evan was so full and tipsy by the time he lay down his fork, Nath laughed at him.
“Not used to the hard liquor?” Elijah asked when he got up from the dining table with wobbly legs.
Evan laughed, cheeks glowing. “I’m not used to alcohol much at all,” he said.
“No, I believe you’re more used to cannabis,” said Elijah.
Evan’s heart stopped. He turned helplessly to Nath. “I—"
“I admire the healthier choice,” he said mildly.
Evan relaxed.
After dinner, wine and mints were served around the crackling fireplace. Warm and drunk, Evan sank into a sofa, leaning against Nath like a pillow.
Miriam wanted to know all about uni life, professing the university's reopening was mostly due to her passion for education. It had taken years to accomplish and Evan was glad to submit his praises.
“It’s always a busy time running up to Christmas and Hogmanay,” said Elijah, sinking into an armchair, and swilling his fruit-filled wine. “They’ll be the largest celebrations yet, but first, Nathaniel’s birthday is coming up
“When’s your birthday?” Evan looked up.
“Fifteenth of November,” said Nath.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t think it was that important.”
Evan laughed. “I didn’t think princes were supposed to be humble.”
“You know I’m no ordinary prince,” he grinned.
The evening wrapped up with sweet treats and creamy tea. Evan was relaxed and full of food when he bowed low to the Elijah and Miriam, bidding them good-night. Nath took his hand and walked him barely out of the doors before he swept him into an alcove and kissed him.
“How did I do?” Evan breathed.
“Amazingly. You made a good impression,” Nath’s voice came back husky.
“How can you tell?” asked Evan. His skin prickled with cool excitement as Nath’s hands slid up his sides.
“If they didn’t like you Dad would have pulled me aside and forbade me from seeing you,” he said, pupils wide and glittering.
“He likes my power,” said Evan losing himself in the those jewel-like eyes.
“Who wouldn’t? He has a good point though, what are you going to do about dueling if you won’t tell them you’re a healer?” Nath asked.
“I guess I’ll wait and see what happens in the strategy sessions. They’ve been guessing I’m either a kinetic or pyromancer, but I don’t think either of those can make you puke or shit yourself,” said Evan.
Nath snorted adorably with laughter and twirled him down the staircase. “That was brilliantly understated. The work of a true genius.”
“Are you drunk?” said Evan.
“A little bit, but I know cleverness when I see it,” said Nath.
Evan laughed so loudly he startled a passing manservant.
Nath escorted him to his room and left with a long, slow kiss that half the corridor watched through cracked doors.
∞∞∞
The last Saturday of October breezed in bringing a flurry of crunchy leaves and sticky pumpkin treats. Day had broken over clear, dewy grounds and the crisp air was rich with the tang of apples and rife with birdsong. Every windowsill boasted a rainbow of pumpkins lanterns wearing expressions of varying shades of horror.
From his window, Evan spotted Cass and some girls trekking down the muddy riverbank in the distance.
“Did you get a copy?” asked Jeremiah, banging on his door midafternoon, thrusting a first issue of the U of AMP Newsletter into his hands the moment he opened it.
“I have one now,” said Evan, eyes skimming over the gleaming title Three Cheers for the Champions! Accompanied by a large photo of the four of them standing beneath a shower of confetti, grinning like cats who go the cream.
Fortuitously, the turquoise sky remained strong and when dusk fell in the late afternoon, Evan grew excited. His shower was revitalising and he’d just finished dressing when he heard the door. Expecting Jeremiah, he heaved an enormous sigh. Surprise, however, greeted him like a brand-new boyfriend.
“I didn’t expect to be picked up for two dates in a row,” said Evan, grin spreading across his face.
Nath flashed his pearly whites, looking ever the prince charming. “If I didn’t I wouldn’t get to see you undressed this early,” he said, nodding to his boxers.
Evan reddened. “Come in or the whole floor will see them.”
Nath stepped inside and shut the door with a soft click. “I do apologise for turning up early. I’ve a surprise for you,” he said, eyes dancing around the room with boyish curiosity. Evan’s bed, dressed in dark grey sheets from home, was unmade. There was a crystal drink bottle on the bedside table and an assortment of bongs lined up, glistening in the moonlight. His eyes fell on an enormous bag of weed jammed half inside a container on the bed.
“A surprise? You’re mad, you are,” Evan laughed and closed the container. He made to stuff it in the suitcase under his bed but Nath sto
pped him.
“Bring some with you tonight,” he said, eyes twinkling.
Evan’s belly fluttered with butterflies and he put it in his cloak pocket.
Minutes later, they wound their way up the mythical staircase he was struck with the memory of stumbling down it with Nath last night, snogging his face off and being caught by a flustered maid who dropped all her hand towels.
“Where are we going?” Evan asked after some time. Their ascension wound high into the palace towers; branches of crystal became dense, threading into tiny strands of daydream blue, sweetened pink, luckless violet and summertime yellow. They reached another set of guarded doors and Evan felt very much like a prince in a tower.
“Your Highness,” the men greeted him and bowed aside.
The doors opened their arms for Nath, revealing a gleaming waxed lobby sporting classic white furnishings which stood out starkly against the palace’s ebony walls. A bountiful vase of autumn blooms dominated the center, but Nath didn’t stop to admire them, he led Evan through the single archway into a large, cosy parlour. On the right were sprawling, two-way windows, a lush purple love seat that wouldn’t look out of place in a rock star’s house and a pair of matching armchairs propped beneath the simmering fire. A book case lined the entire back wall, rammed with beautiful spines. Across the room Evan spotted another archway leading into a gigantic, immaculate bedroom of purple and white with a gleaming marble door, undoubtedly concealing an en-suite bathroom. It smelled of nighttime air and Nath.
“Welcome to my room,” said Nath, striding to the glass balcony doors.
“Fuck me if this is what you call a bedroom then what do I live in?” Evan breathed, spinning circles; trying to take in as much as possible. A candlelit chandelier swung above their heads bathing the room in a relaxing glow. Magic dusted its crystal droplets catching the light, casting stars around the room.
Nath’s angel-felling grin was in full-force tonight as he lifted Evan’s hand and escorted him onto the balcony.
The sky was a wash of navy studded with starlight and crisp with the coming winter. A table draped in gold cloth and glowing with candlelight was set for two. Dozens more candles danced along the balcony and in clusters on the ebony floor. The space was heated by a pretty, rustic fire pit, charmed to protect them from strong winds, and, no doubt, harm.