The Lunar Prince

by L Ward

  Nath laughed the adorable nose-crinkling laugh that made Evan want to kiss every freckle. “And what do you tell these curious admirers?”

  “I tell them,” Evan smirked, leaning a little closer, “you’re hung like a horse, and still a complete gentleman.” He felt a sharp, burning gaze on the back of his neck and knew exactly who was watching.

  Nath snorted, cheeks glowing. “Which one? Little Red Riding Hood?” he dropped his voice and Evan laughed.

  The entrance of the king and queen was marked by sudden hush. Evan’s first impression was Elijah looked tired; shadows bloomed beneath his blue eyes. It felt good to laugh, even when they passed, eying them with curiosity and welcoming smiles.

  “May I have everyone’s attention?” said Elijah, standing before his throne: an enormous gilded dining chair, softened by velvet lining, its backrest encrusted with glittering gems. The room hushed to pin-drop silence, eyes flashed in the torchlight, people seated on the outskirts glowed with the emotions of the palace “In honour of our son’s birthday we’ve organised this special feast. Please welcome this evening’s musical entertainment,” he said giving way to applause. A group of musicians at the opposite end of the room filled the room with song. In the time it took for Elijah to distract them all, the servants arrived and hundreds of platters soared overhead landing along the tables. There were squeals of delight and the applause sounded like a thousand hummingbirds.

  Nath seemed to swell with happiness watching the pink champagne flow from the centerpiece fountain. The dishes were delectable; Evan ate and drank until he felt giddy and warm.

  “Do you have much work to do this weekend?” Nath asked toward the end of their enormous slab ofshared chocolate gateau, frosting light as a cloud.

  “Just some reading, why?” said Evan, trying not to swallow too much at once.

  “I would like to spend the weekend with you,” said Nath, eyes glittering and cheeks rosier than sun-blushed apples.

  “How did you get that much time off?” he asked, surprised.

  “Birthday treat and a lot of overtime during the week,” said Nath, “there’re more places I want to show you.” Excitement danced across his face.

  “I’m up for it,” Evan grinned, sensing a butterfly tornado in the pit of his stomach.

  The feast continued in merriment; lords, ladies and students joined the dancing like a ball of the Middle Ages. Evan watched them all, sipping champagne as Mr and Mrs Starstone joined the festivity. Loose lips, rivers of booze and white magic filled the court to bursting point; the veins were dazzling, spewing multicoloured light. All the while they talked, laughed and Nath accepted a near constant stream of birthday well wishes.

  “So many faces,” said Nath, draining the last of his flute. “Perhaps we should have some private time?” his handsome face relaxed with into flushed flirtatiousness.

  Evan’s stomach curled with excitement. He set his flute down, sugary rim winking in the snatches of light reminding him of twilight stars on the horizon. “I’m definitely up for that,” he said.

  Nath rose and Evan felt much better when he noticed the champagne flush up his neck. He felt the intense gaze of the king on his back as Nath extended his palm and swept him onto the dance floor.

  They danced and flirted their way through the crowd. Evan’s heart accelerated adrenaline through his body; Nath’s fingers tingled with magic. Many more nobles and teachers wanted to wish the prince a wonderful day, others glanced their way with guarded eyes and secretive smiles. They passed Will, all hard-lines; toxic centers; handsome smiles, and a devil’s eyes. He was a stark contrast to Nath; carefree, pink-cheeked and full of laughter.

  Brilliant camera flashes popped like a whack-a-mole and the room spun in a kaleidoscope of colourful light. Evan didn’t care, let them post what they liked. The booze was making him ballsy.

  “Happy Birthday, Your Highness!” Cass intercepted them near the door.

  “Cassidy, it’s very good to see you. Have you murdered your ex-boyfriend yet?” said Nath, spiking his brows a little.

  “I was just on my way,” she replied tossing her thick hair over her shoulder. It fell in waves tonight, and was coated in burgundy shimmer, turning it flaming red beneath the lights. She’d clearly made an effort tonight, no doubt to spite Jeremiah whom Evan had barely seen in days. “I heard there was a party, so I thought I’d see what all the fuss was about.”

  Evan was glowing with happiness, his boyfriend and one of his closest friends getting along was another dream come true. A cold gaze descended on his back again and he thought back to when Cass asked why he and Will couldn’t bury their differences because she worried Nath would be upset over losing his friendship. He’d wanted to laugh. “We were heading off for the night, actually. Who're you here with?”

  Cass caught his eye and unleashed a brilliant, sparkling smile. “Oh, I thought I’d drag Angelika along with some of the girls. Her sister reckons she secretly enjoys parties,” she waved her hand lazily and grabbed her wine.

  Evan shot her a dubious look which said I doubt that very much.

  “Never mind, you two have fun now,” Cass said in a drawn-out sing-song voice, flashing a toothy grin.

  The atmosphere hummed, charged with magic; they slipped into a secret passage somewhere in the east wing, cloaked in darkness and cool with mystery. Evan was amazed when a staircase encrusted with gems of blood-red and gold spiraled before them and up, up, up they went like a tower maiden.

  They emerged not far from Nath’s room; Evan’s heart was pounding by the time they reached his door

  All his curtains had been drawn back with snow-tipped ribbons; one pane was cracked bringing in the delicious smells of smoky orchard and sweet country air. Thick, charcoal clouds smeared the bruised-black sky, bejeweled by stars like uncut diamonds.

  The prince moved with graceful ease, laying his dinner jacket over a chair and flashing his devastating smile.

  Evan knew he wasn’t leaving here a virgin.

  “Would you like a drink or anything?” asked Nath.

  Evan smiled, stepping up to him and cupping his ass. “You,” he said watching arousal’s fire ignite in Nath’s pupils; they were kissing, fumbling into the bedroom with nervous touches and horny smiles. Evan’s magic surfaced and his skin glimmered faintly.

  Nath’s legs bumped the bed and they collapsed in a tangle of limbs and soft gasps; buttons popping, fingers delving in search of heat and pleasure. Everything became dusted with a fine layer of magic.

  Evan was lost in Nath's hot skin, whispered fantasies. Time froze when tender lips caressed the pulse point of his neck. He came up for air, panting, eyes hazy with arousal, tingling with nerves. Nath was flushed to his belly, fingers drawing Evan closer, closer- oh - he barely had time to cast a clumsy lubrication spell, and it was happening.

  It was magical, fumbled, and held all the imperfections the first time should, which, in Evan’s opinion, is what made it perfect.

  The initial discomfort had lasted mere moments until Evan’s magic seeped into his skin; Nath relaxed with a crimson flush of pleasure and Evan lost his mind.

  “Can I ask you something?” said Evan, wetting his lips. They lay crumpled and sweaty, tangled in the sheets and glowing with first-time radiance.

  Nath turned to him with a full-on just had sex look. His pupils were huge, black as the dark side of the moon and filled with secrets of another reckoning. His hair, usually so graceful, stuck to his forehead with sweat; lips bruised from kissing. “Whatever you want,” he said, kissing his way along Evan’s shoulder.

  “Has Will watched you transform?” the kisses faltered but didn’t stop.

  Nath’s face remained calm, he looked up, a ghost of a smile whispering his lips. “Yes.”

  “Can I see you?” Evan asked, throat suddenly dry as bone.

  “Have you ever seen a werewolf?” Nath was tense, nervous.

  “No, just pictures and renditions,” said Evan. “There was a man who
came to the shop a few years ago; regular like. I didn’t know he was a werewolf until my sister told me months later. She wouldn’t tell me what happened to him, though.” He didn’t bother to mention the guy was likely arrested, beaten, and dumped in the nearest patch of wilderness because the prince didn’t need to feel any worse about it.

  Nath’s eyes swam with emotion, anxiety turning his blue eye a brilliant ocean, green a mysterious forest. “And what if you don’t like what you see?” he asked gently.

  “Nath, we just had sex,” he said, meeting his boyfriend’s gaze, “and you never know, maybe there’s something I can do to help. If you don’t mind my asking,what’s a transformation like?”

  “It’s painful, but it ends relatively quickly. My body is used to it now and it takes less than a minute, the first half is the worst. In some ways childhood bites can be better because my bones were soft and grew more pliable. Look, in some places there’re slight deformities,” said Nath, flexing his fingers to show his lumpy knuckles. “Once I start losing my mind the pain no longer bothers me, but by that point I’m gone,” he pursed his lips tightly. “They say people who lose their minds don’t even know it’s happening, but it’s happened to me over a hundred times and it’s fucking terrifying.” Nath’s face grew haunted. “The loss of control is the worst part. I can feel myself fading, and everything that makes me human dies. It turns me into a monster I don’t want to be and I remember everything when I’m human again. When I’m in that state the curse takes over and my instinct is to infect or slaughter. I am as much a weapon as any other monster out there only I was fortunate enough to be born with immense privilege,” he closed his eyes in a long, painful blink.

  “And when the sun rises the wolf turns back into a prince,” said Evan.

  Nath’s lips twitched in a boyish smirk. “And it’s a whole twenty-nine days before it happens again,” he said.

  “Can I see you at the next full moon?” Evan asked.

  “Okay,” said Nath, wearing nothing but a smile.

  Conversation came with ease and they talked of everything: life, death, space, music, love, sex, and fancies of their bedtime thoughts. It wasn’t that late so they ordered snacks, had another smoke, and went up to the observatory to stargaze.

  Evan didn’t even need the weed to be high, he was soaring, magic hummed with bone-aching satisfaction, and for a while he could forget about all the of life’s stress and enjoy himself.

  “Look there,” said Nath, Evan turned full circle and almost died with laughter. He’d drawn a massive cock in the stars.

  “Please tell me people can see that?” a tear of elation tracked his cheek.

  Nath’s grin was wicked. “I could make it much sexier but I don’t fancy explaining to my dad why I drew a 3D leaking cock over the palace.”

  “No, just a regular one, like?” Evan grinned.

  Nath laughed.

  They stargazed for what felt like hours, wrapped in each other’s arms watching the world go by. Evan’s entire body tingled when they collapsed into Nath’s bed in a tangle of soft sheets and wonderments of when Nath would roll him on his back and have his way with him.

  He wasn’t left to his daydreams long; as morning broke and the moon went to sleep, Nath woke him in a shower of peppermint kisses and tempting fingers. Evan’s nerves were surprisingly settled, discomfort wasn’t something he needed fear with his powers and who the fuck cared anyway? He was lost, burning at the mercy of his prince which ceased in moments and felt absolutely fucking incredible.

  Chapter 24

  Breakfast was served on plates of gold by Isabelle and a young manservant with fiery curls, a snub nose and freckles so dense he appeared tanned from a distance. Both of them donned pleasant smiles and knowing eyes.

  Nath’s face remained dimpled even after they left.

  “It’s all over the court, isn’t it?” Evan asked, knowing full-well what the answer would be. He welcomed his bitter tea with a keen sip.

  “If it isn’t now,” said Nath, “it will be by lunchtime,” he finished, setting down his mug.

  “Those self-changing sheets aren’t looking so good now, are they?” said Evan. He was bright red. Really bright fucking red, and enjoying every second of it.

  “Perhaps you’re imagining their knowledge, or a night shift servant just happened to be in my laundry room when they appeared,” said Nath.

  “At midnight after a party,” he snorted.

  A cheeky grin lit up Nath’s entire face as he did something surprisingly sexy- he began setting up the bong. “I believe this is how it goes,” he showed, and Evan blinked in surprise.

  “Pretty good, push it a little flatter,” he pressed the weed further down in the bowl and handed it back.

  Nath shook his head. “For you.” Evan’s lips twitched, and he smoked, quickly resetting it.

  “When I designed it I knew it had to be self-cleaning. Have you ever smelled bong water?” Evan laughed and Nath shook his head. “You don’t want to. It makes me want to puke.” He ran a finger up the sparkling glass.

  By the time they finished their strong tea and glazed fruit tarts, the hit went down a treat, and Nath flourished him from his bedroom.

  They arrived outside a set of gilded doors made of white marble; the royal phoenix was engraved deeply in stone, threaded with crystallised sunlight and dreams.

  “Go on then,” said Nath, nodding to the gold handles.

  Evan pushed and the heavenly gates swung forth. Sunlight filled the room, wrapping Evan in a warm embrace. The entire ceiling was made of glass and framed by master craftsmen. It was the grandest library of his wildest dreams. Shelves towered to the domed top crammed with books of every size, colour and description. Some appeared untouched, others so tattered they were bound together with elf-fabricated rope; an air of loving preservation lingered.

  “This is the royal library. For use by members of royal family and anyone we give permission to,” said Nath, wearing his most charming smile. “You can find books on almost anything here,” he said moving to a cabinet made from quartz and infused with shadows; night’s darkness swirled beneath the glossy surface. He opened the doors revealing rows of books; each set in an individual holder as the books themselves were made from smoke. Dense, colourful smoke which grew to near-blackness in the center, the edges whispering as they faded in the sunlight. One of them, a deep purple secreted the most, and words glittered like tiny embers winking in the dark, but too difficult to read.

  Evan stared in amazement.

  “Books of Mystery: it’s a mystery how to read them,” said Nath, his eyebrows bounced playfully.

  Evan laughed. “What’s the point in having them if nobody can figure out how to read them? Might as well let them go out the window for all they’re good for.” It earned him a hysterical burst of laughter that made his toes tingle.

  The chairs were nothing like the campus library, these were grand, plush chairs designed to sit and get lost in a book for days at a time. A low-simmering fireplace toasted the cavernous room which smelled of split apple logs and cinnamon bonfires.

  “I know how much you enjoy reading so feel free to come here and study or relax any time. That goes for when I’m not with you, day or night,” Nath smiled and the whole world brightened just a little more. “This is one of my favourite rooms in the whole palace.”

  “I can see why,” Evan breathed, stricken with bemusement and overwhelmed by history. The royal library was in all the books: a grand meeting place for sovereign’s past, and the very room Kathryn the Great wrote the official declaration of war against Eustace Honeyford and his supporters. It smelled of greatness and otherworldly magic. He ran his fingers along one of the shelves dispelling a coating of magical residue. “It’s weird to go from reading about this room to actually seeing it. Is it true there’s book over a thousand years old here?”

  Nath nodded and gestured to a vault set in stone and wrapped thickly in crystal veins which glowed a sinister lime. Tor
ches blazed either side of the combination lock. It was so simple it was almost too inviting, and gave Evan an overpowering urge to avoid it completely.

  They continued the tour; Nath guiding Evan to the upper levels jammed with books of every description, from ancient rune graphs to modern fiction. The library bestowed treasures of the past, present and possibly future. That’s when Evan noticed the arteries climbing what little wall space was visible. Thicker than his body, they shone with ethereal light casting an almost eerie hue around the surrounding texts. This was more than the stories told, and he, Evan Ravenway, was privileged enough to see this place with this gorgeous, incredible prince.

  The entire day flowed like a dream Evan never wanted to end. After the library they returned to the stables, and this time Nath selected an even larger mare with a body forged from rubies, a mane of smoke billowing from the cracks in her hide. Her stride outmatched the other horse’s and they soared through the forest in a blur of dreaminess and a rush of winter. Frost encrusted the branches and the chill wind nipped their noses and cheeks rosy. The first signs of Christmas sparkled like snowflakes.

  Nath’s exhilarated laughter shattered the icicles, and sent waves of adrenaline through his body as the horse cleared a fallen log with ease. The saddle cloud around their waists swirled, holding them perfectly in place.

  They rode farther out this time onto the edge of the forest where a winding river churned beneath a cap of ice thick enough to skate on. It sprawled between the mountains beneath the cloud-scattered sky.

  The night was spent cosy in bed beneath the stars, and by the time Evan collapsed into his own bed on Sunday evening feeling pleasantly worn-out he didn’t even bother undressing before he passed out.

  ∞∞∞

  Monday.

  The moment Evan stumbled out his room sleepy and still running on romantic high, people talked. A few congratulated him, some laughed at the idea of the prince sleeping with him. To make matters worse he ran into Blaise outside rune enchantment, a shark-like grin slashed his face open.