by L Ward
Evan eyed her in amazement. She was tiny. “You’re not the one who needs it,” he said pulling his jumper down to cover his muffin top.
“Aww thanks. And don’t be silly, you’re cute.”
Will snorted, averting his eyes.
Frances stared at him, confused.
The parlour had been tidied and set for an evening of merriment. A buffet table spread along the windows and enormous self-filling pitchers winked seductively as they passed.
“Another drink?” asked Nath.
“Ta,” said Evan peering up the back of the Christmas tree as two tiny pixies fought, tearing at each other’s dresses and snapping their razor-sharp teeth.
“What are you stealing?”
Evan fell into the Christmas tree. Will’s face loomed above him and he scrambled away under Marianne’s judgemental gaze. “Nothing,” he said, smoothing down his jumper to match his frown.
Will’s tipsy gaze drifted up to the pixies who stopped fighting and were watching them curiously.
“You’re drunk, Will,” said Nath, eyebrows flat-lining. He let go of the orange juices which seated themselves on the window ledge.
Will stared silently at the pixies; they stared back in bemusement. “Misswizzle,” he said.
“Bless you?” said Evan.
The pixies scampered into the branches, sprinkling the air with magic. Seconds later they appeared carrying a sprig of mistletoe.
Evan’s heart stopped; he moved a moment too late. Will caught his biceps and kissed his lips. He cringed and tore himself away, furiously rubbing the shame and champagne from his lips. “What the hell?!”
Nath’s face shadowed and in a split-second he had Will pinned to the wall.
“Nathaniel!” Miriam cried.
“Did you see what he did?” Nath roared, glowing with rage.
“Calm down, boys,” said Gerard, breaking them apart with some difficulty.
Nath let go but his piercing gaze never left Will.
“You’re pissed,” Gerard shoved Will away. “Get some water. Look at the state of ya!”
“Are you alright?” Nath asked, brushing his fingers over Evan’s arms. His eyes swam with worry and the air fizzed as the tension began to dissipate.
“It was nothing,” said Evan, wanting nothing more than to shrug this whole thing off. He felt angry and a little shaken but no real harm was done.
“Do you want to go back to our room?” said Nath.
Our room. Evan’s stomach tingled. “I think we should stay,” he replied, kissing Nath’s knuckles.
Nath’s eyes glittered and his dimples popped into play. He Evan softly on the lips. “To wash away the taste of my leftovers,” he said.
Evan laughed. “Why the hell would he do that?”
Something odd darted behind Nath’s eyes. “Envy. He’s trying to get under your skin. It’s an old-fashioned case of being in love with a crown, and thinking it’d be kinky to fuck a werewolf.”
“How do you know that’s not how I see you?” Evan asked, smile toasting his cheeks.
“You didn’t know who I was when we met and you’re terrified of everything in the palace” said Nath, guiding him to the windows.
“Except the one thing I should be,” he grinned asnd Nath burst into laughter. Evan loved that he'd relaxed around the werewolf jokes.
Dozens of ice pixies were outside dancing like floating lanterns. All the trees were dressed for winter with the occasional ribbon or bell; snow fell solemnly, masking the stars. It was eerily beautiful.
“You saw past my title and affliction, and just saw me. Even when I transformed, you saw me not- not that thing,” said Nath.
Evan clasped his hand tightly and said, “you’re not a thing, you’re amazing. I can't see any logic in hating a person who's done so much good.”
Nath pursed his lips, eyes searching the gardens as though hunting for a valid argument. They watched in silence as Gerard strode out onto the patio, snow catching in his slick, black hair, and started yelling at his son, waving his arms in his face, lips curled in a snarl.
Will was slumped over throwing up.
“If I marry you my entire life is going to change more than yours. Everything I’ve ever known will change. I’ll be a husband as well as a future consort. I realise this is going to be a lot of work; the stress will be immense and there’ll be so many expectations and I could easily fail and destroy everything. I don’t want to let anyone down. I’m scared of the intense social situations that’ll mess with my anxiety until I get used to them- if I ever get used to them,” said Evan, catching Nath’s gaze, and holding it like a precious newborn. “It’s fucking terrifying, but also electrifying because it means I would get to share a life with you,” his smile could warm the entire palace and his hands were shaking.
Nath’s eyes were sparkling. “I really hope you say yes.”
Chapter 31
The Boxing Day Hunt was a tradition the King, and much of the nation, enjoyed every year. Nathaniel, however, didn’t, and instead took Evan on a scenic ride around the mountains hoping to completely evade the magical mayhem that followed the hunting party.
Cass sent him a spellogram that morning letting him know she’d gone home for a few days and would be back for Hogmanay and his wedding.
Court festivities never ceased filling the palace with music and laughter. Dancing, food and games raged until dawn.
Evan’s surprise came in the form of an enormous bouquet of radiant red roses delivered in the middle of the dancefloor. One for each day passed since they met. Girls and a couple of guys eyed him, or rather Nath, with googly eyes and spiteful stares.
They didn’t see Will at all that day, but when Evan glimpsed Gerard leaving one of the offices looking irritated, he figured Will was sleeping off a terrible hangover.
∞∞∞
The following morning after a delightful breakfast in bed, Isabelle, Rina and Josh, Nath’s servants, arrived with the dreaded rails of clothes and measuring tapes; looking at Evan expectantly. They were followed by an elderly gentleman with more nose hair than head hair and a plump grandmotherly black lady with kind, crinkly eyes. Both were dressed in immaculate suits trimmed with white lace and long wispy cloaks.
“As my consort you’ll need clothes for all occasions, and the royal tailors are the best people for the job,” Nath smiled.
“You’re evil, you are,” Evan laughed. He stood there nervously allowing them to take measurements, grabbing clothes as they went and then, without warning, began stripping him to his underwear and dressing him in riches. “Whoa!”
“Please allow him to dress himself,” said Nath, watching from a nearby armchair.
The pile mounted higher and higher until Evan was certain he’d need a set of climbing boots to scale it. He was dressed in the finest suit he’d ever worn, sleek and black with a crisp white shirt, his top button opened. A cloak fell to his knees made from spider-spun silk and glittering with silver threads; it was almost too soft to feel.
When the horror show ended, Nath took Evan to the library where a wrinkly prune of a man stood waiting dressed in full king’s livery; his cloak bore the rising phoenix suggesting high rank.
“Welcome, Your Highness,” he greeted Nathaniel with a low bow, and turned to Evan surveying him carefully, “and to your betrothed,” he gave Evan the tiniest bow.
Evan glanced to Nath. “Hello,” he said with a side of caution.
“I’m Sir Wintor, and the King has requested I assist in training you for your new role,” he smiled which barely touched his grey eyes.
Evan’s stomach was crushed by a boa. Nath was already at a desk flipping through some files, occasionally marking his signature.
“This way,” said Sir Wintor.
Evan was taken to a table piled with books and Sir Wintor gestured for him to sit. “As consort to His Highness you’ll be expected to perform duties such as: attending royal engagements, overseeing organisation of events such as fundrai
sers, meetings with foreign ambassadors, and seasonal festivities,” he said pushing several brand-new text books toward him. King’s, Queen’s and Affairs of the Past by Lucifeen Jacobs, Artful Etiquette of the Modern Era by Joseph Tineford, Peacemaker by Rudolph Bedford and The History of the Monarchy: a 600-Year-Old Summary by Blaire Collins.
Some summary, Evan thought as he thumbed through the thousand pages.
“Don’t panic, these need to be read but I’m not expecting it done in days. I’ll be questioning you about them as time goes on. You’re also expected to continue with your university studies seeing as you are of absolutely no educational background,” he added bluntly.
Yikes. Wow. He’d been enjoying the welcoming smell of old books and supple leather, but now it smelled stale and dusty. Evan was struck by the urge to open a window. “I have been educated. I was home schooled.”
“By who?” asked Sir Wintor.
“My family,” said Evan.
Sir Wintor stared at him a moment and sighed. “Given it’s the party season, we’ll start today with social etiquette.” He sank into the chair opposite and tapped Artful Etiquette sharply. “Whenever confronting the King or Queen in public you must always bow low and use only the titles of Majesty or Grace. At no point should you interrupt a speaker unless it’s critical, and be mindful of the person you’re speaking to, especially if they’re foreign; you need to be aware of their customs and beliefs. Never ask personal questions and never convey any information about the royal family or political affairs unless sanctioned by the king, queen or prince. Do you understand me?” he asked looking at Evan as though he was stupid.
“Yes.”
It went on like that for hours and by the time it ended Evan was feeling so exhausted all he wanted to do was curl up in the corridor and sleep. “I must’ve read three hundred pages of that book and my brain is so stuffed with all these protocols and behaviors it’s fried,” he yawned on they made their way back to Nath’s bedroom. Their bedroom. He washed up, peeled off the suit only thousands of gold coins could buy, and collapsed into one of the dining chairs.
“You look tired,” said Nath over a delicate three-bird pie with thick, crunchy puff-pastry crust dripping in gravy.
“Shattered,” Evan replied watching Nath cut his food into dozens of tiny pieces and chew them over slowly. “Nath, you can eat whatever you want, don’t make yourself sick on my account,” he said with all the gentleness of dandelion fluff.
“It can be quite horrible to watch,” said Nath, flashing him a tiny smile.
“I don’t mind at all. Are you hurting?”
“Yes, nothing I can’t handle,” his smile was wicked-fast.
“As soon as you’re done go lie on the bed and I’ll take care of you,” said Evan.
Nath’s eyes flashed, excitement overriding his discomfort. “In what way?”
“In whatever way you want. I was told to service you however you desire,” his voice was a purr, a sly smile crawled across Evan’s face.
Nath’s laughter warmed the room. “Please do,” he said huskily.
Evan’s energy levels spiked again. After dinner he rolled Nath into bed, stripped him naked and sank his hands into the lean muscle of his shoulders. “Tell me where it hurts,” he said.
“Just keep going lower and you’ll find it,” Nath grinned.
∞∞∞
Cass’s spellogram was as determined as she was stubborn, after failing to get an immediate response by slamming itself into the window the following morning, Evan found it trying to squeeze through the balcony doors with no success. He opened them and it burst a shower of white sparks in his palm. Sighing, he read the tiny slip,
Evan, what the effing dog doo is happening? Why did I get an official letter from the palace saying you’ve been removed from the dueling team due to unforeseen circumstances!?are you okay?! Write me ASAP I’m worried – Cass x
“What’s wrong?” asked Nath.
He stared at it, and for the briefest moment he thought it was some kind of joke.
Nath studied the letter, a tiny crease sliding between his brows.
“I don't know what she's on about,” said Evan.
Nath sent a message to his dad.
Evan reread it over and over, convincing himself this was some joke; probably Will's doing.
Five minutes passed before an emerald spellogram shot through the door fizzling out on the table. Nath opened it and his skin turned ghostly.
“What is it?” Evan asked, feeling his stomach sink like a battleship.
Nathaniel,
I regret to inform you that Evan has, indeed, been removed from sports related activities due to the risk factor involved. Kindly offer him my sincerest apologies that the information, upon my request, was not firstly delivered to him. Rest assured, I will be following up with this dreadful error.
Evan will likely become a member of the royal family soon and is, therefore, valuable. My goal is not to spoil anyone's fun, but to protect the future of the monarchy. Taking into consideration the potential for sabotage among current affairs, it is best he is kept safe. - Dad x
“I’m so sorry, Evan,” said Nath, brows knit.
Evan wasn’t sure how to feel. He sank into a chair and hollowed out. “On one hand I’m relieved, the other I’m gutted,” he said. “What’s going to happen to the team now I’ve let them all down?”
“You haven’t let anyone down, Evan. Damn it- I should’ve seen this coming,” said Nath, sucking his bottom lip. “I didn’t think the restrictions would be implemented against dueling.”
“I don’t understand. The King was happy about it before,” said Evan, rubbing his forehead with exasperation.
“You were my boyfriend then, not my betrothed.” Nath’s eyes puddled. “Accepting this life means accepting your monetary and political worth now we are public knowledge. They’re holding Pride events throughout cities and towns in honour of our engagement, but there’re always groups looking to gain from royalty.”
Anxiety dripped droplets of arctic water down his spine. “I find it hard to believe I’m that valuable,” he said slowly.
“You’re more valuable to me than you can imagine,” said Nath, taking his hand and meeting his eye with a sincerity that slayed the monster of anxiety. “I won’t lie, it’s virtually impossibly to travel far from the palace with current events. Progress hasn’t happened since my parents married two decades ago.”
“I don’t think this place could ever bore me anyway; definitely not with you here,” said Evan.
Nath grinned wolfishly. “You’ve not seen half of the palace yet.”
“Then you'd better show me because I find it hard to believe there's anything crazier or better than what I've already seen,” said Evan. He paused, smile lingering. “I hope my friends forgive me. I don’t give a damn about Blaise's opinion.”
Nath laughed. “I imagine Cass will forgive you, and the others will in time. This isn’t your doing,” he said, running his fingers through Evan’s soft brown hair. “I’m confident in you.”
“If you can be confident with me, then why are you worried about being regent for a few days?”
Nath stiffened.
“You’re not going through any of this alone, Nath.”
“I’m terrified that god-awful pack willstrike again. Lone wolf attacks have been increasing as the monsters leak out of that cesspit of a country, and deep down I’m one of them. I'm as bad as they are, only I’m fortunate enough to be shackled in a cage,” Nath said, collapsing under his sigh of relief.
Evan’s eclipsed him in his arms, welcoming the smell of sandalwood and musky guy. “The sooner you become regent the better. You’ll realise all this panic was for nothing. Kathryn was a werewolf, and she was one of the greatest rulers the magical world has ever known.”
“That’s a lot to live up to,” said Nath, a whisper of a laugh tinting his voice.
“Nobody's comparing you—”
“They will.”
“It’s better that you’re not Kathryn, or your dad. You’re Nath and you’re more than enough. Besides, what if the PNT find a cure before your reign starts?”
“What if they don’t? All my life I've had this disaster looming over me, this hideous curse waiting to ruin my reign.”
Evan shrugged. “You’re not alone. You’re stressing yourself about something you can never change, man. You’re the country’s heir, the public will have to like it or lump it,” he said, watching Nath’s torn expression melt into boyish laughter.
“You’re doing something to relax me,” he said, eyes glittering.
“Don’t know what you’re on about, Nath,” Evan grinned.
“Your power is overflowing. I can feel it under my skin.”
“I've come to understand what Lady Cascade meant about touching individual particles of magic now. I can’t do it with the elements like she can, but I can do it with people when I heal them. I’ve been practicing something for your transformation.”
“I won't let you put yourself at risk for me,” Nath’s face flashed with uncertainty.
Evan looked at him, puzzled. Magic crackled, and Nath’s anxiety pooled in dark clouds about their feet. “You’re not going to, Nath. I promise to stay safe as long as you trust me.”
“Okay,” he said, staring at the darkness below. “Perhaps a walk in the gardens would wake my legs up. Care to join me?”
Evan smiled and laced their fingers together. “As long as we’re not balls deep in snow, then let’s go.”
∞∞∞
Surprise flew in on a phoenix carrying a golden basket full of egg-sized chocolate truffles with warm, molten centers to die for. It dropped the basket into Evan’s arms streaking high into the towers like a comet, embers drifted harmlessly; hissing when they graced the snow.
Evan felt dozens of eyes on him, watching the display; some craned their necks at the windows. It something else he’d have to adjust to- people constantly staring at him wherever he went. Socialising was becoming a formality in the universal sense, and he missed Kalani more than ever.