by L Ward
Nath’s grin was heartbreakingly handsome. “Your body isn’t used to the second set of powers; it’s overworking you because you’re not using them. Why?”
“I’m scared,” Evan exhaled sharply, focusing the energy into the palm of his hand. He watched the ball of light grow, warm and reassuring, harmless and beautiful. The atmosphere crackled with possibilities; a fine dusting of magic coated the room.
Nath shook his head. “You have to let them come out, the longer you store your powers the worse it’ll be when they burst out of you,” said Nath.
Evan swallowed. “When will it stop?”
“When you’re crowned,” said Nath. “You’ll be fully fledged on Monday.”
Evan felt dizzy and closed his eyes, taking a moment. He was still too hot but his sweat was starting to cool and he felt disgusting and slick with moisture.
Nath magicked a drink over and held it out to him.
Evan gulped it and lay back feeling the magic abate. “It’s getting stronger,” he said.
“You’ll be the most magically gifted person in the world,” Nath was grinning, eyes twinkling in a way Evan hadn’t seen in weeks. “One person with two incredibly rare gifts.”
“You’re making me out to be some kind of pariah,” said Evan.
“No matter what you do you’ll go down in history. I expect Flint would be happy to think a student of his may drop his name in a book somewhere,” said Nath, laughter dancing on the tips of his voice.
Evan laughed. “It’s weird thinking of it like that, I think everyone grows up wanting to be known for something people read about in hundreds of years but the actuality of it is scary, what if I screw up and go down as the worst Consort in history? Commoners marrying the heir are rare and the ones who made it mostly failed or were ignored.”
“They failed because they faded and withdrew. They sat back and let people walk all over them because they never felt good enough. You’re not the kind of person to fade, Evan. You shine so much,” said Nath.
Evan’s heart fluttered.
“Being a part of this mission will win you the trust of the people. My transformations make me look weak, but you’re my rock. Dad was desperate for me to wed to be certain there was someone capable available if I’m not, and you’re that person, Evan,” said Nath.
Evan felt as though he’d swallowed a baking potato, the lump in his throat was painful; suffocating.
“Which is why I’ve written the decree that should I be unable to perform my kingly duties, you become Regent until I am capable again,” Nath said. “It’s the best solution.”
The heat came back for another round of sweating buckets.
“What do I do?”
“Whatever needs to be done. I trust in your judgement. My parents raised me to know a good soldier and you’re good, Evan. You’ve been pushed beyond the limit and proven yourself worthy of this,” Nath said, curling beside him on the sofa.
Evan had stopped sweating and began to relax again.
“They don’t expect perfect from anyone, not even me,” Nath continued seriously.
Evan was smiling; playing dot-to-dot with Nath’s freckles and memorising every one. “I’ve got loads to learn. Sometimes it’s mind blowing.”
“Feeling overwhelmed means you’ve been presented with a serious challenge. It can be a good thing if you manage it right. You’ve been working incredibly hard, focus a little more on yourself. You’re more anxious than usual, take this time to work on summoning your new powers,” Nath said in his soothing voice that made Evan’s troubles feel like puddles of goo. “When we get back I’ll make sure we go on our honeymoon anywhere in the world you want to go; multiple places if you like.”
How could he say no to that? “Sounds perfect.”
Chapter 3
It was oddly normal, the full moon. Nath performed duties all day, purposely ignoring the horrendous slander in the media about how the entire country would watch the moon with the knowledge that their King would be out of his mind with bloodlust beneath its gaze.
Evan, however, had a plan. He caught the wary eyes of the guards, who until now had no idea Nath was transforming somewhere behind those doors, and smiled reassuringly.
He hated being the one to clasp him in shackles; hated treating him as subhuman.
Minutes passed and Nath began to shake violently.
Evan stepped back, raising his palms ready to ease the pain; that’s when he realised he wasn’t transforming, he was fighting back tears.
“Being here brings back so many memories,” he choked, face grey. “Dad was here for every single transformation, even if he had to run he made sure Mum took over instead so I was never alone.”
Evan nodded solemnly, massaging his power into the Nath’s shoulders. The lycanthropy was rising, a vicious burn against his gilded lifeline.
“It was good to know that at least there was one person still rooting for me. Most wouldn’t have blamed them if they’d drowned me but, like you, Dad saw me at my worst and still accepted me. He’s made some dreadful mistakes and said awful things, but he was still my dad and it's with part thanks to him that I'm the man I am today,” Nath continued. His breath came in pants, skin damp with sweat.
Evan's magic flowed like a river into Nath's body, his bones radiating an ethereal sunshine gold. “I love hearing your stories,” he smiled.
“Perhaps I'll tell more around the campfire next week,” said Nath. “It’s starting.”
It was easier than breathing, more natural than the circle of life to make the transformation painless. He got through the barrier with seconds to spare and watched Nath thrashing furiously at his bonds. The memory of the last moon summoned feelings of warmth, he'd smiled and talked to his transformation; although he'd been snarling, thrashing and pacing the edge of the barrier, Nath recalled it all afterwards and said it was a wonderful memory. So, Evan kept smiling knowing that somewhere deep in the werewolf’s subconscious, Nath was there smiling right back.
No summons arrived that night, and when morning broke, Evan was happy to massage him to sleep and promptly join him. Their bed was a cloud and neither of them woke until well into the afternoon.
The palace was relaxed, and when they did emerge, nobody treated them differently. There was not one paper in sight.
∞∞∞
The royal library had easily become one of Evan’s favourite places. On Friday evening he was curled on one of the overstuffed leather sofas reading a book and eating chocolate in absolute bliss. The snow was drifting by outside and barely half an hour ago a servant had arrived announcing that conditions would be fair enough for his family to travel Sunday morning. Excitement didn’t come close; he couldn’t wait to see them again.
He was disturbed minutes later when a cluster of footsteps appeared beyond the archway to the cosy study and a group of Privy Council members appeared, headed by the King, and milled around the table outside.
“Scouts are leaving in a few days to prepare the trails. There’s nothing to worry about, Your Majesty,” said the elderly man, Sir Larry Tomlins, who often spared Evan sympathetic glances and leaned towards his favour on a number of occasions.
“Excellent,” said Nath. “And the coronation?”
“Just the preparations to be done on the day. His Highness was fitted for his attire this morning,” said Sir Tomlins, “and by your request, Prince Evan has not yet seen his coronet.”
Nath looked up, spotted Evan and his face lit up with a thousand stars. He said something quietly to the entourage and they headed over to the work desks. He wandered through and sank beside Evan, lifting his legs across his lap. “Hey there, sexy,” he said, fingering the chunky green jumper Evan had thrown over his shirt: Nath’s favourite colour on him. The last time he’d worn it it'd resulted in one heck of a happy ending.
“You want heals?” Evan marked his page and reached for Nath’s hand.
“I just came in to see you. I didn’t know you were here. Well, I di
d have a feeling…” Nath smirked, massaging his calves.
Evan laughed. “I guess you already know my family will be here Sunday.”
Surprise lit up Nath’s face. “I didn’t. You’ll have an extra day with them,” he paused, “I understand if they’re uncomfortable with my presence, but I’ve organised a dinner.”
“Nath you’ve been a werewolf almost your whole life and you’ve never hurt anyone, and I’ve stood in the same room as you. In their last spellogram they said they hoped I didn’t tell them because I couldn’t, not because I felt I couldn’t.”
“So they’ve no problem with their eldest son rolling around with a vicious wolf?” Nath’s laughter tickled him in all the night places.
“No, and you’re more like one of those pedigree lapdogs, bigger bark than bite,” Evan teased.
“Lapdog?” Nath grinned and in a flash Evan was pinned to the sofa, a soft pair of lips at his neck.
“Okay, maybe not that harmless,” said Evan, enjoying every brush of their velvety softness.
“I warn you, Evan, I’m not afraid of defiling you on this sofa,” said Nath.
“The sooner the better,” Evan grinned.
“Is that a challenge?” asked Nath.
“Yeah, well, the real challenge is in not getting caught, right?” said Evan. He felt Nath grin against his chest, breath tickling his skin sending delightful shivers down his spine.
And what a challenge it was.
∞∞∞
“By the way, Mum wants to have dinner with us tomorrow to celebrate your coronation early. She was in your shoes once,” said Nath as they sprawled on the sofa, slightly rumpled and sweaty.
“She’s champion, your mum is,” Evan said, grinning. “A real fighter. I see where you get it from.”
Nath rolled sarcastic eyes and said, “how into this book are you?” He held up the paperback Evan was absorbed in.
“It’s awesome.”
Nath pouted, “so you’re not interested in stealing the evening off and having a smoke session?”
“You know I’m never gonna say no to a you and a bowl of weed,” said Evan, eyes sparkling. His energy soared from the sex. Bring on the party.
Nath laughed brilliantly.
∞∞∞
Evan woke to cloudy skies, a gorgeous man and an entire morning to spend practicing his new powers; the palace was his oyster.
He dressed in modest black wool cloak and his comfiest lazy-day clothes and headed into the bitter gardens. It smelled of dewdrops and the sweet promise of spring. The path had been cleared and Evan followed it through the winding trees to the pretty little pond he saw on his first trip. A smile touched his lips and he crouched to feel the eternal blooms trapped in ice, their purple petals glittering through the surface. How quickly life changed.
Evan swallowed and held out his hand, his healing rose in a glowing warmth coating his entire body in shards of gold. He’d been practicing forming a barrier over his skin which blocked the burn of using his new power, but it didn’t stop the sweating or the nausea. His palm was shaking over the flower as faint rays of spilled from it glazing the flower in feeble warmth. The harder he focused, the more energy spilled from his palm and the ice began to melt until the flower shone with radiance, devout petals praising the light. It was beautiful, even as sweat plopped in the snow and Evan had to stop, overcome with nausea.
A little while later he tried again and again, each time it got a easier. Baby steps.
∞∞∞
Evan went to lunch tired but feeling pretty damn proud.
The afternoon disappeared in a blink of worries over his and before he knew it, they’d arrived in the Dowager’s chambers for dinner.
Miriam was still dressed in mourning but left her face and short crop of hair uncovered. The stylist had been since the last time Evan saw her and he smiled warmly. Her skin had recovered thanks to his magic, but he couldn’t regrow her scorched hair.
Dinner was merry with lots of sherry and cherry pie. The air tasted of festivity and glistened with silver.
“Are you nervous about Monday?” she asked as they sank around the fireplace with drinks and chocolate.
“I’m terrified. How did you cope?” said Evan.
Miriam’s tinkling laugh filled the room. “I tried that horrible old trick of picturing the audience in their underwear, but most of the audience were wrinkly old men,” she replied, “if you want me to tell you it was my love for Elijah, it wasn’t, well, it was but the thing that held it together was pretending I was having my hair done. I’d done it a million times by that point so I smiled and before I knew it we were leaving the church and I was the anointed Queen.” Her face lit up in a beaming smile; her eyes filled with tears. “The pressure of being crowned is immense, but you’ve been blessed and the only thing you need focus on is not slipping swear words.”
He’d done that several times in front of nobility and earned shocked expressions and disgusted stares. Accidentally, of course. Evan flushed. “Don’t worry I’ll drop f-bombs all over the church, especially during interviews and I’ll be sure to cuss out the vicar,” he grinned.
Miriam laughed. “Cheeky.”
Nath was glowing.
“There is something I’d like to talk to both of you about,” her smile faded a little as she spoke.
Evan looked anxiously to Nath.
“It’s about William.”
Evan’s heart sank; Nath was paler than moonlight.
“Mum—”
“What are you going to do about him?”
Nath swallowed and stared at his sherry like it was the most fascinating thing in the world. “I’ve no idea what you’re talking about.”
Miriam met Evan’s eye and he swallowed. “Dad wouldn’t have punished him but you’ve every right to do so,” she said lightly. “From what I’ve heard and witnessed he has caused nothing but unprovoked grief to Evan since he arrived; there’s also the Lady Kalani to consider.”
Nath downed his drink and rested the crystal glass on the end table, light reflecting from its multitude of patterns. “I’m not going to execute Will,” he said finally.
Weirdly, Evan found himself relaxing.
“But I’ve thought about it.”
Miriam stared.
Evan wasn’t surprised. Nath said as much when he finally sat him down and told him the story of the assault. He remembered the feelings of anger, of disbelief, of piercing hatred and the burning desire to strangle Will with his bare hands.
The atmosphere crackled in sparks of green, uncertain and fragile.
“I’ve made a decision about him,” Nath continued, relaxing back against the sofa and staring into the fire. “I know what you’re going to say, and I only granted his permission to attend the mission because we not only need the manpower, but it’s his last chance at redemption, one slip and I will banish Will from the palace permanently. He can return to Yorkshire in disgrace,” said Nath, pouring another drink.
Miriam’s lips were pursed white, her eyes shining with tears. “Why didn’t you tell me, Nathaniel?” her voice was tender, she wasn’t even trying to mask her pain. She was talking about his assault, something that appeared to take Nath off guard.
Evan took Nath’s hand, it was sweating. He squeezed, smiled, and allowed his magic to spill into Nath’s body.
“Would you have done anything if I had? Would Dad?”
Miriam hesitated.
“You know as much as I do that Dad wanted to trade me in for shares with the Starstone’s and to appease Gerard. If I’d married Will it would have benefited everyone but me, and telling Dad about what he did would only further his shame of me,” Nath said bitterly.
“Nathaniel he adored you,” she got to her feet and sank to her knees beside him. He didn’t pull away when she took his free hand and stroked it delicately. “He wanted the best for you and at the time William seemed like the best choice to secure your throne—”
“Do you think that wa
y now? Do you think people wouldn’t have abandoned me if I’d married Will?”
She looked at Evan and smiled. “Evan is a better consort and the much better choice for you, but the world sees William’s power, name and wealth before they notice Evan’s kindness, candor and capability.”
Nath sighed. “The worlds are breaking down, rifts are tearing all over the place and it’s on me to fix it. One guy is expected to save the universe from certain destruction and cling desperately to a throne the nation doesn’t want him to have. I’m no better than the dark warlocks. The Scottish councils have fallen, thousands have died and all people can worry about is how long my tail is,” he slumped forward, head in his hands, shoulders racking with unshed tears.
Evan opened his arms and Nath fell, exhausted, into them. “You’re never alone,” he whispered. “Look at all the people who came back for you, to fight for you.”
“Nathaniel there is nothing more you can do at the moment, you need to rest. Take a day off, you’re sitting around waiting for things to happen,” said Miriam, sinking down on the other side of him.
“Yes I’m waiting for things to happen. I’m waiting for the warlocks to slaughter more of my people, cause more devastation and when they finally make their move they’ll unleash hell upon the non-magical world and I will be responsible for it all,” said Nath.
Miriam shook her head furiously, eyes flashing. She grabbed his shoulder and turned him to face her. “They’re biding their time, if you make it to the Dead Country and complete this mission they’ll be too weak to attack, but to do it you need to be well and that means taking the time you have now to rest and heal. This country needs you strong and level-headed, you’ve a consort for a reason,” she said, her eyes flickered to Evan and a smile graced her lips. “Elijah went through the same turmoil when he became king. He was utterly terrified and suffered months of dreadful panic attacks. You’ve been through so much more, it proves your strength, Nathaniel.”
Evan nodded.