Swan Prince

The Swan Prince

By: Delilah deSora

Chapter 7



**



“Kent?”



The white haired prince whirled, staring with wide eyes at the figure that rode to join him.



“Why are you still here?” He demanded, awash in confusion.



Odel cocked his head, staring at him with worried eyes. “What do you mean? Where else would I be?”



He heart threatened to burst from his chest as pain flared through his mind in response to Atol’s sudden anger at the knowledge he’d been denied. Crying out in pain he nearly fell, would have fallen if Odel’s hand hadn’t caught him and helped him from the saddle.



“You should have gone, Odel.” He forced through gritted teeth.



He saw tears in his companion’s eyes but Odel shook his head firmly. “No, my Prince. I will not leave. Not yet.”



“Why do you stay? Surely you know the danger!” Kent insisted, trying to ignore Atol’s anger which threatened to split his head in two.



Odel nodded, a small smile playing over his lips. “I know but there is naught else for me to do. A strange fate has lead me here but I will not abandon this path even though I long with all my heart to see the family that has been denied me these last five years.”



Kent shook his head. “What path is it that you speak of? What of the path that leads you back home where you belong? What of the fate that puts you with your family?”



Odel shrugged. “I do not believe that is the path I was meant to follow. I believe all things happen for a reason and this is no different. Perhaps I am foolish but I believe that I am meant to be here, to help you through the darkness that threatens you. From my brother’s own words this has aided my father as well for it has given him the determination to see his wishes for a stronger land for his people come true.”



“And did you not think of what that means for the future, Odel?” Kent replied, a frown pulling at his lips, “Did you not think of what my father would do to you to bring your father to heel? Did you not think that he might make you a true prisoner or . . . or worse.”



Odel stared ahead, his face uncharacteristically serious. “Yes, I have thought of that and if that is where this path ultimately leads then I will accept it for, if I die, I will know that I was meant to follow this path to make my father strong. My death will bring him sorrow but it will be the last bit of strength he needs to serve his people. But . . . I do not believe it will come to that. I truly believe that it is for you I was brought here and I know that what spirits have lead me to this path will not let me fall before my work is done.”



“How can you be so sure?” Kent asked desperately, studying his companion’s face.



The sad smile returned to Odel’s face. “I know it, here,” he touched his chest, “Our fathers grow old and will one day be of the past. We are of the future, my Prince. I feel in my heart that this is not the end of our journey it is just the beginning. You have much to do and . . . I would be with you as long as you need me.”



Odel flushed, his pale cheeks reddening as his face lost its seriousness and his gaze lowered.



Gently Kent reached out, his fingertips brushing over Odel’s cheek. Atol had grown silent and his thoughts were his own again. “I know of no other I would rather have at my side.”



To his surprise dark lashes fluttered over blue eyes as Odel turned and raised his face. Kent’s breath caught in his throat as soft lips hesitantly brushed over his. He bit back a groan as long arms wrapped about his neck, pulling him down. He felt Atol stir within his mind and he deepened the kiss relishing in the sudden flash of jealousy that left a bitter taste in his mouth even as pale lips parted and the taste of his companion forced all thought from his mind.



It was his first kiss of desire and he was surprised to find that his body already knew what to do. His hand cradled that back of Odel’s head as the force of the kiss bent the smaller boy back while his other arm slid low down the arched back, pressing their bodies together. His head dipped lower and he pressed kisses over the angled jaw, finding pleasure in nipping at the bared throat and the soft gasps it coaxed from his companion. For the first time in a long time he felt his body stir, hungering for the touch of another.



With a groan he closed his eyes, hiding his face against Odel’s neck.



“We must stop.” He whispered, struggling to find the strength to push away from the newfound source of warmth and pleasure.



Fingers stroked through his hair and he felt a kiss pressed to crown of his head. “Is that your true wish, my Prince?”



The use of his title helped cool the ardor and he pushed back, unable to stop the frown that crossed his face. “Yes. I won’t use you like this. I won’t be like Atol.”



Odel watched him through hooded eyes. “And if I told you I did not mind? That I wanted it?”



Kent swallowed hard, forcing his hands to relinquish their hold. “I would not believe you. You have already been forced to give me so much of yourself. I will not take that from you as well.”



There was a rustling of leaves and Kent tensed, his grip on his companion tightening as he turned towards the intruder. Green eyes studied him with a measuring look before turning to study the man in his arms.



“So this is how it is, then?” Vilay asked, his voice barely concealing his anger.



Odel flushed, hiding his face in the arms that held him. “Yes.” He whispered. “I know but there is naught else I can do. The heart will go where it wishes and I cannot but believe that this was meant to be. I am third son. I was not meant for marriage for third sons never are. They are meant for a different path than the others. A spiritual one.”



His brother shook his head. “I would rather you in a monastery than in our enemy’s arms.”



Odel frowned, his hands tightening upon Kent’s arms. “He is not our enemy!”



Green eyes met grey and Kent met the other’s gaze firmly. “Not yet, perhaps,” Vilay replied, his voice guarded, “but one day he will be.”



Odel shook his head. “It doesn’t have to be like that. He’s done nothing against us.”



A very small smile crept across Vilay’s face. “I know but he is as helpless in this as we are. I wish this could be different, Odel. I wish there would be a bright future for, of anyone born to this world you deserve a happy ending the most, but,” he paused shaking his head, “this is beyond all of us. This was started long ago and we cannot escape it. Our kingdom will be our own again. Our people will not stay under foreign rule. Our father fights for freedom and, in time, I will do no different. Yet, at the same time, his father fights to hold on to what he believes is his. Do you honestly think your prince will stand by while his future kingdom is whittled away? While his family honor is at stake?”



Kent met Odel’s blue eyes honestly; unable to hide the truth there no matter the pain it caused him not to be able to soothe his companion’s fears. He shook his headly. ly. “I cannot abandon my father and my people anymore than your brother can abandon yours. What he says is true. Don’t you see? There is no future in this path, Odel. Go home. It tears my heart to send you away but I know that it is nothing compared to the pain I would feel if you were hurt by staying at my side.”



Odel brushed angrily at the tears that stained his cheeks. “No. I belong here. You say there is no way and . . . maybe you’re right . . . but I won’t believe it. I cannot. I am staying here. You say it would be better for me to go home and save myself future pain but you’re wrong. I would rather die here trying to find a better way than to go home and fade away from despair. That would be too cruel of a death. I won’t have it!”



Somewhere in the distance a bell began to toll and Odel shivered, pressing himself against Kent’s chest to seek both warmth and security. For a moment he feared that his prince would push him away but the arms about his tightened and he smiled despite his tears, hiding his face against the soft linen of his prince’s shirt.



“I see,” his brother said, his voice full of resignation, “Politics will make us enemies, Prince, but in this I think we are not. I am not blind and I have never known my brother to be wrong about someone. I see the way you hold him and, though I see how you wish he would chose different, I see that you are as drawn to him as he to you. He is very dear to me . . . to all of us. Please take care of him. What he has said is true. He is the third son and, as such, should not be a part of this. What will happen is the fate that belongs to kings and first sons.



“Do not be fooled by the pretty words that have been used to cover up dark intentions. He was not brought here to be your playmate,” Vilay warned, his voice deep with barely suppressed anger, “his presence here is for an eviler purpose. There are those who would try to use him. They will try to twist his path and make him a pawn in our debate. Odel was not meant for war or intrigue. If you truly love him you’ll protect him from those who brought him here.”



Kent nodded grimly. “I respect my father and honor him as a son should but I will not allow him to do as he wills. He is King now but one day that fate will be mine. I will not let him weaken my throne by causing pain to innocents.”



“Do I have your word that if this does not turn out well, that if danger threatens you will send him away? I cannot bear the thought of him trapped in a place of bloodshed. He is not suited for such a place.”



Again Kent nodded. “I swear. If it is in my power I will send him away.”



“Then I shall hold you to it. Thank you. In this night I call you friend and in this matter I call you comrade, no matter what our fates may make us out to be in the future.”



The bell finished ringing the hour of true darkness and, with a heavy heart, Odel watched his brother vanish into the night.



**



Odel was understandably distraught the next morning and Kent found himself possessing a new resolve he’d never had before. All his life he’d deferred to others, letting his father and those put in charge of him telling him what to do. He’d always considered his life planned out for him and that there was nothing he could do to change it so why bother?



He’d been given asonason to bother now.



So it was that when Ryhan appeared, his face darkened with anger and no small bit of annoyance at having his lesson unattended he’d met his tutor with cold eyes and informed him that there would be no lessons that day and the likelihood of lessons being attended the next day were slim.



His words had been met with stunned silence to which he’d bid the man a fruitful morning and left him gaping in the hall.



He spent the rest of the morning sitting with his companion on the balcony using soft words an gentle touches to soothe the tears and fill the quiet silences when Odel’s pain was so palpable he could feel it tightening his own chest. When lunch was set out he coaxed food between unresponsive lips and managed to get his companion to swallow enough wine to dull his senses and allow him to drift off into a fitful sleep.



It was only when Odel’s breathe had deepened and his hands had lost their death grip upon the covers that he summoned Ryhan. His once most trusted friend eyed him as though he didn’t know him and Kent knew that he too viewed his tutor with very different eyes than he’d used to.



He explained that the previous day had taken its toll on his companion, allowing Ryhan to believe that it had been the execution that had caused his state for he knew in his heart that it had been part of what had caused such heart sickness in his friend. Despite his understanding Ryhan made it clear that it could not be an excuse and that their lessons would continue and that Odel would not be allowed to lounge around like some fragile lady having the vapors.



It was only as he was leaving that Kent spoke the doubts that had lingered in his mind.



“Is it true?” He demanded, rising as Ryhan paused, hand half raised to the door latch. “Is he nothing more than a pawn in my father’s game?”



Ryhan’s face turned from surprise to something he couldn’t read. “They are not games, Kent.” He replied quietly, surprising Kent with the use of his given name.



“It is true then. My father would use innocents. I had not wanted to believe it.”



Ryhan laughed humorlessly. “Innocents? There are no innocents, my prince. Have I not taught you this? The affairs of kings are a human matter and, as such, all humans are held accountable. We all benefit or lose from it. We are all dependant on it. We must all fight and die for it. Besides, he is the son of kings. He is not as innocent as you think.”



“I won’t let him be used.” Kent stated, his voice firm, “Tell my father that.”



Ryhan frowned, staring at him from across the room. “This is your kingdom too, my Prince. It is your throne he is trying to protect.”



“Exactly. It is my throne, and I will not allow it to be sta wit with his blood. Let my father find a nobler way to deal with his problems. I will not be part of wanton bloodshed just so he can pretend that he is the strongest of them all.”



Ryhan’s eyes turned introspective and he nodded, slipping into the quiet hall without another word.



Kent returned to Odel’s bedroom, pulling the sleeping form into his arms as he stared into the room’s darkness. He was never sure if it was his own innate powers or if it was because of the link between he and Atol but he always knew the position of the sun, even when he could not see it. He knew when the sun slipped past the horizon and when, a few hours later, the moon rose. He knew that the silver disk had just graced the tops of the trees behind the clouds when Odel finally stirred and broke free from his trouble dreams.



They lay in silence for a time, listening to the soft sound of the rain tinking against the glass of the window. Kent’s fingers traced the length of Odel’s bared arm, marveling at how soft his skin was. Unbidden his body stirred and he clenched his teeth, forcing such thoughts from his mind. To his surprise Odel turned in his arms, small hands reaching up to touch his face.



“You needn’t stop yourself, you know.” His companion whispered, tracing the curve of his upper lip. “I wouldn’t mind.”



Kent shook his head. “I won’t. I won’t use you like that.”



Blue eyes were searching as Odel framed his next question. “And if I said I wanted it?”



Kent hesitated a moment before shaking his head again. “I couldn’t, Odel. It would . . . it would be wrong. I won’t be like Atol. I cannot be like him, as I’ve already told you.”



“If that is your wish.” Odel replied softly, his hands falling away.



Kent sighed and rested his chin upon the top of Odel’s head. “I do like you. More than like I suppose but . . . I dare not lose control of myself. I fear the creature my desires would make of me.”



Odel’s fingers tangled in the blankets that covered them. “Where do you go when you go to the forest?”



“There is a lake deep within the heart of the forest,” Kent replied, his voice distant, “The old magic is strong there. You can feel the heartbeat of the earth in the rocks under your feet and hear the breathe of the world in the wind. Near the water’s edge there is a stone hall. It was once built by the hands of men but the forest has reclaimed it, turned it into a home suitable only for those who have one foot in the human world and one in the otherworld. Its walls whisper secrets and gathered there is all the lore of those who would tread between the two worlds. There is no telling how mhavehave made it their home but Atol alone lives there now.”



“How is it that your father has not sent men to destroy it?” Odel asked, intrigued.



“The way can only be found by those Atol invites or those who know the way of the forest. If you do not know the way the paths change. They twist and turn so that you find yourself back where you started. The trees spread their branches to block out the sky so you cannot see the sun and tell which way you travel. Voices come from deep within the forest to distract and disorient. Believe me, my father has tried to find the place but no one has found the lake and those that have tried to follow the small stream to it turn up missing.”



Odel frowned. “What becomes of them?”



Kent shrugged. “I do not know. I have heard stories of men who stumble across foul magics and lose their form. Is Atol strong enough to do such a thing? I do not know. The forest obeys him, this I know, and I have seen creatures in his household that have very human eyes but . . . I cannot say for sure.”



Odel’s face turned suddenly serious. “Will you promise me something?” He asked.



Kent nodded. “If it is within my power.”



“If something should happen . . . if we were to be separated promise me that you will come to the lake, that you will look for me there.”



The white haired prince sucked in his breath in surprise. “I would rather you stay away from that place, Odel. I cannot think of anything so horrible here that you would be safer in Atol’s realm.”



Odel shook his head. “All the same, will you promise me?”



Reluctantly Kent nodded. “As you wish. I promise I will look for you there.”



A true smile crossed Odel’s face. “Thank you.”