Read Forever, After... :: FA - Chapter 10

Chapter 10 - ' Speak, If You Dare '

It had been a few minutes since his words were spoken. The two men sat next to each other on the large brain coral. Waide focused on the currents of the sea passing through his body. He had long known of the dark energy that gave the skeletons life. Hearing it from this perspective however had giving things a bit of an interesting feel to it.

"Think about it," said Ustrith.

His green eyes blended into the water that surrounded them. Clearly frustrated with his best friend's lack of interest, he passed his hand over his face. Waide continued to ignore Ustrith. The school of fish that passed by them captured his heart. Though not obvious at first, dark energy had tainted one of the smaller fishes.

Waide maneuvered through the school reaching the affected animal. Uttering the words committed to heart the small creature stopped moving. It stayed suspended in the palm of his hand. So tame. He loosely encased it in both hands; the tips of his fingers touched the edge of his palms forming an o.

He watched his magic swell. The ball of light purified the energy that was killing the precious life. The magic dissipated returning to the sea. Giddy with happiness, Waide watched as the fish zipped out his fingers to join its brethren.

"You never cease to amaze," said Ustrith. He bit his bottom lip. "If I were a part of the flora or fauna, would you... would you treat me better?"

"How much better can I treat you?" said Waide. The childish words that left his friend's lips irked him.

"Never mind."

He quieted himself and looked at Waide expectantly. Catching the look sent his way Waide glared at the man before taking a seat.

"Don't take it to heart. You always treat me well," said Ustrith as he caressed the fingers next to him.

The small movement did not go unseen by the passers by. Ustrith scowled at them. Waide smiled as his little fighter fish chased off any unwanted company. Content with the silence around them he leaned on Ustrith's shoulder.

Ustrith's eyes sparkled from the sunlight that filtered into the water. It's now or never. With intentions to speak of the topic previously mentioned Ustrith turned to Waide. A finger pressed itself on his lips successfully shutting him up.

"I'm hungry, feed me," said Waide. His pout gave him a soft appearance which looked natural on him.

Did the Dark King not appease your appetite?

It was Waide's turn to be ignored. Not happy with the turn of events he sulked and pushed Ustrith off the coral. Feeling tired, Ustrith tried to leave; throwing a casual goodbye over his shoulder.

Waide's displeasure worsened causing the lines on his forehead to deepen. He snatched the departing body before it could go far. Swimming around to face Ustrith he held the man in place. Side stepping would be futile, pushing him away would be dangerous, asking to be released would not go well, so Ustrith waited. Ustrith stood still awaiting his Prince's next course of action.

The sudden movement almost knocked him off his feet. Pulling away, the smile on Waide's face infected him. Who would not be happy after sharing a kiss with a Prince! Ustrith wanted more, but he knew the item in his hands belonged to another. Having spent more than a decade around the man, Waide could easily read the pained look on Ustrith's face. His lips found their target.

Breaking off the heated kiss, Ustrith said, "They're watching us."

"Let them." Accustomed to getting what he wanted Waide was stunned when slender fingers blocked his lips.

"Please stop. My pearl can't take it anymore." Ustrith confessed, his aquatic form shifted.

The haala held Waide's stare. Pushing his finger tips past the watery boundary of his chest his fingers curled around the small ball of energy. The life force that gave the water nymph their abilities, a gracious gift from the God of the Sea, was removed. It's power which commanded respect and fear from its owners, reflected in Waide's eyes.

The ultimate symbol of the nymph, the equivalent to one's soul was exposed to Waide and he felt flattered. Many had offered themselves to him to which he would graciously accept, but never reciprocate the gesture. Once the foreign piece was introduced into the body it could never be removed.

A soft green light pulsed within the pearl. The lump that had formed in Ustrith's throat was swallowed. It was too late to back down. The act was done. It was up to Waide to reject his offer or accept it. Yet acceptance did not ensure a happy ending, he could easily be left with a powerless, empty shell.

Seconds ticked by with the offered pearl hanging in the balance. Waide bit his lip nervously. Why didn't Ustrith say something before! As much as Waide wanted to, he couldn't simply hand over his pearl. The disparity in their soul force was far too great! Ustrith's shell was not made to house a pearl with the strength and complexity his carried.

I love you, but the chances of your soul being an exact duplicate of mine is quiet low.

A pearl belonging to royalty could easily destroy the vessel of a lesser nymph, a chance he was not willing to take. He smiled caressing the antlers of the haala. He pulled Ustrith's haala closer and placed a peck on his lips, before turning away.

Ustrith understood the rejection in Waide's actions. Placing the pearl back into his shell, he smiled despite the swarm of hurtful feelings in his heart.

Seeing a need to explain himself, Waide opened his lips, saying, "It was not out of malice, that I..."

"I know," said Ustrith.

"Do you really!" Waide snapped as he turned to face him. "The energy residing in my pearl could kill you!"

"And I was willing to die..." The slap disoriented him. Neon green eyes glared unflinchingly into his pale pair.

"I spoke out of turn. Forgive me My Prince," said Ustrith. Hating the turn of events Waide flicked a nut brown lock of hair across his shoulder.

"I saw some sea stars over there, I'm in the mood to tease them. Come with me," said Waide.

With the pair on their way, the atmosphere between them lightened significantly. An irreplaceable smile was seen on Waide's face as he played with the small creatures. Picking them up and placing them a tad further than their resting place. They watched as the starfishes made painstaking attempts to regain their places among the rocks and corals.

The day spent on the reef was not eventful per say, but it was much more appreciated than what Waide had to face above sea level. The day of frolicing came to an end. Waide soon faced the five guards that lined the entrance to the fountain. After the attack on the castle, the King ordered that no member of the royal family was to be alone outside the castle's walls.

Always in the mood for trouble Waide dressed himself quickly and then walked up behind Ustrith. His hands made their way around his waist before holding him in a vice grip.

"My Prince?" said Ustrith, he pulled the smaller body to face him.

"I've given it some thought, but what you spoke of earlier requires more thinking and careful planning. Okay." Hearing no response Waide reaffirmed asking, "Okay?"

"Okay," said Ustrith. Pleased with Ustrith's reply the green tint under his skin brightened in joy.

Waide's head turned to the horizon. His smile slipped away. A weight that wasn't on his chest before made itself known. Unconsciously, he reached up fingering the links of the metal. It's time to go inside. Bidding Ustrith goodbye the two parted ways at the castle's main entrance.

Turning the corner, a mouthful of brown hair entered his mouth. Having his yawn cut short and replaced with an unsavoury taste. Waide coughed violently heaving for air as he did so. The servants that cleaned the hallway continued with their work as though they saw nothing.

How old are you to accidentally swallow your own hair?

Waide fingered the strands. No mental hoops were jumped through before a firm decision was made. It had to be cut! Adding that task to his ever growing mental list, the small issue that bugged him came to mind.

Ustrith.

Needing space to clear his mind he went straight to the castle library. In the night, the calm air gave the large space an otherworldly feel. The bright orbs were replaced by candle light which casted shadows with odd shapes.

A seat was taken in a far corner near the eastern wall. Pretending to browse a book on the Atriole creatures. Waide's thoughts took him away from the words on the page. How could Ustrith place me in such a position? He knew of my attachment to the Dark King and my intentions behind it. Why would he...

The doors to the library opened and two figures slipped inside. Pale green eyes followed the cloaks to the second floor, where one body seemingly tripped falling to the floor. The second intruder caught the first.

Waide's eyes bounced between them and the keeper of the books who was cleaning one of the shelves. Seeing as the old protector made no move to put them out. Waide stood and took purposeful steps in the direction of the staircase.

Nearing the top, pants barely audible, entered his ears. Disgusting! This is the King's Library! Muttering below his breath the ancient words moved within the stagnant air. Clearly engrossed in their actions the couple did not notice the change around them.

An ice lance grew in Waide's right hand. Lifting his hand to strike them, he paused. It would appear that the Gods and Goddesses were on their side. The clouds which hid the light of Lina and Eesa parted allowing light into the window they were before.

Sitting on the floor with his robes pulled apart. The one on the floor breathed deeply, his back pressed against his support. Light kisses were littered on his face and neck. Eyes closed he caressed his stomach.

The dark energy that shrouded them pushed against Waide. In the new found light two crests could be seen on the sleeves of the robes worn. Waide's eyes widened at the revelation. The base of his lance was struck on the marble floor.

Finally aware of the newest addition to the second floor, their heads snapped to his direction. One pair of black eyes and one pair of golden eyes tainted black looked at him. The anxiety in the room was palpable. No one spoke, for a moment no one dared to breathe.

A single thought passed through the minds of the two men that sat on the floor.

Of all people to see us, why the Crown Prince?