“Breathe. Inhale, Kael, I’m here.” That voice from years ago, that voice buried at the bottom of the sea of his mind. That voice begins to rise and with it a pair of eyes. Those eyes were reminiscent of Aiden’s; round, warm and trusting. “My sister always told me…”
“I have a brother. I think you two will get along.” The memory nearly knocks Kael to his knees. He places his hands to the shower wall and hunches forward. “What…is…this…?” he huffs, the water beating onto his back. “Think of me as your older sister.” A woman’s smile flashes behind his eyelids.
“Well, it’s called Butterfly.” Kael saw flowers and he could smell their sweet scent floating through the haze of his memory.
“Come here, Kael!” His mother screeches as smoke fills the hall. “But, mommy, sister’s still in there!”
“It doesn’t matter!”
“Sister…” The word rolls off his tongue. “I’ve never had a sister…”
Lit by Flames pt. 2
The King heaves a sigh as he rises from his bed, he fumbles around in the dark for the lamp and flicks the switch. White light floods the room and illuminates the woman’s body that was lying on the bed. “You should hurry and get dressed.” His voice rasps and the woman shifts on the bed, rolling to her side and squinting at him through the light. “Are you fearful of your wife finding out?”
“No…” He answers softly, turning around and staring into her brown eyes. “Aren’t you afraid of how your brother will feel if he finds out what his sister has sacrificed for his safety?” The King fires back and the glimmer in Skye’s eyes slowly fades away. She doesn’t answer instead she turns away from him sitting up and covering her body with the blanket. They sit in silence, the world around them shifting from what they had just done. Skye rises to her feet and looks around for her clothes. She picks up her t-shirt strewn across the velvet chair beside the bed and slowly slips into it. After getting dressed she bows her head to the King and opens the door. The castle halls were silent—eerie. She stands there for a moment, contemplating and then she finally speaks. “Your majesty…”
“Hmm?” He faces her with an inquiring gaze. She glances over her shoulder and says with saddened eyes. “It’s not a sacrifice, it’s a decision. It’s love.” The door slams shut, the sound echoing down the hall like a bullet.
~*~
Kael stifles a yawn as he sits in his history class, the back of his hand shielding his mouth. The professor was droning on and on about something that may have mattered in today’s society, but he couldn’t really say yes or no if it did because he had zoned out minutes before. He crosses and uncrosses his legs, he checks his watch on his phone, glances at the clock placed on the wall above the professor’s desk, he heaves a sigh and cycle repeats until the class is over with. “That felt longer than usual.” He mumbles slinging his bag over his shoulder and hurrying out of the door. Eventually the class would reach royal history and Kael honestly didn’t want to have to sit through that being that he lived the majority of it or relived the history as he walked down the castle halls.
Bodies bump and brush past him as he shifts through the halls, muttering halfhearted apologizes when he stubbed the heel of someone in front of him. Last night had been a rather peaceful night; he managed to get a few more hours of sleep thanks to Aiden’s pep talk. But his dreams were interrupted by faces and voices and flames. He coughs at the memory stepping to the side and placing a hand to his chest. He stays that way for a moment, bending forward and rubbing his chest. The dream felt so real—Kael felt as though he were burning from his ankles all the way up to his neck—the voices seemed as though they were right beside him, whispering in his ear, beckoning him. “You alright?” He looks up meeting gazes with Francis. “Yeah, just—” He coughs waving his hands back and forth in front of his face. “I choked on my spit.” Francis makes a face, truly not interested in whether Kael was alright. But, Aiden liked him and Jenna liked him so he would have to like Kael too. Francis didn’t think he was a bad guy…Francis just knew his true identity and it was fun to juggle with from time to time.
“Don’t die…I think Aiden would be pretty upset.” Kael stands up straight and cocks an eyebrow. “Upset?”
“Yeah, if anyone close to him were to get hurt or die…he’d lose himself.”
“Has he…lost someone before?” Francis nods. “Who?”
“Didn’t he tell you this before or something?” Francis questions, his tone slightly agitated. “I don’t….recall…” Kael mutters. Francis heaves a sigh and after a pause decides that it’d be best if Aiden were to tell him himself. “Ask him, after sometime he’ll get around to telling you.” Francis tips his invisible hat before walking off. Kael turns and stares after him, wanting to call out and press him for answers. Instead he slouches against the wall and shoves a hand through his hair. If someone who was close to him has died—“He’d lose himself.”—doesn’t that mean he’s lost right now? That he’s fending through the dark, holding onto something—afraid of letting go, of moving on. The thought ripples through Kael’s chest, he clutches his shirt and bites his bottom lip. Does Jenna know these things? Kael clenches his fist. Is he burning alive from memories, from the past? Is he suffering alone? The thought almost hurt as bad as his panic attacks.
~*~
“You’re coming home even later.” Aiden grumbles as Skye steps through the doors, her eyes heavy, shoulder’s slouched forward. “Ah, sorry…they’re just—I have a little extra work to do every night.” She lies with a small smile. Aiden watches as she walks down the hall and into the kitchen. Her steps were far spread out and her breath came out in ragged gasps and she carried herself as though something were growing in her stomach. Aiden hurries after her and grabs her hand. “I’ll bring you to your room.” He says despite the agitated feelings growing in his heart.
He might have been annoyed by his sister’s absence, but he missed her more than anything. The Prince was taking her away as the days grew on. Skye would go over to the castle and see Kael with a smile, but as the weeks progressed, her stomach grew and grew and she knew that it was too late to go back. She hadn’t planned on this to persuade the King—she was becoming afraid. “Sister what’s wrong?” Kael questions as Skye struggles to rise up to her feet. “Nothing…I’m just a little tired.” Kael rushes over to help her up.
“You don’t have to keep coming here to play with me. I know you only came to protect your brother…” Skye’s eyes widen, she opens her mouth to tell Kael no, that wasn’t it. But instead she sinks back into her seat because she was down lying to him. “I really do like you, Kael.” Kael smiles weakly, his eyes saddened.
“I like you too, Skye.” She reaches forward and runs a hand through his dark hair. “Do you want to play Butterfly before I go?” Kael shakes his head.
“You’re too tired. Just rest.” She forces out a bitter laugh. “Maybe I could bring my brother over someday…” Kael shakes his head. “Don’t do that.”
“Why not?”
“You’d be forcing him to like me.”
“No, I’m sure he’d….” She trails off because that was also a lie. Aiden may not have voiced it often, but when he did Skye knew: That Prince is taking you away from me. I don’t like it.
She tries to stand up again, but ends up falling back down. “What’s wrong, sister?”
“Nothing,” She takes his hand in hers. “Nothing at all.” and squeezes his small fingers.
~*~
Aiden shoves a hand through his hair, pacing back and forth in front of the Sande-Rose University doors. He was waiting on Jenna so he could apologize and possibly take her out on a make-up date. “You really messed up.” He grumbles, hands stuffed in his jean pockets. His ashen hair was mused over and his eyes were heavy with lack of sleep. After last night he felt like complete shit:
….
“Aiden…” Jenna lets out a pleased sigh, her legs spreading as Aiden settles between them. He was planting kisses up and down her t
highs, his eyes never wavering from her face. Her head was pressed against the pillows and Aiden was smirking. “You really unravel like this.” He says deeply. “Oh, shut-up.” He angles himself ready to plunge into her, but stops halfway when he realizes that—yes—he was hard, but he wasn’t erect. “Aiden?” She asks breathlessly.
“Uhm, just,” He cups her breasts rather roughly trying to get his friend to spring up, that fails too. As he was doing this he couldn’t help but think about Kael—touching him, kissing him and caressing him. He shivers, Jenna stares up at him and then looks down between his legs. “Oh…” Is all she says before flicking the bedside lamp on.
….
Aiden didn’t know how to explain it to her, him not being able to get it up has never happened before. He was embarrassed and didn’t want to even think about how it made Jenna feel. He stops pacing when the campus doors open, a figure appears. Aiden looks up and rushes forward, but it wasn’t Jenna, just another woman. “Sorry.” He apologizes with a bow, the woman smiles nervously before hurrying past him. He pulls out his phone to check if he had any messages, but there were none. He wants to call her, but decides that it would be better to talk to her about it face to face. He couldn’t explain to her that he was thinking about someone else, that he was wanting to touch someone else…that someone being Kael.
Oh god, Kael, damn it, I want to touch Kael…like that. He kicks a soda can across the concrete. “This makes no sense!!” He screams.
“What makes no sense?” He spins around at the sound of the voice and stumbles back when he sees Kael peering at him curiously. “K-Kael.”
“Yeah?” The brunette walks up to him, as he nears Aiden steps back. Kael’s eyebrows furrow, he steps forward, Aiden steps back. Forward, back, forward and then back until Aiden’s backed up against a flagpole. “What’s wrong with you?” Kael asks gripping him by his shoulders. Aiden flinches, shrinking back. “Do I smell?” He continues to ask, Aiden shakes his head. Kael smelled wonderful like flowers and tangy lemons.
“No, I just.” Quick, think of a lie, I need a lie. “I was just playing around so you could smile.” He says hurriedly. Kael tilts his head and steps back. “Seriously?” Aiden nods. Kael crosses his arms over his chest.
“You’re weird.” He blurts.
“I try.” Aiden replies with a forced smirk. They stand for a moment and Aiden couldn’t stop his gaze from wandering up and down Kael’s frame. He was wearing a crisp white shirt that was thin and Aiden could see through it, his legs were exposed to the sun because of the ripped shorts he was wearing and the shorts gave glimpses and peaks of his thighs. Aiden swallows. “Hey,” Kael’s deep voice cuts into his thoughts. Aiden looks up to meet his eyes. “Y-yes?”
“Thanks again for last night.” Kael’s eyes had pooled over with warmth. “Last night?”
“Mhmm, you helped me overcome my panic attack.” The memory flickers to life in Aiden’s mind. “Oh, no problem. You seriously scare me sometimes.” Kael cracks a smile.
“Sorry.”
“No need to apologize, it’s something you can’t control.”
“But with you…I’m getting better.” Kael takes Aiden’s hand and brings it to his lips. “Thank you.” He kisses the back of Aiden’s hand. Aiden’s eyes widen at the plush feel on his skin. “Wh-what are you doing?”
“Thanking you.” It was a custom that was normal in royal relationships, a kiss to the back of the hand showed admiration, respect, gratefulness and warmth. Aiden blinks, his cheeks warming. “I don’t get you, Kael.”
“That’s because there’s nothing to ‘get’, Aiden. You don’t capture a person, you can’t ‘get’ them,” Kael steps closer. “You can only grow closer to them and uncover who they are.” Aiden stares up at Kael with wide eyes. This guy has panic attacks, is oblivious to dating and romance, and acts as though he’s been cut off from the world…yet…he speaks so eloquently. Aiden pulls his hand back and stuffs it in his pockets. But what he really wanted to do, was take Kael’s hand and hold it for a while longer.
~*~
Skye stares at the King with furious eyes. “Get rid of it.” He says sharply. “No.” He turns to her and grips her shoulders. “You didn’t ask for this, neither did I—get rid of it.”
“It’s a living thing! It has life! A life we made together.” The King raises his hand and slaps her. Her eyes widen as she brings a hand to her stinging cheek and looks to the King in shock. “Why?”
“You wanted to protect your brother; sex was the key—bam—he’s saved.” He takes off his crown and grips his hair. “But this—a child—hah!” A maniacal grin spreads across his face. “Get an abortion, Skye.”
“I said, no.” she places a protective hand over her stomach. “Fine then! Fine!” he throws his hands up as though in defeat, when in actuality he had another idea. “If I see you again, I’ll kill you.” He threatens. She scoffs, absolutely tickled by the idea. “Kill me? You need me.”
“I need you? I need you?” He shakes his head, his entire expression amused. “Bitches like you who try to protect the people you love, need me more than anything.” Skye grits her teeth because that was the truth. Who was she kidding? The King didn’t need her, he had a wife and a child, a kingdom to call his own. She wasn’t needed by him. So why had she said those words? The answer was so simple and naive: She needed him to need her otherwise he could break the promise he had made to keep Aiden from becoming a bodyguard. “I hope you die alone.” She says as her last words, the King outright laughs, waiting for her to leave before he called a certain someone. It was about time the castle went through a renovation and a fire seemed to be the perfect key.
~*~
Aiden clears his throat and awkwardly brushes past Kael. “How are your classes going?” He asks, Kael shrugs. “It’s been a little over two months, I’ve been doing well.”
“Made any new friends?”
“Does Francis count?” Kael questions honestly, Aiden chuckles. “I guess.”
“So, then yeah, I have.” Aiden looks back to him in slight disbelief and shakes his head. “You’re really cute, Kael.” He blurts, but Kael doesn’t miss a beat by replying.
“Your flirtatious side is showing again.”
“Or maybe I’m just being honest and you should accept the compliment.” Kael closes his eyes and shrugs as if to say ‘touché.’ Aiden stares at him for a moment and blurts. “I’m glad you’re who you are.” Kael looks to him confused. “That’s a little sudden.”
“It’s just I feel…good around you.”
“Just good?” Kael teases, Aiden laughs. “And other things.”
“Things a friend would make you feel, right?” Kael asks, no hidden intentions behind his question. Aiden hesitates before answering the question. “Yeah…”
“Well, then you, Aiden,” Kael smiles. “You make me feel other things too.” They share a stare, Aiden laughs nervously suddenly feeling shy. Kael continues to grin, the wind rustling his brunette bangs. Aiden was lost, he was fending through a maze, searching for a light, a star. And he happened upon Kael, but Kael wasn’t his star, Kael wasn’t his light. Kael was his ‘found.’ He was where Aiden needed to be and to Kael, Aiden was the care his parents never gave to him. They were what they both had been searching for, but they were also what needn’t be opened. They were love and pain, heartache and joy, forgotten and remembered, Kael and Aiden, Prince and bodyguard.
~*~
Kael was taking an afternoon nap when the first of the flames crawled into his room. He coughs but does not wake. Skye was walking the halls when she spotted the smoke ahead in the distance. Her initial reaction was to run back and get Kael, but she thinks otherwise. “Help! There’s a fire!” The perpetrator that had set it was long gone, so were the King and Queen and anyone else that may have lived in the castle. Janus was on duty elsewhere, which Skye found to be odd. Why was the Prince and her left behind? “Anyone! Hey!” She screeches the smoke billowing out in front of her. Kael stirs in
his bed and sits up. He rubs his eyes and looks around his room. “Skye?” He calls jumping down to his feet. He coughs some more when he reaches the door, he turns the knob. His eyes widen when he spots flames dancing in the distance. “Fire…” he exhales. “There’s a fire.” He bursts through the door in search of anyone who could help. “Mommy! Father!” He calls, but there was no reply. “Sister!” He calls for her too, squinting through the smoky haze in search of his dear friend. His feet drag along the carpet and he takes off his black jacket because it was getting too hot. He continues on his way, feeling along the wall and heading towards what he knew was the front door. He coughs some more—the fire was beginning to build and Kael knew that he wouldn’t be able to overcome it even if he tried. “Sister!” He calls for her again standing in front of the castle doors that led to the outside. “Skye!” If he kept calling her maybe she would appear. “Sister!” He screams. “Sist—” the doors behind him suddenly open and sunlight floods the room. “Kael!” It was his mother. “Oh my god, Kael.” She scoops him into her arms. “Mommy.” He rests his head against her shoulder and then remembers. “Skye, she’s still in there.”
“Don’t worry about her, she’ll be fine.” His mother says already stepping out of the burning castle. “No, no!” He breaks out of her arms and takes off, he trips over his feet. “Come here, Kael!” His mother screeches as smoke fills the halls.
“But, mommy, sister’s still in there.” His mother hurries and grabs his hand, tugging him towards the doors.
“It doesn’t matter!” But it did matter…it mattered to Kael because Skye was his friend. He holds tightly onto his mother as they run towards the door and he could hear a voice, faintly, hidden behind the roar of the flames. “Ka-Kael!” It was Skye’s voice. His eyes widen, his gaze settling on a hunched over figure down the hall. “Sister.” He says faintly and the castle doors slam shut cutting off the last sight he had of Skye. Maybe it was the exposure to smoke or maybe it was the pain Kael felt when he saw her like that, but whatever it was caused him to black out against his mother’s bosom.
Butterfly Prince Page 12
