The Celestial King

by L Ward

  “It’ll be something to counteract our dragons,” Gerard said decisively.

  “Perhaps, but I can’t say. We’ve seen many of their experiments as it is and my imagination doesn’t stretch far enough to come up with anything else,” Nath shook his head. “The possibility is he’s bluffing, although I can’t see that. He means to confront and kill me if I don’t willingly hand over my crown, in fact, he will no doubt kill me either way.”

  Gerard was quiet a moment. “I remember him being in this palace nearly twenty years ago. He was a deceitful man, a traitor, but he always kept his word even if it came back to bite you.” Everyone stared at him in shock. It was either poor choice of words or he’d just referenced Nath’s condition again. “He has something planned for you by the sounds of it and it’s more than just a chat. The vendetta is on a personal level now, Nathaniel.”

  “It’s been on a personal level since they murdered Dad. I will ensure that Undermouth and any of his vermin are brought to justice. He will be executed.”

  Evan watched Gerard’s face harden and his tongue darted out to moisten his lips. “It will be a masterful move of you, Your Majesty, if you’re able to end this in the death of Undermouth then it will be one of the greatest performances in our history.”

  Nath stared, face hardening.

  Evan’s eyes wandered to Will loitering a few feet away leaning on the sofa and looking distinctly less happy than when he’d seen him at lunchtime. He was staring at his father in marked disbelief and displeasure.

  ∞∞∞

  It was late when Evan collapsed into bed with a trillion thoughts swirling through his mind, each as uncatchable as smoke. Gerard’s return hadn’t brought he news they’d been both hoping, and yet something still felt off but he couldn’t place what. Then again, most everyone seemed off. Nath was preoccupied, Will was on another planet, the servants were tripping over themselves and constantly checking in on them as though frightened at any moment they’d get up and ditch the palace again, and he’d caught Sir Kipper having some sort of furious breakdown yelling at a group of serving men and Evan had to interfere for them.

  He heard the door. The bathroom. The pop of magic as light struck one of the lamps and Nath’s bare feet padded into the room.

  “I’m sorry, did I wake you?”

  “No, not long in myself,” said Evan. “I thought you would’ve been back by now you’re always working late.”

  Nath chuckled and ran his fingers through Evan’s soft hair. “Almost always. We’ve a whole night off tomorrow with the ball.”

  “It’s actually today now,” Evan nodded to the quartz wall clock and Nath snorted an adorable laugh.

  “I see what you mean about the late working hours, but I can’t help it. Things just keep popping up and the letters hardly cease. Gerard has been wigging my ear since he turned up, it’s like he’s trying to bleed me for information I don’t have.”

  “You mean you’re not willing to give.”

  “That too. I daren’t say anything to him with so many people around it’s as though I cannot get rid of them.”

  “It’ll settle down in a couple of days,” Evan promised.

  “But we don’t have much more time. The world won’t end before this full moon and I’m struggling to come up with a solution to this one. No matter what he will expect us even if we jump out of bed and go right now.”

  Evan’s eyes widened comically.

  “We’re not, don’t worry,” said Nath.

  Evan relaxed with a sigh.

  “I think we should leave two days before the moon. It gives us enough time to be back, and whatever monster he has we can end it before it can be unleashed,” said Nath.

  “Are we taking the dragon again?”

  “Yes and this time I’m going to be much more prepared,” the air crackled and magic drifted delicately from the ceiling like powdered sugar laced with glitter and all things wonderful. “I’m planning to use the jump again.”

  Evan’s mind rolled over itself and slammed to a stop at the highway of realisation. “It felt like you pulled us through another fragment of time.”

  “Not time. Space,” said Nath.

  Mind blown to shit.

  “You look devastated,” he smirked.

  “So when everything went silent and felt like it was being sucked through a pipe, it was us flying through space?”

  “Yes. Fragments of it, anyway. There’s a misconception about lunarmancers, especially ones who’ve never truly experienced their powers,” said Nath, settling down as the little spoon. “It’s why they believe lunarmancers are the weaker choice. We’re rarer than solarmancers, too, that’s why my parents lay me in sunlight after I was bitten. I had power but it was undefined.”

  “How strong is your power getting?” Evan asked, an edge of concern to his voice. This didn’t seem normal. When they’d met Nath could toy with the stars and bring forth the universe, douse them in light and release gravity, but traveling through fragments of space on earth and summoning god light were in another dimension entirely. This was serious white magic and Nath was getting stronger by the day, fueled by the abominations he destroyed.

  “I’ve felt I’ve had to use more power than necessary to control it. Like if I don’t use enough it will become overbearing and I’ll explode.”

  Evan knew the feeling all too well like a kettle with too much water on the brink of explosion. His skin prickled at the memory. “So you’re planning to break us in there using your space travel?”

  Nath nodded. “If possible.”

  “Once we’re in it’s gonna be a game of cat and mouse to find him, isn’t it?”

  Another nod.

  “We’ll have to kill his guards and any beings in there.”

  And another one.

  “And then kill Undermouth himself.”

  “It’s our only option and in the meantime I’m going to feed several members of the Privy Council different plans and see if anyone cracks. I can’t trust any of them now I’m seeing them more clearly. I don’t believe all of them are involved but something is happening among my Court that I am unaware of, at least within the higher-ups. I don’t like it.”

  “You can always just fire them.”

  “A king needs council.”

  “You’ve made most of your decisions without them,” Evan pointed out.

  Nath sighed and kissed his fingers lovingly. “And to think they said you weren’t smart.”

  Evan laughed. “You should’ve seen Gerard’s face when he turned up in the gardens and saw me smoking weed this afternoon.”

  “When he first came back?”

  “Yep.”

  “How did he seem?”

  “His usual self but drained,” Evan shrugged.

  “Okay. I’m tired of talking about people I’m never to take a break from. My mother is inviting our family to dinner in her parlour on Sunday.”

  Evan smiled. “Can’t imagine how freaked out my family will be when they realise we’re going on another mission.”

  “Have you told them about the last?” Nath asked lightly.

  He sucked an uncomfortable breath, eyes roaming over Nath’s handsome face in the low lighting. “No. I don’t think I should.”

  Nath studied him a moment. “I’ve said it from the start and my word still stands, if you don’t want to go you needn’t and I won’t blame you.”

  “You know I’ll go so long as you do,” Evan said truthfully, brushing a lock of hair from Nath’s forehead. “But for now we’re back to playing the waiting game.”

  ∞∞∞

  Sometimes a flirtatious evening at Court was all he needed to wind down after an insane week of magical misconduct. Evan enjoyed the occasion to dress in a nice suit, bow tie and a stunning purple cloak.

  Materials and magic swept the air tinting it dazzling shades of the rainbow and the room glittered prettily. The dancing left him breathless but fortunately it’d become a pleasurable duty, even to Evan
who hadn’t done more than a dodgy hip thrust at a bar once with Kalani. Needless to say he just wasn’t the dance-on-a-bar type of guy. He was, however, a get stoned and eat as much as you can, type of guy. The room spun as he finished a flute of turquoise champagne that sang when he put the sugary rim to his lips.

  “Sir Penningworth is standing up to run for chairman of the London council after the sad loss of Ellison Grinder,” Nath said as they swept by the grim-looking man and his sour-faced wife. “I can’t see him finding much support.”

  Penningworth, from what Evan could tell, was a dull man of too much means and no personality to accompany them. His wife carried a distinct air of superiority that she made abundantly clear whenever Evan was present. “Me neither.”

  They passed the royal table, a platter of profiteroles popped up before him and Evan tossed one in his mouth savouring the creamy explosion. His eyes wandered through the stringy crowds and landed on something that almost made him choke. “Look,” he pointed and felt Nath’s eyes trailed after his index. A few feet away Will stood with his arm around Dante’s waist whispering sugared sexiness in his ear. Dante’s grin flashed like a blade in the night and he tilted his chin bringing their lips within inches of each other.

  He didn’t have time to say anything, Gerard pushed through the crowd, marched up to Will and back handed him across the face. The sea of shock parted, a few glasses shattered, the music continued and the atmosphere grew still. Evan was frozen watching Gerard’s face turn a darker shade of murder.

  “Look at the state of ya I’ve told you to reign it in!”

  The zing of the slap still rung a melodic chord in the cavernous room and Evan watched as Will’s eyes watered, his face reddening in shameful anger.

  “I think you should go to bed and sober up,” Gerard said angrily, stepping so close to his son Evan expected some sort of violence.

  Will surprisingly didn’t move; he turned his face slowly to meet his father’s eye. A pair of guards brushed past the courtiers looking anxious when they realised it was no common brawl.

  “I won’t tolerate violence in my court,” Nath called over Gerard’s shaking anger.

  “I haven’t been drinking,” Will said slowly, staring at his father with a burning intensity. He gave the distinct impression he was trying very hard to keep his fists under control.

  Gerard’s dark eyes slid from Will to Nathaniel and he appeared to force himself to take a step back. “Parental responsibilities, Your Majesty. My son- as you know- can be difficult and unruly.”

  “Like father like son,” said Nathaniel breezily. He gestured for the music to resume and glanced at Will with warning. “If you must resume this fight,” he said quietly, “take it out of my court.”

  “My apologies,” said Will. He drew away from his father and brushed past the Penningway’s and Officer Jacobs, whom were staring in bewilderment at Gerard.

  Court enjoyed gossiping over the Starstone’s and Evan ignored a cluster of nobles whom could only just about trace their nobility back to some noble-by-marriage of yesteryear.

  “I do hope Gerard gets a hold on that boy!” An elderly woman with a large hooked nose tutted loudly, quick eyes searching for listeners.

  “Very disrespectful, that lad,” said Mr Doomleet, who owned some London property which survived the riots. “Aggressive to boot, and a drunk.”

  “Most foul,” said Sir Ainsworth.

  Evan frowned as he passed and accepted a flute of merriment from a servant. They shut up and smiled brightly at him, all innocence and gravy. No doubt they’d talk about him behind his back too.

  Someone bumped into him and he nearly spilled his drink.

  “Prince Evan!” Dante started and bowed deeply. “My sincerest apologies!” He went to bow a second time but Evan stopped him.

  “My bad, I should be the one to apologise,” he said. “You liking Court?”

  “The palace is a most magical place,” Dante said with a smile.

  Evan’s eyes found Gerard across the room, sleeves pushed to his elbows and whiskey in hand. The ice rattled as he sipped furiously and paid little attention to Officer Callum, Sir Winscott and two of his lackey businessmen.

  “At least Sir William is alright.”

  The words took him by no surprise and he smirked. “I’m sure you can ask him when you go back to his later,” he said lightly.

  Dante’s face was a perfect beacon of red and he laughed nervously.

  “Bit of friendly advice,” he said quietly, shifting closer to Dante so nobody overheard. “Be careful flaunting your relationship in front of Gerard.”

  Dante studied him a moment. “Will said his father is of eras long gone.”

  Evan met his eye and held it trying to convey his seriousness. “He’s very harsh with him, especially since his arrangement with Elijah fell through.”

  Now Dante looked confused.

  Evan glanced about checking their privacy. “He tried to have Elijah force Nath to marry Will so he could sit in Elijah’s pocket and reap his rewards, then when Nath became king he’d view himself as married to the throne.”

  Dante took a step back. “I wondered…”

  Shit. Evan realised his mistake. “I’m not trying to put you off, I’m warning you to be careful of Gerard.”

  Dante’s eyes were enormous blue orbs that reminded Evan of vast oceans on sunny afternoons. “I thank you greatly, Your Majesty,” he said softly.

  Evan flashed him a smile and felt a large presence behind him. The hairs on the back of his neck prickled and he stepped away from Will, red-cheeked and frowning.

  “Fancy a walk in the gardens?” He asked Dante, completely ignoring Evan’s existence.

  Dante’s worry seemed to disappear. “Yes,” he said and turned to Evan. “A pleasure, Your Majesty.”

  He watched them slip through the crowd, Will’s eyes trained anxiously on Gerard who was now ranting in the face of one of his businessmen. Dante must mean more to Will than a one night stand if he was willing to risk his father’s wrath for him.

  “Evan,” said Ian, bouncing over to him. He’d grown taller these past months and was starting to look more like a young man than his skinny little brother. “Can you do me a favour?” his cheeks were rosy and his eyes brimmed with anxiety.

  “Words I hear on the daily,” said Evan, wearing a bright smile. “What’s up?”

  Ian hesitated and looked pointedly over his shoulder. Evan’s eyes followed him to the pretty noble girl giggling among a group of other spoiled rich girls. Of course. “I know I’m not nobility, but…”

  Evan grinned and slung an arm around his brother’s shoulder. “You’re good enough for her, besides, if she calls you common you can always remind her you’re brother-in-law to the King.”

  Ian’s face lit up with boyish excitement. “So you’ll talk to her?”

  “Of course not,” said Evan, using his locked arm to steer Ian towards the girl. “You will.” He clapped his brother’s back and the girl looked up, bewildered by the sight of Evan, she dropped into a low curtesy and flushed.

  “Your Majesty.”

  Ian was gleaming with excitable embarrassment; the look on his face was priceless.

  “Have you been introduced to my brother Ian Ravenway?”

  Her eyes darted to him and Evan could see the glimmer of a full assessment pass the calculating pupils. She was going to be a challenge for Ian, bless him. She inclined her head with a gracious smile, apparently liking what she saw. “Pleasure,” she brandished gem-studded fingers at him. “I’m Lady Henrietta Goldblinks.”

  Ian stared.

  Evan clapped him on the back and he hastily gripped her hand and kissed the smooth skin.

  The other girls exchanged excitable looks.

  Ian went blank.

  Evan cringed inwardly. “Ian’s been studying under the great Professor Welwick,” he cleared his throat and shot Ian a pointed look. Talk. Say something.

  Henrietta’s eyes sparkled wi
th interest. “I’ve had many lessons with him, he’s an excellent mathematician.”

  Evan nudged Ian’s side as discreetly as he could. This was getting uncomfortable.

  “Yeah?” Ian sounded hopeful. “He has the worst breath. I spent a whole hour thinking a rat must’ve died in his desk.”

  Henrietta giggled, covering her mouth and shooting Evan a curious look.

  He fought the urge to close his eyes and pray. Or breathe very deeply. Maybe he should have a word with his dad about helping Ian out, Lord knew he’d given Evan a thorough talking to about sex and dating twice, once when he hit puberty and the second when he came out and his dad realised the advice he’d originally given wouldn’t be of much help.

  “His breath stinks like a grave robber,” she went on. “I held my breath for so long I nearly fainted, thankfully he excused me for some air!”

  Evan took his cue to leave and bowed out of their laughter and straight into Nath’s arms.

  “Matchmaking?”

  “Trying to,” he said as they danced through the crowd.

  “Where’s your sister?”

  “I think she left,” Evan frowned, scanning the crowd.

  “Must’ve slipped out in the commotion,” Nath smiled.

  “Unlike her to miss a party even when she does feel sick,” said Evan.

  Nath laughed. “Not many want to miss the festivities.”

  “Your Majesties,” Officer Jacobs bowed as they passed, he was dancing alongside Narelia, looking stunning in green damask with a wisp of emerald cloak. Nearly everyone was here tonight and the celebrations radiated from the glittering walls like wishes come true.

  ∞∞∞

  Spring was well in the air on Sunday afternoon when Evan finished his lunch break walk. He’d been taking a lot more recently with the weather beginning to fair and the level of tension in the palace reaching its breaking point. Nath was wiled away in meetings until long past dusk and this was one of the few places he could sit and be at peace with himself for a time and enjoy the wonderful sounds and smells of the blooming season. Isabelle had bustled in and out of his office all morning with cups of tea and too many letters of askance for money or information.