My Prince - 8. Chapter 8

That night when the castle was quiet Noah climbed out his window and down to the ground. He pulled his dark cloak close and the hood up to cover his face. He had to fight a laugh; they may have locked his door but it was almost scary how easy it was to sneak out. He made his way through the dark and quiet streets, holding tight to the hope in his chest. They hadn't made any plan to meet, but Noah had to see Phoenix. At least one more time.

When he reached the low wall of the backfield he sighed in relief. There was Phoenix sitting under their tree digging in the dirt between his legs with a small dagger. He jumped over the wall and rushed to his friend. The Phoenix looked up and saw him he scrambled to his feet rushing to meet the young Prince. They collided and wrapped their arms tight around one another. They didn't say anything for a long time, just stood in the moonlight holding on. Noah's heart was racing and he could feel Phoenix's was as well. He took a deep breath, taking in the smell of salt that always seemed to cling to his friend.

"He told me I am not allowed to see you, ever again." He mumbled into the older boy's chest.

Phoenix began to stroke the Prince's hair. "I know. He said the same thing to me. He wanted to throw me in the dungeon for endangering you. "

Noah pulled away to look at his face. "That is bull. You know that right?"

Phoenix smiled sadly. "No it is not, I never should have let you convince me to meet you like this. It is dangerous, you being out and about by yourself at night. And look, here we are again. No one knows you are here."

"Phoenix..."

"Come on and sit with me a little while."

Noah allowed Phoenix to take his hand and lead him to the tree. They sat side by side with their backs against the back. Phoenix put his arm around the Prince's shoulders and pulled him close. Noah snaked his arm up the green eyed boy's chest and clutched his shirt.

"You know we can not meet like this anymore." Noah tried to pull up and look his friend in the face, but the older boy was strong and kept him in place. "I am not saying I do not want to see you, I do more than anything. I am saying this is too dangerous. At night, in the middle of nowhere."

"If anyone catches us my Father will throw you in the dungeon."

Phoenix laughed. "Oh, I do not care about that."

"You should."

Phoenix pulled back and turned to face the younger boy, he reached out and gently ran the back of his hand across the Prince's cheek. "If you want to see me, I will meet you. But only if it is safe for you. I will not put you in any more danger."

"That is not fair Phoenix; every time I see you I would be putting you in danger."

Phoenix smirked. "Life is never fair my Prince. If only one of us can be safe, it will always be you."

"Why?"

"Because, you are a Prince and I am a blacksmith."

"That does not make you any less important. Not to me, no matter what you say, not to me."

Phoenix squinted his eyes a furrowed his brow in thought. Finally he smiled again in triumph. "Fine, then because I am older and therefore must take care of you."

Noah couldn't help but chuckle. "You are an idiot." He leaned back into Phoenix and wrapped his arms around him. "What are we going to do, Phoenix?"

"I do not know, Noah. Do you want to see me again?"

"What happened with the matching ceremony?" Noah whispered, he was terrified to hear the answer but knew it was important. As much as he wanted to keep Phoenix for himself he knew he couldn't betray the bonding.

"It went on as planned." Phoenix said in a steady voice.

"So...your match..."

"Violet said they never called my name. I was not matched."

Noah pulled back and looked at the older boy. "How is that possible?"

Phoenix shrugged. "It happens sometimes. There is not always an even number and sometimes people get left out simple because no one in there year fit them. Anyone who is not matched will get put back in next year. They will do that for 3 years before they consider you unmatchable."

"So, you are not bonded. You don't have to worry about it for another year?"

"That is correct. You never answered my question."

"Which one?"

"Do you want to keep seeing me?"

Noah looked deep into his eyes, as if he was searching for something. Phoenix felt his heart racing in his chest and his mouth went dry. He knew he should give the Prince up. He was being selfish. When he came to this field he knew it was a long shot the Prince was even going to show up. He promised himself he would leave the decision up to the younger boy. If Noah wanted to call it all off, to walk away, he would let him go with a smile. But sitting here with their arms around each other Phoenix prayed to whatever deity was listening the Prince would tell him yes. That Noah would say he wanted him. Phoenix swallowed as he waited for an answer. Phoenix couldn't help but lick his lips. A small smile crept onto the Prince's face as he leaned towards the older boy, his eyes drifting closed. It felt like forever, but finally Phoenix felt the gentle pressure of Noah's lips on his own. Warm and soft brushing against his mouth.

*

Phoenix wiped the sweat off his brow as he threw the metal he had been working into the water to cool. He glanced over at his table at the pile of damaged weapons he still needed to fix. Between the guards wanting updates to their armor and the stories of the apprentice who saved the Prince things had gotten very busy in the shop. It had been a whole week since he sat under the tree in the back field and shared the first kiss with his young Prince, and they had only been able to meet again once since.

Phoenix had been on his way see Violet, who worked for the laundress, when he caught sight of his Prince walking through the market with one of his guards. A tanned man with blond hair and striking blue eyes. As if sensing his gaze Prince Noah looked up and met his eyes. Dark almost black orbs piercing to his very soul. Phoenix smirked and nodded his head towards the laundresses hut. The Prince smiled and gave a quick nod before turning to say something to his Guard. Without hesitation Phoenix stepped inside and hoped Noah could find an excess to come in. Phoenix couldn't seem to recall what his excuses was or what he said at all to Violet but suddenly he found himself alone in the back room, the soft voices of Violet and the Guard speaking gently in the front. The curtain brushed open and Phoenix's breath hitched when his Prince stepped passed letting it fall over the open door way. With only a moment's hesitation they latched onto each other, Phoenix pushing the smaller boy against the wall and pressing their lips together. It was rough and sweet at the same time, and over all too soon when they needed to breath. Panting gently the two boys rested their foreheads together and laughed softly.

"Hush, Phoenix. We only have a short time."

"My apologies, My Prince. Gods, I have missed you."

"I miss you too. We will figure this out, I promise. Who can we trust?"

"Grayson, the leather worker. He helped me with your gift and is a close friend. Violet probably. Anyone on your side?"

Noah chuffed. "No, probably not. You have always been my only friend."

"My lord?" The surprisingly gentle voice of his guard called from the front room.

"Quick, the back door!" Noah whispered, shoving his love away. "Coming!" He shouted out.

Phoenix pulled him close for one last scorching kiss, before racing out the back door.

"Phoenix?" A voice snapped him out of his memory. He turned towards the door to the yard where he saw his friend Alessandro standing with what could only be described as a shit eating grin on his face. "Think you could take a break? I need your help with something."

Phoenix frowned as he glanced back over at his table. "I have a lot of work here my friend."

Alessandro pouted, "A man has to eat, it is midday. And I really need your help." The blacksmith couldn't help but laugh. Alessandro was a Tinker, and he was often showing up begging for scrap metal and borrowing Phoenix's tools. The man could be a great inventor is he ever managed to sit still long enough.

"Let me check with Owen." The Tinker smiled as he brushed his dark curls out of his face. His chocolate brown eyes twinkled with mischief, worrying Phoenix only a little bit.

Owen had no problem with Phoenix taking a break and soon Phoenix found himself being dragged through the market. They stopped in front of Grayson's hut where he did his leather work. Alessandro turned so they were face to face as he started to muss with Phoenix's unruly red hair.

"Does it ever just stay down?"

"Not really." The blacksmith muttered. "Alessandro what's going on?"

"Sorry!" His friend dropped his hands from his head. "Come on!" The caramel skinned boy bounced into the hut dragging his confused friend with him.

Phoenix stopped when he entered the near empty hut. Grayson, who was sitting at his work table, looked up and gave Phoenix a sly grin when he saw him. Without a word the blonde pointed into the back room. Alessandro took up a stool next to Grayson trying not to giggle. Phoenix looked at his friends in confusion.

"What's going on?"

"You'll see. Go on!" Alessandro urged him. With one last suspicious look at the two smirking men he opened the door to the back room and walked in.

"Now there's a sight for sore eyes."

Phoenix spun around when he heard the familiar voice. "Noah?"

"Afternoon, Blacksmith." The Prince sat on a low table in the far corner of the room. Phoenix felt his face split in a wide grin. "You took your time getting here." The young Prince remarked, pushing himself off the table to approach the older man.

"If I would have known you were waiting I would have ran." The green eyed man replied, opening his arms. Noah stepped into the embrace, burying his face in the older man's chest inhaling deeply.

Phoenix chuckled. "You probably do not want to do that. I have been at the forge all morning. Mustn't be too pleasant."

"I care not. You always smell like fire and salt." The Prince's voice was muffled against his beloved's tunic.

"What are you doing here?"

Noah pulled back and smiled up at his dearest companion. Taking his hand he led to blacksmith to the table and they sat down next to each other. Hands clasped together. "I went to see Violet yesterday; I was going to ask her to pass on a letter for you. You said we could trust her, and she did not say anything about you being there to my Guard the other day. Anyways, I asked her if she could make sure it finds its way to you. She told me she could do one better. She told me to come see Grayson at noon today and she would make sure you were here. Grayson said he sent Alessandro to fetch you so it wouldn't be obvious where you were going."

Phoenix smiled. "I will have to remember to thank them."

"You are lucky to have friends that care so much about your happiness. They are all risking a lot to help us. I tried to warn them, but they did not heed my warning."

"Yea, they are like that." Phoenix chuckled.

"They told me they want to continue to help us." Noah replied softly, looking down at his hands. "I do not think this would work without help but I do not want to put them in any danger."

Phoenix reached over and took the younger boys face in his hands. Pulling him close he placed a soft kiss on his lips. "I will worry about them, you worry about you."

"That is a lot of people for you to worry about."

"I am older. It is my job to be the one who worries."

"Keep reminding me and I may decide you're too old."

The boys laughed softly wrapping their arms around each other, holding tight.

"Phoenix, why can it not just always be like this? Why can it not be be easy for us?" Noah wasn't too proud to admit he whined.

"They do not write sonnets about the easy ones. It is the struggles that make it worth it."

Noah smiled as he snuggled his face into his blacksmith's chest, trying to soak in as much comfort as possible before he had to go. Soft lips brushed against his forehead and strong arms tightened their grip around his body. Phoenix was holding him as if he never wanted to let go. Noah decided right then and there he was going to do everything in his power to find a way for them to be together. He was a Prince; he had a lot of power.