Michael was at the training grounds fighting with his dragon Jenkins. It was a crafty creature that did not use its fire until the very last moment. Michael knew this and he wanted to time it just right. He had his sword on his left hand swinging it smugly in order to cause the dragon an early release of that fire feared by all. Usually dragons did not like mortals acting smug to them so they always wanted to strike first when they saw that they were being disrespected. They saw themselves as the kings of kings. They had been alive for centuries. While the mortals only lived for years and then died ever so quickly.
Jenkins was not so easily fooled. He could take this just like any great soldier. He would strike when necessary. Michael huffed. Only causing amusement from Jenkins.
"Fine then" Michael said in a battle cry his sword aimed directly at Jenkins who would not be swayed. He went to run and could see his target . His audience was captivated. His mother was nodding her head looking very proud of herself to have given birth to such a son. The envy of all. Her precious son. She would give out fruits when her son finally decided to give her a grandchild. Oh what a day! She could already see herself carrying her first grandchild on her arms. What a day!
Other women in Mona's age group were either envious or just plain out jealous. They didn't see their sons being this brave to dare a dragon. Dragons were untrusted creatures. They were never friends with mortals. Even at war a dragon could betray their master. Simply because they saw themselves as masters too. They did not want to be herded like cattle. They wanted to lead. Which was an impossibility. Dragons were too reckless to be left on their own or left to lead. They were too dangerous for all to handle. So they were given to the Knights. To help them fight their battles.
But no knight ever stayed more than a year with a dragon. No bonds were made between beast and man. Every knight except Michael. He had made a bond with his dragon since childhood. He had seen the big dragon that scared all the others. Even the older men of the kingdom. His five year old self saw Jenkins as a big pet. At first the dragon was annoyed by the little mortal that kept on calling him names like "butterfly " or "fairy" but he melted eventually. Because he saw Michael's genuine heart. He really wasn't like the others. He was truthful as he was courageous.
Their battle was put to an end when the king came running to the grounds in a deliberate stance he went to fall onto Michael who had been too focused on the battle that he did not hear the king's hard to miss footsteps.
They both rolled over until they came to a stop. Michael breathed out. Exhausted from all the energy he had used in his training and the impact the fall had on him. He stared at the king on top of him. "Is it done?" He asked in a voice that breathed out for air.
The king nodded. "It is done."
Michael patted the king's arm. "So you are about to be a father?" The smile on his face was fake. And the king knew that. But chose not to comment on it.
"Well there has not been a confirmation yet. I am hopeful though"
Michael still with the false smile nodded. "Good then. I am to be an uncle" his eyes were on the clouded sky. It was obvious it would soon rain. "We should get inside" he advised not knowing what else to say at this moment.
"Hm" was the king's only answer as he leaned over to graze Michael's lips. The minute they touched both of their lips melted into each other. It was not uncommon for men to kiss each other in the kingdom. Kissing was a very big part of their respective kingdom. Kissing someone was a show of adoration, loyalty and trust. So the people who were now leaving did not see anything wrong with the king kissing his trusted knight. Even though the kiss was not like the others. The kiss over stayed itself. Unknown to the people was the fact that these two were not just kissing because of tradition. They were kissing because of all unsaid truths to each other. They were kissing for love, desperation and desire .
Only one woman knew this. Mona Diya. She had a huge self pleased smile on her face. "Only time will tell" she too got up from the seat she was sitting on.
Michael wanted the kiss to last. But it was impossible. The kiss broke. Allowing both of them to stare at each other. For a long time they didn't say anything to each other. The king touched his knight's lips. So sweet. Sweeter than the ones that belonged to his wife. Not that he even noticed how they tasted. All he did was what he had to with her. This. This wasn't forced. It was purely felt.
Michael playfully bit the king's finger. Making Arthur chuckle. "I'm going to miss this when I am gone " he confessed. His confession brought back the knowledge of the King's not long from now death to Michael who quickly now looked distant. He looked away from the king. His eyes looking at the sky again.
The king grabbed his head. Forcing it to look at him. He smiled softly. "Mike. Me not saying it won't make it go away. I am going to die. Whether I say it or not"
Michael linked his hand with the king's. "Have you told her?"
"Told who?"
Michael bit his lip. "Her. Your wife have you told her about your death?"
The king shook his head. His other hand caressing Michael's face.
"She deserves to know. She's your wife"
The king sighed. "Can we not talk about her."
Michael was the one to shake his head now. "Not talking about her does not make her disappear. You married her. Meaning she is part of your life. Even if you married her for an heir. "
The king knew it was true. Sometimes he hated Michael's truthful nature. "I will tell her when she has given birth. I can't afford her to lose the child. "
Michael only closed his eyes. The rain he had foretold raining down on them. But neither seemed to care. The king only saw this as another opportunity to kiss Michael yet again.
Michael was asleep on his bed in his bedroom when he heard the door open. Him being a light sleeper opened his eyes ready to draw out his sword if this was a danger. But he was put to an ease when he came eye to eye with Arthur.He sat up from bed. His hands rubbing at his eyes. He pulled out his sword from the other side of his bed. Placing it on the little table close to his bed."My king. What brings you here?"Arthur had no answer for him. He should have been with his wife. It was nightfall but he couldn't seem to be able to force himself to go sleep in his bedroom . The bedroom that had his wife in. It had only been a few hours since they had gotten married. The queen was still not seen by anyone because she stayed where her husband left her. She still waited for his return but the king didn't return. Even now instead of being with her he was in his knight's bedroom .He stalked the bed. Michael didn't quite know how to react to him. This was not the king's first time in this roo
Like a vulture Michael ate the remains of the cake. It was too delicious for him to leave it just at a slice. That was why he ate the whole thing. It was a cake meant for the king. His mother had baked it especially just for the king who she knew had a sweet tooth. Her son and the king had been best friends for a very long time. This gave the cunning woman to know everything she had to know about the great king. His dislikes and likes were in her memory. Even sleeping she would tell you how he liked his tea and how he hated his meat."Mother what did you put in this? It's really good", he complimented as he licked his fingers making sure there was no lingering taste. "No wonder Arthur loves it so much ."His mother had not said a word just looked at her son. Observing him with her sharp eyes. He had not noticed this before. He had been too concerned in what he was eating than on his mother who was known of her unstoppable tongue. She could speak until you the one who was l
Arthur smiled. Joking was allowed. People could play with things. Maybe Michael thought he could play about this too. "Mike let's go to sleep. You must be tired". Michael's face changed. "Sleep?! Arthur did you not hear me? I am pregnant! I am carrying your baby! And you're telling me about sleep. I'm not sleeping. I am going to stand here until you hear me.""Mike what are you saying? And why are you shouting? I have two ears. And I am here standing in front of you tell me calmly what is happening."Michael took Arthur's hand. Taking it to his stomach. "This is your child. You placed him there.""You are serious?" Arthur asked now taking this whole thing very seriously. "Mike you can't joke with things like this""Would I really joke with something like this?! Don't you know me Arthur?" He pushed the king away from him. Turning to walk away only to be stopped by Arthur who held him from behind. "I'm sorry. Sorry that I am stupid. Sorry that I didn't believe you. Everythi
She was sure that her grandson was alright. He wouldn't be hurt by something so little. But she had to be sure. But even saw she had to check to make sure that truly everything was as it should with the little prince. She felt with her hands on Michael's stomach. Michael was biting at his finger nails. He bit his finger nails when he was nervous. As she had thought. Nothing was wrong with the baby. But she didn't say that to her son. "Do you see what you almost cost?!""What? Mom did I hurt him?" His eyes were blinking rapidly. His breathing going on overdrive. "Will he be okay? It's just been a week. ..will he-"Mona immediately regretted playing with her son like this. "Sorry dear. I was just making sure you won't do it again. You might not get this lucky next time. ""So he's fine?""Yes as healthy as can be."Michael threw a cookie to his mother's direction. "Mona don't do that! What if I had a heart attack here?" He brushed his not yet visible stomach. Glad th
Michael heard the screams upstairs. The midwives were there with Riya. Arthur continued to wrap Michael into his arms as they cuddled on the bed. "Arthur your wife is in labour" he reminded. "So?""What do you mean so? She is your wife. She is giving birth to your son. Your heir. The heir to the kingdom. You should be there."Arthur kissed Michael's neck. "Too kind. "Michael did not understand people telling him this. He wasn't kind just sensitive to things that happened around him."That woman has midwives looking after her she is going to be fine. Plus I married her because she is strong enough not to die in childbirth."Michael breathed holding his stomach. "Auh..hn""What is wrong?" Arthur asked quickly. Worry on his features. He and Michael sat up on bed. Michael held his hand. "Arthur call my mother.""What is happening? Are you okay?"'Ahh!" Michael screamed again. Squeezing Arthur's hand. "Call my mom! "Mona was a midwife. Michael didn't want anyone else helping
Two months later..."Garry my beautiful baby." Michael kissed the baby on his arms. As Arthur presented them to the crowd of people that came to witness this. "It's been long overdue. Too bad it took me almost dying and getting married to a sea witch to realize that I had everything I needed right next to me. My everything. My husband. And my co-king. I love you Michael." Yet again he made Michael blush without even trying. "I do not care about your opinions on the matter. All I wanted to address is that this man right here. This special gift that the gods have given me gave me a son. An heir. Your future king." The people went silent. Listening to their king's words. None spoke anything. Some had already accepted it. That this was how their kingdom would be now. It would be run by two kings. And that was that. But others were still stubborn stuck in the old ways as if they would help them move ahead in life. But nonetheless no one stopped the king's speech. "I give
Bang! The beating now didn't even have feeling to Harty now. He was used to it. His father's leather belt was just like one of his own now. Every lash that used to make him cry out in pain now felt like a pain that would eventually go away. He endured some more of the lashes. Not really paying attention how many they were. His father Oscar Declan was upset because yet another wife left him. Now he was unleashing all his frustrations on his son like always. "It is your fault! It has always been your fault!" He threw out insults like this all the time. "If you hadn't killed your mother I would be happy now!"Harty's mother died during childbirth. His father has always blamed him for it. As if he was at fault. As if he had something to do with his birth. It was not his fault his mother couldn't live longer than a few hours after his birth. It is not his fault that his father had to raise him himself. It's not his fault that every marriage after that has been nothing but a n
Harty looked at Justin. "I love you". He didn't plan this. He didn't even know that he would say it. But his mouth had just opened and it had just gotten him off guard by just saying one of his great desires like that. Just as if they weren't locked inside his heart for such a long time that even if he had to look for them to time to time. But today they escaped him so freely. They must have been tired of being suppressed and shut down every time they wanted to be let out. Now he had told the one he loved that he loved him. How would Justin take this? Justin didn't make any reactions. Making Harty continue. "I have loved you since a very long time now. Seeing Michael and the king has just made me angry that I can't have what they have. I'm jealous. I also want to-" he stopped himself from continuing. This was his best friend. The one who always had his back. How could he do this? How could he say such things. Right? No. This was wrong. Wrong to put Justin in such a situ