Now facing the target with Zedekiel behind him, Prince Ron had so many questions in his head.What was going on???? Why was his beloved acting like this? He was even taking the initiative to touch him and teach him things. What happened to 'filthy Ashenmores'? The ones with 'dirty blood'? What happened to the whole 'I hate Ashenmores' stuff? How did it all just disappear?Prince Ron suddenly paled. His beloved wasn't trying to poison him right?Now that he thought about it, his beloved had been really nice for the past few days. Especially since they interrogated that prisoner. His attitude had changed drastically and he wasn't making snappy remarks or glaring at him all the time like he used to. He hadn't even attempted to kill him too!He gasped. Could his beloved be trying to make him lower his guard so he could attack?But if one thought well about it, It's not like Prince Ron had any guard up against Zedekiel in the first place. The Prince was as free as a bird in the sky and as
With his hand over Prince Ron's, Zedekiel raised their elbows, pulling the arrow back until the bow felt tight and their hands were right beside Prince Ron's ear."I want you to clear your mind, Prince Ron." He said gently. His voice was warm, washing away any remnant of nervousness or anxiety in Prince Ron. "I want you to focus and think of nothing else but the target. Treat the bow as if it's an extension of your own body. You are in control. Do you understand?"Prince Ron nodded sharply. His beloved's voice was calm and soothing. It also carried with it something that made Prince Ron want to believe in himself. For so many years, teacher after teacher kept pouring in to teach him archery, sword fighting, and anything a Crown Prince was supposed to learn but he preferred to laze about, eat snacks and read books. Sometimes dances with his grandmother or goes on adventures in town with his grandfather, disguised as citizens. He never took any of his lessons seriously and he never felt
"Correcting your posture" Zedekiel answered innocently. He ran a finger along Prince Ron's spine, making Prince Ron arch his back, trying to get away from the tingling sensation. Well, Zedekiel would never let that happen. "No no, that's too much. Come back a little." He pressed on the Prince's chest, fixing his stance. Prince Ron was starting to sweat. Did his beloved realise what he was doing at all? It was taking everything in him to control himself. If he got hard on the field, all the Elves would smell his arousal! Seeing that Prince Ron was completely disoriented, Zedekiel decided to stop torturing him. There would be ample time for that. After all, they were sharing a room. He placed a hand over Prince Ron's, steadying his hold on the bow and arrow. "Breathe." He whispered and Prince Ron did as he said. It was like a reflex. As if his body was programmed to do exactly what his beloved said. With his newfound calmness, Prince Ron's eyes focused on the target and he aime
Princess Mariel still stuck her tongue out at Princess Rose then linked her arm with Prince Ron's, mumbling to Zedekiel; "Sorry brother.""Thank you" Prince Ron whispered to Princess Mariel. He suddenly saw her in a new light for he never expected her to stand up for him like that. Especially against his sister. It warmed his heart and he decided to be nicer to Princess Mariel. She may be annoying at times but the girl had a good heart and she cared about him.He was quite confused about his sister's behaviour though. First, she exposed his lack of skills when it came to archery then she tried to get him to cheat and now, she was trying to make him feel bad for what he had achieved. It was so unlike her. Normally, she would be happy for him and even encourage him. What changed? He'd have to have a word with her as soon as possible.Princess Rose suddenly covered her face with her palms and went to the King, pretending to cry. "Oh Your Majesty, I feel so awful." She whined. "I didn't p
The town square was packed with people all waiting to watch the fireworks. Prince Ron and the rest were in the highest building, sitting on an open balcony from which they could watch the fireworks clearly when they started.The building was the most famous Inn in Netheridge was owned by an old Elf and they served the best food. Prince Ron loved their beef soup the most and so did his Fox which was given a stool and a table of its own and was served the beef soup in a small bowl."Seriously Ron, you're already spoiling that thing" Princess Rose fussed. "Put it on the floor. That's where it belongs.""No. She belongs to me and I will put her wherever I want, sister." Prince Ron retorted. "And you can refer to her as Red for now before I decide on a more suitable name."Princess Rose gritted her teeth in anger. She wondered when Ron started talking back to her. Normally, he was very obedient and would listen to her every word but he seemed to have changed lately. She wanted to speak aga
"And I won him fair and square." Prince Ron didn't refute. He felt so proud. He reached out and carried the white and red Fox, rubbing their noses together. "Oh isn't she just cute? I still can't believe she's really mine.""You know, you two just fit in a way." Prince Ludiciel said. "You both have red hair and you're both cute. Quite cunning too. Making this yellow bird stick to me.""Hey he said he didn't do it" Princess Mariel defended Prince Ron. "I think Prince Ron is sweet and gentle."Prince Ludiciel; "........"Gentle? He could agree the human Prince is sweet sometimes but gentle? Since when could the Prince of Ashenmore be described as gentle? Couldn't she see the little troublemaker underneath all the kindness and beauty?Princess Mariel reached out to touch the Snow Fow but it jumped away, climbed Prince Ron's shoulder and draped its body across the back of his neck. She tried to touch it again but it flicked its tail, slapping her hand away."Hey!" Prince Ron chuckled. "O
He sighed, glancing at the beautiful human Prince beside him. Red curls swaying with the gentle wind, creamy skin shimmering under the silvery hue of the moon, emerald-coloured eyes filled with warmth and happiness then the beautiful smile that always made his heart race.Prince Ron was the human he liked.He had known for a while now but admitting it like that to himself seemed to release a lot of tension in his body. His heart was racing, his fingers slightly trembling but it was all in a good way. He found that he was actually excited to be beside Prince Ron, watching the fireworks together.5 of them stood side by side on the balcony, each person housing a desire of their own in their hearts.Prince Ludiciel wanted to watch the fireworks with a clean heart, accepting the human Prince that would soon be his brother-in-law and all the other humans he was yet to meet for once Zedekiel weds Prince Ron, Ashenmore and Netheridge would be united.Princess Mariel wanted to confess her fee
Zedekiel didn't know exactly how it happened but he also didn't know how long it would last. He could already feel his energy depleting. Not wanting to waste any more time, he switched his position with Prince Ron, sandwiching himself between Mariel and the human Prince.Now he would see how she would confess. He was about to release time when his eyes landed on the human Prince's rosy lips.He recalled the time he stole a kiss when the human Prince was asleep. Now that he had stopped time, it wouldn't hurt to steal one more right?Zedekiel nodded to himself. Yes. It wouldn't hurt at all. Besides, he was going to successfully woo the human Prince and marry him. Kissing him now was like getting kisses in advance. He was just taking what he would still have in the future. There was no need to fret about it. The human Prince would be his eventually."You brought this upon yourself, little Prince" Zedekiel whispered, caressing Prince Ron's cheek.Prince Ron was frozen along with time so h
Frustrated, Prince Kayziel grabbed one of them. "You're just a bunch of cowards! The boy is not even a 100 years old! If you do not fight-" he directly slit the throat of the soldier he grabbed. "You die!"Upon witnessing the scene, the soldiers pivoted their attention to Zedekiel, brandishing their swords. Knowing Prince Kayziel's prowess as a fighter far exceeded Zedekiel's, they speculated that confronting the boy might afford them a chance of survival, albeit slim. However, facing Prince Kayziel spelled certain death for all. Besides, Zedekiel was injured and had lost a significant amount of blood. Putting him down should not be difficult. And so, they collectively surged toward him.Young Zedekiel strived. He fought with all his might, killing some soldiers while fatally injuring some. He fought like a mad man, swinging his sword with reckless abandon yet maintaining an unparalleled level of precision at the same time for he drew blood with each swing. The vale was quickly litter
He sighed, placing on a hand on Zedekiel's cheek, stroking the cold skin gently. "You know, I wanted to spare your life but when I saw the way you took hold of everything in the castle, I just couldn’t. You're still so young, yet you were already ruling the Kingdom like a proper King. When your Father died, I thought the entire Kingdom would be in a state of disarray and I would return and take charge like a grand hero but I was surprised to find that everything was under control. Even when I commanded the Officials to do something, they would say that they had to run it through you first so I knew that I had to get rid of you.""If you desired the throne, you could have just said so." Young Zedekiel gritted. "I haven't even been crowned King yet. I could have willingly abdicated in your favour.""Yes, you could have." Prince Kayziel nodded. "But would you have let me marry your Mother?"Young Zedekiel fell silent but the answer was evident in the intense glare that emanated from his
He had tried to go beyond the garden but he found that he couldn't. He was bound to his younger self and could only go where his younger self went or the places he had been to before. Which meant that if Ron didn't go back to the garden, he wouldn't be able to see him again. He just hoped that Ron would not give up on his stupid self and come back or is stupid self would stop being so stupid and go find Ron.Prince Kayziel had gone to his younger self in the middle of the night and convinced him to join them in their journey to Ashenmore so they could start their revenge. At first, Young Zedekiel didn’t want to go for he had already agreed to wait as his mother had instructed but Prince Kayziel managed to convince him by reminding him of the things the humans had done to his father and brother. He then told him that if they waited too long, the humans might fully prepare themselves for what was to come and they would lose the element of surprise.Hearing this, Young Zedekiel put on hi
“This should be the last time we meet.” Young Zedekiel said. “Normally I would kill you for being a witch and lying to me but since we have been together, I will spare your life. Never make the mistake of coming before me in the future because I will kill you.”With that, Young Zedekiel turned and continued on his way, leaving Ron kneeling there, completely and utterly heartbroken.**********Zedekiel wanted to stay and see what Ron would do but something told him to follow his younger self and so he did. He followed even as his younger self sprinted away from the garden, his movements a blur of speed, almost as if he were a shadow racing across the earth. The wind whipped around him, tousling his silver hair. His dark robes billowing behind him like the wings of a dark angel.He dashed past the castle, his supernatural speed carrying him effortlessly, propelling him forward with a sense of urgency that mirrored the turmoil within his heart.Finally, he arrived at the labyrinth, a pla
"I'm not deceiving you," he insisted, locking eyes with Zedekiel, “I swear it. My true identity is Raldore Nightshade, a witch—the youngest child of Malik and Yara Nightshade, leaders of the esteemed Nightshade Coven."Young Zedekiel's shock was palpable, his features frozen in disbelief as Ron's words washed over him like a tidal wave. He shook his head, taking a few steps backwards. “No. No you’re lying. You cannot be a witch. You smell different. You smell human.”“That’s because my magic is extremely weak.” Ron explained. “I am the weakest Nightshade to ever exist. Look, this is the only thing that I can do.”He crouched down on the grass, closed his eyes and muttered some words. Slowly a small plant germinated from the ground and gradually grew a single red juicy looking apple on its branch. But Ron already knew that the apples he grew were not tasty at all. He plucked the fruit, stood up and held it out to Zedekiel. “See, I’m a witch.”To say Young Zedekiel was shocked was an un
He ran and hugged Young Zedekiel tight from behind. “I’m sorry okay? Please talk to me. Tell me what I did wrong and I promise never to it again. I love you Zedekiel. I can’t live without you.”“Lies!” Young Zedekiel snarled, yanking Ron’s arms away from his body. He turned around, his eyes blazing with fury. “Lies lies lies! All you humans know are lies, deceit and betrayal. You do not love. You can never love. All of you are too selfish for that!”Ron stared at Zedekiel, unable to understand what he was talking about. “What are you saying?” he asked. “What do you mean?”“You know exactly what I mean.” Young Zedekiel replied. “Stop acting like you’re innocent. You humans are all the same.”“No we’re not.” Ron argued. “I don’t know what you’re talking about but we’re not. I have done none of what you mentioned. I love you wholeheartedly, Zedekiel. I have been waiting here for weeks, at this same spot where we both first met. I have been waiting for you like you asked me to but not onc
“Good. You will rest for two full weeks and heal properly. Only then will I allow you to take my children into war with the humans. I get that you’re all angry. I too am brimming with rage and there’s nothing I wish more than to see those humans dead but we all have to wait. We have to be patient and strike when they least expect it. We have to be at our best so we can avenge the lives they took from us. Understand?”Prince Kayziel nodded instantly.She turned to Young Zedekiel and although he didn’t want to agree, he could not go against her. Especially after his uncle had agreed. “Yes, Mother.”Zedekiel, who was watching, closed his eyes and sighed for he knew what came next and he wished he had listened to his Mother. His stubbornness and impatience had cost them the lives of more Elves and had nearly cost that of his Mother and siblings as well.********After listening to Prince Kayziel's side of the story, Young Zedekiel was walking back to his room when a guard frantically appr
Without hesitation, Alaric closed the distance between them, enfolding Ron in a gentle yet firm embrace. His arms wrapped around his younger brother, offering a comforting anchor amidst the storm of emotions. He pressed Ron close, as if trying to shield him from the pain and disappointment that threatened to overwhelm him.Zedekiel floated into the shadows, his heart hurting as he silently watched Ron cry. He couldn’t believe that in the past, he hurt Ron so much and made him cry. He felt like total jerk. A complete asshole. He was the one who had approached Ron first and declared him his wife but here he was, abandoning the person he claimed to love. This must be why Alaric had been so mad at him back in the coven.The Elf King had no idea that he had seen nothing yet.That night, Alaric succeeded in convincing Ron to go home, rest, and eat some good food then come back the next day and wait again. Zedekiel on the other hand, floated back to the castle. On getting there, he noticed t
“My brother is yours?” Alaric chuckled coldly. “What an introduction.”“Brother, he’s the one we saved some months ago.” Ron informed Alaric.“That drowning smelly Elf?” Alaric asked.Ron nodded. “He’s the one. I’ve told him many times that I cannot return his feelings for me but he just won’t leave me alone. He said he’d rather see me dead than with someone else.”Hearing that, Alaric's anger ignited like a roaring inferno. “You want to see my brother dead? My brother?" Alaric's queried, his voice rumbling like thunder, laced with a dangerous edge that sent chills down the spine of anyone who heard. Even the neighbouring leaves, bushes, flowers, and animals were not spared. They trembled at the sound of his voice and the intensity of his magic.His chest tightened, and muscles tensed as if coiling to strike. The mere thought of someone wishing harm upon his beloved sibling was enough to send his emotions spiraling out of control. He shielded Ron behind him and held out his hand as he