Flower Amongst Thorns [Boy x Boy]

Chapter 1

"This is the worst..." Artios mumbled to himself.

It had been three days since the swordsman had been caught and thrown in jail for trying to steal the Regiis Fortitudo, a royal gem that belonged to the unknown prince of the kingdom of Solis.

Legend said that it contained magical properties that brought limitless prosperity and happiness to whoever possessed it, but Artios couldn't give two flying fucks about that.

What he did care about were the millions of gold coins he could've milked out of rich dumbasses who were easily fooled by that nonsense.

Many people were too dense to understand that luck and happiness could be bought with money, something he would've had an abundance of by now if he hadn't been stupid enough to get found!

Just as Artios almost pulled off the biggest robbery of the century, the leader of the palace guard Nefari and her soldiers had caught him in the act.

Under normal circumstances, he would've been able to take a few guards on his own (not that his plan included running into them), but Nefari had sneakily disarmed him while he was off guard, before revealing her presence and ordering the guards to seize him.

He could only do so much using hand-to-hand combat against multiple heavily armed people.

They weren't supposed to find out he was there in the first place! He had spent months devising his plan!

Despite his utter, undeniable, absolute hatred of that woman, he had to admit she was good. Her intuition was spot on.

"I could've bought my own island and lived alone in peace for the rest of my life like I have always dreamed, if I could've just stolen that stupid rock." He hit his large, balled fist against the thick metal bars of the prison cell in frustration.

Who knew how much longer they would keep him in here? He just wanted to leave! Damn Nefari!

"Hmm...a rock?" A young, boy-ish voice broke him out of his thoughts.

It was a new unfamiliar voice, a lot more high pitched than the one's of the burly guards who normally tended to him, but not in a squeaky or unpleasant way.

It was quiet surprising because nobody new came down to the cells. Ever.

The only time he had seen another person in the past three days, was the guard who came to deliver his meals of the day. This voice was definitely not that old man's.

Artios snapped his head from side to side, trying to locate the voice as he adjusted his posture to appear more threatening. Though one could argue that his muscular build, and visible scars somewhat did that for him.

Better be safe than sorry.

Suddenly, the silhouette of a small cloaked figure immerged from the dark, shadowy corridor, instantly sending Artios into a defensive stance.

A swordsman always had to be prepared.

As the figure inched closer, he could spot tufts of platinum coloured hair peeking out of the hood, but the eyes and nose were still covered by a shadow.

"Are you perhaps talking about this?" The mysterious boy crooked his head innocently, before holding out a royal blue gem in the palm of his hand.

The rock was shaped like a pebble. It was a perfect blue oval that gleamed in the light, with bright streaks of gold running through it.

Even though the thief didn't care about it and only wanted to sell it off, he couldn't help but be mesmerized by its appearance.

The way it glowed and lit up even the darkest of places despite its small size.