Havoc of Betrayal

CHAPTER 14 - The King's Light

Image: Younger Axel at 17

CHAPTER 14

Mathias felt softness against his cheek, slowly moving down his neck, a warm breath against his skin, waking him up slowly. He sighed, parting his eyes slightly, meeting Axel's who smiled at him. "I have to go." Axel muttered, pecking Mathias's lips, "The sun is almost up."

"Have I ever told you that I loved the sound of your voice?"

Axel let out a breath of a laugh before he pecked Mathias's lips again. "You are still sleepy. Go back to sleep, love, it is a few hours before you have to get up."

Mathias smiled sleepily at him, eyes already closing as he breathed, "Go through the hidden door. The guards have changed their shifts already. We don't need anyone seeing you leaving here at this hour."

"The doors are for emergencies." Axel said.

Mathias's hand caressed Axel's chest, saying, "And my lover sneaking in and out." Mathias chuckled softly.

"Fine." Axel said, pecking Mathias's lips again before slipping out of bed.

"Ax..." Mathias called for him, "One more." Axel shook his head helplessly before he leaned over the bed, kissing Mathias once more before he got dressed, leaving through the door hidden behind a large banner on the wall.

Mathias turned to his back, his eyes slightly parted as he stared at the ceiling before he sighed, closing his eyes, letting himself fall asleep again, only for his mind to return to his memories of the past.

"If you won't talk, how about write?" Mathias asked Axel. Axel frowned at him, wondering how he'd do that when he didn't know how to. "Can you write?" Axel shook his head, which made Mathias smile widely, declaring, "Great. I can teach you. Training in the mornings, then you can sit with me at night and learn how to read and write. What do you think?" Mathias asked. It took a moment, still frowning, Axel nodded.

"Are you still trying to get him to speak?" Detrick asked as he walked in, placing a tray on the table.

"I will get him to write." Mathias decided, "Best way to reach what is on his mind."

"Stop pushing him." Detrick said, "He'll talk when he's ready."

"I know." Mathias said, looking up at Axel with a smile, "Just giving him all the means he needs for when he is."

"Do you want to do it?" Detrick asked Axel.

Axel was quick to nod, glancing back at Mathias whose smile widened, saying, "excellent, we will start tonight."

It was almost two years later, Axel sitting in the house he shared with Detrick as the latter fumbled around the kitchen, preparing dinner. He glanced at Axel sitting at the table, a smile on his lips that Detrick was sure he hadn't realized himself was there as he read through a scroll.

"Another letter from the prince?" Axel's reaction was quick, pulling it to his chest to hide the words, "Won't you tell me what it says?" Axel merely stared at Detrick for the longest time, slowly lowering the scroll as he realized Detrick couldn't possibly read it. Axel looked at him with guilt, making Detrick say, "Oh come on. I am not the only one who couldn't read. It is not like you could either until, what? Almost a year ago? Took your time learning."

Axel grabbed his inkwell, about to open it when he realized that even if he wrote something for Detrick, he wouldn't be able to read it. With a frown, he looked up as Detrick placed a bowl in front of him. Detrick settled opposite him, breaking a piece of bread before taking a bite, dipping it in his soup then eating it. Detrick looked at Axel when he felt his hand over his own, which had him frown.