Under The Sea

Chapter Twenty-Four - Legacy

"Good morning, beautiful," Samuel whispers, as Axel opens his eyes, his vision clearing to find Samuel's rich brown eyes already glued to his, as a smile plasters itself onto his face.

"Morning," Axel returns, a blush creeping up on his cheeks as he realizes he is draped over Samuel's body.

"Can I kiss you?" Samuel asks and a small smile spreads on Axel's face as well.

"I don't think you have to ask anymore," Axel returns, "especially not after last night."

"If you say so," Samuel quips before lunging up and capturing Axel's lips in a warm kiss.

"We should get to our rooms before people come looking for us," Axel chides, pushing away against Samuel's chest.

"I want to stay here with you all day, though," Samuel returns with a pout, but follows him to the door as he protests.

"If only we could," Axel returns, moving back to steal a quick peck, catching Samuel off guard, as he smirks before opening the door, "but I have to get some stuff done."

Samuel chased Axel down the hall, the two swimming around each other. Their game didn't last long, however, as they rounded a hallway and ran into Bast, flanked by guards on either side.

"Your highness!" Bast returned in shock, his shoulders relaxing.

"Good Morning, Bast," Axel returns, as Samuel comes to a stop beside him, and Axel catches the way Bast's body relaxes.

"What's wrong?" Axel asks.

"Nothing, your highness."

"Bast, I've known you long enough to tell when you're lying..."

"It's just, you weren't in your room and we couldn't find you anywhere in the castle, your sister, she..."

"She thought I had snuck out again, didn't she?"

"She requested an audience with you when she woke," Bast advises, "she said it was urgent for the two of you to speak."

"You can tell my sister that I have no desire to speak with her," Axel returns, his voice taking a serious tone, before he reached out to take Samuel by the arm, "let's go."

"Your highness," Bast begins, as Axel attempts to go around him, pulling Samuel with him, when the guards behind him block their way with their spears.

"What is the meaning of this?" Axel spat as he turned back to face Bast.

"Your sister's summon was not a request." Bast's expression fell as Axel shot him an incredulous expression, "...it was an order."

"Oh, in that case," Axel returned, his voice hysterical, "then by all means, let's go pay the princess a visit."

Bast's face fell further, as his expression grew anxious, before their eyes met, "you are to go to her chambers... alone."

Axel's expression faltered at his last word as he registered his firm grip on Samuel's arm. He glanced over at the human, who offered him a shy smile, before speaking.

"I should get to my room, anyway," Samuel returned, his eyes sending his encouragement to Axel, "we'll meet back up after your two speak."

"Please accompany Lord Samuel back to his chamber," Bast instructs the two guards, who lower their spears at his instructions.

Samuel gave Axel no time to react as he tore his arm from his grip and began down the adjacent hallway. The two guards followed behind him, maintaining their distance as Axel watched them disappear into the castle before turning his attention back to Bast.