Samuel feels a surge of warmth envelop his body as he watches Axel take in all the different plants that surround them as they make their way through the gardens. Axel had protested when Samuel had ignored his duties for the day to spend time with him, knowing full well the weight of his responsibilities, but had given in after a few kisses.
"Wow!" Axel exclaims as they round a corner, releasing Samuel's hand to rush to the flower-full field encased in the gardens. "These are the same flowers from the field the other night. What are they?"
"They're called poppies," Samuel calls, watching as Axel prances through the field, taking in every distinct color of the flower.
"They're beautiful!" Axel calls.
Samuel turns to a nearby bush, where he picks up a bright red flower, hiding it behind his back as he approaches Axel. Axel, becoming worried at Samuel's lack of a response, turns to search for him just in time for Samuel to catch him in a kiss.
"So are you," Samuel whispers as he presses his forehead against Axel's and holds up the flower to him.
"What is it?" Axel asks, as he takes the flower, his blush matching the bright shade of the petals.
"It's a carnation," Samuel fills in, placing another quick peck on Axel's lips, before moving back, "it symbolizes the love between lovers."
Their eyes meet and Samuel can feel his cheeks heating as he speaks, watching as Axel's grin goes wide, exposing a few teeth out from behind his lips. Samuel reaches out to take the carnation from Axel's hands, and brings it up to tuck above his ear, pinning his auburn hair in place.
"Your highness," Paxton emerges, as he rounds the corner of the gardens to find them, startling them into jumping apart. "My apologies for the intrusion."
"No, you're fine, Pax," Samuel offers, holding up a hand at the servant and sparing a quick glance to find Axel swaying behind him.
"There is an urgent matter that requires your immediate attention," Paxton advises.
"What's wrong?"
"The advisors would not disclose the details, my lord," Paxton continues, "but an urgent meeting of the council is in session and your presence was requested."
Without hesitation, Samuel nods and turns to Axel, who is smiling as their eyes meet. "Come with?"
"Are you sure?" Axel's smile seems to falter as he takes in the request, and Samuel had expected the reaction but found his concern cute.
"Yes, I'm sure." He takes Axel's hand and brings it up to kiss it.
They return to the castle hand-in-hand, with Paxton following them a few steps behind. Samuel attempted to put on a straight face, refusing to allow his nerves to seep through, but failing as he catches Axel glancing up at him. Samuel smiles at him, more to calm himself than to appease Axel's worry, but Axel seems to drop it.
Had Samuel's mind not been overwhelmed by the possibilities swirling around, he might have been more attentive and reassuring to Axel. Yet, his current mental state seemed to overshadow everything else around him as they approached the council meeting chamber. The guards at the doors bow and rush to open the door, allowing them into the room. Samuel jolts as he scans the room, skimming over the five advisors before landing on his mother at the end of the table, across from where his empty seat stood.
"Are you okay?" Axel whispers for just the two of them, and Samuel jolts, before sensing the deathtrap he held on Axel's hand.
"Sorry," Samuel breathes out, his shoulders relaxing, "I'm fine."
YOU ARE READING
Under The Sea
RomantikAxel has spent his entire life trapped by the rules that govern his species, taught to fear humans and avoid them at all costs. His father has strived his entire life to keep him within the walls of their Kingdom where he is safe. But Axel's curiosi...
