Fly or Fall

Chapter Eleven

Kol's head bobbed in and out of the water, the waves crashing over him. His hair fell over his eyes in soaked strands when he finally returned to Andy. They stood, the water to their chests, the sky laid out infinitely above them. The stars were lit candles in the dark sky flickering as if a breeze had blown past them. He held Andy's hand and suddenly the water wasn't so cold. Andy's whole body warmed.

"You have to swim," Kol said, the words coming out between gasps for air.

Andy looked back to the beach, something fluttering inside him. "Shouldn't we get back," he said, his eyes refusing to meet Kol's. "We're not supposed to leave the palace."

Kol smiled. "A little while longer," he said, his voice floating in the night with humor. He moved closer to Andy, so close Andy could feel his breath brushing against his lips. His own breath hitched as giddy anticipation spread through him. For a second, he thought Kol was going to kiss him. For a second, he wanted him to. But then the prince moved his lips to his ear and whispered, "You promised to trust me."—He laced his fingers around Andy's— "So, trust me."

Andy bit his bottom lip before he allowed Kol to pull further into the water.

It was still dark when Andy and Kol climbed up the stone path back to the palace gardens. They snuck back to their rooms using the secret passageways.

"See you later," Kol said standing in the threshold of the entrance to Andy's room.

Andy nodded, his fingers playing with his earlobe. "Yeah," the word came out unsure but then Kol smiled and he said it again. "Yeah, see you—" Kol cut him off when he leaned in and kissed his cheek. "...later." He was blushing.

Kol's smile widened then turned around with a sweetly said, "Goodnight Andy."

Andy held his hand to his cheek as he muttered, "Goodnight."

Alone again in his room Andy stood for a moment, his heart beating so fast he could have sworn the sound filled the room. He was frozen. Processing.

>>>>>>>

Theana Lone was standing by the entrance of Seldoch hall when Crown Prince Wenlliam stepped out of his carriage. He looked up at her as she smiled widely and waved to him. She was wearing a coral pink lace gown today—she always did look best in soft colours, the prince thought. Her brunette hair whipped against her face as a breeze blew past her and her ocean blue eyes sparkled in the light. His cheeks flushed the slightest tint of pink before he started his ascent up the black stone steps with his guards behind him.

"Good morning your majesty," Theana greeted with a theatrical bow.

The prince smiled. "Morning Thea," he returned and she straightened. They walked together into the hall. "Are the rest of the council members here?" he asked.

Her smile fell and with a more sombre voice she answered, "Yes. They're already waiting in the meeting room."

The prince nodded. The council held weekly meetings at Seldoch Hall and as the crown prince, it was his duty to attend each one. He didn't enjoy it, in fact he dreaded it. The meetings where tediously unproductive. The members rarely ever agreed on anything. Most meetings were spent in heated arguments. And ended in migraines for the prince.

"Do you know who called this meeting?" he asked. It was two days before their regularly scheduled meeting. He didn't appreciate being called from court this early in the day. This better be important. He tried not to show his discontent.

"Mon," she answered him in a clipped voice. Vory Mon, the head of the Thaim coven wasn't a friend to either one of them. "If this is another meeting about allowing his coven more access to magic, I might actually kill him. I had plans today."