The Blood Prince

012

I nervously look out the window to the village below.

Suddenly the door opens and I look back, seeing Xavier come into the room.

We briefly make eye contact before he looks away with a disappointed expression.

He takes off his robes as he speaks.

"I just created a treaty that ended the war. Brought peace between nations. Came back to celebrate with my wife. Only to find out she slipped away with my sister."he says.

"I apologize, Xavier. But..you did leave me quite abruptly. I had no idea when you would be returning.."I say softly.

"You were to stay here. You disobeyed me nonetheless."Xavier says.

"Xavier, I'm here. I didn't leave you."I say quietly.

He slams his hands on the dresser and I jump.

"You are not understanding your role here."he says.

My lips quiver.

"Right. Because I'm closer to a slave than a queen, correct?"

His head snaps towards me, and he blows smoke from his nose.

My eyes widen as he approaches me and then I whimper as he grips my cloak, pulling me closer to him.

"Sass?"he says, gripping my face with a gloved hand.

"You dare sass me? Must you be reminded of your role, wife?"he says angrily.

I begin to get frightened, and I simply cup his cheeks as my lips quiver as he grows a shocked expression.

"Xavier.. y-you don't have to do this."I whisper.

His eyes were still angry, but I watch them soften as I speak.

"You don't need to threaten me. You don't have to remind me of my place. My place is by your side."

His hardened features soften, and his grip on my cloak loosens. I let out a shakey breath as I pull him closer, pressing my lips against his.

I peck his lips a few times and I notice his cheeks were surprisingly cool.

He places a gloved hand against my face, his eyes down at my lips.

"... I'm so sorry."he says softly.

I gently rub my thumb against his cheek.

"It's okay. It's all you know. It's your father's fault, not yours."

His face contorts as if he wanted to cry, but no tears fell from his eyes.

"How is it that you understand me? You knew nothing of me before coming here and yet somehow you understand."he says.

I shrug.

"I think your father, and my mother are a lot alike. But, we both tend to take after our fathers don't we."I say softly.

"...I think you're right."he says, making me chuckle.

He sighs, brushing his fingers against my cheek softly.

"...I wish I could touch you."he says.

My face flushes red and he backs away, turning towards the bed.

He unties the strings in his shirt before pulling it over his head.

"Would you touch my scars...Please?"

My face burns and I untie the ribbon on my cloak, taking it off and sitting it against the chair by the window.

"Of course."

.......

I smile as I run my fingers over the thick scars on his neck and shoulder.

He hums in comfort, laying his head on my leg.

I take my fingers through his hair, thumbing over the scars on his scalp.

"Is it painful?"I ask softly.

"Is what painful."he says.

"When I touch these, here?"I ask, my hand coming to the scars across his chest.

He hisses a bit before chuckling softly.

"No, it's not painful. Quite the opposite."he says.

I chuckle.

He was being extra careful not to touch me, but his body was cool in my hands.

"Xavier. How long as it been since you touched someone?"I ask.

He remains silent for a bit, then sighs.

"I burned my mother's womb at 8 months. When I was born, I was too hot for the midwives to touch me. The only person who could was my mother. She was the last ever person I touched with my bare hands."

I rub his shoulders and lean down, pressing a kiss to his head.

"One day you'll be able to touch me."I say softly, making him smile.

"I hope so."he says.

I smile, leaning down and pressing a kiss against one of his scars

He leans his head over more and I chuckle, kissing more of his scars.

There's a knock on the door, and then it opens.

.....

Nadia enters the room, seeing Xavier sitting against Tatiana as she massaged and rubbed his shoulders and neck.

"Brother, look here the school children dropped off this lovely invitation for you."she says.

"Can you not see I'm busy, woman?"he asks as Tatiana slowly drags her hands up his chest.

"Well, you've refused every invitation from them this far, I figured your wife could have some influence on your decision."she smiles.

"What is it?"I ask.

"Nothing."Xavier says, sitting up a bit.

"Xavier is a hero amongst the children in the village."Nadia smiles, walking over to the wine table.

"Really?"I ask, looking down at him.

"I suppose so."he huffs.

"Each year they have a festival to celebrate him. Each year they invite him. And each year he refuses to go."Nadia says.

"Why?"I ask.

"I don't want to surround myself with children and then have a blow out."he huffs, leaning back against Tatiana.

"If you were to simply wear father's crown the burn wou-"

"I will not."

Nadia sighs.

"It's only a short event. You could make many children very happy."Nadia says.

"I think we should go."Tatiana says with a smile.

"No."Xavier says.

"But wouldn't it be so fun?"she asks, rubbing her hands down his chest.

"Well, I'll just put this beautifully decorated invitation right here, take this wine, and leave you two to discuss who's going where, when?"she says, backing out of the room as she closes the door.

"I don't have full control, I don't want to be around any children."he says.

"You could wear your gloves. And I would be there to help."I say, running my fingers down the scars on his chest.

A smirk creeps to his face and he looks up at me.

"Would I be rewarded for such a heroic gesture?"he asks, making me chuckle and lean down to him.

"Your majesty, you can get whatever you want, whenever you want. You're the king."

His grin widens and his cheeks become warm as I kiss his lips.

"I like being king."

.....