Potions, Power and Pain

Chapter 24

Rowan snuck back into the castle through his favourite secrete passageway. He did not know what was wrong with him, but during his entire walk home, he had been smiling uncontrollably.

However his smile was quickly wiped off his face when he opened the door at the top of the fifth flight of stairs and saw Kallik sitting in the same armchair he had been last time. However unlike the previous time, he was not sitting there with a drink in his hands, wallowing in self-pity. No, this time the King of the Earthly Kingdom, Berono Nightshade, was sitting across from him. Both of them wearing matching somber expressions.

"Sit down. We need to talk." Berono ordered in a way that gave Rowan no choice but to comply. "I will not bore you with details, I think we all already know where you were, and who you were with."

"Dad, you have no right to tell me who I can and can't spend time-"

"You may not be the crown prince, but that does not mean that you can do whatever you want," Berono interrupted. You represent this family and anything that makes you look bad, makes this entire family look bad, this entire establishment."

"I have not done anything to make anyone look bad. I just had dinner with a friend."

"A half-breed friend," Kallik interjected. Rowan glared at him. He honestly had no business being part of this conversation.

"Why are you even here? This conversation is between me and dad." Rowan snapped.

"Do not speak to your brother that way. He is the future king so I suggest you show him some respect." Rowan was not even surprised, it was so typical for his father and brother to team up against him. All he could do was roll his eyes.

"As I was saying, knowing your track record I highly doubt she is just a friend. But also knowing your track record it will not last long, so just end whatever it is now, whether it is a friendship or relationship, I do not care."

"I will also have that passageway sealed, you might still be young, but you are old enough to know not to sneak in or out," Berono said rising from where he had been sitting. "You also know exactly what happens when you disrespect me or my wishes." He gave Rowan a pointed look before walking out of the room, leaving him alone with Kallik.

There were hundreds of other secret passages, but that one had been Rowan's favourite thanks to its convenience and location, now he was going to have to find another one. This was not so much of a punishment to Rowan, more of a huge inconvenience. There was also no way he would stay away from Reena. It wasn't just that he did not want to, he also couldn't, he needed to be with her. No matter how many times his father would scream at him, or how severe his punishments would be, Rowan was not going to stay away from Reena.

There was a beat of silence before Rowan said, "So much for you being jealous of how much freedom I have right?"

"I have no idea what you are talking about." Kallik stated.

"Don't you remember, not that long ago, I snuck in through the passageway and you were sitting right where you are now except then you were completely fucking drunk."

"Like I said, I have no idea what you are talking about."

"You can pretend as much as you want, but we both know that you remember."

"I am the Crown Prince of the Earthly Kingdom," Kallik said getting angry. "I am not jealous of you, because there is nothing for me to be jealous of. Do you know how many people would kill to be me, or in my position?"

"I never said that people weren't jealous of you, in fact I am sure that many are, all I am saying is do not try and ruin my life, just because you hate yours." At that Rowans stood up and walked away to his tower.