King and Lionheart [Dreamnotfound AU]

Chapter 1: The Thief

Y'all won't believe how many times I misspelled thief writing this book. (It's currently almost finished and im posting to get motivation from y'all to wrap it up lol) Anyways enjoy :D

The rumours said that Prince George had run back into the fire to save his parents. He was pulled out with smoke in his lungs and his left arm burned black. The palace healers nursed him back to health, and when he awoke he was King.

One slender finger tapped impatiently on the arm of the throne as the guards brought in the man they'd arrested. The prisoner wore a mossy green cloak and dark trousers, but most interestingly, a pale mask covered his face, forehead to nose, concealing his expression. His hands were bound behind his back, and he was placed before the throne to face the King.

King George had grown up since the fire, but time hadn't worn down the scars from burnt flesh, or the loss of his parents. He was slightly taller, less boyish apart from his unruly dark hair. He looked down a long nose with two eyes of different colours, one sparkling blue and the other a deep brown.

"Take off his mask."

A guard moved and the prisoner lifted his hands, signing, "Please don't."

Everyone but George jumped at his sudden freedom, but George merely rolled his eyes and lifted a hand to stop the guards.

The not-really-a-prisoner-anymore faced him in relief, but remained slightly on edge. He was taller than average, but clearly athletic and coiled with energy. The wanted posters had drawn him much older.

George voiced that. "I thought you'd be older."

The masked man almost smiled and replied in sign, "I thought you'd be taller."

Several people gasped and a few of George's closest attendants chuckled.

Treachery, George thought. I'm not short. He ignored the jab.

"Why don't you speak? Are you mute?"

The masked man paused briefly, then answered "I have no voice" in sign.

George hmmmm-ed. "Do you mind if I continue speaking to you?"

Everyone in his kingdom knew sign language, and those in the castle were especially well-versed. Some days it was the only way King George communicated, when his lungs caused him pain.

The masked man seemed surprised that the King cared about his opinion, but he quickly answered, "Whatever pleases you, your majesty."

George internally noted his newfound respect. This was a very careful man.

"Do you know why you're here, Dream?"

The masked man shook his head and responded, "I might be a thief, but I never stole from you."

George's gaze narrowed. "Crimes against my people are crimes against me. However, you aren't here for punishment."

Dream's thefts were never serious, and the objects turned up somewhere else amusing every time. It was more like a game, to see if he could swipe things from under people's noses. People had tried hiring him, but he'd only take jobs with something interesting involved.

"I thought to hire you."

George knew he was taking a risk, employing someone who stole things for fun, but he'd never hurt anyone as far as they knew. And George had his own games to play.

"For what?"

As if George would disclose his plans in front of this many people. He wasn't that foolish.