Prince Lothian (MxM)

6

I found myself standing at the helm of the ship the next morning, the sky a wash of purples and pinks against dark blue, the orange rays of the sun bringing warmth and light.

I felt lost.

In every direction, as far as the eye could see there was only water. Waves of blue and foam crashed against the ship, the rocking motion calming, the crisp and salty air invigorating.

Back home there was always something to be done, whether it be paperwork, diplomatic meetings or even a book to be read.

Here there was nothing. Nothing but me and the ocean.

"You're looking at the sea like it holds all the answers to the world." I hadn't heard Prince Lothian approach but welcomed the company. I enjoyed solitude but sometimes my mind was a tiring companion to deal with alone.

I turned my head and regarded the prince and my soon to be husband. "Good morning to you too." He'd washed just before coming here, his fair hair almost brown when wet and brushed back by fingers, a few drops of water sliding down his neck.

His attire was a lot less formal than yesterday's. Woven cotton trousers dyed a dark brown and a white cheesecloth shirt clung to his freshly washed skin, his upper chest exposed to the cold morning air, the drawstrings loose and dancing in the wind. His boots were the same and to my surprise his skin was free from paint.

His bottomless dark eyes watched me with a heavy gaze and I got the impression he was seeing a lot more than what I'd chosen to wear today.

He took a step closer, kept getting closer until I could feel the warmth of his body against my side. The dry and calloused skin of his fingers cupped one of my cheeks, his thumb smoothing over the skin under my left eye.

My heterochromia.

"What's bothering you little dove?" The term of endearment seemed to roll off his tongue like it had always been there.

I sighed and dropped my gaze, my eyes going back to the endless ocean, so much of the same and yet so captivating.

"What am I going to do in your kingdom? Other than being your wife of course."

He was quiet for a few moments, then to my surprise his free arm wrapped around my middle and pulled me back against him. His hand went to my chin and pinched it between thumb and forefinger, tilting my head back and to the side. His dark eyes held mine, his usual stoic expression softening into an incomprehensible emotion.

"You want a purpose?" not a job, or a position in his court, but a purpose. How much could he see when he looked into my eyes exactly?

I did want a purpose, I've always needed direction in my life, from one day to the other I followed a routine, but it had all just stopped so suddenly. Even the familiarity of my guards comfort was gone. Our bond went far beyond sexual needs, I was truly myself with him and I longed for such a release, to just breathe and lower the mask I wore.

The direction of my thoughts made me look away from the prince, not exactly guilt, but something niggled at my insides. I shouldn't be thinking about my old lover in the arms of my future husband.

"You have many troubles in that head of yours." if only he knew.

I didn't speak again and neither did he, we just stood together and watched the sun rise over the ocean.

After a while i noticed i'd started to lean against him and went to straighten but he pulled me back against his chest. I glanced up at him but his eyes were focused on the horizon, his arm keeping me against him, lightly at first but it tensed suddenly.