Kingdom of Ash

Thank you for this

Ezra's voice thundered through the room, shaking me from a deep sleep. "Who the fuck are you?"

I bolted upright, my heart racing, only to find Ezra looming over Theo, who was curled up at the foot of my bed, looking as bewildered as I felt. "Wha—" Theo started, but the word barely escaped his lips before Ezra's knife was out, it's cold edge pressing against Theo's chin holding his head up to meet the prince's cold gaze.

"Ezra! Put that down!" I snapped, rushing to intercede. I gripped the knife's hilt, trying to push it away, but Ezra is stronger than me and his gaze was unwavering. Theo, on instinct, sprang up and shoved Ezra backwards, drawing a blade and brandishing it defensively. 

"Theo, drop it," I feel like a referee between two feuding dogs. Neither of them budged an inch. I sigh.

"Ezra, this is Theo. He came looking for me after the raid. Ava sent him," I said, though it was a lie wrapped in a half-truth. Theo had come on his own, but Ezra didn't need to know that right now, Theo didn't correct me as if silently agreeing. "Theo, This is Ezra. He lives here and—"

"Oh that makes sense now, He's your darling prince?" Theo scoffed, the sarcasm clear in his voice, which drew a sharp, disapproving scowl from Ezra. "I thought you people were meant to have better manners."

"Yes, he's the prince," I affirmed, trying to keep the peace. "You can tell Ava I'm in good hands."

Theo raised an eyebrow but remained on edge. "What were you doing in her bed?" Ezra's voice was laced with jealousy, each word dripping with menace.

Theo's lips curled into a smirk. "What? Mad it's not you?"

Ezra pushed his knife further the slightest bit, but Theo met it with his, keeping a safe distance between them. 

"He came in last night. I told him he could stay on the couch till morning," I explained, but Ezra didn't look at me.

"Why were you in her bed?" Ezra retorted, his eyes still fixed on Theo. I glanced at Theo, who looked embarrassed and reluctant to explain.

Theo rolled his eyes and shrugged. "I went to use the bathroom. The couch wasn't very comfortable, so I figured it'd be fine to stay at the end of the bed. Dogs do it all the time, right?" He said with a sheepish grin.

To my surprise Ezra sighed heavily and sheathed his knife, prompting Theo to mimic the gesture. "I'll have you escorted out after the guard's meeting. My father should be in his quarters, you'll be unseen."

Theo nodded, his usual nonchalance returning. "No hard feelings," he said, extending a hand. Ezra ignored him and plopped down onto the couch with an air of defiance.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"I'm staying here until then. There's no way I'm leaving him alone with you now that I know he's here.." He mumbled the next few words under his breath I almost didn't hear them "..and so openly attracted to you." 

Theo laughed, "Scared she'll fall for me?"

Ezra's eyes flashed with irritation before he started laughing too. "You really think she'd want someone like you?"

Theo was momentarily taken aback, then turned to me with a half-smile. "A real charmer, bug," he said, the nickname provoking a raised eyebrow from Ezra. Theo seized the opportunity, leaning into the playful banter. "Didn't know we had already cute names for each other? Looks like I'm in the lead then." He flopped back on the edge of the bed with a casual demeanor.

"So what are you doing in her room so early, huh? You just walk in here whenever you want?" Theo pushed, and I couldn't help but feel the question was valid.