Wings Of Fate

Hold on me

They had finally made it outside, the cold, stormy air feeling like the first breath of freedom. Riven took a deep breath, tightening his hold on Eugene, who was still fragile and barely conscious, his head leaning against Riven's chest. The helping guard looked around cautiously before he spoke, his voice low and urgent.

"Listen carefully," he said, pulling Riven aside. "You can't go to the wild fairy colony, not yet. It will be the first place the king will search. You'll need to stay hidden somewhere he'd never suspect."

Riven nodded, holding Eugene closer as he listened intently.

The guard handed him a small leather pouch, the weight of gold inside a small, unexpected blessing. "Take this. It's not much, but it'll help for now," he said. Then, with a serious look, he placed a badge with the fairy guard's emblem into Riven's hand, a symbol that could grant them safe passage if needed. "My brother... he's an outcast fairy. He runs a courtesan house in the sketchiest part of town, a place no royal would think to look. Tell him I sent you. He'll understand."

Riven glanced at the badge, understanding the significance of what he held. This small token was a lifeline, and he knew how dangerous it was for the guard to even give it.

The guard looked at Eugene, a mixture of sorrow and hope in his eyes. "Please... take care of our prince," he whispered, his voice cracking. "The king... his cruelty can't last forever. One day, when this kingdom has endured enough, they will need their true prince again. They will need Eugene." He swallowed, his gaze lingering on Eugene's pale face. "We will wait for him. Until the day he returns."

Riven's heart ached with the weight of that promise. "I swear to you," he replied, his voice firm, "I will protect him, no matter what. He will survive this."

The guard nodded, relief and trust in his eyes. With a final glance at Eugene, he stepped back, blending into the shadows, disappearing as quickly as he had come.

Riven took a moment to steady himself. He looked down at Eugene, whose fragile form felt so small and light in his arms. Eugene stirred, his eyes opening slightly, but he was too weak to say anything. Riven brushed a hand over Eugene's damp hair, his voice soft. "We're safe for now. But we need to keep moving, okay?"

Eugene gave a faint nod, his trust clear even in his exhausted state.

With the storm at their backs and the guard's warning heavy in his mind, Riven set off, determined to protect Eugene until his strength returned-and beyond, until the kingdom could be theirs again.

After a while, Eugene stirred in Riven's arms, his lashes fluttering open as he looked up groggily. He tried to push himself upright, though his limbs were still weak and his mind heavy with exhaustion. "Riven... I can walk. You'll get tired carrying me."

Riven glanced down at him with a gentle smile, tightening his grip slightly. "I'm not tired," he replied softly. "You're light as a feather. Feels like I'm carrying a breeze."

Eugene smiled, a small, tired laugh escaping his lips. "Even so," he whispered, "this feather can walk... and even fly if needed."

Riven chuckled, but he didn't slow his pace. "Maybe once you've rested a little more," he said, keeping his gaze forward as he carefully maneuvered through the narrow, winding path away from the kingdom. "Besides, you've been through so much already. You don't need to push yourself."

Eugene's hand reached up, brushing lightly against Riven's shoulder, feeling the steady rhythm of his breathing. He was quiet for a moment, absorbing the strength and warmth he found there. "Thank you," he murmured softly. "I know none of this has been easy... I can't believe you're still here with me after everything."