She's the Prince

Chapter 57

Getting Close

The afternoon sun blazed high as Ares and his companions journeyed through the vibrant yet harsh terrain. The oppressive heat clung to their skin, a stark reminder of the grueling days spent restoring Crow Village. Musa's toxic fog was finally lifted with Sebastian's aid, allowing the villagers to rebuild their lives. Yet, the journey ahead was far from over.

The steady sound of boots on dry grass could be heard in the still air as the group moved forward. Ares walked with Callan, their voices low as they exchanged words meant to be private.

"You're saying she kissed you, and you felt something?" Callan asked, raising an eyebrow.

Ares shot him a glare, his voice a sharp whisper. "Lower your voice!"

Callan held up his hands in mock surrender. "Okay, okay. Just curious. How did it feel?"

Ares's cheeks burned a deep red. "It's... complicated. Something in my lower half—" He hesitated, avoiding Callan's gaze. "It's alive again."

Callan's grin was as sly as ever. "Oh? You mean your—"

"Yes!" Ares cut him off, glancing nervously at their companions ahead. "But what does that even mean? Does this mean I'm attracted to her?"

Callan stifled a laugh. "No, not necessarily. Maybe your body just—well, needs something."

"Needs what?" Ares's brow furrowed in confusion.

"You know," Callan shrugged, his tone casual. "The call of the flesh."

Ares groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "You've got to be joking. How did this happen? I don't even—"

"It's not you, really. It's Prince Ares. You're a man, and like every morning, the dragon beneath your pants stirs," Callan teased.

Ares glared at him. "What makes being a man so complicated? I can't even get used to standing while I pee! Sitting is so much easier!"

Callan choked back a laugh. "You'd do it, but not with us around."

Ares sighed. "Then tell me—how do I stop this strange... feeling?"

"You don't," Callan said, his grin softening. "It's natural."

"You're saying you feel this, too?" Ares asked.

"Of course," Callan admitted.

Ares mulled this over, his lips pursed in thought. "Then why? Is it Musa? Or maybe that woman at the inn?"

Callan snorted. "Neither."

"Then who?" Ares pressed.

Callan leaned closer, his voice conspiratorial. "It's a full moon tonight."

Ares blinked, his confusion deepening. "Wait—have we been traveling for a month?"

Callan chuckled. "Not quite what I meant."

Before Ares could probe further, Sebastian approached them, his quiet presence cutting through their conversation. "You two seem... engrossed."

Ares straightened, his tone defensive. "It's nothing to do with you."

Sebastian smirked faintly and handed Ares a small tin container. "Here. I noticed you like chocolate, so I asked for some while we were in the village."

Ares stared at the offering, baffled. "For me?"

Sebastian shrugged. "It's not much, but it's still good."

Sebastian turned around and walked away, leaving Ares and Callan to look at each other in shock.

"What's gotten into him?" Ares murmured.

Callan only smiled, his gaze lingering on Sebastian before falling silent.

***

The valley they entered stretched wide, framed by high boulders and rolling grasses. The air felt heavy, an unspoken promise of rain hanging over their heads. Ares sat on a smooth rock, watching his soldiers busy themselves collecting wood for a fire. Callan had gone ahead to search for food.

Sebastian crouched nearby, peeling potatoes with a knife. The quiet, rhythmic motion of his hands drew Ares's gaze. For a moment, Sebastian's features became less clear in Ares's mind, and he saw a different face—one from a long time ago.

Harry.

The thought of his old friend sent a pang through Ares's chest. They'd been inseparable once, so close that even Hyacinth had grown jealous. Her warnings echoed in his mind, her voice laced with unease.

"Why are you staring?" Sebastian's voice snapped Ares out of his reverie.

He blinked, startled to find Sebastian seated beside him. "How did you get up here?"

"I flew," Sebastian said dryly, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.

Ares rolled his eyes. "Don't quit your day job, comedian."

Sebastian laughed softly, leaning back on his hands. "You seemed lost in thought. What were you thinking about?"

Ares hesitated. "Nothing important."

Sebastian tilted his head, unconvinced but willing to let it slide. "Fair enough. You're surprisingly quiet today."

Before Ares could respond, one of his soldiers approached, looking concerned. "Captain Callan hasn't returned yet."

Ares's brow furrowed. "Then go find him. Take someone with you."

The soldier nodded and hurried off. Ares leaned back, his fingers absently summoning a flicker of flame to light the firewood nearby. The sudden blaze startled the soldier tending the pile, who shot Ares a grateful look.

"You worry too much about him," Sebastian remarked, watching Ares out of the corner of his eye.

"He's my friend," Ares replied.

Sebastian said nothing, though his expression softened briefly. The two sat in silence, the crackling fire filling the quiet.

***

As the sun dipped lower, the sound of rustling drew their attention. Callan emerged from the trees, a large deer slung over his shoulder. One of the soldiers hurried to take the load from him, but Callan hesitated, his gaze fixed on Ares and Sebastian seated together on the high rock.

Ares waved cheerfully, his smile uncharacteristically bright. Callan's expression flickered—just for a moment—before he returned the smile with a faint nod and continued past them.

Sebastian watched him go, his sharp eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "You're good at keeping people close, aren't you?"

Ares raised an eyebrow, his tone light but curious. "What do you mean by that?"

Sebastian didn't answer immediately, his gaze lingering on the spot where Callan had disappeared. Finally, he turned back to Ares, his expression unreadable.

"Nothing," he said with a small smile. "Just an observation."