The Warlock (BxB)

Chapter 41

Casimir walked with Logain around the castle, showing him as much as he could without drawing too much attention to them. As much as he wanted to hold the warlock's hand, Casimir refrained from doing so for the time being. He would respect Logain's wishes by not showing too much affection in public, even if it was killing him inside. The prince was an affectionate person. He liked showing off for everyone to see when someone belonged to him, but he knew Logain wouldn't appreciate that very much. The warlock was the shy type who didn't like too much attention being brought to him. Casimir could wait until they were alone.

Even though Casimir showed Logain around, the warlock couldn't get his mind off of Amaris. This was only their first meeting, but Logain couldn't stand the clergyman. Perhaps that was because of his past relationship with the prince. Logain was just as jealous knowing that the prince had a relationship with someone else, even if Casimir didn't have feelings for that person anymore. This was the first time Logain ever wanted to claim someone for himself. He had no intention of sharing the prince with anyone.

He could tell that Logain was distracted as they walked down the halls. Casimir asked, "Did our encounter with Amaris bother you? I apologize for what he said about you. He's set in his ways and thinks anyone who doesn't have divine magic is bad. You can thank High Priestess Meredith for that one. She treats everyone else like trash, so of course her followers believe she's right. Amaris isn't a bad person. He's just . . . he needs someone to show him that witches and warlocks aren't bad."

"Don't even suggest that I should be the one who does that. I would like to avoid that man as much as possible." Logain beat Casimir to it before he could make the suggestion. Casimir was too nice for his own good, but Logain wasn't. He wouldn't help someone who had a past relationship with the prince.

The prince chuckled. "Logain . . . are you jealous? There's nothing for you to be worried about, and I wasn't going to ask you to help him. This is something Amaris needs to figure out by himself."

Logain glanced away. He was jealous, but he wouldn't admit that to Casimir. The warlock decided to turn the conversation away from him as he asked, "Um, the school you mentioned, what happened to Amaris there?"

He couldn't pretend as though he wasn't curious. There were a lot of details in their conversation that Logain didn't understand. Casimir mentioned a school where Amaris was tortured, and he also noted that the High Priestess forced him to go there. Logain could gather that place was a punishment because of Casimir and Amaris' relationship, but the warlock wanted to know more. Sending someone to a place that would break them simply because of their sexuality seemed evil to Logain. He didn't know how bad the priestess could get.

The question made the prince uncomfortable as he shifted back and forth on his feet. "It's just as I said, Amaris was tortured for being himself. The institute is under the guise of being a school meant to teach the clergy about divine magic and how to control it. While they do accomplish this teaching, there is more to it than that. They brainwash their students into believing that everything the church says is correct and that all things existing against the church should be eradicated. Being gay is one of the things the church wants to get rid of."

"It is no secret that Amaris likes men. When the High Priestess learned about our relationship, she sent him to that school. One of their methods of trying to set things 'straight' is through torture. Amaris . . . when he returned, I saw the things they did to him. Perhaps it is not my place to say, but he has scars you can't see because they're covered up. His back is scarred, as though he was whipped multiple times. That is part of the reason why I ended my relationship with him. After seeing what they did to him, I couldn't bear to continue seeing him when they might take him away and do the same thing. I realize how wrong it was of me to continue hooking up with him even after that, but it was hard to ignore the person I once had feelings for. Not to mention, Amaris wanted it, despite the pain and torment he went through. What they did to him changed him into what you see now."

"There's also the High Priestess, who is trying to force us together again. The only reason she is doing this is because she wants a solid standing with the royal family and to gain leverage against us. If she succeeds and I give in, then not only will she be able to turn my position as crown prince against me because of my sexuality, but she will send Amaris back to that place. She has no love for him, but he is too blind to see what she is planning. This is the sort of brainwashing and manipulation the church does to its people. Amaris had always been righteous and believed in the church, but he used to be able to see the corruption inside of it as well. At one point, I believed he could put an end to the corruption and knock Meredith down from her position, but not anymore. He can't unless he gets his shit together." After his speech, Casimir sighed. He told Logain more than he asked for, but it all came out. He couldn't help venting his frustrations to the warlock.

It was obvious that the prince still cared about Amaris. He might not love the clergyman anymore, but he still felt something for him. He wouldn't be this upset if he felt nothing at all.

"I'm sorry. I'm supposed to be showing you around, but instead all I've done is talk about my ex." Casimir rubbed the back of his neck. He wanted to spend time with Logain and he felt bad for talking his ear off.

"Why are you apologizing? I'm the one who asked about him. And . . . I can tell that you want to help him." Logain didn't mention it, but he didn't know why he was contemplating helping Amaris. Maybe if he helped him then it would put Casimir's mind at ease.

"I do, but . . . I don't want it to compromise our relationship. If I show Amaris any sort of attention, he might take it the wrong way. I was his first and only boyfriend, and you can tell that he still has feelings for me. Helping him means spending time with him to make him see the light, but I won't do it. I won't risk my relationship with you if he gets the wrong idea. I won't do anything to ruin my relationship with you, but he might." Since Casimir knew Amaris better than anyone else, he knew that the clergyman always wanted things to go his way. He would do whatever he had to in order to get Casimir back. The prince thought it would be better to avoid Amaris altogether.

"Casimir, I trust you." Logain reached out to take the prince's hand. He gave him a gentle smile and continued, "I know you won't do anything with him behind my back. If helping him is what you truly desire, then I'll support you."

The prince was shocked by the warlock's words. "You're willing to help someone without receiving payment?"

"Oh, shut up. Besides, I can think of a few things you can do for me that doesn't require money," Logain said before shyly glancing away.

This intrigued Casimir. He smirked at him and asked, "Such as?"

The warlock's face felt like it was on fire, but he answered regardless of how embarrassing it was, "Show me to your room and I'll tell you."

Casimir couldn't say no to that. He squeezed Logain's hand, before leading the warlock away.