Prince

Chapter 11

Joey opened his eyes to see Daniel hovering over him, his features striped with golden rays of the morning sun. He blinked briny tears from his eyes as he pushed him self off the mattress and wrapped his arms around Daniel.

'What's wrong? D'you have a bad dream or something?'

Joey held him slightly tighter as the horrific memories gradually came back to him.

'The worst'

Daniel pulled away looking into Joeys eyes, wiping a stray tear from his cheek with his thumb.

'It was just a dream Joey, you're ok now. Do you want to talk about it?'

He shook his head pulling Daniel into another hug so perfect it was almost impossible to tell where one body ended and the other began.

'What was it you wanted to show me?'

Daniel jumped up off the bed running over to his painting corner, gesturing for Joey to follow.

'Come look'

Joey stretched his arms up above his head and made his way over to the easel. When he saw the painting he was shocked at the incredible amount of detail that had gone into it. It was a horse, the horse from the market that Daniel had been so fascinated by.

'How are you so good at these?'

'I don't know, but I was thinking maybe we could hang them up in here.'

'This isn't your room you know?'

'Isn't it?'

Daniel winked at Joey as he took the sunset painting over to an empty space above the bed and held it against the wall.

'It would look nice here'

Sighing, Joey rolled his eyes and ran a hand through his messy hair.

'I'll go find some nails.'

Daniel smiled placing the painting on the floor and ran over to the door.

'Ok I'll come-'

'No!'

Daniel turned around shocked at Joeys harsh tone, he took a step away from the door and let his eyes fall to his feet.

'I'm sorry'

Joey walked over to him lifting his chin and then holding both his hands.

'I'm sorry I just don't want anything bad to happen to you, at least if you're in here I know you're safe.'

'I understand, but I can't stay locked away forever Joey.'

Joey thought it over for a few seconds, Daniel was right. He couldn't exactly live in his room for the rest of his life, and it's probably more dangerous to leave him alone unprotected.

'Ok fine, we might as well go get some breakfast anyway'

As they made their way to the kitchen they got various puzzled looks off maids who crossed their path. None of them dared to question a Prince however, until they got to the final hall that led to the kitchen. A maid nervously approached them with her hands stuffed in her pockets.

'The King is looking for you your majesty, he wishes to speak with you.'

She scurried off into another room before Joey could even ask if she knew why. He turned to Daniel, who didn't seem the slightest bit worried.

'Go to the kitchen and get yourself whatever you want, I'll see what he wants and meet you back there. If anything goes wrong run straight back to my room and lock the door.'