The Prince and the Thief

Chapter Four

"I don't even know how to fish." Vic laughed. I picked up the stick, examining it. It was a branch from a tree that had a fine silver string attached to the end. He pushed my shoulder playfully.

"You're absolutely adorable. I'm going to teach you." I blushed. I wasn't adorable. He brought me to a dock. He let his feet dangled off the edge like a little kid then he patted the spot next to him. I let my feet dangle as well but kept it so I was farther back than him. No way was I falling in.

"So what now?" He snatched the pole from my hands.

"You have your stick and your string." I rolled my eyes. "You bring the stick back then throw it forward, without letting go, and you wait for a tug."

"Have you had people actually let go?"

"You should have been here when I first taught Jenna. I had to swim out and get it three times." I giggle as he handed back the stick. I followed his instructions, smiling when I did it correctly.

"Jenna. She's-"

"Her father was from my village but her mother lived in Arayldan. She does not like to talk about it." I nodded. I watched him lay back on the dock, folding his arms behind his head.

"Why aren't you fishing?"

"I only have one pole." I scoffed.

"You can easily make one more."

"Then it would not be that much fun." I watched his lips twitch.

"Whatever."

"Besides its time to explain some things." I let my feet swing back and forth. "Unmarried people are not allowed to socialize, alone." I looked around, finding no one around us.

"Then what is this?"

"I got permission. Anciano thinks you are more relaxed around me. Besides it's mostly for women. You must have a respect for elders. Anyone with 'Anciano' before their name has to be treated as royalty, to an extent. And we all have our rolls. You will get yours with time as well as the other rules." I nodded after everything he said. These rules seemed minimal but they had a lot of weight to their lives.

"What do you think of these rules?" Vic shrugged.

"I was born with them. But I will tell you something." He put his lips next to my ear. "Rules are meant to be broken." I bit my lip. His breath was warm, spilling down my neck. He pulled away with a small smirk and returned to his original position.

"Are you, uh, into..." I scratched the back of my head with one of my hands. He raised an eyebrow. "Are you into men?" I blurted. He started laugh so hard he had to roll on his stomach. I felt so embarrassed. He wiped the tears from the corner of his eyes, breathing heavily. He finally calmed down a few minutes later.

"Kellin. We believe it's healthy to be both interested in men and women." I looked out over the lake.

"What are you interested in?" He leaned up, looking over my body. I turned my head away from him, hiding the blush on my cheeks.

"Either way, my answer will make you uncomfortable."

"No it wouldn't. We are friends."

"Let me just say, I'm a healthy teen."

"Oh." He nodded. It didn't make me uncomfortable. It made me think of the possibility of being with Vic. I've always found that I find more men attractive than women. I felt the stick move on its own. "Vic. I think I caught something."

"Pull it up. Quickly." I did as he said but when the line came up, there was nothing. I was disappointed.

"I'm sorry."