Thy Gay Prince

Chapter 5

Noah woke up a couple hours later after the whipping. I had put on a lot of ice and wrappings on his back. I was actually just about to check them when he woke up.

"Wh-what happened?" Noah asks sleepily.

"You were whipped Noah. By my father."

"Oh yes, I do quite remember that clearly. Did I go unconscious?"

"Yes for a couple hours, but it's all good it helped me get you all fixed up." I put on a small smile.

"I feel terrible. Everything hurts." Noah complains.

"Maybe I need to change out the ice." I put up the ice pouch and Noah winces.

I walk over to the ice box and dump the old ice and grab some new pieces. Tie up the pouch and place it lightly on Noah's back. He still winces. I feel terrible for letting this happened to him.

"Cade?"

"Yes Noah?"

"Will I ever get better?"

I had to think about it a little bit. Would Noah ever get better? Will his scars fade and go back to his muscles that bulged through his shirts? Why was I thinking about that? How did I even know about that? As much as I hated to admit it but I did notice Noah.

I saw him everyday after he got off of his shift at the kitchen. Of course I noticed little features strangers wouldn't. I was his best friend, knew him better than anyone else. But he's seriously injured and if I do anything wrong I might lose him forever.

If I didn't do the right things would the skin on his back ever be the same creamy white color? Or would it stay crimson red and never heal? I shouldn't stress it'll only make things worse but how much worse can things get? I guess Noah could just die, what would happen then? Who would I go to get away from my cruel father and all the women he dawns upon me? And who would he go to get away from Chester?

Maybe I wasn't the best hands he could be in but he trusted me and that matters. Maybe I could make him better again. Maybe it would be okay, but the odds were very stacked against us. If this was a poker game, I wouldn't bet. I nod my head at Noah.

"Yes I think you'll be okay."

"Will I ever be the same?"

"It might take awhile but I think you'll be okay." It was so easy to lie.

"I'm glad your my doctor and not anyone else." I look at him confused.

"Why?"

"Because I feel safe near you, like you'll protect me from anything." I start to blush but then stop.

"I didn't protect you from the whipping." I could sense a bit of anger in my words.

"No but you tried. I heard the guard grab you away from me." Noah puts a small smile on his face.

"Well that wasn't enough to protect your back." I sigh.

"No, but you tried. And that's all I could've asked for."

"But Noah I didn't protect you. Your back is looking awful." I look at him.

"Yes, but now I'll have battle scars and reminders." Noah looks down at the ground.

I look at his back. It wasn't as bad as before. Maybe it would get better and I wouldn't have to lie. Or maybe it would get worse and I would lose my only friend. I walked over to the ice box to make another ice bag.

"Cade?"

"Yes?" I look behind me to see him.

"What's it like to be a Prince?"

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"I mean that-that what's it like to get whatever you want and..."

"I'm going to have to stop you there. I may get whatever I want but I have a lot of responsibilities, I just don't show it." I sigh. "A lot of those responsibilities are tough, and many of them I hate."

It was true. Most responsibilities that I have I hate doing. I hate that my father is the king. I hate that he has power to do whatever he wants and no one gives him a side glance. What he did to Noah wasn't right. It's going to be a long time before Noah will be the same.

I worry about Noah though. My father shows no mercy to anyone. Not even me. Nobody has choice when he is around. I guess if my father doesn't accept it, it doesn't happen. Noah just happened to get the worst of it. It's been years since the last whipping. The last one was my uncle and a couple days later he died.

I make another ice bag and place it on Noah's lower back. He winces again.

"I'm sorry." I whisper and tear up.

I felt terrible I let this happen. Even though Noah ensured me that it was fine. It wasn't going to be fine! Even if Noah got better we wouldn't ever be allowed to be within miles of each other. Even if he turned out to be okay, I wouldn't be able to see it happen.

"It's okay." Noah starts to sit up.

"Noah I don't think that's a good idea." I look at him with sadness.

"Cade?"

"Yes?"

"I'm not gonna let your father tell me what I can and cannot do." He sits up.

I wasn't sure Noah getting up was a good idea. So I move to go stop him but he grabs the back of my neck and our lips clash together.