Use Me, Royal Stranger (mxm)

Chapter 35 - Learning To Forgive, Unable To Forget

Carlen's heart raced as his eyes darted around the hallway. No guards. Perfect. He slinked down the path, his body plastered closely to the wall. If anyone caught him now, he knew no amount of explaining was going to be good enough. But knowing that didn't hold him back from his mission.

Reaching a corner, Carlen looked around before darting his head to check the coast. It was clear. He turned, his body close to the other wall, before he quietly made his way further into the warriors' quarters. Keeping his steps quiet, Carlen listened out for any other persons around him.

He noticed a few warriors lingering outside their quarters talking a one corridor away. He would not need to pass them to get to where he wanted to go, but if they were paying attention, the would definitely detect him near them. They were after all trained professionals. He held his breath as he steeled his heart and sprinted towards the staircase he needed to climb, hoping that the warriors were too preoccupied to notice. As he darted into the stairwell, Carlen stopped at his tracks, listening carefully. Their chatter did not quieten down and Carlen took that as a good sign.

Climbing the stairs up one level, Carlen panted as he made the final step. Just a little way more and he would be there. He was almost done with his mission and it made him giddy to think of it.

Checking his surroundings once more, Carlen tiptoed towards the room that he was most familiar with. Knocking on the door, Carlen cringed at the loud sound it made as it echoed throughout the empty corridor.

"Who's there?" A gruff voice asked, and Carlen smiled shyly to himself, "Go away if you have nothing important to report."

Carlen swallowed nervously as he knocked again. He wasn't risking it to announce his arrival. No one knew that he was coming here. Even Flynn, his guard, didn't know. He had gone on his break and Carlen convinced him that he was going to rest and need not have a guard on him. In his defence, Carlen was not completely irresponsible. He had left a note telling Flynn where he was headed to, in case he came back from his break and reported Carlen missing.

Finally, after several moments, Carlen could hear Lance shuffling towards the door muttering curses, "I'm going to kill you if it is not a life or death situation." The door swung open violently and Carlen back away to avoid being smacked by the door. "Carlen? What are you doing here?" Lance asked, looking about the corridor to find that Carlen had come alone. The threatening glare on his face changing to a dumbfounded one, "Why are you alone?"

"Alaric is with the Queen!" Carlen declared dumbly, realizing suddenly that he had been so excited to see Lance that he had forgotten that he was dropping by unannounced and for no particular reason. He blushed heavily at his actions. He had been a little impulsive getting himself here.

Lance stared blankly at Carlen before ushering him into his chambers quickly, checking their surroundings once more to make sure no one saw Carlen enter his chambers.

When the door closed behind them both, he stared knowingly at Carlen, "What are we doing Carlen?" His low voice vibrated in the otherwise silent room.

"Erm." Carlen stuttered, "A-A-Alaric is with the Queen..." Carlen tugged at the corner of his own shirt anxiously, avoiding eye contact with Lance.

Lance looked confused for several moments, waiting for Carlen to elaborate before smirking and advancing upon Carlen with a predatory smirk, " Yes... They have been together for a while now. And...?" He prompted.

Carlen squeaked as he backed up against the door, his eyes never leaving the spot on Lance's chest that he had found himself staring at, "I- wanted to- see you." Carlen dropped his voice at the proximity they shared. His mind was starting to go blank.