Torn

Chapter Thirty-Two: Truth.

A week had passed since Victor had finally brought Cyrus away from his nephew's home. The King had been quite concerned for his lover. The Prince had been somewhat distant, and it had Victor questioning many things, but mostly, what had happened. Cyrus avoided the questions constantly. He refused any sort of discussion on the topic.

They had stopped for the evening. The horses needed to rest, fed, and Cyrus had asked for some time to stretch his legs. Of course, Victor couldn't say no. The sprite had became his world so suddenly, and he wanted nothing more for his love but for him to feel safe and happy. Victor had helped the travelers prepare the camp. Setting tents, starting fires, and beginning to cook meals for the small group.

Their tent was pitched a few ways off from the others. The ground was dry, the air becoming more humid, and the plants, much more thorny. Noting for Cyrus was like back home. The grass was always lush and healthy. Flowers scattered the world. Here, it seemed to be dying. Cyrus floated inside the tent. His arms wrapped around his stomach as he looked about. A decent amount of fur had been laid down on strips of hide. The Prince glided over, and sat down with a soft thud. He looked at the ground. before giving a soft tilt of his head. Victor could be heard giving demands to what needed finished before entering the tent.

The male was sweating heavily. He took a deep breath before smiling at the resting sprite, "A week from now, and we'll be home, and your every need will be catered to." Victor looked over the Prince. His expression had stayed the same since they had left. The King walked over before sitting down next to Cyrus, "Are you willing to discuss now? We are far enough away from anyone hearing, including Garth." Victor rubbed the back of his own head, "I need you to talk to me, love. I want to know what happened while I was away."

Cyrus gave a quick shake of his head. The Prince had become irritable, and even pushed Victor away when he had tried to bed him the night before. He felt filthy, and didn't want Victor to feel the same like Garth had said. "I told you, nothing happ-" Before he could finish, Victor had ahold of his chin with a firm grip. The small male sulked, his eyes filled with tears as he sunk into the man's palm. The Prince closed his eyes before pulling back from Victor, but gasped as he was shoved back into the bed of furs.

Victor gripped the Prince's hands. He held him down gently before bringing his free hand down as he lightly kissed his cheek, "You need to understand, darling that I cannot help if I don't know what happened. I want to be able to protect my family, but I can't do that without your cooperation." Victor looked over the Prince. He freed one of his hands before trailing it under Cyrus's shirt as he held his stomach gently, "I feel the bump growing. I hope you're able to walk at the Festival of Rule. The child will be born by then, I'm sure. I hope for a boy, a true heir to the throne." Victor wiped Cyrus's tears free from his cheek, "Now, why must you cry?"

The small gasped as he was shoved back lightly into the covers. The teen tensed. His cheeks flushed as he suddenly felt defenseless. Cyrus turned his attention away before shutting his eyes tightly. Being held down like this scared him, but he kept himself at ease. Somewhat. As Victor spoke about the child, Cyrus nodded, "If they are a boy." At the mention of what had had happened once again, Cyrus shook his head. A lump began to build in his throat. The Prince knew he had to tell him, "After you had left, Garth had gotten quite cruel. He had hurt me in what forms he chose." Cyrus suddenly fell a bit quiet for a moment. The blonde fell lost for words, but finally, spoke the words softly, "He raped me while you were gone, Victor. T-the man defiled me, bruised me, and shoved my head into the couch in the library. It was horrid. I-I didn't want you to think any less of me. He did it just days after you left so the marks would be gone before you returned. Please, don't hold me like that." Cyrus pulled his hands from Victor's grip before holding his hands to his chest, "He wanted me to feel what my mother did, and what he feels all my kind deserve. I don't want to be tainted." Cyrus cried, "I don't want you to hate me."

Victor listened closely. The male tensed lightly as he cocked his head. The King listened closely, but at the mention of what Garth had done, he suddenly tensed. The markings on his arms and neck began to flow a vibrant red, and his eyes, turned into molten gold. Victor suddenly wrapped his arms tightly around Cyrus. Outside, the fires could be seen brightening, and taking over more of the ground. His body was on fire as he held his liver close. What else could he do? The King was quiet as Cyrus sobbed; stroking his back lightly as he held the prince against his frame, "And the child?"

Cyrus sobbed. As Victor held him close, the sprite's wings fluttered as he pressed himself into him. His breath hitched as he clung to Victor like a child, "The baby is yours. I knew before you left, but I was scared to tell you. If Garth would had found out, he would of hurt them." Cyrus held his hands on his face, "Please don't hate me, please don't think that I'm tainted. I-I didn't want any of it. I just wanted out. I locked myself in my room to protect myself. I was so scared. I didn't want Cyrus buried his face into his shoulder.

Victor nodded. He seemed quiet on the matter for some time, but after the Prince had calmed down, he spoke, "My love, I feel nothing buy regret for you being hurt so badly." The large male let out a low growl. He curled his fists tightly as he held the Prince close, "I will not let Garth lay another hand on you. What he has done will not be ignored my love. Punishment will be followed on my return home. You're not tainted, darling. Please, calm down." Victor was trying his best to keep himself at ease, but his anger was boiling over. The red haired male's face was red, and the only reason he was speaking calmly, was in concern of his lover. He took a deep breath, "I will make him pay for what has been done."

'Why must we keep fighting?'