Prince Of Stone - A Captive Prince Fanfiction

XVI. To Bow Before Him

"Nicaise," Damen said immediately, lifting the phone to his ear.

"Where is Laurent? Where is my brother?" Nicaise sounded small and scared, and in that moment Damen was reminded that the boy was only highschool age, afraid and alone without his family.

"He stepped out for a moment," Damen said, trying to keep his voice steady. It was no use letting Nicaise know he hadn't a clue where Laurent had gone, not when the boy sounded as frightened as if he'd just witnessed a murder. "Where are you? Are you alright?"

Nicaise's voice was garbled on the other end of the line, but Damen managed to make out the name of an address, which he quickly scribbled down on the hotel-provided pad of paper before tucking it into his coat pocket.

"I'm on my way. And Nicaise," he said, trying to sound reassuring, "Don't worry. Whatever is going on, we can sort it out. It's going to be okay."

Nicaise didn't answer. It took Damen a moment to realize it was because the boy had hung up. Even when lost and afraid, Nicaise was a snarky bastard, Damen thought, with a measure of fondness.

He reached for a shirt, drawing it over his head before dialling a familiar number.

Nikandros picked up on the first ring. "What's up, man? Haven't heard from you in days. Last time I saw you, Laurent had you all done up in some suit, and next thing I know you aren't' in class, you aren't answering my calls--"

"Nik," Damen said.

"I'm your best friend, man. You can't just disappear on me."

"I know. I'm sorry. Things have been--" Damen stretched, feeling the pull of his newly tattooed back, the dull ache in his muscles a reminder of last night with Laurent. "Strange. I need your help."

"Are you in some kind of trouble? I heard you got into a fight with some Akielon frat guys at the party the other night, is that what this is about?"

How to explain? How did you tell your best friend that you were on the run from the dean of the university because you had trespassed and stolen his property, all for the sake of a stranger you had met on a train?

But Laurent was so far from a stranger. Last night--Damen had never felt closer to anyone as he had then.

"Listen, I can't get into everything just now. But I need you to pick me up."

Nikandros pulled up on Damen's motorcycle twenty minutes later, shaking out his dark curly hair as he took off the helmet, handing it to Damen.

"You stole my motorcycle?" Damen asked, bemused but not surprised.

Nik gave him a roguish grin. "Hey, I figure you owe me one now. Where are we headed?"

Damen showed him the address. It was an industrial area about a half hour's drive from the edge of the city.

Nik's eyebrows retreated so far up his forehead Damen wondered if they were going to disappear into his hairline.

"Shit, Damen. What are we going all the way out there for?"

"We aren't going anywhere. I couldn't ask this of you."

Nikandros squinted at him. "I'm your best friend. I wear all the dumb knitting projects you make, because I'm a good friend. I support you even when you fall for the same mean blondes over and over again. I'd follow you to hell, man. You have to know that. A ride out of the city ain't nothing."

Damen let out a shaky breath. "Thanks, Nik. You're a good friend."

Nikandros nodded as Damen swung his leg over the motorcycle, and Nikandros settled in behind him. "I'm the best."