Abyss - Book Five of the Alpha Series - MxM

Chapter 10

As we enter the capital's streets, hooves hit cobblestones, and the crowd's murmurs form around the royal procession, causing my pulse to rise. The scent is different here, stale as if the air were somehow stagnant. Penelope reaches over to wipe a smear of blood from my cheek with a worried smile. "Brighten up; we can't let them see that this rattled you."

The issue was that it didn't. While the loss of life saddened me, I would pick our people over them every day. Forcing a smile, I allowed the civilians' expressions to amuse me, for nobody was expecting to see me ride with my guard. Much as it makes Verando uncomfortable, he encourages Tomas to step forward and block on my other side. Only my breath catches when I genuinely look at them both. 

Both men held a healthy coat of blood, from their hands to the laces of red covering their shirts. I make a mental note that we must acquire darker clothing and some armor to hide the stains. Verando was right, I allowed my guard to be too lax, and now the civilians greeting us could see exactly who I kept in my company. 

"Goin' ta have ta call ya the Red King after today," Tomas mutters, a wry grin on his face.

Approaching the massive stone structure that resembles a castle and a cathedral in one, it was not the best show of willing obedience to arrive with a fresh kill on my men's hands. I would go forth in the image of what had been decided for me, be a peacemaker, a model for our religion, and walk with God in a way my father had turned his back on.  

My stomach turns as I take in the massive stained glass windows, swallowing back the discomfort of standing before a pillar of purity that hates who I am. Beyond the crown, I was a soldier, unwilling to bow to becoming a political figure. I was a lover of men, but I would only have to play along long enough to secure my position.

The separation that their expressions dictate reminds me how sharply we were declared 'Us' and 'Them'. I needed to do this because I needed to break this curse of segregation. I needed to crumble the mold of what a King should be.

"Must we bed here?" I demand, my voice low, barely above a whisper.

To my surprise, Verando answers. "You are safest in the church. Even bandits will struggle to come from you on holy ground."  He reminds me, gaze never leaving the path ahead. Verando tosses me the oversized cape, having gathered it from the carriage. I note a rag comes with it, protecting it from his blood-stained hands. 

"Come on. Dress the part, put the crown back on. We've got work to do, you're making a hell of an entrance."

This place was a beacon for what was to come, the final piece of my life left to sign away to my country. Tomorrow, I am no longer a prince; tomorrow, I will be a king. 

I buckle the golden clasp central between my collarbones, securing the cape, and sigh as I don the crown. 

Trumpets sound from the courtyard, announcing our arrival, and the footmen and staff line the walk away as we ride to the courtyard entrance. My lycan cohort grimaces, I wonder if it hurts his ears or if he was truly that uncomfortable in the city again. In mild amusement, I observe as the footmen run past me to open the carriage doors, standing aside in a sweeping motion to make way for the future.

 As Loan steps out, the trumpet sounds, and I allow him his small moment of fame because it will be so much sweeter when he must tell them that they are greeting the wrong person. Tomas snickers, and I note that Verando has the slightest curl in his lip. Reid's lips part, as if he were to speak up, but Tomas waves him off to let me enjoy their scrambling.

"Presenting, his royal highness, Prince Nicol-" The master of ceremonies tilts his head to look at Loan, who is making a particularly foul expression.

"He's on the horse, you idiot." He snaps, and the man wheels around to see me. I wave sarcastically and muse as his face turns three shades of red and he bows.