The Dragon and His Prince{ManxMan}

*Chapter 45

2 Months Later

Zavian

The air around me was fresh and new and painfully alive.  The palace was decorated in celebration of me, a time of hardship was close to approaching us and yet, my 18th birthday was still in order.

I stared out the window. Watching as helpers all hustled and bossed each other around to get everything ready when arms wrapped around me, I stumbled forward and laughed.

The smell of wood and dirt and sweat hit me and I turned. Marius grinned down at me, his eyes bright.

"Your back." I murmured to the boy who held my heart in his hand.

"I couldn't miss your birthday," he leaned down and our lips met. It was meant to be brief, however I hocked my arms around his neck feeling wanton and having missed him.

I hummed into the connection, enjoying the fair spark which had begun to arise at the contact of our skin. For the last two months, while I worked to winning hearts and secretly planning for the worst, while I gauged the reaction of my people, Marius had begun to disappear. For weeks at a time he would be gone, flying off to heaven knows were and never offering even a hint of his where about. Missing him had become too common.

"Happy birthday." He muttered and I laughed.

"Will you tell me where it is you go? As a present?" He grinned and looked away.

"Nice try." He pulled out of my grasp and I gave a pout.

"Oh, come on. How long will you keep me guessing?"

"Forever sounds good." He went into the bathroom, stripping his shirt and I paused.

I felt my cheeks heat up staring at the expanse of his scared back, his wide shoulders and back muscles flexed and I swallowed looking away.

"Fine." I grumbled. "I'll find out soon though." He laughed and I gave a small smile heading out of my room.

I watched large ornaments be moved around, my mother giving orders and sighed. My father had been in and out of the palace since two months, coming back seeming more himself but leaving as though he were a mad man. Currently he was out and while we didn't say it, it was nicer when he was gone.

My sister skipped about in tight pants and a revealing shirt and I raised a brow.

"I just come from sparing, don't judge me." I pursed my lips and she grinned.

"Your too excited for today and that isn't fair since your birthday nearly got cancelled."

"It's the first time since our whole war threat I feel relaxed." She admitted sliding in beside me Kathleen close by.

"I hate that." I scowled and she rubbed my arm.

"Don't worry, soon enough we'll all be relaxed and there won't be a threat of anything. Just me with cute De Beville babies and you snuggling up to Marius evey chance you get." I scowled and she giggled.

"You two are better, I take it."

"He's a good man."