Hidden Secrets

Chapter Twelve

The king never found out about the meeting with the rebels, which was a relief. However, Theo noticed the prince being more paranoid. He would look back every now and then, jump at sudden noises, and was a nervous wreck in general.

Whatever the rebel leader had said to Mehdi, had definitely left a mark.

Theo had just finished the day of training and was now back in the guards' quarters. He was glad the king and queen had accepted their son's relationship, but sometimes it took a toll on Theo. Yes, there was the light teasing that came from the others, but in the end, he wondered what his mom would think.

Theo sat on his cot, holding the picture frame of his family back home. He missed them dearly and wished he could see them, especially Sofie. He absentmindedly touched the pink ribbon on his wrist and smiled to himself. She always knew how to brighten the mood.

"Hey Harwood," someone called. "Your boyfriend's here."

Theo sighed and placed the photo on the small table. He was about to get up when someone plopped down next to him. It was Mehdi.

"I know I'm not supposed to be in here but I couldn't res—hey, you okay?" Mehdi trailed off when he saw his boyfriend's gloomy face.

"Yeah...I just miss my family, that's all," Theo replied with a shrug.

"Oh..." And then Mehdi perked up and had a mischievous smile on. "Why don't we go see them?"

Theo looked at Mehdi like he was crazy. "Is that even allowed?"

Mehdi shrugged. "Probably not. But I am the prince so..." he trailed off, giving Theo a suggestive smile.

Theo huffed, "I don't knowㄧ"

Mehdi cut him off. "Come on, it'll be fun!" He then gave Theo his puppy dog eyes.

"Don't give me that look. It's not going to work on me." With all of the prince's might, he opened his eyes even wider, pleading. Theo was starting to let his mask slip, getting lost in his boyfriend's ocean blue eyes. He then shook his head, snapping out of it. "No...No! We're not going!"

--------

"If we get caught for sneaking out, I'm blaming it on you."

"Oh relax, I do this all the time."

Theo was currently standing in the stables, watching Mehdi tack up his horse. He had said that he was not going, yet here he was, sneaking out for the second time since he's been at the palace. He swore the prince was starting to be a bad influence on him.

"How many times have you done this?" Theo asked.

Mehdi looked up at the ceiling, counting in his head. "Uh...I'm not sure. I've lost count," he chuckled to himself.

"Right," Theo drawled.

"Alright, ready to go, Graydon?" Mehdi asked his horse. It was a dapple grey shire.

"Are you really waiting for an answer?"

"Shut up. I'm allowed to talk to my horse, thank you very much."

Theo rolled his eyes and smiled at how adorable Mehdi was being. The innocence of it.

They headed outside the stable and into the darkness. Mehdi hopped onto Graydon, stepping onto the stirrup and swinging his leg over.

"Have you ridden a horse before?" Mehdi asked, tilting his head slightly.

"Only once, but I was ten," Theo responded.

The prince held out his hand, which Theo gladly took, and helped him onto the saddle behind him. Theo immediately wrapped his arms around Mehdi's middle.