Courting death

The prince led Landon deep inside the forest. The forest was quiet as some animals had run away or gone into hiding when they sensed the prince's arrival. Landon didn't blame them, if he had a choice himself he would have run away as fast as his legs could take him and go far away from the prince.

"Theo," they both heard and turned around. A young lady not older than Landon, with blonde hair, green eyes dressed in a red dress stood under the tree looking at them. He ran to them and stopped in front of the prince. When she got close, Landon was able to see that she was not human at all. For a minute he had thought that there was someone like him in that place but it wasn't true.

The girl had pointed ears that resembles that of an elf. She stole a glance at the prince and looked down when she felt a blush on her face. The prince couldn't help but smile at how cute she was. Landon watched all this, his face twisted at the scene he was looking at. Unaware of the jealousy that was brewing in his heart he developed a dislike for the girl.

He felt about the face the prince stared at her with gentle eyes whereas he only received the man's hatred.

"You made me wait for so long," the girl said drawing circles on the ground with her feet. She pouted her lips together to appear cute to the prince and Landon almost puked at her for her bad acting.

"Ara," the prince called and stretched his arms to hug her but Landon stole the hug and held the prince close.

"Are you courting death?" the prince asked Landon in a whisper so Aracely wouldn't hear.

"No, I feel cold," Landon replied snuggling his head in the prince's chest.

"Let go of me right now. I will make you pay for this," he threatened and Landon held him tighter.

"Consider this revenge for the kiss. What, does the lion want me to hold him tighter than this?" he teased and the prince glared at him.

"Theo," Aracely let out in a soft hurt voice. She was surprised that the young lady in the prince's embrace was still alive after touching him. The prince she knew would have killed the girl for her mistake the minute she got close to him. He was cold and ruthless to men and women alike who dared to touch him even accidentally. Only she had the right to touch him and only she was allowed to get close to him. She felt jealous that the young lady hugged him and he didn't even try to push her away.

The prince smiled down at Landon and returned the hug. "You are right, this prince does need a tighter hug," he said and embraced Landon with a little more strength.

Landon felt his chest pressed so hard against the prince's chest. He took a deep breath and gritted his teeth as his ribs were forcefully being pressed. The prince eased on the hug but dug his nail inside his ribs. Landon bit the prince's chest at the pain that was being inflicted on him. He felt the prince's nails grow length inside his skin and bit him harder.

The prince let him go when he was sure that he had dug deep enough. He went to Aracely and took her hands into his and smiled at her. "How are you?" he inquired.

"Who is she?" Ara asked pointing at Landon's back.

"She is the reason that I wanted to see you urgently and that is why I asked you to meet me. I want you to take her home with you and help her learn how to behave like a proper lady. I want you to take her to the palace with you on the day of the princess selection bec..." he started to say but was interrupted by Ara's question.

"What relationship do you share with her that you are taking such care of her?"

"She is to be my future wife," he said not hiding anything from her.

"What about me then?".

" The two of you will both become my wives and queens. Before you say anything I have a reason why I have to marry her, so just do as I say," he told and let her hands go. He took in for a hug. "I know that this isn't easy for you but please bear with me."

The prince broke the kiss and gave Ara a snap kiss on her lips. He glanced back at Landon who clutching his side in pain. He walked towards him and stopped behind him and wrapped his hands around Landon's waist.

"I am not doing this because I care about you. The only reason I am doing this is so you don't trouble Ara," he said confusing Landon as to what he was going on about. That was until he felt relief from the pain he was feeling in his ribs. He reached his hand into the dress to feel his wound and found that his wounds were gone.

He stared at the prince with awe written all over his face. "I said I didn't do it for you. Don't look at me like that," the prince scolded.

"Why, is the lion afraid of falling in love with this little lamb?" he asked teasingly.

"No. Because I will never have any love for you in my heart," he said and let go of Landon. He didn't see the hurt expression on Landon's face when he spoke those words to him. He didn't see the tear that fell from the male's eyes.

Landon couldn't understand why he was suddenly behaving strangely towards the prince. The prince was supposed to be a means to a good and safe life on this planet but why was he suddenly bargaining for more than what he previously wanted. Why did it hurt him that the prince will never love him, he had no idea.

Just because of a kiss that probably meant nothing to the prince he was wanting more of the prince. And he felt bad to see him showing so much affection to that other girl. He felt the need to be possessive of the Arcadian prince.