"Me being paired with Gordon puts my bloodline and Elsora at risk," Elijah continued. "Even though same gender companions are common, I am not supposed to have one. More so, he shouldn't be the prince of our enemy kingdom, Wru' via."
"You're a prince too?" I asked Gordon.
"Unfortunately." He nodded. "Thankfully, it's my sister who is meant to take the crown or my father would be devastated, more than he is already right now."
"I met Gordon more than a year ago," said Elijah. "Father had insisted for Silas and me to go in his place to one of the meetings with leaders of Wru' via. He wanted us to learn diplomacy and also sniff out our enemies. Oh, I was so eager to outdo those old hags and seek the approval of my father-"
"Eli, you're talking about my people," Gordon interrupted him, "be respectful."
"What? They are old hags," Elijah countered and Gordon threw him a weak glare. "Well, so are my leaders." He shrugged.
Gordon rolled his eyes but didn't say anything.
"So long story short, I met Gordon there and impressing my father became least of my concerns. One look at him and I knew who he was to me."
"And what followed was homophobia, denial, cussing, clandestine meets and lots of empty threats to keep my mouth shut about us being companions," Gordon deadpanned.
I raised my brows. With the way Elijah treated- or more like worshiped- Gordon it was hard to believe him ever being anything but loving toward his companion.
"Also what followed was tons of apologies, lots of making up, giving up my right to throne, and leaving my home forever with Noah and Silas to be with you," remarked Elijah and Gordon frowned. "Don't put me down in front of Giselle, babe. I bet she's already mad at me on behalf of her boyfriend." He smirked at Noah, whose eyes narrowed at him.
"Just because you're with Gordon you had to give up being a king... You have no control over who is your companion. Why didn't they accept you?" I asked, anxious.
I felt bad for Elijah and Gordon, and their predicament only solidified my fears of being with Noah. He wouldn't be accepted by his people either.
"A part of it has to do it with Gordon being the prince of Wru' via. Elsora and Wru' via have a long-standing animosity. It's a conflict of land, resources, and some bullshit that Rowans did couple hundred years ago.
"But you're right, our rejection mainly was due to that Gordon and I can't reproduce an heir. I bet Father wouldn't mind if I got Gordon's sister, Serena, as a companion. He'd be even planning a merger. You see, Leon Rowan won't miss a chance to take over the enemy land.
"Goblins can only have children with their companions, and unfortunately us homosexuals get the short end of stick. Sure we can adopt, but when you're expected to birth a ruler who will continue your bloodline, it's not the most viable option.
"Rowans and Sylvans have been ruling Elsora the longest. We persisted through wars, challengers and enemies. We remain undefeated. It kind of sucks that our legacy will go down just because I fell for another man."
Elijah must've seen something in my expression because he clicked his tongue. "Don't be disheartened, Giselle. I've made my peace with it. In fact, I'd say I'm more than happy to give it all up if I have Gordon by my side."
"Don't forget about me and Sylvan, brother," chimed Silas, "don't we matter?"
"Of course, you matter even though I wish you were a little less annoying." Elijah gave him a tight-lipped smile, before turning to Noah. "Are you still sulking?"
His answer was a scoff and a glare.
"I might've lost my cool back there, but you're the one who disrespected me first."
"Well, I didn't think you'd stoop to use your rank to shut me down. It was you who always preached about equality among us," Noah gritted.
"I'm sorry." Elijah rolled his eyes. "Isn't that what you want to hear?"
Noah snorted, but I had a feeling that's exactly what he wanted to hear.
"Besides I had to make you tell everything to Giselle. You were stalling. I get it you care about her, but she needed the full disclosure."
"You don't get to make decisions about what goes in between me and my companion."
"I don't, but when it hinders with your duties I have to. Soon you'll be summoned back and I'd rather have her be with you. She's your other-half, she completes you."
"I have no duties, Elijah," Noah hissed, "Silas and I gave up our titles when they took away yours. To be honest, now I am glad I did. I don't want Giselle to face same treatment that Gordon had to go through. I am afraid she'll have it worse... she's human. I might take her to Realm for a vacation, but no way she's stepping a foot in Stonehill."
Stonehill was a fortress, or now more appropriately designated as palace, of Elsora where Rowans and Sylvans along with their important ministers resided. According to the book it was one of the largest structure of Realm with over 2000 rooms.
"Don't be ridiculous. I didn't ask you two to give up your titles. You know very well that I'm even against it. Besides I'm pretty sure our parents saw it nothing more than childish theatrics. They are looking forward for Silas to find his companion and announce him their heir. And when he does, they'll have no problem dragging both of your asses back home.
"I agree with their decision too. Silas might not be the ruler, but you two together can hold Elsora well. Hell, if you both really want, you can put me down too. It's better if you take the reins than leaving Elsora heirless."
Noah sighed. "It doesn't matter now. Now I'm in the same situation as you. If you can give it up all for Gordon, so can I for Giselle."
"You're not in the same situation as me. You're a man and she's a woman. You can have children. Our folks might quibble a little about her being human, but they'll come around eventually. They can't afford to lose another one of us."
"We don't know that for sure. About us having children," Noah countered.
If the circumstances were different I'd be weirded out hearing them discuss about Noah and I having children. Like we've been only dating for about a week... and I was barely eighteen.
"Giselle might be human, but she's different. She can enter the Realm, dodge your mind tricks, and so can her brother," Elijah argued, "they're not ordinary humans. Don't compare yourselves with the shitty story in scriptures. Half of it is made up anyway."
What story?... Noah did mention before about some goblin having a human companion.
"If we'll have kids, I'd rather not have them turn another pawns for the palace," Noah added, dismissively, "those people didn't think twice before disowning you. I'm not going to pump children for them. I now only care about us and Giselle."
"Don't be stupid. You have a responsibility to Elsora."
"I have a responsibility to you too."
"Noah," Elijah warned.
"Okay, stop you both," I interrupted them, "we don't want another fight." I stood up and turned to Noah. "I'm tired. Take me home." I really was tired, though I wanted to break them off too.
Noah nodded. "It's getting late. Your mother must be waiting for you." He got off the table and held my hand.
"You guys are leaving already. Giselle didn't even drink," Silas said and looked at me. "We threw this party for you and you just sat here, read a boring huge-ass book and listened to these grumps mope about their shit. You had no fun."
"Oh, I had enough fun," I threw back sarcastically.
He rolled his eyes. "Next time we'll drop the grumps, maybe then we could have some fun."
I gave him a smile. Maybe, he's right.
"Giselle, be a darling and try to put some sense into your boyfriend," Elijah added as we turned to leave.
"Just shut up Elijah," Silas reprimanded him before I could reply.
Noah shook his head as he dragged me out of the library.
*******
I watched the streak of tall trees pass by outside the window as Noah drove me home. Countless thoughts swirled inside my head, from Elijah and Gordon's tragedy to my and Noah's fate. Though I asked for it, a lot had been laid on me tonight.
"I don't want to leave you alone right now. I can hear those wheels inside your head going into overdrive," Noah said, making me turn to him, "will your mother allow me to stay a night with you?"
"She'll chase you out of the house with a broom," I replied with a grin.
"Should I climb in through the window then?" He mused. "Nobody will know. I'd like to hold you while you sleep. It's romantic, no?"
My face heated. "Will you even let me sleep?" I asked him playfully.
"I guess there are far better things we can do than sleep." A wolfish grin curved on his lips and his green eyes sparkled. "I'm breaking and entering into your house. I'm risking my reputation here Martin. I won't mind a reward for it."
"What kind of reward are you expecting?" I was getting bold too.
"Whatever you're willing to give sweetheart. Whatever you're willing to give. I'm already a sucker for you."
"Fine," I drawled, nonchalantly, despite my red face and my heart drumming inside my chest, "I'll keep my window open then. We'll see what reward you deserve."
Noah pedaled the accelerator. "You little tease."
******
You can read two chapters ahead on inkitt. Link is in bio.