The prince was better than ever. He was able to stand for long periods and even take part in light training exercises.
He spent the majority of his time with Eryx, who was now more or less like his personal bodyguard. Although the thought ridiculed Eryx, as the prince was much more buff and athletic compared to him.
"Hey, Eryx, will you spar with me?" Cassius asked suddenly.
"Are you challenging me to a duel, your highness?" Eryx asked a small glint in his eyes.
"Yeah, I am," Cassius replied, his eyes twinkling in return.
Both of them donned their armor and assumed their positions.
"Don't think I'll go easy on you, Your Highness, just because you're wounded," Eryx said.
"And I wouldn't expect any less. May the best man win," Cassius replied.
"You'll do great, Eryx!" Cedric said, sitting on the edge of the training ground on a plush velvet seat that had been specially brought down for him to be an audience to this iconic duel.
Unbeknownst to him, the two young boys sought to release the unfulfilled desires and confusion they had been feeling since their strange encounter in the prince's bedroom a week ago.
"Thank you so much for motivating me, brother. Your support always overwhelms me," Cassius said sarcastically.
"Oh, don't be a spoilsport, brother," Cedric retorted, as Eryx let out a small giggle.
"You did not just giggle like a little girl," Cassius mumbled just loud enough for Eryx to hear.
Eryx glared at him for his taunting tone.
"We'll see who gets the last laugh at the end of the duel, Your Highness," Eryx replied confidently.
"Seems like your tongue, little one, is sharper than your blade. You do realize that I'm a renowned swordsman in the kingdom. Even the Commander in Chief of the royal army struggles to best me in one-on-one combat. From a very young age, I was trained by the most skilled warriors my land had to offer," Cassius replied.
"Then I have fought against groups of bandits that pillaged villages and thugs that ravaged the citizens. And there is a high possibility that most of your sparring partners were going easy on you, as they were too afraid to harm the prince, valuing their own heads. And looking at your giant ego, Your Highness, I'd say they made the right choice."
They assumed their stances and commenced the fight.
Eryx initiated the first attack, astonishing many of the onlookers. Cassius effortlessly dodged it, matching him blow for blow and often dominating in their swordplay.
"Losing confidence, little one?" Cassius taunted, wiggling his brow as Eryx scoffed and tightened his grip around the handle of his sword, its hilt exquisitely carved with vines converging at the tip of a stoic lion's head. The edges of his blade were slightly dulled to reduce the damage caused by accidental slices.
"Aren't you getting a little ahead of yourself, Your Highness?" Eryx retorted as he swung his sword with precise and calculated movements toward Cassius.
Their blades clashed together as Eryx lunged forward with finesse and speed, narrowly missing Cassius's hand. Cassius looked alarmed as they stepped into the open space overlooking the garden. He swiftly darted to his left, narrowly evading Eryx's sweeping arc, eliciting a frustrated curse from Eryx. Cassius smirked as he parried the younger boy's swift blade, impressed by his attacks, although they lacked the brutal strength he had anticipated.
Cassius swung his sword with high impetus, and Eryx gulped as he deftly sidestepped, feeling the tip of the blade graze close to his neck. 'He sees me as an equal,' Eryx thought, and an involuntary smile graced his face as he narrowly blocked another swift blow from Cassius. Their eyes locked, and their swords pressed together at a standstill. Both of them were breathing heavily, and Cassius's Adam's apple bobbed.
At that moment, Eryx was filled with a sudden desire to capture Cassius's pink, plump lips with his own, to feel the heat of his breath and the passion in his touch. But the intensity of the moment took them both by surprise, and it left Eryx yearning for a deeper emotional connectionâa connection that couldn't be satisfied with a simple duel.
"Not bad, not bad at all," Cassius said, his mouth morphing into a tantalizing, wolfish grin as he continued to parry mercilessly against Eryx. They exchanged blows, none of them ready to back down, fueled by their pride, slashing, and parrying.
Cassius could sense Eryx's body tiring as they closed in on each other. Eryx parried desperately and tried to counter, but Cassius pressed on without yielding, never giving up the initiative. Their blades clashed together, and Cassius panted as his blade sagged. Eryx seized the opportunity, raising his sword for a mighty strike, but it was a ruse. With lightning speed, Cassius's blade came up, striking the hilt of Eryx's sword, causing it to fall from his hands and land at Cassius's feet.
But Eryx wasn't ready to give up just yet. He instinctively grabbed Cassius by the shoulders and drove his knee up, aiming for a vulnerable spot. Cassius twisted just in time, taking the blow to his thigh, which surprisingly lacked force. He grabbed Eryx's hands and, with his superior strength, spun his arms, pinning Eryx against his chest.
Their physical struggle evolved into something different, something charged with a mix of desire, confusion, and unspoken longing. In that intense moment, they both felt a connection that transcended their roles as prince and guard, a connection that left them craving more.
Eryx stared into Cassius's eyes, his gaze filled with a mixture of dominance and vulnerability. Eryx's heart raced; his mind was entangled in a whirlwind of emotions. The air around them crackled with anticipation; their bodies pressed against each other, and a tension that begged to be explored further.
Cassius threw his sword down as his right hand gripped the younger boy's chin roughly and pulled him closer to his chest, his body radiating warmth. He felt a chapped surface near his chin and traced it slowly and tenderly with his fingertips. He realized it was a scar. His fingertips traveled lower touching the neck, the younger boy's breath quickened, subconsciously he adjusted himself and his hips almost rubbed against the prince's thighs. The prince wanted to explore the younger boy more, touch him more, and feel him more.
An amethyst-purple tint invaded the late summer skies, and the stars were glowing like beacons for the lost souls of the world. A feathered medley echoed through the trees. The gauze-like clouds floated in the sky, which seemed to hide the ethereal fairyland of the palace pavilion. The night's aroma pervaded the air, woven into a soft net, covering all the scenery inside. Everything that came into contact with their eyes was covered by this soft net. The serene atmosphere calmed the two warriors after an adrenaline-filled, gut-wrenching duel.
"You can let me go now," Eryx mumbled as he struggled lightly against the prince's grip. However, Cassius had his own ideas. He leaned forwards and blew over Eryx's ear which made his face go red.
'So he's sensitive there.' Cassius thought. He wrapped his arm around Eryx's waist suggestively.
"Have you lost your mind? We're in public and your brother is approaching us. Let me go, your highness!"
"No, I won't," Cassius said playfully which further agitated Eryx.
"Please, let me go, you're taking this too far, your highness." Eryx squirmed and shifted uncomfortably around his grip.
"Call me by my name first," Cassius said.
"I couldn't possibly do that. I don't want to get beheaded, your highness." Eryx said.
"Then I'm not letting you go," Cassius smirked.
"Okay, C-Cassius please let me go," Eryx said, biting his lower lip nervously, an action that did not miss Cassius's eye.
But before they could delve deeper into the uncharted territory of their desires, the sound of approaching footsteps broke the spell. Startled, they quickly disentangled themselves, their breathing heavy and their faces flushed.
"Fine, but we should... we should finish this later," Cassius managed to say, his voice laced with a hint of regret.
Eryx nodded his thoughts in a jumble. They picked up their swords, their hands brushing against each other, sending a shiver down Eryx's spine. The audience, unaware of the unspoken connection between the two, erupted into applause as they resumed their positions.
A/N
Hi thanks so much for the read! If you enjoyed please leave a vote or a comment that's the best way to support me! Thanks so much xx, Anne.