25. The Truth will hurt us Both

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Stella would glance Phoenix's way every now and then. The boy was radiating with happiness and something else. It was the first time she saw him like that. Phoenix sat with Luna in his hands, having a conversation with the baby. It was fine as long as he received laughs form the precious girl.

He was missing Ace, and staying in the book house sulking wasn't going to help. It hadn't been a full day but it felt like forever. He had a hold on Phoenix, a hold that he never wanted to be released from. He would burn with excitement just thinking about the day by the river.

Remembering each touch and kiss he shared with Ace. It was different from anything he experienced. It wasn't a full on love making but it did send him into a blissful pleasure. He controlled his thoughts, he was just riling himself up with his own thought.

Stella placed the items she held away. It was as if Phoenix was sending little hearts all over the place that she couldn't ignore them. She walked over to her son. Phoenix looked up at her, smiling a lot more these days than before.

"Did something happen?" Stella asked, taking a seat beside him. She took the baby from him. Luna was warming up to Stella, stopping her crying when she was with Stella.

"Nothing in particular." Phoenix said with a shrug.

"Is it Ace?" She questioned after giving Luna a series of kisses on her cheeks.

Every reason behind Phoenix's behaviour always led back to Ace. He wondered if the other boy would show up today as well. They didn't get to spend much time the last time they met. "Maybe." he said discreetly. He bit on his bottom lip. This was the first he was talking to Stella about such things.

"I'm just going to go out with it." Stella warned. "You like Ace don't you?"

Phoenix fumbled with his words. It was an easy yes but it was embarrassing to admit to Stella. He settled for a nod. Each moment they spent together only increased their love for each other. "You keep reminding me of your father more and more." Stella spoke.

"When he first met your mom, they used to argue a lot. One day he said to me that he liked your mother and that he wasn't sure if she liked him in return. Turns out she did." She continued. "They were inseparable. He was head over heels for your mother. When I looked at you and Ace, I think of your parents. You remind me of your father, shy when it comes to the person he loves. He brought great joy to your mother. You're a product of their never ending love."

Phoenix reached for his pendant, giving it a squeeze under the fabric. "Did they ever tell you why they had this necklace? Why they gave it to me?"

Stella took the pendant from underneath his shirt. Caressing the wings with her thumb. "Wings of Freedom." she spoke, a look of nostalgia in her eyes. "I think it's their way of telling you to be free. That you'll always be free."

It was the closest meaning he ever got for his pendant. Wings of Freedom, it was fitting for him and Ace in achieving the goal they had set. Allowing everyone to spread their wings once again. "I've been meaning to ask." Phoenix said, placing the pendant back inside his shirt. "You've been here for a very long time, right, Ma?"

Stella nodded, "I've been here since it was built. Those are memories I can't forget."

"Was there anyone you knew by the name Relufian?" Phoenix had been looking around. No success in finding that person. The last meeting he had with Axton ended sour. There would be no other meetings with him, only to tell him of the person named Relufian.

Stella tensed at the name, she looked at Phoenix with frightened eyes. Luna sitting still on her lap. "Where did you hear that name?" She questioned. Phoenix noticed how Stella's attitude changed after he asked the question. It was a sign that she knew something. "Where did you hear that name Phoenix?" She pressed.

"Someone asked me to find that person. I don't know what for." Phoenix answered honestly. He couldn't bring himself to lie to Stella. "But finding this person seems important to them."

"There's no one here by that name." Stella said quickly, wanting to end the conversation. "You should head on out. Aren't you going to meet with Ace?"

Stella rested Luna on her hips, pulling on Phoenix's arm for him to stand. He stood and was ushered out the house by Stella. It was clear the name bothered her and Phoenix wanted to know why. He gave the sick house one last look before walking off. Phoenix met Ace along the way. Turns out Ace was coming to meet him at the sick house.

It eased Phoenix's heart as Ace took him into a hug. It was clear they missed each other without having to say anything. They joined hands as they made way to the book house. Phoenix pressed his lips against Ace the moment they were inside. The other boy returned it. The kiss was just like their longing.

Ace was drowning in the kiss, almost forgetting the reason why he was there. He broke away from the kiss, staring into Phoenix's eyes. He stole another kiss. Phoenix peppering him with more along his neck. It was tempting and he was falling into that temptation. All he wanted was to just be with Phoenix. Today he had to share his thoughts over everything else.

Ace shifted his head when Phoenix wanted another kiss. The boy frowned his hand resting on Ace's cheek. "Is something wrong?"

"Can we talk?" Ace requested. He took Phoenix hand from his cheek, holding it in his as he guided him away from the entrance. A deep frown was embedded onto Phoenix's face, thinking what Ace had to talk about.

"If it's about what happened at the river." Phoenix was the first to speak, already jumping to conclusions. "I enjoyed it and I would like to do more with you." It was embarrassing to say his desires out loud. His cheeks burning with red.

Ace shook his head, "That's not it. I loved it. I wasn't sure if I was doing the right thing, it was all new to me. I want to do more also." He stopped himself before he drifted from the main conversation. "That's not it." he denied again. "There's something I have to tell you."

Phoenix snaked his hand around Ace's waist, pressing his face against his chest."What could be so bad that you're wearing that sort of expression?"

"My name isn't Ace."

Phoenix chuckled, "would you believe me if I said I knew at first. I stopped thinking about it when Siobhan said I shouldn't over think it."

Ace ran his hand through his hair, knowing it was getting harder to say what he wanted. "That's not what I mean," he said. "My real name is Cormac."

"Cormac," Phoenix repeated. "It's a nice name. Why would you keep it from me? I like it but it would get some getting use to."

He gave Phoenix a quick squeezed, to have someone as precious as him made him feel lucky. He took in a long deep breath. "Prince Cormac." he let out.

"You're definitely my Prince."

"I mean it." he said with much more seriousness. He needed for Phoenix to get it. That he wasn't just Ace but Prince Cormac Serdian.

He felt Phoenix hands fell from him, forcing his way out of the hug. He looked up at the person he knew as Ace with disbelieving eyes. "You're lying." he said, more to convince himself.

"I'm not Phoenix," he replied, reaching out to take a hold of Phoenix but he avoided the touch. "I wanted to tell you but, I was scared. I didn't want things to change between us."

"How am I sure your the Prince?" Phoenix still refused to believe his words.

"My father is King Rhett Serdian. I wasn't allowed out of the castle so I'm not surprised a lot of people don't know about me. I came here to find out why the Iron Fortress was here and I met you and fell in love. I love you Phoenix and I thought about how to tell each time and I just-- I don't want to change what we have just because of what I said."

It all made sense to Phoenix now. All the questions and the way he acts. Why he gave Phoenix such hope without once doubting they could fail. Why he wanted Phoenix to leave things up to him. The thing that bothered Phoenix but he didn't say anything. "No wonder I didn't see you with a mark." he said in a low tone.

"Phoenix I really love you. I don't want things to change. I still want the best for everyone, I still need your love. Without you I wouldn't even find the strength to stand up to my father. He's done awful things and I want to correct those. I can't do it without you by my side as my partner and my strength."

Phoenix could feel the tears trying to get out. "I love you too." he said, Cormac didn't respond so Phoenix spoke up. "I said I love you too." He looked at the other boy with tear filled eyes. "I've never loved anyone as I did with you but--but you lied to me. The Prince, it's still hard to believe."

Phoenix knew the words he said was true. That he wanted better for the people here and in the Kingdom. It was the fact that he lied that hurt him so much. He closed the gap between then, giving Cormac a small kiss. "I need some time to think about all of this."

Cormac held onto his arm before Phoenix could leave. He didn't want for him to cry. He didn't want for the both of them to be hurting so much. They knew they loved each other, and a lie placed a hole in their relationship.

"My coronation is five days from now." Cormac said. "Things will start changing from there. I need for you to be there with me. I'll give you three days to think about it. Give me your answer then." As such they both left with an aching heart.

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