Fantasy a love/hate relationship

[Pink Venom]

Not that he’d planned on holding Alexander’s hand the entire walk back, in fact, Nikolai tried letting go a few times. Just to immediately grab it again the moment the prince’s steps faltered. On the third or fourth misstep, he couldn’t hold his tongue any longer. “I don’t think that crystal is helping you any.” He chuckled, watching Alexander attempt to stabilize himself yet again. A thin mist fell over the ground, interwoven branches creating a tunnel-like path. The hand remained attached to Alexander, if only to save Nikolai the effort of reaching out each time.

If he had to be honest, he’d admit to his steps being slower than before. He felt much better compared to how he’d been on the way there. His legs, though tired, no longer felt foreign. His lungs were invigorated by the pool’s waters, and his spirits renewed. Enough energy to jump and run for joy, yet Nikolai dragged out his movements, as if a magnetic force was pulling him back toward the cave. He had no desire to be back in the castle, under the scrutinizing glare of both of the kings.

“You can tell them whatever you think will keep you out of trouble.” The response was hardly thought over. Alexander clearly cared a great deal about what his parents thought of him. Nikolai never had, and truthfully never would. Any lie, no matter how well crafted, wouldn’t be enough to fool Rowan and Seraphina. They knew better, and Nikolai didn’t care enough to go out of his way to fool them. The black jewel would always have a shaky reputation, nothing Alexander could say would change that. If he was to be judged, he may as well enjoy his own time.

“It’s been a pleasure, eu’steílla.” The words were laced with grace as he finally let go of the hand, creating a small flourish of his arm as he bowed slightly. In the blink of an eye, their journey was over. The castle now stood in its full glory in front of them. Surely, the prince knew how to get back into his own home without a siren’s help. The stars twinkled above them, Nikolai’s golden locks framing his grin as he stepped away. “This is where we part for the night.”

 

[david tennant]

Alexander would’ve been more embarrassed by his actions if Nikolai hadn’t already seen him almost fall multiple times. He saw this as nothing new for the other male and simply allowed his embarrassment to dissipate in that moment. He rolled his eyes slightly, a gentle smile on his lips. “I believe the crystal has helped me some. I just think that it is the wet rocks that are doing me in.” He commented. He knew that he was wearing the wrong type of shoes for this type of trek as well. The dress shoes he wore had almost no grip on them. It was a miracle he hadn’t accidentally bashed his head in already.

He didn’t mind the way in which the siren prince held his hand as they walked. He almost forgot that they were doing so after a little period of time. He allowed himself to enjoy the views as they walked back through the forest. Despite it not being night, the flowers were just as vibrant as they were during the day. He hoped that he would be able to visit the forest again without his parents worrying too much. He felt as though it would be one of his new favorite places, much like the gardens on the castle grounds were.

A gentle frown crossed his face at the way in which Nikolai responded to his question. “It will be enough of an excuse to get you out of trouble as well. My parents would never believe that I would dare lie to them.” He confessed. He knew the relationship between Nikolai and his own parents was rather rocky, but he didn’t know the full extent of it. He would be shocked to learn when he finally did. The idea of someone’s parents being so harsh on them was foreign to him. While his parents could be rather strict, they only did it out of love for him.

He almost didn’t even notice that they had arrived back at the castle. It was clear that he wasn’t ready for their adventures to end. The disappointment shone in his eyes. He glanced down to their hands as Nikolai finally dropped his. “It truly has been. Thank you for taking me there. This has been the must fun I have had in ages.” He spoke truthfully. He glanced towards the castle with a soft sigh before bowing his head in return to Nikolai. “Be safe the rest of the evening. I enjoy your company enough to where I wish no harm befall you.” He added with a chuckle, though his words were sincere. He took a few steps back towards the castle before pausing to look back at Nikolai. “Goodnight.” He added. His steps quickly brought him back to the door and he disappeared inside.

A bright grin was on his lips as he did so. He couldn’t believe what he had been able to experience that day. It brought him an insurmountable amount of joy. Despite the rather rocky start to it, the ending had been perfect. A gentle hum left him as he walked the familiar steps to his father’s office. He could only assume that is where the king would be. He knocked three times before stepping in. “Good evening father. I just wanted to apologize for my absence at dinner. Nikolai wasn’t feeling the best and I decided to take him to the gardens to help. We ended up talking and I lost track of the time.” He explained.

Edmund lifted his head as his son stepped into the room, raising an eyebrow at the excuse. He didn’t know how he felt about this marriage still, but Eloise had been doing her best to reassure him of it. He nodded his head some, clearing his throat. “It is alright. Go and get some rest. I will see you in the morning.” His words were gentle, but dismissive enough for Alexander to nod and leave the room. The young prince soon made his way to his bed chambers, closing the door behind him once there. He put his hand into his pocket to pull the crystal out. He placed it carefully on his vanity with a soft smile.

 

[Pink Venom]

“Goodnight.”

The phrase lingered with Nikolai for a few minutes as he turned to head back to the caves. Winding branches and vines welcomed him, illuminating the path where he was to go. The breeze felt gentle, not at all suffocating like it had before, the sounds of the world around him were always most inviting at night, where no one could spot him out of a crowd. He realized then, he probably should have left his crown behind. If not his looks, then his garments would surely make him stand out.

For it not being his native lands, Nikolai knew the ins and outs of the cities. His steps took him to a familiar shop, nestled in the outskirts of the market. Almost always empty, but somehow stayed in business. Nikolai was almost certain the shop was a front for an underground trading market, but that didn’t concern him. Not his country, not his problem. “Hello, welcome to- oh, dear. It’s just you Niko.” The woman’s greeting came from behind a small stall, her eyes beaming in the candlelit space.

“Well, don’t sound too excited now, Maire.” Marylin mimicked the prince’s lopsided smirk, her eyes scanning him from head to toe as he stepped into the small shop. Curiosity was clear, even before she said a word. “Well now look at you all dressed up! Is that a crown?” The woman made it a point to move from behind the stall to examine him up close. Nikolai gave her a breathy chuckle. “I’ve never seen you so spritely before.” He teased. She playfully swatted at him, her eyes never once leaving his figure.

“You’re not going to tell me you’re royalty, are you?” The question was in just, and Nikolai knew the moment his and Alexander’s engagement was announced, her curiosity would be answered, still, he reveled in the idea of being seen as just another siren, even if only for a little while longer. “Funny-“ he breathed, not wanting to blatantly lie to the woman that had assisted him so many times before without ever questioning his motives. She was one of a kind, and the prince wouldn’t want to break that trust.

“Do you have a cloak I can borrow?” His eyes scavenged the space, spotting a thick hooded robe towards the back. His index finger directed her attention to it as he spoke. “Like that! I’ll leave this for collateral.” His hands reached up, placing the crysteled crown in the woman’s hands. She silently admired the jewels for a moment before attempting to hand it back. “No dear, you can borrow anything you need. I know you’re good for it.” Nikolai only walked past her, leaving the accessory in her possession.

“It’s alright, Maire. I don’t want to be walking around with that either way. Keep it safe for me?” The woman looked petrified, as if she’d been handed the key to the entire country and she hadn’t a clue what to do with it. Still, she nodded. Her slow movements took her towards the back room, disappearing for a few beats before emerging from behind the embroidered curtains again. She wordlessly watched Nikolai as he pulled on the cloak, the hood covering most of his blonde locks. “How do I look?”

The woman giggled quietly. “Handsome as always.”

With a promise to come back soon, Nikolai left the hidden shop and ventured into the more crowded parts of the market. The sounds, smells and sights around him slowly came to life. Fairy lights illuminated the skies above in varying shapes and colors as the prince wandered from shop to shop. No one gave him more than the occasional second glance as he passed by a small stand decked with trinkets. His gaze immediately landed on a small crescent moon pendant, accompanied by a single star. It was very simple in comparison to everything around it. Alexander would love it.

“I’ll take that one, please.” The shopkeep looked a bit taken aback, but obliged nonetheless. “How much?” Deep in thought, the young man didn’t say much. He let the pendant fall into a small, cloth pouch, placing it in Nikolai’s hand with a gentle smile. “Take it as a thank you gift. For always stopping by.” The pouch was slipped into Niko’s pocket as he said his thank you and continued on his journey. Soon, he’d have to go back home to face whatever scrutiny Rowan threw at him. It would be nice to enjoy the peace just a bit longer.

 

[david tennant]

Alexander would be lying if he said he hadn’t been itching for the sense of freedom that he had that one night to return. His parents required him to fall back into lessons the day after Nikolai left the castle. While they weren’t nearly as strict as they had been before, it was still enough to force him to be inside for most of his time. His meals were taken by themselves for the most part as well due to the duties of his parents. His mother was hard at work figuring out the exact plans for the wedding while his father was figuring out what was necessary in the connection of the two kingdoms.

He heard bits and pieces of the issues his father was having trying to find a peaceful end to this war. Nikolai had been right when he said that their marriage wouldn’t solve everything. There was much work still to be done in order to resolve hundreds of years of damage. Every single thing that he heard caused for him to gain a headache. It made him wonder if he would truly be fit to rule over the warlocks one day. He had been taking lessons in diplomacy for years, but still felt unsure in his abilities.

The days would go like this until their engagement. Due to both royal families being involved, the ceremony wouldn’t be simple. Eloise filled the open courtyard of the castle with flowers that were native to the area. Hues of red, orange, white, and purple flowers were placed carefully around. It was clear that she had a hand in the placement of each one. She wanted for the day to be as perfect as it possibly could be. She even made sure that there would be a wonderful dinner prepared for the two families after the engagement was official.

The way in which his mother acted was enough to make Alexander want to roll his eyes. He couldn’t recall a time that she had been so involved in planning. Usually she would give her base ideas and then hand it off to some of the people that she trusted most to organize the rest. It was rather thoughtful though, and he truly was glad that she cared enough to do such a thing. His father, on the other hand, was less than pleased that he would be marrying Nikolai. He was still upset that Rowan lied to him about the specifics of the engagement. It caused for the warlock king to be rather grumbly that day.

Alexander took care in his appearance, wanting to look the best he possibly could. His clothes were simpler than they had been the day they first met. He wore a pair of nice pants, but only wore a button down shirt this time for a top. He also wore black dress shoes, engraved with delicate patterns that were known to the royal family. His father insisted that he had a pair made once he was old enough. He assumed today would be a great day to wear them. He allowed for his hair to be fixed before he carefully placed the gold and emerald on his head.

He was very excited to see Nikolai again. Being around the siren prince brought him that sense of freedom he had been looking for. He also wanted to give him a small gift. It was a pocket painting that he made when he was younger. He managed to enchant it to where the flowers seemed to be shifting in the wind and the butterfly would fly off, only to return a few moments later. It was something that he truly treasured and he hoped the other male would like it. His mother had urged for him to get the other male an engagement gift and this was the best thing he could find.

He let out a gentle sigh then, turning to leave his bed chambers. He moved to meet his mother and father much like he had the first time that he met Nikolai. This time they were waiting for the siren family on the exterior of the castle. The day was quite beautiful without a cloud in the sky, which he was grateful for. He didn’t want for another storm to come through. The last one seemed rather violent and he assumed it caused Nikolai’s ill feelings.

 

[Pink Venom]

Nikolai’s fingers drummed against the boat railing, his eyes following the various trails that the sirens swimming alongside it were leaving behind. Logistically, it made more sense for everyone to travel through the seas. It would be faster, of course. But Seraphina insisted on a much safer option. They family was to travel by boat, surrounded by the royal family guard, ready to strike down anyone that made any suspicious movements. The journey would take much longer than if they swam, which meant they had to leave the day before the engagement. They’d spent almost a full twenty four hours on the boat now, and the closer they drew to shore the more anxious the prince felt.

“We’ve got a few hours left.” Delphine’s voice came from behind Nikolai. He merely hummed in acknowledgment, his gaze never leaving the water. The eldest daughter joined him by the railing, her gaze falling on her brother for a moment before she continued on. “You can still back out.” Nikolai huffed a laugh. They both knew that would be wishful thinking. He knew Delphine meant well. Out of everyone in the family, she was the only one that knew, truly knew, what her younger brother was facing. She often complained to him about how powerless she felt. Delphine, the great warrior of the seas, capable of striking down a thousand men with a flick of a finger, was powerless.

“Better me than you.” Nikolai’s teasing comment brought a snort out of the princess. “No offense, but you don’t seem like the marriage type.” Her brows knitted together, sassy grin mimicking his as she retorted. “No offense, but neither are you.” Amidst the stress, Nikolai was thankful for moments like these with the only person that seemed to understand him. Their moment was cut short by Seraphina’s voice calling for them to go get dressed. Delphine’s gaze lingered on Nikolai for a moment, her hand reaching out and gently squeezing his arms. A silent apology for everything she couldn’t do for him.

Once the boat arrived at the pier, the family was dressed to the nines, ready to make the entrance. It would only be a short drive to the warlock palace. Of course, Rowan insisted on the usage of their limousine, as if the family wouldn’t already stand out enough. A trail of luxury vehicles followed suit, assuring the safe arrival of the prince. Nikolai could only stare out the window, just as he had the first day they came to visit. This time, however, it felt different. Nerves settled in the pit of his stomach, though he couldn’t quite explain why. Marina, of course didn’t say a word to him the entire drive. Delphine would always serve as the middle man between the two, and though the eldest got along smoothly with both siblings, that never seemed to bridge the gap between the two youngest.

Finally, after several hours, the sirens arrived. The palace was just as grand as he remembered, and Nikolai would immediately spot Alexander standing by his parents through the dark tinted windows. He looked just as he had that first night, prim and proper. Not a thread out of place, and that stoic look on his features. “Ooh, he’s handsome.” Delphine intervened, her elbow gently nudging her brother’s arm. There was a pause as Nikolai recalled their time in the moon pool. How different the prince had acted then, compared to how he looked now. He could only hope that it wouldn’t be the first and last time he got to see Alexander in that light. The small pendant in his pocket jingled quietly as his fingers moved it around, finally responding to his sister with a shrug and a quirked smile. “He’s alright.”

Rowan was the first to leave the confines of the car, greeting the warlock family with a grand flourish. Seraphina followed suit, standing beside her husband as she offered them a smile. Delphine opened to stay behind with Nikolai as Marina was escorted towards the front to join her parents. “This is my youngest daughter, Marina.” Rowan introduced, the look of pride so obvious on his face it made Nikolai want to gag. Marina gave the family a gentle bow, her dress swaying with the light breeze. Effortlessly perfect and beautiful as always. “Pleasure to meet you.”

Delphine followed, deciding to introduce herself before her father could. “I’m Delphine, the eldest. It’s a pleasure.” Tales of Delphine were told far and wide along the seas. Stories of her courage and strength. Nikolai wouldn’t be surprised if the warlock family had already heard of her. She then extended her hand towards her brother as he stepped forward to join them. A subtle nod greeted the king and queen, though his eyes immediately moved to Alexander, gauging his reaction first before saying a word.

 

[david tennant]

Alexander’s eyes were unfocused as he stood next to his parents, waiting for the siren royal family to arrive. The sun was strong that day and he could feel himself growing warmer and warmer the longer they stood outside. He let out a gentle sigh before lifting a hand, twisting it to the left quickly before dropping it. Immediately a gentle breeze began to blow, bringing him and his parents some relief. The days would only get warmer as they grew closer to summer. He hoped shaft he would have many days in the moon pool, swimming with Nikolai. It was one of the things that he was looking forward to that most now. He only hoped that Nikolai would still be willing to do so.

Edmund felt the breeze almost immediately, looking towards his son. He offered him a gentle smile then. He still knew that this was the worst circumstance that befell them. He hadn’t realized just how much both his wife and his son accepted the situation. He would’ve been shocked if he did find out though. Eloise usually was quiet on the matter, but her enthusiasm was present in every situation. Alexander never spoke negatively about anything that happened here. He found it odd at times just how quiet his son could be. It didn’t make him upset; rather he was glad that he was willing to do what was necessary for his people.

Eloise, on the other hand, was thrilled that her son was going to be getting married. This engagement had given her a new wind, allowing for her to plan the engagement and parts of the wedding. He wanted to talk with Seraphina today to learn more about their traditions in order to plan appropriately. Unlike her husband, she truly was looking forward to this all. She was just happy her son had been engaged to a wonderful prince. Everything that she heard about Nikolai had been wonderful so far and the two seemed to get along swimmingly.

Alexander’s gaze focused as the limousine as it pulled in front of them. He waited patiently as the family slowly stepped out of the car. He glanced towards his parents, watching as they both bowed their heads in greeting to Rowan and Seraphina. He shifted to watch as the two daughters stepped from the car. He knew that they would be coming today, but still was pleasantly surprised to see them. Despite that, he was more looking forward to seeing Nikolai compared to everyone else. He couldn’t wait to show him the painting. The siren prince was the one person he felt like he could relax around.

He opened his mouth to respond to Marina when Delphine spoke. He offered her a pleasant smile. “I have heard much of you. It is wonderful to meet you both.” His words were gentle, but formal. He didn’t want to speak impolitely to them both as it was his first impression. It was only then that he finally noticed Nikolai. His smile grew as he bowed his head to him. “It is a pleasure to see you again Nikolai.” His words were much brighter as he spoke then. He still kept that formal side to himself, but he didn’t let it have as much power over him. He was sure the other male would appreciate that.

Edmund cleared his throat as he noticed the way his son spoke. He offered everyone a smile before stating,” Why don’t we head inside? It will be much cooler there and we have prepared refreshments for you after your long journey.” At his words, one of the servants opened the front doors for them. He led the way inside with Eloise, Alexander waiting for Nikolai before he walked inside near him.

 

[Pink Venom]

The bright sun reflected off of Alexander’s eyes as he greeted Nikolai. A pleasantly surprised smile formed on the siren’s lips. He knew the warlock had a good time on their adventure the night they escaped the palace. Even with the stoic looks he held, his emotions were plastered on his face clear as day then, just as they were now. Truthfully, Nikolai had not expected Alexander to sound so excited to see him. The stark contrast to how he’d been greeted the first time they met was a bit jarring. After a beat of silence, Nikolai gave a simple but honest response.

“That it is.”

As much as he wouldn’t outwardly admit it, it did feel nice to see the prince again and know that the comfort they had built up in the moon pool hadn’t vanished with time. Delphine’s arm was still laced with his, and he didn’t miss the lifted brows and side glances as she listened to their exchange without a word spoken. He could already feel the pending interrogation the moment she got him alone.

The family followed the warlocks inside. Nikolai’s eyes narrowed slightly as he watched Rowan walk ahead to meet Edmund, their conversation too far to listen in on. He felt a gentle squeeze on his arm, his eyes immediately darting to his sister. She stared straight ahead, but offered him the faintest of smiles. A silent reminder that she was here to protect him. Nikolai wasn’t the type to ask for help, choosing to face things alone whenever possible. With Delphine, however, he didn’t need to ask. She somehow always knew.

The queens seemed to have hit it off too, their excitement very apparent even from several feet away. Eloise was much more expressive than Seraphina. It reminded Nikolai of her son a bit. His eyes shifted to Alexander then, as he fell into step with them. Delphine took her queue, releasing her hold on her brother’s arm and speeding up to walk beside Marina, but not before shooting Alexander a warning side glance. Nikolai sighed, allowing her to join their sister a few steps ahead before he spoke.

“Well, you’ve met the whole family now.” His sigh was directed toward Delphine’s protective attitude, knowing there would be a lot more of that following the events. His eyes shifted to Marina then, watching her for a moment before adding. “Marinna would have been a perfect wife.” He couldn’t help the slightly bitter feeling that followed the words, though he couldn’t quite explain why. Something about the idea of Alexander being engaged to his sister instead made his stomach sink in a way he couldn’t quite understand. He attempted to ignore it, his hand absentmindedly playing with the pendant in his pocket.

 

[david tennant]

Alexander had been grateful to see the smile form on Nikolai’s lips the moment that he spoke to him. He had initially been worried that the other male might not be happy to see him in the way that he was. Despite it seeming like they both had a good time at the moon pool, he didn’t want to assume that Nikolai indeed did. He noted the simple response that he had been given, not upset by it. Instead he just walked happily alongside them until they were inside.

He turned his gaze to glance around them. Each member of their families seemed to be busy with another, making this the perfect time for him to give him his gift. He stopped walking when both Nikolai and Delphine did. He glanced to his older sister, blinking in some surprise at the look she gave him. “That I have. I do not think Delphine likes me that much.” He admitted with a nervous chuckle. His expression fully relaxed the moment that the two of them were alone. He knew that he could easily put it back on if someone were to interrupt them, but he hadn’t a reason to keep it up around Nikolai.

“It seems as though you and Delphine get along well. That is wonderful, considering how things are with your father.” He kept his voice quiet while he spoke, not wanting for it to carry. He doubted that the king would even hear him from where they stood. His anxiety wouldn’t allow him to risk it though. His brow furrowed at the mention of Marina. He turned his head to quickly glance towards the sister in question. It wasn’t long before he was looking back at Nikolai, shrugging his shoulders as he did so.

“She might have been. I actually thought on this quite a bit though. I realized that if I did end up engaged to one of your sisters, I would have to keep up this exterior that truly isn’t me. I would have been miserable.” He confessed. This thought plagued his mind during many of his lessons. “Besides, I am happy to be engaged to you. My father might not be the most thrilled, but there is no reason to not accept it. You helped me feel freedom that I have never felt before. I would much rather have that over dinner parties and balls.” He added with a smile returning to his lips. He only hoped that the other male believed him.

He put on hand in his pocket then, carefully pulling out the small painting. “I have a gift for you. It isn’t much, but I thought you might like it.” He mused as he handed it to him. “I painted it when I was younger, though the enchantments to it are new. If you look at it for at least five seconds a time, it should move.” There was a pit of nervousness in his stomach. He hoped that Nikolai would like the gift. He hadn’t given anyone something like this before and he didn’t know the siren prince well enough to be sure he would like it.

 

[Pink Venom]

The comment about Delphine made Nikolai stifle a laugh. It was nice to know that among all the uncertainty, some things never changed. His older sister was just as intimidating as ever. The prince watched her for a moment as she spoke to Marina with the ease he knew he would never be able to achieve. There was something so diplomatic about her, yet he was never bothered by it. Delphine was as beautiful as she was blunt, and that extended to policial duties. “Don’t take it personally.” It felt like he’d given this same speech countless times before. “She doesn’t have anything against you. She just hates all men.” Perhaps a bit of an exaggeration, noted by the subtle smirk, but not by a large margin.

As far as suitors and admirers went, both sisters had an abundance. Delphine had single handedly scared away all of hers. She had no interest in marriage, and though they initially tried to sway her, Rowan and Seraphina had no choice but to give up on the matter. Marina’s requests for her hand in marriage were personally curated by Rowan himself. No one was ever good enough for his perfect princess. No man could have her, but they still wanted her. This was the sole reason Alexander’s response came as a surprise to the prince.

His head tilted in question, the dangling crystals of his crown chiming quietly. “You’d be the first and probably the only ciél to say that.” The native word rolled off his tongue effortlessly, thankful that the prince didn’t understand it or he’d surely take it as an insult. It wasn’t. Not the way Nikolai meant it. He’d been so sure the moment Alexander saw Marina, he too would join her legion of admirers. The fact that he preferred Nikolai over her meant he was either clueless or insane. And yet, Nikolai couldn’t completely ignore the tingling feeling in his stomach. Butterflies? Is this what they felt like? Surely that’s not what this was.

The mention of a gift brought Nikolai’s attention back to the present. His eyes landed on a small frame as it was handed over. He studied the flowers for a moment, a hint of surprise painting his features as the they swayed and the butterfly flapped its wings. For the first time in a long time, the witty prince was short on wit. “Thank you.” It was all he could say, his pesky emotions once again getting the better of him. It wasn’t the painting, though beautiful, but what it meant. “Ever thought of being an artist instead of a prince?” A joke was the only way Nikolai knew how to respond without cracking.

The pendant in his pocket suddenly felt heavy. It didn’t hold a special meaning, nor a story nor was it made my Nikolai himself, and for a solid second the prince wondered if it was even worth giving it. He decided not doing so would be pointless. He’d already bought it. “Here.” A hand outstretched toward the warlock, the pendant dropping down into his open palm. “I didn’t make it…there’s nothing really special about it. I just saw it at the market and thought of you-“

 

[david tennant]

Alexander glanced back over his shoulder at Delphine while Nikolai talked of her. With the stories that he heard about the siren princess, he wasn’t surprised that she chased her suitors away. She was one of the only sirens that didn’t have their name smeared or their stories twisted. The warlocks feared her in battle and respected her. It was almost an honor for him to be able to meet her. A soft sound escaped his lips as he heard the explanation fully. “That does make sense. I can only hope she might warm up to me eventually.” He confessed. He preferred to be liked by those who surrounded him. It brought him a sense of ease to know that the people near him didn’t hate him.

He focused his full attention on the other male then as he took note of the way he responded to his words about Marina. He was being completely honest when he said them. As Nikolai and himself were to be married, he wanted for the two of them to have that open line of communication. He didn’t want for any secrets to be held between them. It would only make their lives easier as time went on. It was how his parents had such a successful marriage over all of these years. The thought brought a warm feeling to his chest. He truly was going to be getting married. He almost couldn’t believe it.

He blinked a few times to push his thoughts away from the forefront of his mind. “Really?” He inquired. He hadn’t a clue as to what the word Nikolai said in his native tongue was, but he didn’t question it. “I know it might be difficult for you to believe, but my words are true. Besides, it is nice to change traditions sometimes. The gods do not seem to mind our union. We would certainly know if they did.” He allowed a gentle chuckle to leave him then. He was aware Nikolai didn’t believe in any sort of gods, but his faith still ran very deep. He glanced towards the ceiling after he spoke with a gentle smile playing the corner of his lips.

He brought his attention back to Nikolai after he handed him the gift. He waited patiently for his reaction to the enchantment that he put on it, his hands and fingers interlocking in front of him as he did so. His smile grew as he saw his reaction. “You are very welcome. I can adjust the framing size if you would like me to as well. I assumed the smaller would be perfect for the current moment in time.” He explained. He glanced away for a second at his question, that unknown feeling from the night at the moon pool returning to sit in his stomach. “It would make my life easier if I was, wouldn’t it?” It was a gentle joke, though he would love to paint more if he could ever find the time.

His expression fell into one of surprise when he watched Nikolai pull something from his pocket as well. He hadn’t been expecting any sort of gift. He dropped his hands and then reached out to carefully take it. His eyes examined it for a few moments before his face softened. “Nikolai, this is wonderful! It is perfect!” His exclamations were soft to where only the other prince could hear them. Without thinking, he moved forward and pulled him into a hug. His surprise and emotions for the better of him then. “I honestly have no words to describe how kind that was of you.” He mumbled as he hugged him. He held him for a few moments before it dawned on him just what he was doing. His face immediately flushed the red it had before and he pulled back.

 

[Pink Venom]

Everything Alexander did felt so…genuine. It left Nikolai a bit dazed, not at all used to the honesty. Everyone and everything around him felt so fabricated. The only thing that sometimes kept him grounded within the palace walls were his impromptu talks with Delphine. When she was home, that is. He didn’t hold her absence against her. Not really. He recognized that sometimes he even tried pushing her away. But the woman was nothing if not relentless.

The warlock prince wasn’t pushy, he was simply…honest. It almost felt like Nikolai didn’t quite deserve what he was getting. The small painting in his pocket would be a reminder of that. For a moment, he felt so…fragile. Nikolai knew better than to get attached. He knew and yet here he was getting the guy a gift. Though his expression gave no clue as to what he was thinking, his weight shifted anxiously from one foot to the other. What was he even doing? Alexander loved the gift. Of course he did… Part of Nikolai almost wanted him to hate it, or brush it aside so they could both move on.

Any and all of those thoughts were erased the moment the arms wrapped around him. Nikolai stared straight ahead, his eyes large, lips partially opened with a couple of dismissive words on the tip of his tongue. His hands stayed at his side for a few seconds while his head attempted to catch up. Before it could, the arms were wrapped around Alexander too. His mind was blank, body moving on its own. The embrace lasted too long and nowhere near long enough at the same time. The moment they pulled away, Nikolai’s features morphed into the usual poker-faced smirk.

His stomach fluttered violently, but his stance didn’t falter.

“It’s just a pendant, no need for all that.” There it was, the self sabotage again. His finger absentmindedly messed with a strand of blonde hair, teeth anxiously sinking into his bottom lip. Even with all of his defense mechanisms in place, that look of utter defeat flashed across his eyes. The same look he’d given Alexander the night they met. Before the prince could say anything else, he quickly turned on his heels, ready to walk towards the general direction of the rest of the families. “Let’s go before they throw a fuss.” He couldn’t decide what would be more difficult, going back to his parents or staying with Alexander and being forced to face the emotions he didn’t want in the first place.

Even that felt wrong. The warlock had been so open with him, and here he was, pushing him away. What was he to say? That he was cursed from birth? That their marriage would be a gateway for Rowan to get his way? Any minor detail could bring major consequences. Even then, he felt his feet turn again to face the prince. He had to know at least… he deserved to know. “Please don’t get too comfortable around, I-“ and there it was, the sharp pain again. Try as he may, Nikolai couldn’t hide it. His feature crumbled, hands immediately reaching up to cradle his temples. “Ah…”

 

[david tennant]

Alexander’s body had simply reacted before his mind could fully comprehend what he was doing. He normally would’ve never launched himself at Nikolai to hug the other male in the way that he did. He barely was able to hug his parents at times. He had just been so overwhelmed with the joy that he was currently feeling that his body believed it to be the best way to thank Nikolai for the gift. He seemed to do things like this a lot. He didn’t know if it came from the lack of attention he got from his parents or something else. He tried to shove it from his mind though.

He couldn’t believe the siren prince even bought him something in the first place. The way that he spoke made it seem as though he had been thinking of him after their night at the moon pool. He found the entire situation to be rather sweet and touching. No one had done something like this for him before. While his parents did everything they could to show their love, they still wouldn’t give him little gifts such as this. It warmed his heart to know that their marriage might not be completely doomed. He truly was beginning to have some hope in the situation, though he couldn’t understand what else he was feeling with that hope.

He was shocked when he felt Nikolai’s arms wrap around him in return. While the embrace between them then was shorter, he savored every second of it. It caused for his stomach to feel as though it was twisting in knots. He believed that feeling was just due to the entirety of the situation that day. After all, why would he think of it to be any different. He was rather disappointed when he finally pulled away, but knew that he had already embarrassed himself enough by almost tackling the siren prince in a hug. His eyes took note of the usual smirk that was on Nikolai’s lips as he pulled back.

He allowed for an embarrassed chuckle to escape his lips at his words. “You might not think there is need for all of this, but I found this gift to be rather touching and sweet. You truly did not have to get me something and yet you did. I figured that would be an appropriate reaction.” He explained, though it was clear he didn’t know if he believed his own words about it being a proper reaction as he glanced away from Nikolai while he said them. He slowly looked back to him while his blush was beginning to fade. He noticed the quick change in his expression, but believed it was his own mind playing tricks on him. Some disappointment hit him when he heard the other male state that they should head back to their parents. He didn’t respond verbally, only moving to follow him.

He almost collided with Nikolai when he stopped and turned to face him again. He blinked in surprise. His expression morphed into that of concern when the other reached up to cradle his temples. He placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. “Nikolai, are you alright? Would you like for me to get Delphine or someone else?” He asked softly. This seemed similar to what happened before, but it would be helpful to have someone that Nikolai trusted now to help them. He only hoped that, if Nikolai did want the help, Delphine would come if he asked her.

 

[Pink Venom]

Headaches came and went throughout Nikolai’s life. He’d grown so used to them, it’s almost like he could have started to ignore them. Until he’d set foot in the warlock castle. Until he’d tried to warn Alexander of what was to come. The pain that came with his words felt worse than any other. But so was the relief. He thought back to the other night, how the prince had tried to help. At the moment, Nikolai was convinced nothing changed, but thinking back now, the moment he’d decided to trust Alexander and his aid was the moment he immediately felt better. The longer they spent together, the better he felt. No magic, no spell, just his presence.

It almost sounded idiotic. As someone who’d never believed in anything he couldn’t see, the thought of being connected to someone in that way seemed like some sort of unfounded fantasy. Nikolai blamed the sharp pain around his temples for not allowing him to think straight. His eyes shut in an effort to drown out his surroundings, hoping to ease the pain, only opening them when Alexander suggested going to Delphine. “No, don’t.” As much as he trusted his older sister, he didn’t want to get her involved more than she already was. Especially not with their father so close by.

“I’ll be fine.” The usual words left his lips like clockwork. Though not entirely a lie, he would be alright, at least physically. His hand instinctively reached out to Alexander, carefully taking hold of a wrist to keep him from going after Delphine. “Let’s just-“ the words fell from his lips the moment their eyes met again. Something stirred deep within Nikolai’s chest. Not the same he’d felt before. This was stronger, new. A euphoric, blissful peace, the pain almost instantly dulling down until it disappeared. The world around him blurred, Alexander being the only one in focus for a moment until he too faded into images of mountains. Pictures flashed rapidly through Nikolai’s vision. Fractured images of places he’d never seen before. Until he blinked, and just like that, they were gone.

The siren prince quickly let go of the other, his dark eyes large and confused. Lips slightly parted as he thought of what to say. “What…what was that?” He searched Alexander’s face for any signs of confusion as well, hoping somehow he hadn’t been the only one to experience that. Perhaps he was officially losing his mind.

 

[david tennant]

Alexander’s expression still showed the concern that he was feeling for the other male. He guessed that these might be a common occurrence with the way he didn’t seem to worry about it too much. It made him wonder if something more serious was wrong with Nikolai, and if Nikolai even knew what was wrong. Something within his stomach knotted at the thought of there being an underlying issue to this all. The new feeling caused for him to almost feel as though he was going to be sick. He hadn’t a clue as to why it was affecting him so much. It was almost off that he was even worrying about the siren prince as much as he was.

He took a deep breath as he forced himself to focus back on Nikolai and not on everything else he was feeling. His brow furrowed as he heard his words. He truly wanted to disregard them and get Delphine. He believed she might have an understanding as to what was occurring and how he might be able to help. He glanced over his shoulder towards the other male’s sister. He was about to turn to get her once he felt Nikolai grab ahold of his wrist. He immediately focused back on him before his vision blurred. His head felt as though it was clouded, his mind hit in his own body. The sensation caused him some panic before he felt a sense of peace wash over him.

His mind seemed to be taking him through multiple different moments in quick succession. He tried to focus on them as they passed through his gaze. The only constant in the images was Nikolai. While he couldn’t truly tell what was happening to him, the two seemed to be going through whatever this was together. That was until he saw the mountain. He immediately recognized it and was able to make the connection. He blinked soon after, his eyes feeling strained. His mouth was parted and eyes wide. “That cannot be…” He mumbled as he quickly looked around them. He was grateful that no one else seemed to notice anything odd.

“That was the gods. I heard legends about something like this happening, but I truly never thought it would.” His voice was quiet, almost in a whisper. His breath was hitching in his thirty as he tried to understand everything that he saw. “That was a blessing from them. They were telling us about something. The mountain I saw was Œrnak. At least, I think it was. It matches the description of it.” He admitted. It was clear his mind was trying to understand just what occurred. His eyes were still rather wide and he seemed to almost be in a state of shock. The one thing that was puzzling him was why Nikolai seemed to see the same things he did. He hadn’t heard of a siren experiencing the blessing before.

 

[Pink Venom]

The gods? Nikolai felt a sigh leave his body. He hadn’t realized how fiercely religious warlocks were. There was no intention of disrespect, even if Alexander had initially taken it that way. They had simply been raised differently. Nikolai recalled his mother alluding to a sea goddess no more than a couple of times during his life. A siren’s only deity was mother nature. Not a goddess, but an abstract entity that lived within each and every sea creature. It was their blessing and guiding force. It gave them their strengths, abilities, resources, even their weaknesses. Mother nature was, in a way, their only deity.

“I don’t want to disrespect your beliefs, Alexander…” Never before had Nikolai been so careful with his words. Somehow, telling the warlock prince that he believed his gods and goddesses to be a load of made up nonsense didn;t sit right. Perhaps, had their adventure at the moon pool not happened, he wouldn’t have hesitated. Nikolai, blunt and unflinching, was known for always speaking his mind. Yet, here he stood, searching for careful words to avoid insulting this prince he’d known for only a few days. He breathed out softly, arms folding over his own chest in a protective stance. “Even if they do exist…I doubt they would bless a siren.” There was no part of Nikolai that believed they existed, but he’d decided to award Alexander the benefit of the doubt.

The images circled in his mind, hazy and misplaced. Nothing about them made sense. They appeared to be random, as if someone had taken snapshots of different times and collaged them together. There was only one constant; Alexander himself. Nikolai silently wondered if they had anything to do with the curse, and the consequences he’d been warned to avoid. That only led to more confusion. Not a single one of those images lined up with the warnings. There were no ravaging sea storms, no siren citizens crying out for help, no destruction. There was dirt, mountains, skies. It made Nikolai’s head spin, his hands moving to rub against his eyes. “Look, I-”

“Niko?” The potent voice reached the duo before its owner. Nikolai’s head turned to find his sister’s concerned expression. Eyes lingered on his for a moment before shifting to his companion, and back. “Are you alright?” Never in his life had Nikolai been more thankful for Delphine’s interruptions. “I’m alright.” he assured her with a nod. “We were just catching up.” Something stirred within Delphine’s features, though unclear as to what that was. She gracefully gestured towards the room behind her, the rest of the families standing a bit further away. “Mother wants to speak to you for a moment.” He nodded, eyes shifting to Alexander briefly before his feet began to move him. Delphine held her place, her gaze fixated on the warlock prince. She only spoke when he believed Nikolai to be a good distance away, but her voice traveled. The siren prince heard her ask Alexander the question he already knew was coming.

“Is he lying to me?”

 

[david tennant]

Alexander allowed for his gaze to fall on Nikolai after he finished his own ramblings about the gods. He could immediately tell that the other male didn’t believe a word he was saying. The sigh had been enough to confirm it. A soft frown graced his features for a few moments before he forced himself to not be too disappointed about this all. It wasn’t as if the sirens were religious like the warlocks. They had always been painted as godless creatures, both literally and the way in which they acted. It seemed as if that rumor had been true in a way. He had hoped that it wouldn’t be though.

“It isn’t unheard of. The god that gave the warlocks their magic, Cøeal, rules the water and seas. Our people haven’t gotten along for centuries. That doesn’t mean it always had to be that way.” He spoke truthfully. He hadn’t been alive before the war started so he didn’t know how it had been back then. The stories of peace were ones told to the warlock children to help them sleep at night. He truly believed that they would have truth in them. “Besides, there was this rumor of a prophecy from back then. It is said to have come from Cøeal himself. It involved both the sirens and the warlocks.” He confessed.

He let out a soft breath then, looking down at his feet for a few moments. He truly didn’t want Nikolai to think so poorly of his entire belief system. Everything that he had seen in the images lined up with what he was told of Œrnak. He didn’t have a reason not to believe it. “Heïul wept the last time you were here. She was crying from joy.” He mumbled. The surprise he felt from the vision had worn off by then. He now just seemed to be rather focused on trying to recall everything that occurred between their first visit and this moment. If there had been any signs that might help Nikolai understand that his deities did exist, he would show him them. He slowly looked back to him as he tried to speak again before they were interrupted.

He looked towards Delphine as she joined them where they stood. He gently hit down on his bottom lip. He didn’t bother speaking again, knowing it wasn’t his place to. He wished he would’ve been able to convince Nikolai more, but he would just have to try later. He blinked as Delphine spoke to him directly. He nodded quickly. “He had another headache. The last time he had one was when we first met. It was rather terrible. He had troubles breathing as well. I ended up having to use some magic to help him with it.” He explained in a quieter tone. He glanced over his shoulder towards Nikolai. “Do you know why he gets them? He hasn’t told me if he does or not.”

 

[Pink Venom]

The woman stood, eyes narrowed and poised on Alexander’s features. Distrust etched into her brow, blending with her bold makeup. Lights reflected off her dark eyes. They were not curious, unlike Nikolai’s, but cautious. Her lips pierced at the answer she was given. What few details she had about her brother’s conditions had been obtained through investigation and eavesdropping. She recalled vividly the only time she asked him about it. He’d spoken two words, then fallen to the ground with a yelp of pain.

She frowned, hands poised on her hips as she stepped forward. “Of course I know.” her voice was low, calculated. Gaze repaired Alexander from head to toe, wondering what on earth would drive her brother to want to share such things with him. She briefly recalled the way they had looked at one another earlier, and her frown deepened. “You’d do well not to pry.” her eyes glanced over at Nikolai who now stood by their mother before meeting the warlock again. “For his sake, and yours.”

She could hear the steps of someone approaching, and quickly added her warning speech. “I’ve killed thousands, Alexander…and if you hurt my brother, I would not hesitate a single second to do the same to you.” Her features never flinched, a stark contrast to Nikolai’s usual smirk as she stared down the prince. Seconds later, a hand was placed on her shoulder. “What are you doing?” Nikolai’s voice and raised brow gave way to concern. Delphine merely smiled, gently patting her brother’s cheek before she stepped away. “Just getting to know your future husband.”

The siren prince watched her waltz off, a long suffering sigh leaving his body as he turned to look at Alexander. “She threatened to kill you, didn’t she?” It was a tale as old as time. Delphine was never shy of threatening anyone she deemed a danger to herself or her family. Nikolai had long grown used to it. He brushed it off as if it had little importance, hoping Alexander wouldn’t take it personally. “Let’s go, the parents are getting restless.” his hand instinctively reached out, but he quickly remembered what happened the last time they touched, and promptly slipped both into his pant pockets as he walked.

 

[david tennant]

Alexander could feel the intense nature of the gaze that Delphine looked at him with. It seemed as though she lived up to the stories that had been told about her. He wanted to respect her properly, which hr would do his best to. He didn’t think that had ever felt nervous about someone like he did around her. She probably could kill him easily if she wanted. While he was trained enough to protect himself as he needed to, he knew he wouldn’t stand a chance against the siren warrior. He knew that she wouldn’t dar do something like that though while they were surrounded by the entirety of their family.

He bit his bottom lip gently as she spoke to him. “I do not mean to pry any. I only want to help him. I know that we are going to be married. I do not wish for him to be in pain.” He confessed. His words were sincere and it was easy to see. He glanced towards Nikolai as well. He hoped that their conversation wasn’t loud enough for anyone else to hear. He had a feeling that it would be best suited to just be between the two of them for the current moment in time. He wanted to ask her what she knew about it, to get a better understanding, but she moved onto threatening him then.

His eyes widened slightly before he blinked and nodded. “I understand completely. I have no intention of hurting him.” He assured. His heart began to beat faster in his chest after the threat. For one of the first times in his life, he was actually terrified. Relief filled him as Nikolai stepped back over. He looked to the siren prince with a gentle smile on his face. He shifted to watch Delphine as she walked away from them. His shoulders immediately relaxed before he looked down to his feet.

“She did threaten to murder me. I have never had someone do such a thing like that before. She is terrifying.” He whispered. He almost couldn’t believe that Nikolai didn’t seem surprised by this display she put out. He thought that he might make a comment about it to him, but he was sorely mistaken. It must happen quite a lot. He wanted to tell him that they also talked of his headaches, but knew now wasn’t the time. He nodded quickly. “Alright. I am surprised they lasted this long.” He chuckled as he spoke. He glanced to his hand as Nikolai reached out, a quick frown crossing his expression when he moved it away and to his pocket. He couldn’t ignore the way his heart hurt when he saw it. He just slowly began to walk in stride with him towards their parents then.

 

[Pink Venom]

Time seemed to slow down for a moment as the two walked back to their waiting families. Nikolai’s hands twitched in his pockets, his fingers yearning for the peace and warmth that came with Alexander’s touch. He silently scolded himself for even thinking of it, quickly blaming his being deprived of affection.

Don’t grow attached. It will only hurt more in the end.

That had been his motto from the very second he realized he *didn’t* hate the warlock prince as he so certainly expected to. First impressions had been exactly what he’d pictured, but what followed after was unexpected, throwing the siren prince for a loop. His emotions swam dangerously close to the surface. Overwhelming and fierce, his need to look over at Alexander won as they headed towards the gardens where the ceremony would be taking place. His dark browns watched him carefully, pondering, and wondering if meeting his demise at the hands of this prince would truly be so bad. Nikolai had always loved a good thrill. If he was to end in destruction, he may as well be happy.

Outstretched vines and cascading leaves welcomed them in. The sun was high in the sky, but the overarching trees and surrounding bushes gave way for a gentle breeze. The rest of the honorary guests trickled in bit by bit. The two princes stood at the epicenter of the plush space, encircled by a kaleidoscope of flowers, each family standing beside them elegantly. They welcomed everyone as they took their places as spectators. Most were officials from both courts, save a few extra attendees associated with the warlock family. Nikolai hadn’t expected to be washed by a wave of nerves. All eyes were on them as silence fell over the gardens. Correction, all eyes were on *him*.

He briefly thought about reaching for Alexander’s hand for comfort, but a gentle touch stopped him in his tracks. Delphine silently squeezed his shoulder, a faint but reassuring gesture, even as her features remained as stone cold as usual. This was it. Today, both kingdoms would know about the engagement. Nikolai’s gaze shifted to Rowan for a moment, taking note of the smug look on his dark features. He allowed an eye roll to escape, gaze catching Alexander’s as he did. The prince, unexpectedly, was the only good thing to come out of this fiasco.

 

[david tennant]

Alexander didn’t allow for his disappointment to show as they walked. He truly expected for Nikolai to be willing to take his hand as they walked. Not only would it show the kingdom that they were committed to one another, it would also prove to him that Nikolai didn’t regret what had occurred at the moon pool. He would be lying if he said this didn’t bother him. The thoughts swirling in his mind almost made his scoff. He couldn’t believe that he had fallen so quickly for the other male. He never would’ve thought that he would enjoy the presence of the person he was to be marrying, especially since that person was a siren.

He stayed quiet as they made their way out to one of the gardens that had been prepared for the ceremony. His mother briefed him on what was to occur. They made sure that he knew the siren customs that he was to be partake in that day. He didn’t mind the exchanging of the things. It was simple and would be easy enough for him to do. He hadn’t a clue as to how Nikolai would react to the dance that they and their parents would participate in afterwards. He knew the steps were easy enough to pick up on. He just worried that he might protest due to the fact that one of their hands would be stuck together with a vine.

Once he was towards the center of the clearing, he finally noticed all of the people that came to see the engagement. These people saw him grow into the person he was today. He didn’t recognize anyone from the siren court, but he was sure that having them there might make Niko feel a little more comfortable. He glanced over at the siren prince then, quickly catching his gaze. His expression had fallen back into the official mask he normally wore, though it broke slightly as he looked at Niko. He didn’t speak though as his father stepped forward with a bright smile on his lips.

“I am grateful that everyone arrived today with no harm done to them. We are all gathered to connect our kingdoms. With the marriage of Alexander and Nikolai, the centuries long war will officially come to an end. Relations will be restored and peace will come.” Edmund spoke in a loud voice, making sure everyone could hear him. He didn’t let his unhappiness about the marriage show. He knew that he needed to put that aside today in order to be a proper king.

He stepped back then as he looked to Alexander. He gave his son a gentle nod as Alexander turned to face Nikolai. He pulled two rings from his blazer pocket. Offering Nikolai a gentle smile, he reached to carefully take his left hand. “In our marriage I promise to be an equal half, the support that you will need. Know that you can always come to me and share your worries. Your burdens are now mine. Rvÿi ve suïrt.” He promised. He slid the ring he had gotten for him onto his finger then. Despite the words being a tradition, a variation that was always spoken during engagements, he meant then. He did add on the final part in his native tongue though.

 

[Pink Venom]

Murmurs throughout the spectors had died down, the warlock king’s voice being the only sound that mingled with the gentle breeze. Potent and stoic, he made the announcement both kingdoms had been waiting for. The distaste could be heard in between his consonants. Not for the arrangement that he had so graciously suggested, but for Nikolai himself. For his entire family perhaps. Truthfully, the siren prince couldn’t blame him. Rowan had been deceitful to everyone around him, his son included. Now he stood, tall and boastful, as his plan was put into play.

Facing Alexander had never felt so difficult, knowing what would follow. His eyes remained on the ring in the man’s hand as he spoke, its crystals catching the rays of sun in just the right way. It was beautiful… Somehow, the prince had captured Nikolai’s presence within the small item, after only having been with him for just under a day. The words mostly blurred together. In an effort to prepare, Seraphina had drilled the warlock customs into Nikolai’s brain for the past couple of days, this included the traditional vows. They varied slightly. A shift of a word here, a raised tone there. Nothing stood out from what he’d been exposed to already, except for the last couple of words.

There were few things that Nikolai knew about the warlock language. What little he had picked up from his adventures on land were nothing more than scattered words and phrases that almost never came into play. There had been a small trinket that now rested in one of the drawers of Nikolai’s nightstand, gilded in gold and silver, the shape of a crescent moon carved into the metal. Around it, a phrase repeated twice along the edges. Nikolai had asked its meaning before buying it from the merchant. He recognized it immediately.

Rvÿi ve suïr

Always and forever…

His gaze lifted then, for the first time while Alexander apoke. Eyes deeper than the ocean itself caught the prince’s own. Something burned deep within Nikolai’s gut. Fiercely vibrant and euphoric. His lips parted, ready to speak, gaze flashing to Rowan for a brief moment. It was then that he decided he wouldn’t be the victim. Neither would Alexander. It was time to give the monarch a taste of his own bitter medicine. He’d twist in fury anytime he watched Nikolai enjoy something. The young prince smiled. True and honest, both hands taking Alexander’s own.

“I accept.”

It was silent then, or rather, all other sounds were tuned out. The only thing Nikolai could hear was the prince’s breathing. Their chests rising and falling in perfect harmony. The second ring lingered between Nikolai’s fingers for a moment before it slipped on. They were officially engaged. The wind hummed around them as melodic as a song, a small swirl of fallen flower petals dancing at their feet. It was almost as if the elements had a mind of their own, all coming to life to commemorate the moment.

 

[david tennant]

Alexander couldn’t hide the flash of surprise that crossed his features when Nikolai finally looked up and met his gaze. He assumed the other male was finally coming to his sense about this engagement and was regretting it happening. He hadn’t expected for the genuine smile to cross his lips. He also didn’t realize that it was from the words he decided to add onto the vows. He was sure that his parents were surprised he decided to say such a thing. It was uncommon for warlocks to add anything after the traditional vows. Anything extra would be spoken in private. He had just felt the need to let the courts know he meant what he was saying.

His shoulders relaxed slightly as he heard the siren prince accept the proposal. He knew that the consequences for denying it would be great, but it helped him to know that Nikolai seemed to truly mean the words that he spoke. He allowed for the other male to slide the ring onto his fingers. It seemed as though his entire energy shifted them. The world around him blurred and he couldn’t tell the reactions of anyone standing around him. The only person he could focus on was Nikolai.

The feeling wasn’t an unpleasant one. It was also something that his parents didn’t warn him about. Did the gods truly have a plan in place for them? It seemed as though they were pushing them together in ways he never expected. His suspicions were confirmed when the flowers danced at their feet. A bright smile spread on his lips then. The moment only lasted a few minutes before he could finally hear the polite applause of those surrounding them. He didn’t care if they didn’t approve of this marriage. He knew that he would be happy in it and that was all that matter.

He wanted to comment on what he just witnessed, assuming that Nikolai experienced the same things that he did. He knew that the other wouldn’t wouldn’t agree with him saying the gods favored them that day. He didn’t want to bother him by saying it. He decided to keep his mouth shut. “I do not think I have ever seen you smile like that before. You look lovely while doing so.” He complimented in a soft voice. He almost couldn’t believe that they were actually engaged. He squeezed both of his hands gently then. Nothing had happened like the visions before which brought him some relief. His mind shifted to the next part of the ceremony when he noticed the way people were beginning to line up.

“Are you aware of the dance that we partake in after the engagement? It is truly easy to learn, but I can use an enchantment to help if you would like me to.” He offered in a whisper. He was sure that their customs had been discussed in the same way Eloise made sure he knew siren customs. “We are to start first. Others will join in a few seconds after. I know the vine might be a bit uncomfortable, but try not to think of it too much.” He added with a reassuring smile.

 

[Pink Venom]

A bright flame burned within Nikolai. Newfound determination propelled him forward, closer to Alexander as their hands remained clasped together. Defiant and fearless, he knew now what he was here for. One look at the prince’s face, and those words, had been enough. Sitting by in quiet turmoil had never been his style of doing things, anyway.

The siren king had given clear instructions before that first meeting. “You are to make him love you, and then you will help me destroy them.” At the time, Nikolai’s stomach had twisted in discomfort. Rather than a prince, he was treated merely a pawn by his so-called father. Now, he realized how perfect this all was. A king would never expect his pawns to win, which gave Nikolai an advantage. He craved for the day he’d see the man reduced to a pile of ashes, and hoped that Alexander would be at his side when that happened, safe and sound.

“I only smile when there are things to smile about.” What could have sounded melancholic, was merely a statement. Nikolai’s tone was honest. Prince or not, he’d never feign happiness. He said what he felt, and felt what he said. That was the biggest difference between him and Rowan.

However, if there was one good thing he had inherited from his father, it was his cunning wit. Feigning compliance would bemuch easier. The prince knew Rowan well. If he believed Nikolai to be acting according to plan, he wouldn’t look too closely at his actions. That thought is what led him to stay close to the warlock prince, though he still averted his gaze every so often, hoping to avoid a repeat of what had occurred earlier.

“I can manage.” He stated, confidently, as they stood by what would become their dance floor. Warlock customs were odd at times, but Nikolai assumed they thought the same of siren culture. He was briefed on the dance, but was never taught the steps “Can you?” There was a glint of a smirk that formed his lips as he looked to Alexander, the image of him slipping about on their way to and from the moon pool still very fresh in his memory. “Maybe you should have kept the arágonite with you.” He added with a tease.

The families and guests began to gather around them. Nikolai’s gaze drifted towards his sisters. Delphine’s eyes never left Alexander, watching his every movement. To his understanding, only married couples would accompany them in their dance, which meant Delphine had all the freedom to glare daggers at Alexander. It was amusing to see her direct her distrust at someone that wasn’t her potential suitor, “I think you’ve got an admirer.” He chuckled quietly, his head gently gesturing toward the princess.

 

[david tennant]

Alexander could feel the air in his throat hitch as Nikolai moved closer to him. His mind drifted to places that he knew it shouldn’t. He was aware what he was thinking was improper for the current situation. He couldn’t help but cast a quick glance down to the siren prince’s lips then. He caught himself before his body decided to continue to move on its own. He hadn’t a clue what was overcoming him at the current moment in time. There was a feeling deep within his chest that was growing stronger each moment that they spent together.

The feeling was so strong that it made him want to fidget. He remembered the stories that were told when he was a child about mates and how the gods chose only a few to be connected with the person they were divinely chosen for. He never believed it to be true. He had seen the way his parents acted as a child. Even though they truly did love each other, they weren’t mates. Now that he thought back on it, he couldn’t recall ever seeing someone that had that connection with another person. He decided to remember it was impossible and to not allow his mind to stay with the thought too long. He didn’t want to get his hopes up when it was a myth.

“I am glad that this moment is a reason for you to smile. I had been a bit worried the ring might be too much. I tried my best to find one that would be perfect.” He admitted, his voice still low. He would prefer for no one else to hear the conversation between them. He decided that they deserved to share this moment between them. They would be in the public eye for a very long time afterwards. He wanted to savor every moment like this that he could.

He allowed his eyes to roll while he chuckled at his question. “Luckily for you, I have been training for this since I was a boy. I could do the dance blindfolded.” He assured. The mention of the arágonite caused a bright smile to return to his lips. “I can promise you that I am not nearly as clumsy all the time. It is only when I am distracted that I am.” He stated. He turned his gaze away from the other male for a moment to look at everyone surrounding them. His heart began to beat a bit faster in his chest. He knew this dance was very important and he didn’t want to ruin it.

He let go of one of Nikolai’s hands then. He could feel the intense gaze on him as he did so. The mention of an admirer caused for him to follow where Nikolai signaled. A light sigh left him. “She absolutely despises me. Will she ever not hate me? It is terrifying and I know she could easily murder me in my sleep if she pleased.” He confessed. He shook his head lightly before he decided to start on the vine entangling their hands that were still holding each other. The grip was tight like it would be in the two were holding hands regularly. Flowers soon sprouted and covered the remainder. It wasn’t too much longer until the music started and they began to dance. Like he said, he had mastered the dance for many years. His steps were swift and light, though he kept his gaze on Nikolai’s the entire time.

 

[Pink Venom]

There was something so comical about the way Alexander was intimidated by the princess. “She won’t kill you if you just avoid eye contact.” The jest was followed by a glance over at Delphine. She stood by Marina as she had before, perfectly still and poised, eyes trained on the two of them. More specifically, on Alexander. Having grown used to it, Nikolai paid it little mind. She may not be the type to bluff, but she also wasn’t irrational. She would never act on emotions alone, unlike Nikolai who was permanently driven by them.

Music welcomed them onto the dance floor. Nikolai had been momentarily entranced by the flowers blooming from the vine. He watched curiously, their hands clasped together, bound for a short period. It felt odd for a bit, but he quickly grew used to it, almost forgetting that it was there in the first place. Alexander led, Nikolai followed. Slow, steady. He’d never danced this in his life, but found himself easily catching the steps. Their bodies moved in perfect harmony with the breeze.

The melody flowed through the flower pedals and shrubs as a few more couples began to join them. “How many times have you practiced this?” Nikolai questioned, noting the way Alexander’s body moved like clockwork, perfect and rehearsed. His effortlessly mirrored the movements. For having a tail half the time, the siren was fairly light on his feet. His free hand rested against Alexander’s shoulder, the ring catching the rays of sun and they moved.

Somewhere along the way, Nikolai found himself yearning to rest his head against the other’s shoulder. He’d blame it on everything except desire. Lack of sleep, lack of affection, the grogginess from the days long trip. Any excuse would do, but none would justify the way his eyes flickered to the prince’s lips. The need to kiss them was so intense that for a moment, he was certain he’d do it. He didn’t. Not here, not now. Instead, he took to his initial thought.

Small steps moved their bodies closer. He maintained the flow of the dance, knowing it was coming to an end soon. The warlock officials would surely look down on him for this, but Nikolai was certain they already did. With a breath of the breeze, he allowed his cheek to rest against the hand that held the prince’s shoulder. There was a subtle shift in the air, just enough to be noticeable. His body felt as light as a feather, and he swore he could hear Alexander’s heartbeat.