13The story will probably span 3 'arcs', at least two, and each could be separate stories.
Warnings: Pre-/implied shounen ai (boy/boy romance), heavy angst, graphic violence, dark content..
Feedback is very very welcome and appreciated. Particularly in regards to the characters and plot. : )
A Forever Love (A Tale of Love Beyond Death)
By Lady Tempest
Prologue:
Golden sunlight streamed in glittering ribbons onto the large marble balcony. Erich turned in his brooding from the carved stone railing; and he turned from a perfect, clear blue sky, the air crisp, warm, and lingering with sweet scents of flowers and birds chirping in the gardens below. How could such a dreadful day as this hold such promise of beauty and life? His father was dead. Buried this morning. He still wore the black velvet from the funeral, too grieved to change and shed the sign of his mourning.
King Audric and he had their disagreements. Some had been rather heated, like the one over the king's marriage to his stepmother. He saw her as a scheming wench bringing two bratty children into his home, and his family, taking away his father's already spare attentions when he needed them most after his mother`s death. But in spite of it all, he dearly loved his father, and his death left a gaping hole in his heart.
If not for the immense responsibility hoisted onto his shoulders with the king's untimely death, he would have shattered, broken with grief. Only seventeen, just of last month, and he found himself with the weight of a kingdom, piled onto the more painful burden of becoming an orphan. Alone. No family to share his grief with. No one.
Thankfully, his recent birthday secured his throne from those who would have used his youth to possess it for themselves. Secured it from the queen he knew craved the power of the crown for herself. If not for the natural nature of his father's illness that eventually led to his death, Erich would have suspected her of the deed. Still, paranoid though it may be, he knew he must remain watchful of the woman, or he may be dead as well, and likely not by `convenience' of nature.
He buried his face in his hands, his smoke green eyes clenched shut, forcing back the tears a king couldn't afford to succumb to, tears, once begun, he knew he couldn't stop. Sunlight bathed his neck in golden warmth, washing the crown of his raven hair to lavender in its brightness. It wrapped him in a caress he found himself clinging to like a mother's arms since no one could give him the physical comfort he needed.
The situation overwhelmed him, too much responsibility too soon. But he refused to give in to the despair or the grief, not in front of anyone. Only in his chambers, alone, did he allow himself to sag against the rail of his balcony and under the heaviness of his heart.
"Father, I miss you. I never had the chance to make you proud of me, for you to see me become a man," he choked out in a trembling whisper. "God, I miss you, father. I didn't get to say goodbye, to tell you what neither of us said often enough: ...that I love you."
A tentative knock on his bedchamber door roused him from his brooding. His glistening green eyes lifted, as in a daze, raven lashes clinging desperately to the tears he couldn't let fall. Erich slowly dragged himself to his feet, his limbs weak and aching like he had run for miles.
Again, the knock. Slightly more urgent, concerned.
Erich stumbled towards the door, a dark, smothering weight dragging his entire being to the embroidered carpet. Running a hand through his hair, the evenly-cut, black strands ghosting against his bare neck, like gentle fingers, sending an eerie shiver through him, he collapsed into a large, plush chair. Far easier to regain his composure seated, than fumbling to answer a door hazy from unshed tears. He clasped his shaking hands together, resting them over his crossed knees. With a deep, calming breath, he spoke just as a third knock sounded against the thick wooden door.
"Enter." Erich winced at the tremble in his usually smooth voice. How could he be strong for his people, show them a strong leader, if he failed when speaking one simple word?
However, if the servant who stepped timidly into the room had noticed his unsettled tone, she showed no sign. The young woman raised her skirts slightly in a curtsey, the plain brown cloth typical of servant dress offset by a black scarf loosely around her throat.
"Your majesty, Prin...er... King... Erich, I have a message for you from your mother," the young woman stammered.
"My mother is dead. Has been so for two years," Erich replied, forcing grief and anger from rattling his voice. His green eyes gazed evenly in the cold mask he drew to his handsome, young face. Every thread of control within him he gathered to show the composure befitting a man responsible for an entire kingdom.
The woman's brown eyes widened. "So sorry, your majesty. I meant no offense. Queen Velaesse wishes to see you, your majesty."
"Whatever does she want?"
"Sorry, your majesty, but she didn't think it necessary to tell a humble servant anything more. She said it was most important."
Erich sighed. "Tell her I will meet with her in the audience chamber."
"Yes, your majesty."
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End prologue
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tbc...