Enslaved

Chapter 41

No, Byron said for the hundredth time.

Why not? Raph whined, tugging at the sleeves of his arm.

Because I said so.

But it is fun. Raph begged.

Shifting the reigns of his horse to the hand that held Raph, Byron brought the other hand to his face and rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Raphs eyes sparkled as hope soared in them and a grin started to break on his lips,

No.

With a satisfied smile, Byron jerked his steed forward.

I narrowed my eyes as my sons expression crumbled and his lower lips started wobbling. Few of Byrons soldiers snickered at the exchange but my glare cut them off. Not having any of it, I decided to steer my stallion towards him and give him a piece of my mind.

Byron. Father called him sternly, Leave my grandson with my daughter and trot with me.

Yes, your Majesty. Turning, he handed me Raph with a wicked smile and went to my father as I continued to glare at him.

Hey baby. I cooed, bringing Raph closer to my heart, where he belonged. Dont worry about King Byron.

Why wont he let me ride on his shoulders?

Maybe they are weak, too weak to carry my baby. Ill carry you on mine when we reach home, okay? I tweaked his nose, making a small smile blossom on his lips.

Okay mommy.

We had been travelling for half a day now and decided to stop to rest our horses. Getting off with Jeffs help, I picked up my son and walked around, listening to him excitedly pointing at different flowers and berries. The thick canopy of the trees was blocking most of the sunlight which made our strolling more pleasant.

Look momma! Rose! Raph giggled, jumping from my arms and ran towards it.

Dont touch it. A command rang through the air. Raph froze and turned to look over my shoulder towards Byron.

O-Okay He answered meekly, shifting on his feet.

Byron walked towards him slowly and held out his hand for him to take. Raph hesitantly placed his tiny hand in his large ones and looked up at him in wonder. Without speaking a word, Byron took him towards the rose and crouched to his level.

Life is all about learning lessons little Prince, and they are taught to us. Pulling Raph in front of him, Byron bended the rose stem towards him, For example this rose here, its beautiful isnt it?

Yes. Raph grinned at the flower bringing his hands up but Byron evaded it.

But what we fail to see are these, Tilting the stem slightly, he continued, the thorns.

To prove his point, he pressed his thumb against it, effectively pricking the surface of his skin. Pulling back, Raph frowned at the crimson pearl that had formed on the skin now.

So what does it teach us, Prince Raphael?

To be cawreful?

His answer made Byron smile. This was the first time he had genuinely smiled at my son and the mere awareness of it had my lips uplifting in a smile of their own. Capturing Raphs small hands in his, he tenderly brought them to trace the stem between the thorns, until they reached the lush petals.

Yes, but theres more to it. Byron whispered secretly.

More? Raph turned to face him fully.

Yes. You like roses?