Bound By Chains (MxM)

Chapter Seventeen

"Alright, so what's your favorite season? I personally enjoy Autumn, since all the trees change to that pretty orange and yellow colors. Plus, I enjoy the cooler weather that Autumn brings," Cayden was saying as we ducked under a low branch, the sun growing lower in the sky, creating a beautiful, and colorful sunset.

I shrugged and pursed my lips, yanking my robes from a bush that had caught a loose thread. "I've never really given it much thought, to be honest." I frowned when my robe ended up ripping but rolled my eyes and continued on when I was freed. "I guess I prefer the colder season as well." I nibbled at my bottom lip and shrugged once again. "I do like snow, though. I always have."

Cayden glanced at me and held up another low hanging branch, causing me to thank him as I ducked under and continued onward. "Yeah, snow is alright, I suppose. Then again, I don't like it to be too cold."

"Well, I don't mind it. Though, it's probably because my draconic blood makes me run a little hotter than a human might." I paused at a berry bush and raised my brows, plucking a few of them off before I went to eat them, only for Cayden to grab my wrist before I could eat any.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," he warned me as he grabbed the berries from my hand, "those are poisonous."

I frowned and furrowed my brows, looking down at the bush. "How do you know? They look like normal berries to me."

Cayden leaned down; his face so close to mine that I could feel his warmth against my skin. "See those leaves there? And how they're pointed like that?" I nodded my head, ignoring the way my heart hammered in my chest at his closeness. "Whenever you see a berry bush with leaves like that, that means that the berries are poisonous, even if they look edible. I mean, they're not poisonous enough to kill you, but they are potent enough to have you...well...using the bathroom a lot. Trust me, it's not fun. When my father first began teaching me how to hunt and stuff, I had the misfortune of eating a handful of these, and let's just say, my rear end did not approve."

I scrunched up my nose and pulled myself up to my full height, Cayden copying my movement as he smirked in amusement. "That is something I did not need to know. So gross."

Cayden chuckled and shrugged, looking incredibly amused as he gestured for me to continue walking. "Well, you asked for it."

I shook my head and glanced back towards him. "I so did not. That kind of information you need to keep to yourself, thank you very much." Cayden snorted and we changed the conversation to something not so gross. Like we talked about our favorite foods, then we talked about things we wanted to do with our lives, and as we talked, I couldn't help but notice the warm feeling that coiled in my stomach, warm and comfortable, and slightly familiar. But I didn't think about what that could mean, instead, I continued conversing with Cayden until the sun dipped further beyond the horizon, causing us to eventually find a place to make a campfire for the night.

As we munched on berries, that weren't poisonous, I began thinking back to a conversation I heard, between Maryanna and Cayden, and curiosity ended up getting the better of me as I placed berries aside, nibbling at my bottom lip as I watched Cayden put together our source of warmth for the night. "So, Cayden..." I began, watching as he paused his actions to look at me, a thick brow raised as he waited for me to continue. "Forgive me if I'm intruding on something personal, but, I...remember you telling Maryanna that you had someone you were...well, in love with. Seeing as we're no longer at the castle, I was curious to know who this individual is?" I blushed, suddenly feeling embarrassed. "I-If you are comfortable with telling me. If not, I'll change the conversation to something else."

Cayden stared at me in silence for a moment, before he tore his gaze away from me and lit the campfire, sighing as he sat down in the dirt. Finally, he brushed his hair out of his face with his hand and pursed his lips. "You know what? Why don't you guess?"

I blinked and pursed my lips, leaning back as I stared at the other man. "Ok. Um..." I thought back to my initial thoughts when I had heard about his interest in someone and nibbled at my bottom lip. "Well...um...I couldn't help but notice that Jazzabelle has been at the castle a lot more than usual. Is...she the one who has caught your affections?"

Cayden scrunched up his nose and pursed his lips. "Gods no. You do realize we are cousins, yes?"

My brows rose in surprise. "Oh, no...I didn't know that." My cheeks burned as an embarrassed blush passed across my face. "Sorry."

Cayden shook his head and lifted a hand, chuckling in amusement as he lifted a leg and rested his head on his knee. "It's fine, you didn't realize we were related. Not that I blame you, she doesn't really look that much like me at all. Anyone else you think I'm in love with?"

I nibbled at my bottom lip and shifted my weight, staring into the fire as I tried to think of anyone else. "Could it be...the gardener?"

Cayden shook his head again. "Definitely not. Although, I'm pretty sure he has a crush on me."

I nodded my head and laughed. "I think you're right. He's always staring at you whenever you pass through."

Cayden tilted his head. "You noticed that?"

I blushed darkly and averted my gaze. "W-Well, I mean, it's kind of hard not to when he's practically salivating at the sight of you."

Cayden laughed and shook his head, a fond smile forming over his face as he stared at me with warmth in those chocolate-colored eyes of his. "He salivates? Really?"

I shrugged and began tracing shapes into the dirt, although a smile formed on my lips. "I'd say so. It's amusing to watch, really." I then nibbled at my bottom lip and mimicked Cayden's position; pulling my leg up to my chest before I laid my head on my knee. "But seriously, though. I'm curious to whom has caught your attention. I mean, it must be quite a feat to catch the heart of a prince, after all."

Cayden stared at me, his gaze searching mine. "Do you really want to know?"

I nodded my head. "U-Unless you don't feel comfortable telling me. I'll understand. After all, I'm still...hesitant to talk about...about the man that I loved."

The silence around us grew, nearly growing to something uncomfortable until Cayden finally spoke, his voice quiet. "Well, the man that I love is smart, sweet...and incredibly beautiful. But I know he'll never feel the same way about me as I do him...since I wasn't exactly the...kindest to him. And I regret it so much, and I wish I could change the past...but I can't." He sighed and looked at his hands, a frown falling across his face. "Besides...he's probably better off with someone who isn't as selfish as me."

I frowned, my heart clenching for the sad look the other man was wearing. "You're not that selfish, Cayden," I told him, trying to reassure him as he looked up at me with doubt in those chocolate-colored eyes of his. "You're...driven. You're funny, sometimes charming...and sure, you can be a bit childish at times, and maybe a bit demanding, but some people actually like that kind of thing." I nibbled the inside of my cheek and tore my gaze away from him, suddenly feeling shy as I stared down at my bare, dirtied feet. "You shouldn't sell yourself short. Who knows, maybe this individual likes you back. But you'll never know if you never try, right?"

Cayden continued to stare at me, an unreadable expression on his face as his eyes pierced into mine. He opened his mouth, then closed it as if he were unsure what to say next, and for a moment, it felt like something passed between us, something...warm. And after a moment, he opened his mouth again and spoke. "Davian..." he said, almost...caressing my name, if that were a thing, "I..."

At that moment, we heard movement from around us, and as we jumped up and went to survey the area, I yelped as I was suddenly grabbed, my heart racing in my chest as a group of masked men walked closer to the light. My eyes widened when I recognized the rebels that had attacked the castle, the fear intense within me as they managed to tie up a struggling Cayden.

One of the masked individuals then stepped forward, gesturing to the ones holding me, and to my surprise...I was let go. Confusion filled me as the "leader" walked closer to me and took off his mask, revealing the freckled, pale face of a fae. "Hello there. Your salvation is here."