29. Coronation {2}

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"What are you doing!?" A guard shouted when he saw the three escaping. Iker and Arabella had already gone through, leaving Phoenix with half his body in and the other half out.

A guard was the last thing they expected to see. They were too careless and thought they could leave and go has they pleased. Who could blame them? The guards lack of duty made them slip into a comfortable routine of going out the Iron Fortress and going in as they pleased.

Iker was beyond surprised to see a guard. He thought they were busy with the Prince Coronation. Phoenix crept his way out, still crouching low to the ground. The guard stormed forward, to think there was an escape path, he though the Iron Fortress was impregnable. His hand rested on his sword. As soon has he was done with the three escapees he would make an immediate report to the Commander.

Arabella was the only one who dared to move. She charged forward at the man, not caring if he was guarded with a sword. The guard took action immediately, before he could fully unsheathe his sword, Arabella gave him a hit to his abdomen. The wind was knocked out of the man, his sword falling to the ground with a loud clang.

She surprised both Iker and Phoenix who was hurrying to restack the bricks. Arabella watched as the man fell to the ground, hurdling in pain. It was her most powerful punch. She kicked away the sword as far as she could, turning back to look at the two who were amazed by her strength.

"Nothing I can't manage." She said, a hand resting on her hips. "I didn't only master the sword, Princess Vera also thought me other ways to defend myself." She looked back to the guard who was slowly being relieve of pain as he tried to stand. "We should leave before things get worst."

They didn't need to think about a second time as they quickly walked away. It wasn't until they were in the District of Thornburg that they settle a bit. There was no one chasing after them so it should be fine. If only they knew it was the first sign of a series of bad luck that were to befall them.

It was the first Phoenix was going to venture beyond the District of Thornburg. The castle -- he wouldn't dream that far--, Pixie Tower was the last place he thought of ever stepping a foot into. Here he was, making his way to the castle, a place he thought was unreachable.

Phoenix looked over to as he recalled Arabella. Her haired flowed lengthy in her back, caramel skin that glistened under the sunlight. She was a beautiful woman and Phoenix couldn't take his eyes away. Arabella was the type to attract attention but leave many not daring to approach with her aura depicting her strength.

"If I may ask you a question Arabella," Phoenix spoke up amongst the three. She glanced his way giving him a swift nod. "You said you were friends with Cormac. Are you also a Princess or..." He recalled her mentioning another Princess, Vera was her name. She had to have a title of some sort to know of not only the Prince but also a Princess.

"Yes," she nodded along. "I'm a Princess from the Kingdom of Laqum."

It was the first Phoenix had heard of the other kingdoms. There were no books in the book house that spoke of them or Seridina. "Kingdom of Laqum." he repeated.

"It's a Kingdom not far from here." Iker was the one to answer. "It's known for its military attributes. They're a lovely set of people. A Kingdom worth visiting." Iker remembered the fun times he had in the Kingdom. "It's also one amongst five other Kingdoms, Seridina included." Phoenix was surprised that there were many other Kingdoms.

"Correction, they are four Kingdoms." Arabella corrected Iker. He only knew of five from the Prince. "Laqum, Arilikook, Seridina and Peruel."

"Peruel?" Iker said. It was the first he heard of such a Kingdom.

Arabella nodded, slipping pass a woman before she continued. "You've heard of The Kingdom of Ipera and Ruel?" Iker nodded, that was indeed the two he knew. Phoenix only listened, taking in every bit of information he could. "They recently joined hand in marriage, joining Kingdoms. It is now the Kingdom of Peruel."

"The King and Queen of each Kingdom joined hands in marriage, resulting in a new Kingdom." Iker summarized.

Arabella shook her head in denial, getting raised brow from the two. "It was the King's who wed."

Iker and Phoenix knew it spelt trouble if the one person who shouldn't get word of it heard. As they neared Pixie Tower, Phoenix eyed the houses. His mind drifted to Axton, the last person he wanted to think of. Their last conversation had ended weird, leaving Phoenix confused. His pendant had been the start of the conversation going down a weird path. Axton saying things that didn't make sense.

He started thinking the pendant had some history. That maybe Axton knew of his father because of his small rebellion that ended in his death. Phoenix though of the pendant as a family heirloom, something that connected him to his parents. There was no great history behind it, he thought.

He looked back at the passing districts, they were nothing compared to Pixie Tower. It was like climbing a social ladder in Seridina. The weak and unwanted stood at the bottom while the strong and powerful stood at the top. It was sick and twisted. Iker led them along a path, he would look around for anyone in sight.

The came upon a wooden door that could break by the strongest of hits. Iker opened the door just as Dash was about to leave. He was surprised to see Iker, looking behind him, Dash saw two unfamiliar faces. "What are you doing Iker?" He asked. "And who are these people?"

"Guest." Iker replied short and simple. Dash didn't need to know who they were. Dash eyed the two suspiciously. A woman with praise worthy beauty that made him blush and a boy with long braided hair that didn't fit into the scene. He was handsome behind all his gruffy exterior.

"Shouldn't you be with the Prince getting him ready for his special day." Dash asked, pursing his lips in the process. "Aren't you his personal servant or is the great Iker slacking off." he poked Iker's arm.

Iker rolled his eyes at Dash. "I'm sure you have duties of your own Dash." He spoke. "If you'll excuse me I have guests to attend to. If you'll be kind enough please don't mention what you saw here." Iker finished.

Dash fanned him off. "Fine." He said, allowing them entrance.

They slipped pass Dash and entered the servants quarters. They made their way to Prince Cormac chamber, slipping pass the servants who were busy preparing meals and adding finishing touches to the decorations. Phoenix felt out of place. This was the life Cormac was used to, much different from his. He examined the place adorned with Ruby red and gold, he reached for his pendant. "I'm fine", he whispered to himself.

Iker knocked on the door a few times, announcing his presence. A female voice was heard making Phoenix raise a brow, wasn't this Cormac's room. Iker opened the door and gestured for Phoenix to enter. He took hesitant steps, feeling nervous as he walked into a room that was out of the norms for him.

His eyes fell on Cormac who sat on a large bed, a female much like Arabella but with longer hair sat beside him. He figured she was the one who answered. Cormac got up and walked over to Phoenix, hugging the boy immediately. "I've missed you so much. I'm sorry I wasn't the one to come and get you but circumstances call." He whispered into Phoenix's ears, sending shivers down his spine.

Phoenix fell into the hug, feeling his anxiety slipping away. "I can't believe I'm here." Phoenix breathed out, still trying to grasp that he was standing in the castle.

"I know it's not what you're use to, I'm here with you so everything will be fine. " Cormac assured him.

Princess Ximera cleared her throat, bringing back the two to reality. "I'd hate to break a lovers reunion, but please stop making us all jealous." she walked over to the two and pushed Cormac to the side, getting a clear view of Phoenix. She took his hair in her hand, twirling it around her fingers. Phoenix wanted to tell her to stop but didn't know how, it didn't feel the same as when Cormac played in his hair. "I'm Princess Ximera from Laqum. It's an honour to meet the person Prince Cormac loves so much."

Phoenix looked to Cormac, wondering how many persons he told about him. "The honor is mine." Phoenix said.

"So, I've been wanting to know." Princess Ximera continued. "You two are partners now, have you two been intimate?" She wasn't embarrassed by asking such a question. Iker was beet red as Arabella snickered. "Or are you two waiting to be Wed."

Prince Cormac stepped in, pulling away the blushing Phoenix. "Please refrain form such questions." he said. "We haven't gone beyond the simple touches that one time by the river, don't wonder too far Ximera."  He cursed himself immediately as the words left his lips. Phoenix elbowed him in the side.

"Oh," Princess Ximera said in surprised, a smile on her face. "I would never have taken you to be the lustful type Prince Cormac. To lay your hand on him outside."

"By a river your highness!" Iker said in disbelief as he looked at the prince. Arabella was finding the situation funny.

Prince Cormac ran a hand through his hair. "There was no one there." he justified himself. "One thing led to another.... Forget it." He finished, he shouldn't be sharing this in the first place.

"We should get ready for the coronation." Arabella said, walking to Ximera then linking her arms. "We'll see you then. I'm looking forward to your surprise." She pulled Princess Ximera out the doors who was reluctant to leave.

"I'll go check on things your highness." Iker said, taking it as his queue to leave the two. "If you need anything just call me." He bowed to the two then left.

"I'm sorry." Cormac apologized, snaking his hand around Phoenix waist, pulling the blushing boy close. "I didn't mean to tell them." He gave him a kiss.

"I'm not mad." Phoenix clarified. "I'm just embarrassed. I would rather what happens between us be our own little secret."

Cormac couldn't resist any further as he took Phoenix's mouth, giving him a deep kiss. "Would you like to take a bath with me?" He asked, his lips brushing against Phoenix's.

Phoenix started undoing the buttons on Cormac's top, giving him his answers. His shirt was off before he led Phoenix to his bath. The large room was littered with rose petals as it always was. They shared another kiss as they removed each other's clothes. Feeling the touch of skin on skin, their lower half teasing each other as pleasurable moans escaped their lips.

It was the first Phoenix was going to have such a relaxing bath. On any other day he would rather enjoy it. He was enjoy Cormac's lips and touch better. They settled themselves in the water, staying close. Cormac arched his head to the side, Phoenix suckling on his skin. He captured the other mouth after, pressing Cormac against the edge of bath. His hand dived below the water, capturing Cormac's own in his hand.

Cormac arched his head back at the touch, biting on his bottom lip. He suddenly felt the release of Phoenix's hands as he was nearing, he looked at the boy, a smirk on his lips. "We have a coronation to attend." He spoke, tracing his hand along Cormac's chest. "We can't be late." he teased him further by touching the tip of his shaft.

You lustful demon, Cormac smirked.

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