Chapter Text

Prologue

“Uncle Stuart is coming to visit,” Neil sighed. 

The water of the pond he sat by stirred gently, droplets rippling across the surface until the tiny little sprite popped out of the water.

“Who’s Uncle Stuart?” she asked, sitting on top of the water.

Neil dipped his hand in the water, cupping the little sprite with a handful of water, and holding her up closer to chat.

“Well, as the name suggests, he’s my uncle. He’s the King of the Sea Kingdom. He’s the one who made the contract between Andrew and me. And he’s the one who’s going to declare war if he thinks we’re not in love.”

The sprite frowned from her spot in Neil’s hand. “But you’re not in love.”

“I know that. Andrew knows that. Everyone with eyes knows that.” Neil looked up at the bits of sky visible through the trees. Twilight was drawing near, the sky in that in-between color of blue and purple. “But it’s really not as bad as I thought it would be. I like my quarters. I like the forest. I like this pond.”

“But it’s not home,” the sprite said, standing on the little handful of water and looking thoughtful. “Not like you’ve told me, anyhow. With the water so far you can’t see the other side of it.”

Neil nodded. “Sometimes, I’m glad I’m so far away. I don’t think about my mother as much. But sometimes, I just want to listen to the waves on the shore and let the sand shift between my toes. Sometimes, I just want to be home.”

Home wasn’t with Uncle Stuart, exactly. Home was more like a feeling, a belonging. Neil hadn’t felt home in a year. 

That’s how long he’d been married to Andrew Minyard.

Part One: The Wedding

1

Approximately One Year and Four Months Ago

"Prince Neil, you've received a message."

Neil looked up from his afternoon studies. The royal messenger, Jean, looked annoyed, but that was nothing unusual. What was unusual was the golden silk ribbon wrapped around the letter he gave Neil. A message from the Sun Kingdom.

"Should I inform your uncle that you are exchanging messages with the enemy?" 

"Of course not," Neil said. He got up and shoved a few precious gems into Jean's hand. "Go forget whatever you think you've seen."

Jean pocketed the gems and gave a halfway decent salute. "Right away, Prince Neil."

Maybe in another lifetime, it would have bothered Neil that he spoke Neil's name like it was a joke. But Neil was just happy to be alive. And, with this letter, hopefully he had started the next step towards staying alive.

He untied the ribbon, throwing it to the side despite its value. The contents of the letter mattered much more than any piece of silk.

"Alright," Neil said quietly. "Let's see if Prince Andrew is as smart as I hope he is."

His frown grew as he read.

"Ah. He regrets to inform me that he has no formal response to my proposal at this time and that he feels the need to investigate the situation more thoroughly before throwing his life away to some nobody half prince from a nobody kingdom."

Neil blew out a breath and stared up at the ceiling. He had provided the Sun Kingdom prince with plenty of information. There wasn't much left to investigate. Uncle Stuart had been in quiet meetings with the captain of his army for weeks now, and Neil had listened to more than enough of them to know the planning was starting to solidify into a formal declaration of war.

Fine. Let them go to war. He didn't care. He'd lived his life on the run before and he'd do it again if it came to that.

Neil put down the letter and headed out of his room. There was only one place he wanted to be when he was this upset.

*

The ocean waves hit the shore in a relentless pattern, one after another, and Neil breathed in a sigh of relief. The pain was still there, the loss of his mother would forever be a part of the waves too, but they were the sound of his home, the sound of his childhood, the sound of his existence. He didn't like to be too far.

He had left his fancy shoes in his room, even though Uncle Stuart had requested, rather firmly, that he wear them when he was on the castle grounds. Said it maintained appearances. The wet sand squished between his bare toes, and Neil was finally able to shed some of the anger of reading Prince Andrew's letter.

His own investigation. Neil would be sure to remind him of that when Uncle Stuart's army started their march on the Sun Kingdom. Sometimes princes, especially crown princes, were so dumb it hurt. 

Neil walked the beach for a long time, combing through the waves to see what interesting treasures the water had brought to the shore. He didn’t find much. Some semi-polished stones tumbled by his feet, their colors a mix of blue and red, but their full potential still not yet realized. He tossed those out into the sea, as far as he could, so they’d have a chance to be buffeted by the waves and emerge smoother.

Only when the sun had begun to reach the edge of the sky did Neil finally feel ready to go back to the castle and deal with all of the idiocy and ridiculousness of court life. He thanked every non-existent god up there that tonight wasn’t a dinner night with his uncle, because he didn’t think he’d be able to maintain any appearances tonight.

Jean was waiting for him at the door to his rooms.

“What, Jean,” Neil said, barely flicking his glance up at the taller man. “Unless you have something that needs to be addressed now, I need you to leave me alone tonight. I don’t want to be disturbed.”

“Why, does the prince have needs he must attend to tonight?” Jean asked. His taunt wasn’t rough around the edges, though. It seemed more subdued than normal. Neil was instantly suspicious.

“What is going on?” he asked. Neil had learned a long time ago to trust his instincts and right now, he was tempted to turn and run right back to the ocean.

“You have a visitor,” Jean said, curtly. “I saw her to your anteroom. Enjoy your evening.”

Neil blinked. An unexpected visitor was the worst kind. With a deep breath, he said, “I trust you’ll wait outside to make sure everything is going well?”

Jean scoffed. “If the prince thinks he requires a guard to have sex, he’ll do well to remember that I’m merely a servant.”

“You know damn well I'm not going to have sex. And you're a tall servant who can fight if I require your assistance.” Neil might have been a foot shorter than Jean, but he crossed his arms and stared him down just the same. Despite the animosity between them, they’d done this before. 

Finally, Jean nodded, once. “Try to keep the sounds of your lovemaking quiet enough that I do not need to hear it.”

Neil rolled his eyes. No one in this godsforsaken kingdom seemed to understand that he had no desire to be with a woman--or a man, for that matter--like that. Everyone certainly seemed to like insinuating that he did, though.

Standing as tall as he could, Neil pushed through his door to greet his guest.

To his surprise, a petite woman sat, prim and proper, at the edge of her chair. She looked up from the tea Jean had no doubt brought her, and smiled. Her hair was interesting; she had drained all of the regular color out, and the edges had a soft, pastel glow of a rainbow of colors.

A sorcerer, perhaps, though she wasn’t wearing any indication in her clothing. Neil did not sit down.

“I’m pleased to make your acquaintance,” his guest said. She stood, and extended her hand. “I’m afraid I don’t have my usual traveling companion to introduce me, but by necessity, this had to be a quiet visit. My name is Renee Walker, and I’ve come to discuss your proposal of marriage to our crown prince.”

*

A short while later found Neil seated across the small table in his anteroom, looking at the documents Renee had spread across the surface. 

“As you can see, we’ve seen the Sea Kingdom outrunners encroaching on our borders over the past month. As you can also see,” she said, pointing to another letter, “we’ve begun the same. Escalation is not far away. And yet, you came to Prince Andrew with a proposal to prevent this. Why?”

“Why should I tell you anything?” Neil grumbled. Just hours ago, there had been a very emphatic no to his proposal from Prince Andrew, the Royal pain in his ass himself. Now Renee sat in front of him acting like it was the most obvious solution. 

“Well,” she said, without judgment. “You did sound like you wanted to prevent this.”

Neil nodded. He wasn’t going to tell her his selfish reasons, the way that he just didn’t want to keep running any more. But her gaze was piercing and the one thing he knew was that she seemed to know more than she let on. He’d dealt with many of her kind in Uncle Stuart’s court. He would say as little as he could.

Renee seemed to catch on. “As you know, sometimes letters travel slower than a dedicated traveler. There’s a chance you might have gotten a message from the Prince recently that indicated his disagreement to your proposal.”

“That’s putting it lightly,” Neil replied. “He did suggest that perhaps I ‘have rocks where once I had brains’ and that I was ‘inventing make believe scenarios to allow myself to swoop in and save the day.’ “

Renee laughed, politely, her hand in front of her mouth. “Yes, those are things he would say. However, despite what he may have written, he has been investigating matters from the moment he received your letter.”

Neil didn’t know whether he could trust her. Renee seemed so straightforward in the way that so many people were when they were hiding something. But at the same time, she didn’t exude the sliminess that others had. Neil decided he would accept what she said while keeping an eye on his back.

“He wanted me to move quickly. I have arrived to let you know that an official retinue will follow within the next few days. Prince Andrew regrets to inform you that he will not be able to visit at this time, but he’s sending some of his most trusted people to negotiate the details of your upcoming betrothal.”

Renee’s words made it to Neil’s ears easily, but the meaning took a second to process. The oddest part, Neil decided, wasn’t the twists and turns of this most odd day. It was how empty his chest felt at the suddenly too real idea of marrying a prince he’d never met.

*

“I must say, I’m rather surprised by the unannounced visit, but I hope you will find yourselves welcomed with what we can prepare to accommodate you on such sudden notice..” 

Neil hid his eye roll behind his cup and didn’t say a word as his Uncle Stuart welcomed the small delegation from the Sun Kingdom into his Great Hall. His uncle had forgone sitting in his most ornate throne for his slightly less fancy chair at the main table. It was a tactical move, one Neil saw him use when he wanted to suggest the people visiting were beneath his time.  

In any case, it brought Neil some small amount of joy that the delegation truly had been sudden and surprising, slipping past Uncle Stuart’s various outposts and patrols. His instincts about Renee had been correct. She was clearly a dangerous opponent. 

Right now, she sat next to two others, a tall man with dark hair and a small tattoo on his cheek and another man with wavy brown hair and a disarming smile. Neil suspected they were Andrew’s supposed advisor, Kevin Day, and his well known relative, Nicky. Well known for his sexual exploits, but that was neither here nor there. What was curious was the fact that Andrew himself was nowhere to be seen. It was said that Kevin and Andrew were never more than fifty feet apart from each other. It was also said that Kevin had ties to the Raven Kingdom, but those were never spoken about.

“Oh, we don’t require much,” Kevin said. His back was completely straight and his smile perfectly fake. “I wouldn’t expect that you’d have the means with which to accommodate us to the levels that we’re used to.” 

Kevin’s smile wasn’t the only fake expression in the room.

Neil’s small smile of amusement, however, was genuine. It wasn’t that he didn’t like his uncle, but Neil would never have the sort of father and son bond that Uncle Stuart shared with his own son, the crown prince of the Sea Kingdom and the reason why Neil had the freedom to secure an alliance with the Sun Kingdom.

“Either way, we’re here on very straightforward business,” Renee said. She leaned forward just enough to slide a piece of parchment across the table to Neil’s uncle.

Uncle Stuart took his time reading it. He did a good job of schooling his expression into something bland and uninterested, but Neil noticed the way his eyebrows raised ever so slightly. He was intrigued. 

“I can’t say that I understand why this marriage is being proposed,” Uncle Stuart said. He tapped his finger against his gray beard, as if considering a thought. An act. All an act. Neil wanted to leave his shoes on the floor and go to the ocean. “As you can imagine, though he is not mine by birth, Neil is mine by the blood of my sister and as such, he has many options for his betrothal.”

First time Neil had heard of his many options, not that he was complaining. 

“Surely a man of your considerable wealth and supposed intellect can see the advantageous nature of the deal,” Kevin countered. Though he was clearly younger than Neil’s uncle by many years, he spoke as though he considered himself an equal. 

Neil was simultaneously impressed and annoyed.

“You’d do best to hold your tongue in my presence,” Uncle Stuart warned flatly. “I will consider the terms you’ve put forth and provide my decision in the morning. Jean, please come show the guests to their quarters.”

Jean, who had been waiting in the back corner of the room, seemed to melt out from the shadows. Neil kept a careful eye on everyone’s reactions. Nicky didn’t seem to care. Renee smiled at him graciously. Kevin narrowed his eyes before putting his fake smile back in place.

Interesting.

Neil had had enough of interesting in the last hour, though.

*

“Neil. Walk with me,” Uncle Stuart said, once the small envoy had left the Hall. “I have some questions for you.”

“Yes, Uncle.” Neil bit his tongue, wondering if his uncle had seen through his communication with the Sun Kingdom, wondering if Jean had talked. But Uncle Stuart didn’t seem upset and his bit of a limp came out as they walked down the long hallway of the castle from the great hall towards Uncle Stuart’s chambers. That was something that only happened when he didn’t have his guard completely up.

Uncle Stuart sighed. “Let me be clear. I can’t say that I’m not entirely suspicious that we’re being set up.”

“Set up,” Neil repeated. He frowned, playing his part as an innocent prince as best he could.

“Yes. You’re smart enough, Neil. I suspect you know I’ve been considering declaring war with the Sun Kingdom.”

“I’ve heard a rumor,” Neil admitted. It was best to keep it simple and truthful.

“Well, I guess the rumors have made it to their kingdom as well. This whole situation reeks of a desperate ploy on their behalf.” Suddenly, Uncle Stuart stopped. He turned to face Neil. Neil was used to being short, he was used to everyone towering over him. But in that moment, Uncle Stuart seemed a little shorter than Neil remembered, a little older.

Almost...kind, even.

“I’m going to take them up on the offer,” Uncle Stuart explained. “I’m sorry, Neil, but I’m certain I can negotiate the things I need for our kingdoms to stay on friendly terms in your marriage contract since they are the ones that approached us. I suspect they know that a war between our kingdoms would be devastating to them.”

The fact that it would be unfortunate for the Sea Kingdom, too, hung in the air between them, unsaid.

Neil nodded, slowly. “Why are you apologizing to me?”

Uncle Stuart’s smile was small and grim. “I’ve heard tell of their crown prince, Andrew. He’s not a pleasant man. I might act gruff and scold you for your shoes, but I did promise my sister that I’d do my best to give you a decent life and I don’t know what kind of life is in store for you at the Sun Kingdom.”

Better than dying, Neil thought. He hoped. The intensity with which Uncle Stuart was staring at him now made him feel a little worried.

“I will put in clauses that should protect you as well,” Uncle Staurt said. “But Neil, I need you to tell me this one thing.”

Neil waited.

“What makes you happy?”

Interesting. A question Neil didn’t know how to answer.

*

That night, after an equally awkward supper, Neil was more than happy to retire to his quarters for the night, away from Renee’s prying eyes and Kevin’s disdainful looks and Nicky’s too-friendly smiles. He kicked his shoes off and was out and down the hallway before anyone could look twice.

Sunsets at the seashore were the most beautiful sunsets Neil knew. Without trees or buildings or light to mess up the colors, the sun was free to move unimpeded down to the horizon. There were a few dark clouds in the distance, and for a moment, when the sun hit just the right spot, the clouds shone, almost blood red.

“So,” came a voice, and Neil startled. 

He whirled around to see a blonde, short man walking his way. He wore a simple cut of an outfit, but the white fabric was woven with gold around the borders. A circle of gold sat on his hair. 

Prince Andrew.

Neil’s heart should have thudded in his chest with the surprise, but somehow, it didn’t. It was as if Andrew being there in front of him was the most logical turn of events he could imagine. 

“Do you often make yourself an easy target for assassination?” Andrew said.

The words were a question, but his tone made it clear he wasn’t looking for an answer, so Neil didn’t answer him. Andrew walked closer, and Neil took in his intricate golden earrings and black-painted nails. Curious. If Andrew had come by envoy, he would have ridden in a carriage and his nails would have been easy to keep decorated. But they’d snuck past the Sea Kingdom’s outposts, and he still looked as though he was only out for a stroll. 

“No matter. I was just coming to see if the rumors about you were true,” Andrew added. 

He stopped about half a foot away from Neil, just far enough that Neil could see the honey gold color of his eyes. 

“What rumors?” Neil asked, curious. Of course, he’d never seen Andrew in person before, only heard of him through descriptions and seen his official portrait. In person, Andrew was somehow even more fierce. He seemed… solid and unmoving. 

“People talk about the reclusive second son of the Sea Kingdom,” Andrew said. “‘He must have magic’ some people say. ‘He must secretly be a dragon’ some others say. Everyone is trying to figure out why you’re never seen around, and it turns out it’s because you just like coming to kick rocks at the water. 

Andrew also seemed really annoying. 

“Well, good for you for figuring out my secret,” Neil said. “Now if you’ll excuse me…”

Neil turned around, annoyed to see that the best part of the sunset had already passed. A hand touched his shoulder and he turned back around. Andrew didn’t let go. He stood there, quietly studying his face.

For some reason, Andrew’s gaze made Neil feel warmer. He didn’t know how he felt about that. 

“So, where and when did you sneak in from?” Neil asked. “You didn’t want to leave your advisor for even a few nights?”

Andrew didn’t respond to the questions. When he had deemed his inspection over, he let go of Neil’s shoulder. He pursed his lips, like he was considering saying something, didn’t say anything, and then turned and left.

Neil thought about chasing after him, but he honestly couldn’t think of a thing to say. How weird it was to know that this was the man he was going to marry, and he didn’t have a single strong feeling about it one way or another.

*

The delegation from the Sun Kingdom left two days later. Andrew hadn’t shown up again either time, even when Neil went to watch the sunsets at the beach every evening. He didn’t mind; it wasn’t like he had anything to say to him, but he also had a nagging feeling that it just would have made sense for Andrew to be there. Odd at best, so Neil pushed it to the side, and started to focus on the next part of his life.

Uncle Stuart had laid out the marriage contract the previous night and they had gone through the terms with the delegation one by one, until finally both sides had declared it as good as it would get. Renee explained that they would bring the contract to King Wymack, though his acceptance of it would mostly be a formality given the terms he had anticipated. 

Neil’s uncle had made a big deal about including a clause that Neil be treated with love and respect, even going as far as to say that renegating on this clause would be enough to cancel the entire contract and declare war. 

As always, Nicky had laughed, Renee had smiled, and Kevin had raised a single eyebrow. They had all agreed the clause would be fulfilled.

They had left and a month later, the official marriage contract had been signed. Now Neil was to sit and wait as, days of travel away, other people planned his wedding. King Wymack had requested three months to prepare for Neil's arrival and had also requested Neil to come to the Sun Kingdom the month before the wedding for finalizing plans. 

This was a part Neil had anticipated, too, though the reality was slightly jarring. It wasn’t like the Sea Kingdom was truly his home, though Uncle Stuart had treated him fairly enough. He’d spent plenty of years living on the run with his mother. A change of scenery meant nothing to him. He’d adapt. 

He wouldn't be all alone either. For better or worse, Uncle Stuart was sending Jean with him.

"Prince Neil."

And speaking of the devil…Jean stood at the entrance to Neil's rooms. 

"Yes, Jean?"

"You have a visitor."

Neil frowned, but before he could comment on how late it was, Jean stepped aside and revealed his visitor.

There, behind him, stood Prince Andrew. Gods be damned.