“Not at all,” I told him, and I meant it. “I’d hate having every aspect of my life controlled too. Sounds suffocating.”
“It is.”
“Maybe one day you can find a balance between your duties as a prince and the life you crave. Make your own path.”
“I’d like that. Forging my own path.” He dropped his gaze to his lap. “Although I may complain about being a prince, I do see the benefit of being one. There are so many things I wish to change. Policies to improve the lives of the citizens in Bremloc and strengthen relations with neighboring kingdoms. My position will allow me to work toward those goals.”
Spoken like a man who’d be a great king someday. But he wasn’t the crown prince, so that day might not ever come.
“I heard there will be a festival soon,” I said. “Are you allowed to go?”
“The Festival of Lights.” Some of the longing lifted from him. “Yes. I’m allowed to attend. I’m looking forward to it. Merchants sell their wares. There’s music and food. Dancing. The atmosphere is almost magical.”
Magical enough to grant a wish. Or reverse one. Allowing me to return to my own world.
Three women approached us with trays. Two platters held an assortment of food, and the other had a teapot and three cups, as well as a vessel for sugar and cream. Sawyer and I thanked them, and they bowed their heads before leaving us to enjoy.
“Kuya?” Sawyer called in a lighter tone. He grabbed two round cakes and placed them on a small dish. “I have something for you.”
Kuya poked his head from between the long branches of the willow and sniffed the air. “Crab cakes?” He sprung forward, tail whishing behind him. Like before, he wore a crop top that showed a stretch of tanned skin and the trim muscle of his abdomen, the kind formed from an active lifestyle. Probably from all that pouncing.
“This too.” Sawyer poured tea into a cup, added a spoonful of sugar and a dash of cream, and then stirred. He handed it to Kuya. “Be careful. It’s hot.”
Kuya nuzzled Sawyer’s cheek before accepting the offerings. He sat on the ground in front of the bench and crisscrossed his legs before tearing into the cakes. He hummed happily as he chewed.
“That’s another thing my position allows me to do,” Sawyer said, watching Kuya with a tenderness that veered on fragile. “Protect him.”
“I don’t see how anyone could ever want to hurt him.”
Sadness touched his green eyes. “Demi-humans are viewed as lesser beings than us by some in the kingdom. It breaks my heart.” He looked at me. “It’s one of the things I hope to change someday.”
Kuya was oblivious to our conversation as he ate his cakes, sipping tea in between bites. He then stopped chewing and perked his ears up, his gaze pinned to something in the grass. He swallowed the bite, carefully set down his cup, and crouched forward, slowly slinking across the ground. Just like a cat stalking its prey. Even if that prey was a butterfly.
As Kuya reached the butterfly, he pounced. He landed beside it though, clearly not wanting to hurt it. The butterfly flew upward at the commotion, then landed on his nose. He rolled to his back and smiled as its wings slowly moved. He’d just wanted to play.
I helped myself to a sugar cookie. It was a bit crunchier than I liked—I preferred the softer ones without the snap—but it tasted good, especially when dunked in the tea. Kuya returned to his plate and finished off the cakes before crawling over and resting against Sawyer’s legs.
“Nap, eat, play, and nap some more,” Sawyer fondly said, threading his fingers through Kuya’s reddish-brown strands. “Did you save room for dessert?”
Kuya’s ears twitched. “Strawberry cake?”
Sawyer grabbed the lone cupcake off the platter and gave it to him. The staff had clearly brought it solely for him. Kuya devoured it in two bites, then settled back against the prince. His rainbow-colored eyes got heavy again, and he closed them.
“He keeps me grounded on the days when all I want is to disappear,” Sawyer said.
“Do you love him?” The question slipped out before I could stop it.
His gaze flickered to mine. He didn’t answer me, but he didn’t have to. The truth showed in his eyes as they returned to the male napping against him. “I apologize for keeping you for so long, Evan.”
“Don’t be. I’ve had fun with you and Kuya. I feel like… never mind.”
“Tell me,” Sawyer pressed. “Leaving me in suspense is cruel.”
I laughed at that. It had a nervous shake to it. “Okay. Well. I guess I feel like I’ve made friends.”
His smile softened. “I feel the same. Talking to you is nice.”
“Evan is nice,” Kuya mumbled, eyes still closed. “Evan is Kuya’s friend.”
