Shadows Of Desire

Sneaking out of the palace was easier than Rowan had thought. Prince Thaden walked him down the hall with his wrists once again bound by rope. If anyone stopped to ask what he was doing, Thaden told them that his father had ordered the prisoner to be taken to the dungeons. No one questioned him after that.

Thaden then led Rowan through a door in the back of the kitchen that took them down into a root cellar. The kitchen staff was so busy preparing the evening meal that no one even noticed them. The root cellar itself was a large room with a dirt floor and shelves upon shelves of just about any type of vegetable and root that Rowan could imagine. Sprigs of herbs hung from the ceiling giving the room a very potent and natural aroma, like walking through an herb garden. Rowan inhaled the scent and smiled. It smelled like heaven.

At the end of the room was a hatch that lead outside. Thaden carefully, and quietly, pushed the hatch open then stepped up and outside. He offered Rowan a hand to help him up which he graciously accepted. Once outside, Thaden removed the ropes as well as Rowan’s black cloak and replaced it with his own light blue one. He took a moment to admire the clothing that Rowan wore under the cloak.

“Wedding clothes?” Thaden asked.

Rowan nodded, looking down shamefully. “I was buried in them.” He explained. “Believe me, they hold no sentimentality for me.”

Thaden put a finger beneath Rowan’s chin and lifted his head. “You look beautiful.” He said, softly kissing his lips. “And I know you didn’t love Lord Killian. Your father was forcing you to marry him.”

Rowan nodded. “That’s why I ran. I couldn’t marry that man. He’s a monster.”

Thaden pulled the cloak around Rowan and fastened it with a cloak pin, brandishing the royal crest. “You don’t need to fear that now. You belong to me and are mine to protect.”

Rowan smiled as a single tear slipped down his cheek. “I love you.” He whispered.

“And I you.” Thaden returned, brushing the tear away with his finger. “Now, let’s hurry to the stables. We’re sure to be spotted if we stay here, out in the open like this.”

“Alright.” Rowan said, taking Thaden’s hand in his. Together they ran across the court yard to the stables where they would hide until nightfall, then, they would leave Rosegate for good.

***

Sneaking out of Rosegate, Rowan realized, was a lot harder than just sneaking out of the palace. The amount of guards and precautions taken to protect the city was overwhelming. Watch towers were stationed about every twenty feet and two guards were stationed at each. There were at least five guards on the main gate and then two guards patrolling each wall in opposite directions.

Not only did they have to sneak past guards who were stationed on the wall but, also the guards who patrolled outside the wall. Rowan peaked out the window of the stables and glanced up to the large stone wall that surrounded the city. It was massive, with crenels along the top of the wall and thin arrow-slits between the buttresses. The vampire palace was fortified against attacks but not like the elven palace. The walls were even spelled.

Rowan pulled back and away from the window, frowning. “How are we going to get out?” He asked, sounding a little skeptical.

“Don’t worry about that.” Thaden grinned, mischievously. “When I was young, my nurse would never let me out of her sight. I wasn’t allowed to even leave the city but I loved to go out into the forest to a small lake and swim. So, I had to find a way to give the old bat the slip.” He chuckled as he recalled his antics of youth. “Lierin, my brother, actually showed me how to do it. He was a master at escapes.”

Rowan smiled hearing about Thaden and his brother as youths. It must have been such fun for the elven brothers growing up. If Rowan had ever tried a stunt like sneaking out to play, his father would have had him beaten. He looked down sadly thinking of all the fun things he had missed out on as a child. Being there, in Rosegate, made him see all the things that he had been denied. He hated his father even more now.

“What’s wrong?” Thaden asked, seeing the look of sadness on Rowan’s face. “Didn’t you ever get up to shenanigans like I did? I bet you were a terror to your poor nurse.” He chuckled.

“No.” Rowan shook his head. “I never had a nurse. I lived with my mother until she died. I was young then, only twelve years. After that I was taken to the palace to live. I did have a governess for a while. She gave me instruction until I was sixteen. After that, father sent her away. He said an omega didn’t need but a basic education since I worthless and would never truly amount to anything anyway.”

Thaden balled his hands into fists as he listened to what Rowan was telling him. He knew the vampire King was a tyrant but until that moment he didn’t know that the man was also a moron. Thaden couldn’t believe that a man who ruled an entire kingdom could be so ignorant. Thinking that Rowan was worthless just because he was an omega was just ludicrous. Omega’s were treasured among the elven people, male and female alike. They were caring and kind. They were life givers and nurturing. Many were completely selfless, caring only for the well being of others. They were perfect for the caring of the young and often held positions as educators, nurses, and domestic servants.

It enraged Thaden that his own father had not taken this into account when he had decided to put Rowan to death. The elven King, unfortunately, didn’t see Rowan as an omega, he only saw a vampire. A demon that was a threat to the safety of his people. This could almost be forgiven, almost, since the man had never even met Rowan but, for Rowan’s own father to treat the young Prince so shamefully was criminal. Thaden reached out and pulled Rowan into a tight hug. “Your father is an idiot.” He growled, holding the young Prince against him. “You are not worthless. Far from it. Your father has no idea what he was talking about.”

Rowan only nodded, wrapping his arms around Thaden’s waist. He wasn’t going to argue but, years of being told that he was nothing was a hard thing to overcome. He knew in his heart that his father was wrong, that his words were only meant to hurt Rowan but, his mind found it difficult to think otherwise. He knew he was worthless to his father. Otherwise, the man wouldn’t have thrown him away so easily, promised to a monster like Lord Killian. To Thaden though, Rowan was a gift. A true blessing. He just wished that the elven King could have seen him in that way as well. Then, Thaden wouldn’t have to give up everything just so they could be together.

***

The clock in the center of the city struck midnight and Thaden knew it was time to go. The guard would be changing on the towers and the wall, giving them a ten minute window to slip out through Thaden’s secret doorway. The two moved quietly to the back of the stables where Thaden had already saddled a black mare. He’d also packed a single bag with necessities. A bit of food wrapped in burlap, some water, a bag of gold, a compass and a knife, and various other odds and ends that could come in handy if they ran into trouble. Of course, Thaden also had his sword and a basic knowledge of magic.

He wasn’t as proficient as a witch or wizard, but he could cast wards and protection spells and knew a little healing magic. He strapped the bag to the mare and then led her through the stables and out the back doors, on the opposite side of the castle so they wouldn’t be easily spotted. Once the guards were out of sight, Thaden waved Rowan forward and together they crept quietly through the yard and along the wall until they came to a section of wall that was covered in long, thick, hanging vines that were littered with tiny white flowers. Thaden walked to the wall and began pushing the vines apart until he found what he was looking for.

Moving a large section of vines to the side, Thaden revealed a tall, arched door that was securely nestled into the stones of the wall and had been hidden behind the low hanging vines and flowers.

The door was only barely large enough to fit the horse through and, only if she lowered her head. Rowan looked up and smiled at Thaden, a look of wonder on his face.

“A secret door?” He asked, intrigued by the idea.

“A secret that Lierin found when he was a boy.” Thaden grinned. “It was made during the vampire war as a way to evacuate the city occupants in the event that the city was sacked. I don’t know if it was ever actually used. It’s just one of many secret escape routes and probably long forgotten. There are no wards protecting the door but it cannot be seen from the other side.” Thaden reached out and pulled the handle down. The door didn’t move. He pushed again, this time harder, and still it didn’t move.

Frustrated, he rammed the door with his shoulder. When the door still refused to move, Rowan stepped forward and, using all his strength, placed both hands on the door and gave it a violent shove. The door creaked and moaned, swinging open slowly as it tore its way through more vines and shrubbery. Rowan smirked. “I guess, sometimes it pays to have a vampire on your side.” He giggled.

“Clearly.” Thaden chuckled. He knew vampires were strong but he never thought his mate would be stronger than him. If Rowan at his young age were that strong, Thaden hated to imagine the kind of strength an elder vampire possessed. He smiled as he looked at Rowan with growing pride. “Come, my clever little fox.” Thaden said. “The guard will return at any moment and we need to be far away from the wall before they catch us.”

Thaden and Rowan had reached the forest and disappeared into the tree line just as the next shift of guards took their posts on the wall. Thaden turned and took one last look at the city he had been born in and the walls he grew up behind. It was hard, leaving this life behind, more so knowing he would likely never see his friends or brother again but, he couldn’t allow himself to second guess his decision. It was more important that he take Rowan someplace safe. Someplace where they could be free to start a new life together and live in peace. Rowan was his mate and therefore, his life now. Knowing that made his sacrifice somehow easier to bear for a life without Rowan, was no life at all.

***

A gentle rain began to fall. Tiny droplets of water hit the canopy of leaves above and then began to drip down, over the leaves to the earth below. Rowan turned his head up and closed his eyes, letting the rain splash his face. He opened his mouth and tasted nature’s tears upon his tongue. It felt so refreshing. It was so amazing. He couldn’t help but laugh as the rain hit his face.

Thaden watched him, amused by the young Prince’s antics. “One would think you had never seen rain before.” He chuckled.

“I’ve seen it.” Rowan laughed. “But not since my mother was alive have I been allowed to just run free and play in the rain. It brings back so many fond memories of my youth.”

“I have been caught in a down pour many times during patrols so, I guess I forgot how much fun it was just to run in the rain.”

Rowan looked over at Thaden with a mischievous grin on his face. “Oh, then you must join me.” He laughed, walking to Thaden and taking his hands in his. He pulled Thaden towards him and then wrapped his arms around Thaden’s neck as he pressed his lips to Thaden’s kissing him as the rain fell on their heads. Thaden wrapped his arms around Rowan’s waist then suddenly lifted him up into the air and spun him around in a circle. Rowan gasped, laughing as he tilted his head back and lifted his arms towards the heavens.

Thunder rumbled over head and the rain went from a drizzle to a sudden down pour, soaking the two. Thaden spun Rowan faster both laughing as they lost themselves in their sport. Thaden didn’t even realize that he’d lost his footing until he’d slipped on the wet ground and went down, pulling Rowan down with him. Rowan landed on top of Thaden and for a moment the two just stared at each other in utter shock before they burst out laughing.

Once their laughter died down, Thaden pulled Rowan closer and kissed him. Rowan opened his mouth and the kiss deepened as he beckoned Thaden’s tongue inside. Thaden obliged and their tongues swirled in a timeless dance of bliss and unfettered love. Thaden slid his hands down, gripping Rowan’s hips as he pressed their bodies together. The rain continued to fall, soaking the two, but Rowan didn’t care. All that truly mattered in that moment was Thaden, the feel of his hands on Rowan’s body, the deep moans and sounds of pleasure he made as they kissed, and the taste of his lips.

They kissed for what seemed like an eternity, basking in the euphoria of their love for each other. Thaden gently flipped Rowan over onto his back and then lay on top of him, he returned to Rowan’s sweet, succulent, lips. He kissed him greedily, savoring the pleasure of exploring Rowan’s mouth. He moved from Rowan’s lips to his chin where he feathered tiny kisses along his chin and jaw line, moving along his jaw to his neck, leaving small kisses beneath his ear and down to his shoulder. Rowan wrapped his arms around Thaden as Thaden continued to pepper him with kisses.

Thaden slid his hand over the front of Rowan’s tunic, exploring his body as he moved to the opened collar and allowed his fingers to trace along Rowan’s collar bone. He kissed him there and inhaled Rowan’s tantalizing scent. His flesh was so smooth, perfect, and Thaden longed to feel more of it but, now was not the time nor the place for such exploration. He withdrew his lips drawing a groan of protest from Rowan in the process. Thaden grinned. “Have patience, love.” He told the younger Prince. “We have all the time in the world for loving each other but, when I make love to you for the first time, I want it to be someplace more appropriate.”

Rowan blushed at Thaden’s words and nodded. He understood without question. As romantic as it would be to make love during a rain storm, the timing was just not right. They were still too close to Rosegate and so the danger of being caught was still too great and they had lingered in the woods long enough, it was time to move on. Thaden pushed himself up and then reached out his hand to help Rowan to his feet. Goddess was Rowan beautiful, even drenched in rain with his wet hair hanging loosely over his shoulders, and his alabaster skin glowing in the moonlight. He was...otherworldly.

“Oh, how the Goddess can bless me with a beauty such as you is beyond my understanding.” Thaden whispered as he held Rowan’s hands in his. “Surly, I am not worthy of such a gift.”

Rowan smiled warmly then stood on his tip toes to reach Thaden’s lips and kissed him softly. “You are worthy, my love. More so than you could ever realize. Each moment I spend looking into your eyes, I fall the tiniest bit more in love. It is I who am truly blessed.”

Thaden looked down at Rowan, his eyes glistened with happiness as he realized that as long as he had Rowan by his side, everything would be alright. The world could crash down around them and Thaden would be fine because Rowan was with him. No one had ever prepared Thaden for the kind of love he felt for this man, he never knew such a love was even possible but now, having met his mate, he was starting to believe in the impossible. He was starting to believe in a happier, kinder world without fear or hate. That world did exist. It was a world that Thaden never wanted to be apart from because it was a world that existed in Rowan’s eyes. Beautiful and enchanting.

Thaden kissed Rowan’s forehead then led him over to the mare where he hoisted him up to sit on the saddle. Thaden climbed up to sit behind him then, taking the reins in his hands, he led them further into the cover of the forest, moving farther and farther away from Rosegate until the elven city was but a distant memory.

Leaving the place he had been born wasn’t nearly as difficult as Thaden would have thought it would be. Rosegate was just a place, after all. Sure, all of his memories were there but he would soon make new memories with his mate. They would find a new place to live. Anywhere, it didn’t matter as long as they were safe and happy. A place was just a place. His true home, rested in Rowan’s heart. The rest was just noise.