The Prince's Heart

Leila Rivers

Chapter One

Prince Nico had spent almost the entire evening hiding in the kitchens with his sister. The royal family of the neighbouring Luna Kingdom had come to visit almost a week ago, and in the time since Nico had been forced to sit through endless formal dinners and dance with countless Princesses and Ladies at insufferably dull balls. It was a well-known fact that the Luna Kingdom had more eligible ladies than any other - but it was also frequently rumoured that near none of them were actually interested in finding a partner. In fact, it was even said that every union was arranged there, and that love could be cause for banishment from the kingdom, but this seemed a bit far-fetched to Nico.

At any rate, he was sick of meeting ladies that he had no interest in, and who seemed to hate his presence merely for him being male. At present, he was tucked away in a small corner of one of the walk-in pantries, hidden behind a huge basket of apples and flanked on either side by metal shelves housing crates of bread loaves and flour. Hidden from his view, he knew that Hazel was sitting across from him, in the back left corner of the small pantry.

"How long do you suppose Father is going to continue forcing you to meet with Princesses and Ladies of other kingdoms?" He heard his sister ask quietly. "This is the third kingdom to visit, and you haven't shown even the most remote interest in anyone you've met."

"He's won't give up, Hazel. He wants to see me married." Nico sighed.

She was quiet for a moment. "I expected as much. In which case, why are you avoiding everyone? If a marriage alliance is unavoidable, shouldn't you be searching for a lady you could fall in love with?"

Nico swallowed thickly. "I've told you before, I've no interest in marrying. Maybe ever."

"Why not?"

A flash of sunshine yellow flickered through his thoughts, but he dismissed it before the memory could even form. It was too painful. He opened his mouth to provide the same excuse he'd been giving her, and anyone else who had asked, for years; that he simply wasn't interested in marriage, or even love. That he preferred to be alone. Before he could tell his usual lies, however, the door to the pantry swung open, crashing into the wall as King Hades stormed in.

"NICO!" His voice thundered in the small room, so furious and commanding that Nico could've sworn he heard the shelving rattle. With a small sigh of disappointment, he stood and moved to the centre of the room, gazing up at his father. He was an incredibly intimidating man, tall and broad, with a glare so fierce it seemed to darken the entire room. But Nico wasn't afraid of him.

"Yes?" He raised an eyebrow, serving only to make his father's glare sharpen and his jaw clench. Without a reply, the king grabbed Nico by the wrist, and dragged him through the kitchens, up a spiralling staircase, down several halls and back into the dining room where the members of the Luna court were waiting. Letting go of his wrist before the nobles could notice, Hades took his seat at the head of the table. Nico reluctantly eyed the remaining open seats, taking a moment to wish that Hazel were there as well.

Finally, he took a seat beside the only noble whose presence he'd been able to stand so far - a woman named Thalia. While the other Ladies had all spent their time either ignoring or insulting Nico, she, at least, had been decent. He'd heard rumours that she'd been born a Princess of the Sky Kingdom - heir to the throne, in fact - but had relinquished her title to join the Luna court. He had no idea if such a scandal was true, but it would explain why she was somewhat different to the rest of the Luna Kingdom's aristocracy.

Looking around the table, he found that appetizers hadn't been served yet - which was fortunate, as it meant he wasn't late, and therefore didn't have to provide an excuse for being so. Although it also meant that he was trapped with all these nobles for the rest of the night.

At the opposite end of the table to King Hades, Queen Artemis delicately cleared her throat. She was an incredibly young queen - having risen to power when she was just thirteen, following the deaths of her parents - and was also very beautiful; though any man would have to have a death wish to tell her so.

"King Hades, I have heard certain rumours..." Queen Artemis said, swirling her wine glass and peering at its contents, "rumours that the Solar Kingdom is set to arrive here for a diplomatic visit within the week." She raised her eyebrows, peering at him through her lashes.

"Yes," Hades took a sip from his own wine glass, "I had hoped this wouldn't prove a deterrent for you?"

Artemis pressed her lips. "I have no interest in seeing my arrogant brother."

"Really?" Hades raised his eyebrows innocently, "but we're all allies, are we not?" She narrowed her eyes, and Nico glanced back and forth between them. It was true that a shaky alliance had been held between the three kingdoms for years, but it had always been precarious at best. Nico supposed that was why the two kingdoms were included in Hades' string of visitors.

For years, there had been fears of war breaking out between the Sky and Underworld kingdoms, and if ever there was a time for strengthening alliances - or of making new ones - it was now, when tensions were high. But that didn't mean Nico was alright with his hand being sold off to some random girl. He'd known for many years that he had no interest in women, but he'd told no one the truth. He knew what happened to freaks like him. He'd seen enough homosexual men exiled, imprisoned, or even put to death to know that he could never be accepted for who he was. He could never be with a man; a lesson he'd learned the hard way when he was fourteen.

Shaking himself from his thoughts, he refocused on the conversation at hand, which had paused as a small group of servants had come through with their appetizers.

"Of course we are allies," Artemis was smiling, though there was a predatory look in her eyes. She and the king stared at each other for a long moment, then, with an intake of breath, she broke eye contact and began eating her food. Between bites, she continued, "nevertheless, I don't intend to be here whilst he is. My court and I shall ride out at dawn."

Nico struggled to withhold a sigh. As much as he'd hated the company of Luna's ladies, at least they'd given him his space. He'd wanted nothing to do with them and they'd wanted nothing to do with him - so at least he was left alone. When the last two kingdoms; those of King Hermes and Queen Aphrodite - jeez, especially Aphrodite - had visited, it had been different. Then there had been some women who were genuinely interested in such a union, and some would scarcely leave him alone. Plus, he suspected that the ladies of Hermes' court had been stealing from him, but he couldn't say for sure.

King Hades had been careful to ensure that the end of each visitor's stay overlapped with the start of the next one's - Nico suspected that this was intended to make them feel threatened, so they'd push for Nico's attention. At least this time he'd only have to deal with one kingdom at a time.

When the dinner was finally over, and the women had adjourned for the night, Hades turned to his son expectantly. Nico pressed his lips.

"Do you intend to court any of them?" Hades asked, the stern tone in his voice indicating the only answer he wanted to hear. Nico just shook his head, avoiding his father's eye. Hades stood up.

"Nico, whether you like it or not, you are going to marry someone!" He yelled, jabbing a finger at him, "and if you're not going to choose for yourself, so help me, I will do it for you!" Nico's head snapped up, and he gaped at his father. Surely he didn't mean...?

"Yes," Hades said, somewhat calmer, "if current tensions dissolve into war, our kingdom needs to be as strong as possible. We will be securing an alliance through your hand; and if I have to force you into an arranged marriage to do it, then so be it." With that, he stormed from the room, leaving Nico to stare down at his empty plate and fight against tears.