Again, sorry for my lack of update. I've just started at university so it's been hard to find time. Hope you enjoy this chapter .
Blaine straightened his purple waistcoat as he stepped into the palace, taking in his surroundings. It was a huge, circular room, made of white marble and with busts of former sultans set around at carefully regulated distances. Jeff followed him, his jaw open as he took in the riches. Nick seemed to have disappeared back into the lamp, to Jeff's relief. It was getting hard to keep up any kind of sanity when the genie was around.
"So, Prince Blaine…" The sultan took a seat on one of the sofas that had been arranged in the chamber of the throne room and waited until the two had sat down opposite him, "It is indeed a pleasure to meet you! Let me introduce my grand vizier, Sue Sylvester, she's also delighted to meet you."
Blaine smiled at the woman, who looked as though delighted was the last emotion she was feeling. He frowned for a moment, wondering why she looked so familiar and glanced at Jeff, who was gazing at Sue with a horrified expression on his face. It was only then that Blaine realised she was the old hag that had trapped them in the cave only the previous day. He felt a white hot rage surge through him at the memory. She wouldn't have cared if they had both died down there. Only another couple of street rats after all…
"Is something wrong, Prince Blaine?" The sultan's question brought Blaine back to reality and he refocused his attention on Kurt's Father.
"Nothing at all, your Highness. You'll forgive us; we've had quite a long journey."
"Of course, of course. I trust you and your servant have lodging in the city?"
"Yes, Sir. My…uh…servant," He gave Jeff a glance, "Has arranged suitable accommodation."
"Well, I do hope that your journey will not be wasted. I'm sure Prince Kurt will come around, once his realises your…true intentions towards him. You seem like a perfectly decent young man and I'm sure, given time, he'll come to see that." The sultan smiled.
"Thank you, Sir. I won't waste anymore of your time today," Blaine stood up and bowed to the older man as the carpet flew to his side, "Would it be alright if I stopped by again tomorrow?"
"Certainly!" The sultan rose to shake Blaine's hand. "However…I do have a favour to ask before you depart."
"Anything, Sir."
"I don't suppose I might…?" He gestured towards the carpet.
"Of course, your Majesty." Blaine smiled and the carpet moved towards the sultan, nudging him to he fell backwards on top of it.
"Sire, I don't think it's wise for someone of your stature to be engaging in such dangerous activities…" Sue warned, standing in front of the hovering rug.
"Come now, Sue. I'll be perfectly sa-"
The carpet took off in a blur of purple and red, doing a circuit of the throne room before doing a series of loop the loops and spins, narrowly missing the wall each time. Sue ran forward into the great room and Jeff was about to follow before Blaine pulled him back.
"She's the old witch that trapped us in the cave!" He hissed into the taller boy's ear, "And probably the one who got us caught in the first place!"
Jeff shook his head, "I don't think she recognised you though. How could she when you're all fancied up?" He grinned until he realised Blaine wasn't smiling.
"You didn't see the look she gave me when I first came into the palace. She knows, Jeff! She knows I'm just a-"
"Just a what?" The Sultan had touched back down on the marble floor, his cheeks flushed and breathing heavily but looking exhilarated.
Jeff and Blaine glanced at each other nervously, "Just a…little tired, your Highness. All the travelling, you know. I'm afraid we'll have to leave."
"Yes, I understand." The sultan smiled and got up off the carpet, "I'll have to get myself one of those for future use."
"Thanks again, Sire, for your hospitality. You have been too kind." Blaine shook the sultan's hand once more before joining Jeff on the carpet and speeding off into the darkening Lima sky.
Kurt stood on his balcony, looking at the ink black sky dispassionately. Mercedes was chattering on about the new prince and every flaw of his she could think of but Kurt wasn't listening. He was too busy thinking of the brief encounter at the market a few days ago. The boy with hazel eyes and curly hair who he had trusted without knowing why. Who was now dead, because of him.
Or was he?
Kurt thought back to the Prince who had appeared seemingly out of nowhere this afternoon. Thinking about it, hadn't he had hazel eyes and those same, almost triangular eyebrows? The same soft voice and…he had known that Kurt was gay. How had he even known that?
"Kurt! Are you listening to anything I've been saying?" Mercedes sounded hurt as she came through the glass doors that separated the balcony from Kurt's bedroom.
"Yes, of course." Kurt answered automatically, still thinking.
"Well then, you should know that that Prince of Maldonia is bad news. You should stay away from him."
"You're probably right, Mercedes," Kurt turned to look at his best – and only – friend, forcing a smile onto his face. He then registered that she wasn't in her usual work clothes, but in an outfit that he had named her 'dating' outfit. "Are you out with Sam again this evening?"
Mercedes blushed, "Maybe…I'd actually better get going or he'll wonder where I am. I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"
Kurt nodded and she kissed him on the cheek before going, leaving Kurt feel more depressed than he had before. Even the servants were more dating now.
Blaine was pacing around in the park just outside the palace walls. From there, he had a clear view of Prince Kurt standing at his balcony, gazing at the stars above.
"What am I going to do?" He asked Jeff and Nick, who were both sitting on a bench, Nick looking utterly relaxed and Jeff looking nervous. "Prince Kurt won't even talk to me. I knew I couldn't pull off being a Prince…"
Nick put his arm around Blaine's shoulders, "Alright, here's the deal. Go up there right now and tell him the truth."
"No way!" Blaine shook his head, "If Prince Kurt found out I was just some street rat he'd never…" He swallowed, "Well, he'd never want me."
"Look, Blaine, you just need to be yourself."
"That's the last thing I need to be!" Blaine pulled his waistcoat off a branch and shrugged it back on, "Right, I'm going to go see him. Wish me luck!" He hopped on the carpet and flew up to the balcony before anyone could say anything.
Nick turned to Jeff and smiled, "That boy doesn't have any idea what he's got going for him, does he?"
Jeff shook his head, "He never has."
Nick smiled, "Speaking of guys that don't know what they've got going for them. I know of a certain blonde who needs to realise how amazing he is as well…"
"Prince Kurt?"
Kurt looked up from his book to see Blaine standing on the balcony rail, looking around him nervously. He stood up and opened the glass door, "I do not want to see you!"
"No, please. Give me another chance…"
"Go away!" Kurt shut the door and flopped himself back onto the bed, perfectly aware that the other boy could see him.
Blaine ran his hands through his hair, messing up the carefully gelled look and letting some curls escape. Prince Kurt looked up and gasped, running back to the door, "Do I know you?"
"No…" Blaine smoothed his hair down hurriedly, "No."
"It's weird, you remind me of someone I met the other day, in the marketplace."
"The marketplace?" Blaine gave a nervous laugh, "I have…I have servants who go to the marketplace for me. In fact, I have servants who go to the marketplace for my servant so…" He trailed off at the unimpressed look on Kurt's face.
"No…I guess not." Prince Kurt looked away.
"You look…you look really good tonight, Prince Kurt…"
Kurt smiled, raising his eyebrow, "I'm rich too, you know. I'd be a good match for any Prince."
"Yeah…yeah! A prince like me."
"Right, a prince like you." Kurt was getting closer, his smile becoming more and more dangerous, "Or any other obnoxious, gold digging brat that happens to come this way. You know what? Why don't you just go and…go and jump off a balcony!
"You're…you're right." Blaine climbed back onto the rail, "You're right. You should be free to make your own decision." He stepped backwards, dropping out of Kurt's sight.
"Wait! No, stop!" Kurt called, running forward.
"What?" Blaine's head popped up again, a smirk playing on his lips.
Kurt clutched his chest, "How…how did you do that?" He leaned over the balcony and saw the magic carpet at Blaine's feet. "A magic carpet?"
"You don't fancy…going for a ride, do you?"
"Is it…safe?" Kurt hesitated, looking at the floating rug.
"Sure. Do you trust me?" Blaine smirked down at the Prince from where he was standing, hovering in midair.
"…what?" Kurt stared at the Prince, something like hope flickering in his chest.
"Do you trust me?" Blaine held out his hand, his smirk more pronounced than ever.
"Yes." Kurt accepted the hand and suddenly found himself gliding through the night sky. The acceleration throwing him backwards so he threw his arms around Blaine's shoulders.
I can show you the world
Shining, shimmering, splendid
Tell me, princess, now when did
You last let your heart decide?
I can open your eyes
Take you wonder by wonder
Over, sideways and under
On a magic carpet ride
Kurt gasped as they zoomed through clouds and felt Blaine's arm around him, supporting him as they zoomed through the sky.
A whole new world
A new fantastic point of view
No one to tell us no
Or where to go
Or say we're only dreaming
Kurt gripped the edge of the carpet, looking down at the deserts and towns below as he began to sing along with Blaine:
A whole new world
A dazzling place I never knew
But when I'm way up here
It's crystal clear
That now I'm in a whole new world with you
Now I'm in a whole new world with you
Unbelievable sights
Indescribable feeling
Soaring, tumbling, freewheeling
Through an endless diamond sky
Blaine smiled from he was sat at the other side of the carpet, watching Kurt's expressions as he took in the spectacular scenery before. He looked free, and happy. Just like he had at the marketplace.
A whole new world
Don't you dare close your eyes
A hundred thousand things to see
Hold your breath - it gets better
I'm like a shooting star
I've come so far
I can't go back to where I used to be
A whole new world
Every turn a surprise
With new horizons to pursue
Every moment red-letter
I'll chase them anywhere
There's time to spare
Let me share this whole new world with you.
Kurt scooted backwards until he was so close that Blaine could feel his heartbeat.
A whole new world
That's where we'll be
A thrilling chase
A wondrous place
For you and me.