CHAPTER 18: SILENT REVERIE
Hi again! I'm back with a new chapter! Sorry for the long wait! Enjoy!
A/N: This chapter was by far one of the hardest for me to write...so let me know what you think! And thank you guys if you are still reading and sticking with this crazy story I really appreciate it! :D
He was tired. He couldn't open his eyes, he couldn't move, the sound of torrential rainfall and thunder flooded his senses. He blinked as the rain pelted his eyelashes. He saw Zoom, with his back to him, as he paced back and forth excited with his victory in front of his followers. He tried to listen, but he could only make out some words. His mind was still hazy with pain.
Barry blinked again and tried to clear his vision. He saw all of Zoom's followers walking away from the temple, leaving him alone with Hunter. Time passed slowly. He was still lying on the cold ground of the ruins of the old temple. His chest was throbbing painfully where Zoom had touched him. His eyes slammed shut, tighter, as he realized just in how much pain he was. He knew he needed to get up if he wanted to return to Len, but his body wasn't listening. He felt drained. The prince winced as he summoned all of his strength to pick himself up into a seated position. He looked down at himself for a moment and he saw on his chest a mark over his heart. It looked like a blue lightning tree. Barry raised his hand slowly to touch the branching figure and when his fingertips tenderly moved across the skin it burned. Barry hissed and Zoom turned surprised to see the young speedster awake. Hunter smiled pleased. The black speedster flashed quickly towards the prince and crouched leaning over the young speedster.
"Finally awake Your Highness…" Zoom hummed excited looking at the prince's tired green eyes and Barry glared silently at his enemy. "I must confess I was a fool my Prince… I wanted to destroy you so badly without realizing how valuable you are..."
Zoom tried to touch Barry and the prince flinched away. Hunter's evil grin slowly broadened.
"I could easily kill you right now…" Hunter explained touching softly Barry's neck. Tracing his claws up to Barry's face. "So helpless…but fate, it's tricky isn't it?"
The prince gazed confused at Zoom. The black speedster slowly moved his hand from Barry's cheek to grab Barry's chin to force the prince to keep his eyes on him.
"I need you…" Zoom explained in his normal voice. "I need you to cure me… I need your speed and with our deal that's a problem solved…but I've been thinking. After I take your precious powers away you are still useful to me Your Highness…you are the Crown Prince of Central Kingdom…you will be my consort and I will be King."
Barry eyes widened in fear and disbelief. Zoom was breaking their deal and he was completely insane if he really believed that he would be willing to marry him.
"I would rather die than to be your consort Hunter…"
"You don't have a choice Your Highness..."
The statement enraged the prince. "Then kill me!" Barry yelled through gritted teeth. "Because I will never be your consort…our deal was my speedforce for the life of my family, Leonard and Lisa and peace at the north…nothing more Zolomon."
"Things change Barry..." Zoom explained bored. "You see I've been thinking that I would love to be King by your side…"
This was madness. "We made a deal Hunter!" Barry spat angry. "You gave me your fucking word!"
"It seems my words held the same amount of honor as your words my Prince...you tried to break our deal first… remember?" Hunter snarled breaking the silence, his strong voice rivaling the sound of the thunder and the rain. Barry's stomach dropped, accused by his enemy of having no honor.
"I am a liar Your Highness!" Hunter growled excited leaning towards Barry. "That's what I do…I kill, I torture, I destroy…I conquer…I seek a reign of chaos and you are the key!"
"Go to hell!" Barry roared clenching his fists.
Zoom laughed. "No I will create hell and you will rule by my side."
Hunter grabbed the back of Barry's head and closed their distance to kiss the young prince roughly. Barry eyes widened in shock. Zoom tangled firmly his fingers in Barry's wet silky brown hair to hold him in place. The prince tried to push the older man away but he was too weak compared to Zoom's strength. Hunter smirked and bit Barry's bottom lip hard drawing blood and the prince groaned trying to release himself from his enemy but Hunter slipped his tongue savoring the metal taste on their lips. Barry was breathless and disgusted with the wild intrusion. He bit Hunter's tongue and the black speedster growled in pain breaking the kiss in rage. Barry tried to escape but Zoom tighten his hold on Barry's hair and the prince gasped.
"Don't you dare to run from me…we are not done yet."
Barry was scared and angry. "Release me!" Zoom was insane.
"Never…" Zoom replied amused at Barry's anger and he wanted to tease him more. "Just imagine Leonard's face when I marry you...when I fuck you… maybe I will let him watch."
The Prince felt fury overtaking his control. "I won't let you!"
"Then kill me Barry! Embrace your anger! End me…because this won't stop unless you kill me!"
The Prince felt his anger boil and he flashed throwing himself at the evil speedster. Barry's fist connected with Hunter's face twice and the evil speedster tumbled backwards, falling on his back, groaning in pain with Barry's lean body on top of him. Barry smirked pleased watching the blood leak from Zoom's nose. Barry used his speed to continue hitting the evil speedster but Zoom just laughed.
"Go on Barry! Kill me! Unleash your darkness."
The prince tried to strike hard again using his speed and Zoom stopped his hand easily and quickly shifted their positions. Zoom was faster and stronger with Barry's stolen speed. The prince was lying with his back over the cold floor and his wrists pinned above his head. Barry felt his heart beating fast. His naked chest was heaving quickly.
"I love the challenge…" Hunter slurred leaning with a frightening grin to whisper at Barry's ear. Zoom's warm breath sent cold shivers through Barry's spine. "I like you like this. Out of control… show me your hate Barry…become like me…" the prince started to struggle. He squirmed under Zoom's strong grip but that only excited the black speedster more. Barry could feel Zoom's cold dead eyes studying him.
"I want you to sacrifice yourself and let me have what's left of you..." Zoom murmured. "I want everything. Imagine what we could do together…" Zoom traced a finger over Barry's chest, and over the blue lightning mark. The prince shut his eyes tightly in pain and bit his wounded lower lip to avoid any sound.
"So beautiful and addictive…imagine our speed connected..."
Barry scowled disgusted. "You will never have me Hunter…I would rather kill myself."
"How stubborn! You don't have an option My Prince if you want your family to live…you know what will happen if you disobey me or if you try to kill yourself." Hunter stated angry. "So I assure you Barry that you will submit…family is always a weakness."
"You are disgusting."
The evil speedster annoyed with the prince willfulness pressed his claws over Barry's lightning tree mark on his chest and Barry managed a muffled, grating scream of pain.
"S-Stop…"
Zoom smirked as his bait writhed in his hands. He twisted his finger pressing with all of his strength in to his wounded skin, forcing it to start bleeding. Barry couldn't stifle the agonized yells if he wanted to; he wasn't even aware that he was doing so until a loud blood- curling scream of agony left the prince's body. It felt as his chest was being filled with fire. He was trashing under Zoom. Hunter surveyed the weak prince sweating beneath him and gave Barry an evil smile.
"Believe me I will have you and I will enjoy it…but not yet."
Hunter released the younger speedster and stood up. Barry was panting on the ground with his eyes closed. His chest ached badly. He breathed deeply and summoned his remaining strength and stumbled slowly to his feet with a moan. His head was spinning when he stood up straight.
"Go back to the castle Your Highness…they are expecting you to assist the welcoming feast and I have better plans for you…" Zoom stated with his deep voice. "You shouldn't have problems running, I only took a small part of your speed so you can still go fast…I expect you tomorrow here at the same time and remember Scarlet…" He said leaning in front of the Prince. "If you tell anyone about our deal they will be all dead including your beloved King…I like to play games and make things interesting but I also love to take things by force if I must… so remember no one is safe."
Zoom grinned and summoned his blue lightning and vanished creating a gust of wind that made Barry almost stumble. The prince yelled frustrated. He was feeling angry, overpowered, scared and lonely. Barry's scream echoed at the old temple and he felt hot tears fall from his eyes. He knew he was hitting rock bottom. He turned to see the pieces of his red tunic lying discarded on the wet ground. He slowly picked it up. He couldn't leave evidence of his disgrace. He carefully tried to clean the surrounding blood of his chest with the cloth. His pulse was trembling badly. He was slowly breaking down.
Barry tried to calm down and flashed with a spark of lightning from the temple without looking back. He ran as fast as he could to the palace. He could feel he was lacking speed. He tried to push his limits but he could only feel a strange void and his chest hurting.
The prince quickly arrived to his room. He climbed the same way Zoom entered earlier so that nobody could see his disheveled and miserable appearance. Winter was waiting for him at the balcony door. The wolf jumped excitedly to see the prince. Barry smiled and crouched to pet and calm the small puppy.
The prince quickly hided the red torn tunic on his personal wooden old chest and quickly prepared a hot bath. He submerged in the warm water feeling nervous. He couldn't let Len or any servant see him like this. Barry watched his arm and the injury had faded completely but the mark on his chest wasn't healing at all.
He couldn't let Len see his naked torso. He sighed. Keeping all of this in secret was going to be difficult. He tried to relax for a while in the soothing warm water. He closed his eyes and he felt a shiver run down his spine. He needed to find a way to fight Zoom alone and protect Len. Barry quickly exited the bath and changed in to his best clothes. He decided to wear a black tunic with golden brocades and his red cloak; he combed his hair swiftly and rested his golden crown over his head. He checked his bottom lip and it was already healed. He was ready to attend the feast. Ready to keep deceiving his family and the love of his live trying to save their lives from Zoom. So many secrets…it was like if he was tangled up in a spider web. Barry felt like no one could help him now. He was in too deep with no way out. He had really leaded himself astray on a wrong way with a dead end.
The door of his room opened and Len entered their bedchamber carrying some maps. The King smiled surprised when he saw Barry ready for the welcoming feast. The young prince looked stunning.
"You look…" he said grasping the view of his handsome fiancé. "So good Scarlet…"
Barry blushed under Len's intense gaze. "Thanks…"
The king left the maps on the bed and walked with confidence towards Barry…his deep blue eyes fixed into Barry's green eyes. Despite Lisa's complains he had never stopped thinking about Barry during the meeting. He tenderly grabbed the back of Barry's head and the prince leaned to the touch feeling his heart skip a beat. Barry closed his eyes. This was all he wanted…Len's touch forever. The King kissed the prince softly. It was a needy kiss. Their lips parted and clasped onto one another once again with more pressure. The kiss grew greedy. Len placed his hand on Barry's waist and with his arm strength drew him closer. Barry gasped and his heart started beating wildly. Barry felt warm tears fall from his eyes…remembering Zoom's disgusting kiss.
"I love you Barry…"
The prince eyes widen in shocked disbelief.
"You shouldn't look that surprised Scarlet…" Len said slowly staring at the prince worried.
"A-are you crying?"
The prince laughed lowering his face to hide his tears and crimson blush.
"It's just that you had never said it before… I'm happy."
"I know…" Len said lifting Barry's face to tenderly remove Barry's tears. "I'm sorry I should have said it earlier."
"No it's okay…I kind of already knew it." Barry added feeling happy embracing his intended.
Barry smiled amazed. Len always managed to say the right things at the exactly the right time. The King always succeeded to take his pain and doubts away. "I'm glad you told me."
"I can't stop thinking about you… and I was going to tell you this later after the feast…but when I saw you I couldn't wait anymore." Len explained cupping in his hands the Prince's face. Barry's heart tightened. He wanted to cry loudly. He was breaking apart. He wanted to feel safe and feel like everything was going to be okay...but the only thing he could feel was Zoom's invisible cold dagger in his neck threatening to end everything.
"I will get ready for the feast." Len said releasing Barry's waist.
The Winter King asked some servants to enter their room and he went to change in to formal clothing with their help and Barry waited for Len sitting on the bed playing with Winter, lost in thoughts…he didn't want to live always feeling like tomorrow was going to take him away from everything he loved. He couldn't take it anymore. He was going to fight. He was going to kill Zoom tomorrow at sunset or at least die trying.
Len exited wearing a blue tunic and his silver crown. He looked really handsome. Barry smiled feeling his heart skip a beat. "You look amazing Len…"
The King smiled. "Thank you Scarlet… are you ready?" Len asked offering his future husband a hand. Barry lifted his gaze and nodded. Maybe he was doomed; maybe he had lost his mind accepting the deal with Zoom. A deal that was now slowly destroying him, but tonight he wasn't going to care…he was going to forget everything enjoy his time with Len and his family. With his mind made up he smiled grabbing Len's cold hand and stood up nodding.
"I'm ready…"
Len pulled Barry hard towards him playfully. Barry chuckled feeling the strength of the Winter King.
"If this feast wasn't for welcoming your family Barry I would make you skip it…"
"Really…and what would we do instead?"
Len smiled leaning to whisper to the Prince's ear. "What we wouldn't do…"
The King traced his fingers over Barry's back and Barry bit his lower lip.
"Maybe we could escape early from the feast." Barry added with a heated expression.
Len hummed in agreement. "Can't wait…"
Barry agreed and both of them exited the room and started walking side by side through the long passageway. Winter followed them trying to chew Len's black cloak. The rain was still falling and they could hear thunders striking the earth. Their steps echoed against the stones in the walls and ground. Unexpectedly General Mardon appeared before them in the hallway and approached the Winter King swiftly.
"Your Majesties…pardon the interruption," he said bowing and turned to Leonard. "I need a word with you, Your Highness…it's an urgent matter."
"Sure …" Len said turning to Barry with an apologetic look. "Wait for me Scarlet..."
Barry nodded and smiled feeling a little anxious and worried.
The King and Mardon walked away a few steps from Barry. The prince felt suddenly excluded. He felt his chest clench tightly. "What if someone saw him exit the palace with Zoom?" "Would they think he was a traitor?" He could only see Len and Mardon's back. Maybe this was it. He knew he was a lousy liar. He wanted to try to hear their conversation…but they were out of his reach. He desisted. He knew that eavesdropping his future husband was rude and a bad idea so he stayed behind dying of curiosity and anxiety.
"What happened?" asked Len uneasy, waiting for his General to explain all the mystery.
"Tell me something only you could possibly know about me." The General requested.
"Wh-what?" asked Len annoyed a little confused with the question. "What kind of joke is this? Have you gone finally insane Mark? It's not funny."
"No…it's not a joke Your Highness…just do it." General Mardon insisted with urgency and the King frowned.
"I don't know…that you are an idiot and you are in love with Lady Shawna but you think that no one knows but everyone in the Royal Court already knows…so it is kind of annoying…"
"W-what? They know? How?" Mardon asked completely shocked turning red. "Do you think Shawna knows?"
The King narrowed his eyes dangerously. "Yes especially her…everyone knows Mark…so General what the hell is happening? I don't have time for this nonsense. Barry is waiting…"
"Right…sorry. Your Majesty, I have some worrisome reports from our soldiers. They say that they saw a shape-shifter in the palace...probably a spy... Zoom's spy." Mardon explained.
"Shape-shifter? Hannibal?" Len asked surprised. He had heard of this meta before, a really dangerous man with an annoying ability.
"I believe so…yes."
"You are an idiot Mardon you could just have asked me to show you my powers to confirm my identity. Bates can't copy our magic… remember?"
Mardon gasped with the sudden realization. "You are right…I completely forgot."
The King rolled his eyes and took a deep breath. "Clearly…so now show me your powers Mardon…" Len demanded. He just needed to be sure this wasn't a trap and that he was talking to the real Mardon. The General complied and created a small ball of ice with his right hand.
"Good. We need to catch the spy." The King stated. "Mardon increase the palace's security. I want you to inform this to General Singh, Wells, Oliver and Cisco. Ask the soldiers to make a list of the persons they saw Hannibal turn in to, to keep a record. We also need to figure out a way to stop the shape-shifter and I want Bates alive. I want to ask him some questions about Zoom so keep your eyes wide open. Don't trust anyone and ask them for their powers, if they are not metas, then use your stupid questions, but be careful."
"Yes, Your Majesty…" Mardon added flatly.
The King turned to walk towards Barry.
"Your Majesty…" Mardon murmured softly. "Are you going to inform the Prince about Hannibal?"
Len thought on it for a moment.
"No. I have a feeling that something is wrong with Barry and I don't want to worry him more…especially after what happened today with his family."
Mardon nodded worried for the young prince. "I agree. I will go inform Wells, Oliver, Cisc-"
Everything happened in slow motion.
Len saw Barry shut his eyes tightly in pain and groan stumbling towards the wall. He looked shaky and about to faint. Barry tried to lean on the wall but swayed before reaching it and Len felt his stomach drop watching Barry fall slowly towards the cold hard ground.
"Scarlet!"
Mardon and Len rushed towards the Prince and Len barely grabbed the prince's right arm before he collided against the ground. Winter howled and looked at Len terrified.
"Barry?... Hey! Are you okay?" Len said holding the young speedster in his strong arms. "Scarlet?"
The King finally kneeled and he rested Barry's head over his tights. The prince could feel a white-hot pain in his chest, but still he nodded feeling Len's warmth. He was so cold and shaking. The prince's face was sweating from the pain.
"I-I'm okay Len…" Barry tried to explain between small gasps. "I-I am a little dizzy, I haven't eaten for a while… and my body needs a lot of food...remember?" he half- lied.
Barry opened his eyes and blinked a few times trying to clear his hazy vision and saw Len's and Mark's worried faces leaning over him. He felt nervous. If they realize that Zoom was using him, they were all dead. He couldn't let Len or Mardon see the real reason of his pain. He needed to be more careful. "I'm okay…" the Prince whispered clearly embarrassed.
"You don't look okay Scarlet…" Len stated worried raising an eyebrow. He slowly helped Barry to a sitting position. "We are going back to our room. Mardon call Caitlin immediately...I want the healers here right now!"
"W-What? Len no!... No! Len that wont' be necessary…" Barry added with an edgy tone in his voice. "Fuck! Fuck…" He couldn't let them see his chest. "I am okay Len… I just need food to regain my energy. I promise…let's go to the feast. The faster I eat the better I will feel." - he added struggling to stand up, at least that was in part truth.
The King frowned feeling helpless and turned to Mardon who watched him unsure of what to do. Len wanted to insist that Barry should let Caitlin check him, but the Prince was being stubborn and Len didn't want to fight with the weak speedster.
"Barry…"
"You know that if I don't eat I suffer from dizzy spells. This is normal. I promise." Barry explained looking at Len. "Besides I haven't eat anything since midday because I was too worried about Zoom and my family. Also I ran like crazy to the forest looking for clues and when I came back I just forgot to eat…"
Len frowned defeated. He stood up and helped Barry up.
"General you can leave…"
Mardon nodded and turned to the Prince. "Barry… you should let Lady Snow check you."
"Thanks for your concern General." Barry said with a shy smile. He genuinely appreciated Mark's concern. The General bowed and took his leave.
"Barry…if there is something wrong I want you to know that you can tell me…I can help. Please don't push me away."
The prince stared blankly at Len at a completely loss of what to say. He didn't want to lie to him. He felt like drowning in his own lies and falling to an endless pit of darkness far away from Len.
"Thanks…I know." The speedster said smiling sweetly. "I just need some food."
"Yes of course…come on Scarlet, let's get you to the banquet."
When the royal couple and Winter reached the Great Hall, the servants opened the big wooden doors revealing laughter, music, light and warmth.
Len stole a glance at Barry who seemed a little tired but happy. Len swiftly grabbed Barry's hand and entwined their fingers tenderly and Barry glanced at him surprised.
"I don't want you to fall…" Len whispered with his deep voice that sent shivers down Barry's spine.
"Thanks Len…" Barry said. "But I already did fall." He knew the King was referring to fainting in front of the Royal Court and his family but his mind couldn't stop remembering Zoom calling him a "fallen hero" whileembarrassing in front all of his loyal followers...He was truly a disgrace as a Prince.
Len tighten softly his warm grip on Barry's hand and they walked toward the dais where the Great Table was set and strictly reserved for the persons of distinction. In this case Lisa, Len, Barry, Joe, Iris, Eddie and Cisco who seated next to the Lisa by her request. The remaining guests were shown to their seats after they entered the Great Hall. Barry smiled noticing that the feast consisted of five courses. He was so hungry that he could easily eat everything. Winter seated on the floor between Barry and Len's chairs waiting for food.
"I think Winter share your endless appetite Scarlet…" Len murmured to Barry feeling the puppy's blue eye's looking him with expectation.
Barry smiled at Len. "I think so too."
After a couple of hours of eating and drinking the extravagant feast passed uneventful. Barry recovered his color after devouring great amounts of food and sweet pastries and The King sighed relieved. For a moment in the hallway he truthfully felt really scared. Barry looked in so much pain. He couldn't forget the feeling of powerlessness seeing Barry collapsing before him. He hated that feeling so much. It reminded him of Mick and his suffering. He wanted to protect Barry so badly. Len grabbed his cup of wine and took a drink. He glanced towards his side and saw his beloved speedster laughing with Jesse, Iris, Cisco and Lisa. He could barely hear them talking over the loud music.
The court of musicians was happily entertaining their guests with their lutes, pipes, and joyful songs. Lisa suddenly got up and asked Cisco to dance with her. Cisco blushed and denied the request but Lisa glared at him and Cisco immediately accepted her offer. Len scoffed amused at his sister's power over the young inventor. Barry laughed at his best friend's dancing skills but Iris grinned and attacked her younger brother and requested him to dance as well. Len smiled viewing his embarrassed fiancé walking towards the dancing area. Barry was stunning and he was quickly stealing all the glances of the ladies and some noblemen. Len sighed annoyed and Joe noticed Len's displeasure and smiled amused.
Joe stood up taking his goblet of wine and walked towards the lonely Winter King.
"Your Highness, thank you for this amazing banquet."
Len turned to see Barry's guardian and motioned to the older man to join him. Joe smiled and took the seat next to Leonard.
"Call me Leonard, Joe. It is an honor to have you all here in the Winter Realm. I am glad that you all managed to escape from Zoom. Barry was really worried for your wellbeing."
"I can imagine…"
"I most apologize I should have sent some soldiers to escort you safely from the village to the palace."
"Don't worry Leonard, it wasn't your fault. We never thought that Zoom had already arrived to the north." Joe replied watching the aristocrats dancing and Barry laughing with Cisco.
"I wanted to thank you Leonard."
The King met Joe's gaze.
"I was afraid of coming here and find Barry sad or hurt…but I'm glad to see that Barry is happy and safe here. I must confess I didn't agree at the beginning with Barry's plan of this arranged marriage with you. In fact I completely disagreed and I wanted to forbid Barry to come here."
Len stared amazed at the older man's honesty. "Why?"
"The rumors worried me. They called you the coldhearted King, they said you killed your abusive father and in Central Kingdom the death of your husband wasn't clear. Also your age difference with my son, your powers can hurt speedsters… I well… I was obviously worried for Barry. I wasn't sure that this was going to be a good idea. I just want him to be happy."
Len simply agreed.
"Barry is a little naïve and there is so much good in him and I want him to find true love, not just a cold treaty or alliance for winning a war against Zoom. You already had your chance at love with King Mick Rory. Barry doesn't have that experience and he deserves it…that's why I didn't want him to go through with an arranged marriage, but he is really stubborn he insisted that he was doing this for the sake of his Kingdom and I couldn't stop him..."
Len nodded silently understanding Joe's genuine concern. Barry was indeed really stubborn.
"Barry had a really rough childhood… like you, as I have heard, and he has always been a strong kid." Joe continued. "He has walked through a hard and dark road for the most of his life. Watching the death of his parents at an early age. He was almost abused by Lord Eobard Thawne. He claimed the throne of Central Kingdom at twelve and he struggled to learn all the responsibilities the High Council of Central expected him to fulfill … responsibilities you must clearly know that are overwhelming for kid."
Len agreed. He knew pretty well. He was also young when he killed his father to protect his sister and claimed the throne. Maybe his tragic childhood and Barry's was a little similar.
"Then the War at the South. Zoom almost killed him. He almost destroyed him. I thought for sure that Barry was dead when I saw him lying motionless in the bed all bloodied with his back broken..." Joe stopped and raised his cup to take a drink. He needed to erase with the wine the bitter taste of all those memories. "But he survived and Barry managed to save a lot of lives in the South and in Central Kingdom and for that his subjects love him dearly."
"Yes I've heard…" Len added. "Barry is truly amazing."
Joe nodded. "He is. What I'm trying to say Leonard is that I want Barry to be happy. He has a good heart and he has given so much for his kingdom, for his family… he has always sacrificed himself for others, so I want him to finally enjoy his life. He has come a long way and I think this strange, crazy road has leaded him to you… and I think he is happy and in love with you. I can see it easily, so please Leonard take care of him."
"I will Joe."
"Your Highness I also want to be sure that you realize that if you hurt Barry I am going to hunt you down and break every bone on your body …understood?"
Len laughed and nodded. "I understand…but I think Lisa would do that first on everyone's behalf…"
Joe laughed. "She is a strong and good hearted woman…you raised her well Leonard. I know you also had a rough childhood and I'm sorry about that… no kid deserves an abusive father… but I know that despite all your suffering… you became a great King and an amazing man if Barry is in love with you... so you should be proud of your accomplishments son. I have no doubts that you will be a good husband…like you were with King Mick Rory."
Len felt his heart clench painfully and his eyes fill with tears. He had never received praise for raising her sister and no one has ever told him that he was a great King or called him son with affection.
"Joe I promise I will try my best to take care of Barry because I love him."
Now it was Joe's turn to widen his eyes in surprise. He had expected Leonard to say that he respected Barry or that he cared for him, but he never thought he would heard from the Winter King that he loved Barry so soon.
Joe nodded amazed. "He is a good kid, he will protect you and love you deeply, but be warned trouble and tragedy always seems to find him. You need to know that Zoom is obsessed with Barry's speed. He will do anything in his power to obtain it…"
Len nodded. "I know. We will stop Zoom." He replied thinking of Bivolo's warning.
Joe stood up and bowed courtly. "We will. Together."
Barry's guardian returned to his seat where Wells and Martin Stein quickly joined him for a conversation. Len saw Barry laughing with his sister and felt a warm shiver travel to his heart. He wanted to make Barry happy. He wanted to see the speedster's bright smile always. Barry turned and saw Len staring at him and he smiled motioning for the King to join him in the dance floor. Len hated dancing but he stood up anyways and walked towards Barry and Winter followed him.
"Lenny are you going to dance?" Lisa asked surprised.
"No. I came here to kidnap my fiancé." He confessed and Lisa laughed amused.
"Good idea!" she added cheerfully. "Just please don't tell us what you are going to do with him. There's something to being too transparent."
Iris, Eddie, Caitlin and Ronnie laughed as they danced.
"And don't use the cold wave!" Cisco yelled and Barry turned crimson.
"I promise we won't." Len added taking Barry's hand. "Come on Scarlet..."
"The gift!" Cisco added while he spun Lisa. "Remember the gift!"
"Cisco shut up it was a surprise!" Caitlin said hitting Cisco in the arm and Ronnie scoffed.
Len glared at Cisco and grabbed Barry to take him away from the Great Hall. The King seized Barry's hand and they walked towards their room followed by their wolf. They entered the royal quarters and Len walked towards the warm fireplace and took a box from the shelf. Barry walked towards Len with curiosity.
"This is for you…" Len added handing the Prince the medium wooden box. "It was supposed to be a surprise but your best friend is a terrible secret keeper."
Barry smiled and took carefully the box in his hands and he slowly opened it. Barry silently gasped. There were two items. A silver thin bracelet with terminals carved into a snowflake with a lightning bolt in the center and a crystal point silver necklace.
"Len…this is… beautiful."
The King took the necklace and motioned to Barry to turn around. The necklace consisted in a silver thin chain that had a royal blue crystal at the end.
"This blue crystal is going to protect you from my cold wave." Len explained and Barry turned happy watching the stone. "Clearly Cisco's idea and he made it with Wells and Stein's help. I had nothing to do with this."
Barry laughed. "Thank you Len."
"They say that the stone has this runes that activates with cold and that it creates instantly a force field that will protect you. Cisco tried it with Caitlin's powers and it worked, so hopefully in case we fight Zoom I can use the blast without harming you."
"Sounds great…" added Barry amazed by Cisco's creative inventions and wondering how many times Caitlin managed to froze Cisco while trying the necklace.
Barry saw the box in his hands with the silver bracelet.
"And this…we have a tradition here in the north." Len said taking Barry's hand. "We gift this special bracelets to represent the bond with our soul mates. It symbolizes love and loyalty. I have a matching one."
Barry saw Len's wrist and smiled feeling his heart beat fast.
"The jeweler sent them today to the palace." Len said grabbing the bracelet and putting it on Barry's wrist slowly. "I love you Scarlet."
The prince was beaming. "I love you too Len. This is perfect."
The King kissed Barry slowly. It was a long and sweet kiss. Barry wrapped his arms around Len's neck and the King's hands traveled to Barry's back. When they stopped to breath, Barry silently stared at Len's blue eyes and fell in to a silent reverie. He wanted this moment to last forever. He wanted the time to stand still.
"We should sleep Scarlet."
Len's deep voice broke Barry's dreamy state.
"You look really tired and today was really eventful."
Barry nodded reluctantly and little disappointed, he really wanted to enjoy his time alone with Len, but he was really tired and he couldn't let Len see his bruised and marked chest, so he agreed bored. They swiftly changed their clothes to their sleeping gowns, Barry change away from Len's eyes just to hide his bruises. When The King saw Barry enter the room again he lifted the Prince playfully to carry him to the bed. Barry laughed when the King dropped him on the four-poster bed and climbed next to him. Winter howled from a side of the bed and Len helped the wolf to climb up.
"So what's your plan?" Barry asked moving under the bed covers.
"Kissing you until you fall asleep."
Barry hummed in agreement feeling that his eyelids were heavy. "Sounds good…"
"Get some rest Scarlet…" Len smiled and the speedster slowly rested his head over Len's chest and closed his eyes accepting the warm and silent peace. The King put his arms around the lean speedster and stayed awake until Barry fell completely asleep, then he proceeded to close his eyes to embrace the sweet darkness.
When Barry awakened from his restless sleep full of nightmares it was still dark. The room was quiet and the Prince moved to seat and lean back on the soft pillows. He was sweaty and breathless. He couldn't stop having nightmares about Zoom killing Len and his family. He glanced down and saw the King sleeping peacefully at his side and Winter sleeping on the far end of the bed. He couldn't stop thinking about Zoom's threats of killing Len in his sleep and he felt his heart skip a beat. He couldn't lose him. He couldn't even think about it… so he decided to stay wide-awake and alert for the rest of the night and until morning.
The dawn was very cold and the prince started feeling his chest throbbing badly. He sighed worried noticing that he wasn't healing. Maybe he needed to investigate more about the magic Zoom was using to steal his speed…he should ask Stein if he knows something... perhaps he had been too naïve believing in Zoom's deal but at least he had Joe, Iris, Jesse and Eddie safe in the palace with them. The prince shifted on the bed and turned on his side to watch the King sleep peacefully.
Len opened his eyes slowly. It was a dark gray morning. He turned to Barry's side and sighed at the empty space. The kid needed to stop disappearing on the mornings.
"Scarlet…" the King murmured softly and Barry appeared already dressed in blue and trying to put his black boots while walking.
"Morning Len…" he said with a warm smile.
"Why the hell are you already awake? Come back to bed…"
"I'm a morning person." Barry explained walking towards the four-poster bed leaning to kiss the King. "I used to wake up early to train in Central Kingdom…remember?" He said and Len nodded lazily and grabbed Barry's wrist to pull him to the bed. Barry stumbled over the King's muscular body. "I won't let you escape so easily Scarlet..."
Barry laughed. "I'm not escaping…."
"Really? Then stay with me…" The King said trailing his hand over Barry's back giving the young speedster shivers. "I want you right now Scarlet…" he whispered at Barry's ear.
Barry smiled. "I want you too Len... but I really need to go to talk with Stein about some ideas I had last night to defeat Zoom."
The King smiled and kissed the prince slowly and he shifted their positions until Barry was under him. Len deepened the kiss stealing Barry's air until the prince broke the kiss.
"L-Len…I-I really need to go…" The prince said flushed and gazing up to Len with hazel eyes half- lidded and swollen parted lips.
Len swallowed hard and moved his hands under Barry's blue tunic. "Don't go…stay with me."
The speedster suddenly tensed feeling Len's cold hands touch his navel and up. "L-Len stop… I can't…" he said flustered and blushing trying to stop Len's hands from discovering his bruised chest. Barry moved away from the King and swiftly escaped from the bed. Len raised his eyebrows surprised with Barry's odd behavior.
"I just want to talk to Stein about my idea. I'll be right back…"
"Care to share this idea it with me?" Len asked curious feeling that Barry was hiding something.
"Not yet…" Barry murmured. "I want to be certain that it can work."
Len sighed. "Fine...I'll take a bath and I will wait for you at the Great Hall for breakfast."
Barry nodded. "Thanks Len."
The King watched the young speedster flash away from their room; disappearing in a blink of an eye...leaving him alone with a dreadful feeling that something was terribly wrong.
Barry flashed quickly to the library. He knew Stein was going to be there. He hadn't entered the Winter Palace's library since they arrived so when he reached his destination he gasped at the huge chamber full of old books and manuscripts. It was an impressive library, even bigger than the one in Central Kingdom's palace. He walked slowly through the impressive maze of bookshelves. His steps were echoing loudly alerting the apprentices and scholars of his presence in the room. He finally reached the end of the library and saw Martin immersed in a book. Barry slowly walked towards the old man and cleared his throat.
Martin lifted his gaze from the book and gasped surprised at the presence in front of him.
"Your Highness…good morning…"
"Good Morning Stein…"
"What can I do for you? Are you looking for a book?"
Barry smiled at Stein. "No…no book. I was actually looking for you."
Stein nodded. "Here I am Your Highness…"
"Right…yes…I was just wondering…" Barry murmured looking at the shelves full of books. "I heard from Cait that you were doing a research on speedsters…something about a manuscript you wrote a few years ago."
Martin nodded with curiosity. "Yes, I find the speedsters powers fascinating… I would love to show you my work Your Highness but I left all the manuscripts back in Central."
"Don't worry… it's okay…"
"Maybe you could be more specific about the subject matter? I always remember what I wrote, Your Highness…"
"Power stealing. I was thinking that maybe we could try to steal Zoom's powers? Is there a way to do it? To transfer his speed out of his body maybe?"
Martin's face grew somber and worried. "What you are speaking of is black magic and I do not condone such terrible practices."
Barry tensed. "Right…no I just wanted to know theoretically speaking if it is possible?"
Martin closed the book on his hands and stood up worried.
"Your Highness, black magic is forbidden in our realm. Theoretically speaking many mages had tried to do it before against the law…but all of the attempts always ended with the death of their victims. There is no way to steal the powers of a meta without killing the host."
"Are you sure?" Barry asked worried feeling like an idiot. He clenched his fists angry.
"Well I've never heard of someone achieving it so far… but I can't deny that there might be a small possibility to do it…but it would have awful consequences."
"What kind of consequences?" the prince asked scared.
"Well first the amount of metas you need to kill in order to try your method of stealing another meta's power would be like a massacre…an atrocity I fear to think about."
Barry nodded thinking about what Zoom told him. About all the metas he had already killed.
"And secondly I believe that our powers are a part of our very own existence… part of our souls…stealing someone's magic will shatter the equilibrium of their being …is like taking away your life energy… if the host don't die from that I believe his body will remain really weak and fragile from the shock…and that Your Highness is not only for speedsters it applies for any kind of power channeler…"
Barry frowned feeling the pain in his chest… so he was basically dying. Zoom was slowly killing him…
"You seem disappointed with the information…" Martin added concerned.
"It's just that it is a frightening subject."
"It is… that's why it is forbidden." Martin stated. "During my research I found a lot of interesting information, but what really caught my attention was the source of the speedster's powers."
"The source?"
"There is a legend that says that when everything was created the speedforce was there and it also says that when everything decays and stops vibrating plunging everything in existence to death, the speedforce will be there too."
"Does that mean that… the speedforce is life and death?"
"I'm not sure… is my work in progress…I'm still studying the subject…but the speedforce could be the energy of life. I believe a spark of energy of the speedforce can give life."
"Right…" added Barry a little unconvinced with Martin's theory.
"Your Highness do you know why Zoom's lightning is blue?"
Barry hesitated before answering. "Because he is sick?"
Martin nodded. "Speedsters normally have their lightning yellow, like yours. It means that their connection with the speedforce is pure and natural. Red lightning like the one Thawne projected means that they somehow altered their connection with the speedforce and the blue lightning means that they attempted to artificially boost their natural connection with a potion or drug to become faster… and that has life-threatening side effects and I believe Zoom is sick and probably dying."
"Thank you Martin…this information might help us defeat Zoom."
Stein smiled. "You are welcome Your Highness…"
Barry started to walk away from Stein when he suddenly halted and turned.
"Martin…may I ask a last favor?"
"Of course Your Highness...anything."
"Don't speak about our conversation to anyone."
Stein looked puzzled at Barry and concerned but slowly nodded. "As you wish…"
Barry turned to leave when Stein called him again.
"Your Majesty…" he added. "Always remember that our souls and powers are energy inside of us…when we die is when there is no longer energy in us…energy cannot be created or destroyed but it can be shared."
Barry nodded a little confused with Stein's words. "Right…thanks…I will keep it mind."
Martin nodded and seated again to continue reading an old book.
Barry sighed puzzled and flashed from the library to the Great Hall to meet Len for breakfast. He was going to need a good lie to tell Len about his conversation with Martin and a good excuse to leave the castle at the blue hour to meet again with Zoom. He was going to kill Hunter for deceiving him and end this sick game once and for all.
Len arrived to the Great Hall and saw Lisa and Cisco talking with Barry's family, Oliver and Felicity. The King approached the group quickly. He didn't have time to waste.
"Good morning." He said and everyone replied him happily.
"Lisa, Cisco…may I have a word with both of you in private?"
"Only if you swear that you are not going to tell us what you did last night with Barry, Lenny."
Cisco scoffed and Len glared at both of them and they suddenly felt that something was wrong
"Follow me…"
Lisa and Cisco followed Len silently towards the balcony.
"Lenny what's wrong? You are scaring me…."
"I need to ask you both something." He stated flatly feeling the cold wind. "And I need you to swear that this conversation will stay just between us."
Lisa nodded. "Sure…what is it?"
"Show me your powers first." Len added dryly.
"W-What?" they asked in unison.
"You heard me…"
Lisa raised her eyebrow confused but complied and crouched to grab a leaf on the ground and she slowly turned the leaf in to gold. Len nodded and turned to the young inventor.
"Your turn Cisco…"
"How am I supposed to show you my powers?"
"I heard you can sent vibrational blasts."
"No I can't… I have to yet master that ability. I can only use it in moments of danger during battles." He explained a little ashamed of his lack of control over his powers.
"Then vibe me…." The King stated.
"W-what?"
"Do it…" the King said extending his hand towards Cisco.
"I don't think that's a good idea… are you sure?"
Len narrowed his eyes dangerously. The young inventor hesitated but quickly grabbed the King's hand and everything got hazy, blurry and dark. His surroundings were slightly distorted and he was suddenly in forest during a beautiful starry night. He could hear voices and a river flowing. He walked towards the sound, feeling the cold wind on his skin. He finally reached a vastly river surrounded with white vapor and saw two shadows in the warm water of the river. He approached to the hot spring and his eyes widened in shock at the unexpected sight. Cisco gasped in shock and the image started to blur and he returned to the present.
"Oh my god…MY EYES! I will never vibe you in my life again. I'm scarred for life AGAIN!"
"W-What? Cisco?" Lisa inquired worried. "What the fuck did you saw? Are you okay?"
"I just saw your brother fuck my best friend in a fucking hot spring! Oh my god!"
Lisa's eyes widened and laughed out loud while Len smirked amazed. That was one hell of a good future he was eager to live…fucking Barry in a hot spring.
The King looked smug to Cisco's annoyance. "I hate you! I won't be able to see Barry in the eyes again! I can't see you in the eyes again!"
Lisa and Len laughed.
"Lisa it isn't funny! I am officially traumatized… Why the hell you made me vibe you?" Cisco asked exasperated. "I demand a reasonable explanation!"
"I needed to verify that you were… you. Hannibal Bates breached the palace. I wasn't sure if Mardon already inform you both… but I can't run the risk of talking to Zoom's spy."
Cisco nodded. "Mardon told us…and it makes sense…"
"I'm sorry but I won't trust anyone…" Len stated.
Lisa agreed. "So what's going on Lenny?"
"Is about Barry…" the King added worried. "I think something is wrong with him. Have you noticed that he has been acting strange?"
"Len this again… I told you that he was probably worried about his family…" Lisa said concerned. "You are being overprotective."
"I did notice something." Cisco confessed and Lisa and the King turned quickly to see him. "Yesterday he avoided my touch. He never does that…maybe I'm being unreasonable I mean he just avoided my touch once and told me I was slow, maybe he was just playing with me… but I don't know…"
"Lenny have you noticed something?" Lisa asked with a new concern written all over her face.
"More than something…" he explained. "When Barry ran towards the woods looking for clues on the carriage; when he came back he told us he didn't found any enemies, but his face had some red marks like a rash... and then Joe, Eddie, Iris and Jesse escaped so easily and it just seemed off…Zoom wouldn't let them go unless he had something in return…. then Mardon said that there was a spy in the castle… a shape-shifter, Hannibal Bates… and Barry yesterday before the feast he collapsed. He almost fainted and he looks tired all the time. There are so many coincidences that I don't like. I have a bad feeling about this."
Lisa frowned. "He does look tired lately…so what do you want us to do Len? Ask him to tell us if Zoom is threatening him?"
"No…" he said turning to wards Cisco. "I want you to vibe him."
"W-what? No way…" Cisco replied anxiously. "I'm sorry I can't do that."
"Why not?" asked Lisa suddenly shocked with Cisco's reaction.
"Lisa I can't…" Cisco turned to Len. "Your Highness…are you aware of what are you asking me to do?"
Len nodded. "I am… I'm asking you to check on Barry to save him from Zoom or himself."
"No…you are asking me to betray my best friend's trust, my Prince's trust…I can't do it. That's treason. It is punishable with death…I don't want to die and I don't want to see the second part of your hot springs activities. I'm sorry I can't…unless he asks me to do it."
"Cisco I'm ordering to vibe Barry." Len added coldly. "I'm not giving you a choice. You will do it or I promise I will ice you right here and… you need to do it without Barry noticing."
"With all due respect Your Highness I'm loyal to Barry…so you can ice me all you want but I won't betray him."
"Cute…but don't be stubborn." Len added angry. "Do it for your best friend…not for me. There is clearly something wrong with him and he could be in danger and I need to protect him…but I can't do it if I don't know what's happening."
Cisco stared at the King. Len was honestly concerned.
"I can't lose him Cisco and I need your help...you are the only one who can discover the truth with out making him notice."
Cisco turned to Lisa and the Princess nodded shocked with their situation. "I think Lenny is right…if something is wrong with Barry we need to know what's happening to help him…and if he isn't telling us what's wrong it must be something really bad."
Len grabbed Cisco's shoulder. "You know that Barry is willing to sacrifice himself for us… for his family and for his Kingdom… and I have this terrible feeling that he might have already done so…and if he did he is not planning on telling us soon and if we wait… it might be too late."
Cisco hesitated and walked back and forth on the balcony for a couple of minutes until he heard Barry's voice calling Len. He turned back and saw Barry walking towards them slowly. He looked weak and he had dark shadows under his tired hazel eyes and his smile looked somehow forced. Cisco turned to Len and Lisa and saw their worried faces.
"How the hell he didn't notice it earlier? He was supposed to be Barry's best friend."
There were no doubts now. He knew what he needed to do.
"I will do it. I will vibe Barry."
Hi again! Sorry for the long wait! I want to confess that I am not completely happy with this chapter, so let me know what you think! Hopefully it wasn't boring?
Anyways... I hope you guys enjoyed… if there is someone still reading? (I feel no presence of the force in fanfiction) Helloooo? It's me… I've been wondering if after all this years you would like to meet? hahaha( sorry sleep deprivation effects)… Just kidding…i'm going to shut up. Anyways… I just wanted to say that you people are amazing! (I feel like I'm talking to the wall) and that I will try to update soon!
Thank you for reading, for following or fav this story and especially for your comments!
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