Disclaimer: I don't own The Dark Artifices, Cassandra Clare does.
Author's Note: Sorry for the long wait, guys. I meant to have this chapter written before now, but I didn't get around to it until now. As always, thanks to everyone who reads this story and a special thanks to The Purple Warlock for your lovely review. I hope you enjoy this chapter and please review and let me know.
Chapter Five: The Cairn
The rest of that day was unlike any that Kieran had spent since joining the wild hunt. He no longer felt as though he was completely alone, and that was thanks to Mark. He also realised that Mark too seemed different, less unhappy, he thought and it brought a small smile to his lips. Already, Kieran knew, he considered Mark the closest person to him which was a new and slightly frightening thought in his experience.
As they rode along, Mark couldn't help glancing at Kieran from time to time. He thought of the softening in the prince's eyes earlier that day and again, a small flush came into his face. He felt very touched, honoured even, that Kieran had shown the clearing to him and he began to wonder if he could share something with him, something that none of the other hunters knew, and that night, he got his chance.
The Wild Hunt had stopped at the bottom of a tall hill, with a cairn of stones at the top. Mark slipped away from the others and climbed the hill alone, leaning against the cairn when he got to the top. He often did this at night, giving the first stars the names of his family, and tonight was no different.
"Mark?" Said a soft voice behind him. Mark turned, already knowing who it was, and smiled a little.
"Kieran," He murmured, "I didn't hear you coming."
"I saw you leave," The prince said, "And I ... thought that I would come and see what you would do."
There was interest in Kieran's eyes, Mark thought, and maybe something else, something that he couldn't identify.
"Your scars from the beating have healed," Kieran said suddenly, touching a hand to Mark's back, where the vicious whip had come down.
"Yes," Mark agreed, "But they are still ugly."
Kieran moved closer to him until they stood inches apart. "There is no part of you that is ugly, Mark," He murmured and leaned in, softly pressing his lips to Mark's.
For a moment, Mark was too surprised to respond, but then, he relaxed, returning Kieran's kiss. He had never expected his first kiss to be with a boy, and he certainly hadn't expected Kieran to kiss him, but he found that he was glad that he had. There was something about the prince that drew Mark in, made him want to be near him. He tentatively wrapped his arms around Kieran, pulling him closer as he kissed him again.
Kieran could feel a smile curving his lips as Mark's arms went around him. He honestly had not been sure how Mark would react when he kissed him, but his reaction was better than he could've imagined.
After a few moments, Kieran pulled back and gave Mark a smile. He was glad that he had followed Mark, and he knew, without a great deal of doubt, that this moment was the start of a new, much happier, stage in their lives.