Morning fell over the city with the fog, drifting through the streets with an eerie laziness. The rain had abated, if only for the moment, though clouds still hung low and heavy in the sky above. It was a gray day, illuminated from behind the clouds with a pale light.
Judal had been sitting in the courtyard since before the dawn, watching the city through the tapestry of plants. He had been drawn from the warmth of his bed and Hakuryuu's arms by a fit of restlessness, and crept barefoot from the apartment. The building had seemed to still be asleep as he went down the stairs, as was the street outside.
The courtyard smelled intoxicatingly of fresh flowers and wet earth. It was an almost otherworldly smell, like something dragged from the pages of a fantasy novel. Hours had gone by since Judal had settled underneath the mulberry tree, simply breathing as the city slowly woke. His fingers and tongue were stained purple from the berries that fell from the boughs overhead into his waiting palm.
Under the juice, the skin of his palm was smooth and unblemished, as if it had never been burned at all. Now, Judal could smell the iron around the courtyard; the benches, the gate, even the vehicles parked outside. It made his nose twitch, and if he got too close his skin began to prickle. His feeling of wanderlust remained, but it was overpowered by a new reluctance to leave the safety of the courtyard greenery.
But, he supposed that just came with being a fae.
His dream had returned to weigh on his mind when he woke that morning, and Judal had spent a good hour contemplating it as dawn broke. Hakuryuu had mentioned that changelings like him developed a second skin that allowed them to blend in with humankind; with that in mind, had his dream been literal? Or metaphorical? Of the fae who had come seeking the prince's head, a good number had been inhuman in appearance. What if a monster slept under his skin?
Well, Judal had agonized over that thought for a while, wondering if there was something hideous that claimed to be his real self, but ultimately decided it didn't matter. Fae had magic, and magic could do just about anything. If he ended up with a detestable appearance, he'd just find a way to change it.
Or, even if his appearance remained desirable, he could change it anyway! The possibilities became endless when he stopped thinking of things in a linear manner.
Judal lifted his hand and, obligingly, the mulberry tree shivered and rained berries down on him. He popped a few in his mouth at once, sucking on them thoughtfully. The bustle of the city was becoming audible, and the first few cars had begun to peel away from the street outside.
He considered what to do about the letter of notice on his desk reminding him to register for classes. It wasn't like he was going to be attending, so should he just blow it off? Or should he call and tell them- Well. Tell them what? Sorry, I can't come back to school, turns out I'm a fae and I don't belong on this plane of existence?
"Bet they haven't heard that one before." Judal chuckled to himself.
There had been a lot of thoughts like that over the last few hours. What was he going to do about his apartment? Should he pay any of his bills? How was he going to get anything, since leaving the apartment seemed less and less favorable?
Judal had to laugh because, ultimately, none of it mattered.
These mundane tasks and worries were no longer of any relevance. Whether he did one thing or another, the outcome wasn't going to affect him either way. No, the choice between his "normal" life and the chance at something extraordinary had been taken from his hands. He was, and always would be, a changeling, and even if he wanted mundanity back, he could never have it.
He stood up, tossing the last few berries into his mouth. He stretched his arms over his head with a contented groan and arched back until he heard a few satisfying pops. With one last look at the sky, he wandered to the door on the side of the building and traipsed up the stairs to his apartment.
Outside, the hall was unassuming and quiet. Inside, the scene was comically surreal.
Most of his furniture appeared to be floating up near the ceiling, which would have been odd enough, but then he noticed that it was in fact being carried by skeletal creatures which chittered softly. Stranger still, Belial appeared to be chattering back at them, four hands directing the swarm this way and that with the furniture. A snake made of bone was undulating around his neck and torso, apparently too lazy to help in the moving efforts.
Hakuryuu was leaning out of the doorway to the kitchen, hair drawn up in a haphazard bun and still wearing the clothes he'd gone to sleep in. There was a bowl tucked into the crook of his arm and his hand was busy kneading some kind of dough. His attention, however, was on Zagan, who he was snapping at rapidly in some language Judal didn't know. It sounded nice, though.
Zagan, meanwhile, was fussing over something that was growing out of Judal's wood paneled floor and totally ignoring his prince. He was speaking to the plants instead, seemingly deep in conversation with the wooden tendrils waving about in his face.
"You can just break the TV." Judal said in Belial's general direction. "I can't exactly use it anymore."
Belial frowned.
"What is a—"
"Judal," Hakuryuu interrupted, sounding relieved. "Will you please tell them we do not need some kind of banquet table?"
"Nonsense! How do you expect to eat at that tiny thing, it barely counts as a shelf!"
"It's called a coffee table it's supposed to be small—"
"That is the most ridiculous—"
"A banquet table sounds cool." Judal interjected. "And that thing—Yeah that one, that's the TV."
Hakuryuu huffed and turned on his heel, while Zagan clapped his hands and returned to making his desired table. Belial was examining the television with mild curiosity before he apparently deemed it uninteresting and put it in a corner.
Judal's mouth quirked into a faint smile as he headed towards the kitchen to greet his lover, stepping around animate skeletons and the occasional plant. Before he got too far, a wooden vine wound around his wrist and pulled him gently over to Zagan. The fae leaned over and whispered conspiratorially in his ear;
"The prince has been in a mood all morning. Do try to cheer him up won't you? He is absolutely no fun like this."
The changeling cocked a brow, but nodded anyway.
"I'll do my best."
Zagan peered at him a moment, then nodded, satisfied.
A pointed ear flicked, betraying how the prince pretended not to notice when Judal stepped into the kitchen. The counters had disappeared under a mess of bowls, platters and half-used ingredients, most of which looked good enough to eat on their own. Hakuryuu was whisking the contents of a new bowl, though maybe more violently than was necessary.
Sidling up behind the irate prince, Judal risked pressing a kiss against the nape of his neck. When Hakuryuu didn't complain, he kissed him a second time, just below his jaw.
"Good morning." he greeted.
Hakuryuu sniffed, pretending not to notice as Judal pulled him against his chest.
"It's been nothing but a headache. I'd forgotten what unreasonable mongrels those two were."
Judal sniggered, but still said; "That's not very nice."
"Neither is leaving me alone in bed."
Judal laughed again. Hakuryuu sounded like a child, sulking after being told his parents had gone to a movie without him. It was adorable as much as it was silly, and if the pink tinge to his cheekbones was any indication, the prince knew it.
"So you're re—eally in a bad mood," the changeling chuckled. "Just cause you woke up without me?"
Before his lover could respond, Judal kissed the side of his neck, allowing his teeth to press faintly to pale skin. Hakuryuu's breathing stuttered for a moment, though the rest of him remained perfectly composed.
"That… was a contributing factor." he amended.
A second kiss landed on the prince's pulse and he tilted his head, offering more of his skin to Judal's mouth. He took the offer, speaking against his lover's throat;
"What else was there?"
"It will be addressed over breakfast I'm sure."
"That's not an answer."
Hakuryuu turned his head to offer his lover a soft smile. Judal, ever the prime example of self-control, kissed him before he could speak. The mixing bowl was set aside and soon the fae's mismatched arms were settling around Judal's shoulders, while his tongue pressed into his mouth.
"Let me finish cooking." Hakuryuu sighed when they parted. "Then you'll get your answer."
"I could do that," His hands slid down to toy with the waistband of the prince's trousers. "Or I could suck you off to make up for leaving you alone this morning."
Hakuryuu's brows shot up in surprise, though he didn't seem opposed to the idea.
"Even with them here?"
Judal rolled his eyes.
"Somethin' tells me that wouldn't be the most scandalous thing they've ever seen you do."
"Who says I ever do anything scandalous?"
"Yeah, okay, sure, you were a total goody-two-shoes and then just started a fucking rebellion."
Hakuryuu opened his mouth to argue, then shut it.
"Alright, that's fair."
He smiled as Judal laughed, waiting for his giggles to subside before continuing.
"And not that I do not adore your mouth, but even I have limits to how much I am capable of multitasking. Go help Zagan with the table, breakfast won't be long."
Judal only thought to ask how he was meant to help with the table when he was already out of the kitchen.
True to his word, Hakuryuu had finished breakfast by the time Zagan was satisfied with the table he had grown from the floorboards. Judal had mostly observed him, occasionally asking questions that sprung to mind as he did. Despite his attitude the day before, Zagan seemed all too delighted with Judal's presence now, and cheerfully answered whatever he was asked.
Belial was less chatty. When he answered at all, it was in short, brusque sentences, often directed more over Judal's shoulder than at him directly. He got the sense that the poly-eyed fae still didn't like him very much.
Hakuryuu served them a feast of pancakes, crepes, fruits, jams, at least two kinds of porridge, finely sliced meat and cheese, and a bowl of flowers Judal knew to be edible. There was milk and fresh juice to drink, and more plates and cups than he could actually remember owning. When he pointed out the lack of chairs, Belial was quick to make them some from his skeletal familiars, claiming to have had enough of Zagan's fussing for one morning.
There seemed to be a unanimous decision once they were all seated that whatever conversation was to be had could wait until they had put something in their stomachs. Belial used one hand to toss several of the flowers into his mouth, while the others busied themselves filling a pair of plates with food. These were laid in front of Hakuryuu and Judal, while Zagan was left to fend for himself.
Judal couldn't help observing his dining companions while he ate. Hakuryuu was dignified as ever, sitting with his back straight and eating at a measured pace without appearing overly stiff. Belial ate in polite mouthfuls, only ever using two hands at a time to attend to his meal while the other set rested neatly in his lap. Zagan plucked and picked at things like a particularly indecisive bird, but he seemed to have eaten the most out of all four of them.
"Who knew mortal fare could be so delightful?" Zagan chimed, the first to break the silence.
Belial, who had taken a particular liking to the pancakes, grunted something close to agreement. Judal subtly nudged the second jar of honey towards him, since he had finished off the first by drowning his pancakes in it. The vassal narrowed his eyes at him, but snatched the sweet anyway.
"It was Judal who had the courtesy to show me most of these foods." Hakuryuu said.
"Really? Well, you must be quite the cook then, it is quite difficult to impress the prince."
"I dunno about "impressing" him, I think he was just really hungry and I offered the first available food source."
"That isn't true!"
Judal shot an amused look at his prince.
"You ate like three plates of pancakes in thirty minutes flat."
"Just because I was hungry does not mean the food wasn't good." Hakuryuu said, affronted.
"Yours is just better."
"I have been cooking for centuries—"
"And you've used your skills for evil!" Judal lamented, feigning distress. "My tastebuds are forever tarnished! Never again can I eat anything not touched by your glorious hands."
"Oh I'm already aware you think highly of my hands, though I do not think it has much to do with my cooking…"
Belial cleared his throat sharply, interrupting the lover's playful banter. Hakuryuu cast him a disapproving scowl, to which he only rolled several of his eyes.
"While I am glad to see my prince in such good spirits," he said. "There are pressing matters to discuss, and I believe we have left them long enough."
"Can we not have a meal in peace?"
"No," Hakuryuu said, dismissing Zagan's sigh. "You are correct, Belial. Let us speak. Begin with how it was you came to find me."
The atmosphere around the table shifted to something more serious. This, Judal concluded, was probably the conversation Hakuryuu had not been looking forward to having. Like him, the prince had probably been staving off thoughts of Sidhe and what awaited his return as long as he could, but it seemed they could do so no longer.
"It was prince Alibaba who sent us after you." Belial began. "He called to us from the edge of Seelie territory; we almost did not come. However, you made sure we learned the feeling of his magic, so if ever we were to seek you out we would not mistake him for an enemy."
"A brave boy." Zagan noted idly, picking apart a crepe he had made not a moment before. "He stood his ground and met our eye despite clearly being unnerved by us. Why he did not summon his own vassal I may never know."
"Respect, Zagan. Something you know little about."
"I most certainly-!"
"Once he had earned our attention," Belial went on. "He led us to the place where you tore your way through the veil. From there, our objective and direction were obvious. As your vassals, it is our job to protect your life above all others, so it was natural to seek you out."
"For such a small place, the mortal world truly is a pain to search. Does it always rain so much?"
"That was your doing." Hakuryuu said. "Reality as it is in the mortal realm was not made with the intention of ancient fae like you existing within it. The moment the storm began, I knew you were near."
He glanced at Judal, as if sensing his surprise, and had the decency to look apologetic.
"I did not want to frighten you." he explained. "Had I been wrong, we may have been facing a foe that even I could not best."
"You should've said."
"I realize that now."
It wasn't an apology, but Judal knew he wasn't going to get one either. When Hakuryuu believed himself to be in the right he stood staunchly by his decisions, so it was best to just let it go.
Hakuryuu pecked his cheek before turning his attention back to his vassals.
"And? What news does Alibaba send you with?"
"That he is very concerned for your wellbeing and would like you returned to him as soon as possible." Zagan popped a berry into his mouth. "Ah, and king Sinbad of Seelie has been accused of your kidnapping."
Hakuryuu groaned.
"Apparently, the Queen has given him a moon to produce you and, failing that, she will take it as a personal attack on UnSeelie court."
"Damnit." Hakuryuu hissed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Just the opening she's been waiting for. I should have expected this."
"There is little use lamenting it now, my prince." Belial said sharply. "Whether the king is able to produce you or not makes very little difference. If he does not, she has her reason to launch an attack on Seelie. If he does, she can claim that you have turned against your people. Your friendship with his prince is not precisely a well-kept secret."
"She has been waiting for this chance a long while, prince. If it were not this, it would be something else. Inevitably, this was to be the outcome."
"Perhaps, but I still feel unwell for being the cause."
Judal wondered if he should reach over and touch his lover. Maybe put a comforting hand over his or tuck his hair behind his ear or something. Before he had the chance, however, Hakuryuu had lifted his head again.
"What of the rebellion?"
"Regrouped and on the move. Alibaba gave us little in the way of specifics, but I gather that the only thing the UnSeelie attack accomplished was to redouble their convictions."
"Good. And UnSeelie?"
Zagan twirled a finger, producing a spindly vine from the air that blossomed with blue bulbs.
"We have kept our ears open, my prince, as you have told us. There is unrest, no one is sure who or what to believe with this most recent accusation. Some of your followers are wavering, but by the same token others seem to be newly inclined in your favor."
"Among the rumors, one claims that the Queen has some intention of naming your cousin as the new Prince." Belial noted over a forkful of pancake. "And his siblings after him."
Hakuryuu scoffed.
"Unlikely. The same claim was made after she took their father for a lover. All she's doing is taunting him, reminding him of his position and what he could attain if he bowed to her. Kouen knows her well enough to know she'll never act."
"His siblings have been whispering more or less the same." Zagan agreed. "And for what it may be worth, king Sinbad does seem ready to stand his ground if UnSeelie comes calling."
"Of course he does." Hakuryuu rolled his eyes. "The man's never met a challenge he didn't feel like facing. It's pure, dumb luck he's even alive at this point."
His tone was almost amused, but his eyes were steely. Even without words, it was clear that he was worried; whether it was for this king they spoke of, or simply for the state of affairs overall, Judal couldn't tell.
"There is one other thing I think may be of note." Zagan said.
"Yes?"
"Ithnan."
This time, Judal reached over and put his hand over Hakuryuu's. It wasn't meant to comfort, really, it was more an act of concern since he'd just bent his fork in half. Hakuryuu's grip on the utensil loosened and he grabbed his lover's hand instead, winding wooden fingers with flesh.
"What about that bastard?" he bristled.
"His behavior has been strange, of late." Belial said. "Haphazard. The Queen has been keeping him especially busy, but his tasks are all far too menial for his status. I might even say she is toying with him."
For a moment, Hakuryuu seemed to consider this, brow drawn with thought. Then, his eyes widened and something caught between awe, horror, and malicious glee crossed his visage.
"He's lied to her." he said. "Or omitted a truth. The killers he sent after me must have been an attempt to ensure she never learn I survived the initial attack."
Both vassals looked equally surprised by this, though something dark and bemused was glittering in Zagan's eyes.
"One does not lie to the Queens." they both said at once.
"No." their prince agreed. "Not if they expect to live very long."
A thick cloud of malice had settled over the table, almost suffocating in its intensity. It occurred to Judal, as he stared at his lover's wooden hand, that everyone present very much despised the same person. He'd never even met him, but he knew that if he ever crossed paths with Ithnan, he was going to waste no time in taking his life.
( What a vicious thought, almost unlike him, he realized. That must be the fae blood talking. he thought with some satisfaction. )
Hakuryuu sighed, and the air cleared.
"Well, no use dwelling on all that now."
"Yes, plenty of time for it later! Belial, pass the honey."
"There is no more."
"Eh?! You—You finished it again! Why can't you ever share?!"
"You never ask until it is gone."
"You should have the consideration to save some for other people!"
"No."
"If I have to order you two not to bicker at the table again—"
"Sorry." Judal interrupted, voice raised to be heard above the chatter. "Like, I didn't follow all of that, obviously, but—I mean, it all sounded kind of urgent. Should we really be…?"
He gestured vaguely to the half-eaten breakfast spread.
The three fae glanced down at the table, then at each other, then at Judal. Not for the first time, he felt a great deal like he was missing something that was meant to be obvious. It had been frustrating before, but now that he knew he was a good two decades behind on his own culture, it was downright aggravating.
Hakuryuu squeezed his hand, which distracted him from his annoyance.
"You don't need to worry, Judal. Spending a few moments on a meal won't change anything."
"Hakuryuu, I appreciate you always telling me I don't need to worry but at some point that's just gonna make me worry more."
"Noted, but in this case I'm being quite literal. The time spent here," he indicated their meal. "Won't make a difference."
Belial seemed to have picked up on what the prince was trying to express.
"The mortal realm and Sidhe do not exist in the same time." he said, drawing Judal's attention. "A day here may be a hundred in Sidhe, and by the same token, a day in Sidhe may equate fifty years here. It is difficult to explain, but if one knows what they are doing, it is possible to leave Sidhe, live an entire lifetime here, and return in a matter of days."
Judal blinked, unsure if he was more startled by Belial's polite answer or the information he'd been given.
"So… Exactly how long has it been since Hakuryuu disappeared? In Sidhe?" he asked.
Zagan dabbed at his mouth with a napkin Judal definitely hadn't owned that morning.
"Well, let me think." he hummed. "He has not returned to UnSeelie since the beginning of the year so… Oh, a moon, maybe?"
He must have looked confused, because Hakuryuu smiled faintly.
"A month." he supplied.
Judal was floored.
A month. For them, it had only been a single month since all of this had started. He tried to make sense of it, attempting to condense the life he had lived with Hakuryuu into a single month, and finding himself more and more overwhelmed the longer he thought about it. Had Hakuryuu been living in an entirely different set of days and hours than him this whole time?
"How long has it been here?" Zagan asked.
Hakuryuu tightened his grip on Judal's hand.
"Far longer." he said.
Breakfast continued in silence after that.
Judal found himself somewhat lacking in appetite and mostly sat, lost in thought, as the other fae continued eating. Every now and then Hakuryuu would stop to coax him into finishing something else on his plate, but seemed to sense he needed a little space.
The plates and bowls which had been overflowing with food were almost empty now, scattered morsels resting on their corners. Belial had just risen, beginning to stack and lift the various dishes, when Judal stood abruptly.
He slammed his hands on the table, startling everyone present and sending one of Belial's familiars scurrying away in fright.
"Okay!" he said, as if he was just picking up a conversation that had been left off. "Let's get back to Sidhe!"
The fae stared at him in shock.
"What—Now?" Belial asked.
"No, yesterday. Yes now!"
"Judal," Hakuryuu said gently. "I told you there isn't any rush—"
Judal waved a hand dismissively.
"There's no reason to stick around here either!" he said, sounding exasperated. "What are we gonna do, sit in the apartment all day twiddling our thumbs?"
Hakuryuu seemed at a loss, as if it had just dawned on him that he wasn't actually sure what the answer to that should be. His brow knitted as he grappled for words, but Judal continued before he could find them.
"Listen, your sociopath of a mother is planning to start her war with Seelie in one month. That means we've got one month to either find a way to stop her, stall her, or at least make the preparations to do either or both!" Judal crossed his arms, determined glare directed at the fae in front of him. "We may not be wasting a lot of time here but, personally, I think every second's gotta count right now. Right?"
Hakuryuu looked almost stunned by the time Judal had finished speaking. Zagan's mouth was open in a startled 'o' and Belial had a subtle hint of respect in his eyes. It took them a moment to collect themselves, but when they did they were smiling.
Zagan chortled.
"The boy's right. Every moment makes a difference."
Belial hummed, setting the dishes back down and stretching two of his arms over his head.
"We will begin making a gateway." he said. "It will not take long."
"Make it in the courtyard." Hakuryuu said absently, eyes still fixed on his lover.
As his vassals took their leave, he stepped closer to Judal. He leaned his hip against the table, lifting a hand to brush dark hair back from his lover's cheek.
"When did you become so invested?"
"You care." Judal said, shrugging his shoulders. "So I care. Besides, it's going to be my home now too. Can't have it getting destroyed."
The prince smiled widely, matching Judal's wicked grin. He cupped a hand around the base of his skull and pulled him in for a heated kiss, digging sharp incisors into his bottom lip.
"Let's get ready, then." he murmured against his lover's mouth. "We're going home."
The leaving of the mortal realm proceeded with far less fanfare than Judal had expected.
He and Hakuryuu both showered, though they did so separately, using sponges of moss to scrub themselves clean. The idea was to wash away as much of the mortal realm as they could, and once the water was turned off Judal scrubbed himself down once more just to be sure. It left his skin pink and sensitive, but much cleaner than before.
When he had asked what he should wear, Hakuryuu had told him to dress for comfort, and not to bother bringing an extra set of clothes. So, while he allowed his hair to dry, he set about rummaging through his drawers and closet in search of something to wear.
Anything with metal was immediately tossed aside, which included a majority of his pants and shorts, as well as most of his jackets. Articles with patterns and designs on them were also done away with, as was anything with a logo. He dismissed things made for weather that was either too hot or too cold, narrowing his choices as quickly as he could.
After some deliberation, he settled on a pair of snug fitting pants that didn't need a belt to rest on his hips. A long sleeved shirt with a low cut neck was chosen for his top, and a well-worn pair of slip on shoes for his feet. His hair, now almost dry, was tied back in a tight braid he tied off with a loose hairtie.
The outfit was simple, all black and relatively unimpressive. Judal picked through his jewelry for a bit, but only ended up putting on the silver bracelet that had found its way into his pocket the week prior. It glittered happily in the light, like it was pleased to be going with him.
Hakuryuu was waiting for him when he left his room. Judal had been expecting him to don his armor, but instead he had knotted it up into a neat pack he'd swung over his shoulder. He had changed, though, from the clothes he had bought in the mortal realm to garments reminiscent of the bloodied ones he had arrived in. A high collared shirt, fitted around the wrists, dark pants tucked into knee high boots, and his hair done up in a bun at the back of his head.
He smiled when he saw Judal, and together they left the apartment. On impulse, Judal locked the door behind him, and when he realized what he had done he paused.
For a moment he just stood there, hand against the door, thinking of all the time he had spent beyond this doorway. The joy he'd felt the day he had moved in, the strain of keeping up with bills and school at once, and how it had slowly, surely, come to be home. It wasn't much. It wasn't even impressive.
But it had been his.
"…I'm going." he murmured to the door. "Thanks for everything."
Judal left the keys in the lock and descended the stairs.
The courtyard was neither particularly quiet, nor particularly serene when they stepped outside. The midday hubbub could be heard from beyond the gate, and a sharp breeze had begun tugging at the leaves. A thought to check on the younger saplings later crossed Judal's mind, only for him to remember that he wouldn't be able to.
He cast his eyes around, looking at the sanctum Hakuryuu had created for them, the little oasis in the middle of the city. What would become of it after they were gone? They were plants, they'd live on so long as someone had the notion to tend to them once in a while. What if no one did?
Then they would return to the earth, as they had come, and eventually something new would grow in their place. When he thought about it like that, it was comforting.
Belial and Zagan once again towered over them, each standing well above the tallest tree the courtyard had to offer. They had chosen a spot by the back wall, not quite hidden from the windows of the buildings on either side, but disguised from the street. Being seen didn't really matter at this point, Judal supposed.
"Ready?" Zagan asked cheerfully, clapping his hands together.
Hakuryuu almost said yes, but Judal stopped him with a hand on his arm.
"Wait. I just thought of something."
The prince looked at him, puzzled.
"My "second skin" is still on. So as far as Sidhe is concerned, I'm mostly mortal, right?"
"Oh, dear, that is true." Zagan said. "That may pose a problem. Sidhe can be very dangerous for mortals."
"It isn't a problem." Hakuryuu assured. "Is it, Judal?"
Judal stared into the prince's eyes for a moment, lost on what he was trying to convey. It dawned on him suddenly and he beamed.
Hakuryuu set his armor down and offered both of his hands. Judal took them, sucking in a deep breath and shutting his eyes for a moment. Magic sparkled inside him, dancing its way up from his belly through his chest until it alighted on his tongue.
He opened his eyes.
"Hakuryuu Ren," he began, tasting the cold and the power of the name as it slid from his tongue. "Prince of UnSeelie Court, Son of the Great King Hakutoku, heir to his throne, I call upon thee."
Hakuryuu's eyes danced with blue flame, hot and cold at once, power and subservience combined. He smiled, and in that moment it was more beautiful than anything in the entirety of the mortal realm.
"I am here, Judal, to whom I owe so much." he replied. "What will you ask of me?"
"I ask for you to return to Sidhe with me by your side; to guide and teach me as we travel, so I will not stray; to ensure I am not tricked, bewitched, or led from you, while I learn to live as one of your own."
The magic between them leapt and sparked, raising the hair on the back of Judal's neck. He could feel it racing through his blood, burning on his tongue, twisting around and through their hands. The bond between them had always been there, since Hakuryuu had sworn his oath, but he had never felt it so strongly before.
It was the most reassuring thing he could have asked for.
"It will be my honor to do all you have asked of me." Hakuryuu said, affection leaking into his tone. "Consider your first request granted."
The bond snapped taut, and Judal felt something escape with his breath as he exhaled. The air cleared, calm once more, and Belial scoffed.
"Wishes? Really, my prince?"
Zagan smiled.
"I think it is quite romantic."
"Shut up." Hakuryuu huffed. "Just open the damn gate."
The opening of the gate itself was as simplistic as everything else had been. Belial merely hooked one clawed finger in the air and drew it swiftly down, as if tearing something in two.
The world seemed to split open, like a torn movie screen, everything just where it had been and yet just a little bit askew. Judal peered into the void, but couldn't see anything on the other side. An intense, giddy feeling flooded him and he gripped Hakuryuu's hand tightly.
Zagan went first, disappearing into the schism as if he had never been there at all. The prince went next, waiting until the last moment to release his lover's hand, and then suddenly it was Judal's turn. He swallowed, staring into the opening the led to nothing and everything all at once.
Bracing himself, Judal stepped forward, and disappeared from the mortal realm. Belial stood in the courtyard alone, counting the seconds until he deemed their disappearances unnoticed, before stepping through himself.
For a few moments, the tear in reality remained. It shimmered, there and not all at once depending on what angle you caught it from, as if just waiting to tempt one more soul through. Then, the veil began to knit itself closed again, pulling together with invisible thread until the opening was gone.
Within a few moments, the courtyard was empty. The wind rustled the leaves, and somewhere a car horn drawled on.
Overhead, the skies opened, and it began to rain.
Notes:
I would like to apologize, first, that this chapter is a day late. I moved ( again ) a few days ago and things have been very hectic for a bit; I didn't have a chance to finish up this chapter until very late last night. Rather than rush myself, I wanted to give this chapter the best I could, so here it is a day late. I'm going to work very hard to not have this happen again.
With that said...
This is the end of the first arc! Yes, finally, it all comes to a close, for now. The second arc is going to begin with a pair of flashbacks that I hope will enrich the story further and make everyone excited for things to progress.
However, before we get to those, we will be going on a week long break. I need to catch up on writing, and work on another project I'll hopefully be able to tell everyone about soon! Serendipity will return Monday, May 15th!
Thank you for sticking with me everyone, now, to the chapter!