Chapter 6

"I can’t lose him, Liam," whispered Queen Evangelyn as she cradled King Barrett’s head on her lap.

General Liam looked on, still trying to comprehend what had happened. The King had invited him for a drink with the Queen and himself and now, not two hours later, Barrett lay still on the floor, his breathing growing shallower by the minute.

"Father!"

Prince Brian’s voice resounded as he entered the room, Nickolas at his heels. The General felt hope as Nick knelt by his father’s side, grasping his hand. He had heard of the Captain’s ability to heal and prayed that he would be able to help.

‘Father.’

Nick called silently to this man who had taken him in and raised him so lovingly. He reached out with his ‘senses’ as far as he could, feeling the physical world around him fade away. All that remained was the bright spark that was Barrett’s essence. He could see the poison eating away at his father as the spark grew dimmer and realized that he was running out time. Using everything he had, Nick began attacking the invading poison instead, destroying and simultaneously healing the damage done by the poison. Tirelessly, he forged on even as he felt himself grow weaker.

Brian had never felt so helpless. With one arm around his mother, he looked on as Nick tried to save their father. At first, there was no visible change, and Brian feared that it was too late but suddenly, Barrett’s shallow breathing began to steadily improve. His color started returning, his face no longer the chalky mask that it was.

‘You’re doing it, Nick,’ thought Brian excitedly but felt all elation leave him when he saw his brother’s face.

Nick’s eyes were clenched shut, perspiration wetting his brow.

"Nicky?" Brian called, unable to help himself.

Vibrant blue suddenly filled his world as Nick’s eyes snapped open, the pain reflected in them causing Brian’s heart to clench. The sound of Barrett finally taking his first deep breath in what seemed like forever, filled the room, breaking their connection.

Nick finally released his hold on Barrett as the King began stirring. He couldn’t remember the last time he had felt so tired. Feeling the exhaustion overwhelm him, Nick barely heard his name being called before finally giving in to the darkness.

Several hours later, Nick woke to find himself in his own room. Turning his head, he found Kevin sitting by the bed, staring out the window.

"Kevin?"

Nick surprised himself by how weak he sounded. Trying to get up, he found Kevin pushing him back.

"Stay down, Nick."

Kevin’s voice sounding so soft, even in the silence of the room.

"Kevin?"

Nick called again when the man refused to meet his eyes.

"Kevin, look at me."

Nick pleaded, desperate to know what was wrong. Could something have gone wrong with his father?

"Kevin, is the King…"

"No!"

That finally caused Kevin to meet Nick’s eyes as he picked up on his fear.

"The King’s fine, Nick. You saved him."

"Then, why…"

Nick stopped himself though as he realized what he was seeing in Kevin’s eyes, just like the older man knew he would.

Fear.

‘But why?’

As if hearing him, Kevin answered, his voice now softer then before.

"When I walked into the room and saw you lying there, hearing Brian call your name,…I thought they had made a mistake. That it was you who was poisoned. I…."

Reaching out a hand, he tenderly caressed Nick’s cheek.

"I felt you growing weaker and almost lost all ‘sense’ of you when you collapsed."

A tear made its way down his cheek as Kevin whispered.

"I thought I had lost you, Nezadi."

Nick felt his heart stop at hearing the endearment. Nezadi, a word from one of the most ancient languages of the land.

Nezadi.

Beloved.

Nick placed his own hand over Kevin’s as he pressed his cheek firmly against the older man’s touch. Then, gently clasping the hand, Nick placed a kiss on the palm. No more words were needed as Kevin leaned down, both hands now framing Nick’s face as together they lowered all barriers between them. All their love, all their devotion, everything one felt was shared with the other as Kevin finally moved to seal their bond with a kiss.

The older man groaned in pleasure as he felt Nick’s arms wrap around him, pulling him closer, deepening their kiss. His own arms wrapping around the still weakened body, needing to feel the warmth that proved this wasn’t all a dream.

When finally they pulled apart, both were flushed and breathless. But there was something else. Something that neither realized had been missing from their lives. As he watched the slow and gentle smile spread over Nick’s face, Kevin realized that for the fist time in his life, he was content.

So engrossed were they with each other, neither noticed the tiny figure approach Nick’s bed.

"Nick?"

"Cole!"

Nick felt himself blush as he realized how he and Kevin must look to the boy, their arms still wrapped around each other. But then realized that Cole was staring at him radiating nothing but worry. Making sure Kevin knew he wanted him to stay near, Nick released him and held out his arms to Cole.

"Come here," softly he called to the boy and was soon enveloped in a hug. He felt his heart break as he felt the boy shaking.

"Shh. It’s alright, Cole."

"H-Howie t-told me to stay with him while Kevin took care of you but I wanted to see that you were okay myself. I saw Kevin carrying you in and you looked so pale and you weren’t moving and…"

"Easy. I’m fine, Cole. Just a bit drained, that’s all."

"Yeah, Howie explained it to me but I wanted to make sure."

"Does Howie know that you’re here?"

"No."

And sure enough, just then Howie entered with AJ in tow, relief apparent on his face when he spotted Cole. His gaze traveled to Nick, taking in the exhaustion and still slightly pale complexion. AJ on the other hand, noticed the way Kevin had his arm around Nick’s shoulders, supporting him while he held Cole. A knowing smirk appeared on his face.

Meeting Kevin’s eye, he raised an eyebrow suggestively. Kevin groaned realizing AJ somehow already knew about Nick and was going to take great pleasure in torturing him. But as Nick turned questioningly towards Kevin at the sound, and seeing those blue eyes directed at him, Kevin decided it was worth it.

Howie, noticing the exchange picked up on the relationship immediately as well and by the time Nick turned to look back at the two, they were both wearing identical smirks. Nick unwittingly let out a groan as well as he came to the exact same conclusion Kevin had. By Khira, were they going to be in for it.

Cole, oblivious to all the silent messages being exchanged, now sure that Nick was alright, asked the question that had been bugging him since he entered the room.

"Nick?"

"Hmm?"

"Are you going to marry Kevin?"

Both Nick and Kevin were shocked speechless as Howie and AJ burst into laughter, AJ enthusiastically cheering "Alright, Cole!"

"General!"

The sound of Matthew’s call surprised them all. The soldier entered the room, taking a quick moment to see for himself that Nick was alright, before turning to Kevin.

"Sir, you must come with me immediately. Soldiers under General Neil’s command are currently searching your rooms."

"What?! Why?"

"I don’t know, sir. Allyne and I were there when they arrived. We tried to stop them but the General was with them and ordered us to stand down. We decided that I should come inform you while Allyne stayed behind to keep watch, sir."

"You did the right thing, Matt."

Kevin turned towards Nick, both of them searching for possible explanations.

"Go," said Nick.

"Take Howie and AJ with you. The assassin?"

"We still haven’t located him. The guards are out searching the grounds."

"Then you’d better find out why they’re searching your rooms as well."

As Kevin made to leave, he heard Cole call out to him.

"Don’t worry, Kevin. I’ll take care of Nick for you until you come back."

The boy’s face determined as he made his pledge unaware of the smiles on Howie, AJ and even Matthew’s faces.

Matthew, like the rest of General Richardson’s command, had long since realized and approved of the match between their General and Captain. It was a knowledge they kept to themselves though, not letting the other soldiers even suspect, all of them aware of the political conflicts regarding the Captain’s mixed heritage and the General’s close association with the King.

Kevin, careful to keep his smile from showing, with all seriousness accepted the boy’s pledge with a nod.

"I know you will, Cole. I trust you."

Seeing the boy sit straighter at that, Nick smiled at Kevin, mentally shaking his head.

‘Great. Now they’ve got Cole keeping an eye on me too.’

As Kevin, Howie, AJ and Matthew made their way to Kevin’s quarters, they were joined halfway by Brian.

"How’s Nick?" he asked worriedly.

He had wanted to visit his brother earlier, but with his father recuperating from the effects of the poison, Brian had been left with the task of keeping order at the palace. He was actually on his way now but after being updated by Kevin on the current situation, decided to see to this matter first.

As they entered Kevin’s rooms, the destruction made by General Neil’s soldiers left them momentarily speechless. Finally, AJ snapped out it.

"What the hell?!"

Brian was outraged by the disrespect shown to Kevin.

"What is the meaning of this?!" he demanded as General Neil approached them.

"Your Highness, we have reason to believe that General Richardson was responsible on the assassination attempt on King Barrett.

"What?!"

Both Matthew and Allyne, outraged at the accusation, made to draw their swords.

"Stand down," ordered Kevin.

Reluctantly, they complied, both still seething.

AJ however, had less restraint and was currently being held back by Howie.

"General."

They all turned as a soldier approached them from within Kevin’s inner chamber, a vial in his hand. Summoning the healer they had brought along with them, General Liam indicated for the vial’s contents to be tested. The healer, pulling out a transparent vial of his own from within the folds of his robes, mixed the two and noticing the color change, nodded his head to General Liam.

Turning to Brian, he clarified.

"We managed to salvage some of the poison from the King’s cup. This substance matches the one that was used to poison the King, Your Highness."

Satisfied, General Liam turned towards Kevin.

"General Richardson, you are hereby under arrest for the attempted assassination of His Royal Highness, King Barrett of Khiranirn."