The Ice Prince

“Your Highness,” one of the guards saluted as he threw his prisoner at the cold marble floor. The boy grunted, but the guards ignored him.

“We found this beggar by the north gate, Prince Caldre. He insisted that he was brought to you.”

“So… you brought him in chains?” The Prince’s voice was as cold and harsh as winter.

The guards looked surprised. “B-But, your Highness, you told us you were not to be interrupted unless-”

“Unless someone asked for me. This man asked for me, did he not? Leave him here, you are excused.”

For a second, the guards made no move to leave. However, once faced with the Prince’s icy stare, they immediately turned on their heels and were gone within a second.

Prince Caldre stood up and drew his blue robes around himself. It was always cold for him- even in the heart of summer.

“Hello, my pretty spy. What news do you bring of the outside world?”

The boy looked up from the floor and smiled. “Nothing but times of peace. The world is as boring as it is here.”

Caldre sighed, but he longed to smile. Unfortunately, his curse did not give him the freedom of emotions.

“Aoidh…” The boy stood up at the sound of his name and walked toward Caldre.

“My Ice Prince, I have found it.” Caldre jumped slightly, reaching forward for Aoidh’s hands. The boy took them in his own, callous ones enthusiastically.

“We have done it then, Aoidh. You have done it.”

Aoidh kissed Caldre lightly on the lips. He had searched half his life for a way to break his lover’s curse, and now he had done it.

“It is in a land called Nimah. There were many legends about a dragon in the area that has the power to break any curse.” Aoidh smiled and kissed Caldre again. “My Ice Prince, I promise I will bring back this dragon, so it may free you. Never will you be cold again.”

If possible, Aoidh would say that Caldre looked thoughtful, though his face remained as expressionless as ever.

“Nimah… I have heard that name before. It is a desert country, no?”

Aoidh nodded. “Yes, my Ice Prince. I do believe it is.”

“In a desert… I may not be cold.” Aoidh dropped Caldre’s hands.

“My lord, no! It is far too dangerous to leave the castle. The witch who cursed you is still out there, but she does not know she failed to kill you. If she nearly succeeded once, there will be no stopping her a second time.”

Caldre took Aoidh’s hands again and kissed the fingertips. “So it is ‘my lord’ now. Have I fallen from your favor that quickly?”

Aoidh sighed and brushed away silken strands of jet black hair from Caldre’s forehead, bringing his lips to the other boy’s cheek.

“No, my Ice Prince. I was startled. I had a feeling you would ask to come, but…” Aoidh shook his head. “I cannot allow it.”

“Aoidh, may I remind you of our past? You were a strange boy, I was a young prince… the castle was buzzing with rumors. They angered you, did they not, my pretty spy?”

Aoidh growled in his throat. His poor Caldre did not need a treacherous court when he was already cursed. After Aoidh had protected Caldre from an assassin, Caldre had pledged his life to Aoidh. Back then, he had been nothing but a thief. The Ice Prince must have realized this, and he had made Aoidh his trusted friend and advisor despite how much it scandalized him.

Caldre continued to stroke Aoidh’s cheek absentmindedly. “My uncle will not stop until he gets the throne, dear one. I am not safe anywhere.”

“I will keep you safe.”

“Oh?” The prince sounded amused, although he was incapable of it. “And how will you do that when you are trudging through some god-forsaken desert, in a distant land?”

Aoidh stiffened at the logic. Only his Ice Prince could win against him so easily.

“Caldre… if I let you come, do you promise to behave?”

Aoidh could only imagine the smile that would stretch those pretty lips, but they remained set. “I promise I will behave.”

“Good,” Aoidh tugged at his lover’s long hair playfully, and smiling at the imagined flicker of joy that crossed the prince’s youthful features. “Because I do not know if I will.”

---

“My pretty spy, why are you in rags?” Caldre’s soft voice floated from behind. Aoidh turned and smiled.

“I hate your clothes, and you know it. Why must you insist on treating me like a doll?”

Slender arms wrapped around Aoidh’s equally slender body. “Because you make such a pretty one, my dear Aoidh. Besides, after a few months in a desert, those rags will be reduced to nothing. Though, I wouldn’t mind that either.”

Aoidh felt himself blush as he turned to look at the other boy. “Very well, but I will approve of whatever you decide to throw me in.”

Caldre nodded solemnly. “Of course, dear one.” There was a moment of silence as the two boys strolled down the hallway, hand-in-hand.

“Not to doubt you, Aoidh, but how do you know this will work?”

Aoidh smiled at his lover. “I have my ways. Even though I am not the educated prince you are, I do know things.”

“I-I never meant-” Aoidh cut him off. There was a guard approaching, and that meant it was time for Aoidh to disappear.

“Your Highness, King Diomedes wishes to speak with you.”

Knowing it would be futile to disobey, Caldre cast a glance to the shadows where his spy had disappeared. A slight pang hit his chest; whenever he was unable to convey an emotion, it was there.

Caldre did not doubt Aoidh knew he loved him. Their bond had been strong since the night Aoidh had snuck into Caldre’s window, hoping to sneak a glance at the handsome prince, but ending up saving his life.

Being cursed, however, Caldre could not express his love in every way. Words covered enough; but anytime Caldre reached out to touch Aoidh, it hurt. It hurt that he was nothing more than a shell; that he could not respond to Aoidh’s advances in the way he wanted. He could touch, he could speak, but he could not feel.

That was his curse. To constantly be a cold, unfeeling, statue. A pretty face forever frozen in a grim glower.

---

Aoidh hated King Diomedes. Anyone who tried to kill their own nephew was not fit to rule in his book. Aoidh knew that Caldre also hated his uncle, even though his face could never express it.

Speaking of Caldre, the prince was doing well holding his own against the King. Aoidh smiled. He longed to be up there, holding his Ice Prince’s hand, but knew that his head would be off in a second should the guards ever see someone touching their prince.

Little did they know… Aoidh thought smugly. Suddenly, however, King Diomedes’ loud voice shattered his thoughts.

“What do you mean, you’re handing me the throne?!”

Aoidh clenched his fist. He had already discussed this with Caldre, but it was still awful to see all of his lover’s power handed to that fat pig. Aoidh could practically see the King bouncing in his chair with excitement.

“I am leaving, Uncle, and need someone to watch the kingdom,” came Caldre’s stony reply. King Diomedes grinned wildly, clapping a meaty hand on Caldre’s shoulder. This made Aoidh wince both inwardly and outwardly, and it took all his strength to not pull out his dagger and cut the King’s hand off.

“Leaving, my boy? After all we’ve done to keep you here?” The King lowered his voice, but Aoidh could still make out the words. “What about that nasty curse of yours?”

In one swift motion, Caldre swept his Uncle’s hand off his shoulder. “The curse limits my emotions, not my freedom, Uncle. I am handing you my power in my stead, I would hope you act wisely or face the consequences.”

King Diomedes looked a little shocked, but quickly recovered. “Of course, dear nephew. I wouldn’t have it another way.”

With those final words, Caldre turned to leave the throne room.

---

It was night when Caldre and Aoidh slipped out of the castle. Although King Diomedes had insisted they bring guards, both boys knew they would be better off if the King was left in the dark about their quest. They had, however, managed to get one horse.

Aoidh drew his knife and quickly dispatched the two guards at the gate. He felt Caldre stiffen, but he knew it was because the Ice Prince abhorred violence. Aoidh pressed his cheek against Caldre’s neck, warming the black haired boy.

“I’m fine, pretty spy,” Caldre answered in return, though both knew he was lying. The curse made him not only cold mentally, but cold physically. Aoidh supposed that it was because the witch who cast it had failed to specify which ‘cold’ she meant.

Aoidh had not been there when the spell was cast. He knew that King Diomedes had planned to have everyone that threatened the throne assassinated, including the baby prince. He hired a witch to cast a killing curse, but somehow it had skipped Caldre. When the witch realized this, she cursed the child multiple times, finally settling on the one that would least harm him, and putting all her power into it.

She had disappeared the next day, after collecting her pay from Diomedes. No one in the kingdom suspected the King of the treachery; he played the mourning role very well.

“Aoidh?” Called the Ice Prince softly. The spy could only kiss Caldre’s cheek in acknowledgement, for he was too tired to do otherwise.

“Should we rest, dear one?” Aoidh nodded, pressing his lips once more to his Ice Prince. The boys slipped off the horse and tied it to a tree that was hidden behind tall bushes. Exhausted, they hid behind the bushes as well and fell asleep in each other’s arms.

---

“Everything is gone,” said the prince. He clutched his stomach as the pang settled, unable to convey the horror he felt. All of their supplies, their food, and their horse… everything was gone. Aoidh tore at his shaggy blonde hair.

“We should go back,” the spy said at last. “We’ll die if we don’t.”

Caldre could say nothing. Finally, he took Aoidh’s clammy hands in his own.

“I love you.”

Aoidh knew it was his way of disagreeing.

---

Months had passed since the two boys had first set off. They went from city to city, town to town, asking for Nimah. Word spread like wildfire about the two strangers.

“I don’t believe any of those rumors goin’ ‘round. Not one of them,” Aoidh heard a woman’s voice cry. “Magical princes and cursed thieves? Do they want our children to be frightened witless?” He smiled to himself and swirled the ale in his mug.

This was their twentieth city. The third one this month. Aoidh reached over to stroke his prince’s jet locks. The poor boy had fallen asleep again, and Aoidh’s eyelids felt just as heavy.

“Excuse me?” He called to the tavern maid. “May we be shown our room?”

The maid, no more than a girl, looked at the two boys strangely. “Oh, of course. Right up those stairs, second door on the left.”

Aoidh thanked the girl and handed her a copper coin. She looked at the coin as though she didn’t know what to do with it, but Aoidh pointed to her apron. She caught on and pocketed the money, casting a beaming smile at him.

Caldre stirred in his sleep, and Aoidh reached out to shake him gently.

“Is it time to go?” Came the soft reply. Aoidh’s grin grew.

“No, my prince. It is time for sleep. That is, once we get to our room.”

He caught Caldre’s eyes flicker open. “Our room? I don’t remember paying…”

Aoidh shrugged guiltily. “Once a thief, always a thief, my Ice Prince. I apologize.”

Caldre sat up and dismissed the apology with a wave of his hand. “I am too tired to fight with you on morals, you are forgiven.”

As Aoidh helped his prince to the room, he heard another person yell out a rumor. It was one he had never heard before, and one that caused his heart to stop.

“I heard the King has placed a bounty on their heads. The one who finds- and kills them- will receive whatever they wish for.”

---

Aoidh hated to wake Caldre so early, especially because he knew they were both tired. The past months had been torture, but Aoidh knew that they would face worse if they were ever captured.

Caldre had heard the rumor as well. Aoidh had a feeling that Caldre had heard it long before this. It was near impossible to read his emotionless face when Aoidh told him what he had heard the man say, but somehow Aoidh knew.

It was still dark as the boys fled into the forest, clutching each other’s hands. Aoidh had stolen bread and flasks of water from the kitchen, and although Caldre had disapproved, the prince had done nothing to stop him.

“A-Aoidh,” Caldre panted. It was odd that he sounded so breathless when no traces of exhaustion were on his face.

“Yes, my Ice Prince?” Aoidh reached over to stroke his jet curls.

“I love you.” Caldre’s voice sounded odd. Aoidh continued to stroke his hair as they walked deeper into the forest.

Caldre was uneasy. He could feel the desert was close; it had been a while since he felt cold. Of course, that could have been because of Aoidh, but there was something dry about the air that choked Caldre.

Caldre was afraid. Every time he touched Aoidh’s pale skin or blonde hair, he was reminded of the danger he was putting his love in. Aoidh had nothing to do with this family dispute, yet somehow he had managed to get caught in it anyways.

Caldre was selfish. He wanted Aoidh to be here, even though he could be killed.

“It’s okay,” Caldre jumped as Aoidh pulled his hand away. “We’re there. You don’t need to be afraid anymore.”

Suddenly the blonde laughed. “And you are not selfish.”

“I-I hadn’t realized I was speaking out loud.”

Aoidh shifted. “You weren’t. Caldre- please don’t be angry-”

There was a whistling noise, then a loud crack as an arrow flew between the boys and hit the tree behind them.

“Caldre, run!” Aoidh shouted, grabbing the prince’s hand and all but dragging him behind.

They dodged low-hanging branches and overgrown bushes, but the undergrowth proved to be too much of a challenge. They had not gone far before Caldre tripped and fell.

“Caldre!” He heard Aoidh shout. Then everything went dark.

---

Caldre woke to warmth.

Or to be more specific, he was not cold. For the first time in his life, he was not cold.

That only led him to guess that what he felt was warmth. He had never experienced it before.

Slowly, his mouth stretched into a smile. He was free of the curse.

“So my Ice Prince has awoken?”

Caldre sat up at the sound of Aoidh’s voice. “You’re alive!”

The blonde thief nodded enthusiastically. “And so are you. How are you- is the curse broken?”

“Yes.” Caldre grinned just to show that he could.

The two boys embraced, smothering each other with kisses. They sat like that for awhile, until Caldre finally pulled away to look at their surroundings.

“Where are we?” He asked, observing the rock walls that shone with a golden hue. Both of them were lying in a massive bed that was also covered in gold fabric.

“The dragon’s den,” Aoidh replied softly, looking a little sad. “Or should I say, my home.”

Caldre raised a slender eyebrow at the remark. “Your home? But that would mean-”

“Yes, I am the dragon.” Aoidh grabbed his prince’s shoulders before he could move. “Please, you must believe me that I did not know. It was not until we were close enough to Nimah that I realized what I really was. I tried to tell you, but was interrupted when we were attacked.”

“But… how do you look…human?”

Aoidh shrugged. “I think it is magic, but I am not sure. I’m bound to figure it out eventually, I suppose. There seem to be a great many books here on the subject of dragons.” He gestured vaguely to the wall behind them, which was covered with bookshelves.

Caldre nodded, though he looked a little shaken. “And- you broke the curse, correct?”

Aoidh nodded and brushed his lips against the prince’s. “It was the least I could do. I dragged you here; I almost had you killed…”

“But I wasn’t killed, and if I had stayed behind I would definitely be dead, instead of here with you.”

Aoidh still looked sad, but Caldre put on a reassuring smile, reveling in the way his mouth could contort and display his emotions. He wouldn’t take the simplest emotions for granted anymore, now that he was free.

“You must leave now,” his lover said, pulling away. Caldre’s smile disappeared.

“No!”

The thief shook his head, a lone tear painting his cheek. “I cannot leave now that I have come. It is like I am trapped in this cave.”

“Then I will be trapped with you!” The prince shouted, placing his hands on Aoidh’s face and brushing the tears away. “I might as well be trapped as well. If I return home my uncle will kill me.” He brought his face closer to Aoidh’s. “Let us live in exile together, my pretty one.”

“As you wish.” Aoidh added as an afterthought, “My Ice Prince.”

Caldre grinned and pressed his lips playfully to Aoidh’s. “Not anymore.”

The End

A/N: Gah, I’ve had this for awhile now and I’m only just finishing it. I think this is definitely my longest story so far! Sadly, I’m not very keen on everything that happens after Caldre passes out. I think it went by too fast.

Please review, though, so I can have your take on this!!!