Prince Ezra
I tried to stay still and relax but my muscles felt tense. Constantly contracting as if forcing my body to do what my mind had been pondering about for the past three hours. I couldn't close my eyes. Not with the window looking back at me forming shadows of a silhouette climbing up the way I had imagined for what felt like centuries.
Thea didn't question why I left that specific window open. She had probably stood guard outside six years ago watching the very reason why. It was a habit I just couldn't shake but it was hope. A sick hope I always held onto.
I shouldn't have let the thought cross my mind. Not when Thea's head was resting on my chest, her thin arms hugging my waist as she softly snored. It felt like I was betraying her. In my mind. Yet either way it was betrayal that I was thinking about someone else when she was here with me.
However I knew that I couldn't shake it off any longer. I knew that this was what was going to happen. Just like all the times when I had come to the palace. I always found myself walking up the hill. Unable to stop myself no matter how hard I fought it.
I ran my fingers through my hair and massaged my scalp before I finally made up my mind. With gentle movements I laid Thea down next to me and tucked her in warmly before I climbed out.
With quiet movements I put on a tracksuit and my forever loyal hiking boots, then grabbed a jacket. I gave Thea a glance over before I headed for the bedroom door, just as I pulled it open and she let out a groan as she sat up. Her hair was up in all kinds of directions.
"Are you going out?" She yawned.
"Yeah," my throat thick with emotions that the words came out croaked.
"Don't forget to take a jacket. It's cold outside," she sighed and laid back down.
"I did," I softly smiled then walked back to her to make sure she was comfortable. When she drifted back to sleep I pressed a kiss to her forehead before I walked out, closing the door behind me.
Without much thought I grabbed a bottle of whiskey from the bar and headed out my chambers.
"Prince Ezra," Tobias, one of my head of security, instantly came into step behind me when I exited my chambers. "Shall I get the cars ready? Are you planning to go out?"
I gave him a small smile and shook my head. "I'm just taking a walk. Stay and watch Thea for me."
"Prince Ezra-" he already geared himself up to argue.
I waved my hand dismissively as I walked down the hall. "Don't send security to follow me. I'll be fine on my own." I gave him very little time to argue that, as I rounded the corner heading for the back door of the chambers.
The moment I opened it, I blew air and sighed when I saw the cold mist form in front of my mouth and nose. I must have forgotten how cold Kommos nights could get. I climbed down the stairs and one step in front of the other I made the hike up the hill. Remembering how years ago the same path would cause me to have a skip in my step in excitement.
Hiding in bushes from security and sometimes wandering Adonis. Twigs and leaves stuck in my hair when I finally made it to my destination. The memories brought a smile to my lips as I looked up to the clear skies. Missing the very stars that looked so different anywhere else in the world.
The sound of my boots on the wet grass accompanied the singing of the night critters. The crickets playing their tune and the crashing of waves against the cliff edge. The smell of the sea heavy in the air the closer and closer I got.
When my figure came into view by the black iron wrought gates, the guards did not hesitate to pull them open when they saw me near. Their bodies immediately bowed down as I wished them a good and safe night.
I knew the maze off by heart now. My body easily moved along the paths before I arrived where I needed to be. He was there already. Waiting for me as he always had. As he always would be, it tore my heart apart but made my lips stretch into a sinister smile because I was finally near him again.
Near enough that my heart felt like it could finally stop having that pain that never went away no matter how hard I tried by my apex. It only went away when I was near him.
Without a word he opened his arms to me and sat down next to him. Having missed his warmth as we both looked up to the stars. My mind reminiscing on the days when the nights would feel like they stretched on forever.
I smelt the coffee scent off the fabric off his clothes. The way his heart sped up from having me so near. I was sure he could feel mine. I was sure he could hear it from how loud it thundered in my ears. It was impossible the guards at the gate didn't hear it.
"I missed you," I sighed, tears already in my eyes. "I missed you so much. I don't know what I was thinking running away from all this. But I always run away. I'm sure you know that already. After all, you're the one who found me. Remember, my matted hair and wild eyes. I don't know how you even entertained me when you saw me in that state. I know for a fact if the world had they wouldn't obsess over me the way they do now.
"Did I tell you they all think I look like Adonis? I wish sometimes they would think I look like Ezra. It's hard being in his shadow sometimes."