konigarenofgermany:
maddox.
-
The footsteps became familiar once Aaron recognized who it was, and even though Maddox passed by him, he sensed the urgency quickening the former pirate’s stride. He waited, leaning forward to peer around the sculptures in the middle of the gallery to watch Maddox’s progress through the gallery and then circling back.
Aaron inhaled, then exhaled slowly. Panic kept gripping him and letting go in moments of fear and relief. The relief felt more palpable this time–as much as he trusted that Maddox was too sharp and too ruthless to fall at the hands of these pirate thugs, he was as mortal as anyone else. He knew that from the last night on the island, the image of his bloodied wound (though nonfatal) still gave him chills to think about.
He was so pleased to hear Maddox’s voice that he nearly missed what was said. “It was very hot,” he murmured, his voice hoarse from how dry his mouth was. The taste of blood hadn’t left him. “I’m–”
This was no time to linger, but he took Maddox’s face in his hands and tried to keep from saying or doing anything stupid. Just stared, his eyes burning and a mixture of fear and longing overcoming some of the relief of finding him alive. How quickly things could change if they turned the wrong corner. What if he had to watch Maddox die?
Why does it always have to be like this?
“I was captured with another prince. We fought back. I took an elbow to–” He pointed to his face where the swelling had started to take hold between his eye and lower jaw. “We got out, but we were separated. Theo took the gun. So I’ve just been… alone.”
He swallowed and tried to smile, but that hurt, so it only reached the unharmed half of his face. “Let’s go.” Aaron pushed himself to his feet and looked around the room once more before waiting for Maddox to lead him into the next room. “They have gunmen on the roof, but I think our only chance is to try and get out of here. Unless you have a better plan?”
--
Maddox had extra lives left. He had escaped without so much as a scratch. Physically, Aaron dealt with more. The hint of a developing bruise over swollen skin had begun to show on the king’s face. Brows knitted tighter as Maddox listened to what had transpired over the last several hours. Pride swelled to think Aaron had fought back.
Followed by a warm and clarifying wash of relief, even as Aaron’s comment about being aone struck deep. They were alive and very close to freedom then. Maddox did not have to be told twice to go.
He led with the gun raised again, eyes open and scanning for anyone who might still be around. “The gunmen on the roof have been captured. I don’t know who has come in but-- most of the pirates have been rounded up. The rest of the palace is still being cleared.” A pause to check around a corner. It was a short path to a rooftop staircase. Once Maddox had made it, with Aaron safely in tow, the king was given a directional push into the stairwell. The door closed behind them. Maddox motioned to the stairs headed up.
“Do you know who captured you?” Tersely disseminated information had been given out by the team retaking the palace. But Maddox had already been face to face with Deacon. The players and their reasons behind the staged attack all too familiar. Maddox wanted specifics. “Who elbowed you, did they give a name?” Tierney and Delon hadn’t contracted with the brightest pirates, after all. “More importantly, did you fight back? I hope they look a lot worse than you. If not, I didn’t teach you so well. If the prince got the gun, it must’ve been a decent scrap, hm?”










