gn + trusting reader, angst. tw: ooc zayne, implied reader death
wc: 520
fair warning: i haven't read or pulled his card, i just thought of this while reading the event story. i have pulled sylus's though, so once i read it i might do one for him if i come up with something :3
I'm much more trusting than mc is in the event story. I don't think I could live a happy life while always doubting those closest to me. I'm (pretty sure?) the men don't end up harming her in canon, but I was contemplating a more trusting emperor/empress reader. They grow close to the men and begin to trust them implicitly, only to be betrayed at the last moment.
This would hurt the most for Zayne's character, I feel. You grew up looking up to him, thinking the world of him, and finally being able to stand beside him as an equal. You're delighted that you can now see him as a friend, conversing casually and going out to spend time together when neither of you is busy with your duties. The slight crush you've harbored towards him since you were a teenager has only been growing stronger.
When rumors of his possible treachery begin to spread as your coronation nears, you pay them no mind. He's the person who knows you best, after all. You enjoy his company more than anyone else's, and you're sure that he enjoys yours as well. You hope that one day, you'll pluck up the courage to confess your love to him. And if he accepts, you'll be able to rule side-by-side, making decisions together for the betterment of your Empire. In time, you'll prove to everyone that the two of you are a team, not separately scheming against each other with power-hungry motives.
He begins to pull away, though. When you first notice this, you leave the matter be, hoping that he was just going through a period of stress and needed some time alone. But the stronger the rumors grow, the further he distances himself from you. You confront him about this one day, but he gives you the cold shoulder and refuses to entertain the conversation. You break down alone, your only confidant seeming to tire of your presence.
Until one night, when your coronation grows near. You're elated by an invitation from Zayne to spend time with him in the gardens one night, accepting it immediately and putting together the most fitting outfit to make the best possible impression. The two of you chat like you used to for a while, and you find yourself genuinely smiling more than you have in weeks.
Until Zayne grows silent. You hear metal rattling behind you, and when you turn to face him, you're met with the barrel of a gun pointed right at your heart. Your heart drops into your stomach. You're not even armed. Tears begin to burn in your eyes. You can't make a sound, your tongue feeling like sandpaper in your mouth.
Though, as time seems to move at half the speed it usually does, you have a chance to think. Surely, if he intends to kill you, it must be the best thing for the Empire. He wouldn't sacrifice you needlessly. So maybe it's okay to die. After all, Zayne has always known what's right.
His expression is frigid. He doesn't draw out the moment. He merely says two words.
Starting off @febuwhump with another LaDS Throne of Eros fic, this time with Xavier whump.
This is for the Day 1 and Day 13 prompts: "I like you better broken" and "Again"
Warning for some spoilers from Xavier's card Eulogy of Light
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(Throne of Eros AU) On a night while the Empress Ariadne is away on potentially contrived urgent duty, Xavier attends dinner with his Uncle Shio. Little does he know that it’s a trap in the making.
Read on Ao3
Lads Whump Masterpost
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Something Rotten
Ariadne rubbed her forehead as she stared at the multitude of files on the screen—the collection of all the evidence they had gathered on Grand Elder Shio during their investigation.
The sound of the door to the archives opening had her rushing to close out all of the files until the quiet step and familiar voice reached her.
“It’s just me.”
She looked up with relief to see Xavier coming over to her with a soft smile.
“You’re still looking through those?”
“Just making sure I haven’t missed anything,” she replied.
“It’s not the information we have to worry about, what we’re waiting for is the right opportunity,” Xavier reminded her.
Ariadne sighed, but nodded. It was a delicate thing exposing someone who held as much power as Grand Elder Shio did. Despite the fact that she was soon to be crowned Empress, a large chunk of power was still in Shio’s hands as the previous regent. She could have him executed as her first order once she was crowned, but with his nefarious dealings, she wasn’t even sure she would get to her coronation with him still holding a high position in her court. She and Xavier had been working tirelessly to take him down in a way that no one would be able to protest.
She closed out the file and locked the database again before standing and stretching her back.
“I know waiting will be for the best, and yet every day I wonder if he’s plotting something irreversible behind my back.”
“Of course, he is,” Xavier replied firmly. “But he’s not going to get the jump on us. I know what he did to my father; I know what he tried to do to me. Even though those things happened so long ago it doesn’t really matter in the grand scheme of things, people like him don’t stop.”
“It is true that Shio is the same as he was back then,” Ariadne said. “But you’re wrong.”
Xavier frowned.
She reached for his hand and squeezed his fingers fondly, voice softening. “What happened to you and your father does matter, Xavier. I’ll make sure Shio pays for all of his crimes, not just those that occurred during my reign. He’s gone uncontested long enough.”
Xavier let out an audible breath as he squeezed her hand back, threading his fingers through Ariadne’s. Before he could speak, the door opened and they instantly broke apart as one of Ariadne’s ladies-in-waiting came in, curtsying.
“Your Majesty, you are needed in the council room for an urgent matter.”
Ariadne bit back a sigh and turned back to Xavier. “We’ll resume our discussion later. I’ll see you at dinner.”
He nodded, lips pressed together as he watched her leave the room.
Ariadne found her secretary and several other of her advisors waiting for her with tight expressions.
“What’s wrong?” Ariadne demanded.
“General Marrow from the Lorne Galaxy has an urgent complaint about a shipment that was stopped at our borders, Your Majesty,” the secretary said. “He’s in the capital currently on business and wishes to speak with you face-to-face immediately.”
“It can’t wait until morning?”
“I’m afraid not, Your Majesty.”
Ariadne looked up with annoyance to see Shio entering the room, giving her a nod that was barely passable as form of address.
“The General’s shipment is very time sensitive. Lorne is a great ally to you, Your Majesty. It would be foolish to get on bad terms with them over a silly mishap.”
She fought the urge to protest, knowing he was right and that her secretary would have said the same thing. The thought of taking Shio’s advice made her skin crawl, but this time, she saw his point.
“Very well, ready my ship and I’ll go and speak to him in person and settle the affair.”
“Very good, Your Majesty,” the secretary said and called for her ship to be fueled and ready to go.
Ariadne went to dress in appropriate attire before heading to the hanger, annoyed at the inconvenient trip, but it would, at most, only take a couple hours. It wouldn’t be the first time she would have to smooth over moderately important issues at a moment’s notice. It was part of being the Empress, after all.
As she boarded her ship, she realized that she hadn’t told Xavier she was leaving. She swore under her breath, knowing she wouldn’t be back in time for dinner. He didn’t have a device she could message him on, so she hoped he wouldn’t worry.
And yet, there was a nagging thought in the back of her mind that made her stomach twist a little as she watched her palace disappear into the distance.
***
As the dinner hour approached, Xavier made his way toward the dining hall, musing on the current state of their investigation. He had discussed at length the best way to force Shio’s hand into exposing himself—something he had failed to do in the past to his obvious detriment. He had been watching his uncle like a hawk, waiting for him to try something against Ariadne, waiting for him to force their hand. But his uncle seemed infuriatingly cautious.
He was still lost in thought as the servants opened the doors to the dining hall to him. He didn’t realize until he had stepped inside that it was not Ariadne at the head of the table, but Shio.
Xavier froze, a frown furrowing his brow, as he stood there in a staring match with his uncle.
Shio waved to the place setting at his right. “Xavier…have a seat. It will just be the two of us this evening.”
“Where is Her Majesty?”
“She had to leave for the capital on urgent business, but should be back later tonight. She told me to let you know she would miss dinner.”
Xavier tightened his jaw, calculating. He didn’t trust his uncle for a second, but at the same time…this might be an opportunity to get information out of him. Things he wouldn’t say in front of anyone else.
The old man fixed a false smile on his face that had made Xavier’s skin crawl even as a child. “Come now, Xavier. We haven’t truly had the chance to catch up since your return.”
“You’re right, Uncle,” Xavier said decisively and strode forward. As he sat, his hand went to a brooch he wore on his coat—a gift from Ariadne—and subtly pressed a button on the back of it, starting a hidden recording device.
Shio waved to the servants and they stepped forward to begin serving. Xavier watched, undeniably suspicious, but everything appeared normal, the usual servants in attendance.
He picked up his fork and knife, beginning to eat slowly.
Shio watched, some grim amusement on his face. “Come now, boy, you used to eat heartier than that—we could barely keep the kitchens stocked.”
Xavier pressed his lips together. “It seems two hundred years in a slepen pod muted my hunger—or perhaps it’s simply the company that has caused me to lose my appetite.”
The servants poured glasses of wine for them. Xavier kept his eyes on the glass, watching his uncle in his periphery, but didn’t see any tells. He watched as Shio picked up his glass and took a sip.
“I’m curious, Uncle,” Xavier probed. “What exactly have you been doing this whole time? It was very generous of the current Empress to keep you on as Grand Elder and advisor. She must truly value your input.”
The words were pointed and his uncle met Xavier’s challenge with a chuckle. “I have the most experience of anyone in the court,” Shio preened. “As you’re well aware. I served by your father for years as his most trusted.”
“Yes, you did serve by him.” Xavier set his fork down with a pointed clank. “And you served him into his grave.”
Shio set his own fork down with a sigh. “This again, Xavier? Your hatred of me blinds you. Do you not think it’s time to let bygones be bygones?”
Xavier’s hand clenched into a fist on the table, trying to stay calm. “You still deny it after all this time?”
His uncle gave a slimy grin. “My dear boy, it matters little to anyone but you anymore. Few people living even remember your father—gods rest his soul. He’s ancient history. You were too, until the Empress fished you out of deepspace.”
“Which is where I’m sure you would have had me remain,” Xavier said blandly.
His uncle raised his hands. “I can’t deny that part of me was relieved that the thorn in my side had been plucked. But now that you’re back, I feel as if I have been provided an opportunity.”
Xavier paused cutting into his meat, the hair on the back of his neck standing up. “What kind of opportunity are you talking about?”
His uncle smiled. “I think it’s time we brought back the old regime, don’t you? Empress Ariadne is nothing but a usurper, I’m sure you would agree. No true royal blood in her, simply someone who was given an opportunity due to weak rulers.”
“You speak treason, Uncle,” Xavier said slowly.
“Perhaps some would see it that way,” Shio replied in a cajoling tone. “But if you think about it, Xavier, you have more right to the throne than she does. You are a crown prince, after all. Perhaps there was a reason you came back to us. The cosmos aligned to bring the old regime back to the Empire.”
Xavier chose his next words carefully, knowing he already had enough evidence on his recording. Now, he just wanted a confirmation. He picked up his glass of wine casually, bringing it to his lips. “You’re asking me to join you in opposition of Her Majesty.”
Shio sneered. “The fact you use that title at all is a betrayal of your lineage.”
Xavier swallowed, feeling the burn of the wine down his throat before he replied. “Titles, Uncle? Don’t lie to me, you’re the one who wants to hold the title of Emperor. You would put me on the throne only to kill me off like my father.”
Shio shook his head. “Again with the accusations, Xavier.”
“You still deny what I know to be true?” Xavier demanded.
“I understand that for you your father’s death may seem like a recent event,” Shio’s voice was tight. “But it has been two hundred years, Xavier. Let it go.”
“I will never let it go. Not until his murderer is brought to justice.”
Shio set his jaw. “It doesn’t have to be like that, Xavier. Not if you comply.”
Xavier shoved his chair back, blood surging with heated rage, unable to stay calm another second. “I’ve had enough of this. I refuse to be your puppet! And I swear on my father’s grave that I will bring you—”
A wave of dizziness washed over him and he swayed, grabbing the table. He blinked, feeling the burn of the wine roiling sickeningly in his stomach. Something was wrong.
His uncle watched him, picking up his own glass and sipping with a smirk. “What’s the matter, my dear nephew? Dinner not agreeing with you?”
Xavier staggered back, the chair crashing to the ground as he made to flee for the door, forcing himself to stay upright.
Shio snapped his fingers and several guards dressed in his private livery stepped out of an alcove nearby, hemming Xavier in.
His stomach lurched, cramping painfully. Xavier gasped, knees buckling as he was forced to double over, hands and knees hitting the ground hard as saliva pooled in the back of his throat.
Footsteps strode slowly over to him, polished shoes stopping in his line of sight.
“It’s quite a versatile poison, isn’t it?” Shio said, obvious pleasure in his voice as he watched Xavier curl around his cramping abdomen. “In small doses, it can go undetected for quite a long time, building up in the body so that it looks like a common illness once it finally starts to take effect. In larger doses…”
Xavier grunted as Shio grabbed his chin, wrenching his face upward and forcing him to look him in the eye. “It’s lethal within a few hours.” He leaned in, oily smirk curling his lips. “A little tip, nephew, you always poison the goblet, not the wine.”
“You…bastard…” Xavier choked out, trying to pull away.
Shio released him. “I’m not unfair, Xavier. I am more than willing to give you the antidote. However, there will be conditions.”
He motioned to his guards who reached down to grab Xavier under the arms, hauling him up before pushing him into a chair. Xavier swayed, arm wrapped around his middle as he watched his uncle smirk, the sight only making him more nauseous.
“Play your part as the Empress’s Favorite; get her to make you prince consort.”
Xavier gritted his teeth against the pain tearing his insides apart. “You’re insane.”
His uncle gave him a patronizing look, leaning back against the table almost casually. “Oh, come now, she’s obviously fond of you. It wouldn’t be a poor match with your station. I could certainly put in a good word for you in suggestion of the union.”
“And if she accepted the marriage proposal, what then?” Xavier forced out.
Shio gave a slimy smile. “Then it would be a simple thing to orchestrate the Empress falling ill to a mysterious sickness and slipping away in the quiet of the night.”
Blinding pain tore through his insides. “No,” he gritted out.
“Her widowed Prince Consort would naturally take the throne,” Shio continued, obviously enjoying his pain.
“And you’d kill me too,” Xavier gasped, nearly tilting out of the chair.
Shio reached forward and shoved him back, pinning him in place as he stared down at him. “I didn’t say that. It would all depend on how obedient you were.”
“You think I’d let you kill her?” Xavier swallowed down the burning bile threatening to rise in his throat. “You think that I won’t turn you in for treason?”
“I think that you will agree to my terms, if you wish to see your darling Empress again,” Shio told him. “Because you currently only have a few hours left without the antidote.”
“I refuse!” Xavier snarled.
“Continue your willfulness then.” Shio shrugged and snapped his fingers at his bodyguards. “Rough him up.”
They stepped forward and dragged Xavier out of the chair, throwing him roughly onto the floor.
He tried to crawl away and fight back, but the poisoned had severely weakened him and their blows were numerous and vicious, pounding into his aching body until everything was a red haze.
He didn’t even notice when they stopped, lying on the ground, ears ringing from a heavy blow to the head.
“Get him up.”
Xavier bit back a cry as he was grabbed by the arms and yanked onto his knees. Two of the guards held him by the shoulders, keeping him upright as Xavier’s body sang with agony. Blood dripping from his nose onto the floor between his knees.
Shio strode toward him again and Xavier felt a helpless hatred burn inside of him. The man reached out and grabbed Xavier’s chin in a bruising grip, forcing his head up.
“Well, my dear nephew? Have you reconsidered your stance on joining me?”
“You think…I’d actually let you…go through with it?” Xavier forced out between painful breaths. “That I won’t…have you executed…for treason?”
Shio chuckled wryly. “Try it and find out how much sway I still hold in the court. Should I take that as a no, then?”
Xavier spat onto his uncle’s shoe. Shio sneered in anger and motioned to his guards. “Again.”
The guards’ fists and heavy boots slammed into him yet again. The pain grew to be so much that the sensation almost ended back around at being numbing. Xavier felt the blackness sinking in, something shattering inside of him as he coughed blood onto the floor. He cursed himself for being weak, for failing to see the trap that he had walked into so easily.
He wanted to see her one more time, to hold her in his arms like he had that night when it had just been the two of them and the stars. He wasn’t sure there would be anything left of him to hold by the time she got back.
His body was full of so much pain that he wasn’t even aware when the beating stopped. He was barely aware of them picking him up, nearly blacking out from the motion, before he was dropped into the chair yet again.
“You’re just as much an idealist as your father was. No gall to be a real ruler.” Shio was a blurry figure in front of him, reaching out to grab a fistful of Xavier’s hair and wrenching his head back. He could hear, rather than see, the sickening smirk on his face of sadistic satisfaction. “I like you better broken.”
Xavier tried to reach up and shove his hand aside but the guards stepped forward and pressed him back against the chair as Xavier bit back a whimper.
Shio reached into his coat and pulled out a small dagger that glinted ominously in the light. “There’s no point in keeping you around. I’ll finish you off and have my men dump you in some back alley. No one will think it was anything but a mugging gone wrong. An unfortunate accident the Empress’s Favorite ran into while visiting the city.”
Xavier, breathed shakily, every inhale agonizing. He reached for the brooch on his coat, fumbling it off before clenching it tightly in his hand.
“She’ll know,” he whispered. “She’ll kill you.”
Shio chuckled. “It’s honestly sickening how much faith you have in your little bitch of an Empress. Your father would be so disappointed.”
“Don’t speak his name!” Xavier snarled, lunging before he was yanked back, the motion sending more bolts of agony through him.
He watched as Shio pulled the dagger from its sheath. One of the guards grabbed Xavier’s hair and wrenched his head back to expose his throat, unable to do anything but watch as the blade approached.
“Goodbye, nephew.”
***
Ariadne was exhausted and annoyed upon returning to the palace. The business at the capital had been so pointless it had been resolved outside of smoothing feathers by the time she had gotten there. A complete waste of time, as it turned out.
Now she was hungry and wanted a hot bath before bed.
“Do you wish dinner to be sent to your room, Your Majesty?” one of her ladies-in-waiting asked.
“I suppose dinner is over for the night?” she asked shortly.
“Well, I believe Grand Elder Shio and Mr. Xavier are still in the dining room, if you wish to join them, Your Majesty.”
Ariadne paused. “What?”
“A late dinner, I believe, Your Majesty.”
Ariadne was already heading toward the dining room, a terrible foreboding settling in her stomach which only grew worse as she saw the surprise on the faces of the servants standing outside the door, their complexions instantly growing pale at the sight of her.
“Y-Your Majesty! We were told you wouldn’t be back for dinner—”
“Open the door,” Ariadne demanded instantly and got on her comm which she still had in from the mission. “I want guards in the dining room now!”
They scrambled to obey, paling further, and Ariadne shoved past them into the room.
The sight that met her was worse than even she could have imagined.
Xavier sat forced into a chair, broken and bleeding as Shio stood over him with a brandished dagger.
“Shio!” Ariadne called, voice like a crack of thunder in the copper-scented room.
Shio spun around and his guards reached for their weapons. Ariadne drew the gun at her hip and pointed it at the Grand Elder.
“Put your weapons away or your master dies,” she said in no unfamiliar terms.
The guards slowly re-sheathed their weapons as the palace guards jogged in.
“Seize them,” Ariadne commanded.
Her guards had Shio and his men in hand instantly, forcing them to their knees as Ariadne hurried toward Xavier who seemed to be barely conscious as he sagged in the chair. She reached out to touch his bloody cheek, before pulling back, knowing she couldn’t allow herself to show weakness now. Couldn’t allow the trembling inside of her to give.
“Call the court physician!” she shouted and one of the guards ran off.
Xavier eyes flickered, lighting briefly with recognition before he doubled over, falling out of the chair before Ariadne could catch him, his body seeming to seize briefly as he curled into himself.
“Xavier! What did you do to him?” she demanded of Shio who sat on his knees glowering.”
Xavier clutched at his chest, and barely mouthed the word but Ariadne saw. “Poison.”
Her eyes went to the half-eaten food on the table and landed on the glass of wine. She picked it up and strode over to Shio.
“Hold his head.”
The man’s eyes flew wide. “No! Y-Your Majesty this is—”
The guards wrenched his head back, prying his mouth open. Ariadne pinched his nose shut and poured the wine directly down his throat.
Shio gagged and coughed, but was unable to keep from swallowing.
The guards shoved him to the ground as she stood over him.
“Where’s the antidote?” she demanded.
Shio continued to cough and Ariadne grabbed the front of his coat, shaking him. “Give it to me now and I’ll let you use it too—I’d much rather see you hang.”
She heard Xavier moan behind her and one of the guards went to crouch beside him.
“Your Majesty, he’s in very bad condition.”
Ariadne’s stomach twisted painfully. She snatched her gun and cocked it, pointing it at Shio’s leg.
“Get me the antidote now or I’ll start making other reasons for you to talk. Bullet wounds can’t be fixed with an antidote.”
“Fine, fine!” Shio wailed, still coughing. He turned to his guards. “Fetch the antidote.”
Ariadne nodded and motioned to two of her men. “Accompany him.”
The palace guards marched Shio’s man out of the dining hall and Ariadne watched Xavier writhing on the ground, choking back whimpers of pain. She bit the inside of her cheek and turned back to her guards. “Have the Grand Elder taken to a cell.”
The men nodded and started to haul the old man up.
“Wait! What about the antidote?”
Ariadne scoffed. “You’ll have it once I make sure it’s affective on Xavier. If he dies. You die.”
Shio cursed and swore at her as he and his men were hauled away.
“Your Majesty,” the guard watching over Xavier called to her. “He’s asking for you.”
Ariadne turned quickly to see Xavier’s eyes barely open, his breathing labored and pain contorting his face. She hurried over, kneeling now as she didn’t care anymore what this looked like. If Xavier was this bad off, she wasn’t going to deny him her attention.
“Xavier?”
His fingers twitched and he seemed to put the last amount of effort into raising his hand. She reached out to grasp it and felt sharp metal bite into her palm. As she looked down she saw it was the brooch she had given him.
Understanding dawned and she gave him a determined look before his eyes squeezed shut and he arched his back off the floor as a moan of pain escaped him.
“Xavier,” she choked out, placing a hand on his chest gently, feeling the weak fluttering of his heart under her palm. Her own answered by beating painfully against her ribs begging him not to leave her.
Hurried footsteps hailed the arrival of the court physician and his assistant. They rushed toward Xavier, setting a stretcher down as the physician began to look him over.
“He’s been poisoned, the antidote will be delivered to the infirmary shortly,” Ariadne forced out, pushing herself to her feet as she tried to regain her authority.
“I will do every thing I can, Your Majesty,” the physician promised as he and his assistant lifted Xavier onto the litter.
“Go. Do not let him die,” Ariadne told the doctor. “Update me on his condition.”
The man nodded and they carried Xavier out.
Ariadne wanted nothing more than to stay by his side, but she could not. His message had been clear and she knew her duty.
She made sure that the antidote had been delivered and watched the physician administer it to Xavier before she left to address her court.
Not before she listened to the recording though.
It was damning evidence, there was no doubt about it. But she was grateful she had chosen to listen to it alone first because the sounds of Xavier’s suffering, the punctuated blows and the pain in his voice—Shio’s cruelty—it made her sob quietly to herself, furious that she had not been there.
But she cleaned herself up and brought the evidence to her court. They were not able to deny Shio’s plans and Xavier’s body bore the best evidence that the recording had not been fabricated. On top of that, one of the analysts was able to track the shipment disturbance that had taken Ariadne away from the palace back to Shio as well. This had all been orchestrated under her nose and she had been none the wiser. And it had almost cost Xavier his life.
Shio’s execution was set, and the scandal of high treason resounded through the kingdom, most people praising the young Empress for her handling of the situation. Others saying she had been foolish to trust Shio for so long, offering up names for advisors in the old man’s place.
Ariadne couldn’t be bothered by that. Whenever she was not handling affairs of the court, she was at Xavier’s bedside.
The first night she had genuinely thought she would lose him. Despite the antidote, his body had been so weakened by the poison and the savage beating that he had fallen into a coma, fever ravaging his body as he fought the effects.
She’d held his hand for as long as she could, trying not to pay too close attention to the machines aiding his existence. It nearly broke her to see him like that. Xavier, her star, yet again fighting for his life against his uncle, nearly killed by the same poison that took his father.
It was touch and go for several days until finally Xavier’s condition stabilized. The physician finally declared that the poison had been eradicated but there was still a long road of healing ahead.
Ariadne asked that Xavier be moved to his own chambers. She made sure to have them aired daily, well lit, and filled with plants and flowers.
Xavier still hadn’t fully woken but she knew he was aware of her presence. His eyes would flicker sometimes and he always seemed to relax when she was there, his breathing not so labored. She would read to him for hours often sleeping at his bedside, causing the maids to shake their heads.
It wasn’t until one morning that she woke to see his blue eyes that hope finally felt like it had been returned to her.
“Xavier?” she hardly dared ask.
He gave her a tired smile and the fragile thing inside her chest finally broke as he croaked her name.
“Ari…”
Tears streamed down her cheeks before she could stop them. “I thought I would lose you,” she finally choked out.
Xavier held her hand, shaking his head. “I’m tougher than that,” he said, tugging her closer. “Shio…?”
“Set to be executed in two days,” she said, wiping her eyes as she shifted to sit on the side of his bed. “The recording…no one could contest it. But you didn’t have to bait him like that! You should have been more careful.”
“That reckoning has been two hundred years in the making,” Xavier reminded her. “I’m tired of wasting time on him. My father has finally seen justice.”
Ariadne suddenly felt bad for scolding him, she reached out to adjust his pillows, noticing he seemed to be having issues breathing with his broken ribs.
“I’m glad you were finally able to get justice for your father,” she said quietly. “But I have to command you never to do something like that again.”
He smiled wryly. “Don’t worry. That was the last loose end I had to tie up. Or…the only one that requires a dangerous situation, anyway.”
He tugged her wrist until Ariadne lay beside him, careful of his injuries but basking in his warmth that was no longer raging with fever.
“And what might these loose ends be?” she asked.
He smiled softly and reached out to brush her hair away from her cheek. He didn’t say anything but as he craned his head toward her she met him half way, their lips melting against each other in both relief and hunger.
Ariadne pulled away, cupping his jaw, and smoothing her thumb over a bruise on his cheek.
“You know,” Xavier murmured, kissing the tip of her nose. “I’ll give my uncle credit for one thing: his suggestion of my being made prince consort is not entirely a bad idea.”
Ariadne let out a soft laugh, flushing at the audacity of Xavier mentioning something like that. “Oh? Are you trying to take my throne after all, Xavier?”
“No,” he replied, resting his forehead against hers. “Only your heart.”
The heart in question fluttered and she burned an even brighter shade of red. “A marriage of love disguised as one of convenience?”
He smirked. “I doubt anyone would be blind enough to mistake it for convenience.”
Ariadne melted and kissed him again. The early morning light filtered in, casting a warm glow over everything.
“Is that a yes, then?” Xavier asked a little cheekily.
Ariadne threaded their fingers together. “You know you have my heart, my darling prince. I could think of no one else I would rather have ruling by my side.”
He kissed her knuckles reverently. “Perhaps it really was fate I ended up here in your time. I certainly wouldn’t trade it for any other lifetime in the world.”
