Chapter 55: The art of courting III
A smile spread across Hael's face. The only thing he could think about was how soft his hands were.
Ceremus was a warrior who fought countless monsters and beasts in his youth. These fists were used to pummel and bludgeon countless enemies and foes in the past, yet they held so much comfort and ardour. He was glad for these hands and never wanted to let them go.
Ceremus, on the other hand, had mixed feelings about their current predicament. Two grown men holding hands in the middle of the street, what a sight to behold, he thought.
His heart, however, betrayed him. The steady thrum in his chest was undeniable proof that he craved this connection with Hael more than he cared to admit. As they rode the chariot back to the palace, their hands remained entwined, neither willing to let go. Every so often, Hael would give his hand a gentle squeeze, and each time, Ceremus would glance at him, only to find a ghost of a smile tugging at the young man's lips.
A sudden desire stirred within him—one that caught him off guard. Holding Hael's hand was nice, even comforting, but it was no longer enough. He wanted more. He wanted to feel more of Hael's touch, and the thought unsettled him in ways he wasn't prepared for.
As they neared the gates, due to his inattention, the chariot ended up hitting against a pebble on the otherwise smooth streets. The chariot struck it, and though minuscule, the impact was enough to jolt the sturdy carriage.
Caught off guard, Ceremus stumbled, his body colliding into Hael. His eyes widened in shock as he found himself in the young man's arms, confusion rattling him. He was a man with godlike instincts, never once faltering in his balance—so how had something so trivial caused him to lose his footing?
With lightning-fast reflexes, Hael caught him, his grip firm around the King's waist. As if on command, the horses came to an abrupt stop.
Now pressed flush against each other, their faces mere inches apart, Ceremus found himself staring into Hael's wide blue eyes—eyes filled with panic and alarm.