Chapter 6

Cypress narrowed his eyes as he listened to the guards.

"What do you mean the squirrel sprites have asked for the winter to be delayed?" he said in disbelief. "They should know by now that flower fairies have no control over the seasons. We just help the flora evolve to survive it."

Of course, right when he'd finally gotten the courage to greet Sorrel and have the chance to spend the night with him, duty called. This isn't something I can ignore.

Complaining sprite fairies was the last thing he wanted to deal with.

Not even a few minutes ago, he had Sorrel trembling in his arms and had stolen both the wicked and innocent side of him. The man that both blushed and bravely asked for more. Who had trusted Cypress and then rewarded them both with intense orgasms. Who had entranced him so deeply he'd been so turned on by the enigmatic man's unpractised kisses.

Sorrel had gripped Cypress' hair, tried to dig his nails into him. He'd smelt of jasmine, such a welcoming, sugary scent. It was one of his favourite nectars to drink, and Sorrel's skin had tasted of an addictive mixture of it and the salt of sweat.

Fuck. Cypress visibly shuddered, feeling his shaft stirring once more. I was hoping to touch him more. And he hoped next time Sorrel would explore him in return.

He wanted Sorrel's hands on him, gripping and touching everywhere.

"Why are they complaining all of a sudden?" he asked, trying to see if there was a way he could get out of this.

"They aren't ready to hibernate," the head guard said from behind her flower helmet. Most of the fairy court guards were women, trained and skilled to fight and defend.

However, Cypress knew her better than most.

Underneath Zahrya's pink-and-white flower armour was dark-brown skin that seemed to sparkle with golden flecks in the sun. Her helmet hid her tight, coily hair, likely spun into a bun, and her vibrant brown eyes.

She was beautiful, but that wasn't why Cypress admired her. Her strength as the highest positioned guard and her complete faith in his parents were what made her so proud. She was quicker than anyone with her sword, and intelligent, patient, and calm when it came to giving council to the court – her opinion was well respected.

She also irked Cypress. Her dominating personality, alongside the permission she had from his parents to control him, often led to them arguing.

"Apparently one of the groups that were supposed to make the acorns drop did it too late in one area," Zahrya continued.

Cypress' back stiffened. That might be his fault. He'd been too preoccupied watching Sorrel than to do his duty of leading his group in the seasonal change.

"Not all the hibernating animals were able to collect enough food for when winter comes."

His nose crinkled in annoyance."Aren't the sprites helping?" It was their job as animal fairies to help the woodland creatures!

"They have been. It's not enough."

"The king and queen have demanded that all flower fairies assist tonight and tomorrow. It's our fault they didn't drop."

Cypress pressed his lips together in a firm line. "And I'm guessing they have demanded that I lead this team?"

"Yes. Your parents have told me they want you to take your duties more seriously."

He sighed. Of course, they did. Although Cypress acted with the dignified personality of a prince who never made a mistake within the court, he often tried his hardest to be anywhere but within the kingdom.

Couldn't I have just had tonight? His eyes widened, and he spun around. Shit, Sorrel!

Sorrel didn't know who he truly was, that he was the prince. This was not how he wanted him to find out. Cypress should have explained immediately.

He could only imagine what must have been going through Sorrel's head for the last few minutes as he spoke to the royal guards.

The space behind him was busy with the main street of Pond Town, but empty of the person he'd been holding hands with only moments before. Where was the black-haired man with spellbinding blue eyes?

"Sorrel?" Cypress stepped forward, turning his head one way and then the other. "Sorrel?"

Fuck! He's gone! Ignoring the guards, he ran forward, pushing people out of his way as he searched. Where is he?

His wings fluttered nervously behind him, threatening to lift him off his own feet and make him tumble. Did he run away? But that didn't make sense to Cypress. I told him I'd take him home. Without Cypress, he wouldn't be able to get there.

The frost… If Sorrel tried to walk back by himself, either a carnivorous animal would attack him, or the frost would kill him.

"Sorrel!" he bellowed and startled the sprites of Pond Town.

They backed away from him, ducking down with skittish fright.

"Prince Cypress, what's the matter?" one of the royal guards rushed to ask, not used to seeing him so upset.

He was either calm or stern. He had to be – that was how he was raised to act. To present himself as though he didn't have emotions or feelings and do whatever was expected of him.

That's why I like him so damn much. Sorrel didn't know who Cypress was, didn't act proper with him, didn't treat him like he was superior. Sorrel didn't make him feel pushed into a corner of responsibility.

Sorrel had allowed him to be more himself in the last few hours than he had his entire life. And Cypress had known it too. He'd known while watching Sorrel from afar that he would make Cypress feel this way.

For three months, he'd watched, slowly growing obsessed and infatuated with his radiance.

He'd always known his carefree spirit would lighten the burden on his shoulders and the ever-present weight of responsibility.

And then... Sorrel had been at ease with Cypress. The inexperienced man had allowed him to lead, had allowed him to touch, despite Cypress knowing it was absolutely too fast. When Sorrel had grabbed his head and yanked Cypress in for a second, even more passionate kiss, an inferno of lustful yearning had nearly disintegrated him.

He'd felt Sorrel's erection pressing against his hip, and knowing it was for Cypress, not his crown nor for a promise for a place at his side once he was king, it had destroyed any resolve he'd had at holding back. Someone wanted him, just Cypress for who he was, and not what he would one day be. Then Sorrel had freely given his trust so wholeheartedly, clawing at Cypress for more with blunt nails, until they both came in Cypress' shaking fist.

How could someone be both innocent and naughty at the same damn time? Commanding and strong, yet shy and blushing. The whole night had locked Cypress' heart in a chest, with Sorrel's name marking it.

So where had his obsession – who he was now utterly smitten with – gone?

Cypress searched the crowd once more, while snapping at the guards, "The man that was here with me, did any of you see where he went?"

"A man?" They looked at each other through the small slits in their helmets.

"Yes. He looks like a wingless flower fairy. Not a sprite." He gestured to the space right beside himself. "He was with me when you all approached. You couldn't have missed him."

How could they? Sorrel was tall and beautiful, with such pretty, silky black hair. His personality was so big it had to be hard to miss it shining from him.

"We don't have time to look for someone," Zahrya retorted with an impatient sigh. She palmed the hilt of her sword in agitation. "Your parents have given a decree. We must follow it, even you."

Cypress stomped up to her and grabbed the vine strap of her armour, yanking her forward. "I don't give a shit about the squirrel sprites. You will help me find him or else."

Zahrya put up her hands in surrender, but her eyes narrowed at him.

"Who is he?" a different guard asked.

"The king and queen wanted me to settle down and marry. Well, he's the person I've picked." A silence fell upon them as they soaked this information in. "He will be the future prince of the fairy court, and his safety is paramount."

I have to protect him.

"Yes, your highness. We understand."

Good. Cypress lowered his expression in a dark glare, his eyes sharply scanning the background as he gave them Sorrel's description. He clenched his right hand tightly into a fist. I will find you.

And Cypress would be furious if he'd discovered Sorrel had run away and put himself in danger without letting him explain.

However, if he was taken...