The Lazy Prince

Chapter 2: Can't have a first impression if you're already infamous.

"No it wasn't an accident. The Gods would let no such thing happen. Either Atlas gave you everything in the Ritual or he could give you nothing." Dean Whyriss eyes my sparking hands. "Could you please stop charring my wood? It was a gift from my home country."

I snap my hands back to my body so lost in her revelation that I didn't realize that I was letting my magic out to play. She was definitely right to place me into extra lessons. "Sorry ma'am, about the wood and also because it still feels wrong for me to take his Quint. As if I'm trying to replace the hole he left."

The Dean nods in understanding. "Ultimately it is your choice, but until the current norm has changed you will be roomed with his Quint. Mrs. Lottie will escort you to Quint Village. Your class schedule and books will waiting in your room. We have your measurement so that will also be taken care of. Atlas set up all of your accounts before he... passed, so there isn't any more I need from you." We stand at the same time and give each other the proper hand signs from the other country.

Before I head through the door I ask one last question. "Where did they bury him?" I look over my shoulder.

"In the meadows past the school. We have a graveyard where great warriors who fight for the peace of the realm. His Quint asked if he could be buried there and I agreed. It felt like the right place for him to rest." She gives me a sad smile and I wipe a tear from my cheek before heading out the door and meeting Lottie.

"Where would you like to go Prince Valdis? Are you ready to meet your Quint?" She asks in a much to chipper voice.

"I'd like to go to the Warrior's Meadow please." I whisper and Lottie's smile drops into something small.

"Of course." She starts heading east. "Please follow me.

***

The Warriors Meadow is beautiful. Rolling hills with wildflower flowing in to soft breeze only broken by the grid placing of lifelike statues. It doesn't take me long to find Atlas. He looks just like me. Standing there with his eyes closed I almost wait for him to open his eyes and talk to me but the grey stone gives away the lifelessness of the statue. Bubbling anger and hurt swell inside me until I can do nothing with these emotions except pour them from my fingertips into the air. Brilliant white and purple plasma shoot from my hands and spreads into the darkening sky above me. Striking my anger towards the heavens where the Gods reside. My knees give out the same instant my magic does and I crash to the earth. Fat tears watering the grass beneath me. Why couldn't you have found another way Atlas? I would have stayed in that place for an eternity if it meant I could meet you one day. I am not worthy of your sacrifice, I never will be. I don't deserve your Quint. Wiping the grief from my face I steel myself.

Placing my fists together I give my brother the Soul Send, and usher him into the afterlife with peace and love.

"May you have peace in the hands of Goddess Valdrestaria, keeper of souls and decider of death. May your journey be safe and good. May you find rest. Souls be safe." My scratchy voice whispers.

"Souls be safe." A deep rumble repeats from behind me and I see over my shoulder that Sir Howin is saying his final goodbye's with me.

Standing I turn to Lottie, the setting sun lowering behind my brother. "Take me to his Quint, I'm ready to do what I must."

She nods and leads the way.

***

The Quint Village is exactly what it sounds like, except it looks expensive. Like regular sized houses but in the shape of tiny castles. Honestly, it's a little wild but it does convey the great respect the Kingdoms have for their Quints since they do go on to police the realm and fight against malevolence. Lottie takes me right up to the house the backs straight into the woods that surrounds most of the Academy, and knocks. A sudden thought strikes me and I turn to whisper to Sir Howin.

"Is there any type of silencing crystal or enchantment? I require one for my room, also a lock that only opens for me." Sir Howin tilts his head.

"The locks on your door should already be assigned to recognize Atlas's magical signature and since you now hold his magic it will open for you. As for the silencing enchantment," he runs his fingers through his scruffy grey beard in thought, "they're very hard to come by and expensive. The money shouldn't be an issue but the rarity is an issue." He clasps his hands together. "I'll start my search, you have my number but if you can't get a hold of me I'll be in the Academies town a couple miles away. Personal guards are not allowed to attend with their charges."

"Thank you Sir Howin, you've truly been a blessi-" My gratitude gets cut off when the door opens to reveal Atlas's Quint brothers. None of them wear any kind of expression as the tallest one, a man from the Kingdom of Runes as his orange eye color deems, turns to Lottie.

"Thank you Lottie." His deep timbre rumbles through my entire body lighting me up from the inside, "Sir Guard," he nods at Sir Howin, "my brother's and I will take Prince Valdis from here." Orange eyes ushers me inside and I do just that. With a wave at Sir Howin, the door slams shut and nerves shoot up my spine.

Something is very wrong. Danger signals up and down my metal spine and I turn to look at their very familiar faces. Prince Silas Raiden Sunniva, from the Kingdom of Runes. Prince Callum Vanrose Irvine, from the Kingdom of Cures. Prince Kyro Ecicordus Kazetani, from the Kingdom of Flow. And Prince Lucian Vander Kavalyov from the Kingdom of Inditing. They are all the very well know Princes of the other four kingdoms and they are all glaring daggers at me. If looks could kill... damn.

"So, Lazy Prince," Prince Silas glares at me with his glowing orange eyes, "what do you think you're doing?"

He's clearly trying to intimidate me. The only thing intimidating about him is how handsome he is. He's tall with muscles on muscles, short black hair that's cropped closer around his ears, tan skin that shows off the many runes he's burnt into his skin with his Rune magic. His jaw is chiseled to perfection supporting his full kissable lips. Damn he's hot. And hot headed apparently.

"Silas asked you a question." Prince Callum growls out staring down at me. Damn he's hot too. With his glowing blue eyes, wavy blond hair curling around his cut chin, and swimmers build. Gods, I'll be dreaming about him for the rest of my life. He's slightly shorter than Prince Silas but it's not by much. Both of them are still several inches taller than me. "Is he slow?" Prince Callum asks turning towards Prince Lucian, and the biggest of the men steps forward. Of fucking course he's hot too.

He wraps his dark hand around Prince Callum's shoulders and leans close to my face making me squish against the wooden door. His many long black braid, riddled with different charms and crystals, clink together as they roll of his broad shoulders and swing hitting me in the chest and stomach. Glowing green eyes framed by dark lashes search my face before he turns back to Prince Callum and rumbles. "I think he might be." Prince Lucian turns back to me without another word, searching me up and down and finding me lacking. He's absolutely stunning even if he's glaring at me.

A pale hand pushes Prince Lucian aside and Prince Kyro steps forward. Holy Gods in the heavens, he's beautiful. He has a shock of white hair that's gathered in a low ponytail pulled across his shoulder. His slanted glowing gold eyes are full up concern as he steps up to me. "Are you okay Prince Valdis?" He asks as his hand reaches up, is if to touch my face but it falls flat against his side when I flinch back and bump my head against the door. He's only slightly taller than I am as he's the smallest among the four. Prince Kyro's head tilts and I realize my mistake.

I straighten against the door, hardening my stance, face, and hormones. All four of the princes step back giving me the chance to speak. "I'm here to break the bond." I don't meet any of their gazes and continue before any of them can cut me off. "I'm also here to sort his things so if you will excuse me." I go to move between them all but a hand stops me, I fly back as the hand shoves me against the door. Pain slices up my metal spine, healed skin ripping agains the cuffs at the sudden movement. My face remains blank out of habit.

"The fuck you are." Prince Silas growls out. "Looks like we're gonna have a long talk, Lazy Prince, about Royal duties and obligations."

Prince Lucian grabs me by the lapel of my jacket and pulls me from the corridor. This seems like it's going to be a fun talk. Not.