School was finally over and I was looking around the school grounds for Adrian, students stood leaning against lockers, getting their final conversations in before leaving.
"I'm telling you, Adrian just got up and left." I turned my head in the direction of the voice to see two girls I didn't recognise, deep in a conversation.
I stepped up to the girl who spoke, clearing my throat. She jumped slightly, turning her wide eyes on me as she stuttered, "c-can I h-help you, s-sir?"
I didn't like being called sir, nor did I like people treating me like a higher up. I was the keeper to the King's best knight, that was all.
"You said something about Adrian?" I inquired, where is that boy?
"Y-yes sir. He was in my last class but suddenly he just got up and left, it was all rather strange, but the teacher didn't even bat an eyelid." She continued rambling but I was no longer listening. I excused myself, cutting her off, leaving her once again shocked, but I didn't stick around.
I raced down the hallway, looking for any sign of the one person who most likely knew where Adrian had ran off too.
He always wore a guard when in the human world, it was for his protection, but I still thought it was an incredibly stupid idea, I mean how is he ever going to find his keeper with a guard up?
He was usually one of the last to leave so he had to be around here somewhere, I turned the corner quickly and nearly crashed into a couple of students.
I quickly apologised and that's when I saw him, he was with a couple of guys; human. They were caught up in a conversation and I just stood watching, until his eyes fell on me.
He raised an eyebrow as he got closer, telling his friends to go on ahead. When they were finally out of earshot, he spoke.
"I hear Adrian is back."
"Yes sir. You haven't seen him yet?" I thought maybe he had requested Adrian's assistance. If that wasn't it, then where the hell is he?
"Not as such. I was informed of some intrusion in Galtolga, nothing serious. Adrian's assistance was required, which is why he left school early. I was told they had it under control, but I am on my way there now to make sure."
I nodded, taking in the newfound information, "Can I come with you?" I know it was a stupid question, but I had to make sure my love was okay.
"I do not think Adrian would approve," he spoke calmly, almost hoping I would agree to stay here.
"Please sir, I-I can't lose him again..." I tried to keep the sadness out of my voice, but it wasn't easy, and he was incredibly sharp, he caught it and his eyes softened.
"Stay beside me," was all he said, and I nodded, following suit.
Ten minutes later we were in Galtolga and things were looking bad. We were immediately bombarded by guards, rushing to speak to the king. Nobody paid me any attention.
"Sir! Jaxson was not alone; he had an army of men."
"Your highness, we hear Adrian was attacked in his house in the human world. The man was one of Jaxson's men."
"They've come for Adrian, sir."
"We tried to stop them but there were too many."
"What is it you will have us do, Sir?"
Everyone spoke at once, but I still caught a lot of what was said, and my heartbeat started to pick up. No...please say Adrian is okay.
The king cleared his throat, and silence followed as he nodded in my direction. The guards all turned towards me as their eyes widened one by one. They didn't know I was here, or they wouldn't have said anything.
One man turned towards me, bowing his head slightly before speaking, "We apologise sir, we are doing everything we can to get to Adrian. We didn't mean to worry you."
I forced down the lump in my throat as I bowed my head. "Where is he?" I asked.
"Sir, with all due respect I think you should stay away and let us handle it."
I stepped forward, coming to stand right in front of him and my eyes hardened. He wasn't scared of me, I knew that. He feared Adrian.
"Where Is He?" I demanded, and watched as he looked torn on what to do.
"Zach, I think it best if we check this out together, yes?" The king interrupted, I turned my attention to him, nodding quickly.
"Jonathan, lead the way."
"Yes sir." The guard quickly turned on his heel, leading us in the direction of the castle.
We walked for a couple of minutes before we came to a stop in front of a round wooden door. I didn't come here much, but I believe this is where they train the guards. I turned to the guard, Jonathan, and raised an eyebrow.
"Adrian and Jaxson's men are in there, Sir. But it appears there is a barrier preventing us from getting in."
"Have you tried?" I asked, taking in the door. There was indeed a purple glow around the door, it was strong, very strong.
"No sir. The barrier is strong, who knows what would happen if we touched it."
"Thank you, Jonathon. You may go." The guard looked hesitant, but no one dared to question the king's orders.
After the guard finally left, the king turned towards me, a questioning look in his eyes.
"So, what do you suggest?" The question threw me off guard. Me?
I took in the door once more, a purple, radiant shield stood strong. It was keeping us out or maybe...it was keeping them in?
My hand moved towards the force field, but the king pulled my hand back before I could touch it.
"That is probably not the best idea," the king spoke, sounding displeased at my idea.
But I couldn't help but wonder...
-Adrian's POV-
My frustration ran through my bones, trying to take control of my body but I wouldn't let it. I was surrounded by Jaxson's men, but they wouldn't win, they had no idea who they were messing with.
They were already out of breath, which was slightly pathetic. They come to me, thinking I'll be easy to take down. No chance, Adrian is back, and he refuses to go down without a fight, I will not be leaving my Zach again.
"What is it you want?" I demanded once again, only to have a lackey laugh at me.
"Revenge," another one hissed. Revenge? What, because I killed their leader?
Another charged at me and I once again effortlessly threw him away from me, they were easier to handle when they were tired.
"Revenge for what?" I already knew the answer but no harm in asking, right?
"Jaxson," another hissed, running towards me. My elbow crashed into his stomach, his breath leaving him as he gasped for air, before I pushed him away.
"He killed my parents!"
They laughed.
"He wiped my memory!"
They laughed.
"He made my keeper suffer!"
And once again they laughed.
"And now you're all going to die," I said calmly and quietly, and this time, they didn't laugh.
-Zach's POV-
"Adrian!" I shouted, hoping he would be able to hear me through the door but nothing, nada. I sighed, leaning against the wall.
The king stood patiently, no sign of emotion on his face, and I couldn't help but wonder what he was thinking. He was always mysterious, but then again, he is the king, I suppose he had to be.
"Do not worry, Zach. Adrian will be fine." He was a good king, everyone looked up to him and he looked out for all of us, cared for each and every one of us.
It's hard to come across someone like that, but he always had good intentions and always put us first. I guess that's why he's king, I do hope he finds his keeper soon though, it must not be easy leading on your own. Plus, I bet he gets lonely, I know I would.
I still think he should let his guard down when at school every now and again, you never know, his keeper could be sitting right next to him. But no matter how many times people suggested the idea, he refused, claiming it would put him and us in danger. What harm could a few seconds do?
The barrier stopped any sound emitting from behind the door, it was quiet and that scared me even more.
Please my love, be okay.
We stood there for about five minutes, my mind running through all kinds of conclusions as I slowly went mad. I wanted to break the door down, to charge in there, but there was clearly no way in until they wanted us to come in.
Is this it? Are we just waiting for them to kill Adrian before they kill us too? No, Adrian was fighting strong, I could feel his energy still. So, what the hell was going on?
The door swung open a moment later to reveal Adrian, dripping in sweat, his shirt ripped and his hair sticking up at all angles. I swallowed hard as my eyes gazed over his body.
Adrian's eyes snapped to me, he could smell the arousal on me and when our eyes met, his immediately turned silver. He stepped close to me, everything else suddenly forgotten and I heard a low groan escape from his lips, his arousal hitting my senses in waves.
Our lips were about to touch when we heard the king clear his throat. I pulled away in complete horror. Seriously Zach, in front of the king? I was so embarrassed as I looked away, refusing to make eye contact with anyone.
Adrian seemed unfazed as always, as a smile lit up his face.
"Sorry Sir, couldn't resist my little cutie for a moment then," he said, sending a wink my way, oh god.
"That is quite alright, but Adrian I would like you to explain to me what just happened in there." He shared a kind smile as Adrian began to speak.
"Jaxson's men, Sir. They were simply after revenge."
"And I assume you took care of everything."
"Yes, Sir."
"Good. Well once again thank you for your great service, Adrian." Adrian bowed his head at the king, a warm smile playing on his lips.
"But one last question," he began, his eyes resting on the door once more.
"What kind of force field is that?" Oh yeah, good question. Adrian just walked right through it.
"Just one of mine, it was to keep them from running once I unleashed my wrath," he said calmly, smiling.
I stared at him in shock as the king seemed mildly annoyed.
"So, you locked the door?" The king asked, it was clear by his tone that he was hoping the answer was yes, and we didn't just stand outside waiting for no reason.
"Oh no, the door was open. The shield only works on the enemies, you could have just walked right in if you wanted to." I glared at Adrian for still having that stupid, adorable smile on his face. Seriously?
I watched as the king rubbed at his forehead, before forcing a smile.
"Right, well, I think it is time for a public announcement, don't you?"
Oh right, I almost forgot about that. The king was to announce the return of Adrian, and explain not everything, but the things that were needed to know. Many people were still confused and looking for answers.
As for Adrian's return, I wouldn't doubt that everybody already knew, but the news had to be confirmed, and Adrian himself was to make a speech.
That way any confusion would be cleared up, and everybody would know that he would be returning to his spot as the king's right-hand man, as he liked to call himself. He really was the best knight we had, and I was so proud of him for that. He was my hero, our hero.
"Yes, Sir," Adrian grinned.
What was I going to do with him?