“Oh, okay.” Hakeem is more confused by the answers provided.
Jackson steps in front of Hakeem defensively, whom Eddie pulls closer to him. “Why does my grandmother want an audience with Hakeem?”
Jean-Pierre offers a small, apologetic bow of his head, “I cannot say. Only that she wishes to meet with Master Al-Najim. In private.”
“If my grandmother wants a word she can speak with all of us.” Replies Jackson defensively.
Hakeem pulls away from Eddie and pats Jackson on the shoulder affectionately, “It’s okay, you two. I don’t mind meeting with Lady Nocturne. I’m sure it’s nothing sinister.”
Jackson grimaces, his eyebrows furrowed, “You don’t know my grandmother.”
Hakeem turns Jackson to face him, a warm hand placed on Jackson’s cheek to guide him, “I doubt even your grandmother would harm a guest in another royals court.” He places a quick kiss on Jackson cheek, one laced with intent and affection. “I’ll be back soon.”
Jackson’s breath hitches as Hakeem’s lips graze his cheek, “Okay,” is all he can muster as Jean-Pierre leads Hakeem away. He’s right, his grandmother wouldn’t hurt Hakeem, not in a foreign royal’s castle, not if it meant she would hurt Jackson in the process.
“He’ll be alright. No one will hurt him here, no one would dare,” Eddie says more for his sake than Jackson’s, as he throws his arms around Jackson’s shoulders, pulling him in close.
“I know you’re right, I just can’t help but worry.”
Eddie turns him around in his arms and steps away. “Maybe I can offer a distraction.”
A new song stirs from the band, melodic sound once more stirring the crowd to dance. Jackson sighs and shakes his head, “I will never get fae royal’s obsession with human pop music,” as an orchestral version of ‘Wildest Dreams’ begins to play.
Eddie once more extends a hand, “Jackson.” Jackson stares at the offered palm, mouth drawn into a tight line, eyes wide and filling with panic. “Will you do me the honors of joining me in a dance?”
Jackson scrambles to remember all the lessons he’s had in manners andetiquette in the ballroom, none seem to provide the answer he seeks as he takes Eddie’s hand with a gulp. “It would be my pleasure.”
They are both more experienced when it comes to sharing a dance in a royal court than Hakeem, so find their rhythm much more smoothly. Eddie once more takes the lead, hand on Jackson’s hip, holding on firmly to the lean muscle. They step in time with one another, as though they have danced together for years on end. Eyes never parting for more than a moment.
“I knew there was something special about you from the moment I first laid eyes on you, Jackson.” Eddie says as they spin to the beat of the song.
“I can certainly say the same for you. I wish we had met under less, incriminating circumstances, but I was at ease with you from that first day.
“I can’t put a name to the force drawing us together, Eddie, I am still eternally grateful for it. I never thought I could feel this way about another person again. It’s different from the bond me and Hakeem share, yet I feel it all the same. As though fate has meant for us to meet for years, all while I avoided its call wallowing in the shadows.”
Eddie cups Jackson’s cheek in his hand as they continue to dance, “You were still healing. It takes time to open your heart back up to the world. All that matters is that you’re here in my arms. I can’t deny that you are my destiny, one I never saw for myself before.”
Jackson lets Eddie twirl him in time with the song, letting his mind settle on the sweet words and the emotions behind them. He catches snippets of whispers in the background.
Is that Jackson Nocturne?
The Nocturne boy, here?
Who is he dancing with?
I think that’s the youngest LaLune child.
Wasn’t he dancing with someone else earlier?
Didn’t they…?
Just friends perhaps?
Not with the way they are looking at each other.
What do you suppose is the story there?
Eddie sees his eyes darting towards the direction of the whispered voices, commanding Jackson’s attention back to him by guiding Jackson’s chin with his thumb. “Hey, look at me.” Jackson obliges. “Don’t focus on them, these society types love to talk. Let them whisper and wonder, the truth is for us and no one else.”
