Chapter 11
It had been three days since they arrived, and all this time, Stephen had ignored Tony, even though the latter had tried to speak to him.
The Ancient One had begun Stephen’s training, but he struggled with magic, making him feel even more hopeless.
Stephen was attempting to create a portal under the Ancient One's guidance, while Tony stood close by, observing.
"Stephen, try to conjure the energy. Concentrate," the Ancient One instructed.
Stephen tried, but he could only manage a few sparks. His hands began aching, and he stopped.
"I can't, Ancient One. I told you I'm useless," Stephen said, kneeling in pain.
Tony tried to approach him, but the Ancient One stopped him.
"Your Highness, stand up. You are a prince—you cannot kneel before us," the Ancient One said sternly.
"I can't, Ancient One. You've been trying for days. I'm not good enough to be a prince, let alone a sorcerer," Stephen snapped, his eyes teary.
He stormed out of the training area.
"Stephen, wait!" Tony called out, but Stephen didn’t stop.
"Ancient One, give him some time. You can't rush him," Tony said.
"He needs to be ready as soon as possible. You cannot always protect him. This is his fight—he must fight it," the Ancient One replied.
"He is in pain. Let me go check on him," Tony said worriedly.
The Ancient One nodded.
Tony walked toward Stephen’s room, where he found him sitting and staring at his hands, his eyes filled with unshed tears.
Slowly, Tony approached and knelt before him.
"Leave, Stark. I don’t want to talk," Stephen said coldly.
His hands were trembling, but Tony didn’t move. Instead, he gently took Stephen’s hands in his own. Stephen winced but didn’t pull away. Tony softly caressed his wounds and soothingly blew on his hands.
"Does it hurt?" Tony asked in a gentle voice.
Stephen nodded, biting his lip to hold back a cry.
Tony looked at him with sympathy, continuing to caress his hands.
"I'm incapable of fulfilling my duties while my people are dying for me," Stephen sobbed.
"You're not. That’s why we all trust you. The Ancient One trusts you," Tony reassured him.
"Kaecilius is going to come for me. He will kill everyone who protects me. I’m not ready," Stephen whispered.
"You will be. And even if you're not, we're all here," Tony said.
"I should have married Kaecilius. At least then, I could have avoided the war," Stephen murmured.
"Stephen, for the last time—you deserve more than that murderer. You are incredible, and you’re not meant to be just an omega queen to some king, especially a monster like him," Tony snapped.
Stephen looked at him with glassy, fearful blue eyes. Tony instantly regretted raising his voice.
"Stephen, I wasn’t yelling at you," Tony said, cupping Stephen’s cheek.
"I’m sorry," Stephen whispered, his voice trembling as if he expected Tony to punish him.
"No, I should be the one apologizing. Why are you afraid of me?" Tony asked softly.
"You’re an alpha. And… you hurt me that day," Stephen admitted in a small voice.
"Yes, I’m an alpha. But I will never hurt you. That day, I was angry—but not at you. I was furious at Kaecilius for making you believe you deserve less. And I’m sorry if I hurt you without realizing it," Tony said sincerely.
"Omegas aren’t allowed to talk back to alphas," Stephen said quietly.
"Nonsense. You’re allowed to talk back—and even slap an alpha if they’re talking nonsense," Tony said firmly.
"And I deserved that slap. You can give it to me now; no one is here," Tony added with a smirk.
Stephen chuckled.
"So, you don’t want me to slap you?" Tony teased.
"I will—when you deserve it," Stephen replied with a small smile.
"Fair enough. But it won’t happen again. I promise," Tony said, looking into his eyes.
Stephen simply smiled.
They hadn’t realized how close they were sitting. Their faces were just a breath apart.
"Stephen," Tony whispered.
"Yes?" Stephen whispered back.
Tony wanted to close the distance, but he couldn’t—he was just a knight.
"Uh… You should go and resume your practice," Tony said, pulling away.
"Yeah, I should," Stephen agreed.
"Alright, come with me," Tony said.
Stephen followed him, and they walked back to the training area, where the Ancient One was waiting.
"Are you ready?" the Ancient One asked with a smirk.
"Yes," Stephen replied.
"Come," the Ancient One said, leading him inside.
Stephen glanced back at Tony, who nodded with an encouraging smile.
Stephen smiled back and walked in with the Ancient One.
Stephen sat before the Ancient One in the lotus position.
"Take a deep breath, Stephen," the Ancient One said.
Stephen did as she instructed.
"Free your mind. Your soul is stronger than your body. Harness your energy from within," she continued.
Stephen concentrated and tried summoning the energy. When he opened his eyes again, he spoke with determination.
"I think I'm ready."
"Yes, go on," the Ancient One said, handing him the sling ring.
Stephen put it on and tried again. This time, it happened. He successfully opened a portal.
"I did it. I... did it again," he said, smiling, though his eyes teared up.
"Yes, you did," the Ancient One said with a smile.
Overjoyed, Stephen ran outside and hugged Tony, who was standing there.
Tony was taken aback. "Stephen?"
"I did it! I opened a portal!" Stephen beamed.
"I knew you could," Tony said with a smile.
"Stephen, that's enough for today," the Ancient One said.
"You want to go back to your room?" Tony asked.
"No. Can we go for a ride?" Stephen asked.
"Stephen, it's getting late. It's dangerous," Tony cautioned.
"Please? I'm bored here. Not too far," Stephen pleaded with puppy eyes.
Tony sighed. "Alright, come on." He could never resist that look.
They rode together and stopped near a small, flowing stream.
"I think we could sit here peacefully," Tony said.
"It's beautiful," Stephen said, admiring the scenery.
Tony led Stephen to sit down near the stream. They sat in comfortable silence for a while before Stephen broke it.
"Tony? Can I ask you something?"
"Sure, anything," Tony replied.
"Aren't you tired of always fighting enemies? Don't you want a peaceful life away from all this?" Stephen asked.
"I don’t know. My father trained me for battle since I was a child. So, this is my life now," Tony said, tossing a pebble into the water.
"Still, have you never thought about having a family? Kids?" Stephen asked.
"I'm not sure. I don’t want to bring someone into my chaotic life," Tony admitted.
"Mmh…" Stephen murmured.
"What about you? Ever dreamed of a family with a prince?" Tony asked, smirking.
"I did once, back when my life was normal. I always admired what my mom and dad had. They were so happy together. My dad used to say I could marry anyone I wanted, and he would accept them no matter what. But now… here we are," Stephen said with a sad smile.
"Don’t worry. You’ll have a happy life with Prince Thor. I’ve known him since childhood—he would never hurt you," Tony reassured.
"The Ancient One said I’d find the love of my life," Stephen scoffed.
"Correction—she said I’ve already found them," Stephen laughed.
"Who would that be?" Tony asked, a little hopeful.
"I don’t know. I don’t believe in such things anymore," Stephen said.
"Why not?" Tony asked.
"Because now I’m just a tool for everyone to gain the kingdom. If I were a nobody, no one would be interested in me," Stephen said.
"Sometimes, I wish you were a nobody," Tony said, looking at him.
"Why?" Stephen asked, meeting his gaze.
"Because…" Tony started.
Just then, he heard a movement in the distance.
"Someone's here," Tony whispered.
"What?" Stephen asked, alarmed.
"Shh… Don’t panic," Tony said, slowly drawing his sword and rising. Stephen followed his lead.
Suddenly, a hooded figure charged at them. Tony blocked him with his sword, but another attacker lunged from the right. Tony fought off the first while keeping Stephen behind him. The second attacker swung his sword, cutting Tony’s arm.
Then a third assailant charged. Tony was occupied with two attackers, leaving the third one to go after Stephen.
"Stephen, run!" Tony called out.
But Stephen didn’t. Instead, he closed his eyes, focused, and conjured a weapon using his sling ring. He struck the third attacker, knocking him down, but took a punch to the face in the process.
Tony swiftly subdued the other two and locked them to the ground near the third. Stephen used his magic to bind all three of them.
Tony hurried to Stephen.
"Are you okay?" he asked, checking Stephen’s bloodied lip.
"Yes. Your arm is bleeding," Stephen said, worried.
"It’s alright," Tony assured him.
He turned to the restrained attackers and removed their hoods.
"You’re not Kaecilius’ men. Black sorcerers can’t enter this forest. Who are you? Why did you attack us?" Tony demanded.
The captives remained silent. Tony crushed one of their hands under his boot. The man cried out in pain.
"I’ll tell! I’ll tell!" he sobbed.
"Then speak. Who is your master?" Tony growled.
"Sir Hammer sent us," the man confessed.
"Hammer? What does he want?" Tony pressed, grinding his boot harder.
"He wants to kidnap Prince Stephen. He has aligned with Kaecilius," the man whimpered.
"That bastard," Tony growled.
"What should we do with them?" Stephen asked.
"Can you open a portal? Or should I take them while you leave on horseback?" Tony asked.
"I’ll try," Stephen said, closing his eyes in concentration. He successfully opened a portal.
"Thanks, Your Highness," Tony said proudly.
Stephen smiled back.
Tony dragged the attackers through the portal.
"Mordo, chain them up. They’re Hammer’s men. Interrogate them and find out more about his plan. If Hammer knows about this place, we need to relocate," Tony ordered.
"Will do, Sir Stark," Mordo said, dragging them to the cells.
"Stephen, you need medical attention," Tony said.
"I’m fine. It’s just a cut. Yours is worse," Stephen said, concerned.
"Alright, let’s go together then," Tony said, walking with Stephen.
The healers tended to Tony’s wound. It was a minor cut, but Stephen still felt guilty. He sat beside Tony, looking downcast.
"Hey, why the long face?" Tony smirked.
"This is my fault. I should’ve listened when you said it was dangerous outside," Stephen admitted.
"It’s fine. It’s not a big deal. Besides, if we hadn’t gone, we wouldn’t have discovered Hammer’s plan," Tony reassured.
Stephen still looked unconvinced, so Tony continued.
"But what you did out there was impressive. You saved my life," Tony said.
"Thanks," Stephen replied with a shy smile.
Tony found himself captivated. Stephen’s swollen lips looked inviting, and his ocean-blue eyes held something unreadable.
"Does it hurt?" Tony asked, cupping Stephen’s cheek.
"A little," Stephen admitted.
Tony, without thinking, gently caressed the cut with his thumb. Stephen let out a soft moan.
Tony’s breath hitched. His gaze lingered on Stephen’s lips, drawn in by an urge he couldn't quite control.
But before he could act, a guard’s voice interrupted.
"Your Highness, the Ancient One is coming to see you."
Stephen quickly pulled back.
The Ancient One rushed in.
"Are you alright? Were you hurt?" she asked, concerned.
"I’m okay. Tony saved me," Stephen said.
"Thank you, Stark," she said gratefully.
"But you two are not allowed outside the cave until you're ready," she warned.
"Understood," Stephen nodded.
"Stark, how are you feeling now?" she asked.
"I’m good. It’s just a scratch," Tony replied.
"Alright, rest up. Stephen, come with me," the Ancient One instructed.
Stephen nodded, glancing at Tony before following her.
Tony sighed in relief. The guard had perfect timing—because if he hadn't interrupted, Tony might have done something he shouldn’t have. He leaned back on his bed, exhaling deeply.