“I can see this is a little overwhelming for you,” the Oracle said. “Perhaps you’ll consider your options on our way to Arania.”
That brought Rick out of his stupor. “I’m not going to Arania. Xenon said I could return to Earth.”
The Oracle glanced over the railings. “Xenon had no right to make such a promise. You will come with us to Arania.” With inhumanly fast reflexes she took hold of Rick’s arm and steered him down to the gardens below.
Xenon was the first to see them arrive, but he had no chance to speak.
“Rick has decided to join us on our journey home,” the Oracle announced.
“I did not!” Rick argued. Never mind he’d been close to deciding to travel with them anyway. He hated that the decision had been taken out of his hands.
Xenon winced. “I’m sorry. The Oracle’s word is law.”
Rick glared at the Oracle. “Are you going to tell him the truth, or shall I?”
The Oracle smiled softly, but declined to speak.
“I’m Prince Argon,” interrupted the man who looked identical to Xenon. “I believe we’re to be bonded on return to Arania.”
Rick snorted. “Not bloody likely.”
Argon ignored him. “Since our bonding is so close I feel I’m entitled to your body on the journey home.” He sidled closer and slid an arm round Rick’s waist.
Rick turned to glare at Argon and shoved him away.
“What?” Argon asked.
“I’ve got a problem with personal space – you’re in it. Now back off.”
Argon laughed. “Don’t be ridiculous. I know you want me. Everyone does.”
Rick ignored him. It was quite easy considering Argon looked identical to Xenon, and the latter was standing right there, looking adorably bewildered.
“You’re turning him down?” Xenon asked, as though he hadn’t quite heard correctly. “No one turns down Prince Argon.”
Rick couldn’t stop his smile. “You really thought I’d just throw myself at your brother and forget all about you, didn’t you?”
“Well, yes. Isn’t he the man of your dreams?”
Rick shook his head. “Not quite. He looks like him, certainly. He has the same hair, eyes and features. But the personality’s all wrong.”
Rick stepped closer and wound his arms round Xenon’s neck.
“Rick?”
“What do you see when you look at Argon?” Rick asked, curious to know the answer.
“I see his true form. The power he has over you and others doesn’t work on blood relations. Why?”
Rick leaned in to whisper. “Do you want to know what I see?”
“Er…”
“I see you.” Rick kissed Xenon’s neck and stepped back slightly. “I’m not a prophet and I can’t help your people by altering the course of events. Your mother will back me up on this. But I can help you by staying with you during the war.”
“But you could be killed.”
“So could you.”
“I can’t let you do this.”
Rick sighed with annoyance. “You were prepared to deliver me to Argon, yet you won’t let me come with you?”
“With Argon you’d be safe. He’s guarded day and night, and you would be too.” Xenon nodded to indicate the guards Rick had barely noticed before. “With me…”
Rick raised a finger to Xenon’s lips to silence him. “With you I’d be happy. We’ve come so far, are you really going to refuse me?”
Xenon looked at his mother. “Rick could see me even when I was shielded from sight, yet now you’re saying he’s not a prophet.”
The Oracle nodded. “There is no prophet, only a myth to give our people hope.”
“Then why send me to Earth to find one?”
“I sent you to Earth to find Rick.”
Rick watched as something seemed to occur to Xenon. “Oh shit, that means… Mother!”
The Oracle chuckled. “You know if I’d told you the truth you’d have refused to go. You never do anything for yourself, but for your people you’d travel across the universe. You may deny your birth right, but you never shirk from your duties.”
It was Rick’s turn to be confused. “I don’t understand.”
The Oracle gave him a smile before steering Affie and Argon away. “I’ll let Xenon explain it to you.”
“Explain what?” Rick asked. “Xenon, what’s going on?”
Xenon led Rick to a nearby bench and sat him down. “My mother fancies herself as a matchmaker and used her powers as an Oracle to find you for me.”
“She couldn’t find you a date on your own planet?”
Xenon looked at the ground rather than face him. “She wasn’t looking for a date for me; she was searching for the missing part of my soul.”
“You mean like a soul mate?”
“Exactly. Other than a prophet, it’s the only way someone could see beyond my shields. Only the other half of my soul is immune to my powers.”
Rick let out the breath he was holding. “I guess that means you’re stuck with me, huh?”
Xenon wrapped his arms around Rick and pulled him close for a kiss. This time when the voice in his head appeared Rick wasn’t surprised and didn’t let it stop him from kissing Xenon back.
“I’m never going to want to let you go.”
“Then don’t.”
“What about your life on Earth?”
“We can go back and visit, just as long as we stay together.”
“Is that all you’re worrying about?”
“What of all your people? They’re expecting a prophet, someone to save them.”
“Who’s to say you won’t?”
Xenon’s extraordinary tongue was exploring his mouth with vigour and Rick lost his train of thought completely. Were there others in the garden? Were they watching them? Was it appropriate for two men to kiss like this in a public place? One thought after another tumbled through his mind, but louder than all his concerns was one thought that wasn’t his own.
“Mine.”
