Soulmates
by Ella

Soulmates

by Ella

"I am telling you, I'm not a sorcerer. I am a witch." Rian tried to turn and face the burly guard manhandling him towards a cell.

"And there's a difference?" the guard sarcastically breathed heavily into his ear as he shoved his latest prisoner into the cell. "Uh huh... save it for the Prince when he arrives."

"Yes! There is!" Rian insisted, his words strained as the wind was shoved out of him. Barely catching his breath and the guard's words, Rian found himself running for the cell door before it slammed shut, "Prince?"

The guard snorted, giving one final shove of his reluctant prisoner. No doubt he thought his prisoner dense as he indulged him. "Prince Adrian."

"The Prince Adrian?"

The guard rolled his eyes, "Is there any other?"

Baffled, Rian threw up his hands, pushing away from the bars of his cell. He should have listened to his father, to his friends. They had said, no, idiot, foraging through the country side during times of war... blah blah blah... extremely irritated with himself, Rian ran long slender fingers through his ginger colored hair. For as long as he could remember, he'd been a witch practicing the arts of healing, and all he had wanted to do was help the sick and the wounded injured during this mindless war.

"I AM no sorcerer," he shouted at nothingness.

Resigned, he collapsed hard on the straw pallet, partly from exhaustion and partly in defeat, his mind wandering down a familiar path, comparing sorcery with witchery.

Sorcery was outlawed in his land, punishable by death. Everyone within the border knew this. But somehow witchcraft had escaped the King's definition. Witches were common, and presided in just about every town, and most were fakes, preying on the poor and ignorant. Good ones like himself used herbs and flowers to brew concoctions to heal and restore. There was no unexplained magic involved. Never.

Sorcery was another matter altogether. Sorcery was the weaving of pure energy. Sorcerers drew powers from the earth, from the very air around them. Why hell, he'd meet a sorcerer whose source derived from water. Dark sorcerers, thank the gods he'd never met one of those, pulled energy from living souls.

Time passed and after a while Rian found himself dozing on the makeshift bed of hay amid the odors of the previous inhabitants of his cell. He was plagued by nightmarish dreams. The first dream he was used to, he'd had it for many years. Energy, a pure and simple way to describe it, always surrounded his very being. Always smoky in color either hazy red or pure white. Nothing or no one ever seemed to come out of the dream. No man, no woman, no monsters. Just smoke and heat. The feelings he got from either versions of the same dream depended on the color of the smoke.

Red gave him comfort. Warmth and security and even sometimes an undeniable hard-on that left him panting and needing. White always gave him feelings of loneliness and craving. At the moment it was hazy red and the warmth and security despite his current circumstances was very welcome in his dream state. He'd noticed that the closer he'd gotten to the border the more frequent the red dream had gotten. But thank the gods he'd awoken with no hard-on. What would his patients have thought had they seen the witch emerge from his bed shaft at attention? He'd thought of that many times during his travels.

Sadly, the dream of warmth, security, was quickly overshadowed by another. A frightening dream. Cold, hypnotic, furious eyes consuming him, taking away his ability to breathe. He'd never had this one before.

The hypnotic gaze was drawing him deeper into its cold suffocating embrace as it consumed the familiar dream. Becoming fretful, Rian began to protectively murmur chants and useless spells in his sleep. Another voice joined his, he could hear it in his half-doze yet it was the sounds of a sword being drawn that pulled him from the dream only to discover it wasn't a dream.

"Don't move, Witch!"

Rian instinctively froze, his eyes having opened to a living nightmare. Coiled around his body, ready to strike down into his slumbering face was one of the regions most dangerous snakes, the King Cobra and this one was bigger than most.

The voice commanding him began chanting again. Rian had no time to speculate about the other as the snake turned from him and focused on the other individual in his cell. Its grip tightened around his body, ripping a gasp from his throat. It explained why he felt suffocated. It had been no dream. It was real.

"It's an enchanted snake. Someone wants you dead."

Without turning his head, Rian's hazel eyes sought out the other occupant. He could catch nothing but the tip of a blade and a red glow lighting up on that end of the cell.

A sorcerer. In his cell!

"I swear I haven't done anything." There was a snort that came from the general direction of the sorcerer to his comment.

"Who said you did anything?" came the deep, throaty reply.

"I am here, aren't I?" Rian ventured trying not to squeak.

"That you are. And I will take that up with my guards shortly."

Noticing the reference to 'my guards' now Rian wanted most definitely to see who his 'rescuer' was but dared not move, not with the over-sized Cobra snugly wrapped around his body, eyes still focused on the newcomer despite his squirming.

"Are you planning to do something besides useless chanting?"

"Useless chanting, huh?" There was a teasing undertone to the statement as the other continued. "Yes. It is my intention. But it is also my goal to find out who sent your uninvited cellmate."

"Ahh. Yes, that might prove important." As if chants worked. Solemnly his mind also realized that he could not think of anyone who would want him dead.

"Now if you will kindly shut up for a moment, I will complete the incantation."

Rian swallowed back the rebuke that threatened. It was after all the other that started up a conversation. But the fellow was not deserving of his frustration. First, being tossed into a prison cell with no explanation. Secondly, a snake. A rather large snake wrapped around his body.

A loud emphasis was placed on the last sentence of the sorcerer's chant, followed by a quick movement of the sword. The snake was quickly relieved of its head. Rian turned his head trying to avoid any splaying of blood or any other bodily fluid, but the snake did neither as it went up in dark smoke followed with a human scream. Had it even been real? Wild-eyed, Rian scooted back against the wall, then slid up the wall until he stood.

"It was real enough to kill you," the sorcerer offered, seeing Rian's eyes reflect his amazement. Dismissing the situation, the sorcerer extended his hand and casually said, "Come. Let us get you into more comfortable surroundings."

Rian's wide-eyed gaze moved to the cloaked figure and the outstretched hand. He was instantly undecided. Did he dare leave the cell after being thrown in? Even better, did he dare leave the protectiveness of the cell in the company of an unnamed sorcerer even if he did just save his life?

The sorcerer dropped his hand, noting Rian's hesitance, and pulled the hood of his black cloak back, watching as Rian's stare got wider as black hair fell in waves over dark red eyes. "They tell me your name is Rian. Allow me to introduce myself and apologize for your treatment thus far. I am Prince Adrian, at your service."

When Rian finally found his voice, he managed the only question that had been on his mind since being brought to the cell, "What do you want with me?"

The Prince smiled, once again extending his hand, "Come I will tell you, but only in a more comfortable environment. I've been long on the road and am slightly missing my comforts."

Looking from the long slender hand to the red eyes, Rian slowly extended his own, accepting the others hand, it was then that the red eyes softened, changing into a brilliant green.

Rian learned quickly that they were in a fortress won by war. Once inhabited by his people, now by Adrian's. It was not a wealthy fortress by any means. Its stone walls did nothing to keep the fall chill at bay.

Lead to a private chamber by the chatty Sorcerer Prince, Rian was encouraged to bathe and given a fresh change of clothing. Heavy, warm fabric that had no business against a poor witch's skin. Shortly after he was escorted by a servant, not a guard, to the private suite of the Prince, where he stood now, hair still damp from his bath.

"I am sure my reputation proceeds me. I am a soul eater. An evil sorcerer." Adrian's bright green eyes watched in amusement. Rian's hazel-eyed expression of confusion seemed rather enduring to him. The young man radiated such innocence in a country ravished by war and famine and a tyrant King. It was almost priceless to see it in the expression of one who'd traveled many places.

Rian stared across the large antechamber that no doubt once belonged to the Master of the fortress. "Yes."

The Prince smiled, moving to close the gap between them. "It is of course not true. But then, seeing is believing. Come, join me for dinner."

Prince Adrian no sooner got within a stride of him and he turned, seemingly in trust, but Rian was pretty sure the Prince was not as vulnerable or as trusting as he appeared. Slowly Rian followed him into the next room.

Entering the adjoining room, Rian found himself paying close attention to the Prince's movements, despite his weariness of his host, he shamefully found himself enchanted by the very movements of the man before him.

Prince Adrian's hair reached his waist, swishing slightly as he walked in his robes of deep, dark blue. The hair was incredibly black, blacker than night, tinged blue in certain casts of lighting. Rian found himself running his fingers through his own short locks. kept short so not to get into the way when tending the sick and wounded. Despite the feminine looks caused by the hair, the Prince was most definitely male. Taller by half a head and broader than Rian's thin, food-starved frame.

"So you practice witchcraft?" The Prince asked as he took a seat, indicating the one across from him for Rian.

"Yes." Rian avoided the Prince's eyes. Somehow he couldn't help but feel the Prince found some amusement with him. He couldn't quite place the feeling it just seemed the Prince's eyes were always soft on him. He chided himself, especially knowing that this particular Prince was winning a war against his countrymen. But like many of his people, he'd had enough of the tyrant King.

The Prince nodded, steady in that amused gaze of his. "And you use it for healing?"

"Yes." Hesitantly, Rian looked into those eyes, surprisingly it was not amusement he found but an equal study similar to the one he gave the Prince on their way into the room. He couldn't help but wonder what the Prince saw when he looked at him. His chin rose a little higher. That damnable amusement instantly returned.

Prince Adrian smirked, his green eyes sparkling again. "I see we will have an interesting conversation over dinner."

"Why am I here?" Rian blurted out. It was the one thing that plagued him. No harm had been brought to him with the exception of the snake or what he thought was a snake.

"Please let's eat. I promise I will tell you everything. Even show you a thing or two. Let me tell you about me then," the Prince started as he lifted covers from the dishes set between them.

Rian couldn't help but look at the Sorcerer Prince's discoveries. Roast duckling, sided by carrots and potatoes. A dish of broth or soup, Rian couldn't be sure, but the smell indicated there may be onion associated with the dish. His mouth began to water and his stomach started to rumble its approval. As the Prince continued his exploration, Rian had to look away in embarrassment.

"As you know my name, you may not know that I am a prince of a land with no king. I cannot be crowned King until I find my mate. I search for him." Noting that Rian's head snapped up sharply, the Prince continued with a chuckle, "Yes. It is a him. And my search has led me here to your land. I will know him when I see him, but according to legend he will not know me. Not, that is, until he awakens."

The Prince seeing Rian not moving to fill his plate began serving them both, much to Rian's continued embarrassment. The Prince spoke not another word until he had filled both plates with heaping portions of duck and vegetables. Leaning back in his chair, hands folding quietly in his lap, he went on to say, "A lot of information to bestow upon you in such a short time, Rian, and I apologize. But I've run out of time. I need my mate and I need him now."

"Why?" Rian returned his gaze to Prince Adrian. Wondering at all this. He'd heard something similar as a child at the feet of his benefactors as he'd weaved tales of old.

"My country needs a King. And I *need* my mate." Adrian emphasized the word need, giving Rian the impression that finding 'him' was more important.

"I'm sorry you haven't found him." Rian truly was sorry, but what had this to do with him? Why had he been taken prisoner? All he'd been doing was healing the wounded. It hadn't mattered to him which side of the war the wounded had come on.

A soft smile and an even softer gaze fell upon him. "I do not eat souls, Rian. I search them. Legend says my mate will have great powers. Together we will rule kingdoms from the eastern shores to the western deserts. Legend also said he would not be of our land. I would have to seek him out."

"What has happened to the souls you've searched?" He was extremely glad that he'd master control of his voice, being reminded that he sat in the presence of a sorcerer. The reminder made him a little apprehensive. Yet he felt no evil from this seemingly lonely prince.

Prince Adrian shrugged, "Some go away richer. Some go away disappointed that they were not the one. And one, went away dead, only because he thought to steal my powers while I searched him. And in my travels I have overheard the exaggeration of that tale. I assure you no one has ever accidentally nor intentionally died because of my search even the deceptor who thought to steal my powers died a quick, painless death."

"What have I got to do with all this? Sorcery is outlawed in my home land, even witches fear accusations." Seeing that the Prince had yet to eat, Rian quietly placed his hands in his lap.

"I will tell you, my dear witch, only after you have consumed your food." The Prince's eyes softened as they gazed upon him. Rian hoped that he had successfully stilled the blush that threatened at the overwhelming attention he'd received since being rescued.

Having no choice but to obey both the Prince and his stomach, he made short work of the food on his plate.

True to his word, Prince Adrian took up the conversation where he'd left off before dinner. This time they were seated before a blazing fire in large overstuffed chairs. Rian was practically sunk down into the chair's softness nearing sleep when the Prince's soft voice broke the silence.

"In my homeland, Rian, there is no difference between witchcraft and sorcery. It is one and the same, just different methods and levels of powers. Haven't you ever wondered why sorcery was outlawed in your land?" As the Prince spoke he moved to stand beside the fireplace, gazing into its flames. The light from the fire made the front of his robes near transparent.

Rian blushed when he realized he was staring, averting his eyes he spoke just as softly. His voice full of remorse for not giving such a serious matter much thought. "It was before my time. It was enough to learn to cloak myself and my slim abilities in the presence of the priests. So no, to answer your question. I never wondered."

Prince Adrian turned and faced him leaning his back against the fireplace, being careful to pull his robes closer, "Your priests know of the legend. They planned, knowing that one day a Sorcerer King and his mate would rule. They were trying to save their land and their line."

Rian thought about it for a moment, avoiding the soulful look being thrown in his direction. Everything the Prince was telling him was incredible and sadly very true. He'd just never really thought about it, not since he was young and his benefactor had given him many warnings.

As Rian watched, the prince chose that moment to move closer. Getting on his knees before him, leaning almost into him, gazing into his face. "Do you know how far they went to insure no sorcerer was born amongst your people?"

Rian looked away. Yes, he knew.

"They killed every last known sorcerer in your land, even those not of your land. They killed children and their mothers and in some cases fathers, fearing they would give birth to another cursed child." The prince then dared to lay a hand upon his knee as he spoke capturing Rian's gaze once again.

"I know. Many of us still live in fear." Rian spoke softly, a little fearful at the close proximity of the Prince, wondering what it meant.

"Including you witches?" Prince Adrian waited patiently for his response.

"Including us. Yes. Some of us have been caught up in the frenzy in the past. They still burn us at the stake." Rian offered up the truth. His benefactor had been burned at the stake. Accused of harboring a sorcerer, he had heard the charges read from his hiding place beneath the floorboards where he'd been unceremoniously shoved in.

The Prince nodded. "How is it you were overlooked?"

"Excuse me?" Rian's head jerked up sharply the last remnants of sluggishness leaving his body. "I am no sorcerer."

The Prince smiled, "Yes, you are. You just don't realize it. Someone who cared for you marked you. Kept your powers from manifesting. Someone who loved you no doubt."

"I'm sorry..." Still baffled Rian watched as the Prince extended his left hand palm up, as the right waved over the left palm and a white fire appeared instantly appeared. The Prince Sorcerer seemed not affected by it as he returned his right hand to rest on Rian's thigh, the touch was electrifying.

The Prince's eyes pleaded over the white flame to him. "Touch it."

"What?" If he could have sunk even further into his chair Rian would have.

"Touch the flame. If you hurt, I will patch you up and send you on your way."

A mad short laugh escaped Rian's lips, "And if I don't get burnt?"

"Then I will request permission to search you." A smirk appeared on the full lips of the Prince.

"Search me? For what?" Rian had indeed listened to Prince Adrian's tale it was just not what he'd expected. He'd expected to be asked questions about any known sorcerers yes, but never had he thought the Prince would want to search him or even test him.

"For my mate. He is dormant. He needs to be awakened." Smiling wistfully, Prince Adrian's eyes continued to plead. "I need him."

Rian's eyes widened in disbelief. The Prince just had to be joking. Seated where he was with the Prince practically in his lap it was rather hard to escape. "What do I have to assure me you will set me free?"

"My word." And Prince Adrian bled every truth in his soul into those eyes of his as Rian's hazel-eyed gaze looked up and locked with blazing red eyes.

It was then that Rian could tie the change in eye color to the Sorcerers powers. The Prince's eyes must change when in the height of those powers.

But still, even with the Sorcerer Prince's word and the incredible man half in his lap he hesitated. The stories... Rian couldn't allow himself to speculate on the stories, if he did, he'd run. Quickly he reached out his hand, palm down, just above the flame if it was how he was suppose to do it.

"Touch the flame."

Rian did more than touch the flame, like a magnet his hand clasped down, firmly against the palm of the other. There was no burning, just a pleasant ticklish humming against his palm. The Prince's hand slowly closed around his, pulling him closer half out of his chair against him.

"Awaken my love."

And as the flame purged away the seal, Rian's body became consumed by his dream of red haze, all the comfort and love he felt during that dream eased his fear. His mind realized that it had indeed been missing a part of itself.

"Together. At last."

beta'd by Nadja