Chapter 13

• Theodore refused to answer Alistair's questions. Alistair didn't push him to answer. They rode back in silence. They got back to the house and Alistair got down from his horse to help Theodore get down. When Theodore was safely on the ground, he held him and refused to let him go.
• "look at me", he commanded. Theodore looked up at him. "What happened last night between us is nothing to be ashamed of Theodore, you were curious, and I simply helped you satisfy your curiosity, there is absolutely nothing for you to be ashamed of". Theodore looked up at him, "you don't think I am weird or strange, right?".
• "no Theodore, I don't. I think you are a healthy male who just discovered the joys of self pleasure".
• He leaned in to whisper into Theodore's ear. "Did you try it again this morning?". With his cheeks flaming red, Theodore nodded.
• "Did it feel good?". Theodore nodded. "I would advise you to lock your door whenever you want to do it. You don't want anyone barging in on you, trust me, that would be very embarrassing".
• "I will make sure to always lock the door", Theodore said.
• "good boy", Alistair said as he ruffled his hair.
• Theodore closed his eyes as Alistair ruffled his hair. Anytime Alistair was happy with something Theodore did, or he complimented him, it always made Theodore happy.
• "so what did you do today with Fife", Alistair asked. "I went to the palace with him".
• "Why?",
• "the king wanted to ask me questions about the Vampire stuff I said yesterday at the get together", Theodore answered.
• "Just that?",
• "then he offered me a job in the palace library as one of the researchers". Theodore told Alistair a half-truth. He couldn't tell him the actual nature of the job because the king had said it was to be a secret. He felt bad about lying to Alistair, but he would rather not disobey the king.
• "I am so proud of you Theo. Remember when you thought you didn't belong anywhere. Look at you now, you have a job, you have friends now", Alistair told Theodore with a proud smile on his face. He was so proud of Theodore.
• "it's all thanks to you Alistair, you gave me the confidence that I needed",
• "no, it's all because of you, Theo, you are a wonderful person, and you deserve all the good things happening to you".
• Theodore looked up at Alistair, he wondered what he had done to deserve a good friend like Alistair. He threw himself into Alistair's arms and hugged him tightly.
• Alistair hugged him back tightly and stroked his hair. After a while, Theodore released him. Theodore stepped back and tried to apologize for the hug, but Alistair stopped him. "There is nothing to apologize for, we are friends, aren't we? What's the use of being friends if we can't even hug each other".
• Theodore smiled at Alistair's words, Alistair had a way of making Theodore happy with his words, "thanks a lot Alistair",
• "you are welcome, now go inside and get some rest. I am sure that your parents can't wait to hear all about your visit to the palace".
• Theodore nodded, Alistair got on his horse and waved him bye before turning around to ride back home. Theodore waved him and waited until he was out of sight, before going inside.
• His parents were waiting for him inside. As soon as he entered inside, his mum rushed up to him. "How was it? Are you okay? Did anything happen at the palace", his mother fired different questions at him.
• Theodore looked at her confused, unsure what questions he was to answer first.
• "let the boy breath, Martha", his father admonished her.
• Theodore gave him a grateful smile before he told them everything that had happened at the palace. Including how he had been offered a job personally by the king, he didn't tell them the real nature of the job, neither did he tell them about the incident he had with the princess.
• In his excitement, he did not take not of how their smiles were forced or how his mother looked frightened at the thought of him being at the palace. He went up to his room happily to change his clothes.
• As soon as he left, his parents looked at each other. "What do we do now?", his mother asked.
• "there is nothing we can do, Martha. Theodore looks so happy about his new job. How do think he would feel if we told him not to take up the job offer",
• "he would be heartbroken", she said sadly.
• "exactly, so we are going to let him do his job and pray nothing happens? If anything does happen, We must be prepared to flee the kingdom because our lives would be in danger",
• "I hope nothing happens",
• "me too, Martha".