He Wants Me Dead

Astro was surprised to see Daniel, but the look of surprise on his face quickly turned to a happy smile, “You must be the new bodyguard,” he said.

“Yes, My Lord, I am the new bodyguard. It's an honor to meet you,” Daniel said in a polite voice, trying to hide his disappointment and anger.

A lustful thought passed through Astro's head, and he stylishly scrutinized Daniel's body, “the honor is all mine. By the way, you look sad, what is the matter? Is everything alright?” He asked with a look of concern.

Daniel was surprised that a Lord was concerned about him, but he wasn't fooled by it, nor did he allow it to get in his head, ‘He is just being a lousy man,’ he thought and scoffed at Astro's behavior internally.

“I am sorry for bothering you with my worrisome look sir,” Daniel apologized and bowed with false remorse.

“Oh, it's nothing. I don't like to see handsome men like you sad that's why I am asking. Is everything alright?” Astro pressed further, determined to get to the bottom of the matter.

“Humm, well, I hit my foot on the walls. I apologize, I was clumsy and didn't look at the path I was taking,” Daniel replied and bowed down. But his mind was roaring, ‘Get the fuck out of here, I admire you but this is not the time for flirting!’

“So sorry, that must hurt like hell,” Astro said with a gentle voice and squatted in front of Daniel, his hands on his leg.

Daniel was shocked and he jerked away, but Astro held him firmly, “be calm, I will quickly take a look at your leg and if needed I will instruct my doctor to examine it,” he suggested, gently massaging his leg, he wanted to remove Daniel's shoe, to look at the supposed foot, but he was stopped.

“My Lord, I don't think this is allowed. It's -”

“Stay still! That was an order,” Astro interrupted, his voice becoming a bit harsh.

Daniel looked at the strange man kneeling in front of him. If it was Lazarus, his heart would be fluttered, but all he felt for Astro was anger.

His wolf warned him about Astro's mischief intentions. He could see the cunning look in his eyes. He knew Astro was dangerous, and he would need to be careful around him. He couldn't tell what his intentions were, and why he was giving him special treatment.

'Maybe he sees me as a clown, and thinks of using me as his errand boy to spy and kill the king.’ Well, that makes two of us, Daniel thought with an evil grin.

'He wants something from you. Don't be a fool!’ His wolf warned him, with a distaste for Astro.

'Then I would like to know what he wants from me. If it's the king's death, I am readily available,’ he replied to his wolf with a grimace. Deep down within himself, Daniel couldn't afford to see the king's death, because he was already getting attached to him. ‘I must hurry up and finish my mission. I can't afford to fall for him. It might lead to my death,’ he reasoned, thinking about the repercussions.

Astro placed Daniel's leg on his palm, gently massaging it, “Your leg is soft, I like it,” he whispered. His hands felt like a hot breath on Daniel's skin, and goosebumps rose on his skin.

“Thank you, My Lord…..” Daniel appreciated, feeling awkward, “.... anyone can enter at this moment and they might misunderstand what is happening between us. God knows that King Lazarus would happily ask for my head to be beheaded if given the chance,” he moaned but Astro didn't reply.

After massaging his legs, Astro assisted him in putting on his shoes, a friendly smile on his face, “Next time be mindful of where you're passing. Also if something like this happens again, I don't mind massaging your leg for you,” he continued with a mischievous grin.

“Ummm, yes,” Daniel replied with a plain voice, faking his happiness. To be fair. He was impressed when he first saw him. Astro was a handsome man, he was also the perfect gentleman when compared with Lazarus. But the point is, his wolf didn't have such impure thoughts about him. Before he could be swayed by someone, he and his wolf had to agree, and the only person they both agreed on was Lazarus. Maybe his wolf was taking the agreement too far, he couldn't blame him because it had been long since he was last inside a man.

“I will see you later, I have an important meeting to attend. You can join the other guards, they're waiting for you in the main garden,” Astro informed him and winked his eyes. It was like he was promising to come back for him.

“Thanks for the information, My Lord,” Daniel bowed down respectfully, and Astro patted his shoulders before leaving.

'Good riddance to rubbish! I need a one-night stand with a courtier, who knows it might speed up the pace of my mission,’ he reasoned, staring at Astro as he left.

******
“Wo wo wo, man, calm down. You look so broken, is everything alright?” Xander asked as Henry gulped down the contents of the bottle in his hand.

Henry's eyes were swollen and he kept drinking like there was no tomorrow. Xander sat down beside him, and he couldn't help but wonder what happened to his close friend.

Liam entered the room and his eyes widened on seeing Henry, “How the hell did you get him to visit here? And why is he drinking alcohol? I thought he quit,” he looked confused.

“I am as speechless as you are. The Almighty Henry constantly refused to attend my parties, then boom one day he arrived like an alien, lifeless and sad. Maybe he got his heart broken,” Xender reasoned, but Liam didn't look convinced.

‘How can an icy man like him get a heartbreak? Is he even capable of falling in love?’ Liam thought and moved closer to Henry.

Henry had stood up from the chair he was seated on, and he kept staggering back and forth, intoxicated by the alcohol. A bottle was in his hand, and he kept gulping it as if he wanted to kill himself.

“I don't have a heart! I don't deserve to be loved by anyone, nor am I capable of loving,” he slurred, and his two friends were surprised, at first they thought he was muttering rubbish because of the alcohol, but when he held on to his words and kept repeating them again and again, as if trying to pollute his mind, they knew something was up.

“Henry, you're the only one who believes that we can still be redeemed and cured. You said we can still find love, yet you're saying this all of a sudden. What happened?” Liam asked his friend, moving closer to him, to collect the bottle in his hand, but Henry pushed him to the floor.

“Leave me alone. I am a monster, a beast and I was cursed for my sin. Let me drink myself to a stupor. Since pain can not kill me, maybe alcohol will,” he cried out and continued drinking, mumbling to himself.

Xender helped Liam to his feet, and they both silently watched Henry release his pain under the guise of getting drunk.
They could feel his pain, and although he tried to act tough they knew he was burning inside.

“As much as I love to have my brother around, I hate to see him broken. If this is the result for him, how do you think ours will be?” Xender asked, showing seriousness.

“We’ll figure this out tomorrow, by the time he's awake. Anyway, I'll be call Israel, he should come and pick him up. I'm sure he will know what to do,” Liam informed Xender, and he brought out his phone.

“No…. What are you tryna do? Do I hear someone say Israel?” Henry slurred, “Do not call him, I repeat don't call him. He probably wished I was dead by now,” he murmured and stopped walking. After a few seconds, he collapsed, falling on the floor like a log of wood.