Mark of the Exiled Prince

“Get him!” one of the thugs shouted. “He’s not going far—we’ll catch him!” another added. Laughter followed. Cruel. Loud. Close. I ran. Branches scratched against my skin, roots kept tripping me, but I forced myself back up every time. I couldn’t let them catch me. My heart pounded wildly in my chest, loud enough to drown out everything else. I couldn’t stop. Not when they were right behind me. Not when I could still hear them calling me that word. “Rapist!” My chest tightened, breath coming out in ragged gasps. My heart pounded so hard it felt like it was trying to break out of my ribs. I didn’t do it. But no one cared. No one listened. All of this started at the beginning of the year… when my so-called best friend told everyone I tried to rape her. And just like that, everything changed. No one listened. No one cared about my side. I mean… I’m gay. Well… I think I am. Maybe bisexual—I don’t even know. But no one knows that. And even if I told them now, would they believe me? Or would they just think I’m lying to escape this? Maybe it would make everything worse. Now I’m here… in the middle of nowhere… running from school thugs who want to beat me up while calling me a rapist. A bitter chuckle escaped my lips. Funny how everyone used to love me. Admire me. Even when they didn’t really know me. I’ve never dated anyone. My family is too strict for that. So I never got the chance to figure myself out. But I know one thing… I’ve liked boys. And she knew that. She knew… and still did this to me. “I shouldn’t have come out…” I whispered, tears streaming down my face. “I should’ve stayed home…” My foot slipped. I crashed to the ground, my head hitting a low branch. Pain exploded through my skull as the world spun violently. “I wish I was home…” I murmured. Then everything went dark. ⸻ “He’ll be fine. He just passed out, darling.” Voices. Familiar voices. I slowly opened my eyes, squinting against the light. My room. I was in my room. I pushed myself up too quickly— “f**k…” I groaned, clutching my head as a sharp pain shot through it. “Hey, baby!” my mum rushed over, grabbing my hands. “Mum… h-how did you find me?” My throat felt dry and sore. “The police brought you back,” she said, pulling me into a tight hug. “I told you not to go out, but you never listen, Thae.” I winced. “Leave him, honey,” my dad said gently. “You’re hurting him.” “Mum, I’m fine,” I lied quickly. “Just… playing rough with the boys.” They exchanged a look. I frowned. “What’s with that look? I said I’m fine. I can handle myself.” A small, forced smile formed on my lips. My dad sighed. “We think it’s time we take you back to where you’re from.” My eyes lit up instantly. “Really? Your hometown?” For a moment, I forgot everything. But then… my mum started crying harder. And something in my chest dropped. “What’s going on?” I asked, my voice shaking. My dad held her close, then looked at me—serious, heavy. “We wanted to wait until you turned eighteen next week,” he said slowly. “But… we’re sending you back. You’ll continue school there.” I blinked. Confused. “And we won’t be coming with you.” Silence. My heart started racing again. “We’re not your biological parents.” Everything stopped. “What…?” I let out a shaky laugh. “Dad, what are you saying?” “We were your guardians,” he continued softly. “Your real parents… abandoned you.” My throat tightened. “They said you were different. An outcast.” His words felt distant. Unreal. “But we took you. We ran away with you. And later… we discovered you have power. Not bright like the others—but still there.” I shook my head slowly. “I don’t understand…” “You’re a fae,” he said. The word hung in the air. “A royal fae. The child of the king.” My breath hitched. “They thought you couldn’t transform. They wanted to kill you. But when you turned five… your mark appeared. The snake tattoo on your waist.” My hands trembled. “It’s rare. Dangerous. We couldn’t take you back… and we didn’t want to. We just wanted you to live a normal life.” His voice broke. “We love you. That was never a lie.” Silence filled the room. I should be angry. I should be screaming. But instead… “Thank you,” I whispered. Their heads snapped up. “For not taking me back.” My chest tightened. “They abandoned me.” I stood up slowly and walked out of the room, my emotions swirling violently inside me. One thing my parents taught me— Never let anyone see you weak.