Water filled his nose and slid down his throat. Panic gripped him like a vise. Was he drowning? Who had done this? What was happening?
Alex kicked out, and the hands on his shoulders suddenly let go. Something—or someone—pulled him out of the water.
"Are you all right?"
Alex gasped for air and collapsed against the edge of the bath, coughing up water. His senses were foggy, and his lungs burned as if he had swallowed fire.
"Your Highness?"
The prince snapped his head up. A pair of poison-green eyes studied him with faint concern.
William? Why was he looking at him like that?
He blinked and rubbed his face. "Why am I—" He stopped, glancing down in disbelief. "Why am I aroused?"
"You had an unpleasant encounter."
Alex grimaced and rubbed his cheek. Along with the headache, his face pulsed with pain, and his memories were all tangled.
"With whom?"
William looked at him for a moment, then placed a hand on his neck. Alex held his breath as those slender fingers brushed against his skin.
The mage lowered his hand. "Your heartbeat seems to have returned to normal."
"What happened?"
"Don't you remember anything?"
"No, I just… everything's confused."
"It's not your fault. It was some sort of poison." He stepped closer again and laid both palms on Alex's shoulders. "Stay still so I can make sure the water washed it away completely."
Alex's eyes widened. "Poison? It was on my skin?"
"Yes."
"The prostitute's ointments."
William nodded, as detached as ever. How could he stay so calm?
The prince bit his lip. "Did I… do anything to you?"
"You grabbed my wrist and almost begged me to… take you, but you didn't do anything inappropriate."
Alex rubbed his forehead. "I'm sorry, really, I shouldn't have even touched you."
William sighed and let his arms drop. "You weren't yourself, and I had everything under control. You've nothing to apologize for. And I'm not as defenseless as I look. If you had become dangerous, I would've stopped you with much more than a slap."
Alex stared at him, confused. "You slapped me?"
"You're stronger than I am—it was the only way to catch you off guard and push you underwater."
Guilt pricked at Alex. "I'm sorry. You must've been scared."
"I've been through worse, Your Highness, and as long as I'm in control, everything's fine. Besides…" A faint blush colored William's cheeks. "It was mostly embarrassing. I didn't need to know your… preferences—and you're rather foul-mouthed."
"I'm sorry." Alex ran a hand through his hair. "I'm sorry, I…"
William placed his hands on his shoulders again. "It's all right. Take a few deep breaths. You're still disoriented."
Alex inhaled deeply, and the fog in his head began to clear. His memories returned, and shame washed over him at how he'd behaved.
And William…
"You really weren't afraid of me?"
"No." A small smile tugged at his lips, and something twisted in Alex's chest. "Even poisoned, you're still a good man. I don't think I could ever fear you."
Alex rubbed his eyes. They stung from the tears threatening to fall, and part of him wanted to cry on the mage's shoulder and be comforted like a child.
"I feel awful."
"It will pass." William guided him to sit on the edge of the bath and sat beside him. "I will stay with you until you feel better."
"I'm a mess of a prince. I don't even know why my father insists on me." Alex rubbed his cheek, still burning from the slap. "I'm an idiot. I bet you think so too."
"You're not an idiot—just a bit naive. You trust others more than you should, and sometimes that puts you at risk. That's all."
Alex lowered his gaze to the steamy surface of the hot water. "Do you hate me?"
"No. To be honest, I think I find you agreeable."
"I don't dislike you either." He looked at him again. "How did you know it was poison?"
"The smell of the ointments was familiar."
"It was violet and jasmine."
"Not exactly. It was Idillio flower—the scent resembles a mix of violet and jasmine, but it's much sharper. It's a psychotropic substance and can be absorbed through the skin. In the Empire of Xia, it's used as a tonic to… increase sexual vigor."
Alex smirked. "You sound very knowledgeable."
"The infusion, on the other hand, is harmless and can be used to restore the body after an illness. That's how I use it. I do not frequent brothels, Your Highness."
Was that a jab? Well, Alex deserved it. He'd let himself be fooled by those doe eyes and had been played.
"Is that why you drove him away?"
"I didn't realize it immediately—otherwise I could've stopped you much sooner. I'm sorry, that was my mistake."
Alex shook his head. William'd done more than enough—it was his fault for letting his guard down. He shouldn't have, not after the ambush.
"We're not safe even here in the castle. I doubt that man only wanted to have some fun."
William nodded. "This seems more complicated than the king believed. The prostitute may have been unaware or he may have known exactly what he was doing."
"From now on, we should trust each other." Alex hesitated. "William, if it happens again, I authorize you to stop me by any means. Including death."
"It won't happen again, I promise. And from now on, it's safer if we stay together."
"I agree," Alex murmured.
"As a precaution, I'll send a message to the king through Caedos later. But there's one problem."
"What is it?"
"Until he returns, I won't be able to use magic. You'll have to protect me until then. Can you do that?"
"Yes."
No one would die. Not while Alex was still breathing.
----------------------------------------
After drying off and getting dressed, they left the baths and headed toward the main hall.
The sun had dipped behind the silhouettes of the hills embracing the castle, and shadows stretched over the woods and clearings like long skeletal fingers.
It was colder than at the royal palace, and Alex also sensed a strange atmosphere permeating the place.
Something felt off. It was… too empty.
He passed through the doors, followed by William, and Lord Lynden bowed deeply.
"Your Highness! Did you enjoy the surprise?"
Alex was about to shout at him, but William's fingers closed around his wrist, stopping him.
The mage's lips curved into a pale smile. "Absolutely. He was skilled with his hands, and Your Highness seemed entirely satisfied."
The Castellan smiled. "I was assured he was an excellent masseur, and I thought after a day on horseback you might enjoy a massage."
"Who recommended him to you?"
"Oh, well, a f-friend."
Alex frowned. Was that a lie? The man seemed tense for some reason.
Lord Lynden rubbed his hands and turned abruptly toward the long table. "Shall we sit?"
They took their seats, and the servants began bringing the dishes. Stews, soups, and roasts followed one after the other, filling the air with delicious aromas.
The evening passed quietly. Lord Lynden kept them engaged in small talk about the weather, taxes, castle repairs, and how much he missed his beloved wife.
"She isn't here?" Alex asked.
Now that he thought about it, he recalled they had a daughter as well.
Lord Lynden twirled a butter knife between his fingers, looking either thoughtful or uneasy.
"No, she is… with her family, along with our little girl."
Alex sensed the lie but didn't press. He wanted to understand first whether this man was involved or just a victim.
"You must be very fond of them."
He nodded. "They are my pride and joy." He placed the knife on his plate and offered a warm smile. "Do you have a wife, Your Highness? Or a fiancée? Forgive me if the question is foolish, but little news comes from the court."
Alex shook his head and smiled. "I'm unwed. Perhaps I'll marry after the coronation."
"Not even an arrangement?"
"Are you trying to set me up with one of your relatives?"
Lord Lynden laughed. "I could never, I don't have enough titles to make such a proposal."
"Better that way. I'm not particularly fond of women — I prefer other company."
The Castellan shifted his gaze to William. "Oh, I see."
Alex raised an eyebrow and poured himself some wine. "Really?"
"You seem very… well, perhaps I shouldn't say."
"I'm ordering you, Lord Castellan."
"Um… intimate."
"Intimate?"
Lord Lynden pointed to his own neck. "The mage has a hickey right here."
A wave of heat rose to Alex's cheeks. And when had that happened?
He spun toward William and saw him, red ears and his face turned away. The neck, left exposed by his black braid, bore a conspicuous red mark very similar to a hickey.
But it couldn't be, right?
"It's not what it looks like!"
Lord Lynden waved his hands. "You don't need to justify yourself to me, Your Highness. I won't tell anyone, I assure you."
"What does that have to do with anything? We're not intimate."
They weren't even friends.
William ran a hand through his hair. "The prince is a passionate lover."
Alex stiffened, his face burning. What the hell was he saying now?
The Castellan blushed and cleared his throat. "Well, um, I'm happy for Your Highness. And also for you, sir. But I'd rather not know the details."
"When Your Highness marries, his wife will be very lucky. And I'm sure the kingdom will be blessed with numerous little princes."
This was too much! Why on earth were they talking about him as if he weren't even there?
Alex slammed his palms on the table and rose from his chair. Embarrassment burned across his cheeks, but he did his best to hide it.
"William."
The mage gave him a sharp smile, which looked more like a mocking grin. "What do you wish?"
Punch him in the nose? Shut his mouth with a kiss? By the spirits, he must still have some of that venom in his veins.
He took a breath, straightened his shoulders, and smiled at Lord Lynden.
"It's been a pleasant evening, but I would like to retire to my rooms now. Tomorrow we'll rise early and, with the spirits' aid, we will resolve the matter of the dead deer."
"Do you need to see the carcasses?"
"Yes. Have them prepared; we'll look at them right after breakfast."
The Castellan bowed. "As you wish, Your Highness."
Alex nodded in farewell, grabbed William by a sleeve, and led him out of the hall.
A servant waited in the corridor and showed them the way to the rooms that had been prepared.
They were on opposite sides of the corridor, a couple of doors apart. Close enough to intervene in case of danger.
Alex dismissed the servant and, once alone, turned to face William.
And what he saw was an evasive gaze and ears as red as strawberries.