The night breeze brushed Alex's cheeks and eased some of the heat that had filled his body.
William tucked a lock of hair behind his ear and looked at him. "Thank you for tonight. For making me feel… this way."
"Appreciated?"
"Dominant."
Alex chuckled. "I bet you'd keep things very exciting in bed."
A small smile curved the mage's lips. "I'm sure you'll find out for yourself sooner or later."
"When it happens, I'll take care of you properly. Not like the duke in that novel."
"I know. Thank you."
William hesitated, as if unsure what to do. Then he reached out and brushed his fingers over Alex's hand before clasping it. A shiver ran through him.
"Your Highness, may I ask you a favor?"
"Anything."
"May I try touching you?"
Alex raised an eyebrow. He hadn't expected him to ask so soon. He'd been kidnapped only the day before—was he forcing himself?
"Only if it's truly what you want to do."
William nodded and took a deep breath, then rested his hand on Alex's cheek.
He stroked his cheekbone, ear, and jaw. His fingers moved over his chin, lips, nose and forehead, brushed his eyelids, then trailed down to his collarbone.
Then he hugged him, resting his head against Alex's shoulder.
"Thank you. You always make me feel like a normal man."
"You are a normal man. You're wounded, that's all, but I'll do everything I can to help you heal."
William lifted his head and offered a small smile. "You've already done so much. Last night I thought I wouldn't be able to sleep beside you, but I was fine."
"And I saw that you enjoyed waking up too."
The mage blushed and shot him a sharp look. "Are you implying something?"
"Only that you couldn't take your eyes off me." He leaned toward William's face, a mischievous smile on his lips. "Were you shocked?"
"Surprised, I'd say. You're… impressive."
"You got a good look."
"It's hard to take my eyes off you."
"I'll take that as a compliment." Alex kissed him on the head. "How do you feel?"
"Good. Happy, even. Tonight I feel like part of a group. I never thought I'd feel this way—ever since I was a child, I've been alone with books. But your soldiers are fun, and… I think they've accepted me despite my flaws."
"They're good people, and you won them over."
"Are you sure? What if they accept me only to avoid offending you?"
Alex laughed and kissed his forehead. "They care about you, Will. Trust me. I know them. And you're a dark, stern raven, but you have adorable sides."
"If you say so…" William rested his head on his shoulder. "Next time I'll read the novel just for you."
"Good. Because watching the others hang on your every word was starting to make me a little jealous."
A rustle of wind stirred the leaves of the trees surrounding the courtyard. From inside came the muffled laughter of the soldiers.
William met his eyes again. "May I share your bed tonight?"
"Do you want me to stay dressed, or is it alright if I undress?"
"Naked is fine. I like the feel of your skin. At first it seems like it might burn me, but then it becomes warm and pleasant."
"Are you sure? I don't want to make you uncomfortable."
"Trust me, Your Highness. If I have a problem, I'll let you know."
Alex smiled. "I trust you."
William hesitated. "May I… kiss you?"
"Of course. You can ask me anything you want."
"If I pull away, it's not your fault."
"I know. But it won't be your fault either." Alex raised a hand but didn't touch him. "I'd like to touch you, but I don't want to hurt you, and I don't know how far I can go."
"I think you may touch me, but not under my clothes. As for the rest, it's still too soon." He lowered his gaze for a moment. "I'm not cold. I can make you feel good—I just need to feel safe. And then…" He looked him in the eyes. "When it happens, you'll have to be gentle. At least until I get used to it."
Alex blushed and looked away. Sometimes his blunt way of speaking embarrassed him.
"Are you already thinking about it?"
"I've been thinking about it for a long time, Your Highness." His lips brushed Alex's ear. "I'm a man too, and you've brought me to my knees."
The prince swallowed and forced himself to stay in control. "Are you trying to seduce me?"
"I don't need to. You've fallen at my feet as well."
William leaned toward his face and kissed him tenderly.
Their lips met in hesitant brushes, as if afraid to dare more than they were allowed. Then the mage parted his mouth and slipped his tongue inside.
He caressed him, exploring him as if his life depended on it. He clutched the prince's clothes and pressed himself against his body.
Alex returned every kiss, every caress, and sighed with desire against his lips. They parted long enough to catch their breath, then William pushed him against the building's wall and kissed him again. He moaned into Alex's mouth and tangled his fingers in his hair.
The prince grabbed his hips and lifted him. He caressed his tongue with his own,then his soft, warm lips. And he wanted him as he had never wanted anyone before.
They pulled apart, breaths short and hot. The mage's lips were swollen and wet, and Alex nibbled at them.
"How do you feel?"
"Good." William kissed him again. "You have the power to make me forget my scars."
"I'm very glad." Alex brushed his lips along his neck. "If you want another kiss, you only have to ask."
"For now, this is enough."
They shared one last, tender kiss and went back into the inn.
As soon as they stepped inside, the warmth of the hearth and pleasant chatter welcomed them.
Falko sprang to his feet and raised his tankard of beer. "The lovebirds are back! We thought we'd have to fetch you from some bushes!"
"Falko," Sven hissed. "Watch your language."
William blushed and looked away. "And who are these lovebirds?"
"You two, obviously." He pointed at them. "Have you looked at yourselves? Your hair is a mess, and Your Highness has that same satisfied expression he gets when he comes back from the brothels."
Alex laughed and sat down at the table. "Watch what you say, Falko. William might strike you with lightning."
The mage took a seat beside the prince and gave him a condescending look. "The only one I strike with lightning is you, Your Highness."
"That's for sure. And I like it when you do."
Falko let out a whistle. "You're bold, Your Highness."
"That's because you didn't see Will a moment ago."
"Your Highness" William snapped.
The soldiers laughed, and Ian handed the mage a tankard of beer. "It's light. You should be able to handle it."
"Thank you." William didn't look very convinced, but he still took a small sip. "It's not bad."
"It's even better in good company, right?"
Falko propped one foot on the bench and pointed at the prince and the mage. "So, can we ask what's going on between you two? You know, I'm definitely curious."
"And when are you not?" exclaimed one of the younger soldiers.
"Oh, please, you are too! Earlier, you wouldn't stop wondering where they'd gone and what they were doing."
Another burst of laughter filled the air.
Alex gave a sly smile. "Aren't you being a little too curious?"
"Maybe, but it's the first time we saw you care for someone. Your mage must have something special about him, right?"
"I guess I have a thing for stern, handsome men who secretly have adorable sides."
For a brief moment, silence fell. Then the soldiers jumped up from the benches, and a cacophony of voices and exclamations overlapped one another.
Sven gulped down a mouthful of beer. "Same old troublemakers."
Alex smiled at him. "I like them. They make me feel at home."
"I'm glad." The captain looked at him. "I'm sorry about the incident with Cox. If you want to punish me, I'll accept it gladly."
"I don't see why I should. It's not your fault."
"But I should have kept an eye on the city guard too."
Alex gave him a pat on the shoulder. "Focus on having fun. If you go back sulking, my sister will get mad at me."
He turned to William, who was laughing with the soldiers. He really seemed at ease among them, despite the thorny topic they were discussing.
The prince was very happy about it. It meant that, despite everything, he really was healing.
Falko slammed his tankard down on the table. "So, William, did you have any other lovers before His Highness?"
William stiffened for a moment, then lowered his gaze to the tankard. "One. Years ago."
Alex raised an eyebrow. "And who was it?"
William looked at him. "I don't think that's of any interest to you, Your Highness."
"It is to me."
"Are you jealous?"
"That depends. Is it someone who hurt you?"
William's lips curved into a sly smile. "No. We had a relationship at the Academy, kept each other company for several months, and then it ended. That's all."
"I didn't take you for someone so bold, Will. I thought you were focused on studying."
"I had some free time and a lot of frustration to deal with. I told you, Your Highness: I'm not cold."
Alex leaned closer and lifted William's chin. "You're teasing my jealousy and my interest, you know?"
"Maybe that's what I want." William tilted his head and brushed his lips against his. "Maybe I like seeing you a little jealous."
"You're a terrible mage." He kissed his palm. "You torture me, knowing I can't have you yet."
A cough made them both flinch. Sven looked embarrassed, the rest of the soldiers pretended to stare into their tankards. Falko was red up to his ears.
Alex sighed. "What is it? Can't I flirt with my mage now?"
"Your Highness, you…" Sven murmured, "sometimes you have no shame."
"Oh, come on! It's not like you caught us in the act."
"I get the feeling we've come close many times."
"Actually, no."
The prince leaned back against the wall and lifted his eyes to the tavern ceiling. Then he let out a sigh and stood up. He placed his hands on the table and looked at them one by one.
"Remember what happened when Sven and Ian married my sisters? With William, it will be far worse, because he isn't even a noble and he's Xianese." He clenched his fists. "And I don't want anything to happen to him. That's why I'm asking you to keep this secret."
At least until he found a way to protect William and love him in the light of day.
The soldiers nodded solemnly; even Falko had stopped laughing.
"You can count on us, Your Highness," Sven said. "We're on your side, now and forever."
"Thank you."