Alex walked down the corridor toward the duchess's chambers, but his mind was still stuck on Flori flirting—none too subtly—with William.
His William.
He had known Flori had set his sights on him the moment he'd introduced them, when that idiot cousin of his had practically puffed up with self-importance.
And it irritated him terribly, because Flori was exactly what William needed: an influential man with a title, wealth, and strong ties to the crown. And on top of that, he was a good person. If they married, Ballard wouldn't dare say a word.
But if they married, Alex would no longer be able to kiss him, hold him close, and have sex with him—and that thought was unbearable. He wanted to be the one to marry William; that was what he was working toward, wasn't it?
"Aaargh! Damn you!"
He rubbed his temples. He had to calm down before seeing his grandmother. And he needed to hurry back to his mage.
He straightened himself, smoothed his hair back behind his ears with his fingers, and knocked on the door. One of the duchess's ladies-in-waiting let him.
"My lady, Prince Alexander is here."
His grandmother was in bed, her hair neatly arranged in a severe bun, a book resting on her knees. Deep wrinkles marked her face.
Alex gave a brief bow. "It's a pleasure to see you, Grandmother."
A pale smile curved her lips. "Alex! Saretha, leave us, dear."
The lady curtsied. "As you wish."
She left the room, and Alex sat down beside the bed.
"I came as soon as I could. How are you?"
"Fine, for a woman who is dying."
"Don't say that. You still have many years ahead of you."
His grandmother laughed, her cheerful yet composed manner making her resemble the queen so much.
"Don't be silly, Alex. We both know I won't see winter."
"What do the doctors say?"
"That I am old and have reached the end of my life." She smiled. "But I regret nothing—except not being able to see you on the throne."
"The king is still young, and I'm not ready yet."
"True." She brushed his hair lightly. "But I would have liked to witness your coronation."
Alex, too, would have liked to see her clear eyes shining with pride as she watched him wear the crown.
"I'll stay for a few days. We can talk a little, if it doesn't tire you."
"Your place should be at court, not at the bedside of an old lady."
"I couldn't let you go without a final farewell. And besides, my mage is from Lenz—he deserves to visit his family."
His grandmother's gaze lit up. "He's from here? Really?"
"Yes."
"What's his name? I might know his family."
"He's not… noble."
A crystal-clear laugh echoed through the room. "My sunshine, I don't only know nobles."
Alex smiled. She really was just like his mother—he had almost forgotten how easy it was to talk to her.
"His name is William Traver."
His grandmother grew thoughtful. "Traver, you say?"
"His mother is a good seamstress in the city. She's… Xianese."
A spark of understanding lit her eyes. "Of course! Mei the seamstress!"
"You know her? Really?"
"Oh, Alex, she's sewn so many dresses for me, you know. That woman has hands blessed by the spirits."
"William always says that too."
"I would like to meet your mage."
"He has a terrible temper, Grandmother."
"And yet he makes you happy." A kindly smile curved her lips. "I thought you would never accept anyone other than Nikolas."
Alex blushed and looked away. "I thought so too, but events took an unexpected turn."
"You've found a friend; I'm glad."
"So am I. He's a good person, even if we argue sometimes."
"I think that's inevitable, my sunshine." The smile faded from her wrinkled face. "I'm worried, Alex. I've heard the rumors circulating at court and among the nobles of the provinces, and your position is far from solid."
"I know."
"You must apply yourself if you want to rule this kingdom."
"I already am, together with William. Franziska will help us, and I have the support of some royal advisors."
A sly smile blossomed on the duchess's lips. "That girl is a fox. Just like her father. Her help will be invaluable, Alex." She gave him a light pat on the knee. "And now I'm curious about your mage."
"I'll present him tomorrow. Now you should rest a little."
"You're too thoughtful, my sunshine."
Alex helped her lie back and adjusted the pillows behind her shoulders. His grandmother thanked him with a nod.
"Florian will support you," she murmured. "When he becomes duke, you'll be able to rely on him as well."
"I know."
"Lenz will always be loyal to you, Alex. Don't worry."
Alex smiled, kissed her pale hand traced with wrinkles and veins, and took his leave.
His cousin was waiting for him outside the chambers, arms crossed over his chest.
"So? Was it what you expected?"
"I thought she'd be more debilitated."
"She pretends to be strong, but the doctors don't think she'll make it to the end of summer."
"She won't even see the birth of her great-grandchildren."
Flori frowned. "Is one of your sisters pregnant, by any chance?"
"No, idiot. It was just a figure of speech."
"Good. Will you or the king attend the confirmation ceremony?"
"Probably both."
"I'd like it to be you who appoints me."
Alex jabbed him with an elbow. "Getting sentimental now?"
"It's just that uncle can be frightening sometimes." Flori sighed, his face darkening. "It's awful to become duke like this. I envy you. You won't have to bury anyone."
"I'm sorry. It can't be easy to stay close to her during this final period."
"It's the least I can do to thank her. After all, she raised me."
Flori stopped and gestured toward a double door. "Your chambers. I'll go have the carriage prepared."
"Thank you."
"Ah, I almost forgot!" He gave him a little smirk over his shoulder. "Your mage is truly handsome. He'd make an excellent consort for a duke, wouldn't you say?"
"Don't even think about it. William is my mage. He has to stay by my side, not yours."
"I sense a bit of jealousy, cousin."
Alex made an obscene gesture at him and slipped into the room. That idiot took pleasure in getting under his skin, and he fell for it every damn time.
"I'm such an idiot," he muttered.
He ran his fingers through his hair and changed clothes, choosing something less flamboyant.
No matter how hard he tried to keep some distance, the jealousy still burned inside him. After what had happened in Narea with the governor and the merchant, he couldn't stand seeing other men circling around his mage.
Maybe he was just too overprotective.
He left the room and headed to the atrium. William was standing near one of the windows, his graceful, elegant profile seeming to glow in the warm midday light.
Alex stopped, his breath caught in his throat, his heart beating a little faster in his chest. He wished he could steal time itself just to look at him a bit longer.
As if he had sensed it, William turned and met his gaze.
"How did it go, Your Highness?"
"Fine. The duchess would like to meet you."
"Me? Why?"
"She appreciates your mother's garments." He joined him. "Tomorrow after breakfast should be fine. I'll be there with you too, don't worry."
William seemed to relax. "All right. I don't think I have much of a choice."
"Not this time. She insisted, and she doesn't have much time left."
"I'm sorry. You speak of her with affection; I imagine you care for her deeply."
They stepped out into the courtyard. Flori had had a carriage prepared, and the coachman was waiting by the door, along with Sven and Falko.
Alex sighed. "She's my maternal grandmother, the only grandparent I have left. The duke died when I was very young, and my paternal grandparents passed away a long time ago."
"The previous king died during a revolt, am I right? Your Majesty ascended the throne after burying him—your father was your age at the time."
"That's right. My paternal grandmother died a few years later; she was deeply attached to her husband." Alex lowered his gaze. "Maybe that's what hardened my father's heart."
"I don't believe Your Majesty has a hardened heart. I think he loves his family very much."
"Maybe. But I don't think he loves me."
William parted his lips, but Alex walked past him. He knew what he was about to say, and at that moment he didn't want to hear it.
He climbed into the carriage, helped William in as well, and they sat down. Sven and Falko took their seats opposite them, and the carriage set off. The rain had eased, but the city still seemed wrapped in a gray haze.
Alex addressed Sven. "How are your quarters?"
"Excellent. The rooms are comfortable, and the stable master is competent. Even Tempest seems to like it."
"That's good to hear. If there's any problem, let me know and I'll speak with Florian."
"I will, don't worry."
The prince turned to William. "And yours? Is it comfortable enough?"
"Yes, don't worry. It feels like a king's chamber."
"Is it close to mine?"
"It's on the opposite side of the floor. I suppose it's normal for your room to be near the duchess's and the future duke's." He moistened his lips, as if thinking. "There is something I'd like to ask you, if possible."
"Do you want to sleep with me?"
Sven and Falko blushed; the younger one even flashed an idiotic little grin.
William shot Alex a sharp glare. "No. I'd like to sleep at my home. At least for one night."
"Are you sure?"
"I haven't seen my parents in three years. I entered the Academy when I was twelve; my brother had just been born. Since then, I've only seen them a handful of times, and only for a few days. I'm almost a stranger to Noah, and I'd like to… be a better brother, even if only for one night."
"If you want, we can stay longer. We won't bother Flori; he doesn't look like it, but he enjoys having guests."
"We can't. We have to return to the palace." William smiled at him. "One night is enough, Your Highness."
"All right. You can stay tonight if you want. Tomorrow I'll send a carriage to pick you up."
"Thank you."
Alex leaned in to kiss him, but stopped himself at once. Sven and Falko's presence made him slightly uncomfortable; he almost felt their eyes on him, especially those of the younger guard.
He cleared his throat and settled for a kiss on William's temple. William blushed to the tips of his ears and shot him a glare that was both irritated and embarrassed.
And Alex wanted nothing more than to erase that ridiculous expression with a flurry of kisses.
When the carriage reached its destination, Sven and Falko stepped down and quickly scanned the surroundings. Then they offered their hands to the prince and helped him out.
They had stopped in front of a two-story building on a side alley set back from the main avenue. Half of the building was a blacksmith's shop; the other half looked like some sort of store. The upper floor, however, must have been used as living quarters.
"Your home?"
"Yes," William murmured, a small smile on his lips. "It hasn't changed since the last time."
He took a step toward the shop, but the door opened and a petite woman with sharp Xianese features appeared in the doorway.
She said something in an unfamiliar language, then clapped her hands over her mouth and turned back inside.
"Edward! By the ancestors, he's back!" Then she ran out and threw herself into her son's arms, murmuring words only the mage seemed to understand.
And William smiled with such pure spontaneity that the sky itself seemed to brighten just for him.