Alex straightened his jacket and lifted his chin while William fastened the last button.
"How charming am I?" the prince asked.
"Too much for my taste."
"Is my mage jealous?"
William frowned, and his gaze turned to steel. "Your Highness, try to restrain your charms, or you'll end up making an impression on Lady Vanessa."
"I don't even think she'll be there." Alex adjusted his leather gloves. "It should only be Ballard."
"So you're making yourself handsome for the advisor?"
"I'm making myself handsome for you, my lovely raven."
"I won't even be there."
Alex gave him a mischievous smile and leaned in. "But when I return, you'll have to undress me, and I'm quite certain you'll appreciate it."
William's cheeks flushed red. "You're too sure of yourself, Your Highness."
The prince laughed and kissed him, then sat obediently and let him comb his hair and arrange it behind his ears.
"Will?"
"Yes?"
"You'll wait up for me, right?"
William smiled. "I could never go to sleep before you. Who would take care of undressing you once you're back?"
Alex stole one last kiss. Then he stood, put on the ring with the royal seal, and left his chambers.
He crossed the corridors steeped in the shadows of night, lit only by the candelabra. Outside, the moon was hidden by dark clouds heavy with rain, and the wind stirred the treetops in the garden.
Alex reached his father's study, knocked, and went in.
Ballard was already there, seated in front of the king.
"Your Highness." The royal advisor stood and bowed. "It's a pleasure to see you."
"We saw each other at dinner."
"It's always a pleasure to behold your radiance."
Alex smiled, though part of him wanted to walk away. It was in moments like those that he missed William's sharp tongue.
He sat beside his father and crossed his legs. For a moment, he studied Ballard.
"I hope my father has told you what we'll be discussing tonight."
"Yes. His Majesty suggested that you might be interested in my daughter."
"Not exactly. What caught my attention is your proposal."
Ballard gave a condescending smile. "My daughter was impressed by your dancing at the last banquet. She really enjoyed the time spent with you on that occasion."
"I'm glad to hear that. Lady Vanessa is quite an interesting woman." Alex smiled. "But I would like a couple of guarantees before moving forward."
"Of course, Your Highness."
"First, I want no one except those present and Lady Vanessa to know about the agreement. After what happened to me, I'd like to avoid anyone targeting your daughter."
"I agree. It's best to keep the secret for now."
"Second, I want time to get to know her better before making anything official. It would be a problem if Lady Vanessa only discovered after the wedding that I'm not a man to be admired."
Ballard laughed. "Your Highness, you are too hard on yourself."
"I want my future wife to know every side of me before agreeing to marry me."
"Very well. It is a reasonable request. Vanessa is shy—I think some time with you will do her good." Ballard cast a glance at the king. "But I hope this acquaintance will not drag on too long."
"A few months is more than sufficient."
"Good. Any other requests?"
"Two. The first is that William remains at court. You can withdraw the vote or make sure it fails—your choice. I don't care."
Ballard frowned. "The second?"
"I will take a lover."
"What? Are you joking?"
"No."
"You want my daughter to be ridiculed—not just at court, but across the entire kingdom?"
Alex laced his fingers over his knees. "Lady Vanessa will have children, as required by my position, and I can assure you I will treat her with the utmost respect and kindness. But I need to sleep with a man, and I have no intention of giving that up."
Ballard clenched his jaw, his eyes burning with irritation. "Are you saying my daughter is not to your taste?"
"Your daughter is a beautiful woman, but she is not a man. That's all."
"So you intend to continue frequenting brothels?"
"No, I will have a steady lover here at the palace."
"That is not what His Majesty suggested to me."
"It's a condition I added at the last moment." Alex smiled. "Do you wish to refuse, Ballard?"
The advisor pressed his lips together and remained silent for a long moment.
"If you want the lover, then I would like something in return."
"What?"
"Let us proceed with the vote. I believe it is important for the Council to express itself on the mage's competence. To avoid further discord."
Alex clenched his fists. Was it a trap? According to William's calculations, they had the majority. Had Ballard miscalculated? Or did he know something Alex did not?
In any case, it mattered little. He could not give up having Will as a lover.
Alex smiled. "Very well. Let us proceed with the vote."