Alex stopped in front of the doors to William's room, gestured for Sven and Ian to wait, and knocked.
It was Falko who opened the door. His eyes went wide and he snapped to attention.
"Your Highness! What are you doing here?"
"Is William here?"
"Yes, of course, but—"
William shoved him aside and appeared in the doorway, a scowl on his face that made him look even more sullen. "Please get him out of my sight before I turn him into a worm."
Alex pressed his fist to his mouth to stifle a laugh. "What did he do to you?"
"He knocked over a vase and scattered soil everywhere."
"I was only trying to help," Falko protested.
"You have a terrible way of helping."
Alex raised his hands. "All right, all right, no need to argue. Falko, wait out here. Will and I need to talk."
William furrowed his brow and retreated into the room.
The prince waited until the soldier had stepped outside, then closed the door behind him and let his gaze drift over the closed boxes, the sealed trunks, and the few objects still left to pack.
A pang of sadness pierced his stomach.
"Will, you don't have to keep going."
William gave him a puzzled look. "What are you talking about?"
"All of this." He gestured around the room. "I mean, the servants can take care of it."
"I don't trust them — they might damage the books."
"You're staying, Will. I convinced them."
For a long moment there was only silence. The mage stared at him wide-eyed; he seemed to have even stopped breathing.
Alex stepped forward, concerned. "Will, are you all right?"
"What… How?"
"What do you mean, how?"
"How did you manage it?" William seized him by the arms. "What did you have to give in return?"
"Calm down, it's not—"
"You shouldn't have done it. Not for me! Your Highness, I cannot be more important than your reputation. Your political power—"
Alex squeezed his cheeks. "Are you done?"
William furrowed his brow and mumbled something unintelligible. The prince sighed and let go of his face.
"I didn't concede more than I was willing to concede. Nearly all the royal advisors were already convinced of your worth at court after what happened yesterday, and Nikolas has backed down."
"And Lord Ballard?"
"I had to reassure him that I have no intention of breaking the marriage agreement."
"So you've decided to marry his daughter."
Alex shook his head. "I wouldn't dream of it. I have nothing against the girl, but I don't want her father around."
"Then why agree to it?"
"Because it was the only way to keep you here."
William gave him a sorrowful look. "You shouldn't have gone that far for me."
"I should, because you're my raven and I want you by my side. This way, Ballard has accepted that you can be my lover."
"But I don't want that!"
Alex took both his hands. "Listen to me. I want to marry you — I don't want anyone else. And I'm certain there's a way to have you as my consort, but I need time to find it. This is the only way to buy that time and keep Ballard from hurting you."
"He won't appreciate if you break the promise you made him. He'll seek revenge."
"But he'll have nothing to say if it's the daughter who backs out. I know I can reach an agreement with her; she's not like her father." He lifted William's chin to look him in the eyes. "I am yours and you are mine, remember?"
William nodded reluctantly. "I don't know if I'll be able to bear watching you court a woman."
"I won't court her. At most I'll have to have tea with her, and you can be present. I don't want it known that there's an arrangement between us, so I have no intention of being alone with her."
"I… I shouldn't be this difficult after what you've done for me. To solve a problem that I created." He lowered his gaze. "I'm sorry if I seem ungrateful, but I'm just worried about you."
Alex stroked his cheek. "Is there anything I can do to put your mind at ease?"
"I trust you, but it bothers me to see you with other people. And I'm afraid all of this will only bring you more trouble."
"You do know that I won't sleep with anyone but you?"
"Yes, but…" William looked away, his cheeks flushing red. "I envy them, all of them. Because I would like to be in their place. I would like… to be courted in the light of day, officially. Being a consort is decidedly better than being a whore."
"You're not that, Will. You're the man I'm in love with."
"I'm your lover and I'm afraid that in their eyes there isn't much difference between me and any prostitute from a brothel. And they might start spreading more rumors. I don't know if I could bear it."
Alex lowered his gaze. William wasn't entirely wrong — from his point of view, it couldn't have been an easy situation.
"Would you have preferred I found another way to keep you here?"
"I don't think there really is an alternative, and besides, I want to stay by your side. And after what you said in front of everyone last night, they'll talk about our supposed relationship regardless."
"Ah, right — I don't remember what I said. I hope it wasn't anything embarrassing."
William blushed. "It was actually very sweet. Very much like you." A small smile bloomed on his lips. "You said you were certain there's a red thread around your heart, and that I'm at the other end of it."
"Ah." Alex looked down, embarrassed. "Well, I meant every word, even if perhaps I shouldn't have said it."
"Perhaps not, but it made me happy. So thank you." William rested his forehead on his shoulder. "Thank you for everything. You've made me very happy."
"The chamberlain will move you to your new room. We'll be a little closer, and I'll make sure the soldiers stand guard at your doors."
"That's not necessary. I can put some detection spells in place."
"I need you to check my meals. My father is questioning the servants, but the poisoner could slip through."
"Have they caught the man who served you the drink?"
"Yes, but he swears he knows nothing. He's in a cell right now — I haven't spoken to him yet."
"Do you want to?"
Alex hesitated, then shook his head and wrapped his arms around William's waist. "Can I tell you something?"
"You can tell me anything, Your Highness."
"Promise you won't judge me."
"I never have, and I certainly wouldn't start now."
"By the spirits, keep talking like that and I'll fall in love with you all over again."
William blushed and looked away. Alex laughed and pulled him close to his chest, one hand gently stroking the back of his neck.
"I'm still afraid," he murmured. "So much that I can't even bring myself to trust the people around me."
"Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"I've been trying to keep it all inside, but I'm afraid paranoia is getting the better of me. And instead of talking about it with others, I've spent all morning pretending everything is fine." He rested his forehead on his shoulder. "I hate burdening you with my problems, but I need you."
William carefully stroked his hair and Alex closed his eyes, letting himself be soothed by the touch and the familiar scent of his skin.
"Your Highness, have you eaten today?"
"Not yet."
"Would you like to try my soup?"
"I would."
"Do you trust me?"
"If I didn't trust you, I wouldn't be here." He nuzzled against his neck. "Do you think I'm mad?"
William sighed and pulled away from him. He cupped his face in both hands and forced him to meet his eyes; his expression hard with anger.
"Your Highness, you've been drugged and poisoned, and who knows what else they might attempt. It's normal to be afraid and not trust others, but you shouldn't keep it all to yourself, or pretend that everything is fine."
"I'm the future King — I can't show weakness."
"Not in front of others, but with me and your family you should. None of us would ever use those weaknesses against you."
"You're right." Alex took a deep breath and straightened his back. "And that's precisely why I need you by my side. There are things I can only talk about with you."
"Your family loves you — you shouldn't be afraid to open up to them."
"I do, don't worry. But there are certain subjects I find easier to talk about with you."
Perhaps because they were both men, or perhaps because William seemed to understand him better than anyone else. Or perhaps because the mage looked at him as though he could be entrusted with all of his weaknesses.
He stroked his cheek. "Can you sleep with me tonight?"
William's eyes went wide and for a moment he looked like a boy caught off guard. "Can I really?"
Alex laughed. "Of course you can. And we should celebrate, shouldn't we?"
"Perhaps you should just rest."
"You really are a stern raven." He nudged him toward the door. "So then — will you make me that soup?"
"All right. But for your safety it would be better if I send the servants out of the kitchen. I don't trust having them around."
"I think that can be arranged. At this hour I imagine they've already finished preparing lunch."
They left the room and headed for the kitchens. They walked side by side, speaking in low voices about what had happened at the palace and everything they would need to do. Behind them, Sven and Ian were silent shadows.
Alex didn't mind having them around, but the thought that someone might attack him even in the middle of a corridor unsettled him. He wished he could go back to how things were before all of this, when he could even go down into the city without soldiers watching his back.
When they reached the kitchen, Alex dismissed most of the servants and left William to take care of his soup. He sat down at a table and exchanged a few words with the cook.
Word of his poisoning had spread, but the woman was more than certain that the poisoner was not among her staff.
"I keep a close eye on all of them, Your Highness. No one could add anything to the meals without my approval." She folded her muscular arms on the table. "Besides, I personally taste everything and serve the dishes on silver tableware."
"The goblet I drank from was crystal."
"The wine was sealed when it left here."
Alex grew thoughtful, his eyes following William's movements. Despite the apparent ease with which he was chopping vegetables, the prince noticed a flicker of agitation in his gestures.
"The poison was in the wine that was poured for me. I was the only target."
"Someone might have swapped the bottles in the confusion."
That was possible. Alex couldn't remember whether the bottle had already been open or whether the servant had uncorked it just before pouring.
"Have you taken any precautions to prevent it from happening again?"
"Not yet. I suggested to His Majesty that someone trusted be sent personally to collect your meals. As I said, my kitchens are safe; the problem is whoever handles the food once it's taken upstairs."
"In the case of the aphrodisiac, it was my chambermaid — but we still don't have a culprit for that." Alex looked back at William. "I'll send my soldiers to collect my meals, but to be safe, give them the same dishes you prepare for the servants."
"That's no trouble at all, Your Highness."
"Your Highness." William's sharp voice made him start.
"Is it ready?"
"Yes." The mage pressed his lips together and didn't look convinced in the least. "I hope it doesn't make you feel as unwell as last time."
He set a bowl down in front of him, and the rich, inviting scent of spices and ginger filled the air.
Alex leaned in. "What is it? It looks… different from the usual soups."
"It's a traditional dish from Xia." William nervously ran a hand through his hair. "This time it should actually be edible."
"It looks appetising." The prince picked up the spoon and sipped a little of the broth. "It's very good, Will. It has a distinctive flavour, but a pleasant one. What's in it?"
"Spinach, tofu, and spices."
Alex gave him a little smirk. "Would you like to feed it to me?"
William blinked and flushed. "Are you joking?"
"No." He held out the spoon with a mischievous smile. "Consider it a whim of mine."