William curled his lip. He didn't seem to appreciate the idea at all. And to think Alex had considered it a good way to strengthen their friendship.
"Don't you feel like learning to ride?" he asked him.
"I don't see the point, Your Highness. I can travel by carriage."
"But it is useful. And I'm sure you'll like it."
And maybe he might even end up enjoying it.
Alex led him into the stables and called over one of the attendant, a curly-haired boy.
"Prepare Tempest and clear the courtyard."
The boy nodded and walked off to carry out the orders.
William watched him doubtfully. "You want me to ride your horse?"
"Exactly."
"Are you certain?"
Alex gave him an encouraging smile. "Trust me. You're an expert in magic and miraculous herbs; I'm an expert in horses and weapons."
William frowned and stayed silent for a moment.
"You're right, I shouldn't doubt you."
Those words warmed the prince's chest. He was beginning to understand him far better than before and felt like he was building something important with him.
Something precious.
Alex cleared his throat. "You're not the trusting type, are you?"
The mage's gaze turned evasive again. "No, but I wish I could trust others again."
"Then you can start with me." The prince brought a hand to his chest and offered a formal bow. "You have my word I won't let you fall or get bitten."
William paled. "Do horses bite?"
"Sometimes, especially Tempest." He winked. "But I have the feeling he'll like you."
"I'm not so sure."
Alex waved his hand with a smile. "You worry too much, Will. Trust me!"
He guided him out of the stables, and they waited for the boy to bring Tempest to them.
The horse's coat had been carefully brushed, so black and glossy it reminded Alex of William's raven-dark hair.
The thought made his stomach twist in a way that was both pleasant and painfully tight. He was thinking about William a bit too much—he couldn't afford it.
He stroked Tempest's muzzle and motioned for William to come closer. "Let's see if he likes you."
The mage approached cautiously and brushed the animal's neck with the tips of his fingers. Tempest didn't seem to mind; he might not even have felt it.
"Don't be afraid. Horses's skin is less sensitive than ours; you won't hurt him if you pet him more firmly."
William made a small, unconvinced grimace and tried again. The horse huffed and perked his ears forward.
Alex smiled. "I think he really does like you."
"Are you sure?"
"Tempest is stubborn and hard-headed. And a bit wary of strangers." He looked at him gently. "He's a lot like you."
"And you're a lot like Caedos."
"Sounds like fate."
William flushed and widened his eyes, and only then did Alex realize the weight of what he'd just said.
"I didn't mean—" He scratched the back of his neck, his cheeks burning in an annoyingly hot way. "I mean, it was just a funny coincidence."
The mage looked away and moved his fingers toward Tempest's muzzle. "Weren't you supposed to teach me how to ride?"
Alex nodded, relieved that he'd changed the subject. And he hoped he'd soon forget what he'd just said.
He helped William mount the saddle and, holding Tempest by the bit, led them into the enclosure.
"The trick is to find a rhythm with the horse and guide him gently. Especially at the beginning, when you're trying to build a bond with him. If you show him you trust him, he'll trust you in return."
"And does Tempest trust me?"
"He's smart, and he seems to have accepted you."
William bit his lip, clearly unconvinced.
Alex gave the horse a light pat on the flank. "I'm trusting you with my mage. Don't let him fall."
"Your Highness, you're not reassuring me."
William's voice, usually calm and detached, now carried a hint of nervousness. He really must have been scared.
Alex smiled and rested a hand on the mage's knee. "Don't worry, I won't abandon you."
He handed him the reins and showed him how to hold them properly. William still remembered the instructions Alex had given him when they'd traveled to the hunting reserve and quickly filled in the gaps.
The prince had him ride a couple of laps, but Tempest grew irritated.
"Will, you're too stiff."
William straightened his back and tensed up even more.
"Not like that. You need to relax your posture."
"And how?"
His voice came out higher than usual, and Alex barely held back a laugh. He would never have guessed that William was actually afraid of horses. And to think he'd had the nerve to tease him about his fear of reptiles!
The prince took the horse by the bit and rubbed his muzzle to calm him. "Tempest can feel that you're tense. You're making him nervous."
"I'm trying to relax."
"It doesn't look like it."
William shot him an icy glare, and once again Alex had the impression he was on the verge of getting turned on.
"You need to move your hips, Will."
"What do you mean?"
"Like this."
He showed him how, and William flushed.
"It looks like you're…"
"Like I'm what?"
"You know!"
Alex tilted his head, confused. What the hell was he talking about? "I actually don't."
William looked away. "Well, sex."
"Oh." The prince had never noticed.
"I'm not doing anything like that!"
"Would you rather fall?"
"Beyond any doubt."
Alex brought a fist to his mouth and laughed. "Come on, Will, considering the kind of books you buy, I doubt you can play the prude."
William stared at him in horror. "…You know?"
The prince jolted. Damn it, he'd said that without thinking!
He shook his head and raised his hands. "No, I mean—I didn't… I found out by accident, but I wasn't trying to make fun of you."
William looked away again, his ears turning bright red. He stayed silent for so long that Alex feared he'd offended him, then the mage lifted his gaze back to him.
"They're not… that obscene. The pictures are, but the stories are good. They're… romantic. Some of them."
"You don't need to justify yourself to me, Will. And I've found out my sister Myrina reads them too."
"Really?" A flicker of curiosity lit his eyes. "And does she like them?"
Alex twisted his mouth. "Apparently, yes. So you've got something you can talk to her about."
William grew thoughtful. "I didn't think the princess had such interests."
"I could say the same about you." Alex smirked and leaned closer. "And honestly, I'm starting to get curious myself. At some point you'll have to lend me one."
"As long as you don't use them to… arouse yourself."
"Ah, I missed your sharp sarcasm. Glad it's back."
He truly was, because it meant William was doing better. And that maybe their connection had survived the brothel incident.
He glanced toward one of the gates, and an idea struck him. The day was warm, with no clouds or wind. And William deserved to learn what riding truly felt like.
"Can I kidnap you for the rest of the day?"
The mage raised his eyebrows. "I'm afraid I don't understand."
"There's something I'd like to do with you, but you'll have to trust me."
William looked at him for a moment, then nodded. "I trust you, Your Highness."
Alex smiled, then called out to a passing page. He ordered him to have a packed lunch prepared in the kitchens and brought to him, along with a saddlebag.
As soon as the boy walked off, William gave Alex a curious look.
"Do you want to go for a walk?"
"More or less. I want to show you the best part of riding."
William stiffened, and Tempest shook his neck in annoyance.
"Can't we go on foot?"
"It wouldn't be nearly as fun."
"Your Highness, I don't—"
Alex patted William's knee. "I'll sit behind you and we'll go together, so you won't risk falling."
"Together? Will your horse carry us both?"
"Tempest is strong, don't worry. He's a warhorse; he's used to carrying me in full armor. He won't have trouble carrying you." He gave him a slow once-over and lifted a corner of his lips. "Especially since you don't look like you weigh much."
William frowned. "I still don't know if you're trying to annoy me or cheer me up."
"Maybe both."
Maybe he just wanted to see the range of emotions William could show.
Maybe he just wanted to feel that pleasant shiver down his spine again.
The mage made space on the saddle and Alex mounted behind him. The space was tight, their bodies close enough that the prince could smell William's skin. Ink and parchment.
"If physical contact bothers you, just tell me and I'll have a mare prepared for you."
William shook his head. "This is fine. You don't bother me… I think. Besides, I'm afraid I'd slow you down."
Alex wrapped his arms around William, reaching for the reins. "You could ride behind me, but I'm afraid you'd fall when we start galloping."
"Up front is fine, as long as you keep me in the saddle."
"Will, if you—"
"I'm fine," William cut him off. He turned his head to look at him, and their noses almost brushed. "You asked me to trust you, and I am. If something's wrong, I'll tell you."
Alex smiled and straightened up. "You're right. Sorry."
"Just wondering… do you have to move your hips like that?"
"There's no other way to ride."
"It just looks like we're… you know."
The prince burst out laughing. "No one will think that, Will."
"That's not it. It's just that you're… close."
"Does it bother you?"
"I don't think so. But it's embarrassing." William hunched his shoulders, muttering something under his breath.
Alex leaned toward him, his chest brushing the mage's back. "Did you say something?"
"I can feel you… down there."
Down there? Did he mean…
The prince flushed scarlet, a burning heat spreading between his legs. This was very bad. He couldn't get aroused at a worse moment.
William turned abruptly, and they ended up so close they could've kissed.
And Alex realized he wouldn't have minded… the mage's lips looked inviting.
If only William hadn't told him he was in love with someone else…
A cough behind them made the prince jolt: the page had returned with their packed lunch.
Once everything was ready, Alex led Tempest out of the courtyard, past the palace walls, and onto the path that led to the small lake behind the hills.
The air smelled of undergrowth and damp soil, and the sun warmed his face.
William, seated in front of him, relaxed little by little, even leaning back against his chest. From his angle, Alex couldn't see his face, but he could sense that something in him had shifted.
And the thought sent a pleasant pang through his chest.
He leaned closer. "Feel up to galloping?"
"If I say no, you'll do it anyway, won't you?"
Alex laughed against his shoulder. "I'm afraid so."
William sighed and looked back at him. "Then go ahead."
"Press your knees in and lean on me. I'll keep you steady."
He wrapped an arm around William's body and pulled him close, with only their clothes separating their skin. The mage's backside pressed against him, and Alex could feel it through the fabric.
And he wondered what it would be like to cup it in his hands.
That thought stirred his arousal again. This was very bad. He couldn't think like that. Not about William.
The mage tensed. "Your Highness, you… you're very close."
Had he felt something? "Can you hold on for a few minutes?"
"I can try."
Alex tightened the reins with his free hand and nudged Tempest's flanks. The horse let out a joyful neigh and shot forward.
They sped along the path, wind whipping their faces, hooves biting into the ground. William pressed himself against Alex's chest, his fingers wrapped around the prince's hand as if it were his only anchor.
But despite everything, Alex felt his body relax—felt control slip away and give space to a thin ribbon of joy.
"Doesn't it feel like you're flying?" he murmured into his ear.
William nodded and, if he said anything, the wind stole it away.
But it didn't matter; it was enough for Alex to know he'd made him feel the same lightness and freedom he felt.
He pulled on the reins and brought Tempest back to a walk. For a while, he let silence fill the space around them, waiting for his breath and racing heart to slow.
"Did you like it?" he finally asked.
"It was nice. Very nice. I felt your joy, and now I think I understand why you enjoy it so much."
William turned his head and smiled at him—a genuine, joyful smile. And Alex's heart stopped in his chest.