Alex drew back the carriage curtain, narrowed his eyes againts the warm light of the late afternoon, and peered out through the small window.
The sidewalk was packed with citizens and curious travelers, jostling to get to the front for a closer look at the Crown Prince.
He couldn't blame them. The last time he had been in Narea, he was eight years old, and he remembered very little of the city and its people. Everything he knew had been told to him by Nikolas before their departure.
He turned to William.
"We'll be reaching the governor's palace shortly." He slid closer to him. "How's the reading going?"
The mage shot him a sharp glance, then returned to flipping through the bundle of parchments he had brought from the palace.
"Quite well. Nikolas is very precise and has pleasant handwriting. The complete opposite of yours."
"Nik has always been better with a pen than I am." Alex grinned. "But I'm better with a sword."
William grimaced. "I don't doubt it."
"Can I ask you a question?"
"You're the prince. You shouldn't even have to ask."
"I don't like imposing myself on you. I've already told you that."
"I know, and… it's a good thing, truly. But you remain the prince and the future king."
"And you are my Court Mage."
William frowned. "Your Highness, I appreciate it, truly, but if you show me too much kindness, the court will think you're a man who can be manipulated."
"And am I?"
"No, you are not." He looked him straight in the eye. "You are a man with a strong sense of justice and morality, two rare and dangerous qualities in a ruler. Politics will try to bend you, but I know you won't give in. Not on what truly matters. And I fear that, in the end, this will wear you down."
Alex raised his eyebrows, surprised. "So you really do worry about me!"
"I have always worried about you, Your Highness. Because it is my duty and because… I like you."
"Do you usually glare at the people you like?"
William blushed. "What glares?"
"These." Alex mimicked him. "And these." He pulled a disgusted grimace. "Not to mention your favorite expression, which sooner or later will give you a very deep wrinkle right here." He pressed a finger to William's forehead and smirked.
William pushed his hand away. "I don't make all those expressions."
"Yes, you do. Don't tell me you've never noticed."
"I'm afraid… no."
Alex burst out laughing, and William looked at him in offense.
"Don't laugh!"
"Sorry, but… you're just too funny, Will." He wiped his eyes and took a moment to compose himself, his stomach aching from laughter. "I assure you that most of the time you look at me like a mother looks at her disobedient child."
"I'm mortified. That was not my intention. I only want what's best for you, to restore your reputation, to help you find allies."
"It's all right, truly." Alex smiled at him. "And besides, I already told you I like it when you look at me that way."
William's cheeks turned red. The mage looked away and hastily put the documents back into the folder.
"You are truly shameless."
"But I doubt you mind."
A pale smile appeared on his lips. "No, it's… a pleasant distraction."
Alex smiled. Seeing him so relaxed always lifted his spirits.
The carriage came to a stop with a jolt, and after a moment Sven opened the door.
The prince stepped down first and held out a hand to help William, but the mage managed on his own.
Before them rose a tall, white wall. Its bricks were covered by a plant with small lilac flowers similar to ivy, and beyond it there was the façade of an enormous noble palace. The sun was low on the horizon, and the city's long, dark shadows stretched toward them.
"Your Highness!" A warm, gentle voice called out to Alex.
A tall man in sumptuous garments embroidered in gold and silver approached with long strides. He was young, only a little older than Alex, with short chestnut hair styled in soft waves and an open, sincere gaze.
And he was pleasant to look at, Alex had to admit.
"The governor, I presume."
"Luka von Preis. I'm honored to serve you, Your Highness." The man offered an impeccable bow. "I hope your journey was smooth and free of any mishaps."
"It went well, there's no need to worry." Alex gestured toward William. "Master William Traver, my Court Mage."
Luka inclined his head slightly. "A pleasure to meet you. Please, allow me to show you inside. My grooms will take care of your horses."
Alex exchanged a nod with Sven, then followed the governor into the palace.
The atrium welcomed them with mahogany furniture and deep purple-red carpets. From the high ceiling hung an enormous crystal chandelier with hundreds of candles, and an imposing staircase led to the upper floor. A pleasant fragrance of wildflowers lingered in the air.
It wasn't as large as the royal palace, but it was undoubtedly lavish.
Luka turned toward Alex. "I've reserved the entire southern wing for you, Your Highness. There are several empty rooms, so you'll always have your men close at hand."
"Thank you, Governor."
The other man shook his head, a smile still on his lips. "There's no need, Your Highness. I'm here to serve the crown."
"Did the messenger mention the reason for my visit?"
"A cross-check with our tribute records, if I understood correctly."
Alex nodded. "I hope it won't be a problem."
"Oh no, not at all! I understand His Majesty—I would have done the same." Luka gave him a curious glance. "Will you be handling it personally?"
"No, my mage."
"I see. Then, I'll show him the archive as soon as you've settled in."
They walked through several corridors furnished with mahogany cabinets and oil paintings of landscapes. The palace was wrapped in a pleasant quiet, so different from the court.
The governor stopped in front of the door leading to the southern wing and bowed once more.
"I'll leave you here, Your Highness. For anything you may need, don't hesitate to ask." He straightened his back. "Do you have any preferences for dinner?"
"As long as there's good wine from these lands, I'll be satisfied."
Luka smiled warmly. "I see you're a connoisseur. Very well, Your Highness. Everything will be prepared as you wish."
He took his leave with a cordial smile.
As soon as they were alone, Alex pushed the doors open and entered the southern wing of the palace, followed by William.
"What do you think of the governor?"
The mage frowned. "He's friendly, without a doubt. If he's hiding something, he didn't let it show."
"He didn't seem nervous or surprised at all. Either he's a good actor, or he's not our man."
"Let's not jump to conclusions. Let me take a look at the records first, then we'll see what we find."
"Be careful."
"Don't worry, I'm not defenseless."
"I know, but… be careful anyway."
William gave a small smile, then shifted his gaze to the enormous double doors at the end of the corridor. Alex assumed that behind them lay the chamber reserved for him.
"It's a shame we won't have an excuse to sleep together this time."
"Do you need an excuse to invite a man into your apartments?"
"With a certain man, yes—I need an excuse."
William blushed faintly. "Your Highness, it's risky. If someone were to see us—"
"But sleeping with you is different. I rest better when you're by my side."
"I believe that's an effect of the Crown Pact."
Alex smirked. "Or maybe you're the one who's bewitched me."
The flush on the mage's cheeks deepened. "I doubt I possess such a power."
"On the contrary, I think you do."
The prince placed a hand on William's cheek, and leaned toward his lips. William closed his eyes and stretched up toward him.
Before they could kiss, a cough interrupted them.
William jumped back and raised the folder in front of his face. Alex turned to see who had disturbed them.
It was Sven.
Alex pouted. "You ruined the moment."
"My apologies, Your Highness, but I don't believe the corridor is the most suitable place."
"Then let's go to my chamber. Will?"
But when he turned toward the mage, he had already vanished into his own room.
Alex pouted again and crossed his arms over his chest. "You're a killjoy, Sven."
"That wasn't my intention, Your Highness, but you know what I think. And noble palaces tend to have many ears."
"It's not fair."
"It isn't, but William has only you at court. If someone were to discover your relationship, he would lose your support." Sven sighed. "Let's drop it. Would you like us to post guards outside your rooms tonight?"
"Not for now. But be ready for anything."
"You as well."
Alex shrugged. "I always sleep with my sword under the pillow."
"And William? Will he be safe?"
"I'll try to convince him to sleep with me. He's powerful, but his magic isn't as fast as a blade, and they've already tried to assassinate him."
Sven sighed again. "Why does that sound like a convenient excuse?"
"Because you have a very poor opinion of me." Alex grew serious. "For now, let's proceed cautiously. William and I will attend the governor's table; you and the others eat in the kitchens and see what you can learn. Servants are always a good source of information."
"It will be done."
Sven took his leave, and Alex entered his own bedchamber. He set his luggage on the floor and looked around.
The canopy bed was nearly as large as the one he had at the palace; the bedspread was a pale green adorned with gold-leaf patterns, and the curtains were made of Xianese silk.
A four-door mahogany wardrobe and a chest of drawers stood against one wall; on the opposite side rose a bookcase.
A large writing desk was placed before the window, with oil lamps and writing paper, and a pair of upholstered armchairs stood before a stone fireplace.
"Not bad—the governor has good taste."
He refreshed himself and changed clothes, then left the room and entered William's.
He stopped just past the threshold, his eyes sliding over the mage's bare skin, over his pale back, narrow hips, and buttocks barely concealed by the vest.
And his heart leapt into his throat.