After dinner, Alex, William, and Nikolas withdrew to one of the sitting rooms.
The warmth of the fireplace chased away the chill of the night, wrapping the room in a gentle glow that flickered over the walls. The cozy scent of smoke and wood filled the air, easing the tension in Alex's shoulder.
Nikolas offered wine, and to the prince's surprise, William accepted.
"Do you want some, Alex?"
"No, I'm fine as I am."
William took a small sip. "It's good."
Nikolas smiled and set the open bottle on the low table. "You've never tried it before?"
"Have you ever seen me drink at the Academy?"
"Now that you mention it, no. You don't handle it well?"
"Hardly at all. But here I'm among people I trust, and if I can't stay on my feet, I'm sure His Highness will carry me back to bed."
Alex gave a small, embarrassed smile. "I'd rather you didn't drink."
"I've discovered I don't mind it."
Nikolas laughed and took a long drink. "So, what do you want to talk about?"
"We could play a game," William suggested. "What was the one we used to play at the Academy after dinner?"
"Which one, 'the dragon's penance'?"
"Exactly. It was fun."
"You never wanted to take part!"
"I did once."
Nikolas lowered his gaze. "Yes, that's true. I remember that."
William pressed his lips together, and for a moment Alex had the impression that he was the odd one out. Those two seemed to know each other better than they let on.
"What kind of game is it?" he asked.
Nikolas brushed a lock of hair that had slipped loose from his ponytail behind his ear.
"It's simple. One at a time, each of us decides whether to attempt the penance or answer a question honestly. Naturally, the penance is decided by the others. And you can ask anything, though the questions are usually… spicy."
Alex raised an eyebrow and shot a glance at William. "Do you really want to play a game like that?"
"It's fun. You always find out interesting things."
He wasn't wrong, and the prince realized he didn't know much about him. He wanted to know William better, and maybe that game was a good way to ask uncomfortable questions without feeling too awkward.
Was that why William had suggested it?
Still, doing it with Nikolas present was… odd.
Alex shrugged and settled more comfortably into the armchair. "All right. Let's play."
William and Nikolas took their seats around him and drew lots for the order. Alex would be the first to ask questions.
"Good." He turned to Nikolas. "Truth or dare?"
"Truth."
"Do you prefer men or women?"
It was a question he'd always wondered about.
Nikolas smiled, amused. "Both."
Alex made a face. "I figured."
"My turn. William, truth or dare?"
The mage hesitated for a moment. "Truth."
"Have you ever slept with a woman?"
"No." He drank again, his cheeks reddening. "My turn." He looked at Alex. "Truth or dare?"
"Truth."
"Do you prefer to be active or passive?"
Nikolas burst out laughing, and the prince flushed.
"Did you really have to ask something like that?"
"I'm curious."
"Well, it depends on the person I'm with."
William pointed at Nikolas. "With him, would you prefer to be active or passive?"
"Neither! He's my best friend—I don't want to do anything at all with him!"
The mage tilted his head to the side, his eyes glittering as if he were tipsy. "And with me?"
"With you, all I feel like doing is punching your teeth in, especially right now."
William snorted and took another long sip of wine. "You're no fun at all."
"You're the one ruining the game!"
Nikolas laughed. "Since William has decided to ignore the order altogether, I'll ask a question myself. To both of you." He leaned forward, a playful glint lighting up his eyes. "Who do you think is the most handsome man at court?"
Alex scratched the back of his neck. "Well, I think William."
"And here I thought you'd say 'myself'!"
"I'm not that self-centered."
Nikolas raised his hands. "All right, all right. You, William?"
The mage remained silent for several seconds. "I think… His Highness."
"Oh, so you like well-built men?"
A strange expression Alex had never seen before lit up his face. He seemed a little giddy. "Ripped men are erotic, with those big, strong hands that can grab you and…" He fell silent and took a long drink, his cheeks turning even redder. "And they are usually well endowed."
Alex frowned. "And how would you know?"
"At the fort, the soldiers spent a lot of time naked. I had firsthand evidence."
Nikolas let out a strangled laugh. "I shouldn't say this, but when you drink you get really cheeky."
"If His Highness were to undress, we could test my theory."
Alex blushed. "Absolutely not. I have no intention of indulging in this naughty game with the two of you."
With William, he would have gladly done it, but Nikolas was there too.
His best friend chuckled. "Shall we move on to asking how many people we've slept with? From what I can tell, the game has turned into 'let's stick our noses into other people's sex lives'."
William lowered his gaze. "I've been with… two people."
"Only?"
"Yes." His eyes sharpened, even though the flushed cheeks and glassy eyes made him less threatening. "What about you?"
"About twenty, but I only had a relationship with one person." Nikolas waved a hand. "The rest were just one-night stands." He turned to the prince. "We're not asking you, since we already know you outdid us."
Alex snorted. "You're making me feel like a terrible person."
"We actually envy you. Right, William?"
The other man nodded and poured himself more wine. "I wish I were that experienced too."
For Alex's taste, he was far too experienced—especially at getting him aroused.
Nikolas shrugged. "Still, when you think about it, isn't having sex like that a bit sad? It would be nice to fall in love with someone and be certain you'll grow old by their side."
Alex pressed his lips together and looked away. "It's not that simple."
"Have you ever fallen in love?"
"…Maybe. It's complicated."
Nikolas gave him a pat on the knee. "I'm sorry. It must be hard being a prince."
"There are worse things than a difficult love," William murmured. "Like a violent one."
A tense silence fell over the small sitting room.
Alex ran a hand over the back of his neck. "Maybe it really is easier to stick to one-night stands. It makes everything less complicated."
Nikolas set his goblet down on the small table. "I don't know. I wouldn't mind falling in love."
"Has it ever happened to you?"
His friend hesitated, his gaze turning evasive. "A while ago, with the only person I ever had a relationship with. And I'm not sure I ever truly got over him. He was… kind."
"Did he leave you?"
"It was complicated. But poets say love always is."
Alex sighed and cast a brief glance at William, then ran his fingers through his blond hair. "Maybe we should call it a night."
"Is it already late?"
"I don't think so, but William is drunk."
Nikolas sighed. "Then I'll go to bed too, before I drink too much. The last thing I need tomorrow is a headache."
He rose to his feet, said goodbye, and left. As soon as they were alone, Alex leaned toward the mage.
"Care to tell me what got into you? You shouldn't be drinking."
"You're here with me. I'm not afraid."
"But you might end up feeling sick."
"I'm fine. I'm not drunk."
But the glassy eyes, flushed cheeks, and complete lack of self-control told a different story.
Alex rubbed his forehead. "By the way, how is it that you were looking at other naked men?"
"Are you jealous, Your Highness?"
"No." Yes, he was—very much so. "I'm just surprised. You're usually so uptight."
William curved his lips into a little smirk and drained another glass of wine. He got to his feet and moved closer, his steps unsteady, his cheeks flushed from the wine.
He bent over Alex and brushed his chin with his fingers. "Care to wager how long it would take me to make you give in, Your Highness?"
"I have the feeling I'd lose."
William tilted his head to the side and caressed his lip with his thumb, then gently pushed it between his lips.
Alex stiffened, his heart leaping into his throat as a pleasant warmth spread through his belly. The mage was drunk, but damn, he was erotic when he teased him.
The prince tightened his grip on the armrest of the chair and caressed the thumb with the tip of his tongue. William placed a knee between his legs and leaned over him, his breath tasting of wine. His hand slid down Alex's chest.
"You're truly beautiful, Your Highness." He withdrew his finger from his mouth and lingered over his lips. "I envy your lovers."
"I don't see why. Right now, I only have eyes for you."
"But you don't court me like you did during the journey to Narea." William straightened his back. "You've changed."
"I'm just afraid of hurting you. I care about you, and I don't want to make any missteps."
The mage hesitated. "If tonight I were to ask you to make love to me, would you accept?"
"No." Alex stood up and kissed him on the forehead. "But only because you're drunk."
"You're a truly good man."
"You tell me that all the time. I might even start believing you."
"You should. Because it's true."
Alex caressed his cheek. "Thank you, my lovely raven." He kissed his lips. "Do you want to go to bed?"
"Maybe a walk outside will help me clear my head. If I go to sleep like this, I'll feel sick."
"Then a walk it is."
Alex slipped an arm around William's shoulders to support him, and they left the sitting room.