Alex ran his trembling hands through his hair, still wearing a goofy smile. He should have composed himself before returning to the hall, but he just couldn't. William's happy face was still vivid in his mind.
"Spirits, he's too beautiful. Damn him!"
The door opened and Sven stepped inside. "I assume it went well."
"I've never seen him this happy." Alex turned toward the window. "My heart is still pounding."
"It's not like you to be so emotional."
"With him, I feel different. He makes every moment we share feel special."
Was that what it meant to love someone?
He smiled again. "Tonight I'm happy, and I want to stay that way for a long time."
Sven smiled. "I'm glad to hear that, Your Highness."
They stepped into the corridor and made their way to the hall. Alex stopped at the entrance, ran his fingers through his blond locks, and straightened the silver circlet.
"Do I look presentable?"
"Impeccable as always, Your Highness."
"Perfect."
He entered the hall. His eyes immediately searched for William and found him with Myrina; judging by the smiles on their faces, they seemed to be enjoying a pleasant conversation.
He let out a small sigh of relief. Good.
The rest of the banquet passed without incident. At midnight the king took his leave, and the nobles soon followed.
Alex lingered just long enough to make sure William hadn't changed his mind, then headed for his apartments.
He dismissed the servants, placed the silver circlet in the jewel box, and removed his ceremonial clothes.
He let out a sigh of relief, but the soft knock at the door made him tense.
Had he already arrived?
Alex put on his dressing gown and opened the door slightly.
William gave him an embarrassed look; his gaze slid over Alex's bare chest, and his cheeks flushed red.
"May I?"
Alex let him in and quickly glanced down the corridor before closing the door.
The mage hadn't even changed—he was wearing the same clothes from the banquet. He must have come straight here.
That thought made the prince smirk. William liked to pretend he was serious and rational, but it was obvious how much he enjoyed spending time with him.
"I…" The mage gave him a doubtful look and bit his lip. "I'm not sure I'll handle this well."
"You will."
"I might not relax enough. I could have a panic attack."
"Will…"
"It could be a disaster."
Alex gently took his hand. "Will, calm down. You're with me. Everything will be fine." He caressed his cheek. "Trust me and let me handle it, alright?"
William looked torn between desperation and guilt. "If I ask you to stop, it won't be your fault."
"And it won't be yours either."
He wrapped an arm around his waist, his fingers brushing over the mage's lips.
William swallowed. "I… think it's just my anxiety talking."
"Then I definitely need to put you at ease."
Alex kissed him, slipping his tongue between William's lips and drawing him into a dance of sighs and light touches. He felt him yield beneath his caresses, his mouth claiming him with a hunger that burned in his gut with desire.
The prince unbuttoned William's jacket and slid it off his shoulders, then did the same with his shirt. The jade pendant stood out against William's pale chest.
Alex pulled him into his arms and tangled his tongue with his; their breaths mingled in the small space between their mouths, moans and soft sounds echoing their desire.
They finished undressing each other, then Alex sat on the bed and drew him onto his lap.
They kissed again until they were out of breath, the pendant pressed between them.
"Will, trust me."
Alex stroked his back down to his butt. His fingertips slid between his cheeks and caressed him for several long moments before resting at his entrance.
"I'm going to try to go in, okay?" he murmured.
William nodded, cheeks flushed and his face tense.
Gently, Alex slipped a finger inside him, and the mage threw his head back, lips parted, fingers clutching Alex's shoulders.
Alex stroked his side. "Are you okay?"
"No. I don't know." William dug his fingers into his shoulders, panic in his eyes. "I need your touch… please."
The prince smiled and caressed his cheek and neck with his other hand. "Is this better?"
"Yes. Yes. Keep looking at me—I need eye contact."
Alex began moving his finger in and out, varying rhythm and depth. He penetrated him gently, kissing his chest, neck, and lips. William was panting, his cheeks growing redder, desire shining in his poison-green eyes.
"Add the second one as well," the mage murmured, his voice hoarse with desire.
Alex slid in another finger, and William arched his back with a choked moan. The prince nibbled at his nipple, and the mage cursed under his breath.
"Aah… Your Highness…"
"Do you like it?"
"Yes… More…"
William rested his forehead against Alex's shoulder, completely surrendering to his touch. His muscles relaxed, his moans brushing Alex's ear and stirring his arousal. The prince's member was hard as marble now, throbbing with a heat that begged for release.
"Will, can I enter?"
The mage nodded, and Alex withdrew his fingers.
"If I hurt you or you want me to stop, tell me."
He squeezed William's buttocks and spread them, then guided his member inside him. William dug his fingers into Alex's shoulders and moaned a little louder.
"It hurts…"
"Do you want me to stop?"
"No… Just… don't go all the way in…"
Alex stayed still for a few moments, letting him adjust and making sure he was all right. Then he began to move, careful not to thrust too deeply.
He moved at a steady, slow rhythm, matching William's moans and ragged breathing. William's body tightened around him, warm and welcoming, his lips brushing Alex's ear and sending him into bliss.
With every thrust, the pleasure grew, the heat in Alex's chest rising. He wanted him so badly he had no idea how he would be able to stay apart from him the next day.
"Will… Call me by my name… please…"
"I can't…" William rested his forehead on his shoulder. "I can't…"
For some reason, Alex had expected that.
He stroked the bare skin of William's back and increased the pace, feeling him tremble beneath his hands, and his heart filled with joy.
"Do you desire me, Will?"
"Yes," the mage whispered, "you… are my sun."
And William was the dark raven Alex had fallen in love with.
"Aah! Your Highness, I… I'm close…"
Alex quickened again, and moments later William came on his chest with a strangled moan and leaned against him. The mage's warm breath brushed Alex's neck, inflaming his desire.
The prince pulled out. His member was still hard, his orgasm trapped somewhere deep in his loins. But that was fine—the important thing was that William was all right.
William glanced at his groin and frowned.
"Your Highness, you… haven't finished."
"I can take care of it myself after—"
"No." William's voice was cold and sharp as a blade, and a spike of arousal twisted Alex's stomach.
The mage pushed him onto his back and fixed him with a piercing stare. "You are not doing anything by yourself. I forbid it."
"And if I disobeyed?"
"I would be very angry."
Alex smirked. "As long as you don't overdo it, I'm fine with anything."
William looked at him coolly, then stroked Alex's member and guided it back inside himself.
Alex threw his head back and let out a low groan. "Will…"
He held the mage's thighs to help him and surrendered control.
William began riding him, varying pace and depth, and leaned down and kissed him. His tongue slid into Alex's mouth, caressing and exploring him as if it were their first kiss—or their last.
Alex moaned, digging his fingers into William's thighs. Each thrust tightened William around him, pulling him closer and faster to the edge.
"Will… I'm almost there…"
"Inside… come inside me…"
William tossed his head back, his chest rising and falling quickly, the pendant swaying against his skin. His cheeks were flushed, his poison-green eyes gleaming with a hungry, fevered light. His hands went to Alex's nipples and twisted them between his fingers.
The prince cursed, and the next moment he came inside him with a muffled growl.
William stayed still for long moments, the prince's cum sliding down his thighs, then he shifted and collapsed beside Alex. For a long time their breathing was the only sound in the silence.
Alex turned onto his side and brushed a strand of hair from the mage's damp forehead. He stroked his cheekbone and kissed the small mole beneath his eye.
"Are you all right?"
"Yes… Thank you for always caring for me."
"I wouldn't be a very good lover if I didn't."
"You're perfect to me."
Alex pulled him into an embrace and rolled him beneath him. A flash of surprise crossed William's eyes, but Alex saw no fear there.
"Will… I'd really like you to stay here with me from now on. I want us to share these nights together, to make love to you and fall asleep at each other's side."
A soft smile curved William's lips as he wrapped his arms around Alex's neck and drew him closer.
"I'll stay by your side for as long as you wish, Your Highness. You have my word."