William pressed his lips together, his cheeks burning as if there were glowing embers beneath his skin. His finger slid all the way in, drawing a deeper sigh from him.
He hadn't believed it could feel so pleasant and embarrassing at the same time. He had never done it, not even before what had been done to him.
The prince swallowed, his eyes fixed on William's, and a quiet surge of satisfaction rose in his chest.
"By the spirits, Will, I…" His hoarse voice faded into an inconclusive murmur.
William moved his finger back and forth, his throat dry with arousal and his heart pounding fast in his ears. He barely noticed the moans slipping from his lips or the hungry light in the prince's eyes. He was masturbating in front of him—and he liked it.
It made him feel powerful.
"Will—"
He silenced him with a kiss, his tongue brushing over his lips. The prince yielded with a long sigh, his hands bound by the ribbon grazing William's back.
"Don't touch me," William murmured. "Let me take care of you."
He slipped in a second finger and picked up the pace. Moans escaped from his lips, uncontrollable now. The prince's erection brushed against his groin, hard and hot and inviting; a hungry look burned in his eyes.
William withdrew his fingers, stroked the prince's member, and guided it inside himself. He slid down over him with a moan of pleasure and discomfort. The prince groaned and let his head fall back.
"Oh, fuck, Will, you're… incredible. The other night, it wasn't like this."
William pressed himself against his body and began to move, slowly at first, then faster and faster. The water sloshed around their bodies, the silence broken by their moans.
"Your Highness… do you like it?"
"Yes," the prince murmured, his voice hoarse.
William caressed his chest and kissed his neck. "Do you desire me?"
"You shouldn't even have to ask…"
He pinched a nipple, and the prince moaned in response.
"If you keep this up, I'm going to come."
"You haven't answered."
"By the spirits, I desire you. More every day."
"Do you want to touch me?"
"Yes…"
"And where?"
"Everywhere." A muffled moan escaped him when William took him all the way in once more. "On your face, on your body. I like seeing you aroused."
William stopped and rose to his knees. The prince's erection slipped free, still hard and trembling.
The prince looked at him with an expression that was both puzzled and pleading. "Will…"
William turned his back to him and sat down again between his legs, taking him inside himself once more.
He moved again, with the prince's hands caressing him despite being tied by the ribbon. He felt him throbbing against his body, the orgasm rising in his chest like a wave.
The prince thrust, and a moan slipped from William's lips. He arched his back, his fingers tightening around the edge of the tub. He had felt it—too much, even.
Another thrust, and William pressed his lips together, tears in his eyes.
"Y-Your Highness, you're…"
Rough? Painfully pleasurable?
He only knew he felt him more than usual. Maybe it was the position or the heat of the water, but his body was more receptive.
The prince thrust again, and William couldn't hold back the moan.
"Will…" The prince's warm voice left his throat dry. "I want to hold you. Let me, please."
"Only if you keep talking to me. I need it."
The prince drew him against his chest, guiding his spread legs to rest on the edge of the tub. His hands, still bound by the ribbon, slid down to caress William's member.
"Stop me if you feel pain or if I make you uncomfortable."
The prince moved with slow, deep thrusts. His chest pressed against William's back, his arms encircled him with devotion and love. His strong fingers caressed him.
William tipped his head back and sought his lips between one moan and the next. He found them and melted against the tip of his tongue in a long kiss that tasted only of love.
"Will…" the prince murmured against his lips. "I'm almost there…"
"Me too…"
The prince increased the pace and depth, drawing a moan from him. His hands slid to the tip, pressed it gently, and something inside William finally broke free.
Pleasure reached him, overwhelmed him, and left him breathless. Moments later, the prince followed, his warmth filling him.
William rested the back of his head against the prince's shoulder and closed his eyes, his breath still burning in his chest.
"Do you feel better, Your Highness?"
The prince's laughter vibrated through his bones and drew a smile from William.
"Definitely, my lovely raven." His lips brushed his temple. "It was wonderful, thank you."
"I'm glad."
"Now we can move on to the second round."
William flushed. "What do you mean, second round? Aren't you tired?"
"No, on the contrary, I'm full of energy and I want to do it again. But this time on the bed."
"There's something unnatural about your vigor."
"It's my love for you that gives me strength."
William doubted it; it had to be tied to the magic flowing through his veins.
"All right, but let's wash first."
The prince gave him a mischievous smile. "Will you do it?"
"Of course. You just have to stay still."
He untied the ribbon from the prince's wrists, then turned and rubbed his hair and body with soap. He helped him rinse and guided him out of the tub.
"Dry yourself while I'll wash myself."
William sat back down on the bottom of the tub, but a pair of hands caressed his neck. The prince's lips brushed his ear, and his breath made his heart race.
"Your Highness, what are you doing?"
"I'm returning the favor and taking care of your beautiful hair."
"There's no need."
But the prince ignored him.
He took the soap and massaged his scalp, then rinsed his hair carefully. He rubbed his shoulders, back, and chest, then asked him to stand up. William obeyed, his cheeks burning with embarrassment.
The prince washed his abdomen, thighs, and buttocks with care, an amused expression on his lips, then helped him dry off and step out of the tub.
William put the sheer robe back on and joined the prince in bed, then he flicked his fingers and extinguished most of the candles in the room, leaving only a faint light that made the atmosphere even more intimate.
The prince turned toward him. "Do you have any other surprises planned?"
"Actually, no. I didn't think you'd still have the energy."
"So can I take the lead?"
William frowned. "I didn't think you liked being in charge."
"I only like it when I'm with you." The prince caressed his side and pressed his body against his. "I like discovering all the other ways I can make you want me."
"You're really shameless."
"I love your voice, Will. Especially when it's tinged with pleasure."
The prince placed a hand on his back and leaned toward his ear.
"And when you read erotic novels."
William swallowed, but his throat had gone dry as a desert.
"Do you want me… to read something to you?"
"I have a better idea." His fingers slipped beneath the robe. "How tired are you?"
"A little."
"Do you feel like doing it again?"
"Yes, but… I don't think I can take the initiative."
"It doesn't matter. Trust me."
The prince turned him onto his other side and held him from behind. His hand slid between William's legs and began to stimulate him.
"Can you do the same for me?"
William nodded. He reached a hand back and caressed him between the legs. For long minutes they touched each other, until the prince stopped stroking his member and moved his hand between his buttocks.
"I'll start getting you ready."
He penetrated him with a finger, and William stiffened in his arms. Though pleasant, it was still an intrusion, something external sliding into his body. Something that reminded him of other intrusions, far less pleasant.
Panic seized his throat, and William dug his nails into the prince's hand.
"Are you all right, Will? I can feel you're tense."
"I need your voice. If you talk to me, I… I can calm down."
"Would you prefer another position? One where you can see my face?"
William shook his head, guilt carving a wound in his chest. "I-I'm sorry, I… I don't think I can do it again. I don't know why. Before it was fine, but now…"
"It's all right." The prince kissed his neck, withdrew his finger, and turned him around. "It's not your fault; it can happen. The important thing is that you tell me when you're uncomfortable."
"I ruined everything."
"No, you didn't. Because sex isn't good unless we're both happy." He kissed his knuckles. "The choice is yours. If you want, we can continue. Otherwise, I can hold you until we fall asleep, or we can sleep separately if contact makes you uncomfortable."
"It doesn't make me uncomfortable. Not your hands." William dared to stroke his cheek. "Your Highness, you're the only person who can touch me like this and make me feel good. It's just that sometimes, when I can't see your face, I get the impression that it's not really you. And that makes me uneasy."
"I understand. I promise that from now on I'll pay much more attention to making you feel at ease."
"Thank you."
William kissed him on the lips, and the prince returned the kiss. Their tongues intertwined and caressed each other in slow, measured touches that soothed the guilt in William's chest. Living with the fear of contact and the desire to be one with the prince was difficult, but when he was in his arms, it all felt bearable.
"Can we do it like this?" he murmured against the prince's lips. "So I can see your face."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. But I'd like you to talk to me. Even just saying my name is fine—your voice makes me feel good."
"All right."
The prince drew him into his arms and penetrated him with his fingers. William wrapped his arms around his neck and closed his eyes, letting himself be rocked by his voice and his touch.
When he was ready, the prince lifted one of his legs to make room and entered him gently.
"You're tight… I really like it."
"Go slowly, please. I'm a bit tense."
"If I hurt you, tell me."
The prince began to move, his hands holding him in a firm grip, his low, husky voice brushing against his ears.
He spoke to him the whole time, describing in detail everything he wanted to do to him, and all the things the mage did that excited him. William moaned without restraint, his forehead resting against his neck, the orgasm swelling in his chest like a bubble.
They came together, in the dimness of the room, amid heated sighs and muffled moans. William relaxed against his body, smiled, and slipped into sleep.
The next day they set off again, but despite the pleasant night they had spent together, the prince's mood did not seem to have improved all that much.