chapter 18

Chapter 18

The study smelled of parchment and ink, with the soft crackling of the fireplace filling the silence. Prince Alistair stood by the large wooden desk, flipping through reports while King Mathias sat across from him, hands clasped in thought.

"The situation in Raventhorn is growing worse," Alistair began, placing a document before his father. "The lawlessness has emboldened certain factions. Mercenaries are rallying under lesser lords seeking refuge there, and there are whispers that some of them may interfere with our trade routes."

Mathias scanned the document with furrowed brows. "Raventhorn has always been a haven for criminals. What makes this different?"

"Some of those factions are being funded," Alistair replied. "We don't know by whom, but if this continues, they may grow bold enough to attack our merchants directly. I need to go there and settle this before it worsens."

Mathias let out a tired sigh and leaned back in his chair. "No, you cannot go."

Alistair's gaze hardened slightly. "Father, this is a serious threat to our trade and stability. If we do not act now-"

"You are getting married soon," Mathias cut in. His voice was firm but not unkind.

Something shifted in Alistair at those words. His jaw tensed, his grip on the table tightening. Mathias noticed immediately.

"But duty comes first, Father. The kingdom comes first." Alistair's voice was composed, his expression unreadable.

Mathias exhaled, studying his son carefully. "Is there something you are not telling me?"

"Why do you say that?" Alistair asked, though his hands remained clenched at his sides.

Mathias stood up from his chair, turning his back to Alistair as he stared into the flickering fire. "I heard the rumors, Alistair."

Alistair's chest tightened, but he remained silent.

"You know you can talk to me," Mathias continued. His tone softened. "If you do not want this marriage, I will cancel it. I will find a woman of your choice. Even if it will be difficult, you are my son, and I will do what I must to make you happy."

Alistair lowered his gaze, his throat tightening. Slowly, he stepped forward and took his father's hands in his own.

"I am fine with the marriage, Father," he said quietly. "And rumors are just that-rumors."

He let go, turning away as he faced the table. His voice was steady when he spoke again. "I am only doing my duty as the crown prince and future king."

Mathias studied him for a long moment, then finally nodded. "Very well, son. Then I shall not deny you your duty."

"Thank you, Father. It will be an honor. I shall prepare for my departure."

Alistair turned, walking towards the door. Just as he reached for the handle, Mathias spoke again.

"I also heard about your appointment of a new personal guard."

Alistair froze for a fraction of a second before glancing over his shoulder.

Mathias continued, his expression unreadable. "He is nowhere near the rank required."

Alistair hesitated, then said, "He is a skilled swordman , Father. And I trust hi-"

Mathias cut him off. "I know he is. But there are certain rules that even a prince cannot break." He paused, then exhaled. "I'm sorry son, but he can accompany you to raventhorn,we do need people we can trust around us."

Alistair inclined his head. "Yes, Father."

Without another word, he left the study, closing the door behind him

---

Alistair walked through the dimly lit hallways of the palace, Elias at his side. The sound of their boots against the stone floors was steady, unhurried, yet charged with something unsaid. A few maids passed by, bowing their heads respectfully.

"Your Highness," they greeted softly.

Alistair acknowledged them with a small nod but did not slow his pace. Elias, as always, remained slightly behind him, his posture disciplined, but his eyes occasionally flickered toward Alistair-watchful, unreadable.

They continued in silence until they reached the heavy wooden door of Alistair's chambers. Without hesitation, they stepped inside.

The moment the door shut, Elias barely had time to turn before he was yanked forward, a firm grip on his collar pulling him in.

Alistair's lips crashed against his, rough and demanding, and Elias responded just as fiercely. His fingers curled into Alistair's tunic as their mouths moved together, the air between them hot and charged.

Alistair pushed forward, forcing Elias back until the bed pressed against the backs of his legs. He barely had time to register the shift before they fell onto the mattress, Elias straddling his lap.

Their kisses were frantic, breathless, filled with pent-up need. Elias' hands slid into Alistair's hair, pulling him closer as their bodies pressed flush together.

Alistair finally broke away, but his face remained inches from Elias', his breath warm against his lips. His fingers traced lazy circles along Elias' spine, his touch teasing.

"My father has approved the journey to Raventhorn, but not to you being my personal knight" he murmured.

Elias' eyes flickered with surprise, but then a slow grin spread across his face. "It doesn't matter as long as I'm with you"

He tightened his arms around Alistair's neck and pulled him into another kiss, deeper this time-slower, more deliberate.

Alistair let out a low hum of approval, his hands gripping Elias' waist as he guided him closer, pressing up into him. The heat between them grew, their kisses turning more desperate. Elias rolled his hips slightly, drawing a sharp inhale from Alistair before their mouths met again, hungrier than before.

Alistair's hands roamed beneath Elias' tunic, his fingers splaying across bare skin, tracing the familiar dips and curves of his back. Elias shivered under his touch, his own hands moving with purpose, undoing the laces of Alistair's shirt.

They barely noticed the cool air against their skin as garments loosened, lips never parting for too long. Alistair tipped his head back slightly as Elias' mouth trailed down his jaw, his breath hot against his throat before biting down just enough to leave a mark.

Alistair exhaled sharply, his grip tightening on Elias as he pushed him back against the bed, flipping their positions. Now above him, Alistair hovered, his eyes dark with desire as he took in Elias beneath him-flushed, breathless, waiting.

Elias smirked, reaching up to pull him down again. "Don't keep me waiting, Your Highness."

Alistair didn't intend to.

---

The heat between them had long since burned past restraint. Alistair's body pressed firmly against Elias', their breaths mingling in the dim candlelight of the chamber. Every touch was desperate, every movement fueled by something neither could put into words but both understood too well.

Elias responded with just as much urgency, his hands gripping Alistair's tunic, pulling him closer. Their bodies pressed together as they stumbled back toward the bed, lips never parting, breaths mingling in heated gasps.

Alistair sat first, pulling Elias onto his lap. The kiss deepened, their fingers tangled in hair and fabric, gripping and tugging as if neither could get enough.

Alistair pulled away just enough to whisper against Elias' lips, "My father approved the journey to Raventhorn."

Elias' eyes flickered with something dark and eager. "Really?"

Alistair smirked.

Elias wrapped his arms around Alistair's neck, pulling him in again, their mouths colliding in a deeper, messier kiss.

Clothes were discarded in a frenzy, fingers tracing familiar paths over warm skin, breath hitching with every touch. The room filled with whispered names, half-choked moans, the sound of skin against skin.

Elias' back arched as Alistair's hands mapped his body, pulling him closer, deeper-until there was nothing between them but fire and need.

It was never gentle.

It was desperate, consuming.

A claiming.

The kind that left marks-both seen and unseen.

And then-

A knock came at the door.

Both of them froze.

A voice followed, muffled but unmistakable. "Prince Alistair? It's Lady Jasmine."

Alistair cursed under his breath, immediately pulling away from Elias, whose body still hummed with lingering heat. He hurriedly grabbed his scattered clothes, yanking them on in haste, then shot Elias a look, silently urging him to do the same.

Elias, however, remained seated on the bed for a moment, naked, watching Alistair scurry around the room. His expression was unreadable, though something flickered behind his eyes.

Finally, with a sigh, Elias stood and dressed as well.

Alistair gestured toward the armoire, his urgency clear. "Hide in there," he mouthed.

Elias gave him a pointed look before obeying, stepping into the armoire and closing the door just as Alistair moved toward the entrance.

He exhaled sharply, smoothing down his tunic, and opened the door.

Jasmine stood before him, draped in a deep red gown that hugged her form. The candlelight caught the golden accents in the fabric, making her look radiant.

"What brings you here, Lady Jasmine?" Alistair asked, keeping his tone even as he stepped aside to let her in.

Jasmine walked in gracefully, her sharp eyes scanning the room. Elias, from his hiding place, watched silently through the narrow gap in the armoire door.

"I couldn't sleep," Jasmine admitted, turning back to him. "I never can when I'm not home. But this will be home soon enough, won't it?" Her tone was teasing, her lips curving into a smile.

Alistair gave a polite nod, his posture stiff. "What took you so long to answer?" she added, her gaze flickering around the room suspiciously. "Is she here?"

"I don't know what you mean, Lady Jasmine," he replied smoothly.

Jasmine laughed, shaking her head. "Alright, alright." She crossed the room, sitting on the edge of his bed, then patted the space beside her in invitation.

Alistair hesitated before taking a seat, though he made sure to leave some distance between them. Jasmine, undeterred, scooted closer.

"I heard you're going to Raventhorn," she said, lowering her voice slightly. "I want to come with you."

Alistair tensed. "Lady Jasmine-"

She silenced him with a single finger pressed against his lips.

"I've always wanted to see a place like Raventhorn," she continued, her voice carrying a hint of longing. "A free town, where I can do as I please. Be myself."

She stood then, smiling as she stepped closer, closing the distance between them. Their eyes locked, but Alistair was the first to look away.

"I cannot allow that, Lady Jasmine. Raventhorn is-"

"Yes, yes, I know," she interrupted, rolling her eyes. "It's no place for a noblewoman. My father says that all the time." Then she smirked. "Now, don't tell me I'm about to marry someone just like my father, Ser Grimface."

Alistair blinked in surprise. "What did you just call me?"

Jasmine grinned. "Ser Grimface. That's what I used to call you when we were children. Always so serious, even back then."

Alistair let out a short laugh despite himself.

Jasmine, emboldened, clasped her hands together. "Please, Alistair. You have to help me. I can't bear staying cooped up in this palace." She tilted her head, her voice turning almost childish. "Pretty please?"

Alistair laughed again-his second time in the span of minutes, which was rare for him.

"I don't make the final decisions, Jasmine. My father does."

Jasmine narrowed her eyes. "So you're saying if I convince King Mathias, I can go?"

"That's not what I-"

"Fine," she cut in, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "I'll just go and sleep, then."

Before he could answer, her gaze landed on the sword near the lamp-a knight's crest.

Her eyes narrowed slightly.

Then, just as Alistair thought she might question it-

Her gaze flickered up, and for the first time, she really looked at him.

Her smile faltered.

Alistair stiffened.

Jasmine's lips parted slightly as her gaze locked onto the faint love bite on his neck.

A beat of silence.

Then-Jasmine tilted her head, a knowing look flashing in her eyes.

"I suppose I should let you sleep," she murmured, her voice light but sharp.

Alistair nodded, walking her to the door.

As soon as the door closed behind her, Alistair let out a slow breath and turned back-only to find Elias stepping out of the armoire.

Their eyes met.

Neither of them moved, the tension between them now different-heavier, unspoken.

Elias' gaze was unreadable again, but there was something about the way he looked at Alistair that made his chest tighten.

After what felt like an eternity, Elias finally turned away. He walked over to the lamp, picked up his sword, and adjusted the strap.

Alistair took a step forward, his hand instinctively reaching out, grasping Elias' wrist as if to stop him. "Stay."

Elias froze but didn't turn around.

"I have to go," he said, voice quiet yet firm. "We don't want people to grow suspicious."

His words were practical, logical. But there was something else beneath them.

Alistair reluctantly let go.

Elias opened the door and stepped out, leaving without another word.

Alistair stood there, staring at the closed door for a long time before finally walking over to the bed. He sat down, running a hand down his face, then lay back against the mattress, staring at the ceiling.

The room felt colder now.