Vaekith leveled out just below the clouds. Phoenix forgot all about his fear as he took in the view. A flap of wings and Prince Aspen and Dorkain dropped in beside them. The two Draaken flew in sync, seeming to be in their own little world. But it was Prince Aspen whoo took all his attention. Dressed as he was in all black and his bright white hair, he looked like a vengeful dark angel descending from the heavens. It made him forget all about the landscape and focus entirely on the beautiful Alpha before him. His Alpha. Prince Aspen may not have wanted to be his mate and thought he was doing the right thing by freeing him of his agreement with King Midas, but the more days Phoenix spent with him, the nights they spent sleeping beside each other, he didn’t want to think about being taken away from him. When he was alone like this with him, outside of the Winter socialites' reach, he got to see a part of the Prince no one else did. Like how his eyes seemed to glow while he was flying and the faint smile that told Phoenix he had no worries on his mind at that moment. 

“I plan to get you out of here before the mating ceremony.” Prince Aspen told him over the Draaken’s wing beats and the rushing of air. “Get you safely back where you belong, in Autumn. Then, I’ll do my best to find a way to stop the agreement with King Midas. Maybe then, you’ll find your Alpha and you can live a life you’ve always wanted.”

Phoenix opened his mouth, prepared to tell him his true feelings but he closed it once more when he remembered how cold the Alpha was to him in the palace. If he stayed here in Winter and became the Alpha’s mate, this would be what he had to deal with and he wasn’t sure if he would be able to handle that distance. As an Omega, he naturally sought out comfort from others. And he already knew that his upcoming heat was going to be exceptionally difficult now that he had these growing feelings for Aspen. He didn’t even want to think about what the Alpha’s scent in his sheets was going to do to him during that vulnerable time. His first heat had been painful and suffocating. But then, he didn't have an Alpha’s scent to turn to.

He turned his head away, letting the familiar cold sink into his belly.

Are you okay? Vaekith spoke directly into his mind, turning her attention away from Dorkain who seemed to huff in annoyance.

Ah, it’s nothing. Phoenix reassured her, glad for the frigid air to blame his tears on.

Thankfully, she didn’t push the subject. Instead, she flew him straight back to the open tower where Dorkain had first greeted them. He was cold and his legs jello; he nearly fell when he slid off her back but he managed to catch himself. Just in time, too, as Dorkain landed and Aspen slid down from his back.

Never fret, Child. I will always be here for you should you need me. A great rumbling purr echoed from her chest and Phoenix couldn't help but smile.

“Thank you…” He murmured and, with a brush of her wing over his head, she took to the skies, Dorkain following close behind. 

Left alone on the open tower with Prince Aspen, he wrapped his arms around himself in comfort. He felt cold and small once more. A sharp wind blew and he shivered. 

“Now that we’ve royally missed dinner, you should get to your room for a hot bath. Can’t have you getting sick.” Only Prince Aspen knew how to make it sound like all of this was his fault. 

Gone was the mischievous boy he saw on the Craigs; the cold, careless Prince had returned and, with a flourish, he made his way to the door of the tower, snow crunching beneath his boots. Afraid of being left out there alone, he bundled the fur cloak around himself and followed.