Asher had his hands full with a crying Meshai while William was stuck in a meeting with Queen Ruth over King Jasper's ailing health. When William eventually came out, moody and exhausted, Asher pitied him. He'd lost his mate, and now it seemed he'd lose a brother as well.

Asher wondered what that would mean for himself as well, but luckily, Theo was there to take over at any given time.

These days, he'd tried to occupy himself with his princely duties, instead of shamelessly pinning over Dominic, and he hated admitting it but he looked forward to seeing the bastard every day in the evening. Their sex rounds were wild and at this rate, he suspected that perhaps, Dominic didn't get rid of the bond totally, if he still had this much sexual attraction towards the brute. God, how come he'd missed this before?

As though the heavens had conspired to keep him annoyed that day, Dominic's message came in just when he was having a hard time deciding if he wanted to keep up their evening appointments anymore.

“Tell him I'm not coming,” he blurted out, lying on his side on the huge bed and drawing the thick, soft comforter up to his chest. His joints were aching from working so much all day.

Micah shifted uneasily from one foot to another on the other side of the door. “Your Highness, it's urgent. He needs to see you tonight to discuss something in relation to your bond.”

Asher scoffed aloud, used to such tricks. “He's not fooling me this time. Tell him that I'm no more interested in our evening appointments. I have work to do.”

Micah hesitated but left at last and Asher woke up with a splitting headache after sleeping for an hour, his shorts damp with sweat and precum, thanks to a wet dream about Dominic.

In the end, he basically rushed over to Agravaria, horny and sick, but needing Dominic's dick more than ever.

“Where is he?” he blurted out, bending over with his palms on his knees to catch his breath. He'd wildly ran through the forest floor, the bushes scratching his fur and face and the stones piecing his foot. He didn't care; he needed Dominic. “Announce me right this minute, you fool.”

“I'm so sorry, Your Highness,” Micah shivered, still finding it hard to keep his face neutral and not gape in blatant surprise at Asher's horrible appearance. The young Prince looked like one who just escaped from the dungeon. “Crown Prince Dominic has company at the moment. But he'll be done soon.”

Impatient but helpless, Asher hissed, folding his arms across his chest and glaring daggers at the huge, brown double doors. He knew he had no right to be angry because he'd declined Dominic's invitation earlier, but it prickled him whenever he was relegated to second place in the scheme of things. Call him weird and stupid, he wanted Dominic's attention at all times. He never thought about it till this moment. What the hell was wrong with him?

At last, after what felt like centuries, the door opened, and Dimitri emerged. He looked pensive and disturbed, and his expression turned to one of surprise and fear when he saw Asher. He managed a curt bow. “Good evening, Y-Your Highness.” 

Asher raised an eyebrow, curious as to what the young, freshly widowed lad was doing here at such an odd hour. A surge of distrust and jealousy coursed through his veins but he shook his head, as though they were thoughts he could shove away. No. Dominic couldn't possibly be...

What's your business? Samson accused.

Shut up, he bit back.

Before he could respond, Dimitri hurried down the corridor, without a glance back at him. Asher's curiosity was heightened. Something was definitely up.

“The Crown Prince says you can come in now, Your Highness.” Micah said.

With one last look at Dimitri's turned back corner, Asher stepped into Dominic's room, which was also his makeshift study sometimes.

Micah slid the door shut behind him and silence descended like a heavy blanket. Dominic was seated behind his brown mahogany desk, looking as handsome and serious as ever.

Asher dragged his gaze over Dominic's appearance, noting the open cravat and the rolled-up sleeves. Suspicion twisted itself around his gut, clinging to it. Oh God.

“You can have a seat, Asher,” Dominic said wearily, gesturing towards the swivel chair in front of him. Asher noticed that his eyes looked dull and droopy as well. The jealous feeling became worse, and he wondered if he was giving himself away when Dominic tilted his head to the side, lips curled up in amusement. “Is anything the matter?”

“Why would there be?” he gritted out, surprised by the intensity of his tone. He sat himself down, subtly sniffing the air for more clues. When he couldn't detect any suspicious smell, he scanned the desk for come stains or books flung about, because Dominic was aggressive whenever it came to sex or foreplay. He'd learnt that the hard way. His anal hole was still sore from the bastard's rigorous pounding the night before.

When Dominic finally spoke up, his voice was flat and disinterested, contradicting with his sharp, edgy demeanor. “Queen Fiona knows about our broken bond. She confronted me about it.”

A panic like no other seized Asher. Fuck. “You told her?”

Dominic snorted. “Why would I do such a thing?”

“Shit,” Asher ran a hand through his hair and down the nape of his neck. “This is bad. This is very, very bad. How the hell did she find out.”

“Turns out we weren't particularly subtle with whatever happened that night. Estel, my most trusted guard, heard everything we did and relayed it to my mother, and she confronted me about it,” Dominic's face twisted into something ugly. “It was... uncomfortable. But she seems to be in support. She won't tell the Grand Council, trust me.”

Relief washed over Asher. “I suppose that's...nice of her. Are you sure though?”

Dominic leaned back with a shrug. “According to her words, as long as I find a suitable replacement. A young widower or someone without a mate.”

The puzzle pieces all fell into place, making Asher gasp. “Was that the reason Dimitri came over? He's your chosen second-chance mate?”

“Yes. He'll be my King Consort instead of you.”

“I don't understand,” Asher scoffed in disbelief. “Dimitri has lost his mate twice. He's still grieving. I don't think you did the right thing by choosing him as your second-chance mate. The Council will never agree even if you break the betrothal contract with me.”

Dominic smirked. “Do you think I haven't found a solution for that already? With my influence, Dimitri's consent and my mother's backing, I'll be able to work everything out at the Council, so there's no need for you to worry.”

“Did Dimitri agree though? It's such a big decision. His family might be a problem.”

“Actually, his family are solidly behind him this time. He came back to tell me that they give their blessings, so what we both need to do right now is inform the elders and start preparations for the official bond breaking ceremony, as well as my coronation and wedding.”

Asher sat, rooted to his seat. He opened his mouth to say something, but words failed him. He couldn't believe it. He couldn't make much sense out of it. He felt odd, stupid, and sick to his stomach, because he couldn't imagine it — Dominic getting married to Dimitri, rendering him absolutely, completely and totally free of the asshole forever.

What a day to be alive!

“But I saw him on his way out. He didn't look so pleased.” He murmured, thinking that Dominic wouldn't catch his words.

But of course, nothing ever passed the bastard's notice. “Maybe he got scared when he saw you. He's such a calm, fine young man and is beyond excited for this. For us.”

Asher laughed, shaking his head in pity. “In that case, send all my love to your new lover, because he'll need it Such an idiot. Anyways, I'm off now to celebrate with wine and a dip in the pool. This is the best day of my fucking existence.”

Dominic's face was still unreadable. “The ceremonies would take months to organize. But don't let them stop you from partying.”

Asher rolled his eyes and turned, strolling out of the room. As soon as he was out the door his smile dropped, and hot tears flooded his eyes.

Pathetic.

He tried to smile as he rushed down the corridor, to be genuinely happy that he got what he'd always wanted at last. To be free from that asshole. But he didn't know why he felt so... desolate all of a sudden. This wasn't supposed to be. The tears weren't supposed to flow. Everything was perfect. Everything was going according to plan.

Ugh, who was he kidding?

Nothing was fine. He needed answers as to why he felt as though the airs in his lungs were inflated. Why he felt full and empty at the same time?

Why?