The next day, Alex went looking for the mage. Not knowing where his room was, he guessed the library would be the best place to find him.

He walked through the double doors and spotted him sitting at one of the desks near the windows. The warm late morning light illuminated his pale skin and long black hair. The day before, Alex hadn't realized William was Xianese.

"I was searching for you."

William lifted his gaze from the pages. "Me?"

"Exactly." He sat in the chair opposite him and got straight to the point. "We can work together to convince my father to release you from your duty. That way, you can leave, and I can choose another Court Mage."

"His Majesty doesn't seem like the kind of person who gives up easily."

"True, but I can be particularly annoying when I want something."

"I don't doubt it."

Alex's lips twisted in irritation. "Can't you be a little less blunt? Or at least pretend to be?"

"No. I always say what I think."

He was a insufferable man, but it didn't matter. Just one more week, and Alex wouldn't have to see him again.

"Never mind." He held out his hand. "So, are you willing to cooperate?"

William pressed his lips together and turned away, ignoring his outstretched hand. "No."

"What? Why?"

"I don't want to be blamed and I don't want to contradict His Majesty. He appointed me as the new Court Mage, and I can't turn down his offer."

"You said you didn't like me!"

William glared at him again with cold eyes. "And I mean it. You're a superficial, spoiled prince, but I can't disobey. Now, could you please let me study?"

"Wait, I—"

"Will, is this the little prince?"

Alex turned his head and came face to face with a sharp muzzle, a forked tongue, and a sinuous neck. He flinched, scrambled to his feet, then stepped back to put some distance between them.

"A—A snake!"

"I'm not a snake. I'm an air spirit."

"Who let this… reptile in?"

"I did," William said. "He's my familiar. His name is Caedos."

The creature puffed out its chest and spread the feathered wings that served as its forelimbs. Its long, sinuous body was covered in small iridescent scales, and its head resembled that of a dragon.

Alex scrunched up his nose. "It looks like a worm."

William frowned, clearly displeased with the comparison, and addressed the familiar. "Apologize to His Highness; you scared him."

"It's not my fault that he's such a vain blond."

The prince froze. What kind of pair were these two? The mage talked back to him and slapped his hand, and now his pet dared to call him 'a vain blond'?

"Caedos!" William scolded him, but the amphiptere made a derisive hiss and fluttered out the window.

The mage sighed. "I apologize, but he's an ancient spirit, and hierarchies mean nothing to him."

"I noticed. And they don't seem to matter much to you either."

William didn't reply, but a flicker of unease dulled the poison-green of his eyes.

 Alex studied him for a moment. "You know, your eyes are peculiar… You're not Vellarian, am I right?"

William pressed his lips together, pulled a sheet of paper from the pile between them, and returned to writing. "My mother is from the Empire of Xia."

"Do you have mixed ancestry?"

"Does that trouble you?"

Alex waved his hand. "No, not at all. I don't care where you come from."

"My mother is a good seamstress. Even the local nobles in my hometown appreciate her silk garments."

"Did you get those vivid green eyes from her, too?"

William shook his head without stopping writing. It was incredible how he could stay focused despite their conversation. "That's because of magic. It's a side effect; the irises tend to be brighter."

The prince tilted his head. He knew some mages, but this was the first time he had seen one with eyes so vivid. "Are you a powerful mage?"

"Caedos is one of the most powerful spirits." The mage set his pen on the paper and looked him straight in the eye. "And I am the most talented mage of all the kingdom."

"That tiny creature?"

"He's fickle and capricious, but very old. You are alike in that way. You're capricious too."

Alex scowled. "That's not true."

"You were late on purpose yesterday."

"I didn't!"

William gave him a sharp look, and Alex responded with a huff. Better to change the subject.

"So, did you know that our bond is for life?"

"Yes, I was aware of that."

"And that was fine with you?"

"Your father requested my presence, and I came. That's what's expected of a subject."

What kind of answer was that? Did he even consider the consequences of such a vow?

"You do know that if I fall off a horse and break my neck, you die too, right? Don't you care at all?"

"There are many ways to die, Your Highness. I don't expect someone raised in the palace to understand."

Alex slammed his hand on the desk and leaned toward him. "What do you know? I think I know better than you what it means to risk one's life."

After all, he had faced death more than once.

William frowned. "I just deduced… I can't—"

"You can't. Exactly."

Alex crossed his arms and looked toward the window. What was wrong with that guy? Could he try to be more pleasant?

With a sigh, he reached for a book to read the title, but William did the same, and their hands brushed. That tingling sensation spread once again across Alex's skin where their hands touched.

The prince flinched and grabbed the mage's hand before he could retreat. It wasn't his imagination; something was happening between him and the mage. Something that he couldn't comprehend.

"Did you just feel it, didn't you?"

"No, I…"

"You're lying." Alex tightened his jaw. "You felt that tingling sensation. Not just today, but yesterday as well. Do you know what it is?"

"Maybe magic."

"I can't sense magic. I'm not a mage."

William's gaze grew evasive. "I don't know what to tell you. Magic is mysterious."

"You said you're talented, and yet you can't answer my question. I'm starting to think you're a farce just like all the others."

The mage was just trying to win his favor, just like every other noble he ever met. He was not talented at all, and Alex didn't want to bind to someone he couldn't trust.

"I'll find a way to send you back to wherever you came from."

The mage parted his lips, eyes wide, but before he could speak, the library door swung open.