After drying off and getting dressed, they left the baths and headed toward the main hall. The sun had dipped behind the silhouettes of the hills embracing the castle, and shadows stretched over the woods and clearings like long skeletal fingers.

It was colder than at the royal palace, and Alex also sensed a strange atmosphere permeating the place. Something felt off. It was… too empty.

He passed through the doors, followed by William, and Lord Lynden bowed deeply.

"Your Highness! Did you enjoy the surprise?"

Alex was about to shout at him, but William's fingers closed around his wrist, stopping him.

The mage's lips curved into a pale smile. "Absolutely. He was skilled with his hands, and Your Highness seemed entirely satisfied."

The Castellan smiled. "I was assured he was an excellent masseur, and I thought after a day on horseback, you might enjoy a massage."

"Who recommended him to you?"

"Oh, well, a f-friend."

Alex frowned. Was that a lie? The man seemed tense for some reason.

Lord Lynden rubbed his hands and turned abruptly toward the long table. "Shall we sit?"

They took their seats, and the servants began bringing the dishes. Stews, soups, and roasts followed one after the other, filling the air with delicious aromas.

The evening passed quietly. Lord Lynden kept them engaged in small talk about the weather, taxes, castle repairs, and how much he missed his beloved wife.

"She isn't here?" Alex asked. Now that he thought about it, he recalled they had a daughter as well.

Lord Lynden twirled a butter knife between his fingers, looking either thoughtful or uneasy. "No, she is… with her family, along with our little girl."

Alex sensed the lie but didn't press. He wanted to understand first whether this man was involved or just a victim. "You must be very fond of them."

He nodded. "They are my pride and joy." He placed the knife on his plate and offered a warm smile. "Do you have a wife, Your Highness? Or a fiancée? Forgive me if the question is foolish, but little news comes from the court."

Alex shook his head and smiled. "I'm unwed. Perhaps I'll marry after the coronation."

"Not even an arrangement?"

"Are you trying to set me up with one of your relatives?"

Lord Lynden laughed. "I could never; I don't have enough titles to make such a proposal."

"Better that way. I'm not particularly fond of women—I prefer other company."

The Castellan shifted his gaze to William. "Oh, I see."

Alex raised an eyebrow and poured himself some wine. "Really?"

"You seem very… well, perhaps I shouldn't say."

"I'm ordering you, Lord Castellan."

"Um… intimate."

"Intimate?"

Lord Lynden pointed to his own neck. "The mage has a hickey right here."

A wave of heat rose to Alex's cheeks. And when had that happened?

He spun toward William and saw him, with red ears and his face turned away. The neck, left exposed by his black braid, bore a conspicuous red mark very similar to a hickey. But it couldn't be, right?

"It's not what it looks like!"

Lord Lynden waved his hands. "You don't need to justify yourself to me, Your Highness. I won't tell anyone, I assure you."

"What does that have to do with anything? We're not intimate." They weren't even friends.

William ran a hand through his hair. "The prince is a passionate lover."

Alex stiffened, his face burning. What the hell was he saying now?

The Castellan blushed and cleared his throat. "Well, um, I'm happy for Your Highness. And also for you, sir. But I'd rather not know the details."

"When Your Highness marries, his wife will be very lucky. And I'm sure the kingdom will be blessed with numerous little princes."

Alex slammed his palms on the table and rose from his chair. Embarrassment burned across his cheeks, but he did his best to hide it. This was too much! Why on earth were they talking about him as if he weren't even there?

"William."

The mage gave him a sharp smile, which looked more like a mocking grin. "What do you wish?"

Punch him in the nose? Shut his mouth with a kiss? By the spirits, he must still have some of that venom in his veins. He took a breath, straightened his shoulders, and smiled at Lord Lynden.

"It's been a pleasant evening, but I would like to retire to my rooms now. Tomorrow we'll rise early and, with the spirits' aid, we will resolve the matter of the dead deer."

"Do you need to see the carcasses?"

"Yes. Have them prepared; we'll look at them right after breakfast."

The Castellan bowed. "As you wish, Your Highness."

Alex nodded in farewell, grabbed William by a sleeve, and led him out of the hall.

A servant waited in the corridor and showed them the way to the rooms that had been prepared. They were on opposite sides of the corridor, a couple of doors apart.

Close enough to intervene in case of danger.

Alex dismissed the servant and, once alone, turned to face William.

And what he saw was an evasive gaze and ears as red as strawberries.

He smirked. "Has anyone ever told you you're strange?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"What you said earlier to the Castellan. It wasn't necessary—especially if you're going to blush like that afterward."

William ran his pale, slender fingers over his braid, eyes still lowered. "It was just an act."

"Sure, but only the two of us know that. Now Lord Lynden probably thinks we're sleeping together. Give it a few weeks, and the whole court will know."

"Who cares?"

Alex sighed and pressed his fingers against the bridge of his nose. "By the spirits, William, don't you get it? I'm used to it—I'm the Crown Prince, after all—but you're not even a noble. The Prince's whore—is that how you want to be known?"

"I don't care. We have to carry out His Majesty's mission, and I'll do whatever it takes."

William opened the door to the room assigned to Alex and stepped inside. The prince followed him.

"Your room's on the other side."

"Tonight we'll share the bed."