Caedos took his leave and Alex sighed in relief. He didn't like being too close to that spirit. He turned to William, who was closing the window. "Are you sure he won't be intercepted?"

"Unlike me, Caedos is a spirit and can draw freely on his own magic."

William returned to the desk and Alex watched him with curiosity. "How does your magic work?"

"When I need it, I borrow Caedos's magic. The grimoire acts as a channel, but for small spells, like lighting candles, I don't need to hold it in my hands."

"So without Caedos, you can't do anything?"

"Not without a source to draw from. Right now I can cast very few spells using the little residual magic in my body; once it's gone, I'll be defenseless."

"And you don't have any other sources to use?"

William looked at him with a strange expression. "Technically, there are other ways to get magic, but I don't want to use them."

"And why not? Ethical reasons or practical difficulties?"

"Ethics. Apart from the spirits, there are two other ways to use magic. The first one is using the energy of death."

"And the other one?"

"It is currently out of reach. There's no point even talking about it."

Alex pouted. "But I was curious. So, what do we do now?"

William sat sideways on the armchair, legs resting on the armrest. "I'm not sure. We wait for dawn and then check on the dead deer, I suppose."

"Do you think they'll try to assassinate us tonight?"

"Maybe." If the mage was worried, he didn't show it.

Alex folded his hands in his lap and stroked the leather of his gloves. "Who do you think they're targeting?"

"You, I suppose. You're the prince."

"So you think it's a plot against the crown."

"Do you have any other theories?"

Alex parted his lips and hesitated for a few seconds. "They might be after you."

"I'm no one."

"You're my Court Mage."

"I haven't even been sworn in." William lifted his head and met his gaze. "Besides, the timing doesn't make sense. The deer were killed before news of my appointment spread. Not to mention that, outside the court, no one knows it yet."

"I doubt the culprit comes from the common people."

"Do you think it's a noble?"

Alex shrugged. "My father isn't liked by everyone, and I'm liked by even fewer."

"Strange, you're so pleasant."

Was that another jab? Alex sighed. "In any case, now you've become a target too."

William raised an eyebrow. "What do I have to do with it?"

"They've seen your magic. If whoever attacked us is even half as clever as they seem, they'll consider you the main threat."

"I'm not afraid." The mage looked away. "Let them try; I'll defend myself."

He had courage, maybe even a touch of arrogance, but Alex didn't mind having someone with that kind of willpower around. William had the grace of a reed and the resilience of a thousand-year-old oak.

"Sometimes I can't tell whether you're confident or just plain reckless."

"I could say the same about you, Your Highness."

Alex rubbed his eyes. He was really tired and needed to sleep.

He took off his boots and jacket, unbuttoned his shirt, and pulled back the covers. He looked at William. "Coming?"

The mage raised an eyebrow. "Where?"

"To bed."

"No!"

It was such a sharp answer that Alex had to restrain a laugh. "Look, I'm not going to touch you. But you can't sleep up there."

William pressed himself against the back of the armchair, as if to reinforce his point. "I'll be fine."

Alex sighed; he really was stubborn. "You'll be cold, and tomorrow you'll wake up with every muscle aching."

"I can handle it."

"You need to sleep, William, and I need to keep you close. If you stay up there, I can't protect you." He lifted a pillow to show the hidden dagger to the mage.

William pressed his lips together, clearly displeased, but after a few moments of hesitation, he got up from the armchair. He removed his boots with the same expression a man being led to the gallows, took off his doublet, and slid under the covers.

Alex smirked at his curled-up figure under the blankets. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Go ahead," the mage grunted.

"That bruise on your neck… is it really a hickey?"

William turned, scandalized. "Of course not!"

"Then what is it?"

"It's a bruise. I got it when you saved me from the ambush. I hit the saddle."

Alex huffed. Too bad; he was hoping for a slightly naughtier story.

William frowned. "You have no shame."

"And you're boring."

The prince blew out the candles, slipped under the covers, and lay down next to the mage. They remained silent for a long time.

Just as Alex was about to drift off to sleep, the creak of a door made him tense.