Alex held his breath and moved his hand toward the dagger he had hidden under the pillow. The creak came from the corridor; it could be the door to William's room. Had someone broken in?

"Your High—"

Alex clamped the mage's mouth. The now-familiar tingling crawled under his skin up to his chest and melted in a pleasant warmth.

From the other side of the door came a few muffled thuds, then a voice whispered something Alex couldn't understand. It sounded like a man, but it was so low he couldn't be certain.

William groaned against his hand, but the prince ignored him. He glanced at the door; he locked it before going to sleep, but the intruder could have a second set of keys. They were in danger.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, then he rolled over William and pinned him to the mattress.

The mage clutched at his clothes and groaned louder. Alex knew he didn't like that closeness, but having him under his own body was the best way to protect him if the intruder broke in.

From the corridor came the sound of muffled footsteps again. Alex clutched the dagger tightly and took a deep breath. His heartbeat slowed, his senses sharpening.

He waited, ready to leap out of bed, but the door remained closed. There was no sound from the other side of the wall. Had the intruder gone away?

Alex pulled back the hand from William's mouth. "I think they're gone."

"What are you doing?" hissed the mage.

"I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable, but it was the best way to protect you."

"That's nonsense. I'm no one, and I don't need your protection."

Alex glanced down at William, and in that moment, he realized he was sitting on his lap. And that the mage was somewhat alluring with the bared collarbone and that angry look of his. Better to put some distance between them before doing something he would surely regret.

Alex got off him, and William pulled back the covers.

"I'll go check," he whispered.

"No." The prince grabbed him and dragged him back onto the bed. "You stay here. I'll go."

The mage stiffened in his arms. "You shouldn't put yourself in unnecessary danger."

"I'm armed." He showed the dagger, the blade reflecting the faint light coming through the window. "The one putting himself in unnecessary danger is you."

After making sure William obeyed him, Alex slipped out from under the covers, reached the door, and pressed his ear against it. There was no sound on the other side; it was as if the corridor were truly empty.

Alex took a breath, turned the key, and opened it just an inch. He peeked out, but the shadows remained still.

William's door was open, and a dim glow lit it. Someone had entered, but whoever it was no longer seemed to be there.

Alex closed the door, trying to make as little noise as possible, then turned the key and slid the bolt. He returned to bed and hid the dagger under the pillow once more.

"So?" William asked.

"Someone entered."

The mage lowered his head as if in thought. Then he suddenly jumped off the bed. Alex grabbed him by the waist.

"No," he whispered, as he dragged him back onto the bed again. "It could be a trap."

"You're touching me," William murmured.

"I'll leave you alone if you promise to stay here."

William mumbled something unintelligible. "All right, you have my word."

Alex withdrew his arms, and the mage rolled onto his side. He didn't try to reach the door. Little by little, Alex could relax and lie down again.

For some time, there was only silence.

"Your Highness?"

Alex tilted his head toward him. William had turned to face him, and in the faint starlight, it seemed he was looking at his face.

"Why do you always wear gloves?"

"I don't have nice hands. I prefer not to show them to others."

"You train with a sword; it's normal that your hands aren't like those of someone who does nothing all day."

"It's not just that." The problem wasn't just the scars and calluses.

"If you don't want to talk about it, that's fine too."

Alex could have brushed off the question and pretended the mage hadn't asked. He had every right; he was the prince and owed nothing to anyone.

But William had been honest about his illness, and Alex didn't feel right hiding from him something as small as his injury.

He removed his glove, took William's hand, and closed it around his own fingers.

William's fingertips were warm and soft, and when they brushed together, the familiar tingle filled Alex's chest with a heat that nearly stole his breath. He should have found it uncomfortable, but he couldn't. It was a pleasant feeling, like the warmth of a flame chasing away the night's chill.

William stroked his palm and fingers. When he reached the middle finger, he stopped.

"You're missing the last two phalanges."

"It happened years ago. A sword strike I failed to parry properly."

"Do you hide it because you don't want to show weakness?"

"No, the reason is… a bit different."

But that was still a difficult topic, and even though he felt at ease with William, he wasn't ready to discuss it yet.

"Did it hurt?" the mage asked.

"I suppose it did, but at the time I had other things to think about."

William's fingers left his hand, and the mage retreated into himself again. "Thank you for showing me."

Alex slipped the glove back on and pulled the covers up to his nose. He wasn't very sleepy, but he should try to rest.

If only the mage's presence weren't making his heart beat so fast.