Damien POV
I woke before the sun. The ache in my chest wasn't from the bruises left behind during our fight it was from the memory of Alec's mouth so close to mine, his breath ghosting over my skin before he pulled away like I burned him.
Coward.
He didn't come back last night. Not even to stand at my door like he always did. I waited, pacing like some lovesick fool, hoping I'd hear the sound of his boots. Nothing.
Now it's morning, and he's vanished.
I open my wardrobe too hard, slamming the carved door. A ceremonial sash tumbles out. I kick it away.
Today there's a royal envoy meeting, and Father insists I show up looking like I care about diplomacy. I roll my eyes at the absurdity of it all. Everyone in that room wants something titles, power, favor. The only one who didn't ask for anything... doesn't even look at me anymore.
When I finally walk into the grand hall, my spine locks.
He's here. Of course, he's here...But he's not beside me...He's across the room, standing tall and cold next to Thorne, one of the newer guards. Thorne, who is always laughing too loud, who touches people too easily.
They're whispering. Alec smirks.
Something twists inside me. Ugly. Jealousy is not a crown prince's luxury, but it doesn't care. It claws at me anyway.
[Alec's POV]
I feel his eyes before I see them.
Damien is staring no, glaring ...from across the meeting room, his hands clenched at his sides like he's holding himself back from doing something reckless. His gaze cuts sharper than any blade.
Thorne nudges me. "The prince looks like he's ready to set me on fire."
"Then stop breathing near him," I mutter, stepping away.
But the truth is, I positioned myself far from Damien for a reason. After last night, after nearly kissing him after wanting to I had to create space.
This can't happen. I'm not supposed to want him. I'm not supposed to feel anything.
And yet when he turns, walking toward the exit with his jaw tight and shoulders stiff, I feel like I've just been stabbed.
[Damien's POV]
I don't make it far before a court attendant intercepts me.
"A letter arrived this morning for you, Your Highness," he says, bowing and holding out the sealed envelope.
It's plain. No crest. No indication of sender.
I frown but take it.
I'm just about to break the seal when.."Alec?" I don't even see him move ,Suddenly, the envelope is knocked from my hand, flung across the room. It hits the wall with a soft clink and a tiny glass vial inside shatters, releasing a faint mist.
Alec is already grabbing me, pulling me back, shielding me with his own body, "Don't you ever open something I haven't checked first!" he growls, pushing me behind a column.
My heart is pounding in my ears. "What the hell was that?!"
He's scanning the air. "Poison. A vapor mist. Whoever sent that meant for you to breathe it in."
The mist vanishes as quickly as it came, but I'm still frozen. Not from fear but from how tightly Alec's hands are on my arms, how close we are again.
"You shouldn't have left me," I whisper ,His eyes flick to mine. "You shouldn't make it so hard to stay."
The air in the ballroom was thick with smoke and panic. Screams echoed as guards rushed in, blades drawn, surrounding Damien as if the explosion had come for him personally. Shards of scorched paper floated down like dying snowflakes, and at the center of it all, Alec stood in front of Damien, his chest heaving.
"Clear the room!" Alec barked. Thorne was already moving, coordinating the other guards with efficient fury.
Damien didn't move. His ears still rang, but his eyes never left Alec. Not when he stepped close. Not when he leaned in to brush soot off Damien's cheek. And especially not when Alec whispered, barely audible, "Are you hurt?"
"No."
"Good. Then keep your mouth shut and let me do my job."
It wasn't what he expected. Not after what had almost happened earlier that day. Not after the look Alec had given him on the floor of the archives. Not after Damien's heartbeat had stayed erratic for hours.
"The letter," Damien muttered, gaze shifting to the scorched scrap Alec now held in his gloved hand. The writing was still legible.
Next time, I won't miss.
Alec's jaw tightened. His fingers clenched the note before slipping it into his coat.
Later that night, after the ballroom had been cleared and the King briefed in private, Damien stood at the window of his chambers, gripping the sill so tightly his knuckles ached. He could still feel Alec's touch. Still hear that damn order: Keep your mouth shut.
He hated him for that. And hated himself more for caring.
A knock. Then the door creaked open.
"You summoned me, Your Highness?" Alec's voice was flat.
Damien turned slowly, eyes narrowing. Alec stood there, arms crossed, lips taut. That same unbearable tension, simmering under the surface.
"Close the door," Damien said.
Alec obeyed, not taking his eyes off him. Damien took a slow step forward. "You touched me in the ballroom."
Alec raised an eyebrow. "You were covered in soot."
"You looked at me like you were going to kiss me."
Alec laughed, but it was sharp, humorless. "Don't flatter yourself."
Damien closed the gap, stopping only when they were a breath apart. "Then why were you holding Thorne's arm this morning? Smiling at him?"
Alec stiffened. "Excuse me?"
"You touched him. Laughed. As if you weren't standing inches from me last night, about to..."
Alec cut him off, stepping back, voice cold. "This is ridiculous."
"Is it? Because I saw you, Alec. You act like you're made of stone, but you're not. I know you're not."
Alec turned his back. "You're imagining things."
Damien moved fast, grabbing Alec's shoulder and forcing him to turn. "Look me in the eye and say it. Say nothing happened between us in the archives."
Alec's jaw clenched. His breathing shallow. But he said nothing.
The silence was electric.
Damien stepped even closer. "You're jealous too. I saw it in your face when Lady Selene touched me."
Alec looked away.
"Say it," Damien demanded. "Tell me I'm wrong."
Alec's voice was a whisper. "I can't."
Damien's breath caught.
"I shouldn't feel this. Not for you," Alec said, voice strained. "But every time you're near me, I forget my job. I forget everything."
Their eyes locked. The heat between them was unbearable.
Damien reached out, hand resting on Alec's chest. He felt the rapid beat of his heart. "So stop pretending."
Alec gripped his wrist. "Damien..."
The prince leaned in. Their lips were just a breath apart.....
A sharp knock shattered the moment.
Thorne's voice echoed from outside. "Your Highness, there's something you need to see. Now."
Alec stepped back instantly, all emotion wiped clean from his face.
Damien's hand fell.
"We'll finish this later," he muttered.
But he wasn't sure if he wanted later to come or if he feared it more than the assassin lurking in the palace walls.