Moonlight still painted the walls of the hidden chamber, a quiet afterglow of the intense night Alec and Damien had shared. The raw energy of what had passed between them hadn't fully dissipated. Damien lay on the fur-covered bed, his wrists still slightly red where Alec's silk bindings had held him. He stared at the ceiling, lost in thought, his body still humming from the memory.
Alec stood at the door now, muscles tense, bare-chested, dagger in hand. He'd heard the noise — a distant clatter above the stone ceiling. When he returned moments later, finding nothing out of place, Damien was sitting up, shirtless, his eyes darker than usual.
"False alarm," Alec said, tossing the dagger aside. He moved closer, brushing his fingers along Damien's jaw. "You okay?"
Damien smirked, though tension still laced his expression. "I was wondering if you'd left me tied up for good."
Alec gave a low chuckle, then leaned in and kissed him. "I said you were mine. I meant it."
They didn't speak much after that. Words weren't needed. They curled into each other, skin against skin, letting sleep claim them in the cocoon of secrecy.
Dawn broke, and with it came the reality of palace life. They returned under cloaks and silence, slipping through the secret corridor beneath the royal stables. Damien barely spoke during the walk, his fingers brushing Alec's briefly now and then, but his face was thoughtful.
Back at the palace, Caspian was waiting.
"There you are," he snapped, his voice a mix of relief and annoyance. "You disappeared without notice, Damien. What were you thinking? After what happened with the shadow on the rooftop, you can't go wandering off."
Damien raised an eyebrow. "I didn't go wandering. I was with someone I trust."
Caspian's gaze flicked to Alec, then back to Damien. His lips tightened, but he said nothing.
Alec stepped in. "We were in a secured location. He wasn't alone."
Caspian exhaled sharply, his tone softening. "Just be careful. Not everyone who smiles at you wishes you well."
Before Damien could reply, a royal messenger appeared, bowing low. "His Majesty requests Prince Damien and Commander Alec's presence in the royal hall immediately."
Damien frowned. "Now?"
The messenger nodded. "He says it is urgent."
Within minutes, they were standing before the King , who sat on his gilded throne, flanked by advisors. He looked somber, his eyes heavier than usual.
"Damien," he began, "the kingdom is watching. There are whispers, eyes, and... pressures from the nobles."
Damien straightened. "What kind of pressures?"
The king lifted a scroll. "The Council has demanded you take a wife."
A silence fell across the chamber.
Alec's jaw tightened. Caspian stepped forward, his face unreadable.
The King continued, "You will be presented with three noblewomen. Each will spend a week with you within palace grounds. At the end, you are to choose one to be your future queen."
Damien took a step back. "What? Without asking me first?"
"It's tradition. You are heir to the throne, Damien."
"And if I refuse?"
"The Council may question your eligibility altogether."
The names were read aloud. The first was Lady Virelia of the North Isles, sharp-witted and ambitious. The second, Lady Helena of Astrwyn, noble-born and graceful. The third and most surprising was the enigmatic Lady Seraphine, the royal ambassador's daughter, known for her cunning and striking beauty.
Damien's fingers clenched into fists. Alec didn't move, but his expression was stone.
The king stood. "You will meet Lady Virelia first. She arrives tonight."
Damien gave a sharp nod, then turned on his heel and walked out.
Alec followed.
Once they were alone in the empty corridor, Damien exploded. "He's handing me off like a prized artifact! Does he know what he's asking?"
Alec didn't speak.
Damien looked at him. "Say something."
"What would you have me say? That I'll fight the king? That I'll burn the council scrolls?"
"Tell me you're not okay with this."
Alec moved closer, lowering his voice. "I'm not okay. I'm furious. But right now, our enemy isn't the king. It's the watcher. And if the council suspects anything about us, they'll use it to ruin you."
Damien's chest rose and fell. "So what do I do? Entertain three women I have no interest in while pretending I'm not in love with you?"
Alec swallowed hard but said nothing.
Their silence was broken by a distant voice echoing from the stairwell a servant announcing Lady Virelia's arrival.
Damien whispered, "This will break something in me."
Alec's voice was low, urgent. "Then let me be the one to hold you together. But not here. Not now."
As Damien walked away toward the entrance hall, Alec remained rooted in place, fists clenched, the storm gathering in his eyes.
The sun spilled golden light across the palace garden, turning the dew-kissed petals into glistening jewels. Everything had been meticulously arranged: flower arches of red and gold roses framed the central fountain, where doves fluttered inside a silver cage waiting to be released. It was all for her Lady Virelia of the North Isles.
Damien stood at the garden's edge in full ceremonial attire a deep crimson tunic with gold embroidery, a family crest pinned above his heart. His expression was a mask of composure, though his jaw ticked with quiet restraint. Alec was stationed to the side, dressed in the black and silver uniform of the Royal Guard Commander, his face unreadable.
The palace staff formed a subtle ring around the gathering area, their whispers hushed as the royal trumpets blared. Caspian stood near the king, arms crossed, watching Damien with a wary eye.
Lady Virelia emerged with calculated grace. Her gown was silver-blue, shimmering like starlight, clinging to her tall, slender frame. Her dark hair was swept into a braided crown, and diamonds sparkled from her ears. She moved like she owned every stone of the courtyard, her chin held high.
She bowed elegantly before the king, then turned to Damien, her mouth curving into a confident smile. "Prince Damien," she greeted, voice smooth as honey. "Your reputation precedes you."
Damien offered a shallow bow. "Lady Virelia. Welcome to the capital."
The King stepped forward. "Lady Virelia has traveled far to honor our tradition. For the next seven days, she will be our royal guest. Damien, I trust you will show her the finest hospitality."
"Of course, Your Majesty," Damien replied, his voice cool.
Virelia's gaze lingered on Damien's face, her eyes flicking briefly toward Alec before returning. "I look forward to discovering everything the capital… and its prince… have to offer."
Alec's fingers curled into fists behind his back.
The king gestured toward the garden path. "Take her for a walk, Damien. Let her see the royal grounds."
As Damien stepped beside her, Virelia looped her hand through his arm with natural ease. Her skin was cold against his, but her smile burned with intent. Alec followed a few paces behind, silent but alert.
"You walk like a man who has secrets," Virelia said as they entered the shaded garden path, her voice soft but sharp. "Are they burdensome?"
Damien glanced at her. "Only when others try to uncover them."
She laughed, light and melodic. "Touché."
They walked under an arbor of ivy, silence falling between them like a veil. Birds chirped in the distance. Damien felt the weight of Alec's presence behind him, as steady as a heartbeat.
"You don't seem thrilled about this arrangement," Virelia said at last, her eyes never leaving him.
"I'm not fond of cages, even gilded ones."
"Neither am I," she said with a tilt of her head. "But sometimes, birds need to pretend they enjoy the cage to survive long enough to unlock it from the inside."
That made Damien pause. He looked at her, truly looked and realized she was far from a pawn. She was a player.
She followed his gaze. "I saw the way he watches you. Your commander."
Damien's breath caught. "You're mistaken."
"Am I?" She smiled again, this time less like a lady, more like a wolf. "My father says the palace is a stage. The wise ones rehearse before they step into the spotlight."
As they rounded the final path near the central fountain, Alec stood at attention. His eyes briefly met Damien's, but they were unreadable.
Virelia turned to Damien once more. "You're not the only one with secrets, Your Highness. But I don't reveal mine unless provoked."
She let go of his arm and stepped away, her gown swishing behind her as she returned to the king's side. Damien remained still, shoulders rigid.
Caspian joined him moments later. "She has teeth."
"She's not afraid to bite," Damien replied, eyes locked on her.
Alec approached slowly. "She said something to you."
"She sees more than she should."
Alec's jaw tightened. "Then we need to be careful."
Before Damien could respond, a palace herald emerged, announcing: "Lady Virelia requests a private tea with His Highness in the East Solarium at sunset."
Damien didn't answer right away. He turned toward Alec, whose expression gave nothing away, though a muscle jumped in his cheek.
"Tell her I'll be there," Damien said at last.
The herald bowed and departed.
Alec stepped close, his voice low. "You're playing a dangerous game."
Damien looked away, his voice barely above a whisper. "No, Alec. We're all just pawns
right now. But one wrong move, and they'll know who the king truly is."