This chapter contains intimate themes and explicit content. Reader discretion is advised.
The council chamber was silent except for the flickering of torches against the stone walls. Aldric sat at the head of the long table, his expression impassive as the discussion continued around him. His father, the former king, sat to his right, offering occasional input, though the decision ultimately rested with Aldric. Princess Lyria sat beside him, arms crossed, listening intently. The council members-Lord Theo, Lady Seraphine, and Lord Valeran-exchanged glances, waiting for him to speak.
It had been a week since the Sevaris Clan's envoys arrived in Luminara, The Sevaris were known for their gift of vision, and their premonitions hinted at dark days ahead. Their warnings could not be ignored, yet centuries of self-imposed neutrality made the council wary of trusting them completely. But today, the final decision would be made.
Lord Theo spoke first, his voice calm but firm. "We have deliberated long enough. If the Sevaris Clan foresees danger, then it is in our best interest to strengthen our defenses."
Lord Valeran who was against the alliance spoke, "But to what extent? Are we to offer them a seat at this very table? Their presence may invite unrest among the other noble houses."
Princess Lyria leaned forward, her golden hair shimmering in the candlelight. "We are not children playing politics, Valeran. If we dismiss their aid and their visions come to pass, Luminara will suffer for our pride."
Aldric's father the former King Roderic exhaled, his deep voice filling the chamber. "The Sevaris Clan does not seek dominion over us. They only wish to offer guidance. We cannot afford to stand alone."
Aldric, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke. "Then it is decided. We shall accept the alliance."
Lady Seraphine gave a curt nod. "I will see to the formalities."
The council dispersed, and as the doors closed behind them, Aldric felt the weight of responsibility settle on his shoulders. Though he agreed with the alliance, there were still many uncertainties ahead.
Aldric's feet carried him through the moonlit corridors until he reached the palace garden. The scent of night-blooming jasmine clung to the air, and in the distance, beneath the glow of floating orbs, Kairan stood practicing his magic.
Aldric stilled, mesmerized.
Water coiled around Kairan's hands like liquid silk, his movements fluid and precise as he guided the water with graceful flicks of his wrists. Unlike others who wielded water for offense, Kairan nurtured-coaxing life from the earth, making flowers bloom at his feet. Each motion was an elegant dance, his body swaying with controlled energy, his lips parted slightly in concentration.
Aldric's throat went dry.
Desire curled in his gut as he watched Kairan move, his slender form arching, his arms raised high as he called upon the water to ripple through the air.
He was stunning, effortless in his beauty. The way his muscles flexed, the way the moonlight caressed his damp skin- Aldric's body reacted before his mind could suppress it.
The moment Kairan finished, Aldric was already moving.
Without a word, he strode forward, slipping his arms around Kairan's waist from behind. Kairan let out a soft gasp but melted into his touch, his damp body pressing against Aldric's firm chest.
Aldric kissed his forehead, his lips lingering.
Kairan chuckled, tilting his head to look up at him. "You 're distracting me."
Aldric smirked, brushing his lips down the curve of Kairan's neck. "You weren't at the meeting."
Kairan sighed, resting his hands over Aldric's. "I needed to train. Besides, I already voiced my opinion in the previous meeting."
Aldric hummed. "The alliance has been confirmed. The rest of the Sevaris Clan will leave today."
Kairan nodded. "I know. Selene already came to say goodbye."
Aldric arched a brow. "You've become quite acquainted with her."
Kairan smiled. "Of course. She helped me a lot with my training."
Aldric pressed a kiss to his cheek. "Let's go back to our chambers. It's getting late."
In the chambers
The moment the door shut behind them, the air shifted.
Aldric didn't waste time. He backed Kairan against the wall, capturing his lips in a deep, consuming kiss.
Kairan's breath hitched as Aldric's hands roamed lower. Their mouths moved in sync, tongues tangling, tasting, devouring. Kairan clung to Aldric's shoulders, his fingers digging into the firm muscle beneath his tunic.
Slowly, Kairan sank to his knees before Aldric, pushing aside the fabric of his robes, Kairan's movements deliberate.
Kairan loosened the ties of Aldric's trousers. Aldric swallowed, his breath shallow, his body already straining. He was throbbing hard when Kairan wrapped his hand around him, the touch firm.
Aldric's fingers twitched at his sides as he watched Kairon's lips brush over the skin-teasing, warm, maddening. That mouth, with all its infuriating skill, sent a pulse of heat down his spine.
Then Kairan pressed a kiss to the tip, his tongue flicking out in a slow, deliberate stroke that drew a low growl from Aldric's chest. And without warning, he took him in, the sudden wet heat of his mouth making Aldric exhale roughly through a groan. Fingers curled tight at his sides, Aldric forced himself to stay still-barely.
Aldric wasn't used to surrendering control.
But Kairan... Kairan had a way of making him lose his careful restraint.
A sharp breath escaped him as Kairan hollowed his cheeks, taking him deeper. His hands finally moved-one threading into Kairan's hair, the other rested on the edge of the bed, keeping him grounded.
Kairan's rhythm was unhurried, purposeful. Every flick of his tongue sent heat pooling low in Aldric's stomach, a slow burn that made his fingers tighten in Kairan's hair.
"Kairan," Aldric murmured, a quiet warning.
Kairan didn't stop. Of course he didn't.
Aldric's control wavered for half a second, and that was enough. He pulled Kairan up, capturing his lips in a deep, heated kiss.
The taste of him on Kairan's tongue sent a thrill through him.Without a word, Aldric guided him backward, pressing him onto the bed.
Now he was the one setting the pace.
His lips trailed over Kairan's jaw, his throat, his collarbone. Aldric's hands moved lower, undoing the barriers between them, stripping Kairan bare beneath him.
Aldric didn't rush.
His fingers trailed lower, parting Kairan's thighs with slow precision, preparing him, drawing out every gasp, every sharp inhale.
Kairan's breath hitched as Aldric pressed inside, stretching him open with steady, measured movements. His other hand moved between them, stroking Kairan in time with each slow thrust.
Kairan's hands clutched at Aldric's shoulders, his body arching beneath him. His soft moans were music Aldric's ears.
And when Aldric finally thrust into him, fully, deeply, he swallowed Kairan's soft cry with another kiss. He moved slow at first, measured, savoring the way Kairan's body responded to him.
Aldric wasn't a man of words. He never had been. But here, with Kairan beneath him, wrapped around him, pulling him deeper-he could only hope his touch said everything he couldn't. That Kairan would understand it all without a single word spoken.
And when release finally came, it was blinding. Kairan shuddered in Aldric's arms, his body trembling, his lips parted in a silent moan. Aldric followed soon after, collapsing against him, breathless, spent.
They stayed like that, tangled in each other, sweat-slicked skin pressed together, heartbeats syncing in the quiet aftermath.
Aldric pressed a lazy kiss to Kairan's temple. "I have something for you."
Kairan lifted his head as Aldric reached for a box beside the bed. When he opened it, a breathtaking ensemble lay inside-deep green and blue silk with accents of gold embroidery, shimmering under the candlelight.
Kairan's eyes widened. "It's beautiful."
Aldric smiled, "For the Grand Ball."
Kairan traced the delicate fabric, his heart swelling. "Thank you, Aldric."
Aldric tucked a strand of hair behind Kairan's ear and kissed his forehead.
The Grand Ball would be their next test- a night of celebration, but also of politics, of hidden dangers. Yet for now, wrapped in each other's arms, nothing else mattered.
For now, all that mattered was them.