Celestio took the lantern from the paving stones before they left the castle courtyard. His fingers remained tightly wrapped around Sabas’s, though he refused to look behind at the Alpha as he led him down the dark, quiet streets to his home. His mind and instincts fought each other with every step. He never – never – brought anyone home, for any reason. It was his sanctuary. Even Edess had only stepped inside once or twice, preferring the opulence of the castle to the coziness of the half-timber house.

  And tonight, he was bringing home an Alpha.

  The house still held some warmth from the day’s sun, a welcome reprieve from the night air. Celestio took off his coat in the front room, eyeing Sabas as the other man turned his head to examine the room. “I would have thought you lived at the castle, what with your status to His Highness,” Sabas said.

  “This is my father’s house; it’s been in our family since Soura was founded. We’re in the original quarter of the capital city.”

  Sabas closed his eyes and breathed in. Celestio could see his chest expand in the flickering lantern light. “It smells like you,” Sabas said, his voice almost ending in a moan. “It’s perfect.”

  Celestio felt the blush return to his cheeks, but this time he didn’t feel shame or fear. He liked that Sabas liked his scent. He cleared his throat and reached for the lantern. “Upstairs,” he said, unable to voice anything else. He was tired of talking.

  So was Sabas.

  The Alpha reached out for Celestio’s wrist as he lifted the lantern, and took the advisor’s face with his other hand. His blue-gray eyes glittered in the light, revealing the familiar predatory gaze that nearly every Alpha gave Celestio.

  For the first time in his life, he welcomed it.

  Celestio closed the distance between their lips and kissed him. He knew his movements were clumsy from inexperience, but he just wanted to touch Sabas. Sabas’s thumb stroked the sensitive skin behind Celestio’s ear, close to his pheromone glands. Celestio wanted his scent to cover the Alpha, to mark him as his.

  More than that… he wanted the Alpha to mark his scent on his body. In his home. He wanted everyone to know that he had permitted this Alpha to have him.

  Sabas pressed his tongue against Celestio’s lips. Celestio parted instantly, eagerly welcoming Sabas’s tongue with hunger. The Alpha tasted delicious from the revelries of the banquet and the soothing night air. Their scents exploded around them in a dizzying whirlwind of mutual need. Celestio’s available hand clung to Sabas’s broad shoulders, pulling him closer.

  Sabas broke the kiss before they could sink to the floor. He rested his forehead resting against Celestio’s, their mingling breaths ragged. “Not here,” he murmured.

  It felt like a command.

  Celestio nodded and silently led him up the narrow staircase and into his bedroom. He lit the lanterns on the walls and set the one in his hand on the mantel. He reached for his collar, going through the usual motions of undress. He could feel Sabas’s dominating presence behind him, but he couldn’t look back. How was he supposed to submit himself to the Alpha without losing his dignity?

  Arms wrapped around his waist as his jacket fell to the floor. Sabas pressed his hands on Celestio’s stomach and pushed up the loose undershirt.

  "I feel like I've waited my whole life for you," Sabas whispered into his ear, his breath warm.

  Celestio’s heart thumped against his ribs.

  “I… I haven’t….”

  “Neither have I. I hope I don’t disappoint you.”

  “I mean –” Celestio turned around in the other man’s arms. Sabas only wore his trousers and boots now. His breath caught in his throat at the sight of the muscular body so close. He cleared his throat and managed to say, “I have, once. A long time ago. It… is not a fond memory.”

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  Sabas raised his hand to the back of Celestio’s neck, stroking his scent glands. “Then I will do my best to give you a fonder one.”

  Celestio allowed him to pull the shirt over his head. He reached for the top of Sabas’s trousers, his instincts overwhelming his senses. “My Alpha,” escaped his lips before he could even think the words.

  Something changed in Sabas’s eyes. The familiar predatory gaze of an Alpha filled his expression. His rose scent swirled around them and Celestio’s legs grew weak.

  “Sabas….” he moaned.

  Every movement and every touch came to them naturally despite the unfamiliarity. Celestio welcomed the Alpha, even though his mind screamed that he should never allow an Alpha to have him in such a vulnerable position, no matter how intoxicating his pheromones were.

  Celestio gripped the bedding around him, gasping as his vision swirled and the Alpha’s body moved with his.

  They lay tangled, breaths mingling and hearts hammering in a frantic rhythm. Celestio felt utterly spent yet alive, his body occasionally shuddering with the aftershocks of their intense union. Celestio rolled onto his left side, drawing his knees up. Sabas slipped off of Celestio’s body but kept his arms securely around him, unable to bear separation from the Omega.

  Celestio closed his eyes, completely and utterly swallowed by Sabas.

  “I knew it,” he moaned, unsure whether his tone was pleased or disappointed. “When I realized you could smell my pheromones… even the prince can’t. You are….”

  “I knew, too,” Sabas whispered, his breath hot on the back of Celestio’s neck. His lips brushed against the tender skin he had mercilessly suckled throughout the night. “I was so happy. I could hardly believe it.”

  He tightened his arms around Celestio, holding him close. Sabas parted his lips and the tip of his tongue tasted the Omega’s scent, then Celestio felt something harder. Celestio’s body tensed, terror ripping through the pleasure, and he struggled to pull away.

  “No!” he gasped. “Don’t – please! Don’t mark me! N-no…!”

  Sabas’s teeth grazed the back of his neck. Celestio quivered underneath the sensation.

  “I promise I won’t,” Sabas murmured. “I just… I need to taste you. I need to remember how good your scent is. I want to remember it forever.”

  His lips covered his teeth and pressed against the red, aching flesh. His tongue lapped at the source of the Omega’s pheromones and he couldn’t contain his moans at the delicious taste.

  Celestio trusted his words but still trembled in the Alpha’s arms. If Sabas were to mark him, to permanently imprint his pheromones into Celestio’s body – he would be unable to resist the Alpha’s presence ever again. He would be all but a slave to him.

  They lay in the darkened room, their breaths soon slowing to normal. Sabas occasionally murmured something unintelligible and shifted his head to find a fresh spot on Celestio’s neck for his mouth. His fingers still pressed onto Celestio’s chest, the sensations feeling ticklish. The lantern light flickered along the walls, making the bedroom feel cozy in the middle of the night.

  “I have to get at least a little sleep,” Celestio murmured, though his voice echoed in the quiet room.

  “Surely you won’t be needed first thing in the morning,” Sabas replied, his pheromones drifting over Celestio’s neck.

  He inhaled deeply – he wanted to remember Sabas’s scent forever, too. “Someone needs to make sure everything is orderly after Edess’s banquet. And I need to return you to your chambers.” He hesitated. “You will need to prepare for your journey back to Messina.”

  “Hm.”

  Celestio blinked and shifted his weight a little, though he couldn’t turn to face Sabas. The man was pressed too tightly against his back. “‘Hm?’” he repeated the non-committal sound.

  “I was considering returning home after my time here,” Sabas murmured. “To Almwick.”

  “But the town is still under quarantine. You would risk being infected by the plague.”

  “I know, but I miss my family. My home. The little garden nook with the lilac tree.” He stroked Celestio’s chest. “Why is your heart racing so much?”

  “Don’t go there,” Celestio mumbled. He couldn’t quite ask him to stay in Soura and abandon the life he had in Messina, but it was certainly better than letting him go to plague-ridden town. He couldn’t risk that.

  Sabas’s laughter echoed in his ear. “I doubt the guards at the town gate would allow anyone in, anyway. His Highness’s efforts to contain the illness are admirable and effective. Besides, we guests have been permitted to stay for an extra day in the castle, and I still need to know so much more about you.” Sabas ran his fingertips down Celestio’s arm. “What is your favorite color? Favorite book? Instrument? Flower?”

  Celestio let out a light laugh. “Are those really the important questions to ask?”

  “My time here is limited. I want to remember as much of you as possible – more than just your pheromones.”

  Celestio’s heart twinged with pain. He had, in a mere moment, almost forgotten that Sabas was only in Soura for Edess’s banquet – all the nobles would be departed by the next day. There was no reason to think Sabas would be the exception.

  He closed his eyes, too tired to answer the Alpha’s questions. It was all too much. If Sabas took the chance to mark him in his sleep, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad – then the Alpha would have to stay in Soura. Then again, Messina was rumored to be a lovely little city.

  As long as he would be with Sabas.

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