The moment was broken by a firm knock at the door.
"Your Highness, there is something you need to see," Throne's voice came muffled but urgent from the hallway.
Damien blinked, his breath still shallow as he stared at Alec. Their bodies were still close, their moment heavy with the tension of everything they couldn't say.
Alec pulled back slightly, his eyes lingering. Damien swallowed.
"We'll continue this later," he muttered.
Alec didn't respond. He only stood, fixed his tunic, and walked to open the door.
Throne stood at attention, eyes darting briefly between them before locking into neutrality. "A letter exploded in the East Wing. No casualties, but it was addressed to you. The King wants immediate updates."
Damien straightened. "Let's go."
---
They reached the East Wing just as the guards were finishing containment. Smoke clung to the air like a bitter memory. Damien's eyes narrowed as he looked at the scorch marks across the marble floor.
Throne handed him the singed remains of the letter, carefully collected.
"It was embedded between pages of a gift book for His Highness. If anyone had opened it—"
"It was meant to be a message," Alec said coldly.
A sudden voice interrupted them. "And a damn loud one."
Damien turned quickly. There, striding down the corridor in royal navy blue, was Prince Caspian—his elder brother. His presence was commanding, tall and broad-shouldered with hair slightly darker than Damien's, eyes sharp but warm.
"Caspian," Damien said, surprised. "I didn't know you were back."
Caspian walked straight to him and without hesitation, gripped him in a firm embrace. He held Damien tightly, like a man who had feared this moment would never come.
"I rode through the night when I got the message," Caspian said, his voice gruff with emotion. "A letter explodes with your name on it and no one thought to inform me sooner?"
Damien smiled faintly, stepping back. "I'm fine. It didn't reach me."
Caspian turned, eyes scanning the wreckage with a calculating gaze. "Not this time. But whoever's behind this is getting bolder. First the chandelier, now this?" He looked toward Alec. "You were in the room both times."
Alec didn't flinch. "I stopped the chandelier. This time, I was with him. Which is why he's still standing."
There was a beat of silence. Then Caspian nodded once. "Good. Then keep doing your job. Because if anything happens to him, it won't just be the crown they'll answer to. It'll be me."
Alec inclined his head.
Damien touched his brother's arm. "Come. Let's speak privately."
---
In the study, Caspian took a seat while Damien remained standing, tense. Alec lingered near the door, quiet but observant.
"Tell me everything," Caspian said.
Damien launched into the details—the letter at the ball, the chandelier, the explosion tonight. As he spoke, Caspian's expression darkened.
"You think it's someone inside the palace?"
"Alec thinks so. I agree. The timing is too precise. Too many opportunities." Damien hesitated. "It could be someone close."
Caspian stood slowly, pacing. "Then we have to act. Quietly, but firmly. The King trusts you, Damien. That crown you're about to inherit has a target painted on your back."
Damien's jaw clenched.
Caspian stepped closer. "You don't have to carry this alone. I might not be the next king, but I'm still your brother. You're all I have."
The words hit Damien harder than he expected. He looked away.
"He's not alone," Alec said quietly.
Both brothers turned. Alec stood tall, his expression unreadable but his voice firm. "As long as I'm breathing, no one will touch him."
Caspian studied him. "I can see that. And I trust you, Alec. I remember when you were just a boy training in the lower yard fierce, but loyal. You've become more than just a guard."
Damien glanced at Alec. Their eyes met for a long second, that unspoken current still alive.
Caspian turned toward the door. "I'll inform the King of my return. But Damien... be careful. The crown is heavy. But you're not alone."
He left the study, and silence fell again.
Damien sat down slowly, hands gripping the edge of the desk. "He's right. Someone in this palace wants me gone."
Alec stepped closer. "Then we'll find them. And when we do"
Damien stood suddenly, closing the space between them.
"You always say 'we', Alec. Like we're some unstoppable pair. But what happens when this ends? When I take the crown, and you go back to being a shadow in the corner?"
Alec's eyes darkened. "Then I'll be the shadow that keeps you breathing. Don't confuse rank with distance."
Damien reached for him before he could stop himself, grabbing Alec by the collar. "I'm tired of pretending. Tired of holding back."
Alec's voice was low, hoarse. "Then don't."
Damien pushed him gently but firmly against the bookshelf, their bodies flush.
"I keep dreaming about you," Damien whispered. "Even when I'm awake. I can't stop."
Alec's breath caught. "Then stop running."
Their faces were inches apart. Heat crackled between them.
Just as Damien leaned in, a sharp knock echoed again.
"Your Highness," Throne's voice called. "The King requests your presence."
Damien let out a shaky breath, forehead resting against Alec's.
"To be continued," Alec murmured.
Damien stepped back reluctantly. "This isn't over."
He left the room...
Alec remained still, fingers curled slightly where Damien had touched him.
Not over...Not even close.