"You haven't had any problems with Trackers since we left, have you?" Seb asked, one hand playing with Alec's hair.

Seb had the day off and Alec was able to get away from the manor because his father was busy and Maren and Donovan only had eyes for each other since they got engaged the night before. So, Alec went to town to visit Seb. They had had a bit of fun and were enjoying lying in bed together talking.

Alec shook his head. "Thankfully not. And we should be fine now. A friend of mine from the palace decided to make an unexpected visit and assures me we won't have anymore difficulties."

Alec thought Donovan had looked excited about the prospect of fighting any Trackers who might come to the manor. Alec tried not to think too much about it. He was uncomfortable with violence, having spent much of his apprenticeship assisting in a free hospital in the city. He saw a lot of the results of violence. He did not like to think about his friend committing more of it.

"Does this friend of yours have magic powers?" Seb asked with a wink. He knew Alec was friends with Donovan.

Alec shrugged in a way that said Seb was right, but that Alec wasn't going to confirm it.

"What's with him anyway?" Seb asked.

"What do you mean?"

"Well...he quit the Selection so early. Everyone said..."

Alec shook his head. He knew there were several rumors about Donovan's preferences, so did Donovan. Court was not a subtle place.

"He just didn't like the Selection. I assure you, he likes women plenty," Alec said. "He's getting married soon."

Seb laughed. "Lots of men who like men get married."

That was true. Alec thought about Lord Braxton. He was as surprised as anyone when Braxton was caught with the driver, but he felt for the man. Alec hoped to avoid marrying a woman for as long as possible. Braxton, of course, might have felt differently since he was an eldest son and would've been expected to produce an heir. Alec was very glad to be a youngest son. It didn't really matter if he produced an heir.

"Well, that's not what's happening in this case," Alec said.

Seb shrugged and then started massaging Alec's neck in a very pleasant way.

"You're tense," Seb said, digging his fingers into Alec's neck muscles.

Alec sighed and closed his eyes. "The last several weeks have been a bit stressful."

"Because of your father's new wife?"

Alec laughed. "Yes and no. But in any case, it fell through.  No one's upset about it though. I can't tell you about it but you'll find out eventually."

Seb chuckled. "Sounds like there's an entertaining story there. I look forward to hearing about it."

"Give it about two or three weeks. You'll know it when you hear it," Alec said, still chuckling.

"But you'll be gone by then," Seb said.

He would be. Alec had only arranged for his colleague who was substituting for him at the palace for another week and a half. He had already left a week early; it would be particularly unprofessional to delay his return.

"Probably, but I'll be back to visit. You know I come out about twice a year or so," Alec said.

Before Seb had gone to Clifton, he and Alec had seen each other off and on for nearly four years. It was only when Alec was home and if neither of them were seeing anyone else, but it amounted to a lot of times over the years.

"I was thinking," Seb began in a tone that made Alec's eyes fly open. "I could request a transfer to the Capitol. We could see each other a lot more often...Maybe even only each other."

Alec sat up, surprised. "You're serious?"

He had never thought of having that kind of relationship with Seb. Alec liked him and liked going to bed with him. But it sounded like Seb was proposing something Alec had rarely had: a romantic relationship.

Seb sat up as well. "Look, I won't if you aren't interested but...being away for so long...I didn't just miss being with someone. I missed being with you."

Alec was a bit stunned. He wasn't quite sure how he felt. He didn't let himself consciously develop romantic feelings for Seb. Their lives didn't overlap enough for that to be an option.

But that could change, perhaps. And if Alec was being honest...

"I missed you too," he said.

Seb smiled his perfect, crooked smile, and Alec's heart melted a bit.

Seb tangled his fingers in Alec's. "I don't know what there is between us since we've never tried to figure that out...but I'd like to try."

Alec had to admit he liked the idea of trying but he wasn't sure. He didn't want Seb to uproot his life for him and even if they were closer, it still would not be easy for them to be together.

One of the reasons Alec hadn't had a romantic relationship for years was because it was so hard. Loving someone and having to hide it was painful.  Alec had liked the less complicated relationships he'd taken to in the last few years. It was much easier.

But he also hadn't had anyone ask him to be in a romantic relationship for a long time.

"Would you mind terribly if I took a few days to think about it?" Alec asked. "I'll admit I hadn't considered it before and I want to make sure I'm telling you what I can actually give you. It's been a long time since I've done that sort of thing with someone and I don't want to take it lightly."

Seb shook his head. "I don't mind. Take the time you need. I know I sprung this on you. I understand."

Alec smiled and put his hand on the side of Seb's face.

"Thank you," he said. "Thank you for telling me."

Then he pulled Seb closer and kissed him.

"I don't suppose you'll let me try and convince you, my lord?" Seb asked with yet another beautiful crooked smile.

Alec smiled. "Well, if you insist."

--

Once the unpleasantness with the sworn statements was completed, Maren and Donovan had a few days of leisure before her parents arrived. Mostly, they spent them doing as little as possible. They chatted with Alec and the Duke. They walked on the beach. Maren took long naps. And Donovan tried to figure out how to tell his parents what they were doing.

"There won't be any way for you to sugarcoat it. You will have to just tell them," Alec said.

Donovan and Maren were having tea on the terrace with him. It was a lovely terrace and the weather was delightful, and Donovan was very happy to be there with his two favorite people in the world.

"Probably," Donovan said. "But should I tell them about Kieran first or second?"

They thought for a few moments.

"Well, you have a pretty good idea how they'll react to your news, how will they react to you telling them about Kieran?" Maren asked.

Donovan thought for a few moments before answering.

"I'm hoping they react with something like shock and outrage," he said.

"And is that the sort of mood they should be in when you tell them we got married?" Maren asked.

Donovan laughed.  "No. Not at all. I suppose that's decision is simple at least. I'll have to give some thought to how to phrase everything."

"You'll figure it out," Alec said.

"At least telling your parents will be easy enough. They'll be happy won't they?" Donovan asked Maren.

Maren cringed and she and Alec exchanged a look.

"Do you want to tell him or should I?" Alec asked her.

She laughed and gestured for him to continue.

"Donovan, do you happen to recall the last time Maren's father laid eyes on you?" Alec asked.

Donovan thought. "Well, I suppose that would have been the Selection."

Alec nodded gravely. "Mmhmm, and do you recall what happened in the Selection?"

Donovan rolled his eyes. "I do."

"Do you recall how that appeared to someone without magic?" Maren asked.

Donovan grimaced, realizing their point. "Taking you into my household without your consent."

Maren nodded smugly. "Well, and it was. But no one else had any reason to suspect that you might have an ulterior motive for taking me."

"But surely you've written to them. They must know-"

"Donovan, they know nothing! How much do you think I could put in a letter? The most I ever said about you was that you were generally treating me well. I certainly didn't tell them we'd fallen in love-if you'll recall, by that point I was already committed to marrying someone else," Maren explained.

Donovan sighed. "Alright, so perhaps you should tell them what's happened before they know I'm here."

Maren and Alec both nodded enthusiastically.

"You absolutely will not be meeting them until I've had a chance to explain. Likely they'll think you're just stealing me or something if you were there," Maren said.

"They'll be happy, though, won't they? I mean...surely they'll be pleased to see you be a princess," Donovan said.

He was no expert on such things but did not think many parents would object to such a match.

Maren cringed. "You think the parents whose daughter is being persecuted by the Crown will be thrilled she's becoming a part of it? No, I'm sorry, love. They'll be very worried I'm choosing to live a public life. The last time they spoke to me I was planning on living out my days alone on a mountain. They'll...need some time to get used to it, I think."

Donovan had not thought of that at all. Suddenly he was feeling very nervous about the situation.

Maren seemed to sense his concern. "I do think they'll come around when they see that we truly love each other and that we're fully aware of the consequences. I'll just need some time to explain things to them."

"And a very large bottle of brandy," Alec added.

"Yes. Brandy," Maren agreed. "A lot of brandy."

"On the positive side, Maren's parents don't have the authority to exile you," Alec said, grinning.

"Thank you, Alec, very helpful," Donovan deadpanned.