What had saved the second prince Arsene’s life that night was that he was not sleeping in his own bed. He hardly ever did, not that Cade or really anyone had been aware.
When the guards ran around the palace in a panic, fearing the worst for the missing prince only to find him in his twin brother’s bed… Naked.
“Armand… Armand!” Arsene panted his brother’s name, long slender fingers with file-sharp nails scratching bloody grooves in a broad and sweaty back.
Armand hissed in pain, but didn’t complain, he just started thrusting faster. Arsene’s long dark hair fanned out across the white silk pillowcase, the white strands in the front clinging to his face with sweat.
Armand’s own dark locks obscured his face and his arms caged Arsene in. Arsene pressed down on Armand’s back, “faster, brother!”
Armand’s hips stuttered, his locked elbows bent, and he nearly collapsed on top of Arsene. “Shut up, you fucking freak!”
Arsene laughed, a bright, twinkling sound far too pure and innocent for the situation. He opened his mouth to say something else to rile his twin up when the door burst open.
“Your Highness! There is an assassin in the palace and… “ the guard’s voice trailed off as the man took in the sight. Armand scrambled away from his older brother, quickly covering his cock with the tangled blankets. Arsene sat up, his open robe falling off his shoulders, revealing pale and marked up skin.
“P-prince Arsene. I’m glad you’re… alright.”
Arsene tilted his head to the side and started running his fingers through his hair, straightening out the tangles.”What exactly is going on?” he asked in a calm voice while Armand asked the same question in a demanding growl.
The guard seemed to finish processing what he was seeing, shaking his head and standing up straighter, his face grim, “His Majesty is dead. Prince Arlo is dead. Prince Arcadius is injured. Prince Arsene… is right here… and Prince Arthur is missing.”
Armand stood from the bed and tugged on his dressing gown, “and Prince Arlan?”
“Secure and unharmed.”
Armand nodded, reaching for his sword on the wall. Arsene’s arm snaked along Armand’s now, unfortunately, clothed bicep, “brother, do not go running after assassins in the middle of the night.”
Armand looked down at Arsene, his brows coming together and his lip slowly curling into a snarl, “Father is dead. Arlo is dead. How can you be so calm. I-”
Arsene’s nails bit right through Armand’s dressing gown and into his skin. Arsene put a little bit of a tremble in his voice to sell it, “please stay here, with me.” To sell it even more Arsene glanced mournfully at his wheelchair on the other side of the bed.When he looked back at him, Armand’s face had softened. He sighed and slowly sunk back onto the bed, still holding his sword. “Finding Arthur is priority.”
The guard nodded and backed out of the room. Whether he actually left to hunt down the missing prince or just stand watch, the two on the bed didn’t know but it didn’t quite matter. Arsene leaned against Armand’s shoulder, letting his eyes fall closed, long dark lashes brushing his cheeks.
EJ Williams Books 