Theo adjusted the cuffs of his suit, smoothing the fabric over his wrists. His reflection in the mirror was composed, controlled—just as it should be. Last night had meant nothing. It had changed nothing.

  His phone buzzed on the nightstand.

  See you at the meeting, Harrington.

  Theo exhaled slowly. His jaw tightened as he read the message, his grip on the phone firm but careful. No hesitation. No acknowledgment. Just a simple, detached statement.

  Like nothing had happened.

  He set the phone down and straightened his tie, ignoring the way his pulse spiked against his collar. It didn’t matter. He wouldn’t let it.

  By the time he arrived at the meeting hall, the room was already filling with quiet conversation. Diplomats and royals moved through the space, exchanging pleasantries, calculating smiles in place. Theo had always found these rooms suffocating, but today, the air felt especially heavy.

  Then he saw him.

  Cassius stood near a cluster of representatives, his posture effortless, his expression perfectly composed—Ravensford's golden prince in every sense. He tilted his head slightly, nodding at something another royal was saying, the faintest smile curving his lips. Controlled. Measured. Untouchable.

  And then—just for a second—his eyes flicked to Theo. A glance. Barely noticeable.

  Theo felt it like a hook catching in his ribs.

  Cassius didn’t linger. His attention slid away as if Theo were no different from the rest of the gathered officials. As if last night had been nothing more than a passing moment, easily discarded.

  Theo’s fists clenched at his sides before he forced them to relax. Fine. Two could play that game.

  He stepped further into the hall, his mask slipping into place, his voice steady as he greeted the others. If Cassius wanted to pretend, then Theo would let him.

  For now.

  ---

  The hall settled into composed silence as the meeting officially began. Edric took his place at the head of Bellemont's delegation, his voice steady and authoritative as he spoke on their behalf. He laid out Harrington's stance with precision—every word measured, every point sharpened to reinforce their claim.

  Theo sat beside him, silent but alert. His role here was not to speak but to listen—to absorb every detail, every shift in tone, every unspoken undercurrent beneath the diplomatic exchanges.

  He kept his focus trained on Edric, but a familiar sensation prickled at the edge of his awareness. A stare.

  Theo resisted the urge to react immediately. Instead, he waited a beat before glancing up, keeping his movements deliberate.

  His eyes met Cassius’.

  Not a passing look. Not a casual glance.

  Cassius was watching him—not Edric, not the other representatives. Just him.

  The weight of it was infuriating. Calculated. Like Cassius was waiting for something, testing Theo’s patience just to see how far he could stretch it before it snapped.

  Theo held his gaze for half a breath longer than necessary. No reaction. No acknowledgment. Then he looked away, returning his focus to Edric’s words as if Cassius had never been there at all.

  But the feeling didn’t fade.

  Even as the meeting continued, even as other representatives exchanged carefully worded arguments, Theo knew.

  Cassius was still watching.

  ---

  The royal meeting ended with polite diplomacy, veiled barbs exchanged.

  Dinner was announced. The grand dining hall awaited, filled with golden chandeliers, the finest wine, and the illusion of civility that every royal gathering demanded. The other representatives moved toward it in unison—small talk already flowing, alliances reaffirming with every glass lifted.

  Theo, however, had no interest in playing the game any longer.

  He had spent the entire day navigating royal politics, using every skill he had perfected since birth—poise, control, the ability to mask his thoughts behind carefully measured expressions. It was exhausting.

  So instead of following the crowd, he turned on his heel and made his way back to his room.

  The moment he stepped inside, he exhaled. The weight of the day lingered, but at least here, behind closed doors, he could breathe. He loosened the stiff collar of his formal suit and sank into the chair by his desk, pulling out his phone.

  His foundation. His real work.

  He scanned through the emails, noting updates on the latest relief efforts, shipments being delayed, requests for more funding—things that actually mattered. The noise of the royal world dimmed in the background.

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  Then the door slammed open.

  Theo barely had time to look up before Cassius stormed in, his presence crackling with frustration.

  "You—" Cassius all but growled, closing the door behind him with far too much force. "Are you seriously going to pretend I don’t exist?"

  Theo leaned back in his chair, unbothered. "I was under the impression we were being professional today."

  Cassius scoffed, running a hand through his already disheveled hair. He still looked like a prince—effortlessly sharp, composed—but there was something wild in his eyes.

  "You ignored me all day."

  Theo’s lips twitched, but he didn’t smile. "And?"

  "And?" Cassius echoed incredulously, stepping closer. "You sit there like some untouchable saint, acting as if last night didn’t happen. As if I didn’t—" He stopped himself, jaw clenching.

  Theo arched a brow, his tone cool. "We were at a royal meeting, Cassius. I did what was expected."

  Cassius let out a sharp breath, anger simmering just beneath the surface. "You—" He stepped closer, pushing at Theo’s limits the way only he could. "You don’t get to do that. You don’t get to act like you don’t feel this."

  Theo stood then, moving at a measured pace—slow, deliberate. He didn’t back down, didn’t break eye contact as he closed the distance between them.

  Cassius was still talking, still angry, words spilling out between them.

  Theo had had enough.

  He reached for Cassius' waist, his grip firm as he pulled him in, cutting off his next argument with his mouth.

  The kiss wasn’t desperate, but it wasn’t careful either. It was controlled fire—searing, claiming, a silent response to every accusation Cassius had thrown at him.

  Cassius tensed for a fraction of a second before he melted into it, hands gripping Theo’s shirt, pulling him closer. He kissed back like he wanted to burn every inch of Theo’s restraint to ash.

  It wasn’t about proving a point anymore.

  It was about need.

  Months of restraint, of distance, of pretending—shattered in an instant.

  Theo pressed him against the door, deepening the kiss, fingers curling against Cassius’ hips as if trying to memorize the shape of him. Cassius let out a soft, frustrated sound, tilting his head to take more—always wanting more.

  Theo dragged his lips away just enough to speak against Cassius’ skin, voice rough. "Still think I don’t feel this?"

  Cassius exhaled sharply, hands fisting in Theo’s collar. "Shut up."

  And then he kissed him again—harder, with the kind of urgency that made it clear neither of them were walking away from this unscathed.

  Cassius responded in kind—no hesitation, no half-measures. His hands roamed over Theo’s chest, gripping, pulling, desperate to close the space between them.

  Theo took control.

  He walked Cassius backward, their mouths never breaking apart, until Cassius’ legs hit the edge of the bed. For a moment, they both paused, breathing heavy, foreheads nearly touching.

  Then Theo pushed him—slow, deliberate—until Cassius sank into the mattress.

  Theo followed, settling between his legs, the weight of him pressing Cassius down. His fingers found the buttons of Cassius’ shirt, undoing them one by one, each movement teasingly unhurried.

  Theo’s breath was heavy as he pressed Cassius deeper into the mattress, his fingers tracing the hard lines of his torso, the heat of his body molding against Cassius like they had done this a thousand times before. But they hadn’t.

  Cassius let out a sharp breath as Theo’s hands moved lower, fingers slipping beneath the fabric of his trousers, teasing, waiting—for permission, for an invitation. Cassius didn’t hesitate this time. He lifted his hips slightly, a silent answer, his hands threading into Theo’s hair, gripping just enough to make Theo exhale against his skin.

  Theo pressed an open-mouthed kiss to Cassius' throat, then lower, his lips mapping the expanse of his collarbone, trailing down his chest, his tongue flicking over heated skin as Cassius sucked in a breath. His name left Cassius’ lips in a whisper, then again, this time more like a plea.

  Theo didn’t rush. He wanted to take his time, to memorize every sound, every shudder of breath, every moment Cassius surrendered beneath him.

  But then Cassius turned the tables. With a swift movement, he flipped them over, pinning Theo beneath him. Theo let him, his lips curling into something almost amused, almost hungry.

  “You think I don’t know what you’re doing?” Cassius murmured, his voice thick, teasing, but edged with something deeper, something raw.

  Theo didn’t answer. He didn’t have to.

  Cassius leaned in, his lips brushing against Theo’s jaw before dragging lower, pressing a kiss just beneath his ear, slow and deliberate, like he was claiming this moment for himself. Theo's breath hitched, his hands gripping Cassius' waist, pulling him impossibly closer.

  Neither of them spoke. They didn’t need to.

  The tension between them had always been fire, simmering, dangerous. Tonight, it burned.

  ---

  Cassius lay beside Theo, his head resting against Theo’s shoulder, the heat of their bodies still lingering between them. The room was dim, the sheets tangled, the air thick with something neither of them had the courage to name.

  Theo’s arm was draped over Cassius, his fingers idly tracing patterns along his spine. Cassius, in turn, dragged a lazy fingertip over Theo’s bicep, drawing small circles against his skin, lost in thought.

  “Do you always do this?” Cassius finally asked, his voice low, curious.

  Theo exhaled a quiet laugh. “What? Lie in bed?”

  Cassius huffed, elbowing him lightly. “You know what I mean.”

  Theo turned his head, pressing a kiss to Cassius’ shoulder, his lips lingering against warm skin. “If you’re asking whether I’ve been with men before—yeah, Cass. I can do both.”

  Cassius didn’t move for a moment. Then, with a slight hesitation, he murmured, “So you…?”

  Theo tilted his head, waiting. “Go on. Say it.”

  Cassius exhaled, dragging his fingers down Theo’s arm before gripping his wrist lightly. “This is my first.”

  Theo pulled back slightly, just enough to look at him. “With a guy?”

  Cassius nodded. “Yeah. This… also this.” His voice was quiet, like he was admitting something he hadn’t even fully processed himself.

  Theo let out a slow breath, a soft smirk curling at his lips. “Wow, Cass. You always surprise me.”

  Cassius rolled his eyes but didn’t pull away. “Don’t make a big deal out of it.”

  “I’m not,” Theo said, softer this time. “I just… didn’t expect it.”

  Cassius glanced at him, his expression unreadable. “I didn’t either.”

  For the first time that night, the tension between them wasn’t sharp or volatile. It was something else entirely—something quieter, more fragile.

  Their conversation shifted, becoming something easy, natural. Not Harrington and Hartwell. Not a prince and an heir.

  Just Theo and Cass.

  Cassius let his fingers continue tracing lazy circles on Theo’s arm, his body warm and relaxed against him. The weight of what had just happened still clung to the air between them, but instead of tension, there was something else—something lighter.

  He huffed, tilting his head to glance at Theo. “So? Are you going to tell me, or do I have to ask again?”

  Theo raised a brow. “Tell you what?”

  Cassius rolled his eyes. “Don’t play dumb, Harrington.”

  Theo smirked, shifting onto his side to face him fully. “You really need to work on your communication skills, Hartwell. Be direct.”

  Cassius scoffed. “Fine. When’s the last time you did this?”

  Theo blinked, caught off guard for a moment. He exhaled, rubbing a hand down his face. “Damn. You don’t waste time, do you?”

  Cassius only smirked. “Answer the question.”

  Theo sighed dramatically. “It’s been a while, okay?”

  Cassius narrowed his eyes. “Define ‘a while.’”

  Theo hesitated, then shot him a lazy grin. “What, are you keeping score?”

  Cassius gave him a knowing look. “You’re avoiding the question.”

  Theo groaned. “Fine. I don’t know. Maybe… a year?”

  Cassius’ eyebrows shot up. “A year?”

  Theo shrugged. “I’ve been busy.”

  Cassius looked skeptical. “Too busy for sex?”

  Theo rolled onto his back, staring at the ceiling. “I run a foundation, Cass. I don’t exactly have time for casual hookups.”

  Cassius hummed, amused. “So I should feel honored, then?”

  Theo turned his head, smirking. “Oh, absolutely. Once-in-a-lifetime experience, Your Highness.”

  Cassius snorted. “That’s bold of you to assume.”

  Theo let out a laugh, shaking his head. “You’re the one who barged into my room like a lunatic, and now you’re lying in my bed, completely bare, and still arguing with me about it.”

  Cassius smirked, unfazed. “I never argue.”

  Theo raised a brow. “Oh, really?”

  Cassius grinned. “I simply debate passionately.”

  Theo laughed, a genuine sound that made something tighten in Cassius’ chest. “Right. Passionately.” Then, leaning in closer, he added in a lower voice, “I should also remind you—you were the one moaning my name, Your Highness.”

  Cassius felt heat creep up his neck but refused to back down. “I don’t recall.”

  Theo clicked his tongue. “Selective memory. Convenient.”

  Cassius smirked. “I’m a prince. It’s a talent.”

  Theo huffed, shaking his head in amusement. Then, after a beat, his expression softened just a fraction. “But seriously… thanks.”

  Cassius arched a brow. “For what?”

  Theo shrugged, running a hand through his hair. “For this. For being… you.”

  Cassius was silent for a moment, something unreadable flickering in his gaze. Then, with a teasing smirk, he muttered, “If you’re going to get sentimental, at least warn me first.”

  Theo chuckled. “Noted.”

  And just like that, the sarcasm returned, but something else lingered beneath it. Something unspoken. Something neither of them were quite ready to acknowledge.

  ---

  They casually stepped out of Theo’s room, moving as if nothing had happened—yet the subtle ease in their movements, the small glances they exchanged, told a different story. A secret conversation passed between them in silence, a language only they understood.

  The hallway was quiet, save for the soft click of their shoes against the polished floor. No words were needed. Not right now.

  Outside, the sleek black car awaited Cassius, its tinted windows reflecting the golden glow of the streetlights. The driver stood patiently by the door, but Cassius didn’t move just yet.

  Theo turned to him, a smirk playing at his lips. He extended a hand. “It’s an honor, Your Highness.”

  Cassius eyed him for a moment before taking his hand, his grip firm yet lingering. His own smirk mirrored Theo’s, his voice low and teasing. “I wouldn’t mind doing this again.”

  A beat of silence. A shared glance.

  Then Cassius stepped into the car, the door shutting behind him with a soft thud.

  Theo stood there for a moment, watching as the car pulled away. A breath of laughter escaped him, his smirk deepening.

  Neither of them said goodbye. They didn’t need to.