2025-12-09 22:43:07The throne hall doors shut behind them, and instantly Jay felt the weight of every crown in the world settle squarely on his shoulders. The air still tasted like the proclamation. High King. A title carved into the bones of history. The kind of title that could rewrite the world.
Which was very inconvenient for someone who preferred books over political warmongering.
Jay exhaled shakily. Luther remained exactly one step behind him… habit, respect, survival instinct… who knew. Jay turned and raised an eyebrow.
“You walk beside me now,” he said, quiet but firm. “Not behind.”
Luther froze. “Jay, I’m still of lower rank. It’s disrespectful to-”
“Luther.” Jay stepped forward and took his wrist, gently pulling him to his side. “You were marked by me. You carry my future. You are one of my mate. And my mates should not walk behind anyone.”
Luther swallowed, eyes softening in a way that made Jay’s heart thump painfully. He nodded, a tiny smile forming. “As you command… High King.”
Jay grimaced. “Do not call me that. Not yet.”
A chuckle, light and quietly adoring, escaped Luther. “Then what should I call you?”
“Jay. Just Jay.” His voice dropped. “When we’re together like this.”
Luther’s cheeks flushed pink… but he nodded. “Jay, then.”
They started walking through the palace corridors, side by side. It should have felt normal. It didn’t. Every inch of space between them hummed with new meaning. Servants who passed by bowed low. Some almost dropped their trays when they noticed Luther’s placement.
Jay didn’t miss any of it. He just lifted his chin higher.
Let them stare. He wasn’t ashamed of the person fate gave him.
Jay stopped at one of the large glass windows overlooking the training fields. Sunlight poured over the marble floors like liquid gold.
A country. A coronation. An entire empire expecting glory.
Jay’s heart clenched. “What if I fail?” The question slipped out before he could bite it back.
Luther’s hand rose, hesitant but sure when it landed on Jay’s shoulder. “You won’t.”
“You can’t know that.”
“I do,” Luther said simply, as if this were the easiest truth in the world. “Because you’ve always protected me. Even when you didn’t have a crown to offer.”
Jay stared ahead, throat tightening. “I didn’t protect you,” he whispered. “You were kidnapped, remember when your first year workinf on me. you were hurt. Almost-”
“And you found me,” Luther interrupted, voice steady. “You crossed armies and borders for just a chance to reach me in time. And you did. That is what a king is.”
Jay blinked fast. “You make it sound heroic.”
“It was.”
Jay’s breath snagged. For a moment, he let himself lean… just a fraction… into Luther’s touch.
He hated how good it felt.
“Luther?” he asked softly.
“Yes?”
“I’m terrified.” There. The weakness exposed. The youngest prince stripped of confidence.
Luther didn’t flinch. Instead, he intertwined their fingers. Jay startled a little at the boldness. “Then I’ll be brave for both of us,” Luther whispered.
Jay turned to him, something fragile and powerful flickering in his chest. “You can’t carry me forever.”
“No,” Luther agreed. “But I’ll stand beside you every time you need to remember why you must stand at all.”
Jay stared. Truly stared. This shy, stubborn Omega who had been treated like nothing his whole life… was now the pillar keeping him upright.
The universe definitely had a twisted sense of humor. He stepped closer. Too close. “You realize the world will judge us. They’ll say I made a mistake claiming you first.”
Luther didn’t back away. “Then let them say it. It won’t change the truth. I belong beside you.”
Jay’s heartbeat stumbled. And then footsteps echoed down the corridor.
Jay tapped his chest lightly. “Where I go, you go. Not behind. Beside.”
Luther nodded, eyes shining. “Always.”
Sunrise painted gold across his bare shoulders, and he kept tugging nervously at the collar of his uniform, the one he definitely wasn’t used to wearing yet.
“You’re making the floor dizzy,” he muttered.
Luther stopped pacing. Took a breath. Then another. “Jay… we need to talk about your other candidates.”
“Do we now?”
“Yes.” Luther folded his arms, which somehow made him look even more anxious. “Your coronation as High King… it’s not just a title. It comes with duties. The Goddess allowed you multiple mates for a reason. Unity. Stability. Politics. Destiny. Pick one.”
Jay stared at him, unimpressed. “You recited that like a priest with stage fright.”
Luther’s ears flushed. “My point is… before the coronation, everything needs to be settled. You already claimed me.” A soft touch to his own neck, where Jay’s mark sat like a sunrise only they could read. “But the others? They’re still waiting.”
“Oh yes,” Jay sighed dramatically. “The fun parade of strangers who think they deserve my hand because they glitter in sunlight.”
Luther stepped closer, voice softer. “You chose them. They were on your list for a reason.”
“I chose you,” Jay corrected, eyes sharp. “Everyone else was… insurance.”
“That insurance keeps the world from falling apart.” Luther’s hand brushed Jay’s. “And it keeps you safe. I won’t lose you because a council complains about tradition.”
Jay looked away, teeth grinding against words he wasn’t ready to spill. The idea of touching anyone else-of binding himself to them-felt like peeling open a wound Luther had just sealed shut. He hated it. He hated that Luther wasn’t wrong.
“You’re annoyingly reasonable,” Jay mumbled.
Luther sat on the table edge, closer now. “Summon them. Mark them. Not because you love them or because fate is bossing you around… but because it protects the throne that will be yours.”
Jay’s eyes lifted. They held something fragile. Terrifying. Hopeful.
“You really want to share me?” he asked, voice dipped in disbelief and jealousy he refused to name.
“I’m telling you to protect everything you love.” Luther leaned in, a breath apart. “Even if that means I have to be brave enough to share you for the sake of the world that needs you.”
The silence between them hummed like lightning in slow motion.
Jay finally sighed, closing the distance, fingers catching Luther’s chin. He kissed him once, slow and claiming, enough to make Luther’s breath stutter.
When they separated, Jay spoke like it hurt. “Fine. I’ll summon the candidates.”
He pressed his forehead against Luther’s. “But don’t ever forget who I look at first.” Luther’s whisper answered like a vow. “I won’t.”
Previous Chapter
Latest Chapter
A King Does Not Walk Alone
The throne hall doors shut behind them, and instantly Jay felt the weight of every crown in the world settle squarely on his shoulders. The air still tasted like the proclamation. High King. A title carved into the bones of history. The kind of title that could rewrite the world.Which was very inconvenient for someone who preferred books over political warmongering.Jay exhaled shakily. Luther remained exactly one step behind him… habit, respect, survival instinct… who knew. Jay turned and raised an eyebrow.“You walk beside me now,” he said, quiet but firm. “Not behind.”Luther froze. “Jay, I’m still of lower rank. It’s disrespectful to-”“Luther.” Jay stepped forward and took his wrist, gently pulling him to his side. “You were marked by me. You carry my future. You are one of my mate. And my mates should not walk behind anyone.”Luther swallowe
Day 7 With Luther: An Empire Kneels To One Heart
The throne hall always felt too large, too grand, too carved out of legend for Jay to fit comfortably inside. Today, it felt worse. The crimson banners of Astrelia hung like watching eyes, and golden sunlight poured through the mosaic windows as if the sun itself wanted to judge him.Jay entered with the stiff posture of a prince who had not expected to become important overnight. Luther walked just behind him, the picture of composed elegance… and also wearing an outfit designed to make Jay’s brain short-circuit. A white off-shoulder crop top, sheer sleeves flowing like moonlight, and those white genie pants that fit his waist in a way that should honestly be illegal.Jay tried very hard not to look. He failed instantly.They stopped before the dais. Both bowed. The King and Queen stood tall, regality woven into their bones.The King spoke first, his voice carrying authority that shook the chandeliers.“Jay Varel Astrelia. The G
Day Six With Luther: People Should learn how To Knock
Morning had the audacity to show up.Not that Jay was properly asleep. He had spent the last hour staring at Luther and trying not to panic about the glowing Sun Mark declaring a royal baby was now officially baking inside him. A child. An heir. Political dynamite with tiny socks.Luther, meanwhile, was sleeping peacefully in Jay’s arms like he hadn’t just upended empires and destinies overnight.Jay brushed a hand through his assistant’s silver hair, still trying to digest reality.A baby.His baby.The universe must really enjoy pranking princes.Before he could sink into deeper spiraling, the door slammed open without warning.“JAY! BREAKFAST!” Seraphine yelled… then froze.Behind her came all his siblings like a stampede of nosy royals: Theo, Celeste, Yven, Lucien… and of course, Crown Prince Aldrin .Jay and Luther jerked upright.Sheets slid just enough to s
Day Five With Luther: Falling Asleep Together
The palace was unusually quiet that night. Jay lay awake, thoughts swirling like a storm, unable to forget Luther’s intensity from earlier. Every glance, every brush of his hand, lingered in Jay’s mind, making his chest ache in ways he didn’t quite understand.A soft knock interrupted his thoughts. “Jay? Are you awake?” Luther’s voice was low, almost hesitant.Jay sat up, rubbing his eyes. “Couldn’t sleep again?”Luther nodded, hesitating at the door. “Should I… stay?”Jay lifted a corner of the blanket, smirking slightly. “Only if you're not here to guard me. Obviously.”Luther’s lips twitched into a small smile as he stepped inside, closing the door softly behind him. He climbed onto the bed carefully, sitting at the edge before letting himself fall back, his shoulders relaxing only slightly. Jay’s heart thudded at the sight of him so close, the warmt
Day Four With Luther: The Ball and the Unspoken Steps
The grand ballroom glittered with candlelight and crystal chandeliers. A soft sea of gowns and uniforms shimmered across polished marble floors, and the faint scent of roses and lavender mingled with the warm, golden glow. Tonight, the palace celebrated not just Jay’s upcoming coronation but his coming of age-a ceremonial acknowledgment of his eighteen years and the divine blessing that had set the world abuzz.Jay adjusted the cuff of his uniform nervously, catching sight of his reflection in a gilded mirror. Everything was perfect-the embroidery, the sash, the polished boots-but nothing felt as perfect as the heat pooling in his chest whenever he thought of Luther.A gentle tap on the shoulder pulled him from his thoughts.“Your Highness,” Luther murmured, bowing slightly before straightening. His uniform was tailored impeccably, black with silver trim, and his hair was neatly arranged-but a few strands rebelliously curled over his forehead,
Day 3 With Luther: Nightfall, and the Unspoken Invitation
The evening sun spilled warm gold across the palace gardens. Jay and Luther had spent the day in a quiet rhythm training, reading, and teasing but as night crept in, an unspoken tension settled like a soft, heavy blanket between them.Jay stretched lazily on a chaise in his chambers, watching the shadows deepen. The library and training yard had been exhausting, but in the best way. His hair stuck to his forehead from exertion, and his heart still thudded from laughter, arguments, and those lingering touches from earlier.A soft knock came at the door.“Your Highness?” Luther’s voice drifted in, gentle, cautious. “May I… come in?”Jay smiled faintly. “I was hoping you would.”Luther entered, careful as ever, though his presence seemed to take up the entire room. He carried nothing but a small tray of tea and a soft, earnest expression. The silver in his eyes reflected the dim candlelight, and Jay fel
You may also like
