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 warmth radiating from Luther more tangible than the candles flickering around the room.
They lay side by side, facing the ceiling, the quiet hum of the palace around them. The distance between them was barely the width of a book spine. Jay’s fingers twitched nervously under the covers. He wanted to reach out, wanted the heat of contact, but his mind argued with itself, wondering if he was overthinking everything.
“Jay,” Luther whispered, voice barely above the quiet hum of the room, “I swear I’ll protect you. Even from gods.”
Jay turned slightly, catching Luther’s eyes in the dim light. The silver of Luther’s irises seemed brighter than any candle flame. His chest tightened at the intensity, the sincerity in the words weighing on him. Without thinking, Jay’s hand slid across the gap between them, brushing Luther’s fingers.
Their hands intertwined naturally, fingers curling around each other. Neither of them pulled away. The warmth was comforting, addictive. Luther shifted slightly, pressing a little closer, letting his head tilt to meet Jay’s gaze.
Jay swallowed hard. “Luther…” he whispered, his voice catching.
Luther’s lips curved into a small, almost shy smile. “I don’t want to be anywhere else,” he admitted softly.
The moment stretched, the quiet between them heavy with unspoken words. Jay’s heart hammered, adrenaline and desire mingling into something dizzying. Slowly, almost hesitantly, he leaned in. Luther’s eyes fluttered closed, anticipation written across his delicate features.
Their lips met in a soft, tentative kiss. The first brush of their mouths was gentle, testing, exploring. Luther’s hands rested on Jay’s chest, fingers digging in lightly as if grounding himself, as Jay’s hand slid to cradle the back of his neck. The kiss deepened, turning more urgent without being rushed.
Jay could feel Luther’s warmth, the rapid rise and fall of his chest, the way his breath caught when Jay’s lips brushed his jaw. He shifted closer, lips grazing Luther’s softly, teasing, and pressing just enough to make Luther sigh audibly, his body relaxing into Jay’s.
“You… you’re warm,” Luther murmured against Jay’s lips, voice shaky. “And I… I can’t stop thinking about you.”
Jay smirked against him, brushing his nose against Luther’s. “Good. Because I was thinking about you too.”
They moved slowly, the world narrowing to just the two of them. Kisses trailed along the jawline, soft and lingering, fingers entwined, hearts pounding in sync. Every press of lips, every gentle tug of the hand, was a message neither had yet found the words to say aloud.
“Jay…” Luther breathed, tilting his head back slightly. “I’ve… never felt like this before.”
“Neither have I,” Jay whispered, fingers threading through Luther’s hair. “But… I like it. I like it a lot.”
The kiss deepened again, more passionate this time, not in a hurried way, but with intent. Each brush of lips was electric, a spark that set their nerves alight. Jay lips brushes Luther neck, he sniff as he give a little bite. Mine. They clung to each other as though the world outside could disappear, and it would be fine as long as they stayed like this.
Luther’s hand slid lower, tracing the curve of Jay’s side over the sheets, gripping a little tighter. Jay pressed closer instinctively, letting his head rest against Luther’s shoulder for a fleeting moment before tilting up again. Their lips met again, slower, more deliberate, savoring the heat and tension.
“This… this feels… right,” Luther whispered, his forehead resting against Jay’s. His breathing was uneven, his silver eyes half-lidded with longing. Jay took off Luther's clothes.
Jay smiled softly, brushing his thumb along Luther’s cheek. “Gorgeus.”
For a long while, they stayed like that, kissing, whispering, holding each other close. Every touch, every brush of their lips, spoke volumes, conveying feelings they had yet to say aloud: trust, affection, need, desire. It was an intimacy that went beyond words.
As the night deepened, the kisses grew slower, more tender, lingering. Their breathing synced, hearts racing yet steady, the world outside irrelevant. Luther nestled against Jay’s chest, fingers tracing patterns that made Jay shiver, while Jay rested his hand over Luther’s heart, feeling the rapid beat beneath his palm.
“Jay,” Luther murmured, voice husky, “promise me… you won’t ever leave.”
“I won’t,” Jay replied, kissing the top of Luther’s head. “I don’t ever want to.”
By the time the first hint of sunlight crept into the room, painting the sheets with a golden glow, Jay and Luther were still wrapped around each other, nakedly. Luther’s hair was tousled, his cheeks flushed, and his silver eyes half-closed with exhaustion and contentment. Jay’s own body hummed with warmth and satisfaction, heart still racing from the intensity of the night.
Morning sunlight snuck through the curtains like a nosy court-maid with nothing better to do. Jay blinked awake first, head pounding from not sleeping at all and also from… everything. Warm skin pressed against his; Luther’s body curled tightly into him, breathing slow and peaceful.
Then Jay noticed the lack of clothes.
Terrific.
Luther made a sleepy noise and shifted, silver eyelashes fluttering. The sheets slipped just enough for Jay to see the trail of marks along Luther’s neck and shoulder. Sharp, possessive bites darkened his pale skin. Some already purpling. The most striking one sat right at the back of Luther’s neck, unmistakable in meaning.
Jay groaned into his hands. “We really did that…”
Luther’s eyes cracked open. “Good morning… mate.” He stretched an arm lazily, a smug sort of dizziness in his smile. “You marked me. Thoroughly.”
Jay’s face burned. “Maybe you should stop looking that happy about it.”
Luther shifted again to sit up. The sheet fell to his waist, exposing more of the evidence: bite marks everywhere. Shoulders. Collarbone. His side. Even the curve of his hip. A masterpiece of shameless instinct.
And then Jay saw it.
A glowing white symbol over Luther’s lower stomach. Soft, radiant, shaped like a rising sun. The mark shimmered as though made of light.
Jay’s breath caught. “That’s…”
Luther looked down, following his stare. His fingers hovered just above the glowing mark, awed. “A Sun Mark… from a Versa.” His voice wavered. “It means I’m… carrying your child.”
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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
