Chapter 36: Chapter 35

“I can walk!” Jaxson grumbled as Chris helped him through the palace the next day.

“Maybe, but you’re still sore.”

“I spend my life sore!” he protested.

“You always this grumpy after being injured?”

A growl rumbled in Jaxson’s chest.

“Take that as a yes,” Chris teased.

“Christopher!” his father shouted from behind. Chris flinched slightly at the harsh tone.

“Yes?”

“Where are you going with that guard?”

“Erm… the family wing?”

With the look on his father’s face… he should have lied. “Absolutely not!”

“Where else should I take him, father? He still needs rest.”

“Can his family not care for him?”

“I am his family. He’s my mate… remember?”

His father’s jaw worked itself around for a moment. A very long moment.

Jaxson seemed to be desperately trying to stand straight, which only meant he leant on Chris further.

“I don’t think it appropriate you are in the family wing anymore.”

“But, father I-”

“I won’t hear of it! Follow me.”

Chris readjusted his grip on Jaxson, turning them slowly before following his father with a pit of dread in his stomach. Why hadn’t he just got to the family wing before anyone caught them? Out of sight out of mind, right?

They went back down the grand staircase, making Jaxson lean more than he was probably willing to admit.

Chris reluctantly but dutifully followed his father down a corridor, they were on the first floor, Chris had expected to go back to the ground and… well turf him from the castle. Jaxson let out an almost silent groan, his face pinched in a wince. “Sorry,” Chris whispered to him through the link. His bones may have been forced to heal, didn’t mean he couldn’t still feel every former break.

“Not going to lie… I need to sit down.”

“Soon.” Chris stated… more as a hope than anything else. Why was this corridor so long?

Finally, his father stopped and pushed the handle of a gold gilded door. A little confused, Chris helped Jaxson through the door. “I got this organised while you were away. If you want something different. I can look into it.”

“Dad?”

“Yes?”

“What is this?”

“Your home. You always knew you’d have to move out of the family wing once you found your mate.”

Chris looked around, seeing it was similar to his sister’s suite.

“You can decorate. Just let the maintenance team know.”

Chris just stood there. Dumbstruck. He felt Jaxson lean on him further so walked into the living room, settling him gently down on the sofa. “You’re serious?” he whispered.

“Of course, son. Why, don’t you like it?”

“No… it’s, it’s great just… I… nevermind. Thanks.” He gave his father a soft smile in gratitude.

“This is your home, anyone you wish can stay here.” His father gave a meaningful look towards Jaxson. Chris couldn’t tell if it was acceptance of who Jaxson was… or a warning. He really didn’t know what his father believed or what he’d heard.

He wasn’t about to ask.

“Thanks, this is awesome.”

“Glad you like it. I’ll leave you, your mother will want you for dinner Friday.”

Chris nodded in agreement before his father turned and left the suite.

Shrugging, he moved to the sofa, plonking himself down next to Jaxson. “Do you think that was acceptance?”

“I have no idea,” Chris answered, scrubbing a hand down his face before twisting on the sofa, drawing Jaxson gently against him.

“No one can dispute if we mark.” Jaxson winced as he got himself comfortable.

Chris rested his head on Jaxson’s. “You’re healing, if we mark we’re going to want to complete it… I don’t even know how we…”

“I’m only sore. I’m not going to rebreak or anything.” Jaxson reached to Chris’ back, sliding under his waistband. “And the how. Well… I have an idea…”

Chris’ breath caught as Jaxson’s finger pressed against somewhere he didn’t think would ever be touched. A pleasure zapped through him, the tiny pressure as Jaxson rubbed, sent blood rushing south and coursed a shiver down his spine.

“What do you think?” Jaxson breathed as he dipped just the tip of his finger within him.

“Feels good,” he groaned.

“Rubbing against you feels good too,” he whispered, retracting his hand only to cup his crotch.

“Jax, you’re healing,” Chris protested.

“I don’t care.”

“You could barely walk here. Just, give yourself a few days.”

Jaxson scowled.

“Come on, don’t pout. We have all the time in the world. Just a day or so, three max. Then I promise, we’ll mark and… do all the other stuff.” Chris smirked mischievously.

“Fine,” Jaxson grumbled. He twisted onto his back within Chris’ arms, “Can watch a film then,” he pouted in defeat.

“Never thought you’d be one to pout, grumpy hedgehog, you.”

“I’m not a hedgehog.”

Chris smiled, something about riling Jaxson amused him. “Alright, a cat. Cat’s are always grumpy.”

“I’m not grumpy!”

“Tortoise?”

“You are so getting it when I’m… less broken.” Jaxson nestled himself more into Chris’ chest. “Do you like your suite?” he asked.

“Our suite,” Chris corrected. “Yeah, it’s nice.” In honesty it was very cream and very boring and he didn’t really like the sofa, he preferred the family wing’s sofa. This one was hard. But he never complained about the palace. He was lucky to live where he did, receive the support he did. He’d live wherever was deemed appropriate. It was something he didn’t have a say in.

After an afternoon of watching films, Chris supported Jaxson up to bed maybe a little earlier than either of them would usually turn in. But Jaxson needed rest and Chris would happily join him. As he knew the layout from his sister’s suite, the master bedroom was easy to find.

Again… cream. So cream. Like many royal bedrooms, glass doors lead out to a balcony. His bedroom in the Family Wing hadn’t had one, so that was a nice change. He could have moved into Marc’s room once he became King, but… Chris didn’t fancy leaving the room he’d always been in. Maybe it was time for the change.

He supported Jaxson to the bed despite his grumbles that he was perfectly fine to walk. He probably was, but Chris gained a sense of pride being able to support him. He’d never really had the chance to support anyone else.

He slipped to his knees at the bedside, grabbing Jaxson’s boot and unlacing the leather. Doing the same to the other. “You really don’t need to do this…” Jaxson protested as Chris pulled off his socks.

“I know… I want to.”

Jaxson smiled down to him warmly, whipping off his t-shirt. Chris’ gaze instantly wandered. Swallowing as saliva filled his mouth. Jaxson’s physique was a testament to his work, his training. He hadn’t really looked before. It was rude to do so. But now? Oh, he could look now.

“I feel like you’re about to eat me,” Jaxson mumbled despite a heat lighting in his eyes.

“Maybe I want to,” he whispered.

Yeah… the mate bond was doing weird things to him. His desire for the male was at an all-time high, yet knew there was nothing he could do about it. There were still bruises littering his torso, the cut, a pink puckered line down his chest. They would all heal, all disappear probably by morning. But it reminded him he couldn’t give in.

Not yet.