Lyra rubbed her temples, trying to block out the rhythmic thud vibrating through the ceiling beams. She poured herself another cup of herbal tea, hoping the warmth would soothe her growing headache.
"How do you usually sleep through this Swordmaster Lucien?" Lyra asked, gesturing toward the ceiling with her spoon. "Does this happen every single time they are in the same room?"
Lucien leaned back in his chair, propping his boots up on the edge of the wooden table with a relaxed grin.
"Pretty much. You get used to it after a while."
Lyra sighed, leaning her chin on her hand as another loud groan echoed from above.
"When I was studying the Elven history back in my homeland, I always thought the Divine Elf was supposed to be a being that is very poised, calm, and deeply spiritual. But Sora–....well he looks so elegant during the day and collected. But right now? He sounds like a feral beast."
"Oh, he is calm—until you lock him in a room with Cassian," Lucien smirked resting his back on the chair as he listens to the noise vibrating above his head. Lyra also looked up at the ceiling, her expression turning rigid.
"Tomorrow, I am definitely asking for a room on the opposite side of the residence."
"Good luck with that," Lucien teased.
"With the way they're going, you'll hear them even from the garden."
*****
And hour later.
Cassian was actively trying to crawl toward freedom. His hands gripped the edge of the mattress as he dragged his heavy, aching body forward, but he didn't get far. Sora's strong hands clamped around his ankles, easily dragging him backward across the rumpled sheets.
"No, no, no! Sora, let go of me!" Cassian yelled, his voice cracking with exhaustion.
"I am the Crown Prince, and I am ordering you to stop!"
Sora chuckled deeply, a rich, vibrating sound that pressed against Cassian's back as he pinned him down.
"My apologies, Your Highness, but outside this room, you are the Crown Prince. And inside this room, you belong to me."
"You are a tyrant," Cassian grumbled, his face buried in the mattress. He tried to kick his leg free, but his muscles felt like jelly.
"I am entirely spent. There is nothing left in me. Look at my legs, they are literally shaking!"
Sora slid his body up over Cassian's, his warm chest pressing against Cassian's back. He began to kiss the nape of Cassian's neck, his lips moving softly over the sensitive skin before biting gently down on his shoulder.
"Then you don't have to do any of the work," Sora whispered against his ear, his voice smooth and intoxicating. "Just lie there and let me take care of you. I promise to go slow this time."
"You said that three hours ago," Cassian complained, though his body was already betraying him, his hips instinctively shifting back against Sora's heat.
"You are a liar, Sora. A beautiful, relentless liar."
"Perhaps," Sora murmured, his hands sliding down to grip Cassian's hips, lifting him up slightly. "But you love it. Now, stop fighting me and relax."
Cassian let out one last, defeated groan before melting into the touch, knowing he had absolutely no hope of escaping the Divine Elf's desires tonight.
*****
The Next Morning.
The morning sun filtered brightly through the windows of the lounging area. Lyra and Lucien were already waiting by the exit, when the sound of slow, heavy footsteps echoed from the stairs.
Cassian appeared, looking like a ghost of his usual royal self. His hair was a messy nest, his collar was slightly askew, and he walked with a very obvious, stiff-legged limp. Every step looked like an immense struggle and he practically collapsed into the empty chair, letting out a soft hiss of pain as his bruised hips made contact with the hard wood.
A moment later, Sora walked down the stairs. Unlike Cassian, Sora looked absolutely radiant. His skin was glowing, his hair was perfectly brushed, and he had a bright, refreshed smile on his face as if he had just enjoyed the best sleep of his life.
"Good morning, everyone,"
Sora cheered brightly, walking over to the table. He immediately poured a hot cup of tea and placed it gently in front of Cassian. "Here you go, my lord. Drink up, you need to regain your strength."
Cassian glared at the tea, then glared up at Sora with pure exhaustion.
"If you speak to me right now, I might actually banish you."
Lucien tried to hide his laughter behind his hand, while Lyra carefully stood straight, trying to act normal.
"Did you sleep well, Your Highness?" Lucien asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"The weather was a bit stormy last night. Lots of... loud thumping noises. I was worried the roof might collapse."
Cassian's face instantly flushed a deep, bright red. He stared down at his plate, wishing the floor would open up and swallow him whole.
"The... the old wood in this house expands at night. It's just the foundation settling."
"Oh, is that what it was?" Lyra joined in, a small smirk playing on her lips. "My goodness, the foundation must have been settling for five hours straight. I've never heard a house expand so aggressively. At one point, I thought someone was trying to break through the ceiling."
Sora didn't look embarrassed at all. He simply took a seat next to Cassian, placing a gentle, reassuring hand on the Prince's sore thigh under the table.
"We will make sure to be more mindful of the 'foundation' tonight," Sora said smoothly, looking directly at Lyra and Lucien with a knowing grin.
Cassian nearly choked on his tea, coughing as his face burned hotter. He slapped Sora's hand away under the table and muttered, "There will be no tonight. I will even sleep in the horse stables if I have to."
*****