A laugh and Alistair shook his head, saying, "I don't know what word to call it, but that's as good as any. We're... We're an us now, I think."

And that was the only reason he needed to lean down and press a soft kiss to Leonardo's forehead, arms settling comfortably around his waist to keep them close. It felt good. Soothed a loneliness he didn't know he'd felt - not really. That loneliness was probably, he realised, what had urged him toward Sereda. That decision hadn't been the best, by far. But Leonardo was nothing like the Aeducan princess.

He was miles better.

But that did--

"Oh, um."

He should tell him. His smile faltered into something sheepish.

"I... I guess I should tell you, for all it doesn't make a difference here? But you should know, just in case. I know I told you that I'm a bastard - well, um. I'm...

"My father was a king? I mean, it changes nothing, I never knew him or anything, and I was never in line, but... If we're going to do this, I... You should know."