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Chapter 11 - Restless at the Keep
Morning light streamed through the tall windows of their chambers in Crown's Keep, casting a soft, golden glow across the stone floor. Jace had woken early, his mind heavy with the weight of being back in the castle. This place held memories--some bittersweet, others buried beneath the years he had spent away. Now, with Connor by his side, those memories resurfaced with a clarity he hadn't anticipated.
He turned in bed, his eyes lingering on Connor's sleeping form to his right. His eyes started at the head of dirty blonde hair, thick and wavy, and drifted lower until they settled on the smooth, round ass that was lying uncovered by their blankets. Connor's pretty, muscular butt was begging to be touched. Jace placed his right hand on Connor's ass, giving it a light squeeze. The handful made Jace's cock stiffen slightly, and Connor let out a quiet moan. He looked so innocent while he was sleeping.
The journey to Motund Nest had taken its toll on both of them, and their return to the castle had been more emotional than either of them had voiced. He hoped Connor had been able to sleep soundly. Jace squeezed Connor's cheek again, and he stirred slightly, grinding into the bed and flexing his ass.
Jace leaned over, placing kisses on Connor's ass, then kissing his way up to Connor's face. Connor rolled over, stretching his arms above his head as Jace found his lips.
Connor smiled groggily. "Good morning, Ser," he said, rubbing his eyes.
"Good morning to you as well," Jace replied with one last kiss.
He sighed and slipped out of the bed. He padded over to the window, opening the curtains and gazing out over the city of Crown's Keep. It hadn't changed much since the last time he had seen it, but everything else had. Especially him. Being here, in the same castle. He looked down at the streets where he and Nicholas had shared their most intimate moments, and the view stirred memories he thought he had left behind. But those memories weren't what concerned him now. It was Connor.
Jace had sensed the unease radiating from him in the past few days. Ever since they had been able to see Crown's Keep from the road, there had been a subtle distance between them. Not a rift, but a quiet hesitation, like a shadow that followed their every step. He knew why. It was Nicholas. The man Connor had heard about, the man Jace had once loved, and now, the king they would soon be standing before.
He closed his eyes and basked in the sunlight from the window. The warmth of the sun, the breeze of wind against his naked body--he needed to center himself, he thought. Behind him, Connor stirred, his still sleepy voice breaking the silence. "Jace?" His tone was soft, but Jace could hear the uncertainty in it.
Jace turned from the window, offering a small smile as he crossed back to the bed. "Yes, my love," he replied gently, sitting down beside him. "Did you sleep soundly?"
Connor propped himself up on his elbows, his hair slightly tousled from sleep, but Jace could see the tension in his expression. "Of course, I just...I woke with some worry, I guess."
Jace's smile faded as he studied Connor's face. He knew there was more behind those words, but Connor wasn't the type to lay his feelings bare unless he had to. Still, Jace had learned to read him well enough.
Connor hesitated, his eyes darting away for a moment before he spoke. "It's just... being here, in the castle. With him." His voice was quiet, but the vulnerability was clear. "I know you've told me it's in the past, but...I can't help but wonder, being here, does it bring those feelings back?"
Jace felt a tug in his chest, a mixture of guilt and understanding. He had anticipated this, but hearing the question aloud made it all the more real. Connor's fear wasn't about Nicholas; it was about where Jace's heart stood. And Jace could see how hard it was for him to admit it.
"Connor..." Jace's voice was soft, but firm. He reached out, his hand resting on Connor's arm. "What Nicholas and I had--it's over. It ended a long time ago."
Connor nodded slightly, but Jace could see the uncertainty still lingering in his eyes. "But being here, it's different. It's the place where you two... I mean, you were close. I just can't help but feel like maybe--" Connor broke off, his words caught in his throat.
Jace's grip on Connor's arm tightened, his heart aching at the vulnerability in Connor's voice. He needed to make him understand. "Connor, listen to me," Jace said, his voice more insistent now. "Yes, Nicholas and I had something. We were young, and it was intense, but it's in the past. Being back here brings back memories, of course, but they're just memories. Not feelings. Not anymore."
Connor's gaze flicked up to meet Jace's, his expression still conflicted. "It's hard, you know? Knowing that you were so close to him. That this place holds so much of your history."
Jace leaned forward, his hand now moving to cup Connor's face, his thumb brushing against his cheek. "You are the one I'm close to now. You are the one I'm here with. Whatever I had with Nicholas...it can't compare to what we have."
For a moment, they sat in silence, Jace's words hanging in the air between them. Slowly, he felt the tension in Connor's body begin to ease, though the uncertainty hadn't completely disappeared. It would take more than words to convince him fully, but Jace knew they were moving in the right direction.
"I just don't want to lose you," Connor whispered, his voice barely audible. His eyes locked onto Jace's, and Jace could see the raw emotion behind them.
Jace felt his chest tighten. He leaned forward, pressing a gentle kiss to Connor's forehead. "You won't," he whispered against his skin. "I promise you, Connor. I'm not going anywhere."
Connor closed his eyes for a moment, leaning into the warmth of Jace's touch. When he opened them again, there was a softness there--a quiet acceptance. "Okay," he said quietly, his voice steadier now. "I believe you."
Jace smiled, relief washing over him as he pulled Connor into a slow, meaningful kiss. It wasn't rushed or heated, but filled with the kind of love and reassurance that only time could build. Connor's hands moved forward, pulling Jace further into the bed. As Jace loomed over him, Connor's hands traced the muscles in Jace's back, trailing down to his toned ass. Their tongues began to intertwine, Jace moaning into Connor's mouth as Connor continued to squeeze and knead his ass.
Jace moved his kisses down to Connor's neck, biting him gently. Connor bucked up, pressing his hard cock into Jace's torso. Jace's lips found Connor's again, kissing him harder than before. Connor wrapped his legs around Jace's waist, pulling him in as tightly as he could. Bracing himself with his left hand, Jace moved his right hand under Connor, pressing his thumb against Connor's tight hole. He threw his head back and moaned, which only made Jace want to take things further.
Jace leaned back on his knees, smiling devilishly down at Connor. He pressed his thumb to Connor's hole again, and he moved his left hand to Connor's now throbbing cock. He squeezed it, coaxing a drop of precum out. He felt Connor's hole flex under his thumb, and he pushed on it further. Jace began to pump Connor's cock, knowing it wouldn't take much for him to shoot. Within moments, he noticed Connor's moaning was growing in volume. Connor reached up and clawed at Jace's broad, muscular chest, overcome by sensation. His cock surged in Jace's hand, and he began to shoot ropes of cum all over his chest. Jace smiled down at him, happy to have brought Connor so much pleasure. He leaned down and kissed him deeply. When they finally pulled apart, Jace rested his forehead against Connor's, their breaths mingling in the morning air.
"We've been through a lot, Connor. This won't be any different. Nicholas is part of my past, but you're my future. Don't ever doubt that."
Connor nodded, his eyes searching Jace's for any sign of hesitation, but there was none. He could feel the sincerity in Jace's words, and for the first time since they'd arrived, he felt that they could face whatever was ahead--together.
As they dressed and prepared to meet Nicholas, the weight of the day ahead began to settle over them. They would soon stand before the king, the man who had once held Jace's heart. But as Jace glanced at Connor, standing beside him with a quiet strength, he knew where his heart truly lay.
They stepped out of their chambers, walking side by side through the stone corridors of Crown's Keep. The past may have shaped them, but it wouldn't define what came next. Jace's future was with Connor, and that was the only certainty he needed.