Taming the Wild Beast of Alamina

”Yes, we know,” Dean said, because everyone knew. Sebastian had refused Nero in a very stern way, and Nero had backed down.

Sebastian’s mouth curved faintly, without warmth. ”Then the temple’s conclusion is already weak.”

Arion’s eyes sharpened; he knew Nero, but he didn’t say anything about it. ”Because Nero respected the refusal.”

”Because Nero respected the refusal,” Sebastian repeated. ”Not happily nor gently. But he did.”

Dean looked down at his plate.

He remembered that too. Nero had not liked being refused. That had been obvious even to people who had not known him since childhood. But he had stopped. He had waited.

A dangerous kind of waiting, yes.

But waiting all the same.

Sebastian leaned back, the marquis now fully present in his posture, calm and cold enough that Dean almost forgot he had just been told his future might contain a shift, a siren type, Nero, death, and Roslew falling.

”If the visionaries saw disaster after my refusal,” Sebastian continued, ”then someone added a step. Nero did not break because I said no. So either something else happens, or the temple is using my refusal as proof that intervention is needed.”

Arion nodded slowly. ”That is one of the possibilities.”

”One of the possibilities,” Sebastian echoed. ”How diplomatic.”

”We do not know enough to be less diplomatic.”

”Annoying.”

”Yes,” Arion said.

Dean glanced at him.

Arion’s voice remained controlled, but there was a strain beneath it now. Not fear exactly. Focus. The kind he used when a threat had not yet become visible enough to kill.

”That is why I need you to be careful,” Arion said.

Sebastian’s gaze moved to him. ”Careful how?”

”Do not meet with anyone from the temple alone. Not priests. Not agents. Not anyone claiming they only want to warn you.”

Sebastian’s expression did not change. ”You think they will come personally.”

”I think if they are hiding something, they will try to reach you before we find it. And if they are not hiding anything, if this is only panic and bad interpretation, they may still try to reach you because frightened people like to act before facts become inconvenient.”

Dean’s mouth tightened. ”Especially if they believe they are saving the world.”

Sebastian looked at him.

Dean did not look away.

”I am not asking you to hide in the palace,” Arion said. ”I am asking you not to give them a private room or a polite conversation without Alamina’s royal house involved.”

Sebastian lifted a brow. ”That sounds broad.”

”It is meant to.”

”You realize I am not one of your soldiers.”

”Yes.”

”Nor one of your citizens.”

”Yes.”

”Nor a frightened heir in need of royal supervision.”

Arion’s gaze held his. ”I know exactly who you are, Marquis.”

The title landed carefully.

Sebastian studied him for a long moment.

Dean held his breath.

Then Sebastian inclined his head once. ”Fine.”

Dean blinked.

”Fine?” he repeated.

Sebastian glanced at him. ”Do not sound so surprised.”

”You agreed too quickly.”

”I am capable of recognizing practical advice even when it comes from an irritating source.”

Arion’s mouth almost moved.

Sebastian’s gaze snapped back to him. ”Do not look pleased.”

”I would not dare.

”You would. You are simply choosing diplomacy.”

Sebastian hummed, unimpressed, then reached for his water. ”I will not meet them alone. If the temple contacts me, I will inform you, Dean, Otto, or Hendrik before responding. If a meeting becomes necessary, it happens with royal witnesses present and no temple-controlled location.”

Dean’s shoulders loosened slightly.

Sebastian saw that too, and his expression softened by a degree. ”I am not trying to walk into a candlelit cage, Dean.”

”I know.”

”You do not look like you know.”

”I know it here,” Dean said, touching his temple. Then he pressed a hand to his chest. ”This part is being dramatic.”

Sebastian’s mouth curved. ”That part gets it from Lucas.”

Dean let out a weak laugh.

The sound helped.

Only for a second, but Sebastian took it. He took everything that made Dean breathe easier and stored it somewhere useful, the way he always had.

Then his face became serious again.

”Thank you,” Sebastian said.

Dean went still.

Arion’s gaze shifted quietly between them.

Sebastian looked at his younger brother first. ”For telling me before them.”

Dean swallowed. ”I meant what I said. It is your life.”

”I know.” Sebastian’s voice lowered. ”And I know what it cost you not to run to Lucas immediately.”

Dean’s eyes burned.

Sebastian looked at Arion next. ”And thank you for backing him.”

Arion inclined his head. ”It was the correct thing to do.”

”That is not always the same as the easy thing.”

”No,” Arion said. ”It is not.”

For a moment, the room was only quiet.

Sebastian looked down at the napkin beside his plate, smoothing one corner with his thumb. ”I want this kept from Lucas and Trevor for now.”

Dean’s breath caught.

Sebastian did not look up. ”They are happy.”

Dean’s throat tightened.

”The wedding is over,” Sebastian continued. ”You are married. Father and Papa finally believe the world might return to a routine that does not involve contracts, guards, beasts, temples, or international mating politics before breakfast.”

Dean gave a soft, broken laugh. ”That sounds optimistic.”

”They deserve optimism.” Sebastian’s voice remained steady, but his hand on the napkin stilled again. ”They deserve a few peaceful days. Lucas especially. He has carried enough timelines for one lifetime.”

Dean closed his eyes.

The words struck exactly where Sebastian had aimed them.

Lucas, smiling softly after the wedding. Trevor looking less like a general prepared to burn the world and more like a father allowed to exhale. Their home, briefly, returned to something warm after months of pressure.

Sebastian wanted to protect that.

He had always stood between family and damage with the exhausted competence of someone who had accepted, far too young, that heirs were made of duty first.

Dean opened his eyes. ”You should not have to carry this alone so they can be happy.”

Sebastian looked at him then.

”I am not alone,” he said.

Dean’s mouth trembled.

Sebastian’s expression softened, just enough for the older brother to show through the marquis. ”I have you. Apparently, I also have a crown prince with a dangerous understanding of locked rooms and temple politics.”

Arion’s brow lifted slightly. ”Apparently.”

”And Hendrik,” Sebastian added. ”Which, frankly, is the most reassuring part of this entire mess.”

”That is offensive,” Arion said.

”You are my brother-in-law now; get used to it.”

Dean laughed again, this time more steadily.

Sebastian let himself smile.

Then he took a bite of dinner because if he did not, Dean would stare at him like he was dying in the chair, and Sebastian refused to give the temple, prophecy, Nero, or his younger brother’s anxiety that much power.

”For now,” Sebastian said, setting his fork down, ”Lucas and Trevor know nothing.”

Dean nodded slowly. ”For now.”

”If the threat becomes real, I will tell them myself.”

”Good.”

”And if you decide to tell them behind my back, I will know.”

Dean winced. ”You say that like a threat.”

”It is a promise.”

Arion looked at Dean with faint amusement.

Dean pointed at him. ”Do not enjoy my family turning on me.”

”I am learning.”

Sebastian lifted his glass. ”Then learn quickly. Fitzgeralts bite.”

Dean looked at him.

Then at Arion.

Then, despite the fear still sitting in the room with them, he smiled.

”Yes,” he said softly. ”We do.”