It's a long journey from Etra to Osuma, and the uneven roads make the carriage ride more than unpleasant. Mason's body is sore, even with him stretching out his back and legs every chance he gets. Despite the cushion on the seat, it's uncomfortable after three days of travelling. Thankfully, the beautiful scenery out his window makes up for his discomfort. The rolling fields he's used to change into bumpy hills and rivers to mountains.
They're nothing like he's ever seen before; tall and towering over the surrounding land. They're impossible to miss, and Mason can't wait to tell his siblings about them. About Osuma.
For Mason's entire life, Etra and Osuma have had tense relations: skirmishes, fights and wars, and conflicting trades with other countries. It's about to change, though. After deciding enough was enough, the two countries agreed upon a treaty.
Mason was shocked yet pleased when his father assigned the task of signing the treaty to him. Most things of importance get appointed to his older brother, Gabriel. For his father to choose him to sign the treaty means he trusts him, Mason hopes. It means he's no longer being brushed off for being the youngest.
Eventually, the carriage passes through a large city and down a long, tree-lined driveway. From the windows of the carriage, Mason sees a highly decorated fence and gate, gardens filled with statues and fountains and numerous flowers Mason doesn't recognize. It's gorgeous. Then the carriage turns, and he sees a stone wall lined with many large windows. He can't tell for sure, but he thinks some of the windows have stained glass images in them.
The carriage pulls to a stop in the palace's courtyard, and Mason wipes his sweaty hands on his pants, trying to calm his nerves. While he hopes the visit goes well, there's no guarantee that the people of Osuma will be welcoming.
He takes a deep breath and steps out of the carriage, only to falter a second later. Partly because of the enormous castle in front of him and partly because of the gorgeous young man, who looks to be around his own age, dressed in fine clothes waiting for him.
"Mason," the man says, coming forward to greet him. "I am Prince James." he pauses for a moment, as though he's waiting for something, and his eyes flicker with disappointment when Mason doesn't do whatever it was he was hoping for.
Mason suddenly realizes he's being addressed by royalty and hastily bows. "Your Highness."
"Please, call me Jamie," Prince James says.
Mason doesn't know why he's being offered a first-name basis by a prince he's never met before, but he doesn't question him, nor does it occur to ask how he knows his name. He's here to sign a peace treaty, and insulting the prince that came out to greet his carriage would not help secure peaceful relations.
"Jamie," he says awkwardly, not at all comfortable with addressing royalty so informally. His father would lose his mind if he knew that Mason called him by a nickname. "I am Lord Mason Viveros, son of the Duke of Ethya."
Prince James smiles and says, "It's nice to meet you, my Lord. How was the journey?"
"It was…" Mason thinks of the bumps of the road, his sore body, and limited interactions with other people. "Alright. Thank you for asking."
Prince James smiles, then beacons to the castle. "If you'll follow me, I'll show you around before we take lunch."
"Lunch would be lovely," Mason says, earning a warm, softer smile from the prince.
Considering it's a 'quick' tour of the palace, Prince James gives Mason a lot more details about the grounds than he ever anticipated knowing. The gardens and banquet hall are one thing, but the offices, kitchens, and library are something else. Their countries have been hostile for years, but he's willingly giving Mason details about the castle he and the queen occupy. Not only that, but the prince is very friendly and a little… flirty?
His suspicion rises tenfold when the prince takes him into the private living quarters of the royal family. He's also not sure what Prince James is talking about when he says things like, 'If you want to take your lunch outside, you can tell any servant, and they'll inform the kitchen, but the kitchen staff have yellow cuffs on their shirts, if you want to tell them directly.' Just how long does the Prince think he's staying to need information like that?
Then Prince James takes him to the west wing and stops in front of a set of large, ornate doors. "In here are my rooms, but it'll be our rooms soon-"
Wait. Did he-?
"Sorry," Mason interrupts before Prince James can continue. "I must've heard wrong. Did you say our rooms?"
Prince James tilts his head in confusion, a hint of a question lying underneath. "Yes? Where else would my husband sleep?"
Mason's eyes widen. "Husband? We're not- I'm not married to anyone. I'm only here to sign the peace treaty on my father's behalf, that's all."
Suddenly, Prince James seems colder than before as he studies Mason for a moment before turning on his heel and heading back the way they came. "Follow me," he orders, and Mason is quick to obey.
He leads Mason to the administrative offices- one of the few places Mason expected to see- where Queen Carrie is working.
"Wait here," Prince James says, then knocks on the door. "Mother…" he says as he steps into the room, the rest of his words cut off with the quiet click of the door.
Mason looks around nervously, wondering what he's done wrong already. Not for the first time, he doubts his father's decision to send him to sign the treaty instead of Gabe or coming himself.
There are guards on either side of the doorway, silent and unmoving. The rest of the hall is unassuming, with cream-coloured drapes covering the stone walls and green curtains framing the windows. There are potted flowers on the window sills, though, which look quite lovely. In the distance, Mason can hear people walking around and talking.
As he's waiting, a man exits the room Prince James disappeared into. He gives Mason a quick once-over as he passes, but he doesn't stop or say anything.
Smoothing his hand over his clothes, Mason wonders if he looks as travel-rumpled as he feels. He already stands out with the colourful flowers embroidered on the collar and cuffs of his shirt, but he doesn't want his hosts to think he's messy. He's here to give a good impression of Etra.
Before he can work himself into a panic, the door opens.
"Her majesty will see you now." The servant says.
Queen Carrie's office is bright and sunny, full of bookshelves and paintings, and one full wall is just windows. The woman herself is sitting behind a large wooden desk, an array of papers spread out in front of her. James is in one of the two chairs on the other side, and he gestures for Mason to sit next to him.
He does.
"Lord Mason," Queen Carrie says. "Jamie explained to me that your father sent you here to sign the peace treaty, correct?"
"Yes, that is correct."
She purses her lips. "He told you that, specifically?"
"Yes."
"He didn't tell you anything else? No other reason for you to be here?"
Mason shifts nervously, wondering if there was some kind of mix-up. Whether he's even supposed to be in Osuma at all. "No."
The queen exchanges a glance with her son, then says, "You're not here to sign the treaty; your father already did."
"Then what am I here for?"
"For your marriage to my son."
Mason's jaw drops. He opens and closes his mouth a few times without any sound escaping. Finally, he manages a whispered, "What?"
"When signing the treaty, your father agreed to you being Jamie's betrothed. Did he not tell you any of this?"
Finding his voice, Mason says, "There's no way my father would have married me off, especially to your son." Two shocked faces stare back at him, and he realizes what he said. He rushes to correct himself. "I just mean, he wouldn't ever let me marry a man- of my choice or his. He firmly believes marriage belongs between a man and a woman."
Queen Carrie's eyes are sad and sympathetic. She produces a formal piece of paper and slides it across her desk for him to see.
Mason stares at the paper in front of him, his heart sinking. The Treaty of Aplein, it says at the top. Listed in the body are the conditions of the treaty, one of which is the marriage between Duke Luis' youngest and Queen Carrie's sole heir. At the bottom of the page is his father's signature and seal. "Oh."
The queen and prince are silent as he processes the new, life-changing information in front of him. Hot tears pinprick at the corners of his eyes, and Mason blinks them away, no matter how much he wants to cry. He won't, though, not in front of the royal family he's apparently going to marry into. No, he'll save his tears for when he's alone at night, and no one can hear.
Trying not to sound completely shaken up inside, Mason says, "So, I'm just staying here, then? I'm not going home?"
Prince James' eyes are soft. "I'm sure we'll be able to visit."
The tears threaten to come back at the thought of visiting the only home he's known. "I didn't say goodbye to my brother or sister."
"If you'd like to write home," Jamie says gently, "we can send it out immediately. Let them know what's happening, invite them to the wedding, that sort of thing… They'll receive official invitations, of course, but those won't be going out until we're more prepared for the wedding."
Mason nods. "Okay, thank you."
A beat of silence.
"Jamie, dear, would you mind showing Mason to his rooms?"
"Of course, Mother." Jamie stands and leans in to kiss her cheek, then gestures for Mason to follow. He leads him back down the halls they came down but turns right once they reach the private quarters instead of left.
They get to the room Mason will be staying in until he's married to Prince James- Jamie. He has to start thinking of his future husband as Jamie- and Mason ignores the rest of the extravagant room to sink into the first seat he sees. He curls forward and buries his face in his hands.
There are soft footsteps on the carpet.
"Mason?" Jamie asks, putting a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Are you okay?"
"I'd say I can't believe he did that," Mason says instead of answering his question. "But I can. And that hurts, too."
"I can't believe he didn't tell you. That he lied to you."
Mason gives a humourless laugh. "I can. This marriage is purely for his benefit, and he knew it'd be easiest for him if I were shipped off without a fuss. My older brother is his heir, and my sister is courting a high noble from our country. But me? I'm useless as the second son, but he can make money by selling me off to you. He doesn't care what I think."
Jamie's voice goes hard. "You really believe he thinks that?"
"I know so. He's told me before."
That pisses Jamie off. His fingers have tightened their grip on Mason's shoulder, and he mutters a 'fucking asshole' under his breath.
Mason smiles privately into his hands. It's nice to hear someone else cursing his father for a change, instead of him.
Jamie is quiet for a second, then says, "Would you like to be left alone?"
Mason thinks of the three days he spent alone in the carriage and how bored and lonely he felt. "No."
"Okay," Jamie says, sitting next to him. It's a loveseat, so he is right next to him, their thighs pressing together. Jamie is warm, and he smells good. Mason is annoyed that he noticed and that he still smells of travel himself.
The two quietly sit side by side as Mason thinks about how abruptly his life has changed and how his father didn't have the decency to tell him. He wondered if he could get away with inviting everyone except his father to the wedding. Probably not, considering the Duke of Ethya is the reason the wedding is happening.
Jamie lets him take as long as he needs without making him feel rushed or like he's burdening him, and once he's come to terms with the situation, Mason shyly asks about lunch. He hasn't had anything to eat since breakfast, and he'd like to ask Jamie some things. He's sure Jamie has questions for him, too.
"Yes, of course." Jamie stands and straightens his blazer, smoothing his hand down his torso. The dark blue suit he's wearing really does look good on him. Of all the men to marry, Mason has to admit his father chose a very attractive one. "Would you like to dine in the gardens? Of course, if you'd rather stay here, I can arrange for it to be sent here."
"No, I'd like to see the gardens, if that's okay."
Jamie smiles.
When Jamie leads the way through the palace, Mason pays more attention than he did before. That- he thought- was a surface-level tour for honourary guests, but now he has to learn his way around. He's going to be living here for the foreseeable future, and it's best to get familiar with the hallways and directions as soon as possible. He'll have to navigate the castle by himself eventually.
The gardens are expansive and in full bloom, with pathways leading through the bushes, trees, and flowers. There is a gazebo in the centre with a table that is already set up with plates of sandwiches and goblets of wine.
"I'll admit this wasn't how I was expecting our first meal to go," Jamie says bashfully as he spreads his napkin across his lap.
"What were you expecting?"
The shrug Jamie gives is anything but casual. "I was hoping that you'd be excited to meet as I was. When your father told us about you… Mason, I've never had a partner before, and I was eagerly awaiting your arrival. I was ready for a romantic meal to get to know the man I will be marrying."
"Oh." Mason doesn't know what else to say. It's weird to know that Jamie was thinking of him in a hopeful romantic way before Mason even knew he was being sent away. During the entire journey to Osuma, Mason was only thinking about what it'd be like to meet Queen Carrie and what he'd tell his siblings when he returned home. All the while, Jamie was planning a romantic lunch for them. "I'm sorry."
"No, Mason." Jamie reaches out, his hand hovering over Mason's. "I didn't mean it like that- I'm not blaming you for the situation we're in. I'm sorry. When your father came forward about the marriage, my mother and I were under the assumption that you were aware of the offer. That you consented to it. It never even occurred to me that you weren't told about it."
"I understand, I do." Mason takes a deep breath and runs his hand through his hair. It feels grimy from the road, and he wonders if he can wash up after lunch. Pushing his physical and emotional feelings aside, he focuses on logistics. "Legally, we have to get married. It's part of the peace treaty, and if we don't abide by it, then the treaty is broken. I won't let that happen. I didn't consent before, but I am consenting now."
Jamie gives him an overly flirtatious smile and says, "Does that mean I can attempt to woo you with my charm now?"
His silly tone and ridiculous eyebrow wiggle startle a laugh out of Mason. The smile on Jamie's face is genuine now, his blue eyes are glittering, and Mason sees two dimples in his freckled cheeks. He really is gorgeous.
For the first time since he climbed in the carriage to travel to a foreign country, Mason relaxes.
The preparations for the wedding keep Mason busy over the next few weeks, as Jamie insists that no decision is approved without both of them present. 'It's our wedding,' Jamie said in explication. 'It's literally the union of the two of us, of our two countries. That means it has to abide by both of our customs and desires.' Jamie also asks about wedding traditions in Etra and listens intently as Mason talks about the bright colours, dances, and staple dishes.
This also means that when Jamie is doing other princely duties that don't relate to the wedding, Mason is left alone with nothing to do. He spends his days writing home to his siblings and exploring the parts of the castle he's allowed to be in. To his delight, that includes the massive, gorgeous library.
It's two stories and lit up from the sun streaming through the ornate stained glass windows. The towering shelves are full of books of every colour and size, and on topics Mason's never heard of before. Mason's never seen so many before. Day after day, he's drawn back to the library, and he's usually curled up on one of the couches when the servants come to find him for meetings with Jamie and for meals.
With every smile Jamie sends his way, Mason feels his heart beating a little faster and the more his stomach flutters. Every day, his attraction to Jamie grows. He can't help it. Jamie is kind, genuine, and thoughtful. He makes sure to include Mason in everything regarding the wedding and stands by the Etran traditions Mason wants to honour and include.
More than once, Mason finds himself admiring Jamie's lips, and before he can stop the words from tumbling out, he asks, "Should we practice?"
Jamie looks up from the list of music they're considering for both the celebration and the party after. "Practice what?"
"Kissing."
Jamie tilts his head a little, intrigued and a little amused, but doesn't say anything just yet.
Mason elaborates. "We're going to have to kiss during the ceremony, right?"
A hint of a smile. "Yes."
"So, should we practice? I'd rather not have an audience for our first kiss."
"Well, in that case…" Jamie stands and walks around the table to where Mason is sitting. He holds his hand out for Mason's and pulls him up.
It's the first time Mason really notices that Jamie is taller than him. He knows that Jamie is taller, but he never thought about it until he's looking up at his pretty face with the intention of putting his mouth on Jamie's.
Jamie lightly traces his cheekbone with a fingertip, then cups his cheek in his hand. His hand is tender as it cradles Mason's face, causing his stomach to flutter at being touched so intimately. His other hand pushes into his hair, gripping intently yet gently. He draws his face up, and Mason stumbles forward a step, hooked on the desire for more. His fingers reach out to touch, sliding between the buttons of his shirt to caress his warm stomach.
Their noses bump, and Mason tilts his head as he leans in more. Soft lips brush against his, then press more firmly. Mason closes his eyes and leans into the kiss.
It's his first kiss ever, and he's quickly becoming addicted to Jamie's warm body against his, the way he feels in Mason's arms, and the taste of his mouth under his. If this is what it's like every time, Mason doesn't ever want to do anything else but press his lips to Jamie's and kiss until they're wet and swollen.
He pushes himself up on his toes to deepen the kiss as the rest of the world falls away.
"Oh," Jamie says when they part for air.
One thing his brother and sister failed to mention was how dizzy kissing could make a person. They told him it was breathtaking, but he didn't think they meant literally. He's sucking in air as though he just ran five miles.
"Yeah."
"That was… that was good, but I don't think my mom would like it if we kissed like that during the ceremony."
Still giddy from the kiss, Mason bursts into laughter. He leans into Jamie to hold him up as he laughs himself into tears. Jamie holds him close and buries his face into Mason's hair, his giggles muffled slightly.
"Can you imagine the look on the minister's face?"
Mason keels over with laughter, taking Jamie down with him. They end up sprawled out on the floor, clutching each other as they try and fail to regain composure.
When he finally collects himself, Mason lifts his head from Jamie's side and says, "Of all the men to be betrothed to, I'm glad it's you."
Jamie runs a hand through Mason's curls. "I'm glad too."
Mason rides on a high for the rest of the week, and he breaks into a smile every time he thinks of how he laughed so hard his stomach hurt. He hasn't had that much fun since he and his siblings were children.
Many letters get sent between Osuma and Etra as Mason tells them as much as he can about what it's like and how caring and considerate Jamie is. Londa's letters tell him of her beau and how terrible their father is for deceiving Mason like that, while Gabe tells him that he's not missing much at home- just their father being more unbearable now that Mason isn't there to share his suffering.
It's comforting to hear from them and to know they miss him as much as he's missing them.
A knock sounds on his door as he's signing his name at the end of his letter to Londa.
"Come in," he calls.
Jamie walks in and takes a seat on the loveseat they sat on on Mason's first day at the castle. He can hardly believe he's been here for over two months now. It simultaneously feels like it was yesterday and forever ago that he arrived in Osuma.
Putting the letter in the envelope, Mason writes his sister's address on the outside. "Are you wanting something, or are you planning on watching me all day?"
"I was thinking of watching," Jamie says cheekily.
When Mason looks up, he sees Jamie giving a dimpled grin. He chuckles and seals the letter with hot wax. He stands to put it on the table next to the door to be mailed in the morning.
"I was wondering if you'd like to go on a picnic with me," Jamie says from behind him.
Mason turns and raises an eyebrow. "Jamie, are you wishing to court me?"
"Yes? You're my betrothed- we're already courting, are we not?"
"It's one thing to be engaged as a part of a treaty, but…" Mason attempts a flirtatious look. "It's another to be in a romantic relationship with that person. So." He reaches up to 'straighten' Jamie's already perfect collar before peering up at him through his eyelashes. "Are you wishing to court me, Jamie?"
Jamie's face goes a delightful shade of pink. "Oh, um. I, uh, I'd- yes. Yes, I'd like to court you."
Pushing himself up onto his toes, Mason kisses the corner of Jamie's lips. "Then yes, I'd like to go on a picnic with you."
As if he knew Mason would say yes, Jamie already has a basket packed with the lunch, ready to be brought into the field with them. It's a bit of a walk to get to the hill Jamie wants to picnic on- something far enough from the castle to be far enough away from the palace's foot traffic but still within the protected walls.
Jamie spreads out the blanket under a tree, and Mason sits next to him, the basket between them. From it, Jamie pulls out plates, bread, a jar of honey and one of jam, and an array of fruit. He also packed glasses and a bottle of wine, and Mason thinks he might've seen a dessert of some kind in the basket before Jamie covered it again and set it aside.
"This is nice," Mason says, looking at the grassy hill and the wildflowers. The sun is warm, as is the light breeze, and Jamie removes his suit jacket. He sets it to the side, then rolls up his sleeves. "And that is even better."
Jamie notices him checking him out and blushes again. Just a light brushing on his cheekbones and the tips of his ears, but it's still adorable. "Should I put it back on?"
"Absolutely not."
Turning the attention off himself, Jamie says, "Are you enjoying your time here? I know you were tricked into coming, but I want to make it as enjoyable as I can."
"Yeah, it's been…" Mason trails off, unsure of how to properly describe what it's like. "It's different. There's less for me to do here- just preparing for the wedding- whereas, at home, my father would've had a list of things for me to do."
"Well, what did you do in your free time at home? Maybe we can arrange for you to do it here."
Mason focuses on spreading jam across a piece of bread to avoid looking at Jamie. His piercing blue eyes can be a little intense sometimes. "I never really… we didn't get free time back home. There was always something to keep us busy."
Jamie looks up. "Seriously? Did he let you have any fun when you were kids? I understand having a reputation to uphold regarding the public, but still. You and your siblings were children."
"You're telling me," Mason says bitterly.
Thinking back, he realizes just how miserable he was back home. Of course, he knew how much he and his siblings complained behind their parents' backs, but he never realized how controlling the Duke of Ethya was. Not for the first time, he's grateful to be off the short leash he was kept on his whole life.
He must be scowling because Jamie shifts awkwardly and looks away.
"Sorry." Flattening his expression into something less hostile, he says, "What do you like to do?"
Jamie brightens up immediately. "I paint! I haven't had time recently, what with the wedding coming up, but I have an art studio in my rooms full of paints, canvases, brushes, and everything else."
"That explains why you told me so much about the artworks when showing me around my first day here."
"Yeah," Jamie says with a chuckle. "So, what have you been doing when I'm not around?"
Mason tells him about how he found the library during the first week and how he's constantly drawn back to it, over and over. How it's gorgeous and welcoming and completely magical, and unlike anywhere Mason's ever been before.
"Do you like to read or write?"
"Reading, yes, I think so. As for writing, I've never tried it."
"Are the books in the library to your liking? If you're wanting something a little more fictional, you could borrow some of my personal books."
"What do you mean?"
"The palace's library is stocked with historical and informational books deemed appropriate by rules made generations ago, but I have some romances and fantasies. I will warn you, some of them can get a little…" Jamie picks up a grape and holds it to his lips. "Intimate." Opening his mouth, he pops the fruit in.
Mason shamelessly stares at Jamie's mouth. At his lips, that turn up into a smirk. "How intimate?" he whispers.
"Would you like me to show you?"
Not trusting himself to speak, he silently nods.
Moving his plate to the side, Jamie crawls across the picnic blanket to him, and Mason leans back until he's lying down underneath him. Jamie hovers over him for a second, then settles his weight down on Mason's hips and reaches behind him for the fruit. He runs a fingertip along Mason's bottom lip before following the same path with another grape.
Mason goes to eat it, but Jamie holds it just out of reach, teasing him with gentle touches and promises of more. He makes Mason want it, reach for it, and just when he thinks he can't take anymore, Jamie leans down and licks away the juices from the corner of Mason's lips.
Threading his fingers into Jamie's hair, Mason pulls him down into a kiss, ignoring the half-eaten peach to taste its sweet nectar on Jamie's lips. Jamie responds eagerly, deepening the kiss and digging his fingers into Mason's side to pull them closer together. Tongues and teeth clash, but Mason doesn't even care that it's sloppy. The way Jamie wants him just as much as Mason desperately wants him makes the kiss better.
"This isn't even half of what's in those books," Jamie whispers hoarsely between kisses.
Mason kisses him harder.
Time continues to fly with him and Jamie stealing kisses between meetings and meals, and the next thing he knows, the wedding is just a day away.
Mason is a bundle of nerves as the day passes. Important people from all over are arriving in Osuma, and he knows they're all here for him and Jamie. He watches from his bedroom window as carriage after carriage pulls up and people climb out. Even from a distance, he recognizes some from Etra, from when he was young, and his father took him along to various events and occasions. He wonders if they knew the marriage was a part of the peace treaty.
A knock sounds on the door.
He looks up to see Jamie peeking through the open door. "How are you feeling?"
"Nervous. A little overwhelmed, if I'm being honest." Stepping away from the window, he sits on the edge of his bed. Jamie crosses the room to sit next to him. "I mean, I'm used to being in the background. My father was always the one in the spotlight, with Gabe at his side. I was off to the side with my mother and Londa. I wasn't the one people were paying attention to. Now there are hundreds of people on their way to watch me walk down the aisle. It's just going to be me and you they care about."
"I see how that would be stressful." Jamie takes his hands in both of his, rubbing gently with his thumbs. "I grew up having the entire country's eyes on me, and I can imagine that being thrust into it would be terrifying. But like you said, it's just you and me, okay? It's just us. No one else matters. The minister is the only person we'll have to pay attention to."
Mason nods, giving Jamie a tight smile. He's still incredibly nervous, but at least he won't be alone.
"And, once it's done, there will be a big party, and we'll get lost in the crowd. Then, after the party, it'll be just you and me. We'll be completely alone and will spend the rest of the night doing whatever we want to do. Not a single person will be around to care about us."
"Reading your novels?"
"Maybe, if that's what you want."
Mason leans in to whisper in Jamie's ear. "I think I'd rather reenact some of the more intimate scenes."
Jamie gives a wickedly gleeful smile.
There's another knock on Mason's door, this time from the door to the main sitting room. "Mr. Viveros? There are two people here to see you."
Mason stands and exits the bedroom, and as soon as he sees the people standing in the doorway, his jaw drops.
"Mason!" His sister shouts, hiking up her skirts to run across the room at him, Gabe on her heels.
Rushing forward to meet them halfway, Mason collides with his siblings in a flying tackle. The hug is fierce as they squeeze the life out of each other. He can't believe it's been so long since he's seen them. They've never gone that long apart.
They fuss over him, Gabe messes up his hair and Londa coos over how much he's grown. It's almost too much, and Mason finds he's blinking back tears.
"I'll leave you three alone," Jamie says from behind him, and Mason feels guilty for forgetting he was there.
"Wait. Jamie, these are my siblings, Gabe and Londa. Guys, this is Jamie."
"Jamie Jamie? The one you're marrying?"
"Yes."
Londa circles Jamie, looking him up and down, before nodding. "If he's as nice as you say, I approve."
"I hope I can measure up to your expectations." Jamie glances back to Mason and nods his farewell. "I have things to do while you catch up, but I'll see you at dinner."
As soon as he leaves, Londa immediately starts gushing over him, and Mason has to agree when she says, "He's gorgeous!"
"Yes, Father did pick a good man for me to marry. I couldn't ask for anyone better."
"You really like him, huh." It's not a question, but Mason answers his brother anyway.
"Yes. He's really thoughtful and sweet, and he always makes sure I'm okay with everything. He asked me about Etran weddings and what I specifically wanted. And," he says a little proudly, "he's pissed that father lied to me and did his best to make me feel welcome."
Londa gathers him up into another hug. "I'm glad he treats you right. You deserve at least that. It'd be better if you, you know, chose to marry him because you love him, not because of a peace treaty you had no say in."
Looking down at his hands, Mason whispers, "I think I might."
"Might what? Love him?"
He nods. "Is that bad?"
"No, of course not." With an arm around him, Londa guides him to the couch, sitting down with him tucked into her side.
Gabe presses against his other side, joining the cuddle. "Why would it be bad for you to love the man you're going to marry?"
"Because we only met after we were betrothed. Because we wouldn't have met otherwise. How do I know if I love him for him or because of the situation? What if it's an 'I only think I love him because he's going to be my husband, and I'm going to have to spend the rest of my life with him, so why not' kind of thing."
"Mace," Gabe says, taking Mason's face in both of his hands. "I love you, and you're incredibly smart, but sometimes you can be a real dumbass."
He doesn't know if he should be pleased by the compliment or offended by the insult. "Excuse me?"
"You're not capable of that kind of fake love. You have a 'take no bullshit' attitude, and there's no way you'd settle for a relationship out of convenience. You, of all people, could have kept it diplomatic if that's what you truly felt. You wouldn't have considered genuine feelings for him. But you do because you do love him. True, I wish you two could have found each other and your love on your own, but that's not something any of us have control over. You're here now, so follow your heart because it will always lead true."
With tears in his eyes, Mason throws himself and Gabe, hugging him as tight as he can. Gabe's arms are just as strong around him, and Mason's reminded of all those times his brother picked him back up throughout his childhood. He was always looking out for him, even when no one else was. "I love you."
"I love you, too."
"We love you," Londa corrects, joining the hug.
When he pulls away, Mason wipes his eyes and changes the subject. "Where's Father?"
"He and Mother stopped to talk to the queen. He'll probably be here once they're done."
Then, as if he was summoned, the man himself angrily stalks into the room. "Mijo!"
Seeing his father sends a fresh stab of betrayal through Mason's heart. It still hurts that his father gave him up like that. Without telling him that he was being sent away for good.
"What the hell is this?" His father demands, waving an invitation in the air. "This says you're marrying Prince James! What happened to Princess Jamie?"
Mason freezes as everything clicks into place. He understands now why his father had no problem sending him away to marry Jamie. He thought Jamie was a girl.
Levelling an even look at his father, Mason says, "Jamie is Prince James. The queen's sole heir is who you sent me to marry; that is Jamie. Queen Carrie never had a daughter. You would know that if you made an effort to learn about the royal family before signing the treaty."
Mason has no idea where he got this bold attitude from. Maybe it's his pent-up anger finally coming to the surface. Or maybe it's Jamie's voice in the back of his head, telling him he deserves better.
Either way, Gabe gives a low whistle and pats his back.
"Don't speak to me like that, or I won't give you away," their father threatens.
"You already did."
His father obviously doesn't appreciate the attitude, but Mason is past caring about what he thinks. Less than a year ago, he would have, but that time is too long ago. Huffing, the man leaves.
"Awww," Gabe coos, reaching over to mess his hair up. "Our baby brother is growing up and fighting his battles on his own."
"Shaddup!" Mason says with a laugh. He playfully shoves Gabe, who shoves back.
"Aye! No fighting before the wedding! We don't want Osuma to change their minds about joining our families."
"Good idea. We'll wrestle later when it's too late for them to back out."
She rolls her eyes. "Aye-ya."
The tension is still thick when Mason takes dinner with his parents, siblings, Jamie, and Queen Carrie that evening. Mason does his best to ignore the glares and sharp tongue. More than once, Jamie comes to his aid, defending him from a few underlying insults. With every time, Mason loves him a little more.
Londa and Gabe love him too. It quickly becomes apparent how well Jamie fits in with them when the four of them hang out together after dinner. Jamie is laughing and joking with Mason and his siblings as though he's known them all along.
When they finally call it a night, Jamie kisses Mason on the cheek before leaving the three siblings to fall asleep in a puppy pile. It's a jumble of limbs and elbows digging into sides, but it's perfect. Mason doesn't know when they'll have another night like this, if at all.
His brother and sister hardly leave his side the next morning as they help him get ready.
The remainder of Mason's belongings that he didn't initially bring with him- when he thought he was only visiting- was sent from Etra about a week after he arrived in Osuma. He didn't, however, own any attire appropriate for a wedding in which he is one of the grooms. Gabe thought ahead and brought a suit he had made using the measurements from the last time Mason had clothes tailored for him.
The suit is gorgeous; dark burgundy with highly detailed embroidery. It's perfectly snug in all of the right parts, made with a soft fabric, and is surprisingly comfortable. Mason's grateful for that because he's going to be spending the entire day in it.
Floods of people swarm the castle, filling the courtyard and hallways with incessant chatter. Servants bustle in and out of rooms. The noise is almost too much.
Gabe, as his padrino, sticks himself to Mason's side. Anytime he starts to feel overwhelmed, his brother puts a hand on the small of his back and whispers for him to breathe.
"Just remember to stay relaxed and focus on what's important. Ignore the audience if you have to."
"Mijo, ponerse de pie recto."
Mason sucks in a deep breath and does.
Despite his father's threats of not participating in the wedding, he cares too much about appearances to spite his son. Mason's not fond of his father- now more than ever- but he is relieved to have another familiar face with him. It makes him feel less alone to have half of his family right there.
He tries to follow Gabe's suggestion of ignoring the audience, but it's impossible when so many eyes are on him. Every person in the room is looking at him, even Jamie, who's waiting for him at the front.
Mason's hands are clammy, his breathing is shallow, and his heart is pounding by the time he's halfway down the aisle. He keeps his eyes locked on Jamie the entire time, appreciating the small, reassuring smile Jamie gives him once he reaches the dias.
Jamie looks stunning in his dark blue suit. The corset vest underneath, which Mason can only see part of, shows off his figure, especially with the gold and black ribbon stripes on either side of the hooks, elongating his torso and drawing his waist in. The black and gold velvet ribbons also circle his wrists and run down the front of the jacket. His hair, which is normally in a ruffled style, is combed back.
Even if he wasn't staring at Jamie to calm his nerves, Mason would definitely be staring at him anyway. He's too gorgeous to look away from. Even though he's been preparing for this day for weeks, he still can't believe he's marrying Jamie. He hadn't even met him less than a year ago, and now he's going to spend the rest of his life with him.
Mason dissociates a little for the formal part of the ceremony, but when the minister gets to a part he actually has to pay attention to, Jamie stares intently at him, flicks his eyes to the minister, then back to Mason. He blinks and makes sure to listen as the man calls Gabe forward to wrap the silk ribbon around Mason's and Jamie's hands for them to say their vows as they exchange rings.
Jamie holds out his hand for Mason to take, and when he does, he squeezes lightly. Mason squeezes back.
"I, James Lawrence Peterson, take thee, Mason Diego Viveros, to my wedded husband to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, to cherish, and to obey, till death us do part."
"I, Mason Diego Viveros, take thee, James Lawrence Peterson, to my wedded husband to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, to cherish, and to obey, till death us do part."
Shortly after the vows, the minister pronounces them wedded, and they seal the marriage with a sweet kiss.
The after-party is a blur of colours, music, and laughter.
Chefs and musicians were brought in from Etra, and Mason delights in showing Jamie traditional Etran dances. He presses sweet desserts to his husband's lips, following the taste with his own mouth. He has no care for anyone who could be watching. It's their wedding party, a day they'll only get once, and he refuses to let anything bring him down.
Londa drags Jamie into a dance with her, and Mason watches with hearts in his eyes as his husband fumbles over the steps he doesn't know with Mason's sister. Gabe sees and hands Mason another glass of wine.
Hours later, long after the sun has set and after many strangers offered him their congratulations, Jamie takes Mason's hand to lead him inside.
Mason catches a glimpse of their reflection in a window and sees the wine-stained kisses Jamie left on his cheeks and around his mouth. He sees the giddy smile on his face and his messy curls, neatly styled for the service but tousled from Jamie running his fingers through them all night.
He feels fuzzy and happy as Jamie pulls him into his rooms and closes the door behind them.
As he glances around, a rush of feelings he's too tipsy to identify rushes through him. The sitting room they're in is familiar, but it feels different now. A second later, he realizes why. These rooms of Jamie are his now, too. They're no longer for Jamie on his own. They're for the crowned prince and his husband. The two of them.
Unaware of the rumble of thoughts in Mason's head, Jamie tugs on his hand to lead him toward their bedroom.
Mason grins at that thought. Their bedroom.
He hasn't been in Jamie's bedroom before, but he's unsurprised to see the largest, fanciest bed he's ever seen in the middle of the room. He's also not surprised to see the litter of art supplies strewn across the bedside table.
Turning away from the room, Mason faces his husband and unbuttons his jacket, running his hands along his sides. "Please wear this again," he says about the vest. "You look so good in this."
"I'll wear anything you want me to," Jamie says before leaning down to kiss him.
Mason leans into the kiss. He digs his fingers into the waistband of Jamie's pants and pushes himself up on his toes to deepen the kiss. "Should we consummate the marriage?" He whispers between kisses.
"We will, but not tonight. We're both drunk, and I want to do it right. I want to remember our first time together."
The thought of being intimate with Jamie melts Mason's insides, and he presses his lips to Jamie's neck, shoulders, and chest as they continue to undress each other. They don't stop touching as they climb into the big, soft bed and curl up together, sharing kisses along the way.
Masons fits perfectly tucked into Jamie's side.
"Jamie?"
"Yes?"
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"For making me feel welcome. I had no idea what I was literally walking into, but you helped make it easier. Thank you."
Jamie pulls Mason in closer and kisses his forehead.
