Alaric carried Julian across the threshold, his boots making a soft thud against the thick rug before he walked straight toward their massive bed.
He laid Julian down gently, though his arms lingered around Julian's waist for a few seconds longer than necessary.
Julian let out a soft gasp as his back hit the mattress. It was great to be back in his own bed. The church beds had a little… hardness to them. And sleeping in the carriage did not do him any good either.
He looked up at the Duke, his cheeks faintly pink as he tried to catch his breath.
"Lucien, I thought you said we were catching up on some rest," Julian murmured, a small, highly amused smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
"We are," Alaric cackled, leaning down to trap Julian beneath his shadow, his hands resting on either side of Julian's shoulders.
