Taming the Wild Beast of Alamina

Traveling with Theodore required considerably more luggage than either Arion or Dean had expected.

Not because their son needed anything particularly unusual, but because every member of the household seemed convinced that a few days in Saha required contingencies for every possible change in weather, appetite, sleep schedule, clothing disaster, medical inconvenience, and infant preference.

By the time the convoy left the Crown Prince Palace, Hunter had inspected three security vehicles, Matthias had personally checked Theodore’s travel bag twice, and Dean had discovered an entire additional case of toys he had never packed.

He looked at Arion.

"Did you approve this?"

"No."

Matthias closed the trunk.

"The little prince may become bored."

"He is eight months old," Dean said. "He becomes entertained by spoons."

"That does not mean he should travel without alternatives."

Arion wisely continued toward the waiting car.

Theo, secured against Dean in a lightweight carrier, watched the entire argument with black eyes and one fist wrapped around the neckline of Dean’s pale shirt.

He had grown considerably since winter. His dark hair was thicker now, his face rounder, and the tiny premature infant they had once watched through an incubator had become a sturdy, curious baby who wanted to touch everything within reach.

Including Hunter’s communication equipment.

Hunter removed the earpiece from Theo’s range before entering the vehicle.

"No."

Theo grinned at him.

Dean sighed. "He thinks that means try again later."

"I am aware."

The drive to the imperial airfield should have been uneventful.

It was not.

The public had known for several days that the crown prince and crown consort were traveling to Saha, and although the palace had never released Theodore’s exact schedule for obvious security reasons, enough accredited media had gathered outside the controlled arrival area that Hunter muttered something unpleasant when the first cameras appeared beyond the barriers.

Dean glanced through the tinted window.

"Oh."

Arion followed his gaze.

"That is excessive."

Theo pressed both hands against the glass.

Camera shutters immediately multiplied.

Dean pulled him back before their son attempted to lick the window.

"He likes them."

"That is unfortunate."

It had become increasingly obvious over the previous months that Theodore’s popularity extended far beyond the imperial family.

The first photographs released after his birth had been carefully selected, followed by occasional official images showing him with Dean and Arion, his grandparents, or during family events. It had been enough.

Alamina adored him.

Partly because he was Otto’s first grandchild, partly because he had been born prematurely on Arion’s birthday and survived without lasting complications, and partly because Theo possessed the inconvenient habit of smiling directly at cameras whenever someone attempted to photograph him.

The media had interpreted this as personality.

Dean suspected his son simply liked flashing lights.

When they stepped from the vehicle beneath the covered entrance to the airfield, Theo proved him correct.

A wall of shutters erupted beyond the security line.

Theo turned toward it.

His entire face brightened.

Then he laughed.

Dean closed his eyes briefly.

"Of course."

Arion’s hand settled against the middle of Dean’s back as they walked.

"Do not stop."

"I wasn’t planning to."

Matthias followed several steps behind them beside Hunter, wearing a dark travel suit rather than his guardian uniform. His attention moved constantly across the barriers, cameras, security teams, and access points with a soldier’s efficiency that looked surprisingly natural despite the century separating his original training from modern security procedures.

One reporter called Theodore’s name.

Theo immediately turned.

Another delighted squeal escaped him.

Arion looked down at his son.

"You are encouraging them."

Theo kicked both legs.

Dean laughed.

A few photographs would inevitably appear before they even reached Saha.

Probably several hundred.

At least Theo looked pleased.

The private aircraft waiting beyond the terminal was considerably quieter.

Once the doors closed and the media disappeared behind reinforced glass and distance, Dean settled into the wide seat near the windows while Matthias helped secure Theodore’s approved infant seat beside him.

Theo objected to the restraint for approximately thirty seconds before discovering the window.

Then the aircraft moved.

His black eyes widened as the terminal began sliding past.

Arion sat opposite them, jacket already removed and sleeves loosened, watching his son with considerably more interest than the preflight briefing Hunter had placed on the table.

Dean nudged the document toward him.

"You have work."

"I am supervising."

"You are staring at Theo."

"That is supervision."

Hunter sat farther forward and pretended not to hear them.

Matthias did not bother pretending.

"The little prince appears adequately supervised."

Arion gave him a look.

Theo slapped one palm against the window.

The aircraft lifted.

For several seconds, his expression went completely blank.

Then Roslew dropped away beneath them, roads shrinking into narrow lines between green fields and late-spring forests.

Theo made a noise of astonishment.

Dean smiled and leaned closer to the window with him.

"There you go."

Theo looked at him, then back outside, apparently confirming that Dean had also noticed the world becoming small.

The flight lasted several hours.

Theo slept through nearly half of it sprawled across Arion’s chest after deciding the infant seat had fulfilled its usefulness, woke hungry, ate, spent twenty minutes attempting to remove Matthias’s watch, and eventually fell asleep again against Dean shortly before they crossed into Sahan airspace.

By the time Altera appeared beneath them, the afternoon light had turned warmer.

The Sahan capital spread outward in dense pale stone and dark roofs, broken by broad avenues, formal gardens, and the palace complex rising beyond the central district.

Dean looked down through the window.

"It has been a while."

Arion glanced at him.

"For both of us."

Matthias had gone silent.

Dean noticed him looking toward the city with an expression difficult to read.

"First time?"

"In this century."

"That counts."

The landing was smooth enough that Theo barely stirred.

Nero was supposed to meet them.

Naturally, Nero was nowhere near the runway.

Arion checked his phone while they waited for the aircraft door to open.

"He says he is trapped."

Dean smiled.

"By what?"

Arion read the message.

"His father."

"That sounds legitimate."

Outside, Sahan household staff waited beneath the covered reception area alongside security officers and two familiar figures.

Chris stood at the front, dressed in dark trousers and a cream jacket light enough for the mild spring afternoon, while Rowan waited beside him with the composed expression of a man who had spent years managing both royal security and a household full of people who considered schedules negotiable.

His position had changed since the years he had served directly as Chris’s chief of security.

The authority had not.

Rowan was now steward and chief of the imperial household, which apparently meant he could reorganize an entire palace while looking mildly disappointed in everyone involved.

Chris smiled the moment Dean appeared with Theodore in his arms.

"There he is."

Arion stepped down behind them.

"I am here too."

"I saw you."

"That was convincing."

Chris ignored him completely and approached Dean instead.

Theo woke at the sound of unfamiliar voices, blinked once, then recognized Chris.

His eyes shifted gold.

A delighted smile followed.

Chris looked unbearably pleased.

"You remember me."

"He remembers anyone willing to admire him," Dean said.

"That still counts."

Rowan greeted Arion and Dean properly before his attention moved to Matthias.

There was a brief pause.

Two men from entirely different periods of royal service assessed one another in silence.

Dean almost wanted to see how long it would continue.

Matthias inclined his head first.

"Rowan."

"Matthias."

Apparently introductions had already been handled through security files.

Hunter looked faintly disappointed.

Chris reached for Theo only after Dean gave permission.

Theo went willingly, immediately grabbing the lapel of Chris’s jacket and inspecting it with serious concentration.

Arion looked toward the palace vehicles waiting beyond the reception area.

"Where is Nero?"

Rowan’s expression did not change.

"His Highness intended to be here."

"That means Dax gave him work."

"His Majesty reminded him that his birthday does not suspend government."

Dean laughed.

Chris shifted Theo higher against his shoulder.

"Nero disagrees."

"I assumed so."

Rowan opened the door of the waiting car.

"He has been asking whether you landed every nine minutes."

Arion sighed.

"He invited Theo. We are incidental."

Chris smiled at the baby now attempting to pull one of his buttons loose.

"At least he is honest."