Page 62 of The Broken Dawn

"Hal," he gasped, hands clutching at Hal's shoulders. "I'm going to⁠—"

"Yes," Hal breathed against his skin. "Let me see you."

Jakob came with a broken cry that he muffled against Hal's shoulder, his whole body shuddering. Hal held him through it, amazed at the power of having reduced this strong, steady man to trembling vulnerability in his arms.

Afterward, they lay tangled together, sweat cooling on their skin. Hal rested his head on Jakob's chest, listening to his heartbeat gradually slow. Jakob's fingers traced idle patterns on his back, each touch sending little shivers of pleasure through him.

"That was..." Hal began, then shook his head softly. "there are no words to describe what that was."

Jakob's chest rumbled with answering laughter. "I know." His hand came up to card through Hal's hair, gentle and possessive. "I've never... not like that."

Hal lifted his head, meeting Jakob's eyes. "Really?"

"Really." Jakobs smile was soft, intimate. "Only you."

Something warm unfurled in Hal's chest at those words. He pressed a kiss to Jakob's sternum, right over his heart. "Only you for me too," he whispered.

They lay in comfortable silence for a while, just breathing together. Outside, snow had begun to fall, the first of the season, hissing softly against the window. The sound made their warm nest feel even more precious, more protected.

"I should go soon," Jakob murmured eventually, though his arms tightened around Hal even as he said it.

"Not yet," Hal whispered, pressing closer. "Please? Just... a little longer?"

He felt Jakob's smile against his temple. "As if I could deny you anything right now." His hand came up to card through Hal's sweat-damp hair. "A few more minutes."

Hal knew that anyone who tried to separate them right now would have to physically pry him from Jakob's arms. The thought should have scared him—this desperate need to keep Jakob close, to protect what they'd found together. Instead, it felt right. Inevitable.

"Whatever happens with Christian, with my mother..." Hal's voice was soft but steady. "This is worth fighting for."

Jakob's arms tightened around him. "Yes," he agreed, the word a vow in the quiet room. "Whatever comes, we face it together."

The snow fell thicker outside, muffling all sound until their breathing seemed impossibly loud in the quiet room. Hal fought to keep his eyes open, not wanting to miss a moment of this—the way Jakob's skin glowed in the dim light, the warm, sweet weight of him against Hal's side.

"Sleep, my prince," Jakob murmured, his own voice growing heavy. His fingers had slowed their movement on Hal's back, becoming less purposeful. "I can hear you thinking."

"Don't want to waste it," Hal admitted, even as his eyes grew heavier. He pressed closer, tangling their legs together under the blankets. "Don't want to miss anything."

Jakobs quiet laugh rumbled through his chest. "Not going anywhere." His arms tightened around Hal, protective even half-asleep. "Promise."

Hal knew they shouldn't sleep like this—knew the risk of discovery grew with every minute Jakob stayed. But the steady beat of Jakob's heart under his ear was better than any lullaby, and the warmth of his skin made Hal feel safe in a way nothing else ever had.

The last thing Hal registered before sleep took him was Jakob pressing one final kiss to his temple, murmuring something soft in Russian that sounded like a prayer.

October 23, 1939

Gray light filtered through the curtains as Jakob blinked awake. God, he was so warm. He couldn't remember the last time he'd felt this completely warm, his body wrapped in warm blankets, and warmer skin. Harald's arm draped across his chest, warm and solid. The weight of it anchored him, pulling him down into the feather bed beneath them, made him feel sheltered in a way he hadn't since before he'd left Russia.

A glance at the clock on the wall showed 4:15 AM. Time to get up for chores.

"Have to go," Jakob whispered, trying to slide out from under Harald's arm.

"Too early." Hal murmured, snuggling his nose into the soft, wispy hair at Jakob's neck. "It's still night."

He turned and smiled down at his sleepy prince, face creased from the pillow and golden hair mussed with sleep. "I wish it were." He said, brushing his fingers across the warmth of Hal's cheek. "But the ladies will be wanting milking and their breakfast."

Harald pulled Jakob down against him again, pulling his head into the comfort of his shoulder. "Stay." His voice was rough with sleep. "The cows can wait."

"They really can't." But Jakob didn't move yet. He traced his fingers along Harald's forearm, memorizing the feel of his skin.