Chapter 21

Twenty-One

One week later…

Very little had changed at Sch?nbühel and Jonathon felt chills when he got out of the limo and scanned the courtyard, acknowledging the staff waiting on the steps. He remembered every detail of his first morning and first sighting of the picturesque castle. But instead of déjà vu, it was as if time had stopped at Sch?nbühel the day he and Leo had said goodbye and their love had gone dormant. Jonathon would swear that not a single stone had been turned and all the shrubs and vines looked just as they did the day they left.

Leo was smiling and looked proud when he offered Jonathon a hand and escorted him up the castle's steps. For Jonathon, it was like returning to the place in his dreams, ready to make a new start and build a beautiful life with his Prince Charming-ish.

The staff had certainly aged and changed in the years since Jonathon had last visited, but he did recognize several familiar faces.

Including the housekeeper, Frau Fischer. "It's so good to have you back, Herr von Hessen. Mr. Hawthorne, it's wonderful to see you again as well," she said and carefully lowered into a curtsy.

"Please, don't." Jonathon stopped her, clasping her hands. "It's lovely to see you again, Frau Fischer."

Leo chuckled as he shook her hand. "My fiancé is right. There's no need to bow to us or stand on so much formality. We'd like this to feel like a home, not a castle, we've agreed," he said as he turned to Jonathon. Leo coughed softly, hiding his smile. He did that every time he introduced Jonathon as his fiancé, he had noticed.

"I'm so glad to hear that you'll be staying with us. We'll do our best to remember," Frau Fischer said warmly as she shook his hand and turned back to Jonathon. "May I say, it's lovely to have you and your aunt back at Sch?nbühel," she said, smiling as Muriel made her way up the steps.

"I'll take that!" She snatched Calista's leash from one of the footmen. The young man looked all too happy to hand over the snarling dog's lead before he fled to help with the rest of their luggage. It was currently being unloaded from a van and carried into the castle by a stream of young men in simple black tuxedos.

"Be nice, Muriel," Jonathon had scolded, wincing at Frau Fischer. "If you ever have any questions about anything she says or asks you to do, please find me. Or, just ignore her."

"She's not that bad," Leo said quietly and smirked at them as Muriel struggled to calm the excited poodle.

"The dog or my aunt?" Jonathon asked, making Frau Fischer stifle a laugh.

"It is so good to have you all back," she said and guided them through an abbreviated tour, showing them changes and upgrades to the inside of the castle.

Leo's brothers had decided to stay behind in New York and Sabine and Markus were still in Vienna. It seemed they were too enamored with their suite and each other to join the rest of the party. All was quiet so Leo had encouraged Markus to trust the small but highly competent security team he had built and to take more time off after their return from New York. He would be along the following week, while Sabine would only be visiting Sch?nbühel as necessary during her probation.

Both Markus and Sabine deserved a break they had decided, but Jonathon suspected that Leo had done it for his own selfish reasons. He had admitted to Jonathon that he wanted time to enjoy his new family without his assistant and his loyal bodyguard hovering. Jonathon had observed that it was their job to hover and see to his needs and protect him, and there was only so much privacy in a castle that employed dozens of servants and groundskeepers. But Leo had said that he wanted to stare at his future husband like a lovesick fool without interruption.

The trip to Austria had been somewhat trying at times, with Leo's instance on flying economy and taking trains and buses whenever possible, and Muriel loathing everything about flying economy and being exposed to bus and train travel.

"Um Himmels willen…"

Leo muttered the phrase often, for a variety of reasons, but remained patient and barely raised his voice. He didn't skimp on their accommodations in Amsterdam, though, and had used every meal to pamper Jonathon and Muriel. It also seemed like Leo enjoyed their bickering and scheming, which boded very well for the future, once they reached Sch?nbühel.

One of Jonathon's biggest concerns was that the novelty would quickly wear off and Leo would have regrets about saddling himself with a feisty older woman and a belligerent poodle, in addition to a new fiancé. But they were the only thing Leo wasn't grumpy about and he seemed to save his ire for the weather, the number of single-passenger vehicles on the autobahns, society's dependence on computers and technology… The Foundation was grumbled about regularly when they returned to Vienna.

They set up camp in the Palais Coburg, as Leo's apartment didn't have enough staff to look after the three of them on such short notice. Leo insisted they be treated as his family and royalty as well, despite Jonathon's protests and to Muriel's hearty approval.

And Leo made Jonathon feel more and more beautiful with each passing day. He practically fell apart whenever Jonathon undressed or stepped out of the shower. He couldn't control himself when Jonathon was naked, Leo had to touch him and taste him and fuck him.

What else could Jonathon do but bend over the bathroom sink or ride Leo in the closet? He certainly couldn't see any other course of action but to drop to his knees and lavish Leo with a slow, sultry blowjob while he smoked a cigar on the balcony, after he surprised Muriel with her own box at the opera. The man refused to stop and used every opportunity to spoil them.

"I did pack a few red things," Jonathon had said while dressing for their trip to Sch?nbühel, earlier that morning.

The newspaper had slipped from Leo's fingers, sliding to the floor. "Oh?" Leo asked in a strained croak and pushed back his seat.

"I can't see myself having a reason to wear red very often, though," Jonathon mused and smirked over his shoulder.

Leo dove at him. "Jetzt!" He took Jonathon roughly on the floor, using his necktie to muffle his own screams.

They had fooled around on the floor until it was time to go, but Leo was still restless throughout their first dinner at Sch?nbühel. Jonathon suspected that Leo was too hungry for something else to do more than murmur vague compliments about the mushroom soup and vegetarian goulash. There had been too many bags to unpack and decisions to make for them to find a moment alone and Jonathon could practically feel Leo simmering with impatience.

"Game room?" Jonathon had asked Muriel as he pulled out her chair and helped her up, earning an offended scowl from Leo.

Jonathon shushed him but Muriel had missed it, smothering a yawn and shaking her head. "Too tired tonight, my dear. Perhaps von Hessen can entertain you," she said with a wiggle of her brows. "I'm sure he knows a few games."

"He also knows where they keep the shovels," Jonathon drawled and offered his arm. "I'll walk you up. It has been a long day and you're looking a touch peaked," he said, frowning at her.

She swatted his arm. "Me? I've seen more color in a coffin, child. We'll resume our walks after breakfast and lunch. You need more time in the sun."

"Yes, Aunt Muriel," he said, rolling his eyes and making Leo chuckle as he followed them up the stairs.

"Good evening, madam," Leo said as he bowed over her hand, then left them to head upstairs to his and Jonathon's wing.

Muriel had wished him a good evening and thanked Leo for the lovely trip—flying economy, trains, and buses aside—and for making them feel so welcome to his family and his home. She was far less grateful or graceful to Jonathon, needling him about the wedding and demanding he regale her new maid with all the gifts Leo had bought him and all the posh places he had taken them in Vienna.

Jonathon was in a snit when he strode into their room ten minutes later. "I've changed my mind. We're sending her back to Manhattan," he declared and peeled his coat off on the way to Leo's closet. Jonathon's was on the opposite side of the room but he knew Leo didn't mind, he sounded thoroughly amused as he poured himself a scotch and chuckled.

"Already? It's only been a week."

It took Jonathon just moments to toe off his sneakers and strip. "She told her new maid to refer to me as the Archduchess," he said, reappearing in nothing but one of Leo's dressing robes and a black jockstrap. The robe was open and hung around his shoulders, dragging behind him.

He felt regal and irresistible but a loud cackle burst from Leo. "I would love to see the reaction that would get from the Foundation's board. I say we let her run with it and see if it sticks," he suggested and Jonathon mimicked him in a deep rumble.

"Muriel only runs when she's wearing hose," he informed Leo dryly, sauntering to him and reaching for the glass. "And we shouldn't push our luck. The Foundation handled it rather well when they learned you were engaged, and returning to Austria with an elderly gorgon and an apricot poodle after your trip to New York."

"Sabine has done her job, but it was a very eventful trip," Leo said, pushing the robe down Jonathon's arms. It slid and puddled at Jonathon's feet and Leo's head fell to the side as he stepped around the robe for a better look.

"Happy birthday by the way," Jonathon murmured into the glass before taking a sip.

Leo hummed absently as he traced the curve of an asscheek, then stepped close so he could kiss Jonathon's shoulder and lick the back of his neck. "Very happy. I finally have what I've always wanted: you," he whispered into Jonathon's hair.

The hand holding the glass extended and there was a thunk as it landed on the dresser. Jonathon reached up and slid his fingers through Leo's hair. "And what do you want right now, sir?" he asked and tilted his head to the side, offering more of his neck.

Leo growled in delight as he licked, giving Jonathon goosebumps and making him shiver in anticipation. He adored Leo for openly loving him and treating him like an equal when anyone else was in the room, but Jonathon obediently handed over control when they were alone. After nearly a lifetime of feeling unwanted and being rejected by most decent men, Jonathan flourished under Leo's thumb, glorying in his obsession and protective possessiveness.

And after a day of politely waiting, it was so good to see Leo shed his manners and simply take what he needed. He turned Jonathon, kissing him hard and growling.

"Auf die Knie," he commanded, grabbing a rough handful of Jonathon's hair.

He dropped to his knees immediately and efficiently dealt with Leo's belt and fly. "Thank you, sir," he said in a silky drawl that had Leo's grip tightening and his eyes sparking with primal hunger. Jonathon cooed encouragingly as he freed Leo's erection and covered it in long, greedy licks.

"Verdammte Schei?e!" Leo tightened his grip on Jonathon's hair and forced his head back. His cock pushed past Jonathon's lips and over his tongue, Leo bucking and grinding as he held on tight.

Jonathon used Leo's belt to pull him closer, urging him on with strained grunts and moans. The pressure and burning in Jonathon's esophagus was intense, but he could hear Leo unraveling as he mumbled pleas and compliments in broken German.

"Enough!" he eventually said, pulling Jonathon's head back and forcing him up. He turned Jonathon and lifted him, striding to the bed and depositing him onto the mattress. It took just a moment to step out of his trousers and Jonathon had the lube ready as Leo crawled over him. "Show me what's mine," he commanded, nipping Jonathon's shoulder and licking down his spine before sitting back on his heels.

"This is yours," Jonathon said as he arched his back and gave his ass a little shake, tempting Leo.

"So beautiful." Leo smacked the cheek on the left hard, making Jonathon yelp and gasp.

"Again! Please, sir!" His hands twisted in the velvet coverlet as Jonathon glanced over his shoulder, his gaze heavy with desire and devotion.

"Shhhh! Mein Sü?er," Leo crooned softly, caressing Jonathon's asscheek before giving it another sharp slap. He bent so he could kiss it, then kissed the delicate, puckered flesh around Jonathon's hole. "So sü?," he whispered lovingly and traced it with the tip of his tongue before sucking, causing it to flinch and quiver as Jonathon trembled and begged Leo's name.

He fucked Jonathon with his tongue, eliciting a string of hoarse, wavering pleas until Leo held him down and fucked him senseless. After, Jonathon slipped from his arms to dash into the sitting room, returning a moment later with a heavy, ancient-looking tome he had found in the library.

"What's this?" Leo asked, holding back the covers so Jonathon could curl up next to him.

"Grimms' Tales."

Leo frowned as he kissed Jonathon's brow and allowed him to pick a story. "That would have been my last choice after what happened with the roses. I probably would have suggested something lighter—in topic and in size—just to be safe."

"This is perfectly safe," Jonathon said with an imperious sniff. "Although, it is missing Rapunzel. Seems all of those pages have vanished."

"How curious," Leo murmured and gave his head a little shake. "I don't care what you do to anything or any part of the castle if it makes you happier and gives you more closure. Are you sure you won't mind, when Sabine needs to visit?" he asked carefully, but Jonathon shrugged it off.

"We had some very long chats in Vienna and I believe her. She was so scared you'd lose the title because of me and that it would go to Theo. And why would she think it was serious? We snuck around like criminals so Sabine had no idea how happy we were together. All she could do was assume the worst about the both of us and it was her job to handle damage control."

"Possibly… But I told her how much you meant to me and that you loved me," Leo argued. He still had a hard time getting past that part. That should have been enough in Leo's mind, but she had overridden all of his wishes in order to keep them apart.

"Where would we be now, if the Foundation had taken one look at me ten years ago and given you the boot?"

Leo's eyes narrowed as he considered. "Ireland?"

Jonathon's jaw opened and snapped shut. "Really?" he asked and Leo nodded.

"It's very green and rainy. And it's politically progressive."

"I love Ireland, but that's not the point," Jonathon sighed at him. "Would we have withstood the stress of that? Would you have been as happy, if you couldn't accomplish everything you set out to do because I cost you the title? That kind of regret could kill a relationship," he said with a shake of his head. "We don't know how long we would have lasted, but we know there's a good chance Theo would be Margrave now if it weren't for Sabine. So, for that reason, I'm thankful that she was there to buy you that month and that she had risked so much to make your dreams come true."

"I wish I had some of your grace," he replied. Leo was talking to Sabine, but only to discuss what was necessary. "But we were the casualties of those dreams."

"I don't think we would have lasted before," Jonathon said with a decisive nod, making Leo frown.

"Why? I meant everything I said and I believed you loved me."

"I did, but we were both young and drunk on each other and the fairy tale of this place," he said with a wave around them. "I think reality would have ripped us apart, just as Sabine had predicted. She wasn't wrong about what they would have said about us and how the Foundation would have reacted. I don't know if either of us could have handled that ten years ago."

"We deserved a chance to try, though, and there's no guarantee we wouldn't have made it work."

"Maybe, but we can make it work now. We're both smarter and stronger and have a better support system. I'm choosing to look at it like we were put on pause, until we were both ready," Jonathon declared and tipped his nose back, signaling that the matter was settled.

Leo humphed dubiously. "You've forgiven Sabine already?"

"Not completely…" Jonathon said slowly. "I'll keep her at arms' length. But I'm glad she's here to serve you and watch as I live my very best life with the prince of my dreams."

"That part, I like very much," Leo groaned contentedly as he squeezed Jonathon and kissed his cheek. "Mein Liebster." He grew quiet as they considered the illustrated prince above the first chapter of the story Jonathon had selected. "My journey to find true love and happily ever after was just as twisted as the tales in these books. But I believe we were meant to be together and that no evil trick or spell could have kept us apart," he added.

Jonathon turned, arching a brow at Leo. "How? This could have been so much easier if we weren't such a terrible match."

"Don't say that. We're a perfect match," Leo said and gave Jonathon a stern look. "Whatever the Foundation or the rest the world thinks doesn't matter. I'm at peace when I'm with you because you understand me. You care for the man, not the Margrave, and you suit him so perfectly." He gave Jonathon's bottom an affectionate knead and pulled him closer, illustrating just how well they fit.

"True," Jonathon said, yawning and snuggling against Leo's side.

"We both tried and learned that no one else would do, and we learned how terrible it feels when we're apart," Leo continued, earning a jerky nod from Jonathon.

"I was meant for you," he agreed shakily.

Leo shushed softly and kissed his hair. "You were meant for me and no tower—manmade or metaphorical—could keep us apart," he said, causing Jonathon to laugh softly.

"I was going to run away to Ireland with Muriel."

"What?" Leo chuckled and Jonathon nodded.

"I told the Ashbys I wanted to sneak away with Muriel, the night before you found me. She has another old friend who's an Irish lord with a place we could have crashed at indefinitely."

"I'm so glad you didn't," Leo winced over Jonathon's shoulder at the book. "I would have followed and waited on his doorstep. On my knees if necessary," he admitted and whispered an apology as he kissed Jonathon's cheek again.

Jonathon made a thoughtful sound. "That would have been very romantic."

"Yet very wasteful with all that extra flying," Leo said, laughing softly at Jonathon's weary sigh. He gave Jonathon another squeeze. "That would be one more mark against Sabine, but I suppose we can forgive her since we aren't villains."

"No." Jonathon shook his head. "We're the heroes, and a prince and his archduchess would be graceful and forgive her," he proclaimed, then snorted. "Although, I'm not sure she deserves Markus. He worships the ground she walks on and knows what he's doing in the bedroom, as far as I can tell," he said, making Leo roll his eyes.

"I should have seen it and encouraged it sooner. She's almost pleasant now and I've caught Markus smiling on several occasions. I could count on one hand the number of times I've seen that man smile."

"Good for them. And for us," Jonathon said. "She's too busy to meddle in our business and they deserve to be happy too."

"I agree with most of that," Leo replied. "Like you said, Markus might be too good for her."

Jonathon gasped and gave Leo's ribs a jab. "Stop!" he scolded, but turned for a kiss. "Remember: we're the heroes of this fairy tale, not the villains."

"Right. Not the villains," Leo agreed.

Jonathon's nose wrinkled as he considered. "Muriel's a bit of a villain."

That made Leo laugh. "No, she isn't."

"You've never had to live with her for more than a month," Jonathon said. "We'll see what you think of Aunt Muriel six months from now," he warned, but Leo waved it off.

"As long as I'm your hero, I don't care about anyone else. And I think I can handle an elderly woman from Manhattan."

A satisfied sigh wafted from Jonathon as he hugged Leo's arm. "It's always fun when people underestimate Muriel."

"What? Why?" Leo asked warily.

"Never mind. Go on."

With that, Leo cleared his throat and they settled into The Frog Prince. It wasn't long before Jonathon was yawning and drifting off in the crook of Leo's arm. Leo closed the book and set it aside, content to brush his fingers through Jonathon's hair and as he told him a new story.

Like the rest of Leo's life, their fairy tale had a magical beginning but took a tragic turn. Instead of a kiss, it was a gin and tonic that had broken the spell. Leo had faced a dragon named Muriel, and a witch named Sabine with his knight, Markus, at his side. In the end, Leo was able to rescue his beloved from the tower and bring him back to Austria.

After all they had been through, Leo's decree that they would live happily ever after appeared to be coming true. Leo had formally introduced Jonathon to the Foundation's board of trustees and they had been congratulated on their engagement. The board members had been wary but had given their approval after Leo and Jonathon both assured them of their intention to live quietly at Sch?nbühel. Leo would attend meetings and conferences in Vienna and across Europe and the UK as needed. But Andreas was taking the lead and acting as Leo's representative so he could remain at home with Jonathon, most of the year.

Except when Jonathon felt like traveling with Leo. Visiting Paris, London, Rome, and other capitals with Leo and Muriel would make them new again for Jonathon. And he couldn't wait for Leo to take them home to the countryside in Italy—to Norcia, in Umbria—to see where his mother was from and meet her family. Jonathon knew any trip would be entertaining with Leo and Muriel, and Jonathon would learn and be enchanted, seeing the world through Leo's eyes.

The Foundation's board members seemed rather relieved to hear that their activist Margrave would be taking a step back from his causes and focusing on matters at home. They had hoped that Leo would marry and settle down and live a quieter life in the country, attending the occasional ball and sitting for interviews with glossy photo spreads.

He could do that now. Happily even, it seemed. Leo insisted he had accomplished everything he set out to do and the foundations he had started would continue his work and inspire future generations in Austria and beyond. With Andreas's and Sabine's assistance, Leo could take that step back and focus on Jonathon, their marriage, and their future.

That had been the pause that Jonathon had been referring to. Leo wouldn't have been able to devote himself so completely to Jonathon before, and it would have been a strain on Leo and their relationship. He still believed that they could have endured, but Jonathon suspected the cost would have been too high.

Jonathon was truly ready to put the past behind him and had all the closure he needed. And while he agreed that Sabine should have to make amends and that probation was fair, he was moving on and excited about the future.

"What do you want to do tomorrow?" he asked Leo drowsily

There was a low, lazy growl as Leo nuzzled Jonathon's ear. "I was planning to help you set up your easels around the castle. And I thought we might visit our secret alcove in the library while Muriel's napping."

Jonathon's yawn turned into the lightest, happiest sigh. "That sounds like heaven."

"That is the life I imagined for us, all those years ago, and that is the life we will have. That is our reward, after ten years of heartache and loneliness," Leo told him and Jonathon nodded as his eyes grew heavier.

"This is where I belong, with you."

" Mein. Auf immer und ewig," Leo whispered, as he had taken to each night since reclaiming Jonathon. Then, they drifted off to sleep and found each other in sweet dreams of easels and rendezvous in the Rose Tower and the library.