As they rode onwards throughout the morning and into the afternoon stopping just to eat before continuing on their journey before stopping at a small village inn that evening to rest for the night.

Once settled in their rooms Damian looked at Alexander “Take off your shirt” he said bluntly.

Alexander looked at him from the bed with a mixed look of outrage and shock “I beg your pardon” he said.

Damian rolled his eyes “I said take off your shirt” he said in a calm matter-of-fact tone.

“I will not have you lost your mind,” Alexander asked l as he stood up with a stagger.

Damian sighed “You always have to make things harder don't you” he said as he swiftly walked towards Alexander and knocked him onto the bed “Now hold still,” he said as he used one hand to pin Alexander’s wrist above his head and another hand slid under his stir.

Alexander squirmed unsure of what the prince was doing as he felt the prince’s icy hand touch his stomach “Stop struggling” Damian ordered as he summoned his mana it was like black smoke started to pour from his hand and onto Alexander's body.

Alexander gasped as he felt the smoke surrounding his abdomen it was like ice water had been pouring down onto his skin “It's just as I thought you're not useless your mama was just never allowed to grow properly because of your body Luckily that can be treated” Damian said as he removed his hand from under  Alexander’s shirt the black smoke retreat back into his hand as he released Alexander who looked very confused at what just happened “I'm sorry what” he said  as he looked at Damian as he sat up 

Damian looking annoyed he had to explain this pulled up a chair from the desk and sat down as he started to explain “Mana is a lot like hair or that's how high priest Marcus explains it anyway when mana is in a healthy body it'll flourish and grow however in an unhealthy body like yours, your mana becomes like an ingrown hair it won't grow properly and it can cause other health issues” he explained.

Alexander just looked at him like he was insane Damian got more annoyed before saying” You can learn to do magic but it's going to take time and training and lots of it” he said in a cold voice 

Alexander looked shocked as he looked at his hands “So I can do magic” he said as he smiled.

Damian looked at him with an eyebrow raised “Yes “he said 

Alexander never felt happier he could learn magic all his life he was told he was born too weak to ever use magic, Alexander smiled at Damian “Thank you” he said as tears welled up in his eyes.

 Damian blinked and looked at Alexander confused by his reaction “You're welcome I suppose, let's go to bed” he said, he said as he started to undress. 

Alexander looked at him  “Wait you're sleeping here” he asked as he looked at Damian, who just raised his eyebrow “We only rented two rooms where would you have me sleep on the floor?” Damian asked as he stripped down to his underwear. 

Alexand nodded his head” Yes or I can” he said as he blushed and got up out of bed quickly almost falling over if Damian had not caught him that was when Alexander noticed Damian his body was sculpted from years of training and it was decorated with scars “Do you always have to be so troublesome” he said as he helped Alexander back onto the bed “Just behave and listen to me okay” he said calmly.

Alexander was silent as he blushed “Do you need help changing?” he asked coldly

Alexander zoned out for a moment “What….no” he said as he took off his shirt and folded it up as he placed it on the side table, Alexander's body was thin with soft features he had a large bruise on his stomach from the kick his father had given him.

Damian looked at him before he summoned the black smoke once again “Hold still” he said as he went to place a hand on Alexander’s stomach the black smoke wrapped itself around his stomach it wasn't like before yes it was cool however it wasn't like being plunged in to ice water “What are you doing?” he asked nervously.

Damian looked up at him “Im using blood magic to heal you” he said calmly as he removed his hand the bruise was gone Alexander looked shocked “Thank you.” he said

Damian just nodded his head as he turned off the lights in the room and he went to lie down on the right side of the bed his back turned to Alexander “Get stronger so you can properly stand by my side” he said.

Alexander just laid down on his back as he stared up at his ceiling before eventually falling into a deep slumber.

As the two slept they were unaware of the two pairs of eyes watching them from the window as they slept