After their arrival in Agravaria, Queen Ruth wasted no time in promptly coming down there. She was displeased at Asher for fooling her into believing he was going on vacation in Cedric when he was busy prattling with his friends elsewhere. She had no idea that Asher went away because of the bond.
“I never knew there would come a day when my own son will try to play on my intelligence,” she bristled, glaring fiercely at him in annoyance. Asher stood before her, his head bowed, trying to look remorseful while cursing Dominic in his mind. The arrogant king-to-be stood by, amusement dancing on his lips as he watched Asher get humiliated.
“Perhaps your father was right in saying that I give you too much freedom. As my last son, that is to be expected. But maybe it's time I cut off your wings for a little bit,” Asher flinched as her tone deepened. Queen Ruth was normally a peaceful woman and wasn't easily driven to anger. But this was a lot more than she could take on. “From now henceforth, you'll no longer leave the palace without my permission, or my head guard with you. No more visits between kingdoms — ”
“Mother please — ” Asher pleaded.
“Enough,” she held up her hand. “It's for your own good. As a prince, you're not supposed to be carefree. The media are watching and there are people looking up to you. Have some self respect and behave responsibly even if it's just one time in your life.”
Sabrina was reunited with Roman, after recieving her own end of the whip from Ruth. Asher noticed that Roman wasn't exactly thrilled to have her back but he put on a great show in front of everyone. His heart bled for his sister, especially when she turned to give him and Dominic one last sad look before Roman led her away with him, his hand firm around her waist possessively.
“You must be feeling great about yourself,” he said aloud, not sparing Dominic a glance. “She'll never be happy with him anymore.”
A muscle twitched in Dominic's jaw as he whipped his eyes to Asher. “Stop being sentimental, Roman is a good man. I'm sure they'll clear their misunderstandings and develop their bond to be more stronger. I've warned him to take some time off Giordan to concentrate on her. That should do the trick.”
Asher swallowed hard. “You think you know it all, huh? You feel you have every knowledge on how mate bonds work meanwhile you constantly neglect and lie to your mate every fucking time... I'm more pissed at the fact that you don't realize when you sound hypocritical.”
Dominic scoffed, turning to leave. “I really don't have time for this. I did the right thing. That's all that matters.”
“Well, then, since it's about doing the right thing,” Asher hurried after him and blocked his path, “why don't you get rid of our bond? Why don't you find an excuse to send me back or Cedric or off the island, since I irritate you so much?”
Dominic sighed impatiently. “It's much more bigger than that. I don't think we can just get rid of the bond intentionally, except I reject you. Which I won't do.”
“Are you scared because of a little pain?” Asher huffed, shaking his head in amusement. It wasn't even as though Dominic would feel anything at all. Asher was the one mated to him, while he was free as a bird — free to go down with anyone and do whatever he liked while Asher suffered the brunt. “What you'll feel is nothing compared to the ache in my heart I've been carrying all these years, pining and waiting for you to finally look at me like how a mate would. My heart will be broken all over again, not yours so please save me the sermon and order for a fucking rejection ceremony.”
“I still feel our bond, Asher,” Dominic said. “It'll be hard to just reject you outright without a proper reason, and that too before I even accept you officially in front of everyone. You have to wait a few months till our mating ceremony is over, then we'll make up a valid reason to part ways.”
Doubt flickered in Asher's gaze. “Why should I believe that you'll let me go after a few months?”
“It's not in my position to make you believe what I say. I'm a man of my words. You should know that.”
“You're also a double-crossing, two-timing bas — ”
“Whatever,” Dominic waved him off, stepping aside to ignore and walk past him.
Per usual. But this time, Asher wasn't having it.
He caught Dominic by the arm and whirled him around, grabbing his shirt as he backed the Agravarian Prince onto the pristine, white wall. “Not today, you animal. I won't let you ignore me like you always do...it will not happen!”
Dominic scowled at Asher's hands on his collar as though they were insulting, his jaw twitching with rage. “Remove your hands at once.”
“Or what?” Asher challenged, sneering up at him. “You'd hit me? You'd throw me hard against the wall? What will you do?”
Dominic tried, really tried to not be affected by their close proximity but his heart was beating faster every second that passed.
Asher stepped even closer, happy within himself that Dominic could be heavily affected by him. Their faces were mere inches apart, their lips quivering, their hearts pounding wildly and threatening to burst forth from their chests. Asher was afraid. Sure, he'd challenged Dominic and bragged about not being scared of him but Dominic was a much stronger Alpha than he could ever be. Asher didn't possess even half of Dominic's strength...he was also a wimp when it came down to fighting.
“For the last time, Asher. Let go of my shirt immediately,” Dominic met his eyes. Their was an emotion — a sinister one that Asher couldn't make out what it was but wasn't giving up just easily. “You wouldn't like what I'd do, you senseless boy.”
Asher fumed. “I'm much more of a man than you could ever be, so hush!”
At that Dominic threw his head back, laughter rumbling up from his lungs. Asher's calloused hands turned shaky. 
“What's funny?”
“You are,” Dominic's face reverted back to it's neutral glare in mere milliseconds, causing Asher to wonder if he was bipolar. “Stop decieving yourself. You're seventeen and foolish. You're not a man until you start thinking broadly and acting up to your title. Real men don't also threaten their mates or get into their personal space, or annoy everybody!”
Asher snorted. “Don't you dare raise your scathing voice on me. You insufferable — ”
Dominic surged forward and slammed his lips against Asher's.
Asher gasped in surprise, his mind going utterly blank. He freed his hands on Dominic's collar and tried to move away, but the Agravarian Prince was having none of that. Dominic wrapped his arms around Asher's waist and drew him flush against his hard body, thrusting his tongue between the little snot's pretty lips.
This is insane.
This is impossible.
This is a dream!
Dominic was... kissing him? Holy cow.
This meant...this meant that prior to what he'd been saying, Dominic was attracted to him! It seemed unbelievable, and a tad bit absurd to think about, but there was no other explanation for this. Kisses, especially kisses on the lips by mates solidified their bonds. It was a symbol of love and deep affection. A tool used to express desire.
Dominic desired him.