omegas

After the disastrous end of his betrothal to Gwen and the regret of his offer to Princess Mithian, Arthur swears off finding a wife until he's ready to wed. When Merlin offers himself to Arthur as bedmate, Arthur suggests they hand-fast in secret for a single year of mutual pleasure without obligation. As their year together unfolds, and secrets and betrayals unravel around them, Arthur and Merlin learn there is no such thing as uncomplicated pleasure. Everything they thought they knew can change in the span of a single year.

“You’re the Prince?” Merlin says, eyeing him. He hesitates, then adds, defiant, “The Mad Prince of Camelot.”Arthur doesn’t move. There’s quiet for a long time, then he says it. “I am.”“You don’t seem mad,” he says.The smile wells up from somewhere deep, and very sad. “Well, Merlin,” he says, “give me time.”

Arthur is well on the way to becoming the type of leader Merlin had always hoped he'd be - one who cares for all of his people.But even so, preparations for Yule festivities along with some unforeseen circumstances result in Merlin taking on too much work. Unfortunately nobody notices until it's almost too late.