"It was," he murmurs, voice lower and warmer. "Terribly difficult. Nigh on impossible. Do you have any idea how tempting it was to have you in the hall?"

Percival grins and coaxes Essek into a firm kiss. He makes his way over to their bed to set his husband down on the fresh blankets. The curtains are currently tied back, but that is easily fixed. He kisses Essek again, calloused fingers sliding into the other man's pale hair. Now that they are alone and somewhere safe and familiar, Percy feels the sharp demand of his rut bursting through him again. There are far too many layers of clothes between them, and it has been too long since he buried himself in his mate with the intent to breed him.

He breathes a heavy sigh as he breaks the kiss.

"Perhaps I should let us eat first," he murmurs, though he sounds pained to do even that. But he knows they'll need it, especially if there is even a slight chance that Essek may be going into heat. All Percival wants to do is have him, to claim him, but he can make himself wait longer if it comes to that.

They're home in Whitestone, they're safe and they'll be left alone the way they both desire.