Of Bows, Foes, and Alcoves Chapter 3

The rising sun made its way up the horizon, granting a fleeting golden outline to the landscapes of Castle Highever. Emilia relaxed supine on the grass, her backside damp from the dew that had yet to evaporate from the ground. She turned her gaze directly up to examine the heavens, where that very last bit of starlight could been seen and enjoyed in peaceful silence before the day began.

Familiar steps crunched the grass, and her heart quickened. Two long years had passed since the Couslands had last seen the Howes, and Emilia was expecting their arrival today. The sixteen year old girl, now becoming more and more of a lady, sat up and looked over her shoulder.

He was stunning, radiant in the morning light. The way his dark hair nearly brushed against his shoulders, the way his lip curled up on one side.

The way those silver eyes shined as they met her emerald ones.

Nathaniel stood before Emilia and offered her his hand. She took it, and he gently pulled her up off the ground, but he didn't release her hand once she stood - And neither did she.

"Emilia, there's something I need to say," Nathaniel's smooth voice purred.

The young lady Cousland smiled in an uncharacteristically meek fashion and blushed slightly as the gentleman of her affections took her other hand in his. Nathaniel swallowed before he continued to speak.

"I've spoken to both our fathers, and asked permission to court you."

Emilia's heart raced. Her eyes locked with his. She grinned widely and watched his gaze trail down to her lips. He stepped in closer to her. She closed her eyes and parted her lips, anticipating a moment she had only ever dreamed of before. Suddenly, her face was covered by a slobbery wet tongue and weight pushed against her thigh in two concentrated spots. An insistent bark met her ears, and her eyes opened without her permission.

A dream. Again. She groaned as she threw the covers off the bed and addressed her mabari. "Oliver, you had to go and ruin a lovely dream, you know that?" she scolded playfully. The dog whined and she gently scratched his head as she sat up, her legs draping over the side of the bed. "Oh, I know, boy. You couldn't have known, after all."

The dog barked happily, and Emilia's mother's voice followed.

"Emilia! Did you oversleep, dear? The Howes are expected to arrive shortly!" The teyrna poked her head into her daughter's room and lowered her voice. "You need to be prepared to present yourself to Thomas."

The young noble rubbed her eyes and yawned. "Thomas? But mom, he's an obnoxious, spoiled adolescent with whom I have absolutely nothing in common. I would much rather spend time with Nathaniel."

Emilia's mother sighed and shook her head. "I thought you knew already," Eleanor examined her daughter's confused visage, wondering if that was a hint or worry she saw as well. Emilia widened her gaze further, moving her head forward with a motion that nagged her mother to continue her thought. "Rendon sent Nathaniel to the Free Marches over a year ago, love," Eleanor broke the news.

Emilia scowled. "That slippery bastard..." she muttered loud enough for her mother to hear.

"Emilia!" the teryna scolded her daughter.

"Everyone knows Arl Howe favors Thomas over Nathaniel! He clearly sent him away to get him out of the way! I don't care if he gave any other reason!"

Eleanor rolled her eyes at her daughter. "In any case, you need to prepare yourself to be presented to Thomas."

Emila rolled her eyes back at the teryna in the exact same manner, one she had clearly picked up from her mother. "No," she stated and folded her arms across her chest. "I know father and Arl Howe are considering setting Thomas and me up for marriage and that you all have been planning this for years now. I will spend the entirety of the Howe family's visit with Delilah. But I will never marry Thomas, so please stop trying to get me to like him."

"If you insist, my dear," the teyrna shook her head and she turned to leave her daughter's quarters, smiling at the stubborn nature her daughter inherited from her.


Author's Notes: I'm a terrible tease, I know. I'm also aware that this chapter was quite short - but drafts of chapter 4 and 5 are already completed, so more is on the way soon! Thank you to Impslave for the reviews - I can't tell you how much I appreciate it! And to any reading along silently - I appreciate y'all too! Also a huge thanks to the amazing Ms Sticha for being the greatest bf (beta-reader/friend) I could ever ask for. :)