Sorry for the update delay, I had a short writer's block, and then this past Sunday night I spent the best night of my life at my first Keith Urban concert (still on Keith Urban high; listening to him right now). So, the line of lyrics to the Lady Antebellum song was from their new one, Just a Kiss. And if possible, I would like to have at least 7 reviews for this story in total before I update again. So, without further ado, here's your new chapter everyone, enjoy.
Chapter 4: Leave-taking
Zachary smiled as he watched his love sleep beside him. She was tired and he knew it by the looks of her eyes last night when they met in the gardens. And then it took a lot of coercing on his part to get her to join him in his bed, but nothing inappropriate happened of course, he just wanted her to sleep and he thought that she might be able to when he was there with her. And Zachary's plan worked, as soon as Karigan's head hit the pillow and he wrapped his arm around her, she was asleep instantly. And soon after she fell asleep, he had fallen into slumber as well.
And now, he watched her quietly, not moving a muscle as the gray light of early dawn was beginning to light the heavens. Karigan's long brown hair was gracefully draped across the pillows in gentle waves, even with the single blond strand that had grown from after she recovered the book down in the tombs. He almost wished that she would open her eyes just so that he could see her bright blue eyes. And there, her lips quirked slightly up in a smile; he loved her smile so much. Her full chest moved up and down under the sheets in tune with her breathing. Her body was turned on his side with her head resting on shoulder.
As king, he felt that Karigan would make the perfect queen for Sacoridia, and he didn't care about what anyone else would say about it. She defeated Mornhavon and has spoken to the gods, the death god in particular, as well as the dead Eletian queen, Laurelyn. And she's a commoner; his people would love that they would have direct representation in the throne room. How could the lords not see that having a commoner would be a good direction for the kingdom? There's a possibility that lord Alton would approve of it, since Kari and his son are great friends; I hope so. And besides, I think that he has met her before while she was staying with them for a little while.
I'll think about it later, she's finally waking up.
She felt an arm resting under her back and soft caresses on her arm. Karigan inhaled and turned her head to look to the right of her, and then she opened her eyes. Her eyes narrowed, this wasn't her room, it was much, much larger, and the furniture was, for lack of a better word, more elaborate than what she's used to seeing when she usually wakes up. The lighting looks about right, except for the large windows that dotted the stone walls. And then she felt more caresses on her cheek this time, Karigan turned toward it and jumped out of the bed with a shriek, her legs getting tangled in the sheets on her way out of the bed.
King Zachary gaped at her with a shocked expression, "What was that?"
"Shut-up, where's my shoes, I have to get out of here," she replied scanning the room for her boots that she hardly remembered putting on last night.
Grasping her hand gently, the king said, "Calm down, there's still a few more minutes before I'll let you go back to your room."
"But I'll―"
"No, you won't be seen," King Zachary said, and then he pointed toward a tapestry hanging on the wall, "Behind that tapestry, there's a secret passage way that ends a minute away from where your room is." And then he softly pulled her towards him, Karigan allowed herself to be led back to the bed. "And besides," he added, "I'd like to spend a few extra minutes with you before you leave."
Karigan sat down beside him on the bed and then allowed herself to bed led by the king as he lay back down on the bed. And then, as soon as she was comfortable with her head lying on his chest, she asked, "I don't know what you mean, where am I going?"
"I'm going to send out summons to the lords today as soon as I get them written. I'm assuming that Laren would assign you to one of them," he answered, placing a kiss on her temple. Karigan didn't speak for a few moments, and after a while, he looked at her, "Are you okay?"
She licked her lips and sighed, and she said quietly, not looking back at him, "We shouldn't be doing this."
Now it was the king's turn to not talk for a moment. "W―what? I thought . . . I'll do anything Karigan, anything that you ask. But please don't walk away from this, please."
"It's not that simple Zachary. I do love you, with all of my heart, but I just can't bear the thought of being . . . trapped in this place for the rest of my life," Karigan replied, still not looking at him.
"I won't let that happen Karigan. I know that you can't stand to be behind these walls all of the time. I'll find a way to take care of it, just like I'm going to find a way for us to finally marry," he vowed. "Karigan," he said and she reluctantly looked up at him, he softly stroked her cheek, "I care about you, and I promise that I'll try to make things right so that you'd feel better about this. All you need to do is trust me."
Karigan looked away from his piercing, and at the same time, loving eyes. She knew that she wanted this, just so that she could be with the one that she loved. And yet, at the same time, she wasn't sure that she could handle the king part of him. There was a strong chance that she'll never get to see him throughout the day and the only reason that she was there to everyone else was to produce heirs and raise them. And with her being a commoner, she'll be looked down upon by all of the lord governors, and possibly even a target. And she thought that her job was dangerous enough, add the possible threats that might come her way because of this. Because the king didn't just marry one of their daughters or try harder to have Lady Estora stay married to him.
She took a deep breath and said quietly, "I have to go." She slid off of the bed, gathered her shoes and headed toward the tapestry that the king said that there was a secret door hidden behind. She pulled it back, opened the door, and went through it.
But before she could close the door, she heard, "When are we going to be together again like this?"
She didn't turn to look at him as she said, "Maybe later today, before I leave. Maybe." And with that said, she closed the door behind her and headed blindly down the passageway toward her room.
Later that day, Karigan was belting on her new sword with a heavy head and heart. She was given the assignment by Mara about thirty minutes ago; she was going to Coutre Province. It was probably the worst possible time for this errand and to Coutre Province, which just made it worse. Karigan didn't want to think about how it might unfold; former wife of King Zachary meeting the hopeful one of the distant future. And yet, not his wife, Karigan thought as she lifted the satchel over her head and rested it on her shoulder. She hadn't said a yes or a no, nor was there a proposal on the king's part. So, she wasn't a soon-to-be-bride, but she was hopeful.
There was a knock on her door and Karigan said, "Come in."
The door opened and Fergal poked his head in the door, "Are you ready?"
"Yes, but the king would like a word with me before I leave. Is Condor ready?" Karigan replied and asked.
"Yup, so maybe," he pointed to Karigan, "ten, fifteen minutes?"
"Maybe, it'll depend on what the king wants," Karigan replied, hoping that he wasn't catching onto her lie that the king called for her.
He nodded, "Okay, I'll tell the captain." Fergal left, leaving Karigan to take a deep breath and feel slightly guilty that she had to lie to him. She took one last look around the room before gathering her things up under her arm and headed out the door. She headed down the corridor, waving to the riders that she passed by on her way.
After a while, she came upon the double doors of his study and the two Weapons were stationed on either side, as normal. Karigan walked up to them, "May I have a word with the king?"
The one on the left nodded and turned to open the study door to ask permission from the king. Karigan remained standing with her things as she waited for the answer. Until, finally, he came back out and nodded, "You have permission Rider Sir G'ladheon."
"Thank you," she replied as the Weapon held the door open for her to go through. Once inside, Karigan stood in front of King Zachary, until the door closed.
Immediately after the door closed the king stood from the chair behind his desk, walked around it and freed her arms before enveloping her in an embrace. "Where?" he asked into her ear.
"Coutre Province," Karigan replied and she felt him tighten his hold on her.
"You've been thinking," King Zachary said, teasing her by caressing her cheek with his lips, making her breath hitch.
"Yes," she breathed, she was losing control herself and the situation. But it felt so good.
"And?" he asked, pulling away.
"I hate you," she said jokily, referring to his teasing and then pulling away. The king chuckled.
Karigan sighed and looked down at their interlocked hands, "I'm really nervous about how this errand is going to present itself. Did Estora know when she broke the marriage?" King Zachary only nodded in answer.
"I wouldn't worry Karigan," he said, stroking her cheek, "you and Estora were still friends when she left. I'm sure that she still enjoys your company, especially now that she's running the province. And I trust her." She sighed again and closed her eyes reveling in the comfort that he was giving her. And then she felt him press his lips to hers gently, she returned the favor by kissing him back. When they parted after a chaste kiss, the king asked, "How long will you be gone?"
She thought for a moment, "Maybe, a month; two weeks at least."
King Zachary bent to nuzzle his face into the crook of her neck and shoulder. Karigan smiled slightly when she felt him breathe in her scent, she buried her hand in his hair in return. And then she felt the vibration on her neck when he said, "I'm going to miss you. One night of this isn't going to help me; I'm going to want more of this soon."
Karigan smiled, "I'll try to get back as fast as possible."
She heard him take in a deep breath before he pulled back slowly. He looked into her eyes and said to her, "Be careful."
She reached up to touch his cheek, "I will." For a minute, Karigan looked at him, before she said quietly, "I love you."
King Zachary smiled and bent again to capture her lips again. And when he pulled back again, since they both needed air, he said, "And I love you." Karigan sighed and looked away, moving to gather up her things from off of the floor of the king's study. She turned to the door and opened it and walked out, making sure that she didn't look back for fear of them being seen by someone. She strode through the corridors with her things slung over her shoulder, her sword beating against her leg, and her braid swinging back and forth.
Swinging one of the side doors out of the castle open, Karigan was nearly blinded by the bright, shining sun that met her. Immediately, she headed towards the Rider stables where she knew that at least Mara was waiting for her to bid her goodbye and a safe and uneventful errand. There were few trees that were in her path toward the stables, the only trees that were behind castle walls were in the gardens. But there were plenty of soldiers, Green Foot, a few more Green Riders, and other maids and servants of the castle walking about their business.
When Karigan reached the stable Mara was there waiting for her, holding Condor's reins. Karigan smiled as she approached one of her best friends. "How did I know that you were going to be here waiting for me?" she asked comically.
Mara shrugged, taking Karigan's bag and beginning to attach it to Condor's saddle, "It's my job, I'm supposed to be here to send you all off."
"How many others are out with this mysterious influx of messages from the king?" Karigan asked, playing along like she didn't know.
"It's only the number of lord governors, but the thing is," Mara paused, looking at Karigan, leaning on Condor's saddle, "the king even sent one out to your father for some reason."
Now Karigan was dumbstruck, her eye brows dropped, "Hmm, that is odd. Maybe he wants some of my father's fabrics?"
"I don't know," Mara said straightening up. "So, need a boost?" she asked Karigan.
"No, I got it," Karigan replied, skillfully swinging herself into the saddle. Condor tossed his head impatiently.
"I think that Condor wants a good run so at one point let him gallop for a little while," Mara suggested, giving Karigan the reins. Karigan nodded and waved at her friend before spurring her mount into a trot.
Once she passed the last city gate, Karigan let Condor trot for a little while longer. And then, once they were well away from the city she asked Condor, "Are you ready to run?" Condor bobbed his head up and down, making Karigan chuckle at him and pat his neck. And then, with an exited smile, Karigan kicked at his sides and held on to the reins as Condor took off under her. Together, Rider and messenger horse galloped down the road toward Coutre Province.
Lots of KxZ, so I hope that you all liked that. I thought of putting the actual stay in Coutre Province in this chapter, but as you can see, I decided against it. So like I said in the author's note at the start of the chapter, I'd like at least 7 reviews in total before I update. So review please.