Rifiuto: Non Miriena

Written: 2005 Found: 2017- Licia

He awoke around two that morning; Fae was curled on his chest, sound asleep. The blankets were in disarray, and their skin was cool to the touch, though evidence of their earlier activities were all about the bed- including the bit of blood on the sheets. With a soft sigh, he gently removed her from his chest and laid her back among the blankets, tucking them around her before slipping into the bathroom and starting the shower- similar to one of the finer ones in the Emerald City. Frottica was only a step or two behind the City in its architecture, but still managed to please.

Once started, he stepped under the warm spray and let the water relax him.

You slept with your wife.

Or try to, anyway.

And not just your wife, you slept with the missing heir to the Fliaanian throne. The only surviving immediate member of the Thropp family. What were you thinking?

He ran his hands through his hair, sighing.

That we were doing as my wife wished- and consummating our marriage. Because she asked me too. We were doing what couples do.

He quickly grabbed the soap and lathered it between his hands, trying to shove the small voice out of his head. Glinda's words came back to him, stronger than ever.

Betrothed to the Vinkun Crown Prince.

And that was where it turned complicated. How did he tell her of who he truly was? They had just discovered that she was the missing Kauri- that itself was enough to deal with, but for her to find out that he was the Crown Prince of the Vinkus? And how did he explain to her exactly how he'd ended up in Nest Hardings, when he'd grown up in the lap of luxury, just like she had? Where did he even begin?

So, you're the missing Kauri of Fliaan, oh, and by the way, honey, just a heads up, but I'm not actually a conman, I'm the Crown Prince of the Vinkus that you were rumored to possibly be betrothed to as a child.

"Yeah, that would go over real well."

"What would go over well?"

She awoke to find the bed cold; only she was left among the covers, but she could hear the shower running in the bathroom. After several minutes, she slipped out of bed, the chill from the air setting gooseflesh upon her skin. Slowly, she made her way to the bathroom, seeing their clothing scattered across the floor. A dull ache thudded between her legs, and their activities from the night before came back to her.

A moment passed, as she debated entering the bathroom, but hearing his voice on the other side the door made up her mind, and she pushed the door open softly, slipping inside and closing it behind her. Slowly, she made her way to the shower curtain, reaching up to pull it back when she stopped.

"Yeah, that would go over real well."

She pulled back the curtain. "What would go over well?"

He turned to her, startled to say the least to find her standing there, skin as bare as his, the shower curtain in her hand. "Fae-"

"Mind if I join you?"

His mouth dropped. "I... It... I don't think that would be proper-"

Without another word, she joined him, letting him take her hand to steady her once she was under the water and the shower curtain back in place. "You never seem like the type to be proper, Yero. Besides," She slid her arms around his waist. "We're husband and wife in more than just name, aren't we? I don't see how something as simple as a husband and wife sharing a shower would be considered improper, don't you?"

He snapped his mouth shut, realizing that she made a convincing argument. The water rained down on them, soaking her hair and racing down their skin. She smiled up at him, for he was a whole head taller than her, before turning her attention to the blue diamonds on his chest. Gently, she reached out, brushing her fingers over them in reverence. "What are you so worried about, husband?"

He met her gaze. "I'm sorry?"

She pursed her lips, thinking, running a hand up his chest. "You're worried about something. What are you worried about?"

A moment passed before he shrugged, giving her a quick smile. "Just... just how the rest of the members of the royal family that knew your parents and siblings are going to react when they hear the news that you've been found. I mean... we were able to fool Glinda, but-"

"But the other royals will be a different story." She finished, gaze returning to his chest. "Well, how do you know they won't react like Glinda?"

He sighed. "Because a lot of the other royals are older; your grandmother, the Dowager Empress, for instance. She was the last to get out of Fliaan when the revolution hit. They say that up until that night, she was convinced your father and his family would come with her, but when you didn't-"

"She refused to accept that something might happen and we might not get out alive."

A nod. "And then there's Melena Tibbett, the only surviving daughter of your family's physician. The Unnamed God knows which side she will be on- the believers or the doubters. Fae, you know full well that once it's discovered that you've survived, there's going to be a split; those that believe you are the missing princess and those who believe you're an imposter. We need to keep the doubters at bay for as long as possible, because if any of them get to the dowager before we do, she won't see you. Partra is who you need to impress."

"And I will, my husband." She reached up, taking his face in her hands. "You believe I'm the princess, don't you?"

His slid his arms around her waist. "You know I do."

"And Glinda does as well, and her parents- and I'm sure the more of the family I meet, the more people will believe me, until the empress has to meet me. And once she does, she'll see that I'm her granddaughter, and I'll finally have my family again." She tucked herself against him, and he sighed, tightening his hold on her as the water turned cold against their skin.

And I'll lose you forever.