The Prince's Bodyguard

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A/N:

Chapter 37 (Sviederbach Chronicles: Heading Home)

The next morning, Trina awoke to the light spilling across her face. She had a different feeling this morning than she'd ever felt. The night before had surprised her, but she was glad for it. When she opened her eyes and looked around, she saw Jason standing shirtless at the foot of the bed.

He had a tray in his hand and was gazing at her with warm smile. Trina yawned and sat up, leaning her back against the headboard. "Where did you get food?" He placed the tray over her waist and she gasped out in surprise. "Really? Breakfast in bed? Jason..." Her heart skipped a beat as she looked up from the plate of biscuits and gravy and studied his tender gaze.

"I called room service. I remember how much you said you enjoyed biscuits and gravy, so I asked for that." She looked down at the food, chuckling softly.

There were three open biscuits smothered in gravy. Also present was a mug of coffee and a glass of orange juice. Next to the plate of biscuits was a plate that had two pieces of sausage patties. "Thank you." She picked up a fork and looked over as Jason sat down beside her. Thinking fast, she kissed him on the corner of his lips and grinned. "You might be the best job assignment ever."

He raised an eyebrow and placed his hand over her hand that was resting atop her abdomen. "Oh, is that so?" He kissed her forehead and she nuzzled her head against his neck. Her eyelids fell halfway and she peered down hungrily at her food. The night before stayed fresh in her mind like a dream she'd just woken from. Her heart was still pounding like crazy, and she could still feel him in her.

"Yeah, and possibly the best boyfriend." She smirked and Jason laughed. "I can't believe I fell for a prince...I need to make sure this isn't a fairy tale or a dream, pinch me." She looked up, watching as he leaned back and smirked at her.

"I'd rather not, you might punch me on reflex." She laughed back and nodded in return. This was a very wise decision, although she knew there was no real danger of her striking him, reflex or not. "Anyway, did you sleep well?"

"Mm, so well. I don't think I've had such a good nap in a long time." Now the question remained, a result of last night's memory. "What will we tell people? Anything?" There was still the fear of her father trying to keep them apart, though she was far more worried about his mother doing that very thing. "I don't want anything to tear us apart, Jason. My dad, your mom, god forbid the Black Star."

"I wouldn't let anything. My mother knows she doesn't control me, and no one could keep me from you."

"I would disobey my father if he tried to forbid me from being with you." Jason chucked and Trina pressed her head against his chest, letting out a deep sigh. "As for the Black Star. Fuck them. I'll take them all head on if I have to."

"Maybe we should ask Rocky to help." She raised her head and hummed, contemplating the remark. "I know she's in charge of the Royal Guard here, but I'm sure her people can watch over Gunther and Cece for a while if she wouldn't mind continuing to work with you."

"Especially now..." She knew what last night's lovemaking meant. She was acutely aware of her emotions. She could keep watch, she could protect herself and Jason; but there was an assassin out there that might be able to play on her emotions and she still needed to learn to keep them in check. Those emotions were much stronger now, more than they'd ever been. "I've got more to lose than I did before."

"So do I..." He wrapped an arm around her waist and kissed the side of her head. "We have so many people helping us now, though. We're not doing this alone. I know you're worried about what us being together means, about what people might think, but don't be."

"I won't." She squinted and turned partially, so she could lean her back against his chest. "But we still need to be careful, to be safe. We shouldn't tip our hand. If the Black Star get any inclination, then things will get harder. We need to keep it private. Our relationship. Is that okay?"

"I agree." He took a deep breath and responded with a nod. "I mean hell, there's even the risk of the media putting something out there if they were to catch on. Maybe for now, keeping our relationship between the two of us would be best." He squeezed her hand. "Much as I want to shout it out from the mountaintops."

She blushed and closed her eyes. "God I love you." She wanted to do the same. "Maybe only a select few. I mean, your friends seem to already be well aware of it."

"They pretty much saw us kiss at the ball. They're more than just aware, I think." He cleared his throat and pointed to the laptop on the desk. "They're gloating." She raised an eyebrow and Jason shook his head. "Gunther sent me a message at some point last night, having already assumed our kiss at the dance was making our relationship official, and congratulating us on officially beginning our relationship."

She laughed and rolled her eyes. "Go figure." Thinking for a minute, she snapped her fingers and pointed to him. "We can't tell anyone about last night though." He shook his head.

"I wouldn't. That's between us, I think. Our privacy, nobody needs to know what we do together."

"Right. Besides, my father might actually try to have you killed before the assassins even get another chance." Jason laughed gently and rose up from the bed.

"I'm going to take my shower." She smiled and looked down at her food. "You enjoy your breakfast."

"Have you eaten yet?"

"Nah, I can eat later."

"Okay..." She watched him disappear into the bathroom and quickly returned to her food. In the back of her mind, she played out the night before, delighting as she continued to still feel his touch on her.

She was going to do everything in her power to keep him safe now, and at least they agreed it was best not to appear romantically attached within the public eye. So long as people thought their relationship was strictly professional, that was all that mattered.

Granted, the Black Star knew otherwise, and that may make things difficult, but it just strengthened her resolve and determination.

Once she finished up her breakfast, she got dressed and started packing her things up. They had to hop a flight in a few hours and it was going to be another long flight back to the states. She was missing everyone back home, and couldn't wait to see them.

They met on last time with Gunther and Cece in their castle. Trina couldn't help to feel a bit nervous with the way Cece and Rocky were eyeing her. "You can see it can't you?" She heard Rocky whisper to Cece. The Queen grinned from ear to ear and Trina's eyes darted to the side.

"You're looking radiant this morning, Trina." Cece walked over to her and stepped in between her and Jason. "You must have enjoyed yourself at the ball last night." Trina slicked a strand of hair behind her ear and chuckled.

"It was...an experience, that's for sure. Dancing at a ball with a prince." She raised her eyebrows and huffed. "Can't say I ever pictured myself doing that." Jason's gaze travelled to her and his lips pulled into a wide grin. "I'm not sure what surprised me more, actually dancing with a prince, or realizing that maybe I actually am dealing with a prince charming."

"No," Jason replied, "Not a prince charming. That indicates that I have charm." He raised his hand up and shook his head. "I am not charming in any way." Trina blinked as last night's session came back to her mind. She blew out a heavy breath and clicked her tongue.

"I don't know, you may not be intentionally charming; but you can certainly be charming."

Gunther placed a hand on Jason's shoulder and winked at the two of them. "How did you lovebirds enjoy your stay in Sviederbach? Was it everything you imagined and more?" Jason pushed Gunther's hand off his shoulder and smirked.

"Well, when one of your best friends decides to try and play matchmaker, it's hard not to form some kind of opinion."

"Yes we enjoyed it," Trina replied. "Very much." She hugged Cece and smiled at Gunther. "Also, thank you so much for your hospitality."

"You have our friendship, and our allegiance." Cece did a small curtsey and motioned towards Rocky. "Rocky and I were also talking earlier, while this whole thing is going on with the assassins it might be a benefit for her to go along with you guys." Trina did a double take, opening her mouth in astonishment as Rocky flashed a tiny smile.

"Actually Jason and I were just thinking of asking about that. I would love to train more!" She turned to Rocky, hopeful and energetic. "I'm sure there's a lot you still have left to teach me too."

"There is," answered the girl, "I'd be happy to help you out." Rocky leaned to the side and crossed her arms. "Gunther and Cece will be okay without me, though I'll still check up on them routinely. The royal guard is more than capable of protecting them."

"Great."

"I heard you met Deuce and Dina last night as well. How did that go?"

"Good, they're on board to help." She looked forward to seeing what the couple could find, and was truly grateful to have any assistance from them at all. "It'll be good to get back home, though. I still haven't figured out what I'm going to do about my parents or my sister. Dad's relocated them to a safe house as far as I'm aware, and is keeping both mom and Tori under heavy police guard."

"Good."

"Then there's Jade and her father. Sinjin is looking out for her, but I know he's not perfect."

Jason crossed his arms and raised his hand over his chin. "Maybe move your family to Vander like Travis suggested? I mean, it's the last thing anybody would suspect, though I know your father isn't too happy with that idea."

"He isn't, but it is a thought."

There was no telling if David would ever want to leave Los Angeles. Her family had roots everywhere there, so leaving was something that would have to be seriously discussed and thought about. David would never agree to it on the spur of the moment.

If it were a temporary move, he'd consider it more.

Before they left, Rocky pulled Trina aside and walked her through the gardens. "Trina..." She raised her eyebrows and the woman turned her eyes slowly towards her. "Did you happen to shower this morning?" She blinked twice and sniffed the air.

"Um, no I kind of just threw everything on and brushed my hair. I mean, I'm kind of just eager to get on the plane and get hom. "e."

"Okay. Well. I thought you should know, there's a very peculiar smell in the air." Her eyes widened and her heart began to sink. Rocky turned to her, shaking her head. "I'm not going to say anything, but I am going to ask. Have you and Jason discussed where you want this relationship to go? How you're going to handle it from here on out?"

"Yeah, a little."

"Okay." Rocky moved her hands to her hips and squinted. "What have you decided?" Trina looked down and tangled her fingers before her waist.

"We're going to keep it strictly professional in the public eye, and leave what we do in private, private. We're not going to talk about our relationship to anybody, lest we tip off the Black Star...but the assassins kind of already know."

"Right, but they probably don't know the extent. It's good what you've decided, I'm proud of you for reaching that decision." She was happy for Rocky's approval of the situation. "Either way, I suggest you shower before you leave. Just saying."

"It's not that bad. I don't smell gross, do I?"

"Not gross." The woman closed her eyes and pat her on the back. "Just trust me." She pursed her lips and watched her mentor walk back to the castle. With absent thought, she sniffed herself and made her way back inside.

So thus ends the visit to Sviederbach, where they found culture, alliances, and some other stuff. Be ready, next chapter is a harsh and brutal return of the drama.