Author's Note: Oh hey….remember that time I didn't update for 6 years? Let's ignore that and get back to the story.
000
Jared knew he should have been on the road as soon as he rose from Esmee's bed. But just like its daughter, Kenon held a certain compelling power over him and he found himself dragging his feet out the door, where the real world awaited him.
Esmee's parents made sure a breakfast was arranged for the family and the platters of food laid out on their long table, had more enticing scents than anything the most talented of chefs at Thidon had ever come up with. Sitting down Jared watched the housekeeper, Hally, and Lady Catalina fret over how much Esmee ate, causing her to roll her eyes and smile, then begrudgingly add more to her plate. Though he more than once caught her sneaking small pieces of the extra food under her chair, where Pyre lay.
Jared glimpsed over at one of Esmee's personal guards, Devon, who stood watch at the door, with one of the Kenon guards on the other side. Here she was safer and more well cared for than anywhere else, yet still, Blake came for her and successfully got through her window. The fear was agonizing. One wrong step and Jared might lose his wife and child. All he could do was pray that the decision to keep her here out of the way, was as sound as he thought. But logic and even intuition, was not enough to ease Jared's anxieties.
"Jare-Your Majesty?" Esmee asked, tentatively putting her hand out to his. He clutched it to himself and then kissed it, "Are you okay? You look...upset."
Jared leaned over his chair to where she sat at the right of him, cupping her chin with one hand and placing his other on her belly, "I am just dreading the ride back to Thidon." He lied and he was pretty sure she knew it. But she didn't question him further.
"Why not stay another day then, Your Majesty?" Lady Catalina asked from her end of the table. Jared glanced up in surprise. For a minute there he forgot they weren't alone.
He sighed, letting go of his hold on Esmee, "As much as I would love to, I have a great many things drawing my attention back at the Castle of Thidon." He looked over at Nolan who gave him a grave expression, that was disturbingly out of character. Clearing his throat, so as not to distress Esmee, he looked back towards Lady Catalina, "I do hope things settle down soon. I would like to be able to visit Kenon often once I'm a father. I feel children shouldn't be subjected to the cramped city all the time. The forests here will be good reprieve for all of us."
Esmee's breath stopped for a minute with that statement. He was making plans for their family. Plans that did not involve her staying tucked away in Kenon, out of mind and out of sight. New hope surged in her, and their child kicked as if he took could feel it. Esmee smiled at her belly, placing her hand upon it, allowing herself to feel the joy, even if it was temporary.
Lord Ronen put the goblet he was drinking out of down, as he glanced at Jared, "You'll always be busy with your position, Your Majesty. Just as I was while I was rearing children. You must remember to not wait for the free time to spend with your family, but make it." He held his goblet up again, "I do say that with all due respect. I hope you take an old man's advice for what it is. I wish I had spent more time with my children while they were growing."
Both Esmee and Nolan gave their father shocked looks. Though no one could claim Lord Ronen was a bad father, he certainly wasn't a warm one. His title and lands always coming before his two children. He raised them with the belief that they were born for a duty, just as he was. They served the purpose of what they would grow to be, not for who they were as individuals. To hear his regrets, soothed some of their feelings of inferiority, as neither one of the Kenon children ever felt they had done enough to make their father proud. Esmee had avoided all time alone with her father since being sent home by Jared for that very reason. She didn't want to suffer through any words of disappointment. Knowing he too had doubts, made her wish she hadn't turned him away all these months.
Jared smiled at Esmee, as if he knew her feelings, then answered Ronen, "I appreciate all advice from my father-in-law and I heed your words." He sighed leaning back in his chair, "Unfortunately, this is not a situation I can ignore. But I'm there will be many a time when your advice will come into play." Looking over at Esmee, he winked, "And I have no doubt your daughter will remind me of it."
Esmee had tears in her eyes as she looked at her husband. Why didn't she tell this man in the beginning about Blake? How could she not see from the start how understanding and kind he was? After all the lies she told and the secrets she kept, he was going to try. Maybe he didn't love her as she loved him, but he still was going to protect her.
Before anyone could answer a footman hastily made his way into the room, with a low bow he spoke rapidly, "Your Majesty, a messenger from Castle of Thidon just arrived. He says it's urgent."
That said messenger came in not a half a second later, face flushed from his long ride, breathing heavily. Three guards behind him, in the same state. All bowed quickly.
Jared immediately stood up and the rest of the occupants at the table quickly followed suit, "What is it?"
"Your Majesty...the Princess Augustina is missing." The messenger said, nearly breathless.
"What?!" Nolan nearly shouted, stumbling around the table to get closer to the messenger.
Lady Catalina signaled to Hally, "Please bring these men water and food. They look as if they're near to collapsing."
The messenger and guards gave her a quick bow of thanks, before turning back to the King, "What do you mean, missing?! She is under constant guard!" Jared shouted.
Esmee placed her hand on his arm, before looking back towards the messenger, "Please, tell us what happened."
"When her ladies went to wake her in the morning, she was not in her chambers. Prince Leeland had the castle searched, first thinking perhaps she just snuck off for a bit. But as the morning dragged on and there was still no sign of her, he sent us to fetch you, Your Majesty."
"Great Gods!" Jared yelled once more, fuming, "Is the castle still being searched? How about the roads? Have they been blocked yet?"
The messenger nodded, "Yes, Your Majesty. Prince Leeland saw to it."
Jared turned around quickly to Lord Ronen, "Have Kenon locked down. All your soldiers should be ready. Send out a notice to your masters, so they know the villages are not to let anyone in."
Ronen nodded, "Of course, Your Majesty."
He turned to Esmee for a moment, as she bit her bottom lip, hands held protectively over her stomach. Jared turned back to the lord of the manor, "I'm taking Alexander back with me, but only so he can return with more guards, possibly some soldiers as well. Do not allow anyone else in. Only those that accompany Alexander. No matter what colors or surcoats they wear."
"Do you…." Esmee started, a tremor in her voice, "...Do you think your own men would betray you?"
Jared stepped towards her, placing his hands on her cheeks, pulling her head up so he could look deep into those sea eyes of hers, "I am taking no chances."
"We need to find Stina!" interrupted their moment and everyone turned startled expressions to Nolan. He sighed at their reactions, throwing his hands up in the air, "Your Majesty." He added to atone for his outburst, "Gods only know what could have happened to her." He whispered, beginning to pace in front of them all.
Jared confused by Nolan's familiar tone in regards to his little sister, looked back down at Esmee, an eyebrow raised, "Not now," she whispered, "I'll explain that later." Raising her hand to caress his cheek, "When we're all safe."
Jared nodded, kissing her forehead, "I must go now. I'm sorry, Esmee."
"I'm going with." Nolan stated, walking closer to Jared.
Lady Catalina couldn't hide the shock on her face, as her eyebrows pinched together, trying to figure out the situation, "Why, Nolan? You should be here, protecting your people. You'll be lord soon."
"I agree." Jared said, turning fully to face Nolan, "This is where you belong. It's your duty as heir to stay here in Kenon. We'll be fine without you."
"All this time spent arguing, could be spent on the road!" Nolan explained, hand slicing out to the side, pointing towards the windows, "I'm going to help you find her!"
"Nolan!" Lord Ronen yelled, smacking the table, "He is your king!"
Esmee quickly made her way around Jared, to stand between the three men, "He meant nothing by it, father, please." She took Jared's hand, "Jared, he needs to go with you. He can help and...Stina would want him looking for her."
Jared looked around Esmee, his eyes burning into Nolan, though the heir of Kenon did not back down for even a second, "If I find out you touched one hair on my little sister's head…."
"Please, Jared." Esmee interjected, hands crossing over her chest, "He was here. He obviously didn't take her."
"Oh, I'm talking about before this…." His eyes never leaving Nolan.
"Again, we are wasting time, Your Majesty!" Nolan was frantic, waiting for the King to agree to take him with; hoping he wouldn't have to sneak away himself to find her. It would work all the better if everyone could cooperate.
"He's right you, know." Esmee agreed, running her hands down Jared's arms, "You need to leave. You need to find Stina."
"Fine." Jared's voice was tight, restraint being held on by a thread, "You may come, Nolan." He looked over to Devon, nodding, "Go grab Alexander for me. We're leaving."
Lady Catalina walked towards her own guard, "Have the groomsmen get all these men new horses from our stables. The ones they road in on will not be able to make the trip back yet." She turned to her son-in-law who smiled in thanks, "We will follow your instructions." Catalina strolled to her daughter and wrapped an arm around her shoulder, giving him a reassuring smile "Esmee and the babe will be well protected here."
He breathed deeply in, wiping a hand down his face, "I know you will guard them with your life. Nolan!" He threw the name over his shoulder, "Go get everything ready. I want to be gone in 5 minutes."
"Yes, Your Majesty." He bowed and dashed out of the room. Jared quickly dismissed the other guards, telling them to eat and drink up quickly. Without needing to be asked, Lord Ronen and Lady Catalina made their exits, leaving the king alone with his queen.
Esmee tried to keep her face passive, but a tear escaped, falling down her cheeks. She hastily wiped it away, but Jared saw. Even he was struggling not to break down. There was still so much he wanted to say and ask. There was a rift between them, but he knew without a shadow of a doubt, he wanted to mend it. He knew the second he woke up that morning and she was smiling in his arms. The pain of the last few months was still there, but with it was finally a decision made. No more rioting emotions and thoughts, Jared was going to build a future with this woman, no matter what it took.
"Do you think she's okay?" Esmee choked out.
"I have to believe she is." Jared's voice was heavy, unable to hide his own fears, "I couldn't stand it if something…" He trailed off, unable to finish the sentence. His little sister. The youngest of the siblings and easily the best of them all. He wasn't going to let anything happen to her.
"Please, Your Majesty," Esmee begged, closing the space between them, "Be safe."
He smiled, running his hands through her hair, "So long as you stop calling me 'Your Majesty' like I have asked a hundred times." He gave her a mock glare, then kissed her forehead, "You're my wife, Esmee."
She placed her hands on either sides of his cheeks, pulling him down for a kiss. He couldn't deny her, not ever, and certainly not when he didn't know how long it would be until he saw her again. Her mouth parted, allowing him in, but still the kiss was slow. Jared had a compulsive need to prolong the feeling. The jealousy he bore towards his brother may still burn, but his love for her was stronger. Pulling her closer and closer, he told her how he felt, since he was still too cowardly to voice what she meant to him.
It took all of Esmee's will power to step back. If it weren't for Stina, she wouldn't have been able to. She would have kept kissing her husband, taking him back up to the chamber so they could forget the world together. But Jared had to find his sister. Then he had to finish this business with Blake. Only once the immediate dangers to their family and country were dissolved, would she have him back.
So she reluctantly let him go, fingertips drawing up to her lips, as if to hold his kisses there, "I love you, Jared."
"I-" Jared began, as Nolan's voice broke through their haven.
"Everythings ready, Your Majesty." He looked between Esmee and Jared, a feeling of guilt for interrupting, passing through him only briefly. But he had to keep Jared focused or else it could cost Stina.
Nolan marched over to his sister quickly, embracing her in a fierce hug, "Stay safe and make sure you take good care of my niece or nephew."
Esmee attempted to give him a hard look, but couldn't help the small smile that spread on her face, "Nephew. It's a boy. I told you."
He laughed, hugging her again, "Goodbye, little sister."
"Goodbye, Nolan." She replied, tears falling down her face, "Goodbye, Jared." Her voice shook, "Both of you...stay safe and please, find Stina." And with that, she pulled forth all her strength and walked from the room, praying for the family of both Kenon and Thidon, as she knew they were all in danger.
000
Author's Note: So on a serious note, when I decided I needed to finish this story, I went to google Treacherous Triangle to reread my work and get myself back in the zone. On that search I immediately found my story on Wattpad. One of my followers (and reviewer) stole this story, changed the names of the characters, and submitted it. How do I know it was a follower? She used the SAME USERNAME FOR BOTH ACCOUNTS! To say I am ticked is the understatement of the century. She was replying to comments on the work, taking compliments, complaining how hard it is to write, the whole nine yards. Ridiculous. I honestly never thought I'd have to deal with that, as I'm just a fanfiction writer, but I guess I do. So listen, if you'd like to make fanfictions about my fanfiction, I'm totally okay with it. Just let me know and link my work. Heck, I don't even mind you copying my story on another platform, so long as you don't claim it's yours and give me credit. Stealing it is a dick move and any praise you get, is pointless anyways, because you didn't earn it. Basically you're catfishing with words. Do you want to be a catfish? I mean, have you seen the people on that show?!
Anyways, I'm already working on the next chapter. I haven't written in years, so getting back in the swing of this is going to be difficult. Don't be surprised if I revise this chapter and the upcoming ones, just because I end up not liking how it's laid out. I am out of practice and feel my style needs to find me once more. If I go more than a week between this update and the next, feel free to virtually flog me, because most likely I'm rereading it and beating myself up over how it flows.
So glad to be back!