Chapter 28 [Next Morning]
Although Financial Distress tightened Celebration's rein, Good Will warmed the Grand Hall. Wine flowed. The kitchen's pristine best food bowed the tables. Speeches were made. Toasts bellowed forth. Poems recited between Prince and Princess to one another.
And upstairs, Merlin and Mithian at last shared Bliss' wonders afterward.
Truly Respite presented an oasis for the newlyweds to enjoy. Reality, however, butted in all too soon….
[Merlin and Mithian's Bedchamber]
Merlin stirred early. He looked up at the ceiling. Every pore and inch of his skin tingled. Euphoria lightened his heart. He sucked in a deep breath. "We did it." He turned to see curls of dark hair spilling over the sheet. I could stay here all day. So could she. He eased himself from the bed and onto his feet. Her gentle breathing sounded almost like music to his ears.
A pitcher awaited on the table to his left.
Jocelyn's learning. Very good. He smiled. He poured water into his favorite wooden cup. The cool liquid flowed down his throat. He saw the sunbeams poking through the gap in the curtains. And our business awaits.
A knock came from the door.
He rolled his eyes. So soon? He frowned. Irritation pushed him across the floor. "Who's there?"
"Rodor sent me, Merlin," Gawain's voice retorted through the closed door.
Merlin shrugged. I knew it. He opened the door to find his friend tapping his fingers against the doorframe. "The Princess is still asleep. Maybe I can come down?"
"Wish we could do that. He needs us all down there. Gotta talk about Morgana," Gawain disagreed.
"Of course we do." Merlin rolled his eyes.
"Merlin? Merlin, what is it?" Mithian called. Drowsiness numbed her thinking. Her eyes blinked back sleepers. Her fingers clenched at the pillows.
Gawain winced. "Trust me. The last thing I want is to interrupt that especially when you're finally getting…."
"Gawain. Just tell King Rodor we will be right there." Merlin shook his head.
"Yeah I get it. See you there. Remember do everything I would do and…." Gawain started.
Merlin slammed the door shut. He rubbed his forehead. "Sorry. I hoped that we could sleep in." He padded back toward the bed. "Good morning."
She nodded and rubbed her eyes. "Good morning to you, my Prince." She forced herself to sit up. "What did Sir Gawain want?"
"Your father needs us downstairs." He shrugged. Disappointment sagged upon his face. "I hoped that we could spend some time."
"So did I." She shrugged. "All part of our role…Husband." She kissed him on the cheek. "But I did enjoy myself last night." She motioned toward the bed. "Perhaps later we could practice some more?" Mischief spread a particularly naughty smirk across her face.
Merlin shook his head. He was definitely glad Gawain didn't see that. He'd never let me hear the end of it. "I hope the King has something to eat down there." He noticed his clothes already laid out on the chair. "Since we're already late, I need a shortcut." He waved his hands. Canary flashed through his eyes.
The clothes disappeared from the chair and then reappeared on him. He inspected himself in the mirror.
"Make sure you comb your hair and put the crown on straight." Impishness flavored her advice. She selected her lavender dress and went behind the screen. She threw her nightgown over the hard panels. She pulled on her dress. "Can you secure this in the back?"
"Come out and I'll do that. Maybe brush your hair as well?" he offered.
"Really, Merlin?" She snorted while coming out from behind the screen. "You are so helpful. Perhaps I shall have to remember last night." She raised an eyebrow at him.
He secured the clasps running along her back. "I used to do Gwen's hair once in a while." He brushed out a few snarls. "It's so smooth."
"I take care of my hair. Are you getting me ready or trying to seduce me again?" she teased.
He coughed. "If we did not have that meeting, it'd be the latter."
"That's what I thought." She grinned. "Don't worry, Merlin. There's plenty of time later." Her eyes sparkled into the mirror and toward him.
Seems there was a plan….