Hi everyone! I hope that everyone had a great holiday! Thanks for being so patient
with me. Here's the first of two updates to the story. I hope it's been worth the
wait. The next part should be out within the week. as soon as I've typed it up.
Ash
Switched at Birth - Chapter 11
I reentered the Rose Room and curtseyed to everyone before
joining Darien again on the loveseat.
"Did Beryl appreciate your gesture of kindness?" Father asked.
I nodded. "Yes, she thanked me for remembering," I replied.
I saw my parents exchange surprised glances. "That is...
comforting to hear," Mother said finally.
I was about to ask why she hesitated, but Queen Gaia started
to speak, and I tried to remember to ask about it later.
"I believe that I shall retire for the night," she announced.
"We must return to Outopia tomorrow."
I stood up and curtseyed to Darien's mother. Beside me, Darien
rose to his feet and bowed.
Queen Gaia made her way over to me and placed her hand under
my chin, tilting my face up. "Goodnight, my dear," she told me
pleasantly. Then, she gave Darien a kiss on the cheek.
"Goodnight, my son."
A few minutes later, Mother decided to go to bed as well. She
bid us all goodnight and left the room.
I gazed longingly at Darien, wanting to kiss him desperately.
But we both knew that our fathers would not approve of such a
public display of affection. Darien ran his thumb along the
back of my hand, letting me know that he felt the same way.
Frustrated, the two of us sat there, politely holding hands.
A tinkle of glass caught our attention and we turned to see
King Stephen's king lying on its side on the chessboard. King
Stephen smiled at my father. "Another good game, Terrence," he
said.
Father nodded. "Likewise, Stephen," he replied, standing up. "I
believe that I shall join my wife now."
"A good idea," King Stephen agreed. He turned to us and smiled.
"Goodnight, Serena. Goodnight, Darien."
"Goodnight, your Majesty."
"Goodnight, Father."
Father gave me a light kiss on the forehead before leaving.
"Don't stay up too late, darling," he advised me.
"I won't," I promised.
As soon as the door closed behind them, Darien pulled me into
his arms and kissed me hungrily. I couldn't help moaning as his
tongue slid into my mouth. I wrapped my arms around his neck and
kissed him back as deeply as I could. I felt Darien's hands run
up and down my back, sending shivers along my spine. His mouth
left mine and traced the curve of my neck.
"Darien," I whispered softly.
"I've waited for this chance all night," he murmured between
kisses. His lips trailed along my shoulder and I felt the straps
of my dress being moved aside.
"We have to stop," I protested weakly.
He trailed soft kisses across my collarbone and I could feel my
resolve crumbling. "Just a little more," he pleaded. "You taste
so good."
"Darien...stop," I managed to say as I pushed on his shoulders.
"This isn't proper."
He pulled away from me and sighed. "I know," he said, his voice
filled with regret. "But there's something incredibly intoxicating
about you. I want you near me all the time."
"I know what you mean," I lamented. I caught a glance of myself in
a mirror and I was shocked with what I saw. My hair was falling
out of its updo, my dress was rumpled with one shoulder slipping
down my arm, and my skin was flushed where Darien had kissed me. I
tried to draw a stabilizing breath. "I have to go," I said. "It is
getting late." I stood up and smoothed out the creases in my dress
and pushed the falling strap back on my shoulder. My hair was a
lost cause, so I pulled out the hairpins, letting my blonde tresses
tumble down my back.
Suddenly, I felt Darien's hands on my shoulders, and the last thing
I saw before his mouth descended on mine was a smoldering look in
his stormy blue eyes. His fingers buried into my hair as he kissed
me. My hands slipped inside his tuxedo jacket and flattened against
his muscular chest. Slowly, my fingers traveled downward, tracing
his hard abdominal muscles. I heard Darien groan and his arms
tightened around me. We kissed like there was no tomorrow, and in a
way, that was true, since he was leaving the next morning and it
would feel like an eternity until I saw him again.
There was a burning on my chest, but I didn't care, as long as I was
kissing the man I loved. I felt as if I had entered a place where I
didn't need to breathe, and the only thing I needed to stay alive
were Darien's sweet kisses.
Without warning, Darien's warm lips were torn away from mine, and I
was left gasping for air. I stared at Darien in surprise and I saw
that he was in the same condition as I was.
"I think...that I am addicted to you," he told me breathlessly.
Every move you make, the sound of your voice, the feel of your skin
against mine; it makes me want you so much."
I couldn't help blushing at Darien's intimate tone. "Maybe...we
should try to restrain ourselves in the future," I suggested
tentatively.
Darien nodded in agreement. "That would probably be best," he said
in a strained voice. "Perhaps I should escort you to your chamber
now."
I nodded. "Of course," I replied. I smoothed my hair back and then
tucked my hand in the crook of Darien's arm. We walked in silence
to my chamber. When we finally arrived, he leaned down to give me
a chaste kiss on my cheek. I felt that familiar jolt of
electricity pass between us again. Before I knew it, Darien's
mouth was on mine and my body was being pressed between the door
and his lean frame. We managed to pull apart after a minute or so,
and he caressed my cheek softly.
"Goodnight, my princess," he whispered. Then, he turned and walked
away.
I sagged against my chamber door, my knees having been turned to
jelly. With a final sigh of happiness, I opened my door and stepped
inside.
I closed the door behind me and I stopped dead in my tracks. The
mirror on my dresser had the word 'COMMONER' scrawled across it in
big red letters, and the mirror had been cracked as if something
had been hurled at it. Shards of clear glass were littered over
the dresser and the surrounding carpet. I picked up one of the
larger pieces and gasped in dismay. Half of an etched rose was on
the glass.
I began to understand the depth of Beryl's hatred for me. That she
would come into my room and vandalize it made me realize that we
would never be friends. I resolved not to give her any more
ammunition to hurt me.
I went to the telephone and dialed for housekeeping. I told them
the mirror in my room needed to be replaced and that no questions
were to be asked. Twenty minutes later, all of the broken glass had
been removed and I was left with a promise that the mirror would be
replaced within a day or so.
I changed out of my ball gown and into a pair of ivory silk pajamas.
I was about to get into bed when I heard a knock at the door.
Quickly, I put on a robe and cinched it around my waist. "Enter,"
I called out.
The door opened and Darien came in. My breath caught in my throat.
He was looking very handsome in black silk pajama pants and a
matching robe. The collar was open just enough to get a
tantalizing glimpse of his bare chest.
"Da...Darien," I stammered. "Can I help you with something?"
Darien smiled roguishly. "I came by to tuck you in," he told me.
The corner of my mouth quirked up slightly. "Are you going to tell
me a story as well?" I inquired.
Darien's smile became seductive as he closed the door and walked
towards me. "If you'd like," he replied softly. He reached out and
took my hand, his thumb tracing over my knuckles.
I smiled up at him nervously. "I think...that it would be a bad
idea if you stayed here any longer than you had to," I told him.
"Really? Why do you say that?" Darien asked. He pulled me closer
to him and slid an arm around my waist.
"Because...because I'm starting to feel like we need a chaperone
to make us behave ourselves," I replied as my fingers crept up his
silk-clad torso.
"I promise that I will not do anything to compromise your virtue,"
Darien whispered as his hands moved to the front of my robe and
started to untie the not.
"Well...as long as you promise," I whispered back with a smile.
Darien slipped the robe off my shoulders and tossed over the back
of a nearby chair without looking away from me. Then, he bent
slightly and swept me up into his arms. I gasped softly in surprise
as my feet left the floor.
"Your bed awaits, my lady," Darien told me with a grin.
I snuggled into Darien's embrace as he carried me to my bed. Gently,
he laid me down on the mattress and pulled my comforter up to my
shoulders. He brushed a lock of hair away from my face and then
kissed my forehead. He pulled back for a second and then leaned
back down to brush his lips over mine.
"Goodnight, Serena," he said.
"Goodnight, Darien," I replied with a smile.
He straightened up and reached out to turn off my table lamp. He
glanced around my room and I saw his brow furrow. "What happened the
mirror on your dresser?" he asked.
"Oh...there was a crack in it and I wanted it replaced," I said, not
really lying to him. The memory of the shattered glass everywhere
arose fresh in my mind, but I tried to keep my expression neutral.
My answer seemed to satisfy Darien. He nodded and turned off the
lamp. "I'll see you tomorrow," he said.
"Goodnight," I told him, smiling.
With one final kiss, he headed back to his room after turning off the
main light in my chamber. As I lay there in the darkness, I replayed
the day's events in my mind. The most prominent image was the sight
of Beryl's dark green eyes staring at me hatefully. I couldn't help
wondering if she was dangerous.
with me. Here's the first of two updates to the story. I hope it's been worth the
wait. The next part should be out within the week. as soon as I've typed it up.
Ash
Switched at Birth - Chapter 11
I reentered the Rose Room and curtseyed to everyone before
joining Darien again on the loveseat.
"Did Beryl appreciate your gesture of kindness?" Father asked.
I nodded. "Yes, she thanked me for remembering," I replied.
I saw my parents exchange surprised glances. "That is...
comforting to hear," Mother said finally.
I was about to ask why she hesitated, but Queen Gaia started
to speak, and I tried to remember to ask about it later.
"I believe that I shall retire for the night," she announced.
"We must return to Outopia tomorrow."
I stood up and curtseyed to Darien's mother. Beside me, Darien
rose to his feet and bowed.
Queen Gaia made her way over to me and placed her hand under
my chin, tilting my face up. "Goodnight, my dear," she told me
pleasantly. Then, she gave Darien a kiss on the cheek.
"Goodnight, my son."
A few minutes later, Mother decided to go to bed as well. She
bid us all goodnight and left the room.
I gazed longingly at Darien, wanting to kiss him desperately.
But we both knew that our fathers would not approve of such a
public display of affection. Darien ran his thumb along the
back of my hand, letting me know that he felt the same way.
Frustrated, the two of us sat there, politely holding hands.
A tinkle of glass caught our attention and we turned to see
King Stephen's king lying on its side on the chessboard. King
Stephen smiled at my father. "Another good game, Terrence," he
said.
Father nodded. "Likewise, Stephen," he replied, standing up. "I
believe that I shall join my wife now."
"A good idea," King Stephen agreed. He turned to us and smiled.
"Goodnight, Serena. Goodnight, Darien."
"Goodnight, your Majesty."
"Goodnight, Father."
Father gave me a light kiss on the forehead before leaving.
"Don't stay up too late, darling," he advised me.
"I won't," I promised.
As soon as the door closed behind them, Darien pulled me into
his arms and kissed me hungrily. I couldn't help moaning as his
tongue slid into my mouth. I wrapped my arms around his neck and
kissed him back as deeply as I could. I felt Darien's hands run
up and down my back, sending shivers along my spine. His mouth
left mine and traced the curve of my neck.
"Darien," I whispered softly.
"I've waited for this chance all night," he murmured between
kisses. His lips trailed along my shoulder and I felt the straps
of my dress being moved aside.
"We have to stop," I protested weakly.
He trailed soft kisses across my collarbone and I could feel my
resolve crumbling. "Just a little more," he pleaded. "You taste
so good."
"Darien...stop," I managed to say as I pushed on his shoulders.
"This isn't proper."
He pulled away from me and sighed. "I know," he said, his voice
filled with regret. "But there's something incredibly intoxicating
about you. I want you near me all the time."
"I know what you mean," I lamented. I caught a glance of myself in
a mirror and I was shocked with what I saw. My hair was falling
out of its updo, my dress was rumpled with one shoulder slipping
down my arm, and my skin was flushed where Darien had kissed me. I
tried to draw a stabilizing breath. "I have to go," I said. "It is
getting late." I stood up and smoothed out the creases in my dress
and pushed the falling strap back on my shoulder. My hair was a
lost cause, so I pulled out the hairpins, letting my blonde tresses
tumble down my back.
Suddenly, I felt Darien's hands on my shoulders, and the last thing
I saw before his mouth descended on mine was a smoldering look in
his stormy blue eyes. His fingers buried into my hair as he kissed
me. My hands slipped inside his tuxedo jacket and flattened against
his muscular chest. Slowly, my fingers traveled downward, tracing
his hard abdominal muscles. I heard Darien groan and his arms
tightened around me. We kissed like there was no tomorrow, and in a
way, that was true, since he was leaving the next morning and it
would feel like an eternity until I saw him again.
There was a burning on my chest, but I didn't care, as long as I was
kissing the man I loved. I felt as if I had entered a place where I
didn't need to breathe, and the only thing I needed to stay alive
were Darien's sweet kisses.
Without warning, Darien's warm lips were torn away from mine, and I
was left gasping for air. I stared at Darien in surprise and I saw
that he was in the same condition as I was.
"I think...that I am addicted to you," he told me breathlessly.
Every move you make, the sound of your voice, the feel of your skin
against mine; it makes me want you so much."
I couldn't help blushing at Darien's intimate tone. "Maybe...we
should try to restrain ourselves in the future," I suggested
tentatively.
Darien nodded in agreement. "That would probably be best," he said
in a strained voice. "Perhaps I should escort you to your chamber
now."
I nodded. "Of course," I replied. I smoothed my hair back and then
tucked my hand in the crook of Darien's arm. We walked in silence
to my chamber. When we finally arrived, he leaned down to give me
a chaste kiss on my cheek. I felt that familiar jolt of
electricity pass between us again. Before I knew it, Darien's
mouth was on mine and my body was being pressed between the door
and his lean frame. We managed to pull apart after a minute or so,
and he caressed my cheek softly.
"Goodnight, my princess," he whispered. Then, he turned and walked
away.
I sagged against my chamber door, my knees having been turned to
jelly. With a final sigh of happiness, I opened my door and stepped
inside.
I closed the door behind me and I stopped dead in my tracks. The
mirror on my dresser had the word 'COMMONER' scrawled across it in
big red letters, and the mirror had been cracked as if something
had been hurled at it. Shards of clear glass were littered over
the dresser and the surrounding carpet. I picked up one of the
larger pieces and gasped in dismay. Half of an etched rose was on
the glass.
I began to understand the depth of Beryl's hatred for me. That she
would come into my room and vandalize it made me realize that we
would never be friends. I resolved not to give her any more
ammunition to hurt me.
I went to the telephone and dialed for housekeeping. I told them
the mirror in my room needed to be replaced and that no questions
were to be asked. Twenty minutes later, all of the broken glass had
been removed and I was left with a promise that the mirror would be
replaced within a day or so.
I changed out of my ball gown and into a pair of ivory silk pajamas.
I was about to get into bed when I heard a knock at the door.
Quickly, I put on a robe and cinched it around my waist. "Enter,"
I called out.
The door opened and Darien came in. My breath caught in my throat.
He was looking very handsome in black silk pajama pants and a
matching robe. The collar was open just enough to get a
tantalizing glimpse of his bare chest.
"Da...Darien," I stammered. "Can I help you with something?"
Darien smiled roguishly. "I came by to tuck you in," he told me.
The corner of my mouth quirked up slightly. "Are you going to tell
me a story as well?" I inquired.
Darien's smile became seductive as he closed the door and walked
towards me. "If you'd like," he replied softly. He reached out and
took my hand, his thumb tracing over my knuckles.
I smiled up at him nervously. "I think...that it would be a bad
idea if you stayed here any longer than you had to," I told him.
"Really? Why do you say that?" Darien asked. He pulled me closer
to him and slid an arm around my waist.
"Because...because I'm starting to feel like we need a chaperone
to make us behave ourselves," I replied as my fingers crept up his
silk-clad torso.
"I promise that I will not do anything to compromise your virtue,"
Darien whispered as his hands moved to the front of my robe and
started to untie the not.
"Well...as long as you promise," I whispered back with a smile.
Darien slipped the robe off my shoulders and tossed over the back
of a nearby chair without looking away from me. Then, he bent
slightly and swept me up into his arms. I gasped softly in surprise
as my feet left the floor.
"Your bed awaits, my lady," Darien told me with a grin.
I snuggled into Darien's embrace as he carried me to my bed. Gently,
he laid me down on the mattress and pulled my comforter up to my
shoulders. He brushed a lock of hair away from my face and then
kissed my forehead. He pulled back for a second and then leaned
back down to brush his lips over mine.
"Goodnight, Serena," he said.
"Goodnight, Darien," I replied with a smile.
He straightened up and reached out to turn off my table lamp. He
glanced around my room and I saw his brow furrow. "What happened the
mirror on your dresser?" he asked.
"Oh...there was a crack in it and I wanted it replaced," I said, not
really lying to him. The memory of the shattered glass everywhere
arose fresh in my mind, but I tried to keep my expression neutral.
My answer seemed to satisfy Darien. He nodded and turned off the
lamp. "I'll see you tomorrow," he said.
"Goodnight," I told him, smiling.
With one final kiss, he headed back to his room after turning off the
main light in my chamber. As I lay there in the darkness, I replayed
the day's events in my mind. The most prominent image was the sight
of Beryl's dark green eyes staring at me hatefully. I couldn't help
wondering if she was dangerous.