Chapter8: Back to Grov with a birthday, Beltaine and a Ball
Alex was running down the rarely used path through the palace gardens. She was grinning, reveling in the warm sun that shone down and warmed her through the soft grey dress her father had bought her for her birthday. Her father would disapprove of her running out here bare foot but the grass felt deliciously soft under her toes.
She dropped down as she reached a large clover patch and set about making chains from its multitude of small white flowers. Humming softly a quiet eld tune her mother had sung when she was a child she didn't notice the man's approach. Feeling the shadow fall across her she looked up expecting it to be Thia, as only Thia, to her knowledge, knew of this garden; leering down at her were a pair of black eyes and a now familiar mouth set with sharp teeth. Recognizing the gantese she screamed.
Still half in the dream Alex struck out hard at the person holding her down on the pallet, struggle to escape from his grip. "Alex, open your eyes, it's alright; it's just me." Came the hoarse command as Alex slowly opened her eyes, breathing still ragged, to reveal the worried features of Prince Faldain. Her heartbeat began to drop from its racing pace as she recognized his face.
"I'm alright," she managed to rasp; gratefully taking the goblet of water he offered "Just a bad dream."
"Aye just a dream." He replied taking the cup back, pushing her hair back affectionately behind her ear. She was about to sit up when she remembered she was dressed in aught but bandages and undergarments beneath the blanket.
"Where is everyone?" she asked, noting the lack of her father or any of the girls within the small brown tent. 'Papa wouldn't like the implications of this.'
"Preparing food and horses; Thia is checking up on Thum, she'll be here to check on you shortly." He replied softly and gave her an odd look, "Aren't you going to get up?"
"No offensive Dain, you being present and in my current state of dress; no." she replied a little more sharply than she intended having, after making sure she would be covered, sat up whilst making the comment.
The prince had the grace to blush before tilting his head, "Thia's coming, I'll leave you to the gentle hands of Thia the healer," and without further ado opened the flap to reveal a piqued princess Thia. "I'm going!" he offered at her pointed look and with a final grin at Alex, left.
Thia looked between Alex and her retreating brothers back several times before arching an inquisitive eyebrow at her friend "I had a nightmare and he woke me up you gutter minded princess." Alex shot teasingly at her friend, causing the eyebrow to rise higher in disbelief.
"As you say Alex." The princess replied with a beguiling smile as she moved to check Alex's wounds. Several minutes passed silently as Thia finished checking her handiwork and proclaimed that Alex could get up though her look warned her not to even think of any kind of exercise. "I'll pack up the tent." Thia said as Alex opened her mouth, "Go get some food from the fire; Sandrina should have saved you some porridge."
Muttering about oppressive tyrant princesses Alex moved through the throng of the breaking camp to where Sandrina stood beside the extinguished fire. Thanking her friend for the food Alex listened as she and Phereasa argued over the qualities of certain seamstresses, less than intrigued by the conversation she scanned the crowd; her father and the two princes seemed to be having a pleasant conversation by the horses. 'Ah, spoke to soon,' Gavril soon moved off with a dismissive flick of his hand.
Thum and another fair haired young man were moving the quickly dissembled tent towards a pack horse, the young man turned and she quickly recognized him as count Lanyl Oterya; the count seemed to be taking extra care to look after Thia, who, to Alex's shock, giggled as he whispered something in her ear. 'Now this was interesting.'
The call went out to mount up, it was only as she stood before the mounted company that she remembered Disleika's fall in battle. Her father dismounted just as Faldain cut across, "Princess Alexeika may Brannan have the honour of carry you back to Grov?"
Her father nodded as he lifted gently her up onto the front of the prince's horse, ignoring her shocked splutter and subversive mutterings about being able to mount a horse, before returning to his own mount. Dain's arm slipped back round her to grasp the reins sending tingles she hoped he did not sense up her spine. Feeling suddenly shy Alex tried to ignore the feel of his 'well toned body and sculpted thighs' behind her as they moved as one with the horse, and focused on riding. Needless to say it was looking to be a long half-day's ride, even more so when Faldain shifted closer to ease the strain on his wounded leg bringing her further into contact with the inner thighs of the attractive prince.
Squawks of pain could be heard intermittently from within the seamstress' quarters of the royal palace as the beltaine festival, and its ball, quickly approached. Wincing at the prospect of her appointment with the probably now cranky seamstress after her meal, Alex proceeded down the back corridor to the kitchens.
Thanks to the healing powers of the sorcerelle-healers at the palace Alex's wounds had healed quickly over the last three days, by tomorrow, the day of the festival, she would be completely healed thus allowing her to wear whatever design dress her friends had intended for her. Alex's mouth twitched at the thought as she entered the kitchens, 'Riva knows what her friends had planned for her.'
"We're dressing you up for your birthday as part of your present, and no you can't worm your way out of the ball when it falls on your seventeenth." Thia had chastised once they had broken the news.
Begging some food of the disgruntled cooks Alex decided to take advantage of the excellent day before her father found her without a chaperone and sat on an outside bench in the warm kitchen garden before engaging her meal. Sighing once she finished she parted from the peaceful garden and returned quickly to her rooms in hopes that her absence had gone unnoticed by her father.
Luck was not with her it seemed as she returned to a scowling general and his stern protector. Bowing her head she stepped silently into the drawing room, shutting the door behind her. "May I ask where you have been, sneaking through the servants' passages?"
Alexeika flushed at the implication of the comments, "I was hungry and in need of fresh air and a walk; I had some food in the kitchen garden and returned here." she replied meekly, lifting her eyes briefly to her father's before dropping them back down to her shoes, "I did not think, I'm sorry."
Her father snorted, "You rarely think now days pet, Alexeika you are no longer a child. You are a young woman of noble station. Do not threaten your name amongst the court, many will seek to undermine your reputation, if only because they see you as more than a friend to his highness and a threat; you must act as a princess." Her father's tone softened as he spoke, "Please Alex, for my sanity; you are as beautiful as your mother, I would have thought you'd have realized men will try to take advantage of you. Do not run off without a chaperone, such men are not only found among gantese."
Thoroughly chastised Alex nodded before giving her father a quick hug, "Now, allow an old man to escort a fair maiden to her dressing session." Resting her palm on her father's pro-offered arm Alex glided down the proper hallway to the seamstress' quarters, curtseying as her three friends awaited her by the door.
"General Volvn, may you relinquish your daughter to my supervision for the rest of the day, her dress is intended to be a surprise for all until tomorrow eve? Rest assured you have my word I shall return her in one piece." Thia asked in her gracious manner.
"Of course your highness, I entrust my daughter to your care; see you at dinner pet." Ilymir replied courteously before leaving Alex to the mercy of the three women who were being to smile at her in a way that was not quite re-assuring.
"Come Alex, face your doom." Thia intoned with the air of an undertaker before opening the door to reveal Alex's early birthday present.
"Thia are you sure this dress isn't too low, I feel like I'm about to fall out of it!" Alex whined as the silver laces were being drawn up the back of the burgundy dress, tightening the fabric around her slim waist. The silver laces matched the vine-like embroidery on the waist, straight, and in her opinion low, neckline and hem. Even the pointed tips of the sleeves had the silver vines embroidered on them.
"Honestly Alex, would I dress you in something scandalous? It's perfect, trust me." Thia replied as the last of laces were tied. "Now come out and let me see you." Alex stepped gingerly out from behind the screen.
"My father is going to kill me." Alex replied as she looked in the mirror with a gasp, wishing she could just tug the neckline up a little higher.
"Always knew there was a princess in there somewhere." Thia teased, handing over a pair of slippers made from silver cloth and sitting Alex on a chair before calling Phereasa and Sandrina in.
The other girls had gotten ready earlier during the day as Alex spent time with her father; she still held in her hands the last present he had given her saying it was her mother's; a box containing a fine silver necklace with a single bard crystal in the shape of a pentagram. Opening the box Alex moved to put the necklace on when Thia stopped her.
"This is beautiful Alexeika, allow me. Was it a gift?" Thia queried in her soft manner as she slowly looped the necklace around Alex's neck and began to brush her hair.
"It was my mother's, she wished me to have when I turned seventeen; I thought they suited the dress more so than my emeralds." Alex replied with a small grin.
"But only royalty may wear king's glass, even I would not be so bold." Phereasa gasped touching the necklace in reverence.
"My father says that it was passed down mother to daughter for many years; by tradition each receives and wears the necklace on their seventeenth birthday." Alex replied touching the necklace herself, "That would be the eld side of my family, they're traditions are quiet different."
"Done." Thia pronounced having finished braiding back the small pieces of hair from each side of Alex's face with silver thread leaving he curls loose down he back but out of her face. "I won't even try to put make up on you because you'll probably hurt me."
The girls' giggle were interrupted by a rap on the door, Thia opened it to reveal a distressed looking maid, "Please your highness, their highnesses Prince Gavril and Prince Faldain await to escort yourself and Lady Phereasa to the ball." The maid said quickly, with a fearful glance behind her.
"We will come immediately; leaving those two alone can be quite disconcerting." Thia replied kindly to the scared maid, "Perhaps you can relay to Lady Sandrina and Princess Alexeika's fathers that their daughters await their escort?" she suggested causing the maid to bob gratefully and scurry from the rooms. "See you soon." Thia said to the girls before gliding with Phereasa into the adjoining room.
"I have to thank you for the cakes you sent to me, they were a lovely present." Alex said smiling at her friend, "My father sends his complements and that he wishes he had a son to marry you to so he may 'gain access to your culinary delights'."
Sandrina laughed, "Shall we move into the next room to await our fathers dear; my father helped find this dress, do you think it's too, formal?"
Sandrina's dress was a pale lilac that accentuated her blonde hair, curled down her waist; that was tight but undoubtedly modest. "No, I think it suits you and at least you have no fear of falling out, I'm going to remain poker straight this evening in fear of such an eventuality." Alex replied with a smile moving into the next room.
The girl's fathers moved into the room, originally engrossed in conversation, they fell silent as they caught sight of their daughters. A flicker or some unreadable emotion passed through Ilymir's eyes as he regarded his blushing daughter for a second before silently offering her his arm. Sandrina and her father had somehow already slipped quietly from the room towards the hall of glass.
"You look beautiful pet; I fear I shall have to barricade the entrance to your rooms after this night." Her father whispered conspiringly in her ear, kissing her blushed cheek affectionately before they descended the wide staircase, past the gilded carved wood danselk heads, and into the bright hall.
A long table, laid with innumerable delicacies ran along the back wall, a group of musicians had set up in the corner and candles ran throughout the hall, the bard crystals hanging from the ceiling creating an eerie counterpart to the soft music. Heads raised as the pair descended and an uncanny hush fell across the hall.
Unnerved by the attention she was receiving, Alexeika's grip tightened on her father's arm unconsciously as she scanned the crowd for a familiar face to latch onto. She quickly spotted her king, Tobeszijian's proud build set him apart from the crowd, the king smiled gently at her as the crowd parted for her and her father to approach him. Beside him a figure dressed in crimson and gold collared, could only be King Verence of Mandria watching on with quiet interest.
Having reached the king Alexeika dropped into a low curtsey as her father officially presented his grown daughter to his king and the court. "I welcome you to my court, Princess Alexeika Volvn." Tobeszijian directed towards the crowd, "Rise and take your place by your father." He turned to the monarch beside him, "Verence, may I introduce you to general Volvn and his daughter Alexeika." Alex and her father curtsied and bowed to the mandrian monarch.
Mouth twitching slightly, Verence turned to face the princess, "Alexeika I hear that you attacked my son upon your first meeting, perhaps you could regale to me the circumstances of the event?"
Alex felt her stomach drop and her cheeks flame as her father and king turned towards her with utmost curiosity, 'oh dear, I knew that wasn't a good idea.' She continued as diplomatically as possible "His highness made an uninformed comment about the honour of me and my princess due to our weapons skills; I reacted badly, perhaps on some level I thought to prove our skills and avenge my friend's honour, I did not know your son's rank until after, your majesty. I so my reaction may have been tempered." To her relief Verence chuckled heartily.
"Aye my son seems to have developed an unhealthy perchance for offending Netheran royalty and seems well dealt with." Verence added heartily, flicking his gaze to Tobeszijian's far side, "How undiplomatic of him." With a final smile at Alex he engaged her father and king in a recount of the battle of Belrad.
Wondering who had caused Verence to make reference to the dispute between the two princes, and hoping it was not Gavril, Alexeika turned to see who was on Tobeszijian's right. Turning she saw a young man dressed in a burgundy tunic and crowned with a gold circuit, staring directly at her, a half raised wine glass forgotten in his hand.
Shocked by the likewise transformation Alex stared back until Thia, in her silver gown, called her over to the buffet table, though the eld eyes continued staring fixedly at her over a goblet of wine. Blushing she moved along the table and sampled some of the delicacies with Thia but continued to feel the intense gaze on her back.
"My brother seems stunned by your transformation, I think." Thia whispered as they gazed over a magnificent sculpted pasty in the shape of an eagle.
"Ah yes and I haven't noticed the looks between you and count Lanyl?" Alex shot back, noticing the normally composed princess' betraying blush.
"He has asked for an audience with my father," she whispered back dramatically, "What if Papa tries to lop his head off?"
"A little melodramatic aren't we? The Lanyl is sweet, and a good match; your father will consider it, he'll probably even quiz you on your feelings." She replied strongly, "You need not worry."
"Yes, I suppose I should not; steering back to the topic at hand. You. My brother. Care to explain?" Thia replied, wickedly grinning as Alex stifled a groan of frustration.
"Thia does he no longer like Phereasa or did someone forget to send me the message? Though even if he no longer likes Phereasa why would he be attracted to me?" she replied softly as they passed a group of chattering blondes.
"Oh he told Phereasa about a month ago that he no longer sees her in any way other than a friend, that he realized that he wanted, what was it, 'a more spirited woman for a partner'" Thia replied causing Alex to choke on her mouthful of wine.
"And you didn't tell me this?" she replied, looking at Thia in shock.
"But you said you didn't fancy my brother." Thia replied in false innocence, "Have you changed your mind?" Alex blushed causing Thia to giggle, "I never believed you when you said you didn't; you liked him when you were ten, it was funny to watch you scamper when he appeared, although it did get a bit tiresome after a while."
"Alright, you win! I liked him since I was ten!" Alex hissed, trying to end the embarrassing conversation along with her wine, "So?"
"So, go over there; start talking to him, make use of that dress!" Thia replied with a devilish grin.
"I would not say that so loud! I can't." Alex managed to stammer, "I can't flirt!"
"Well stay here and I shall bring my dense-headed brother over here before her becomes totally inebriated staring at your behind." Thia replied decisively, slipping into the melee before Alex could protest. Alex watched her slip a few words to the prince, who blushed, did a lot of head shaking and glances in her direction before following his sister over.
'Oh dear!' she thought, downing a glass of wine and reaching for another. 'This can't be good.'
"Alexeika, do you mind if I leave you in my esteemed brother's company? There is a certain person I must seek out." Thia asked and leaned towards Alex and whispered, "Where did you last see Lanyl?"
Alex dutifully pointed out the count and continued to watch Thia drag him onto the dance floor beside Thum and Sandrina. After this distraction an uncomfortable silence passed as Alex's gaze became fixed on her wine goblet and the prince's on her...well hopefully on the embroidery on the neckline of her dress. The prince looked even more splendid close up, his strong frame accentuated through the fine material; he looked every bit a prince. Lifting her eyes she finally met his, intrigued she noticed they had turned a dark shade she did not recognize as they scanned over her apparel, he seemed speechless.
She downed another glass of wine and looked around nervously. Nearby several younger males seemed to be staring in her direction, including a short eld. A tall blonde was gazing at her in a manner similar to the gantese they had met on the trail, repressing a shudder of revulsion she picked up yet another glass of wine and quickly drank it. 'I think I'm going to be a little tipsy if I keep this up.'
"Alexeika, you look beautiful." Faldain finally managed out, his voice somewhat huskier than usual, as he lifted her hand to his lips. Smiling graciously she blushed as tingles ran up her arm and took another large mouthful of her wine before returning the compliment.
"Alexeika, how many glasses of wine have you had?" Dain queried a little worriedly, moving closer to less restrict access to the table, as Alex downed the rest of the ruby drink.
As she was about to reply Alex felt a questioning hand on her arm, behind her was the eld whom she had spotted before. She could now see the amber eyes flecked with silver, rich blonde hair, handsome features and the gold earring hanging on the pointed ear of the eld.
"Forgive me cousin; I was wondering if I could request a dance from m'lady?" asked the melodious voice.
"Of course..." Alex replied before realising she did not know the eld's name.
"Prince Potanderzin, I am afraid I have yet to make m'lady's acquaintance." The eld replied, bowing with a kiss upon her hand.
"I am Princess Alexeika Volvn, your highness. It is a pleasure to meet you." She replied with a curtsey, 'the heir to the eld kingdom.'
"The pleasure is mine princess; it is an honour to dance with the most beautiful woman present." Blushing at the flirtatious eld's compliments Alexeika let herself be led onto the floor.
Several dances, and wine glasses, later Alex realized her mistake in agreeing to the eld's request. Not only did she loose sight of her prince but his cousin's move seemed to have emboldened others, forcing her to quickly down her glasses before being partnered to every dance. At present she had managed to slip out a nearby door to the balcony to gain some fresh air and some peace. 'Damn Thia's dress!'
Sighing she gazed up at the stars as a soft wind played her curls across her left shoulder and she fingered the stem of her goblet. She heard a soft tread come up behind her a tall presence take place to her right. Biting her lip she shifted her gaze down to the gardens.
"You never answered my question." Came the teasing voice beside her causing Alex to gaze up at the prince in confusion. "How many of these," he poked the goblet playfully, "Have you had?"
"Now you sound like my father." She replied before counting the glasses in her head and grimacing, "Lots."
"How many?" he pressed, turning to face her directly.
She looked at her feet sheepishly and whispered, "Ten and a half." "And you're still standing!" Faldain exclaimed, "Let me never get into a drinking contest with you, m'lady."
"Barely, why do you think I am hiding out here? Another dance and I'll be too dizzy to see straight." She replied wryly, "no offence but damn your sister for picking this dress, I knew it was too low cut!"
"Personally I like it." Faldain replied, looking down at her; the edge to his voice making Alex notice how close they were actually standing. Seeming to pick up on this too Faldain took a step back, a cold wind passed, making her shiver slightly.
"Are you cold? Shall escort you back inside?" Faldain asked softly, noticing her shiver before moving towards her and blocking the offending wind.
"No, inside equals leering males, dancing and dizziness. You are making a good wind barrier in that spot though." She replied back mischievously causing him to smile. Deciding to get to the bottom of bizarre hearted prince she queried innocently "Am I to continue to try and match-make my prince and Phereasa?"
Faldain looked stunned for a second before blushing and putting in a hasty "Nay, I afraid I have not thought of the lady in that light for a while now." Alex raised an eyebrow before turning with him to look upon the gardens.
"I noticed that what I felt for the lady was aught but an infatuation with another's intended, though I pity the lady for being condemned to Gavril's side. I realized the shallowness of my feelings for the lady in comparison to other women in my life." Faldain elaborated, looking concerned as Alex stiffened as a man crossed the lawn. "What?"
"That man," Alex began looking down, "He; well this may sound silly but he reminds me of that gantese; I know it is unfair; but there is something in the way he looks at me that makes me uncomfortable; I'm not sure." She paused as Faldain took her hands.
"It's not silly." He soothed, putting a soft hand to the side of her face, "Anyone would be jumpy after what you have been through." He stepped closer, when he spoke his voice was little more than a pained whisper "I, I have no idea how you stayed so strong; it was so hard to watch them; I just wished to kill them with my bare hands." He was shaking with the old aggression, then suddenly dropped his head in shame, "You are so beautiful and brave; how could any of these court daisies compare!" he choked slightly and took a sad step back, blue moonlight shifting across his features "How can I compare? How can I be worthy of you?"
Alexeika stood gaping at him for several seconds; 'Did he say? Me, brave? He thinks I'm beautiful? Why is he not worthy? Riva, confusing this one!' she downed the rest of her eleventh glass, 'Oh gosh alcohol impinging brain function, causing hallucinations. I feel faint. I'm rambling in my head.'
"I don't feel so good." Alex commented dreamily as a pair of warm arm enveloped her just as she swooned.
Needless to say that when Alex awoke from a hazy dream involving warm arms, raven hair and sweet kisses the next morning she had quite a headache. She learnt that prince Faldain and her father were able to get her to her rooms with no one being any the wiser.
Taking breakfast and a long hot bath, all the while sipping on some cold water, allowed the hung-over princess to feel much better about the day's prospects and resolve to thank said prince upon their next meeting. She had just finished dressing in a simple, modest, grey dress; gifted by her father for her birthday, when the general entered her quarters.
"Ah pet! Up at last! How are you feeling?" her father asked boisterously, putting an arm around her shoulders.
"I am feeling much better, I did have a headache but it has just passed. Was I much trouble?" she asked sheepily.
"I do not remember the prince collapsing under your weight as he took you up the servant's stairs with me." The general replied with a grin at his blushing daughter, "May I ask what prompted you to drink eleven glasses of wine?"
"Well, I felt in need of some courage when I was deserted to face off determined young males alone in that dress!" Alex replied, glaring as her father chuckled.
"Ah but we left you with the handsome prince!" her father bantered back.
"Prince, also being young and male and influenced by said dress!" Alex shot back, "Anyway I have learnt my lesson. In the future I shall hide on balconies and stop doing friends favours by pointing out their love interests."
"Well my pet, I actually come to relay a message." Alex's eyebrows rose, "Princess Thiatereika asked that you should join her in 'your secret garden', I assume you understand what the princess was saying." He father commented.
"Aye it is a section of the garden that we found when we were young, no one else knows of it." Alexeika replied, "Though I suppose I need an escort..." she bit her lip in thought, balancing the need for privacy over going.
"I'm sure, pet, you are capable of reaching this garden unspotted?" her father asked cheekily, "Just this once." He added sternly as Alex's face lit up.
"Aye Papa, thank you." She replied with a hug and slipped out the servant's passages to the gardens. Reaching the glade she noticed Thia had not yet arrived, so she sat down by several daisies and proceeded to make a wreath for her unbound hair, singing softly.
Looking up as she heard footsteps she was surprised to see Thia leading Lanyl and Faldain to the glade, Dain was staring at her again. Spotting Alex Thia quickly walked over and whispered into her ear, "I wanted some time alone with Lanyl; my father is considering his suit, so I wondered if perhaps you could distract my brother somewhat?"
Alexeika sighed, "Aye I guess, I need to talk to your brother anyway."
Thia moved back over to the males who stood nearby and motioned to the count, "Lanyl, may I speak with you for a moment?" she gave her brother a pointed look, "Perhaps you can keep the princess company brother."
Faldain rolled his eyes and sat down beside Alexeika muttering and insubordinate "Yes mother." Looking up at Alex he commented "No headache I see."
"Aye, the wonders of water for a sore head!" she replied with a grin before blushing, again, "I must thank you for your help and, err, discretion, last night. I was most kind"
Faldain continued to stare at her eyes, "It was no problem, and at least you were not drunk and making lewd comments."
Alex laughed and dropped her voice, "Yes then I may have made some comments about you carrying me up to my quarters."
Faldain leaned closer to her ear and purred, "It was a pleasure." Alex coloured at the implication and felt a small tremor pass through her at his words; well, from that and the softness of his breath against the sensitive part of her neck.
Faldain reached up a hand and gently turned her chin towards him so she looked into his eyes; they were the same odd tint they had been the night before, and she now remembered, the night of, and the day after, the attack. A dark tint, somewhere between navy blue and dark silver.
"I think I may have confused you with my comments last night. I wanted to explain that to me, you; stubborn, argumentative and opinionated as you are, are perfect. You have such strength in your loyalty, bravery and your will; that is beyond all other women." Faldain's hand cupped the side of her face in reverence the other stroked her hair as they continued to gaze into each other's eyes as though they sat mesmerized, "Alexeika, you are perfect; every moment I spend with you is a blessing, I feel complete beside you. I cannot believe it has taken me so long to value you, or how quickly I have reached this point where I must see you each day else the day is wasted. If that is not love, I know not what is."
Alexeika continued to gaze up at Faldain, trembling slightly, still unable to remove her eyes, even as Dain laid his forehead against hers and finally whispered, "I love you." Their eyes were finally parted as hers fluttered closed upon feeling his soft lips upon hers, she groaned inwardly as he ended the kiss quickly, "I will not force myself upon you without your consent, Alexeika; how do you feel about me?"
Alex slid her hands into his hair and brought her face close to his, "Do you have to ask?" Dain cracked a wolfish grin and lowered his mouth to hers once more, but with a little, ok a lot, more passion; oblivious to a similar scenario being acted out on the other side of the glade.
"Do you know how much I have wanted to kiss you and hold you in my arms?" Dain asked gruffly several minutes later as Alex lay half beneath him on the soft grass, hair fanned out behind her head, "Or how much I love your hair?" Dain ran his hands through the silken locks while her buried his face in her neck, "Or how scared I was for you once we were captured and how you haunt my dreams and thoughts?" he began kissing her neck and the sensitive skin behind her ear before sighing, "Or how irritated I am to say that we need to go."
"Thia! Let the poor count have some air, we need to head back or fathers will become suspicious." Dain knelt down and lifted Alex back up into his arms and kissed her soundly before placing her on her feet and leading the way out and back to the Volvn's quarters.
Once back at the rooms, having lost Lanyl to his correspondence with his lands, Faldain asked that the old general join his father for an important discussion; throwing a wink to Alexeika as he left. Alex followed the norms of a love-struck woman, sighing, sitting on her bed and daydreaming that she was back in the glade with her handsome prince. Appalled that she was acting this way, she quickly pulled out a book but alas for the besotted princess, 'twas a romance novel and she spent the rest of the day; which wasn't much considering how long she'd slept, in sappy daydreams.
AN: // yeah yeah I was in a mushy mood, they needed some romance...I really wanted them to just kiss! If the chapter is shoddy blame me typing it at night...thanks for the reviews...does anyone know of any other fan fictions for these books?
Alex was running down the rarely used path through the palace gardens. She was grinning, reveling in the warm sun that shone down and warmed her through the soft grey dress her father had bought her for her birthday. Her father would disapprove of her running out here bare foot but the grass felt deliciously soft under her toes.
She dropped down as she reached a large clover patch and set about making chains from its multitude of small white flowers. Humming softly a quiet eld tune her mother had sung when she was a child she didn't notice the man's approach. Feeling the shadow fall across her she looked up expecting it to be Thia, as only Thia, to her knowledge, knew of this garden; leering down at her were a pair of black eyes and a now familiar mouth set with sharp teeth. Recognizing the gantese she screamed.
Still half in the dream Alex struck out hard at the person holding her down on the pallet, struggle to escape from his grip. "Alex, open your eyes, it's alright; it's just me." Came the hoarse command as Alex slowly opened her eyes, breathing still ragged, to reveal the worried features of Prince Faldain. Her heartbeat began to drop from its racing pace as she recognized his face.
"I'm alright," she managed to rasp; gratefully taking the goblet of water he offered "Just a bad dream."
"Aye just a dream." He replied taking the cup back, pushing her hair back affectionately behind her ear. She was about to sit up when she remembered she was dressed in aught but bandages and undergarments beneath the blanket.
"Where is everyone?" she asked, noting the lack of her father or any of the girls within the small brown tent. 'Papa wouldn't like the implications of this.'
"Preparing food and horses; Thia is checking up on Thum, she'll be here to check on you shortly." He replied softly and gave her an odd look, "Aren't you going to get up?"
"No offensive Dain, you being present and in my current state of dress; no." she replied a little more sharply than she intended having, after making sure she would be covered, sat up whilst making the comment.
The prince had the grace to blush before tilting his head, "Thia's coming, I'll leave you to the gentle hands of Thia the healer," and without further ado opened the flap to reveal a piqued princess Thia. "I'm going!" he offered at her pointed look and with a final grin at Alex, left.
Thia looked between Alex and her retreating brothers back several times before arching an inquisitive eyebrow at her friend "I had a nightmare and he woke me up you gutter minded princess." Alex shot teasingly at her friend, causing the eyebrow to rise higher in disbelief.
"As you say Alex." The princess replied with a beguiling smile as she moved to check Alex's wounds. Several minutes passed silently as Thia finished checking her handiwork and proclaimed that Alex could get up though her look warned her not to even think of any kind of exercise. "I'll pack up the tent." Thia said as Alex opened her mouth, "Go get some food from the fire; Sandrina should have saved you some porridge."
Muttering about oppressive tyrant princesses Alex moved through the throng of the breaking camp to where Sandrina stood beside the extinguished fire. Thanking her friend for the food Alex listened as she and Phereasa argued over the qualities of certain seamstresses, less than intrigued by the conversation she scanned the crowd; her father and the two princes seemed to be having a pleasant conversation by the horses. 'Ah, spoke to soon,' Gavril soon moved off with a dismissive flick of his hand.
Thum and another fair haired young man were moving the quickly dissembled tent towards a pack horse, the young man turned and she quickly recognized him as count Lanyl Oterya; the count seemed to be taking extra care to look after Thia, who, to Alex's shock, giggled as he whispered something in her ear. 'Now this was interesting.'
The call went out to mount up, it was only as she stood before the mounted company that she remembered Disleika's fall in battle. Her father dismounted just as Faldain cut across, "Princess Alexeika may Brannan have the honour of carry you back to Grov?"
Her father nodded as he lifted gently her up onto the front of the prince's horse, ignoring her shocked splutter and subversive mutterings about being able to mount a horse, before returning to his own mount. Dain's arm slipped back round her to grasp the reins sending tingles she hoped he did not sense up her spine. Feeling suddenly shy Alex tried to ignore the feel of his 'well toned body and sculpted thighs' behind her as they moved as one with the horse, and focused on riding. Needless to say it was looking to be a long half-day's ride, even more so when Faldain shifted closer to ease the strain on his wounded leg bringing her further into contact with the inner thighs of the attractive prince.
Squawks of pain could be heard intermittently from within the seamstress' quarters of the royal palace as the beltaine festival, and its ball, quickly approached. Wincing at the prospect of her appointment with the probably now cranky seamstress after her meal, Alex proceeded down the back corridor to the kitchens.
Thanks to the healing powers of the sorcerelle-healers at the palace Alex's wounds had healed quickly over the last three days, by tomorrow, the day of the festival, she would be completely healed thus allowing her to wear whatever design dress her friends had intended for her. Alex's mouth twitched at the thought as she entered the kitchens, 'Riva knows what her friends had planned for her.'
"We're dressing you up for your birthday as part of your present, and no you can't worm your way out of the ball when it falls on your seventeenth." Thia had chastised once they had broken the news.
Begging some food of the disgruntled cooks Alex decided to take advantage of the excellent day before her father found her without a chaperone and sat on an outside bench in the warm kitchen garden before engaging her meal. Sighing once she finished she parted from the peaceful garden and returned quickly to her rooms in hopes that her absence had gone unnoticed by her father.
Luck was not with her it seemed as she returned to a scowling general and his stern protector. Bowing her head she stepped silently into the drawing room, shutting the door behind her. "May I ask where you have been, sneaking through the servants' passages?"
Alexeika flushed at the implication of the comments, "I was hungry and in need of fresh air and a walk; I had some food in the kitchen garden and returned here." she replied meekly, lifting her eyes briefly to her father's before dropping them back down to her shoes, "I did not think, I'm sorry."
Her father snorted, "You rarely think now days pet, Alexeika you are no longer a child. You are a young woman of noble station. Do not threaten your name amongst the court, many will seek to undermine your reputation, if only because they see you as more than a friend to his highness and a threat; you must act as a princess." Her father's tone softened as he spoke, "Please Alex, for my sanity; you are as beautiful as your mother, I would have thought you'd have realized men will try to take advantage of you. Do not run off without a chaperone, such men are not only found among gantese."
Thoroughly chastised Alex nodded before giving her father a quick hug, "Now, allow an old man to escort a fair maiden to her dressing session." Resting her palm on her father's pro-offered arm Alex glided down the proper hallway to the seamstress' quarters, curtseying as her three friends awaited her by the door.
"General Volvn, may you relinquish your daughter to my supervision for the rest of the day, her dress is intended to be a surprise for all until tomorrow eve? Rest assured you have my word I shall return her in one piece." Thia asked in her gracious manner.
"Of course your highness, I entrust my daughter to your care; see you at dinner pet." Ilymir replied courteously before leaving Alex to the mercy of the three women who were being to smile at her in a way that was not quite re-assuring.
"Come Alex, face your doom." Thia intoned with the air of an undertaker before opening the door to reveal Alex's early birthday present.
"Thia are you sure this dress isn't too low, I feel like I'm about to fall out of it!" Alex whined as the silver laces were being drawn up the back of the burgundy dress, tightening the fabric around her slim waist. The silver laces matched the vine-like embroidery on the waist, straight, and in her opinion low, neckline and hem. Even the pointed tips of the sleeves had the silver vines embroidered on them.
"Honestly Alex, would I dress you in something scandalous? It's perfect, trust me." Thia replied as the last of laces were tied. "Now come out and let me see you." Alex stepped gingerly out from behind the screen.
"My father is going to kill me." Alex replied as she looked in the mirror with a gasp, wishing she could just tug the neckline up a little higher.
"Always knew there was a princess in there somewhere." Thia teased, handing over a pair of slippers made from silver cloth and sitting Alex on a chair before calling Phereasa and Sandrina in.
The other girls had gotten ready earlier during the day as Alex spent time with her father; she still held in her hands the last present he had given her saying it was her mother's; a box containing a fine silver necklace with a single bard crystal in the shape of a pentagram. Opening the box Alex moved to put the necklace on when Thia stopped her.
"This is beautiful Alexeika, allow me. Was it a gift?" Thia queried in her soft manner as she slowly looped the necklace around Alex's neck and began to brush her hair.
"It was my mother's, she wished me to have when I turned seventeen; I thought they suited the dress more so than my emeralds." Alex replied with a small grin.
"But only royalty may wear king's glass, even I would not be so bold." Phereasa gasped touching the necklace in reverence.
"My father says that it was passed down mother to daughter for many years; by tradition each receives and wears the necklace on their seventeenth birthday." Alex replied touching the necklace herself, "That would be the eld side of my family, they're traditions are quiet different."
"Done." Thia pronounced having finished braiding back the small pieces of hair from each side of Alex's face with silver thread leaving he curls loose down he back but out of her face. "I won't even try to put make up on you because you'll probably hurt me."
The girls' giggle were interrupted by a rap on the door, Thia opened it to reveal a distressed looking maid, "Please your highness, their highnesses Prince Gavril and Prince Faldain await to escort yourself and Lady Phereasa to the ball." The maid said quickly, with a fearful glance behind her.
"We will come immediately; leaving those two alone can be quite disconcerting." Thia replied kindly to the scared maid, "Perhaps you can relay to Lady Sandrina and Princess Alexeika's fathers that their daughters await their escort?" she suggested causing the maid to bob gratefully and scurry from the rooms. "See you soon." Thia said to the girls before gliding with Phereasa into the adjoining room.
"I have to thank you for the cakes you sent to me, they were a lovely present." Alex said smiling at her friend, "My father sends his complements and that he wishes he had a son to marry you to so he may 'gain access to your culinary delights'."
Sandrina laughed, "Shall we move into the next room to await our fathers dear; my father helped find this dress, do you think it's too, formal?"
Sandrina's dress was a pale lilac that accentuated her blonde hair, curled down her waist; that was tight but undoubtedly modest. "No, I think it suits you and at least you have no fear of falling out, I'm going to remain poker straight this evening in fear of such an eventuality." Alex replied with a smile moving into the next room.
The girl's fathers moved into the room, originally engrossed in conversation, they fell silent as they caught sight of their daughters. A flicker or some unreadable emotion passed through Ilymir's eyes as he regarded his blushing daughter for a second before silently offering her his arm. Sandrina and her father had somehow already slipped quietly from the room towards the hall of glass.
"You look beautiful pet; I fear I shall have to barricade the entrance to your rooms after this night." Her father whispered conspiringly in her ear, kissing her blushed cheek affectionately before they descended the wide staircase, past the gilded carved wood danselk heads, and into the bright hall.
A long table, laid with innumerable delicacies ran along the back wall, a group of musicians had set up in the corner and candles ran throughout the hall, the bard crystals hanging from the ceiling creating an eerie counterpart to the soft music. Heads raised as the pair descended and an uncanny hush fell across the hall.
Unnerved by the attention she was receiving, Alexeika's grip tightened on her father's arm unconsciously as she scanned the crowd for a familiar face to latch onto. She quickly spotted her king, Tobeszijian's proud build set him apart from the crowd, the king smiled gently at her as the crowd parted for her and her father to approach him. Beside him a figure dressed in crimson and gold collared, could only be King Verence of Mandria watching on with quiet interest.
Having reached the king Alexeika dropped into a low curtsey as her father officially presented his grown daughter to his king and the court. "I welcome you to my court, Princess Alexeika Volvn." Tobeszijian directed towards the crowd, "Rise and take your place by your father." He turned to the monarch beside him, "Verence, may I introduce you to general Volvn and his daughter Alexeika." Alex and her father curtsied and bowed to the mandrian monarch.
Mouth twitching slightly, Verence turned to face the princess, "Alexeika I hear that you attacked my son upon your first meeting, perhaps you could regale to me the circumstances of the event?"
Alex felt her stomach drop and her cheeks flame as her father and king turned towards her with utmost curiosity, 'oh dear, I knew that wasn't a good idea.' She continued as diplomatically as possible "His highness made an uninformed comment about the honour of me and my princess due to our weapons skills; I reacted badly, perhaps on some level I thought to prove our skills and avenge my friend's honour, I did not know your son's rank until after, your majesty. I so my reaction may have been tempered." To her relief Verence chuckled heartily.
"Aye my son seems to have developed an unhealthy perchance for offending Netheran royalty and seems well dealt with." Verence added heartily, flicking his gaze to Tobeszijian's far side, "How undiplomatic of him." With a final smile at Alex he engaged her father and king in a recount of the battle of Belrad.
Wondering who had caused Verence to make reference to the dispute between the two princes, and hoping it was not Gavril, Alexeika turned to see who was on Tobeszijian's right. Turning she saw a young man dressed in a burgundy tunic and crowned with a gold circuit, staring directly at her, a half raised wine glass forgotten in his hand.
Shocked by the likewise transformation Alex stared back until Thia, in her silver gown, called her over to the buffet table, though the eld eyes continued staring fixedly at her over a goblet of wine. Blushing she moved along the table and sampled some of the delicacies with Thia but continued to feel the intense gaze on her back.
"My brother seems stunned by your transformation, I think." Thia whispered as they gazed over a magnificent sculpted pasty in the shape of an eagle.
"Ah yes and I haven't noticed the looks between you and count Lanyl?" Alex shot back, noticing the normally composed princess' betraying blush.
"He has asked for an audience with my father," she whispered back dramatically, "What if Papa tries to lop his head off?"
"A little melodramatic aren't we? The Lanyl is sweet, and a good match; your father will consider it, he'll probably even quiz you on your feelings." She replied strongly, "You need not worry."
"Yes, I suppose I should not; steering back to the topic at hand. You. My brother. Care to explain?" Thia replied, wickedly grinning as Alex stifled a groan of frustration.
"Thia does he no longer like Phereasa or did someone forget to send me the message? Though even if he no longer likes Phereasa why would he be attracted to me?" she replied softly as they passed a group of chattering blondes.
"Oh he told Phereasa about a month ago that he no longer sees her in any way other than a friend, that he realized that he wanted, what was it, 'a more spirited woman for a partner'" Thia replied causing Alex to choke on her mouthful of wine.
"And you didn't tell me this?" she replied, looking at Thia in shock.
"But you said you didn't fancy my brother." Thia replied in false innocence, "Have you changed your mind?" Alex blushed causing Thia to giggle, "I never believed you when you said you didn't; you liked him when you were ten, it was funny to watch you scamper when he appeared, although it did get a bit tiresome after a while."
"Alright, you win! I liked him since I was ten!" Alex hissed, trying to end the embarrassing conversation along with her wine, "So?"
"So, go over there; start talking to him, make use of that dress!" Thia replied with a devilish grin.
"I would not say that so loud! I can't." Alex managed to stammer, "I can't flirt!"
"Well stay here and I shall bring my dense-headed brother over here before her becomes totally inebriated staring at your behind." Thia replied decisively, slipping into the melee before Alex could protest. Alex watched her slip a few words to the prince, who blushed, did a lot of head shaking and glances in her direction before following his sister over.
'Oh dear!' she thought, downing a glass of wine and reaching for another. 'This can't be good.'
"Alexeika, do you mind if I leave you in my esteemed brother's company? There is a certain person I must seek out." Thia asked and leaned towards Alex and whispered, "Where did you last see Lanyl?"
Alex dutifully pointed out the count and continued to watch Thia drag him onto the dance floor beside Thum and Sandrina. After this distraction an uncomfortable silence passed as Alex's gaze became fixed on her wine goblet and the prince's on her...well hopefully on the embroidery on the neckline of her dress. The prince looked even more splendid close up, his strong frame accentuated through the fine material; he looked every bit a prince. Lifting her eyes she finally met his, intrigued she noticed they had turned a dark shade she did not recognize as they scanned over her apparel, he seemed speechless.
She downed another glass of wine and looked around nervously. Nearby several younger males seemed to be staring in her direction, including a short eld. A tall blonde was gazing at her in a manner similar to the gantese they had met on the trail, repressing a shudder of revulsion she picked up yet another glass of wine and quickly drank it. 'I think I'm going to be a little tipsy if I keep this up.'
"Alexeika, you look beautiful." Faldain finally managed out, his voice somewhat huskier than usual, as he lifted her hand to his lips. Smiling graciously she blushed as tingles ran up her arm and took another large mouthful of her wine before returning the compliment.
"Alexeika, how many glasses of wine have you had?" Dain queried a little worriedly, moving closer to less restrict access to the table, as Alex downed the rest of the ruby drink.
As she was about to reply Alex felt a questioning hand on her arm, behind her was the eld whom she had spotted before. She could now see the amber eyes flecked with silver, rich blonde hair, handsome features and the gold earring hanging on the pointed ear of the eld.
"Forgive me cousin; I was wondering if I could request a dance from m'lady?" asked the melodious voice.
"Of course..." Alex replied before realising she did not know the eld's name.
"Prince Potanderzin, I am afraid I have yet to make m'lady's acquaintance." The eld replied, bowing with a kiss upon her hand.
"I am Princess Alexeika Volvn, your highness. It is a pleasure to meet you." She replied with a curtsey, 'the heir to the eld kingdom.'
"The pleasure is mine princess; it is an honour to dance with the most beautiful woman present." Blushing at the flirtatious eld's compliments Alexeika let herself be led onto the floor.
Several dances, and wine glasses, later Alex realized her mistake in agreeing to the eld's request. Not only did she loose sight of her prince but his cousin's move seemed to have emboldened others, forcing her to quickly down her glasses before being partnered to every dance. At present she had managed to slip out a nearby door to the balcony to gain some fresh air and some peace. 'Damn Thia's dress!'
Sighing she gazed up at the stars as a soft wind played her curls across her left shoulder and she fingered the stem of her goblet. She heard a soft tread come up behind her a tall presence take place to her right. Biting her lip she shifted her gaze down to the gardens.
"You never answered my question." Came the teasing voice beside her causing Alex to gaze up at the prince in confusion. "How many of these," he poked the goblet playfully, "Have you had?"
"Now you sound like my father." She replied before counting the glasses in her head and grimacing, "Lots."
"How many?" he pressed, turning to face her directly.
She looked at her feet sheepishly and whispered, "Ten and a half." "And you're still standing!" Faldain exclaimed, "Let me never get into a drinking contest with you, m'lady."
"Barely, why do you think I am hiding out here? Another dance and I'll be too dizzy to see straight." She replied wryly, "no offence but damn your sister for picking this dress, I knew it was too low cut!"
"Personally I like it." Faldain replied, looking down at her; the edge to his voice making Alex notice how close they were actually standing. Seeming to pick up on this too Faldain took a step back, a cold wind passed, making her shiver slightly.
"Are you cold? Shall escort you back inside?" Faldain asked softly, noticing her shiver before moving towards her and blocking the offending wind.
"No, inside equals leering males, dancing and dizziness. You are making a good wind barrier in that spot though." She replied back mischievously causing him to smile. Deciding to get to the bottom of bizarre hearted prince she queried innocently "Am I to continue to try and match-make my prince and Phereasa?"
Faldain looked stunned for a second before blushing and putting in a hasty "Nay, I afraid I have not thought of the lady in that light for a while now." Alex raised an eyebrow before turning with him to look upon the gardens.
"I noticed that what I felt for the lady was aught but an infatuation with another's intended, though I pity the lady for being condemned to Gavril's side. I realized the shallowness of my feelings for the lady in comparison to other women in my life." Faldain elaborated, looking concerned as Alex stiffened as a man crossed the lawn. "What?"
"That man," Alex began looking down, "He; well this may sound silly but he reminds me of that gantese; I know it is unfair; but there is something in the way he looks at me that makes me uncomfortable; I'm not sure." She paused as Faldain took her hands.
"It's not silly." He soothed, putting a soft hand to the side of her face, "Anyone would be jumpy after what you have been through." He stepped closer, when he spoke his voice was little more than a pained whisper "I, I have no idea how you stayed so strong; it was so hard to watch them; I just wished to kill them with my bare hands." He was shaking with the old aggression, then suddenly dropped his head in shame, "You are so beautiful and brave; how could any of these court daisies compare!" he choked slightly and took a sad step back, blue moonlight shifting across his features "How can I compare? How can I be worthy of you?"
Alexeika stood gaping at him for several seconds; 'Did he say? Me, brave? He thinks I'm beautiful? Why is he not worthy? Riva, confusing this one!' she downed the rest of her eleventh glass, 'Oh gosh alcohol impinging brain function, causing hallucinations. I feel faint. I'm rambling in my head.'
"I don't feel so good." Alex commented dreamily as a pair of warm arm enveloped her just as she swooned.
Needless to say that when Alex awoke from a hazy dream involving warm arms, raven hair and sweet kisses the next morning she had quite a headache. She learnt that prince Faldain and her father were able to get her to her rooms with no one being any the wiser.
Taking breakfast and a long hot bath, all the while sipping on some cold water, allowed the hung-over princess to feel much better about the day's prospects and resolve to thank said prince upon their next meeting. She had just finished dressing in a simple, modest, grey dress; gifted by her father for her birthday, when the general entered her quarters.
"Ah pet! Up at last! How are you feeling?" her father asked boisterously, putting an arm around her shoulders.
"I am feeling much better, I did have a headache but it has just passed. Was I much trouble?" she asked sheepily.
"I do not remember the prince collapsing under your weight as he took you up the servant's stairs with me." The general replied with a grin at his blushing daughter, "May I ask what prompted you to drink eleven glasses of wine?"
"Well, I felt in need of some courage when I was deserted to face off determined young males alone in that dress!" Alex replied, glaring as her father chuckled.
"Ah but we left you with the handsome prince!" her father bantered back.
"Prince, also being young and male and influenced by said dress!" Alex shot back, "Anyway I have learnt my lesson. In the future I shall hide on balconies and stop doing friends favours by pointing out their love interests."
"Well my pet, I actually come to relay a message." Alex's eyebrows rose, "Princess Thiatereika asked that you should join her in 'your secret garden', I assume you understand what the princess was saying." He father commented.
"Aye it is a section of the garden that we found when we were young, no one else knows of it." Alexeika replied, "Though I suppose I need an escort..." she bit her lip in thought, balancing the need for privacy over going.
"I'm sure, pet, you are capable of reaching this garden unspotted?" her father asked cheekily, "Just this once." He added sternly as Alex's face lit up.
"Aye Papa, thank you." She replied with a hug and slipped out the servant's passages to the gardens. Reaching the glade she noticed Thia had not yet arrived, so she sat down by several daisies and proceeded to make a wreath for her unbound hair, singing softly.
Looking up as she heard footsteps she was surprised to see Thia leading Lanyl and Faldain to the glade, Dain was staring at her again. Spotting Alex Thia quickly walked over and whispered into her ear, "I wanted some time alone with Lanyl; my father is considering his suit, so I wondered if perhaps you could distract my brother somewhat?"
Alexeika sighed, "Aye I guess, I need to talk to your brother anyway."
Thia moved back over to the males who stood nearby and motioned to the count, "Lanyl, may I speak with you for a moment?" she gave her brother a pointed look, "Perhaps you can keep the princess company brother."
Faldain rolled his eyes and sat down beside Alexeika muttering and insubordinate "Yes mother." Looking up at Alex he commented "No headache I see."
"Aye, the wonders of water for a sore head!" she replied with a grin before blushing, again, "I must thank you for your help and, err, discretion, last night. I was most kind"
Faldain continued to stare at her eyes, "It was no problem, and at least you were not drunk and making lewd comments."
Alex laughed and dropped her voice, "Yes then I may have made some comments about you carrying me up to my quarters."
Faldain leaned closer to her ear and purred, "It was a pleasure." Alex coloured at the implication and felt a small tremor pass through her at his words; well, from that and the softness of his breath against the sensitive part of her neck.
Faldain reached up a hand and gently turned her chin towards him so she looked into his eyes; they were the same odd tint they had been the night before, and she now remembered, the night of, and the day after, the attack. A dark tint, somewhere between navy blue and dark silver.
"I think I may have confused you with my comments last night. I wanted to explain that to me, you; stubborn, argumentative and opinionated as you are, are perfect. You have such strength in your loyalty, bravery and your will; that is beyond all other women." Faldain's hand cupped the side of her face in reverence the other stroked her hair as they continued to gaze into each other's eyes as though they sat mesmerized, "Alexeika, you are perfect; every moment I spend with you is a blessing, I feel complete beside you. I cannot believe it has taken me so long to value you, or how quickly I have reached this point where I must see you each day else the day is wasted. If that is not love, I know not what is."
Alexeika continued to gaze up at Faldain, trembling slightly, still unable to remove her eyes, even as Dain laid his forehead against hers and finally whispered, "I love you." Their eyes were finally parted as hers fluttered closed upon feeling his soft lips upon hers, she groaned inwardly as he ended the kiss quickly, "I will not force myself upon you without your consent, Alexeika; how do you feel about me?"
Alex slid her hands into his hair and brought her face close to his, "Do you have to ask?" Dain cracked a wolfish grin and lowered his mouth to hers once more, but with a little, ok a lot, more passion; oblivious to a similar scenario being acted out on the other side of the glade.
"Do you know how much I have wanted to kiss you and hold you in my arms?" Dain asked gruffly several minutes later as Alex lay half beneath him on the soft grass, hair fanned out behind her head, "Or how much I love your hair?" Dain ran his hands through the silken locks while her buried his face in her neck, "Or how scared I was for you once we were captured and how you haunt my dreams and thoughts?" he began kissing her neck and the sensitive skin behind her ear before sighing, "Or how irritated I am to say that we need to go."
"Thia! Let the poor count have some air, we need to head back or fathers will become suspicious." Dain knelt down and lifted Alex back up into his arms and kissed her soundly before placing her on her feet and leading the way out and back to the Volvn's quarters.
Once back at the rooms, having lost Lanyl to his correspondence with his lands, Faldain asked that the old general join his father for an important discussion; throwing a wink to Alexeika as he left. Alex followed the norms of a love-struck woman, sighing, sitting on her bed and daydreaming that she was back in the glade with her handsome prince. Appalled that she was acting this way, she quickly pulled out a book but alas for the besotted princess, 'twas a romance novel and she spent the rest of the day; which wasn't much considering how long she'd slept, in sappy daydreams.
AN: // yeah yeah I was in a mushy mood, they needed some romance...I really wanted them to just kiss! If the chapter is shoddy blame me typing it at night...thanks for the reviews...does anyone know of any other fan fictions for these books?