What's this? She's updating? It's not a Saturday! My week's all out of wack! I'M SO CONFUSED!
Fear not, kind readers! I am merely updating early because I am leaving tomorrow to spend Easter at my grandparents' house and am not returning until later. So, enjoy the early update!
panemonium: I love children; they can give the best looks, especially to royalty, just because they don't really know any better. And I can so see that as a sex talk 'the butterflies and the beetles.' He he.
secludeddark: I'm sorry that was confusing. He's basically seeing how kind and nice to the villagers Fiona is, but he doesn't want to fall in love with her (for reasons yet unknown to the readers)
rainkisser:I love homestar runner! My favourite one is the one with Senior Cardgage. "Excardon me." Funny funny stuff! Everyone should eat more ice cream! It's even good for you! Weee! And, if you think the sexual tension is good now... ((sly grin))
Tiger Lily21: First of all, even though I reviewed your story, I'd like to give it a boost. GO READ THIS GIRL'S STORY! IT'S SCRUMDIDDLY-UMPTIOUS! Anywho, thank you! I wanted to add some villagers (as if my story didn't have enough characters XcD) Fiona has to be strong to be in her family. She just doesn't realize it.
CharlyB: Soon, my friend, soon! Jarrod's trying to track them down, but they is slippery lil devils! We find out some more about them, I think, two chapters down the road.
PrincessofRain: No, it's more like, he sees how much Fiona cares for her people and how good a person she really is. He explains it a bit in this chapter (but not enough for Fiona, or for you readers, I imagine)
fell4adeadguy: Sugar highs are so fun. My friend and I went and saw Robots on a huge super sugar high, and that movie was the funniest thing since, well, ever! I'll have to go again on a calmer day, just to see if it really was as good.
Dreamer at Heart: yeah, hehe. I actually kind of like running (afterI get past the pain, the lack of air, and the fact that my body's screaming 'Stop! For the love of God, stop!') it's almost soothing in it rhythmic repetitiveness. The only problem with sports, (especially rugby) is that it's not rhythmic running. It's like gogogogogoSTOP! gogogoSTOP! etc. Here's an update!
Phillipa of the Phoenix: It's perfectly alright! I haven't quite reviewed yours, but I have read it! I'll tell you what I think in a sec. If you mean dance dance, I'm not sure. But if you mean dance dance, there's a little bit in this chapter. ;cD
WARNING: Please be advised that there is kissing in this chapter. While it's not 70's porno, it is still a little bit above Disney level (ie: they kissed). It's really not that bad, but if you can't deal, just skip those two paragraphs. Thank you.
Have a happy Easter (if you're into that kind of thing)!
Lulai
Chapter Eight: A Walk
"Fiona! Fiona, where have you been?" Cassandra descended on them as soon as they walked in the doors of the castle.
"Out visiting the villagers," Fiona responded.
"Your sister is very generous," Jarrod said. After they had left Alexis' home, they had visited an elderly couple to whom Fiona gave a box of tea. She gave some knitted washcloths to a young widow, a set of wine mugs for a newly married couple, and a pile of mended clothes to a father with a rambunctious group of four sons. She had a little something for everyone.
"Yes, yes," Cassandra said, waving her hand, "but I the most exciting news!"
"What is it?" Fiona asked.
"Geoffrey proposed!" Cassandra cried with a twirl of happiness. "And I accepted! We're having an engagement banquet tonight!"
"Congratulations, sister!" Fiona said, clasping her around the shoulders in a hug. "He'll make a wonderful husband."
"I know," Cassandra said with a dreamy sigh. Her hands flew to her cheeks. "I must get ready!" she said, and disappeared with a half-skip in her step.
Fiona chuckled and turned to Jarrod. "She's a little excited," she said, unnecessarily.
"I gathered," Jarrod answered dryly. "I shall let you get ready as well," he said with a bow. "Thank you for the wonderful afternoon. Shall I see you this evening?"
"Most certainly, my lord," Fiona replied. Fiona climbed the stairs to her room.
Elsie was there, waiting for her.
"Fiona!" she exclaimed. Fiona was sure she had her name shouted more times this day than any other. "Did ye hear tha news?"
"Yes," Fiona replied.
"Lady Cassandra and Geoffrey are gettin' married!" she continued as if Fiona hadn't said anything. She was currently undoing the buttons on the back of Fiona's dress and pushing her towards the tub at the same time.
"There's goin' ta be a banquet tonight," Elsie chattered happily and pulled Fiona's dress over her head. "We need ta get ye cleaned up." Fiona slipped off her walking shoes with her feet as Elsie pulled off her chemise.
She removed her stockings and stepped over into the large tub filled with lavender scented water.
"I heard ye went out with his majesty today," Elsie said as she pulled the pins out of Fiona's hair.
"Where did you hear that?" Fiona asked. She shut her eyes as Elsie dumped a bucket of water over her.
"From Grieta," Elsie replied with a smirk, massaging some sweet smelling soap into her hair. Grieta was Nia's handmaid and was almost as nosy as Nia herself. Fiona took a deep breath and ducked her head under the water. She shook out her hair as Elsie rinsed the soap out.
Fiona stood up in the tub and held out her arms as Elsie wrapped a towel around her.
Elsie practically skipped over to the wardrobe, Fiona following, trying to wring the water from her hair. As Elsie hummed and hawed over which dress Fiona should wear, Fiona pulled on a clean chemise and stockings.
"This one," Elsie said finally. She pulled out an ivory concoction that Nia had given her.
"I don't think so," Fiona said firmly. "I'll wear the tan one."
Elsie sighed and put the ivory one away, and brought out the nice safe brown dress.
Fiona stepped into the dress and flipped her hair out of the collar. Elsie did up the back.
"What shall we be doin' with yer hair today?" Elsie asked.
Fiona sat down in the chair in front of her bureau. "Brush it please, then braid it and put it in a bun."
Elsie sighed again, but complied with Fiona's wishes. "One day, milady, I'm gonna do somethin' spectacular with yer hair."
Fiona smiled. "But that day, unfortunately, is far in the future."
"Perhaps," Elsie said.
Fiona stood and brushed the wrinkles out of her dress. She descended the stairs and entered the dining room. All her sisters were gathered around Cassandra and Geoffrey. Fiona came up to offer her felicitations.
"Your sister looks very happy," a voice said from behind her.
"I think she is," Fiona replied to Jarrod. "She's wanted to marry Geoffrey for almost two years now."
"Dinner is served," the head waiter announced. All the guests took their seats.
Dinner was great. Fiona had two helpings of everything, three of some of her favourite things (like the garlic rosemary mashed potatoes). She had a brief moment of self-consciousness, when she noticed all her sisters had finished, but then noticed Jarrod taking a third helping of beets and dug into her seconds happily.
After the dishes were cleared away, Havara stood up. However, as soon as all the guests looked at him, he lost a bit of his nerve and looked as though he would have rather sat back down. He took a deep breath and raised his glass in salute.
"I'd like to make a toast to Lady Cassandra and her fiancé Geoffrey," he said, after clearing his throat multiple times. "I hope you two have a lovely marriage and you have many fine children."
Everyone murmured their agreement and glasses clinked as they toasted the new couple.
"Dessert will be in a little while," announced Havara before sitting down.
"Well, I need a walk," Nia announced, stretching and pushing back her chair. "Perhaps you'd like to join me, majesty? I can show you the gardens, although I'm sure they are no where near as elegant as the Drewery Gardens."
"I'd love to join you," Jarrod said, sliding out his chair.
"Fiona?" Nia turned her attention to her sister. "Perhaps you'd like to stretch your legs as well?"
Fiona longed to say no. Walking behind the couple and seeing how well they suited each other was sure to make her heart hurt. However, she couldn't let Nia and the king go off alone, unchaperoned. She nodded her assent and stood.
Jarrod linked his arm around Nia's and they walked into the moonlit garden.
"That was quite the toast your uncle gave your sister," Jarrod commented.
"Nonsense, you tease," Nia laughed. "That was quite possibly the most horrible toast I ever heard."
"I beg to differ," Fiona said wryly. "I do believe the one he gave Bernadette was worst."
Nia laughed again, and for a brief moment, Fiona envied her sister. Her hair glowing in the moonlight, she looked like an ethereal goddess, far too pretty for her own good. She was pleasant and outgoing and flirty, and… everything! Laying her hand on Jarrod's shoulder in a friendly manner as they conversed, she made Fiona feel like a troll. Jarrod must have said something funny, because Nia threw her head back and laughed, her perfect teeth flashing in her perfect mouth.
Tart.
"-And so, your majesty, that's why-"
"Nia!" Genevieve called.
Nia, looking perturbed at being interrupted, turned to her sister. "Yes?" she asked.
"Daphne needs you," Genevieve reported.
"Right now?"
"She said it was urgent," Genevieve shrugged.
"Alright," she sighed and slipped her arm out of Jarrod's. She pushed Fiona up beside him and gave her a stern look. "Don't let him run away; I'll be right back."
She followed Genevieve back up the path.
Fiona turned back to Jarrod with a blush staining her cheeks. She was very fetching in the moonlight.
"So?" she said, giving him a nervous glance.
"I enjoyed our outing today," Jarrod said, slowly continuing their stroll.
"I did as well," she said.
"You are very kind to the villagers," he said.
Fiona shrugged. "Anyone would do the same."
Jarrod's dark eyes were unfathomable in the darkness. "No, many women only care about themselves." Fiona got the feeling that he wasn't taking about women in general. Perhaps this mystery woman was the reason for the pain in Jarrod's eyes.
A tiny flicker of anger licked her heart. The woman must have been stupid beyond belief to have turned her back on Jarrod.
"I'm sure that's untrue," Fiona said, patting his arm lightly.
"It is true," he responded. "Most women aren't so caring, or so pretty."
"Oh," she stammered, flushing with pleasure at his compliment. She decided to change the subject before she said anything embarrassing. She had a tendency to lose control of her tongue around him. "Looks like there may be a storm front moving in," she said.
Jarrod followed her line of sight and saw dark luminous clouds on the horizon.
"They probably won't get here for a couple of days," she continued, "but when they do, it looks like they're going to rain long and hard. It might be nice for that hedge that burned down, either that or drown the rest of the plant that's starting to grow."
Jarrod was having trouble following her conversation. Mostly because he had realized that if he pushed her up against the half-wall, they'd be invisible to anyone looking out from the veranda. He shook his head. He couldn't do this, not to Fiona. But she made him forget, at least for a little while. Her light was already starting to crumble the blackness in his soul.
"I think we're having lemon custard for dessert," Fiona had continued on, not knowing the turn Jarrod's thoughts had taken. "I sure hope so. Lemon custard is my favourite dessert ever." She realized she had been talking non-stop about nothing. "I'm sorry, my lord."
"I'm the one who should be sorry," said Jarrod.
"For what?" she asked, blinking at him in confusion. He wasn't surprised. If half of what he was feeling was showing on his face, she had every right to be confused. And to run screaming.
But she didn't run. So he grabbed her slim hand in his and said, "For this." He pushed her into the darkened wall and kissed her.
Cool, hard stone pressed against her back. Warm, hard male pressed against her front.
Fiona had a million things running through her mind at once but couldn't understand any of them, except for the Oh, wow! that resonated in every inch of her body. One of his hands was resting on her jaw, his thumb stroking her cheek. The other was pressing the small of her back, forcing her closer into him. She went willingly, melting into his embrace. His lips were smooth and soft and oh-so-warm.
He pressed harder on her mouth and she answered with a throaty groan. Her lips seemed to part on their own and she could taste the punch on his breath. She was quickly falling into a world where sensation ruled, sensation and the need to be satisfied.
Then he was gone, and where there had been warmth and the sweet friction of his body was now only cold and nothingness. It took a few seconds for her to register that her hands were still up from where she had been grasping the lapels of his jacket. She dropped them, and starting bunching her skirt in her fists nervously.
"Uh…" she stammered. She had no idea what to do. Her cheeks burnedfrom more than just thescrape of his unshaven jaw. The magic of the moment had been ripped away and now she stood in a slightly embarrassed bewilderment. Why had he stopped?
He raised his head. She was prepared to see embarrassment or regret in his eyes, but was taken aback by the sheer horror- or was it anguish?- she saw in their dark depths.
"I'm… I'm so sorry, my lady," Jarrod said.
His words were like a slap to the face. Anger overtook embarrassment. He gave her the most thorough kissing she had ever received, turned her legs to marmalade, and he was sorry?
"Sorry for what?" she snapped. "Sorry for kissing me? Or for making me like it? Or sorry for liking it yourself, for that matter?"
That took Jarrod aback. Confusion replaced the wretchedness in his expression. "Well, all three I suppose."
Fiona set her hands on her hips, having had the strongest urge to throttle him. She was quite sure regicide was frowned upon, though, so she settled on giving him a good glare. "Well, I guess I should thank you for your remorse."
Jarrod's eyes narrowed. He obviously hadn't expected sarcasm. "I stopped, didn't I? I didn't have to. You weren't offering any resistance."
Fiona's face flamed. She didn't need him to remind her of her abandonment moments before. "You do want a thank you then."
Jarrod threw his hands into the air. "No, I don't want a thank you! I said I was sorry; what more do you want?"
"What I want is for you to tell me that you were overcome by the mood and the moonlight," she said, poking a finger into his chest, "or that perhaps you were lonely and I was here, or that maybe you just couldn't resist me any longer. What I don't want is to be told you're sorry! God! Do you know how that makes a woman feel?"
He must not have because he stood there staring at her as if she were completely insane. Then something that sounded very much like strangled laughter burst from his lips.
"What?" Fiona said peevishly, crossing her arms over her chest.
Jarrod shook his head, the laughter fading. "Most women would have taken that kiss as either a promise of my intentions or an example of the worst debauchery ever. Some women would have insisted I marry them, and most would demand an apology whether I meant it or not. And all you want me to do is say I'm not sorry."
"Yes, well," Fiona muttered. She could see his point, but she couldn't help but add, "It just hurts a woman's feelings when a man says he regrets kissing her."
He gave her a smile. "Then I'll tell the truth. I shouldn't have kissed you."
Fiona was surprised at how much her heart fell at that.
"But I don't regret it at all."
Unable to completely smother the urge to grin like an idiot, Fiona smiled. "There," she said. "That's better.
"Oh, there you two are," Nia said as she turned the corner. "I've come to tell you that dessert's ready. It's lemon custard."
"Marvellous," Fiona replied. This evening was only getting better.