Warnings: Three little words…
Chapter Thirteen: Reprimands and Demands
I informed Ashleigh that I would be locking myself in the library and not coming out until I had finished my scandalous romance novel. She giggled, and agreed. She was to tell any who called that I was indisposed and would not be ready to receive visitors until later. Much later.
I was soon immersed in the affairs of Miriam and Tym once more. The dark and evil King who coveted her with an unmatched passion was holding Miriam captive. The evil King and Miriam were in the Cathedral of his heathen god, waiting for the dark powers to marry them.
Just as the demon Priest was about to pronounce them man and wife, Tym, always rash, broke into the room, sword in hand, ready to fight to the d-
I was interrupted from the suspenseful scene by Ashleigh's entrance.
"Princess, I'm very sorry to interrupt, but there is someone here to see you." She looked more than a little terrified, and her voice quavered tremulously.
"Who is it?" I asked her, adopting her terror as my own.
"His Highness King Adrian and his Advisors Lords Raven and Nethal and Count Briar." She dipped a wobbly curtsey and then looked up. "They're waiting in the Drawing Room."
I smiled grimly, no longer quite as frightened. "Thank you Ashleigh." I got up, and then turned to her, "Did you tell them that I was unavailable?" She nodded silently. "I'm curious, what did they tell you to make you tell the truth?"
"The King told me that he knew that you were trying to hide from him, and that if I didn't go and get you right away, you would bring down his wrath on both our heads." She looked at the floor.
"Oh. I'll have to talk to him about threats like that." I sauntered out of the study, once again donning the mask of the foppish courtier.
"Why, so nice to see you for a third time today, your Highness," I drawled as I walked into the room.
"I would say the same to you if it were true." He gave me a disapproving frown. "While your monologue today at Ilea's tea was well spoken and crafted neatly in the language of court, it was one of the things that we have forbidden you to do."
"I did not insult the King, I was careful of what I said and I was speaking with all the frills and ruffles of court words! How can you pin me for doing something wrong?" I had not sat down when entered the room, so with each word I yelled, I took a step closer to Adrian until I was basically screaming in his face.
"As you left, the guests were left distressed and in mental turmoil. You did not appear to be happy about being there as you left, and you appeared to be quite joyful about leaving. I-we, are trying to help you not to make a complete and utter fool of yourself." He glared at me, his hands tightening on the arms of his chair. I supposed he was imagining them around my neck.
"You claim to help and yet you hinder." I drew back and tried to force a smile onto my stiff lips. "In giving me these guidelines, you make me go against my own nature to follow them. You say you are helping me not to make a fool of myself in public, but really you have just dressed me in a jester's costume and made me speak in rhyme." My own hands were tightly wrapped around my skirt, clenching the fabric so hard that my knuckles were white.
"You jest, for sure," Adrian responded dryly. "You were socially accepted for a few hours and then you let yourself get out of hand and you condemned yourself to the ridicule that I was trying to spare you from."
"You were not!" I screeched angrily, letting my temper get the better of me. "You kidnapped me, you lying bastard, and yet you expect me to believe that you were trying to protect me from something so small as ridicule? I think not, oh great King." I took a deep breath and managed to force the smile onto my lips.
"Now, if you gentlemen would excuse me, I have some reading to finish." I spun around and attempted to stalk out of the room, but Lord Nethal caught my arm in his grasp.
"Princess, may we have a word with you?" I jerked my arm out of his grasp.
"No." he had no response for that, but I did not get another step further before Count Briar grabbed both of my arms.
"Sit," He said as he picked me up, only to set me firmly in one of the chairs. I was directly across from Adrian.
"You two," Lord Raven got up slowly from his chair. "Must learn to tolerate each other. There shall be no more screaming rages from you," he looked pointedly at me, "And there shall be no more petty accusations from you." He looked to Adrian. Adrian had the grace to flush a furious shade of scarlet. "You must also stop antagonizing each other."
This time, I blushed.
"Now, can you have a normal conversation in normal tones that do not include screaming, sarcastic insults or any type of loud voices?" Lord Raven looked back and forth to each of us.
"No," we said simultaneously.
Raven threw up his hands and sat back down.
"Well, actually," I amended, "We probably could have once upon a time –and did, to tell the truth, but not now. There is almost no way under the sun that we could be civilized to one another. That is, there is no way that I could be, considering all the offenses he has committed against me." I grinned, lapsing into a lighter type of cynicism.
Adrian struggled not to send an equally biting remark back. "What she says is the truth," he finally managed.
I looked as innocuous as possible. "Of course it is; would I lie?"
"Yes." He responded brightly.
"To be expected of a courtier," I replied quickly.
"Truly," He nodded his acquiescence. I laughed slightly at the irony.
"See, you two can have a civilized conversation of sorts." Lord Raven smiled genially.
"Now that has been established, I'll be off." I tried to get up, but found that Count Briar, who was standing behind me, was quite able to keep me in the chair.
"No, I think not." Lord Nethal took over. I squirmed under the pressure of Briar's hands on my shoulders.
"Why not?" I whined.
"Because I said so," he told me.
"That's no reason!" I protested.
"Yes it is." Adrian flashed a smile at me; "He can keep you there until you stop trying to leave."
"Fine." My sour mood set in again, and I glared sullenly at Nethal. "What do you want?"
"I want to commend you on your excellent speech today that preceded your rather unsettling departure." Nethal raised an eyebrow flirtatiously. "Also, I apologize for disturbing you, for something I said must have caused you to become so upset, if you will accept it."
"I will." I allowed myself a small smile. "It was good, wasn't it?"
Adrian laughed. "It was a work of a fine craftsman, to be sure. You managed to flatter and insult me within the same words, and I commend you Elensar, I would not have expected it out of you."
"Ah, once more, you underestimate me." I grinned quickly, not entirely offended by his barbs. "Now, if I can get back to my book…?"
Briar chuckled from above me. "That would be up to his highness, Princess."
I turned to Adrian, who seemed to utterly control my every move, "May I get back to reading, now?"
He paused. "No, I think not."
My smile slipped. "And why not, pray tell?"
"I would like you to attend dinner as my guest." He studied his folded hands carefully.
I stifled a derisive snort. "And what has made you suddenly so desirous of my company?"
His eyes slid quickly over to Lord Raven, who was watching me intently, and then gave his excuse. "I have suddenly come to the realization that a major way to help your social status is to present you in a positive light. I will not let the others do the work for me, I will make it seem as if I can tolerate and possibly even enjoy your company." He smiled shakily.
"I see." I said. "I shall have to get dressed for dinner, if you would not mind waiting a spell."
"Not at all," Lord Raven answered smoothly.
"I don't believe that I was talking to you," I said coldly. "Do not answer for others, Lord Raven. It might get you into great trouble someday." I rephrased my earlier statement, "Adrian, I will be ready in a short time and I expect you to be here waiting to escort me when I am dressed. The rest of the nobility present is dismissed." I waited for the pressure on my shoulders to disappear, but it did not. "You are dismissed," I reiterated.
"Yes, do…depart." Adrian waved his hand nonchalantly. The other three men left without a word of protest.
"I'll return, Adrian." I swept off into my bedroom, and from there into my dressing chamber.
Marilyn and Ashleigh made sure that I looked dazzling in a gown that matched Adrian's attire perfectly. The deep wine colored gown was long and flounced, the many layers building gracefully from my hips to my feet. The sleeves were practical, for once. There were no nonsensical gargantuan sleeves that dragged in everything; instead, a puff at the shoulder was all that adorned the otherwise straight black sleeves.
Marilyn brushed out my hair and then wrapped it with a ribbon dyed the same color as the dress. "You look, as usual, stunning." She sighed happily.
"And, per usual, it is mostly thanks to you." I giggled and hopped daintily down from the stool that I had been perched on. "I'm off!" I hummed as I went back out to the drawing room.
Adrian was there sprawled in a chair, eyes closed and hands draped loosely over the armrests. I studied him for a moment, his dark hair falling haphazardly across his forehead.
I swooshed over to him, making no sound except for the gently swish of my skirts. I considered poking him to grab his attention, but I rejected that idea. It was too mundane for my tastes.
I idly brushed the hair back from his face, and he started at my touch. His grey eyes flew open and I pulled back guiltily.
"Elensar, you startled me." He surveyed my new attire. "You look lovely." A smile played around his lips. "The color suits you."
"Thank you. You look…rumpled, at best." He did. Drowsing in the chair had not been good for his doublet and breeches.
He sighed. "I had best change before dinner, then. You shall have to wait for me as I have waited for you." He extended his arm, "Shall we?"
"Yes, let's." I took his arm and we walked silently to his chambers. I took a seat in his study, careful not to muss my gown or my hair, and daydreamed for the time it took him to get changed.
I remembered the day that old woman had come to our castle home, claiming to be able to tell our fortunes. My sisters and I were quite excited, for she had been an anomaly, and something we had never seen before. She told our fortunes, from oldest to youngest.
Evadne would be a Queen one day, which made my sister smile. Lark would marry her true love and Wren would travel the world. Faelyn would be sought after to teach subtle weaponry, Jeanette would die in the arms of her love, and Isabel would be renowned for her poetry. Carmen and Carina would both become advisors to a King. Alyssa, the woman foretold, would be the leader of change. Johanna would never marry, but Maria would marry the third son of a King.
When she looked into my future, the old wretch had clucked to herself and announced that I would release the enchantments of the nightly dancers.
My sisters had shunned me for the most part after that, except for Alyssa, who showered even more love on me than ever. A week later, Adrian had kidnapped me.
I sighed sadly, and then flinched as a soft touch ghosted across my cheek.
"Wake, my sleeping Princess," Adrian knelt beside me, amusement in his voice. "Or must I awaken you with another kiss, as the Rose Princess was so woken?" He didn't wait for my eyes to flutter open a heartbeat later; his mouth brushed my lips with the same tenderness that his touch had contained.
I was quite awake after that.
He pulled back with a small yelp as I smacked the side of his head fiercely. "Is this entirely appropriate, your Highness?" I inquired haughtily. "Especially since we are in your chambers?"
He glared at me, his eyes alight with the same lusting passion I had seen him turn on Ilea. "Do we even need to go down to dinner?" His hand rested on mine, and not accidentally. "I could just have something brought up…"
I snatched my hand away, "Yes, we must go down to dinner. They are expecting you, and me, and should we not come down, they will suspect something, as we were together when they last saw us."
I stood and tilted my head back so I could glare directly into his eyes. When he did nothing but continue to look at me with the passion that smoldered in his eyes, I turned and walked to the door.
"Elensar," his voice was pitched lower that usual, and it had a sensuous flair to it. His hands captured mine from behind and he trailed kisses down my neck. "What does it matter that they shall talk?"
I rolled my eyes and wrenched away. "What is this pouring from the mouth of the man, nay, the boy, who said he wanted to spare me from ridicule? Hypocritical bastard!"
Adrian just looked at me, seemingly uncomprehending. Then, he reached for me again, "Elensar," the seductive note in his voice sent shivers through me.
"What?" I tried to make my voice as cutting and as cruel as possible.
"Stay with me." He kissed my forehead tenderly. "Forever." My eyes closed as he kissed each of them. "I love you." His lips slid down my nose. "Marry me." His lips met mine in a tender kiss, his hands tracing all the contours of my body.
"No. You don't." I mumbled against him.
"What?" He lifted his face a fraction.
"You don't love me," I repeated again, adamant.
"Yes I do." He wrapped his arms around me. "Marry me, Elensar."
"Why should I?"
"Because I love you."
"You don't love me! You only want a woman to keep you warm at night." I shoved my hands between us, attempting to push us apart.
"No, Elensar, I love you. I want only you to keep me warm at night; I would only be satisfied with you. Marry me, please, Elensar. I want you to be my Queen." He clung to me desperately, still showering me with passionate kisses.
"What are you saying, Adrian?" I balled my hands into fists. "You hated me just a few scant hours ago. You would have gladly tossed me out into the night and slammed the doors to your fancy palace without a second thought! What about Ilea?" I pleaded desperately with the reserved, rational side of his nature, if there was one.
"What about Ilea?" He asked, the sensuous rumble faltering for a moment. "She is nothing- nothing compared to you." He traced delicate circles on my neck, spiraling downward until his fingers grazed my chest. "She is a tiny spark compared to the raging inferno that you are. You, my love, burn brightest of all the stars in the sky." His other hand traced the curvature of my face. "Marry me," he said again.
My stomach chose that moment to make my hunger known.
"After dinner," I told him, dropping my voice into a promising purr.
"Yes, love, after dinner," he kissed me once more; a fleeting bit of pressure on my lips and then released me. "Come, they will be waiting." He extended his arm gallantly, and I rested my hand lightly on his.
"Shall we?" I asked, and he smiled and led the way.
As we entered the dinner hall, the others there stopped what they were doing and looked up. The ladies all curtseyed as one while the lords bowed deeply to us. I felt like I was the ruler of the world.
"My friends and nobility, please, be seated." Adrian and I sauntered down the steps slowly, pausing after each one. Luckily, there weren't too many, and we were sweeping gracefully over the floor to the many tables in no time. Adrian stood in front of a high-backed, throne-like chair, and motioned for me to take the smaller version of his that was next to him. We sat, and the others in attendance sat as well.
I perused the guests, my eyes instantly drawn to Lady Jana, who was giggling incessantly over something that Baron Michel must have said. He was smiling only slightly.
I let my glance wander onward, and it came to rest on Lady Ilea, who was staring at me as if she would quite happily kill me with her glare. I looked away quickly, and saw next Lord Nethal who was smiling at some unknown lady flirtatiously. She was flirting right back at him, and I shuddered inwardly.
Count Briar was conversing seriously with Lord Raven, and both of them kept shooting suspicious glances up at the thrones where Adrian and I sat. I giggled softly, enjoying their obvious discomfort.
I next saw a duchess I vaguely remembered from my first introduction to court talking with the Marquis and Marquise of Willoway.
"Your highnesses, would you care to dine?" Servants behind us placed heaping amounts of food before us.
"Thank you," I murmured, and then commenced to enjoy the meal. We were served roast hart from the royal forest, some kind of vegetable that grew only in a faraway land that was quite tasty and the best white wines from the Lay'tm-verde. For dessert, delicate little pastries with sugary designs drawn on top found new homes in our stomachs. It was quite delicious.
After all the courses were complete, Adrian and I exited, leaving the others to a more relaxed social gathering.
I would have gone back to my room right away, but Adrian was persistent and practically dragged me back to his chambers.
"Anyone who is in here is dismissed," he declared as soon as we were in his chambers. A few servants instantly appeared and departed.
"Adrian…" He put a finger to my lips to silence me.
"Elensar, love, will you marry me?" He knelt before me, smiling affectionately up at me.
"You asked me before dinner, and I did not know the answer to your question. Still, I do not know. I need time to think this over, Adrian." I tore my gaze away from his with some difficulty.
"What is there to think of?" He implored. "All you must do is say yes!"
"Think Adrian!" I reached up to tap his head, but he caught my hand in his and kissed the palm. It was all rather distracting. "Think; you will need my father's permission to wed me, not only mine. If you do not have his permission, you will suffer even harsher consequences. Plus, Adrian, you hate me!"
"No Elensar, I do not hate you." He kissed my palm tenderly. "I have loved you ever since you drew me that one day that seems so long ago. I do have your father's permission, dear-heart, all I wait for is yours." His gaze flickered away from mine, but then it was back in an instant.
I was stunned. I never thought that my father would give his permission for me to marry before my sisters. "Does this mean that my sisters are married?"
"No, silly, it just means that you will be soon!" He pulled me to him.
"I haven't said yes yet," I cautioned him, but he brushed it off.
"Elensar, please, just say you will marry me." Adrian framed my face with his hands. "I love you," the endearing crack that split his voice made me want so much to say yes. He kissed me, tenderly at first, but soon it was snowballing rapidly with passion.
"Adrian no," I protested as he picked me up and started for his bedroom. "No Adrian," I said again, as he ignored me.
"Why not, beloved?" He set me gently on his large bed and his cold fingers slipped gently down the back of my dress. I shivered.
"I want to…to wait." I shivered again, and pulled away from him.
"Are you cold?" He tried to pull me closer, and I resisted. "Elensar, come here!" I slipped off of the bed; I would have enjoyed his frustration had it been in a different situation. "Elensar!" His face was contorted in a grotesque mask of aggravation, resolve and rage.
"No." I loved the pure simplicity of the word. My mind focused on that one word, my touchstone, my safety.
"Fine, then," he smoothed his face with visible effort. "Give me an answer tomorrow as soon as you are awake."
"Yes, milord." I curtseyed stiffly, and then left in a swishing of skirts. I smiled grimly, unfortunately for Adrian; I wasn't planning on being in his castle by morning.
Author's Note: This chapter was fun…I hope all of you enjoyed it! Sorry that it took kind of long to get it up, but school had started again, :( Thanks to my reviewers again, and I hope that you review again!
To the lovelies:
Flummoxed: Spicy! I like it! Haha- It's fun making Elensar behave herself for once. :o)
Miss Piratess: Hitting Ilea would probably be a good stress reliever, like those little squishy balls. Hehe…Adrian is quite a confusting person, isn't he?
Turwen: She is a character, isn't she? Lol.
Lilred-07: Elensar could be in a movie, couldn't she? Haha- not that she'd cooperate, lol.
