Author's Note: I am so sorry. This was supposed to be done and up ages ago but I've been having some issues. But, still, the wait was unforgivable. I hope that you still enjoy this update though! And I want to thank all of you who have ever reviewed this story or put an alert on it and especially those who have favorited this. It means so much to me.

Chapter Eighteen

Thea

I woke up with my hands and cheek resting on a warm chest with two arms wrapped around me. I had read about this kind of thing before in some of the romance novels I had dared myself to read, but I had never thought it would actually happen to me, or that it would be so comfortable. I turned and looked up at Theodred's relaxed features, wishing I could have brought myself to tell him what had happened before I had started kissing him.

Even as that thought entered my mind, I dismissed it. I couldn't tell him.

There was no point in telling Theodred what had happened. It was my problem and I just had to find a way to deal with it. My sisters and I never depended on anyone else to fix our issues and that wasn't going to change. Even if Theodred was a warrior who seemed to want to protect me from everything. He had also named me a warrior after a sort as well. Warriors did not run to others when they had a problem.

Besides, there was still the issue of who had threatened me. Even though I had slept with Theodred it didn't guarantee that he would believe me. I didn't want to risk that he might not and make myself feel like I was just some whore. They would probably think of me as one if they even knew what he and I had done. I had a feeling that premarital sex wasn't a real big winner in this society.

I traced my fingers along his bare chest remembering exactly what I had done the night before. Annie was going to kill me when she realized what had happened. Alright, she wasn't going to kill me, but I would receive a lecture about being responsible. Though, in all reality, the thought of a lecture from Annie was far more intimidating than if she ever attacked me. Annie wasn't the kind of person who normally lectured anyone. That was usually my job. And, of course, Jamie would think it was wonderful which wouldn't help my position with Annie at all. Then again, Jamie was the only one of us actually able to believe that everything could have a happy ending.

If only I could have a happy ending.

Blue eyes opened to look down at me, smiling happily at the sight. "I never expected that," he murmured with a soft chuckle. "Though, I shall never say that I regretted it either," he admitted. The admission wasn't hasty but it wasn't insulting either. He was simply confidant enough in what he believed to not consider that I might doubt him. And I didn't.

His lips brushed mine gently and I felt a chill run down my spine. He tasted like honey and ale. I didn't want to let this moment go. Lying with Theodred, I felt like a queen. I felt safe and loved. Some part of me, the part that was a little like Jamie, couldn't help but wonder if he would ever want me as his queen. He was a king's son after all, but I knew better than to entertain that thought for long. Besides, I couldn't stay. I would have to leave one day.

"I enjoyed it too," I confessed with a blush. "I've never..."

"I know," he murmured. This time, he took his time and seemed to enjoy himself as he kissed me. And I let him. I happily forgot about the world around me. I allowed every worry and stress that pressed around me to simply fall away because I did not want to lose this moment. I did not want the beauty of this reality whether it was real or not, to leave me. I just wanted a few more moments where I could live without a care.

A sigh came out when the kiss was broken. I'm not sure if it was more from contentment or if it was for the words that I had to say next. "You have to go soon."

His flinch made me wish that I could have simply kept my mouth shut. I had allowed the real world to intrude on this paradise and now that that floodgate was open, there was no way that I would be able to close it. I wanted to though. I would have given almost anything to take back those words and to allow the outside world to remain that way for however much longer that I could.

"You're right of course," he agreed. Despite his words he didn't move and for a moment... for a foolish moment I hoped that maybe we could stay that way. Those hopes were crushed. He shifted me first, his warm hands gentle on my arms as he made sure that I rested on the bed and not him before he moved to stand.

Despite my desire to see him stay, his bare ass was a beautiful sight to me. That was a thought I had been certain that I would never have, but I was awarded a full view of it as the covers fell away. "What will you be doing today?" I couldn't help but ask.

He shrugged as he began to his clothes and armor. "I have to start a patrol today. Just out to the border and back. I'll be gone for three days though. Twas what I came to tell you last eve actually."

I felt a little sick to my stomach knowing that he was going to be gone soon. The thought horrified me. He was my protection. I knew his cousins of course, but only just. Theodred was my companion. "Just be careful, okay?" I ordered. "I won't be there to protect you this time."

He chuckled softly as he turned back and clasped my chin, giving me one last kiss as if to remember him by while he was gone. As if that could have ever been an issue. "My lady, I have something to return to. How could I not but be careful?"