Sorry for the lateness and the absence of two updates. Things have been a little crazy at work, and I've been working on a very critical upcoming scene. Anywho... I do hope you enjoy this short, blissful chapter.

The Water is Wide

Chapter 19

Bliss

Her lips were soft and supple beneath mine. The feeling that rushed through me was…it was…It was indescribable. My whole body felt like it was on fire, but the flames didn't burn. And I never wanted them to be extinguished.

When we could no longer keep our kiss for lack of air, our lips broke apart, but I quickly pulled Estelle to my chest in a hug. Her arms wrapped around my mid-section and I thought I couldn't feel happier. We stood like that for a while, watching the sun set. Her head rested against my chest; my head leaned against the top of hers. Occasionally, I would brush my lips across her hair, her body would shudder and her arms around me would tighten.

It was bliss.

"Pardon the interruption, Your Majesty," Philip said. I turned my head to the left and loosened my hold on Estelle, but I didn't let her go.

"Yes, Philip? What is it?"

"It is getting dark, King Edmund. Did you want us to set up camp?"

I pulled back a little and looked at the beautiful smile on Estelle's face. I touched a hand to her cheek and she gently nuzzled into my hand. What I wouldn't give to spend a night with her in my arms; it just felt…right. But I knew I couldn't.

"No, we should be heading back to the castle. My sisters would have my head if I don't return Estelle to them."

"It took us so long to get up here though; it will be dark by the time we reach the castle again," Estelle said. "Especially with my riding."

I laughed softly. It had taken us longer than it usually did, but I didn't mind the extra time. Estelle was right though; if I allowed her to ride alone it would be past dark by the time we arrived, and I didn't want her riding in the dark since she was so new to riding. Suddenly, an idea came to mind.

"Philip?" I asked.

He nodded his head. "I wouldn't mind."

"Excellent!" Now I did release Estelle, but I kept a hold of her hand.

"Wouldn't mind what?" Estelle asked.

"We're going to ride back together. It will be quicker," I replied. "Come nearer, if you please Philip. That rock there should do nicely." Philip agreed and walked over to stand next to the rock. I led Estelle there as well. "I want you to use this rock here and hoist yourself up; I'm going to help. Remember, don't pull on the mane," I instructed her.

With my lifting her from behind, Estelle made it onto Philip's back the first try. "Riding bareback is similar to saddle, but quite different too. Remember you grip with your knees, not your hands. The best thing is you won't need to tell this horse where to go; Philip will know."

"Aren't you coming up as well? I thought you said we'd ride together." She sounded a little nervous about riding bareback.

"We will. I'll be there soon. First I want you to get used to the feel, and I need to get Brenna as well."

We walked to where the mare was tethered to a tree and grazing. I made sure I stayed beside Philip and Estelle. She was a little more unstable bareback than she had been in a saddle, but she managed it very well. I untethered Brenna and wrapped the leading cord around my wrist before mounting behind Estelle. Then, with my arms around her waist to help secure her—and to hold her close to my body—we began at a gentle walk to coax Brenna into following beside us. The walk turned into a trot and then a canter. Before long Philip had broken into a gallop, with Brenna galloping alongside us and Baldair and Balnair running behind. The sun had completely set by the time we reached the stables, but it wasn't so dark yet that Philip and I couldn't see.

We entered the stable at a brisk walk. Edmund handed over control of Brenna to Mayhan before swinging off Philip with ease. Then he turned to me and helped me down. He placed his hands on my waist and I placed my hands on his shoulders. He gently lifted me up and set me softly on my feet; his hands did not move once I was on the ground though and neither did mine. I held on for support while my legs found their own strength again. I'm not really sure why he held on, but I wasn't about to question it.

"That was incredible," I said, gaining my breath and voice again. "When can I learn to do that?"

Edmund chuckled. "Perhaps in a few more lessons. Let's get the basics under control first. You did very well today; you didn't fall once. You're a natural."

"Yes, well Brenna and I walked very slowly."

"Very slowly," he agreed in a teasing tone.

I looked into his eyes and almost became lost in them again. So I tried to look elsewhere. His hair was in disarray from the wind that had ripped through it—I didn't even want to know what mine looked like. Beyond his shoulder I could see the night sky; it was getting quite dark out.

"I should find Lucy, before she sends out a search party. I rather like your head where it is."

"As do I," he said with a laugh. "Can you find her rooms? I could lead you there."

That thought was very tempting. I wouldn't have to separate from Edmund. On the other hand, I knew if he went with me to Lucy's he wouldn't leave. And I needed a moment alone with my friend; there were some things I had to gush over without Edmund around.

"Balnair can help me find them."

He nodded and didn't argue. Perhaps he knew. "I'll see you for dinner soon?"

"Yes. I won't be long." I stepped out of Edmund's arms and walked over to Philip, who was standing nearby drinking water and pretending not to hear us. "Thank you for your help Philip, and for the ride back."

"It was my pleasure, Estelle. I only hope now, that King Edmund will allow me to continue to help you."

"I'll make sure that he does. Your advice was very useful." I thanked Philip again and nodded to Edmund before turning to leave. Edmund had other ideas however, and he quickly stopped me.

"Not so fast," Edmund said as he caught me by the hand and gently pulled me back into his chest. Then, with a hand resting on my cheek, he bent his head towards mine and kissed me. My body was once more consumed in flames that did not diminish even after he pulled back.

"I could definitely get used to that," he whispered.

"As could I." I wanted to kiss him again, but I feared that if I did I wouldn't be able to stop. So I turned and fled the stables as quickly as I could walk.

I did get a little lost leaving the stables, especially since I wasn't really paying attention to where I was going. I was more focused on trying to get away from Edmund so that neither I nor he could resume our kissing. Fortunately Balnair stayed with me, so when I finally stopped to gather my breath and my whereabouts she was able to lead me to Lucy's room with ease. I knocked on the door but didn't wait for an answer—Lucy and I never did with each other—to let myself in. I didn't see Lucy right away, but I heard a noise nearby and knew she was in the adjoining wash room and that she'd be back soon. I walked forward and collapsed on her bed while I waited. I knew I was smiling uncontrollably, but I couldn't stop it.

"Estelle!" Lucy cried when she saw me. "You're back! I was beginning to worry. I was about to send out a party to find you. Estelle?"

I rolled onto my side and propped myself up with my arm to look at her.

"What's the matter with you?"

I laughed and fell back on the bed again.

"Estelle? What's…Huh!" she gasped. "He told you!" She rushed forward and jumped on the bed next to me. "Edmund told you how he felt, didn't he? Didn't he, Estelle? Estelle, look at me."

I slowly sat up and turned my body to face Lucy's.

"Edmund told you he loved you."

I bit my lip and nodded. Lucy squealed in delight. "He kissed me, Lucy. He kissed me, and I… I've never kissed a boy before. But he kissed me and… Oh, Lucy! He kissed me!" I couldn't take the overwhelming feeling anymore and I fell back onto the bed again. I covered my face with my hands to hold my own cry of delight.

Lucy squealed and laughed with me. "Oh! How exciting! I knew he did, but I didn't know how long it would take him to realize it. Oh! This is fantastic. And what a predicament I find myself in. I want to know everything, and yet he's my brother and there are some things I wish not to know. Please, Estelle, you have to tell me what you can."

And so I told her. I told her all about my lessons that afternoon and our ride outside the castle. I told her about the precipice. I told her how Edmund kissed me and how I pulled back. I told her what he said and how he then kissed me again. And I told her how he held me afterwards. I told her everything.

Lucy delighted in my joy with me and offered for us to take dinner in her room so that we could continue to talk. But I said I couldn't. I had to get back to the dining hall to eat with Edmund. So Lucy quickly helped me freshen up and brush through my wild hair before we made our way down. Edmund was already there waiting for me, and at the sight of him my uncontrollable smile came back.

I'd never felt such bliss before.