Saving Prince James: A James and Sofia Love Story
Set in an alternate universe, James is now 20 and usurped his father as king and conquered every kingdom to create an empire, but he has lived his years as a lonely king with only power and wealth to keep him company. When Cedric summons a banished Sofia, 18, to the castle to secretly save the kingdoms and James, something stirs in James's heart the moment he sees a grown and blossomed Sofia. Can a banished princess save the kingdoms and can a ruthless prince find his way into the heart of a princess he once lost?
Chapter 15: A Little Heart To Heart
James
James couldn't pull away.
He never wanted to pull away.
He wanted to possess her lips, to reclaim them and clean them of ever having touched Hugo's lips. He wanted to make Sofia's lips his. His kisses demanded to erase any trace of Hugo from her memories and sear her mouth as his own. He never wanted her to forget his lips just like he never wanted to forget hers. His lips - no his entire being - belonged to her as much as she belonged to him. Everything inside of him, from his biological cells to his every essence ached for her.
He needed this kiss to tell her everything he couldn't physically say or do. To make her feel the same overwhelming coils of emotion he feels for her. To make sure that it matched the love she just told him. He wanted their kiss to consume them with the crushing flame that surrounded them.
He continued to kiss her until his lungs began to scream for air, but he just ignored it and welcomed the delicious pain.
I love you… the words rang over and over again in his mind. I want your touches, James…. I want your kisses….
Sofia's words still lingered in his mind, replaying itself and finding its way towards his heart and making it overflow with pure joy. He wanted nothing more than to just remain isolated in the woods and continue on as they are, kissing each other until their bodies screamed for air.
Amid in their kiss, James felt Sofia's arms circle around his neck and pull him closer than he already was. His arms instinctively wrapped her body, his hands made their way up the parts of her back that was exposed in her ripped dress, gently feeling and running his fingers along her upper spin. A smile broke through him as he felt her shiver against his touch.
James couldn't stop his own shudder as it ripped though him when he felt her hands untangle themselves from his neck and find their way underneath his jacket, her hands running over his cotton shirt and playfully stroking her fingernails on the muscles of his back. He felt himself unraveling just at her touch. He wanted to devour her... to consume her... and let her feel every ounce of joy she made him feel.
He liked knowing that she craved him as much as he craved for her.
They wanted each other. They needed the warmth from each other.
The feel. The touch. Everything. Just everything.
"James," James heard Sofia breathlessly gasp as she quickly broke the kiss.
But the desire in him didn't want the kiss to be over, making him wanting to be forever consumed by their fire.
James held her chin and returned his lips back to where it belonged, resuming their kiss tenfold and letting their tongues return to their passionate dance.
"Mmm!" he heard her moan against his lips.
His hands ran themselves up her naked arms and though her hair, enjoying how her hair felt like soft, chocolate silk even when they were this messy. Normally, the feel of her skin against his would send small static shocks through him, but in this kiss between them, it was like he was continuously struck with lightening.
Oh, how he wanted more…. So much more….
"James …." James barely heard her pant, their kiss silencing all sounds around them.
Sofia's head rolled back and lifted her lips away from him, her chest was quickly rising and falling as she looked like she was trying to breathe in as much air as possible.
She needs air…. James hazily thought as he stared at her flushed cheeks and red, swollen lips.
But he wasn't done as his lips itched for more kisses.
And with only passion and a thirst for her running through him, James's lips moved on their own and landed quickly down on her neck, marking it with more kisses.
"James." He felt Sofia's neck move as she said his name.
He started from her neck and made his way down, enjoying the taste of her soft skin as much as he enjoyed the taste of her lips. He left a trail of kisses on her collarbones to her shoulders, wanting to leave the valley on her chest for last.
That center on her chest will forever be his, no man will ever get to kiss her there. Her body was his temple and her soul is his goddess. He wanted to mark it and worship her with more kisses.
Sofia arched her back and pressed further into him as he continued his quest to claim every part of her chest and shoulders. Against his lips, James felt her body grow hotter by every kiss.
As he was neared his destination, James slowed and lingered on each raised mound above her dress's bodice as he left a thousand more kisses that he hoped would deliciously burn her skin. He made sure that each would claim that piece of her skin like how he claimed her lips. He wanted every centimeter of her to be marked with his mouth and burn with his touches.
"James," he vaguely heard Sofia say, not even noticing the warning tone in her voice. "Wait, James."
Even slower, James left a trail of smaller kisses as he began towards where her purple gem hung and enjoying how Sofia's scent filled his senses. It was in addicting and intoxicating to smell her coconut scent and hear to heavy breathing.
He wanted to smell more of her. To hear more of her breathless sounds. To taste every inch of her body.
"James."
Just when his lips were about to make contact on the center of her chest, James felt a pair of hands capture his face and strongly lift it so that he met her gaze. His hazy eyes stared into a pair of unyielding ice blue eyes.
"James," Sofia's breathless but firm voice said. "Stop."
But the desire in him was resistant to listen and return his lips back to her neck.
He felt Sofia shiver a little against him and let him trail her neck upward to her jawline with more kisses, but not long enough to where he could resume back down to her chest.
Placing her hands on his chest, Sofia gave James a hard and sturdy shove. "James. I'm serious. I'm not ready for that."
Her push was enough to snap him out of his haze.
Shit, I got carried away, James cursed himself. Staring back at her, he saw small circles of fear in her eyes and immediately he hated himself for even trying something like that with her when she's not ready it. I can't do that to Sofia. She's too innocent for me to ruin her like that.
He remorsefully stared back at her, his hands returning back to her waist. "Right. Sorry. Sorry," James apologized as the all-consuming desire faded. "You're right. You're right."
"I'm not ready for that, James…." Sofia said again softly as she stared up at him with her strong and solid eyes. They told him where she stood and refused to budge even a centimeter on this topic.
She's strong-willed too. She's not going to let me do anything without her permission. I respect her too much to do something stupid against her and have her hate me forever.
"You're right, I'm sorry," James said as he wrapped his arms around her into a tight embrace. "I'm sorry. I won't try it again, I promise."
"James…."
"I swear. Sofia, you hold all the cards here. I won't do anything until you tell me that you're absolutely ready."
"Okay…."
"Buuuuut... judging from how quickly you told me you loved me after just telling me you needed time, I can guess I don't have to wait too long," James joked, wanting to leave the tense subject behind.
"James!" Sofia blushed, smacking him on his chest with both of her hands.
Laughing, James hugged her tighter to him. "Sofia, you just don't know how happy you make me," James sighed. "Before you told me you love me, I was so damn afraid that you were going to say that you really loved Hugo instead. I was so scared of losing you because to that dirt bag who kissed you... But, my 'someday' came and I couldn't be happier."
Sofia let out a small laugh. "Well, I guess 'someday' came a little earlier than I expected."
"I'm just happy that it came at all and not for Hugo," James chuckled. He let the goofy smile on his face grow big and wide. "How did you realize it?"
"Realize that I'm in love with you?"
"Yeah," he nodded.
"…Well –"
"Wait," James stopped her before she could answer.
In the spur of the moment, he wanted to be spontaneous and have her completely in his arms. James decided to lift her into his arms. He heard a tiny surprised yelp come from her as he carried her over towards the massive tree and slowly sat down on the leafy forest floor. Leaning against the tree, James placed Sofia securely between his legs. With her back to his chest, he pulled her close and wrapped his arms and legs tightly around her. He smiled when he heard a contented half sigh and half laugh come from her as she laid her head back against his chest.
He was so happy, he was beyond the godly heavens now and was resting with the stars in the sky. His body felt like it was lighter than air and she was his only anchor here on earth.
"So, back to my question," James said as he nuzzled the crook of her neck with his lopsided goofy smile. "How did you realize that you were in love with me?"
Silence built between them for a while before she quietly answered. "…Someone I really trust helped me realize it."
"Who? Amber?"
"No," Sofia said as she shook her head.
"Baileywick? That Sir Edwards guy?"
"No."
"Well, who then?"
"…James, I can't tell you who."
"Why not?" James whined as he lifted his head to look at her. He felt a bit hurt that she wouldn't tell him who helped her.
"James, I promised that I wouldn't tell anyone about her… but…" Sofia hesitated as she looked back at him, biting her lips as if she was contemplating on continuing her sentence.
Looking up at her from her neck, he felt a smile tug at the corners of his mouth when he saw a faint blush on Sofia's cheeks.
She's too cute, James thought as he felt her take his left hand into her own and began to trace the lines on his hand. More shivers rushed through his body as her fingers tapped and skated on his hand.
"But what?"
"…I promised not to reveal who she is, but I think I can tell you about… us…."
"What about us, Sofia?"
James watched as she returned her head back against his chest and stared up at the stars, her head started to warm him as he heard her take in a deep breath before she spoke.
"…James…. You're my soulmate. My true love."
And it was like the entire world stood still for him. He was speechless. His mind was blank. He didn't know what to feel. It was like her words continued to sink and fall into his mind before anything would allow any words to reach his mouth for him to speak.
"James?" Sofia looked up at him with a worried expression.
"I-I-I'm your true love?" James was sure that his eyes was the same size as the moon and his mouth was hanging wide open like it was a cave.
"Yeah." Sofia shyly smiled up at him.
This moment was nothing like hearing her say "I love you" to him.
It was better. So much better.
His heart was swelling one hundred times its size, overflowing with pure joy. It was the greatest thing he's ever heard. James felt like he was freely falling into something great. Something wonderful. Something amazing.
It was too much to describe. He just felt complete happiness beyond any comprehension.
"S-s-sooo… you and I – we… a-are…." James stuttered, the breath was caught in his throat and he was trying so hard to say anything coherent.
"We are meant to be, James," Sofia finished for him like she was reading his mind. He saw her give him a small smile. "We were always meant to be."
Then a bigger and goofier smile broke through his lips and a stupid laugh bubbled up. He was surging with this happy energy, making him want to jump up and down, to kiss Sofia, to scream with pure joy, to take her into his arms and just spin her around.
For so long, since the death of his father, James knew his heart was broken and his spirit was dead. He was just an empty shell of a king before Sofia came back into his life. But since her return, it was like bit by bit, he was becoming like his old self again and that his heart was remembering to beat once more. And now, hearing that she loves him and was his true love, it was like fate was finally allowing him to be happy again.
"Shit, Sofia," James tried to say though his laughs as he fell forward and buried his face into her neck. "I didn't think you could make me any happier."
Sofia let out a tiny laugh as she shifted in his lap and he felt a pair of arms circle around him. They held onto each other, warming and loving each other with what felt like everything inside of them. The two of them remained in each other's embrace, letting the sounds of their gentle, ecstatic laugh mix in with the nightly sounds. James was certain that their happy laughs were floating up to the stars in the night sky.
After a while, James heard Sofia's sweet voice broke their perfect silence. "Sorry I didn't tell you earlier. I sort of found out yesterday."
Shaking his head, James leaned back and looked into Sofia's eyes with the same goofy smile. "I don't care that you – okay I take that back. I kind of do care that you didn't tell me, but I'm happier that I know that you and I are soulma – wait, did you just say that you found out yesterday?"
"Yeah."
"Why didn't you tell me the moment you found out? I would have screamed it at you if I found out first."
"Like I said, I wanted to be sure I was ready to tell you. I was conflicted on whether it was too early to tell you. And I did run to you in the library, remember?"
"That was why you barged into the library?"
"Yeah. When I was told that you were my true love, it hit me that the reason why I couldn't say 'I love you' to you before was because I was saving it for the person I was destined for. So when I learned that you and I were fated, I just became so happy that I had to run to you."
"But you still didn't say it to me."
"My mind was just blown and I was on this mega happy surge that I just wanted to be in your arms at the moment."
"But –"
Sighing, Sofia looked at him with a tired raised brow. "James. I wanted the moment to be special and the timing to be right. I told you that I wasn't sure if it was too early or not. Be happy. This moment isn't ideal for me. I wanted it to be romantic and corny when I did tell you with a smile, not yelling it at you during our fight."
"But still –"
"James," Sofia sighed again, "I love you. It doesn't matter if I didn't tell you the moment I found out or not. I still told you anyway."
"You yelled it at me," James answered back bluntly.
"Because you were freaking out so bad that I had no choice but to yell it at you," Sofia coolly countered with a raised brow.
"Alright, you have a point there," James admitted with defeat as he lowered his forehead onto hers.
Sofia then raised her hands and cupped her hands around his face, warming his cheeks against the cold autumn chill. "Good."
This is perfect. She's in my arms. She told me she loves me. And we're true loves, James thought as he pulled her in closer to him. He didn't try to fight against the happy sigh that escaped him. I wouldn't change this moment for anything in the world.
James closed his eyes, wanting to remember this moment and store it along with all of his other precious memories of Sofia. He could feel her heart beat rhythmically with him, like their hearts were connected by some sliver string and she was pumping love and life back into him.
"James, I need to go back," he heard her whisper after their short moment of contented silence.
"No," James quietly protested. He didn't want her to go back to castle where all of the chaos was. He wanted to remain where they are, in their perfect little world, away from everyone – especially Hugo.
"James, come on. I need to go back."
"Don't go just yet. Stay here for a few more minutes," James said as he leaned in, trying to capture her lips again. He wanted to stop their conversation and just go back to kissing.
"I need to face them eventually, James." She tilted her head away from him, but he could hear the smile in her voice as she continued to talk. "I can't let them continue to try and search for me all night, they're all probably worried sick like last time."
"Then let them worry, I don't care," James tried to reason with her as he inclined forward to kiss her again. He made sure that his voice was deep and persuasive, using it as an extra arsenal to convince Sofia to stay and kiss him some more. "Say you love me again."
"James –" He heard her try to argue but he managed to stop her short by finally landing his lips onto hers. "Mmm!"
And for a while, they did return back to their little world and their surroundings faded away. The forest. The late night cricket sounds. The cold chill. Everything faded into nothing the moment his lips returned to hers.
His eyes opened just a peak and he couldn't help but smile as he saw her eyes flutter shut. Her hands even fell from his cheeks and land in between them. With only Sofia and her lips on his mind, he used this opportunity to squeeze her even closer to him than she already was.
Closing his eyes once more, James returned back to just focusing on Sofia, her lips, and the kiss that began to grow in passion and need.
His hands trailed down her sides as he straightened his legs and stopped short at her upper thighs, lifting Sofia up and lowering her so that she was now straddling his lap. Her arms immediately went up and around his neck, he could feel her fingers run through his hair and lightly grab a handful of his hair.
Oh, this is much better, James thought as he unintentionally let out a low and deep moan against her lips.
Running his tongue along the bottom of her lip and nipping it just a bit with his teeth, James as more than thrilled to feel her open her mouth in response to his not-so-coy tricks. Their kiss deepened even more as he was momentarily surprised to feel her press her front into him and, to restrain himself, he could only run his hands up and down on her thighs and actively try to memorize every enticing curve of her body.
James couldn't get enough of how possessive her lips quickly became. He enjoyed feeling how much her desire for him almost matched his, she wanted to engulf him and his lips like he wanted to just devour her whole.
Amid in their kiss, he found that they had two types of kisses: the sweet, tame kisses that reminded them of the love they had and the ones that turned passionate beyond anything they knew. Those are the ones that always made the love between them and turning into a reignited fire of desire and hunger. James didn't know which one he loved the most, the kind kisses that filled him with nothing but Sofia's love or the ones that overwhelmed and consumed him. But what he did know was the he would never, ever get tired of her lips or kisses because she was his entire world. His everything.
James was soon disappointed to feel that their kiss was soon broken as Sofia lifted her head – and lips – away to try and gasp in some air.
James let out a purposefully upset growl, demanding for her to return her lips back to him. He leaned forward again with his eyes still closed but his lips only met her fingertips.
"No…." Her voice sounded dazed and breathless.
"Sofia," James drawled in a low and agitated tone. He looked up at her now and furrowed his brows into what he hoped was an irritated expression because he was kissing her fingertips instead of her lips.
"No, James," Sofia said, now placing both of her hands on his lips to stop him. "As much as I really want to just stay here and be kissed senseless, I need to go back and talk to Hugo."
"Hugo?" James didn't try to hide how upset his voice sounded. "Why Hugo?"
"James, he has a lot to explain –"
"You don't need to hear his explanations, Sof."
"Yes, James, I do. I want to hear it," Sofia said firmly, looking him in the eyes and silently telling him that her mind was made up. "I want answers."
She'll know about my past… of what I did….
"But, Sofia –"
He didn't want her to go and talk to Hugo. He was afraid of what he might tell Sofia and reveal much more about James than he would ever want to her to know. She'll know about the parade of women he's been with, of what a promiscuous fool he was during his quest for domination. She'll learn about the true gory details of his kills and murders, of his many assassins and dirty political tricks.
And knowing how much Hugo wants Sofia, James was certain that he'll tell her just everything to hurt James's relationship with her. Hugo would do anything just to ruin James in Sofia's eyes.
"If you're afraid that what he'll tell me might change my mind about us, don't be. James, I love you and that's not going to change," Sofia said as if she read his mind.
"Sof…." James strained to say. "Look, I am afraid of what Hugo might tell you. I don't want you to go over to him and learn things about me that –"
"James, nothing will change." Unable to break her gaze, James was in awe of how her eyes were ablaze with a glimmering promise that shined in the center of her blue eyes. "Nothing," Sofia whispered just above his lips as she lowered her head back down to give him a quick kiss. "Okay?"
His hands rose to her cheeks, gently stroking them with his thumbs. "I-I'm just so afraid of losing you…" he quietly said.
"You won't…." Sofia's hands met his and warmed his cold fingers. "I won't ever leave you. Have some faith in me, James…."
"I do trust you. It's Hugo that I don't."
"But I do. There's a small part of me that tells me that I can trust him. Just let me go talk to him," she insisted, removing his hands from her cheeks and standing up. Backing away from James, Sofia began picking off the leaves and shrubbery from herself.
James remained on the floor, upset at how cold he felt now that she was out of his lap. He didn't like how immediately the cold night air attacked him the moment her body left his arms and chest, robbing him of her warmth and heat. He wanted to grab her and bring her back down into his lap, to crush her against his chest and never let her come anywhere near Hugo again. To always keep her in his arms, protected and safe. And he wouldn't mind if they remained like that for the rest of their lives. So long as he had Sofia in his arms, James could see the light even in the darkest places of his mind.
Appearing like she was finished dusting herself off, Sofia bent down and took hold of both of James's hands, helping him to stand back up.
"I want to give him a change to explain so I can understand what happened and have my answers," Sofia said, closing the distance between them and pressing her hands on his chest. Her familiar warmth began to seep into his shirt and spread around his heart. "I need to go and talk to him."
Her eyes returned back to their firm and assertive shine, refusing to allow him to tell her no. James knew that nothing he could say would convince her to not talk to Hugo. He lost this battle with her.
Dammit, Sofia. That lowlife doesn't deserve this from you, not your kindness or understanding. Just for once, be selfish and stay angry at him!
But this was her decision and he had to respect it because he loved her, even if he's going to hate every moment of it.
"…Fine," James unhappily relented.
Smiling up at him because she won, Sofia rose up onto her toes and sweetly kissed him. But just when she was about to pull away, James locked his arms around her tightly and transformed the kiss into another passionate and lust-filled kiss. His tongue quickly enticed a dance from hers, stealing her breath and mixing together with his as he pressed harder and harder on her lips.
Breaking the kiss, James heard her gasp for air and pant at their all-too sultry kiss.
"That…" James said breathlessly, touching the bottom of her lip with his fingertips, "I needed that if you're going to return back there and talk to that stupid idiot. I don't like that you want to talk to him, but I will respect your choices and very bitterly agree to it."
Her cheeks burned bright red and she looked a bit dazed from their kiss. He couldn't help but bite back a laugh as she continued to blush hard from his spontaneous kiss. James liked that she wasn't used to his lips or the ways he can use them, knowing that he can always have a good effect on her every time he wanted to her steal her breath and lips.
"I bet he didn't kiss you like that," James arrogantly teased. "Did this one make you feel like you're on fire?"
He laughed when she blushed even harder when he referred back to her little confession. Sofia didn't say anything back, she just pouted and tried to glare up at him with her swollen lips. All that did was make him laugh harder, her glare had no effect on him with her inflamed cheeks and big lips. James knew by her blushing and burning appearance that the answer to his question was a yes. She was on fire because of him and he liked it.
Turning, she held onto his hand and they began to make their way back towards the garden's path.
Walking in front of him, James noticed that she was completely barefoot and was stepping on some sharp twigs and rocks. He was sure that she must be in some type of pain to be walking through the forest without any feet protection, but he couldn't see her face to see any signs of pain or strain.
"Sofia, stop." James pulled on their intertwined hands and pause their trek back. "Why are you barefoot?"
"Oh, my high heels were hurting me so I just dropped them off at the water fountain in the garden," Sofia nonchalantly shrugged, turning back around to continue her search for the garden's path.
"Wait," James stopped her again. "You're walking on rocks and sticks, Sofia. Aren't you hurt?"
"I'm fine."
She's lying, James could tell.
Tugging her over to a small open clearing where the moonlight shone brightly around them, James bent down onto one knee and grabbed one of her feet up. He tried to hold back an upset grunt as he saw that her feet were red at the heels and toes.
"James, I'm fine really. I don't feel any pain in my feet. So can we just get back to everyone? I don't want to worry them any more than they already are."
"The hell – I don't care about them," James frustratingly huffed. He was irritated that she was more worried about everyone back at the castle than her own feet that were obviously in pain by the way she continuously shifted her weight from one foot to another. Not waiting for another word from Sofia, James smoothly picked Sofia up into his arms and began to walk towards the castle. "You're not fine, Sofia. And I'm going to carry you the rest of the way because I don't like to see you in pain, even if you're trying to not show it."
There was some resistance in her eyes as he began to carry her, holding her close to him again. But the fight in her eyes quickly faded as he gave her a sharp and determined stare down at her, silently telling her that he won't be letting her escape his arms this time. She then surrendered and looked bashfully down at her hands, quietly letting him keep her in his arms.
"…Thank you…." Sofia quietly said.
"You're welcome," James replied with a small victorious smile. "I think I deserve a kiss for this."
"Funny," Sofia sarcastically said, resting her head on his shoulder. He was happy to hear the spunk back in her voice. "But I think we kissed enough. I don't want to return with even bigger and more swollen lips that just scream 'I got kissed senseless for the millionth time tonight'. And I know for a certain fact that one innocent little kiss with you will turn into a crazy heavy kiss."
James just laughed in response, loving the warm happiness that began to swell in the center of his chest as he hugged her closer to him.
"I love you," James cheerfully laughed into her ear as he kissed the side of her head.
"Love you, too," Sofia smiled into his shoulder as they continued on back to the castle.
And for some time, as they made their way back onto the garden's path, James tried to savor this happy time with Sofia in his arms. He wanted to remember every bit of the past moments, of her kisses, her shivers, the sweet taste of her skin... of how lovely her voice sounded when she said 'I love you' to him. He never wanted to forget these memories, they were another gift Sofia gave him to always treasure.
As they finally made it near the main garden, James heard loud sounds of frantic talking and shouts along with the splashing sounds of water echoing to where they stood in the shadows of the garden. And getting a good look, James saw Amber surrounded by Hildegard, Clio, and Vivian; the three of them were trying to console Amber as she was holding on to what appeared to be Sofia's big crown. James scowled when he saw that Hugo was holding onto the heels Sofia wore to the ball as he was arguing with Sir Edwards, Zandar, and Khalid. Desmond was in the middle between the four of them, looking like he's trying to calm them down but was failing miserably.
Bracing himself, James took a deep breath and emerged through the shadows while tightening his hands on Sofia.
Chapter Fifteen! Woo!
Wow... I am crazy amazed at how far this series has gotten... Thank you to everyone who supported me on continuing this series, I just love all of your reviews!
This chapter is shorter than normal because I just wanted to write a very fluffy and steamy JamesFia chapter. I just couldn't help myself. I had to write and publish it before releasing my next chapter, which is going to be all about Hugo and Sofia. Don't worry though, it's going to have James and Sofia moments but not like usual. In other news, I'm trying to get back into my old mojo of releasing a chapter on a regular basis, so please be patient if I ever do miss a week. I'm better and healthy, but I'm trying to get back into it.
I hope you all liked this short chapter. If you did, please read and review because I love reviews.
Thanks :)
