Elaina breathed a sigh of relief as supper ended. Neither the King or Captain Turain had mentioned their meeting in the fields, and her parents sensed nothing amiss during the formal introductions. In gratefulness, Elaina had been on her best behavior. She ate slowly, used her napkin, and tried not to ask too many personal questions or be too forward. However, as the evening progressed, both the King and her parents relaxed into each other’s company, allowing Elaina to do the same.
The King complimented her father on his choice to keep the meal a small gathering of only the family and his majesty rather than presenting a lavish feast and inviting everyone from the village.
“You have no idea how tiresome it becomes to spend every evening in lengthy introductions and barely touching the mouthwatering delicacies everyone around me enjoys,” the King complained, taking another pear and biting hungrily into the skin.
“His majesty is exaggerating,” Captain Turain said. “He never leaves a morsel on his plate unfinished no matter how long it takes, and often leaves with his pockets stuffed full as well.”
Everyone at the table had laughed, including Elaina.
The party quickly became informal, and Elaina welcomed the opportunity to be herself and not worry about what the King might think of her candor. She laughed openly, ate as much as she liked, and even leaned her elbows on the table to listen as the King described an experiment he had conducted as a boy that went horribly wrong.
Katrina had reminded her that the reason for the King’s visit was to inspect her as a “marriageable woman.” To see if she was good enough to be his queen. However, he seemed less focused on sizing her up than of keeping all attention focused on himself. Although throughout the meal, he constantly looked at her and smiled, he talked more than he listened. He rarely asked her any direct questions, though when she did speak, he stared at her intensely.
The King spoke of his love of learning and all the books he had read. He touched on art, history, religion, government and many more topics she could hardly remember. Her father leaned into the conversation eagerly, as he rarely had the opportunity to speak with other learned men while tending to Elsanore. Her mother also listened with rapt attention. Elaina was astounded how easily King Adam commanded the attention of those around him and encouraged them to be as excited as he was about his discoveries. She pictured what a life spent listening to him would look like. Perhaps reading together on cold winter days, working together on his experiments.
Elaina shook her head to clear the thoughts. She was forgetting the most important thing. He was the King. Although his life as Prince had been devoted to study and reflection, things were bound to be different now. The slow pace she was picturing was unrealistic.
“That was a lovely supper, Lady Sylvia, I thank you,” the King said as they abandoned the table and progressed into the entry hall.
“It warms my heart that you enjoyed it, your majesty,” Lady Sylvia replied, a blush coloring her face.
“Your majesty, Captain Turain, would you care to join me in my study?” Lord Barry asked. “I have a fine library.” He motioned towards the stairs.
“That would be splendid,” King Adam replied, a twinkle in his eye. “Lead the way.”
As her father moved towards the western staircase, her mother bowed and motioned for Elaina to do the same.
“Then, we shall say goodnight,” Lady Sylvia said, straightening and putting her arm through Elaina’s elbow.
“It has been a pleasure,” the King said, bowing to Elaina and her mother. As he rose, he looked directly at Elaina again, and the intensity of his gaze caused her to blush.
As her father led the men upstairs to his study, her mother released her arm and turned to the door to the kitchen.
“I must review the preparations for the morning with the servants,” she said. “Everything must be ready when the King and Captain Turain desire to break their fast.”
“Good night then, mother,” Elaina replied, keeping her feet firmly rooted in the hallway and hoping not to get dragged into what was sure to be a lengthy discussion.
“Are you going to bed?” Lady Sylvia asked, pausing in the doorway.
“Not directly,” Elaina replied.
Her mother studied her for a moment before crossing the hall to give Elaina a hug.
“I’m proud of you, my darling,” she said as she squeezed. “You made a marvelous impression on the King.”
“You are relieved,” Elaina said, kissing her mother on the cheek and pulling back.
Lady Sylvia fumbled for a reply.
“Is it wrong of me to admit it?” she finally asked with a laugh, taking both of Elaina’s hands and squeezing them tightly. “First impressions have never been your forte.”
“True,” Elaina said, crinkling her nose and thinking of the field gate.
“Did you like him?” Lady Sylvia asked, looking up the stairway before pulling Elaina to sit on the bottom step.
Elaina thought of the King’s bright smile, his intense blue eyes, and his loud laughter. Then she shook her head to clear the image. She refused to be like other girls and only focus on his looks.
“He sure does talk a lot,” she said.
“That he does,” her mother agreed with a laugh. “I don’t think I’ve ever met a king as learned as King Adam. You father will greatly enjoy showing him the study.”
“He did not seem concerned about my level of learning either,” Elaina observed.
“Well, that is not surprising,” Lady Sylvia said. “It is well known that the Dowager Queen Vivian is a great scholar. Raised by a learned woman, King Adam probably has a more accepting view of women who read.”
“True,” Elaina said, her brow wrinkling.
“So then, you like him?” Lady Sylvia asked again.
“I don’t dislike him,” Elaina said, squirming and then rising. “One dinner is hardly enough to decide.”
“Very right,” Lady Sylvia agreed, rising and smoothing the front of her gown. She looked at Elaina and smiled happily. “He will be here a few more days, I expect. I’m sure you will have plenty of opportunities to get to know him better.”
With a soft laugh, Lady Sylvia kissed Elaina on the forehead and then turned and breezed into the kitchen.
Elaina collapsed again on the bottom of the staircase. How did she feel about the King? Did she want to get to know him better?
Before she could collect her thoughts, she heard loud footsteps coming down the stairs behind her and turned. King Adam stopped at the bend in the wall just above her and looked down on her with an excited grin.
“Just the person I was hoping to see,” he said, plopping down beside her before she could rise.
“I thought you went up to my father’s study,” Elaina said, scootching back against the wall and away from the King’s knees, which angled toward her and brushed the front of her gown.
“I did,” he replied. “But I excused myself to find the privy.”
Elaina flinched, and the King laughed.
“I’m sorry to be so crude,” the King apologized, though his deep blue eyes continued to twinkle with mirth.
“I can call one of the stable boys to escort you,” Elaina said, attempting to rise, but the King stopped her by placing a hand on her knee.
“Actually,” he said softly. “It was just an excuse to go looking for you.” He continued to bore into her with his sparkling eyes, causing a lump to form in her throat. She could not remember anyone ever looking at her the way the King was looking at her now.
“Oh,” she replied, fidgeting with some ribbon on the front of her gown to avoid staring back at him. She noticed a stain from dinner on the blue silk of her gown and quickly covered it with her hands.
“What will you do now?” he asked, leaning down to try and catch her gaze again.
She smiled shyly and glanced up. “Now?”
“Now that your entertainment duties are finished, and you are free to do as you wish,” he asked.
“I’m not sure,” Elaina said, looking down at her hands again as her heart fluttered. “Go out to the garden perhaps.” She looked up and shrugged.
“You like gardens?” he asked her, continuing to look only at her.
“I like being outdoors very much,” Elaina said. She felt trapped by his gaze, unable to look away again, especially because he was so close. She was astounded that he did not sense her discomfort.
“Me too,” he said. “Perhaps I could join you.” The King rose and extended his hand.
“But my father…” she said, pointing back up the stairway.
“I’ll be honest,” the King said, leaning down to whisper. “I did not come here to see your father.”
Elaina blushed and tried not to giggle as his soft breath tickled her cheek.
“You came looking for a bride,” she said.
He finally looked away from her eyes to look down at her lips.
“Exactly,” he said slowly.
Elaina stilled. She could feel her heart and her breath quickening. Would he kiss her? She did not think she wanted him to.
The kitchen door banged open loudly, and Geoffrey burst into the hall. Seeing the King who was leaned in closely to Elaina, he stopped and quickly ducked into a bow.
“Your m-m-majesty,” he stammered.
The King looked up and sighed.
“Why do young boys always stammer around me?” he said, standing erect and putting his hands on his hips.
Geoffrey’s eyes widened, and he looked to Elaina for help. Elaina saw her opportunity.
“Geoffrey,” she said rising and stepping around the king to stand next to the boy. “The King is looking for the privy. Could you show him the way?”
The King looked at Elaina, smirked and chuckled while shaking his head. Elaina breathed a little easier. He seemed to finally recognize her discomfort.
“Yes, my boy,” he said. “Can you lead the way?”
“Of course,” Geoffrey said, smiling and turning to run back through the kitchen.
“Geoffrey!” Elaina called, and the boy came scampering back. “Through the front door.” She pointed toward the large open doors that led outside and looked at the King with a laugh. He smiled brightly laughing too.
“This way!” Geoffrey said with a hop, and then raced out the front doors.
“I’ll see you again,” the King said, an amused glint in his eyes as he looked at her before following the boy.
Though Geoffrey had run, the King followed slowly, turning one more time to look at her before he walked out the door. Elaina pressed her hand against her chest, trying to slow the erratic beating of her heart. She was tempted to collapse again on the steps, but fearing the King’s quick return, she rushed into the kitchen instead. Stopping only to grab a lantern by the door, she dashed through the stifling hot room and out into the cool night air of the kitchen garden.
Nighttime visits to the garden were one of her favorite pastimes. She enjoyed the seclusion and the darkness. Tonight, the crisp air gently caressed her skin, causing her to delightfully shiver, and the soft breezes swished her loose hair across her collarbone. The garden was dark with only faint illumination from her own lantern and the warm glow of light from the manor windows. She crossed the herb garden, heading towards the flower garden, and found her favorite stone bench. Through the silk of her gown, the rock was cold and caused her to shiver again, but she enjoyed the sensation. It helped to clear some of the heat in her cheeks.
Closing her eyes, she listened to the sound of crickets in the apple orchard behind her and the shuffle of small nocturnal creatures in the long grasses. Nature’s symphony was soothing and helped release the knots in her back.
Once her body had calmed down, her mind took a turn to race. The King was openly courting her. Originally, she thought her first impression at the gate would cause him to reject her, which would solve her problem easily. Although she was of age, she was reluctant to marry, and even if she changed her mind, she never wanted to be queen. Just like Katrina and Ian, she wanted to marry for love and then live a small life like her parents before her.
And yet… King Adam was more charming than she had imagined, and he seemed to find her quirky ways endearing. If her plan was to chase him away, she had failed miserably.
“Now what?” she asked aloud.
Did she still want to chase him away? If so, she needed a new plan. Being herself was attracting his attention instead of repulsing him.
She pictured again his ruffled hair, intense gaze and his smile. A smile that took over his whole face and lit him all the way to the eyes. Did he look at the other potential brides that way? Was it all just an act to charm the mothers and daughters of his nobles; to win favor?
She smiled at the thought of him sneaking around the castle trying to find her bedroom. Definitely, not a move meant to win favor. At least not from an honorable girl. “Brute,” she whispered, though she smiled as she said it.
“Uggghhhh,” she growled softly, squeezing her cheeks together with her fingers to try and stop her grin. Her cheeks ached from smiling. Every time she thought of him, she grinned like a fool. This was bad. Her actions implied she wanted the King to stay, but her thoughts said she wanted him to go away.
“This can’t be happening,” she mumbled, massaging her forehead.
“What can’t be happening?”
Even without looking up, she knew it was him.
The King stepped out of the darkness and into her small circle of light. His golden hair shimmered, and the silver crown on his head caught the rays of lantern light, glinting as he moved. Shadows darkened his features, but his smile made her heart beat erratically again. He held his hands behind his back, and stood casually with his feet apart, watching her.
She took a deep shaky breath.
“You,” she said bluntly. She stood, squared her shoulders, and looked him straight in the eyes, those amazing blue eyes. “You can’t be happening.”
The King’s smile widened, and he quietly chuckled before putting on a mock serious face. “Have I done something to upset you, my lady?”
Elaina’s heart pounded so hard in her chest that it was almost painful, and her lungs struggled to take in air. Her right hand clutched at the collar of her dress and squeezed tightly. She needed some distance to catch her breath.
“Yes,” she said, quickly turning away and marching off into the tall grass between the apple orchard and the manor, leaving her lantern behind.
Would he follow? she wondered.
“Well, then, you must tell me what it is so that I can correct it,” he called after her.
“No,” she called back over her shoulder and kept marching. She released the front of her gown and tried to breath more deeply, desperate for air.
Though he did not reply, King Adam followed her into the tall grass. She heard the soft swish of the blades brushing across his boots, and before long, she heard him breathing. He was close behind her. Too close. She shivered and then whipped around to face him.
“Stop following me,” she said. Her senses had been correct, he was directly behind her. So close that when she stopped, he bumped into her and in order to keep her from falling over put a strong arm around her waist. She could feel his body heat against her chest, and she smelled oranges and horses and musk.
“Let me go,” she whispered quietly.
“Not yet,” he whispered back, his lips twitching again as he half smiled. “I can’t help myself. I have to at least…”
Then he kissed her. Tingles raced down her back, and she rose up on her tiptoes. He pulled her body against his, and his lips worked softly on her own. Her instincts caused her hands to push against his chest and try to pull away, but her traitorous lips kissed him back.
What was happening? She could not think. Her head buzzed like it was full of bees.
He broke away just slightly and breathed a question onto her wet lips: “Stop?”
Did she want him to stop? Without giving her brain a chance to decide, her traitorous lips said no, answering him with a kiss.
His strong arms pulled her tighter, and, although she could barely breath, she resisted pulling away. She slid her hands up, desperate to touch his magnificent hair, but hit something metal instead… his crown.
She shoved him back with all her might, and he let go. She stared at him breathless.
“I don’t want this,” she said.
Without waiting for his response, she ran as fast as her legs would carry her down into the apple trees, disappearing in the shadows. She raced down the rows, switching directions several times to stop him from following her. Branches reached out in the darkness, ripping through the silk of her dress. Mother would be furious… for more than one reason.
“Lady Elaina!” he called.
She stopped to catch her breath, but then she heard him charging through the trees behind her and picked up the pace again. She must stay ahead of him. She would be unable to resist him if he caught her. Something about him mesmerized her. Though her brain said no, the rest of her shouted a definite yes.
Knowing her father’s orchards like the back of her hands, she turned to the south and headed back towards the stables. There would be people there, people who would be watching, thus putting an end to any further… touching.
He was struggling to follow her. Elaina smiled. He may have been bigger than her and probably faster than her, but nothing caused misdirection faster than a dark orchard. All the trees looked the same unless you grew up among them, and yet, she still heard him trying to catch up to her. He certainly was persistent.
She burst from the apple trees just to the back of the barn. She quickly scanned the area but found it empty.
“Chicken-poop,” she mumbled, rushing around the side of the barn. Where were a few well-placed servants when you needed them?
Glancing back over her shoulder while still running, she saw King Adam emerge from the trees and spot her in the glow of the barn light. He had a silly grin on his face as if he was enjoying a fun game. Suddenly, she crashed into another warm, strong body.
“My lady?” a male voice asked. “Are you alright?”
Elaina looked up to see Captain Turain looking down on her. Glancing back at the King, she saw that King Adam’s smile faded a bit at the sight of her buried in Captain Turain’s arms. In that moment, she knew exactly what she had to do.
Without hesitation, she kissed the Captain on the mouth, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him close. At first, all she felt was triumph at finding a solution to her problem, but then her heart leapt. She was enjoying this kiss too.
“No,” she said pulling back, horrified. Who was she anymore? Fury rose inside her. These men had made her lose herself. It was all their fault. Without thinking, she swung back her arm and slapped the innocent Captain hard across the face. Then noticing that the King was within reach, she slapped him too for good measure. Both men looked at her with stunned expressions.
“Get this straight, both of you,” she said. “I don’t want this, so you can just pack up and leave.”
Then she quickly turned her back as shame and humiliation filled her. Covering her face, she sprinted across the courtyard and rushed into her home.