Page 15 of Love Letters & Lemon Drops

"Then we can try," he promises. "Sola."

A small thrill goes through me at the sound of my name coming from his lips. I look down, noticing our entwined hands and feeling something more within me. I can't explain the feeling inside me, or the urge to touch him more, but it's there.

Slowly, I pull one of my hands from under his and begin to trace patterns over his skin, revelling in every moment of contact between us. He doesn't say anything, just letting me enjoy my exploration. I've never done anything like this before, and there's something nice about it.

"How are you feeling being away from home?" Arthur asks.

"It's fine," I respond. "There are things I miss, and I know I'm going to be sad when I've eaten the rest of my lemon drops and I can't get more. But I like it here so far."

"I'm glad. Once we're married and winter has passed, we can go on a visit to Someil, if you'd like."

"I think that would be nice."

"I'm sure your parents will be pleased to see you."

"Mamá will be. She doesn't like to travel, so I don't think she'll visit us. It will be nice to introduce the two of you."

"Then that's what we shall do," he promises. "I shall get everything organised."

"I can help, if you'd like," I say softly. "I've not had much to do with that part of things, but I would like to get to know more of it."

"Of course. Anything you'd like." From the earnest expression on his face, there's no doubt in my mind that he's telling the truth.

"Thank you...Artie."

He beams at me, his dark blue eyes lighting up and the crinkles around them deepening. I want to make him react like this again. As many times as I possibly can, because I want to see him react like this at every chance I get.

Chapter 8

I'm a little nervous to be heading down to the stables, but at least I know I have the right clothing for it. Knowing that Arthur enjoys it, I made sure to ask the royal seamstresses in Someil to make me a riding habit. It's new, and a little stiff because of it, but I know that if I want to ride, I need to make sure I have the right clothing. My hair is swept up and pinned with my hat, leaving my ears a little exposed to the cold. It's not like anything I ever experienced in Someil, and the northern climate is certainly taking a little bit more getting used to than I expected.

Shouts come from inside the stables, but I ignore them until I come to the main entrance. A man wearing surprisingly few layers spots me and dips his head. "Your Highness."

"I'm looking for Prince Arthur," I say, probably a little needlessly. The castle isn't that big, and I'm sure everyone in it knows that I'm here to marry Arthur.

"Third stall down, Princess," he says.

"Thank you." I step inside, trying to ignore the strong scent of horses and hay. It's not something I'm used to, and it's a little overpowering.

I reach the third stall, stopping in my tracks when I see Arthur inside with his shirt sleeves rolled up and his jacket nowhere to be seen. My mouth goes a little dry as I watch his arms move as he grooms the white horse with a couple of brown patches on him, including a single brown foot.

I'm not sure what I expected when I came here, but it certainly wasn't this.

Arthur steps away from the horse and looks over in my direction, surprise written all over his face. "I'm sorry, I didn't realise you were here."

"It's my fault," I respond. "I didn't announce myself."

He raises an eyebrow, but I don't elaborate on my statement. I'm not entirely sure how to tell him that I didn't announce myself because I was busy watching him as he groomed his horse.

"I'm guessing this is Brownfoot," I say instead.

Arthur chuckles. "Yes."

"It's an inventive name."

"I was younger then," he says. "In Falhaven, it's unlucky to have a horse to have one leg a different colour to the others."

"So that's the horse you chose for yourself?"

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