Page 14 of The Princess and The Warrior

When I went upstairs, our beautifully appointed bedroom was ready for us, with a bed nearly as large as the one we had shared last night.

But now that they weren’t people listening and watching our every move, would he stop being so affectionate? Trax definitely wanted me. I just couldn’t understand why he wouldn’t unwind and allow us to truly be together.

Slipping on a silky violet nightgown, I got into bed, deliberately taking up most of the middle so that he would have to move me when he got in.

I woke in the night to the sound of shuffling boots, then the bedroom door opened. Keeping my eyes closed, I reached out to his pillow, hoping he would join me. Instead, the door shut again, and I heard him go into the guest bedroom.

My dreams of being a real wife to him were beginning to feel like the silly wishes of a little girl. I didn’t know what I was doing wrong. Wrapping the blankets around myself tightly, I choked back tears, forcing myself to sleep.

10

_____

Trax

I should never have touched her so intimately in the consummation chamber. I should never have allowed her to stroke me in the carriage. A lowly farm boy had absolutely no right touching the beautiful Princess Althea.

It was charming that she was trying to make the best of things, and I did admire her positive attitude. But she shouldn’t have to lower herself to be with a man who was beneath her in every possible way. I couldn’t let her do that.

She obviously craved being touched, so I tried to hold her hand or give her a hug whenever we were outside. Inside, I tried to keep my hands away, so that I didn’t torture myself. I was infatuated with her beauty, unable to stop staring at her sweet smile.

Eight weeks after we moved to Seaside, my cuts and bruises were completely healed, but the scars on my face and arms would always mark me as one lower born. Not the rich, elegant type of gentleman that belonged with her.

I did everything in my power to be the best possible company. Early each morning, I dug out a new section of the back garden so that Althea could grow the herbs and flowers she loved so well. Since she’d grown up a little sheltered in the castle, I was relieved that she spoke with the town’s wise women, who advised her on what to grow, and what was safe to eat.

My afternoons were spent helping out on various farms. It took a little doing to get the locals to accept help from Princess Althea’s new husband, but here my scars actually helped and reminded them that up until very recently I had been one of them. I’d learned many different planting and harvesting techniques from the older farmers on the other side of the kingdom, and I was happy to share that knowledge and adjust my plans to better suit the dryer, more temperamental soil here.

I’d always been handy with tools, and teaching the local men how to repair things gave me an incredible feeling of pride.

Our simple, gentle lives had developed a calm routine that we both found very restorative.

Althea consulted with the local women, making strange herbal tea blends that they all seemed to enjoy. She also spent a great deal of time reading, and the weekly carriage delivery from the castle was loaded down with books for her, along with the most exquisite wines and cheeses.

Our evenings were spent playing card games, or sometimes she would read interesting passages of her books to me. Staring into her beautiful warm eyes by candlelight was always the highlight of my day.

It was a profound honor that the Princess had become so comfortable with me. I looked forward to her warm hugs when I came home every evening, and she seemed delighted when I thanked her endlessly for the incredible food she prepared for each dinner.

Even though she seemed disappointed that I slept in the guest room, I wanted to relieve her of the burden that she must service me. I couldn’t imagine what it must feel like to grow up in a world where she could be so easily traded to another. Now that she was free to be her own person, she seemed to flourish.

After a long afternoon of hard work with good men, I kicked off my boots in the entryway of the most charming house in the village, feeling like a king in my own tiny way.

To my surprise, Althea ran toward me, kissing me sweetly before I could stop her. “Today’s carriage brought more than wine and books,” she smiled, her eyes absolutely shining. “And Faresha and Lani are spending the night.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful,” I said, looking toward the dining room to see the two shy faces staring at me. “Welcome, ladies.”

“They’ve brought us both new clothes,” she said, taking me by the arm and leading me to the dining room table. “And an incredible meal prepared for us by Phyllis herself.”

I opened the wine, pouring generously for the three women as they gossiped merrily about everyone in the castle. It was lovely seeing Althea so animated and girlish, laughing and telling stories. They seemed to focus on positive news, such as who was courting, who was preparing for marriage, and the like.

Since we were seated close beside each other, I continued to hold out my hand for her, and she always grabbed it tightly, entwining our fingers. Her soft skin against mine caused my heart to thud awkwardly.

The food was delectable. The exquisite wine flowed freely. But when bedtime came, I realized that I would have to share a bed with Althea again, and didn’t know whether I was excited or terrified.

I didn’t want to be a barbarian who allowed his lust to overcome him. But no man would be able to control himself completely around her perfect beauty.

After the giggling ladies shut the guest room door, I had no choice but to join Althea in our bedroom. I felt her eyes on me as I pulled off my shirt and looked down to notice that my muscles had grown even more from all of the heavy lifting I’d done over the past two months.

The only way for Althea to escape her magnificent dress was to pull it straight over her head and wriggle, and I couldn’t help laughing at her awkward squirming. Helping to pull it off, I tossed it on the chair as she spun to face me wearing only a tiny, almost transparent chemise.

---