Page 24 of The Princess and The Warrior

Althea

* Six Years Later *

The battle was fierce, and both sides were becoming desperate. My sister Maggera and I had thought we’d be safe in the throne room, but the door was flung open and five marauders dashed in, brandishing their swords as they circled us.

A split second later, our husbands rushed into the room, obviously weary from their long campaign. They were outnumbered, but their opposition was also full of boundless energy.

“If you crazy urchins would put the swords down, Phyllis made you cakes,” I announced.

Maggera laughed as our children tossed their wooden weapons aside, diving for the basket on the side table.

The five cousins were inseparable, and because they were all so close in age, they played together, with her oldest helping my youngest to catch up.

Her husband Arnon joined Trax in coming toward us, and the two men slumped into their seats. “I thought you were the fiercest warrior in the land,” I teased. “You two can’t handle taking the children for one afternoon?”

“I thought that three was a handful,” Arnon grumbled. “With five of them, there’s just no way to calm them down.”

I closed my book as Maggera put away her needlework. “Well, a few hours of peace was pleasant,” she laughed.

Trax took my book from my hand, reading the spine carefully. “Ancient love poems?” he asked. “Shouldn’t I be reading those to you late at night?”

“If you like,” I said, as he set the book aside, leaning over to give me a soft but passionate kiss.

The children had already demolished the cakes, and were gathering their strewn swords. “Trent and Treesha,” I said, “It’s time for you both to study for an hour with your tutor before dinner.”

“Yes, mother,” they both muttered, as I nodded to one of the guards to escort them to the library.

“Arial, Adriana, Arlen – you too,” Maggera said. “No complaining, now.”

As soon as the stomps of their annoyed little feet stopped echoing around the giant stone room, Phyllis entered with a large cheese, fruit, and biscuit tray. A serving boy behind her passed the four of us pewter goblets of wine.

“What’s the occasion?” I asked.

Phyllis smiled, looking pleased as punch. “We just received word that Their Majesties are enjoying their vacation to Lake Thorn e so much they’ll be staying an extra two weeks. So your highnesses are in charge of the kingdom a little while longer.”

Trax reached out to squeeze my hand. “Shall we throw another party?”

I looked to Maggera, who shook her head. We had one lavish affair the first weekend my parents were gone, mostly because it was expected of us. We were careful to keep it as small as possible while inviting a broad mix of people, not just the usual wealthy circle.

“To be honest, I’d rather spend time with the children and do my needlepoint,” Maggera said.

“I agree. Perhaps we could just keep everything quiet,” I said.

“Quiet? Not with those children of ours,” Arnon laughed.

Phyllis nodded. “I’ll inform the staff. Thank you, your highnesses.”

“We’ll try harder to wear them out tomorrow afternoon,” Trax said. “Maybe if we let them run in the forest to the north this time.”

I couldn’t help laughing. Just six and a half years ago, on this very spot, I passed out from fright as I realized I was to be married to this huge brute of a warrior. The same man who was now devising schemes to tire out our wild children so that my sister and I could have a few hours of quiet time during an afternoon visit.

Trax leaned in to kiss my forehead. “What are you grinning about?”

“My refined gentleman of a husband whose first thought is pleasing our social circles by throwing a party,” I giggled.

“Yes, you’ve turned me into a proper nobleman,” he said, tossing back his wine in a single swig.

“You’re my kind of man, no matter what you are,” I said, setting down my goblet to wrap my arms around his neck. “Fierce and loyal and just a tiny bit savage.”

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