Once Upon A New York Minute: Part 1

by Sherry Ficklin

  Liam’s mouth twitches, and he shakes the glass in his hand, the ice clinking. “He did, actually.”

  “Does Aiden know?” I ask softly.

  He takes a drink without answering.

  “Does he know?” I ask again.

  This time Liam nods. “He knows. He knew the whole time. He actually supported it. It’s why his relationship with his mother was so strained. I think, on some level, he blamed her for driving the king away. Once he took his mistress, Josette was her name, the King was gone almost all the time. Aiden didn’t get to see him much after that. But he also wanted his father to be happy, so he always felt guilty asking him to stay. He blamed the queen for not being a good enough wife to keep him around.”

  “That’s awful. The more I hear about Aiden’s childhood, the more I think growing up royal might be even worse than growing up an orphan.”

  Liam tilts his head, “You might not be wrong.”

  “I wonder if it might have been different, if the King would have been free to marry whoever he wanted. If that stupid law weren’t on the books.”

  “There were actually several eligible ladies at the time, I believe. A few he was even fond of. He chose the queen for practical reasons, I guess. Figured she was the best candidate for the job.”

  “And look how that turned out,” I mutter, blowing on my mug.

  “You’re not wrong,” he says, finishing his own drink.

  We sit in silence for a few minutes. Finally, I can’t stand it any longer, “Do I really have to go house hunting tomorrow?”

  “You should, yes. Even if Aiden signs your papers tomorrow, you won’t be able to be introduced to the council until Friday. You should at least look like you aren’t just here vying to be queen. Get a house, hire a staff. Establish yourself.”

  “You’re right.”

  “Ill even go with you, help you look.”

  “Thanks, and I’d like to see my land, if that’s ok.”

  He shrugs, “As of tomorrow its your land, it’d probably be irresponsible not to at least know where it is.”

  “This is all happening really fast. I’ve barely had time to catch my breath since I got here. It feels like weeks, how has it only been a few days?”

  “Because that’s what it feels like when you find the place you’re supposed to be. Home feels like you never left, like you’ve been there all along,” he says.

  “Nothing’s ever felt like home before,” I admit. “Not for me.”

  “Then let me be the first to say it. Welcome home, Haven.”

  House hunting With Liam

  Liam’s sofa is somehow even more comfortable than my bed—firmer and more like the bed back in New York, but even so, I have a hard time sleeping. It’s not nerves so much as the knowledge that Aiden is only a few doors away, laying in his bed, alone. I ache to go to him, and thoughts of doing just that keep my heart beating too fast to let sleep roll in. Finally, morning comes and though I didn’t rest much, I feel surprisingly rejuvenated.

  Throwing open the blinds, I let the light stream across Liam’s still sleeping face. He’s wearing nothing but a pair of boxers, tangled in the white and blue bedding like a toga.

  “Wake up, sleepy head,” I say.

  He groans. “Ugh, go away, Haven.”

  “That’s not what you said last night,” I tease, half skipping across the room to the bar and loading up the French press.

  He jerks upright in bed, “What? What did I say? It’s all a whiskey haze after a while.”

  “You said that you’d take me house hunting today, remember?”

  “Oh, that,” he says, falling back onto the bed.

  “Yeah, that.”

  A knock at the door jolts him upright again.

  “Expecting someone?” I ask, crossing the room.

  “Maybe it’s breakfast.”

  Pulling the door open, I see Aiden standing there, already dressed in a perfectly cut suit, his dark hair combed back. “Good morning, beautiful. I thought you might like some breakfast.”

  I small squeak escapes me as I realize I’m still in bunny jammies, teeth unbrushed, and have raging bed head.

  “Aww, good morning handsome,” Liam says, tossing his blankets off.

  Holding up one finger, I race to the bathroom, slamming the door behind me. I hear them both chuckling through the door.

  Cleaning up as best I can without my grooming tools, I step out of the bathroom with fresh breath and combed hair.

  “I did not expect to see you this morning,” I say casually, as If I hadn’t just gone into an actual panic.

  “Look, Haven, the King brought you breakfast,” Liam teases.

  “And I didn’t even have to let him break my nose,” I say, crossing to room to Aiden and laying a chaste kiss on his cheek. “I thought you were going to be tied up all day.”

  “In your dreams,” Liam mutters, and I shoot him a dirty look.

  “Alas, I have to be on my way to my first meeting soon, but it seemed like a waste not to share breakfast with an old friend first. It was pure happenstance to find you here as well, though I do wonder why you’re here?”

  “I slept on the sofa,” I say in a rush, earning me a grin.

  Aiden smiles, “Yes, I assumed. I’m curious why. Is your own room not to your liking?”

  “She was lonely,” Liam says. “You can’t blame her really. Big scary palace, guards roaming everywhere. She-devils randomly showing up at her door.”

  Aiden’s gaze shifts to me and he raises one eyebrow.

  “Ah, yes. Lady St Lauraunt paid me a visit last night. Liam ran away like a coward,” I say with a glare.

  He looks unrepentant.

  “And what did the lady want?” Aiden asks.

  I shake my head, “Doesn’t matter. I know where she stands, and she knows where I stand.”

  “One immoveable object,” Liam says. “Against one unstoppable force. I know who my money’s on.”

  “As do I,” Aiden says, though the expression of concern remains.

  Opting to change the subject, I fill a plate of fruit and bread. “Liam’s taking me house hunting today, and they we’re going to go see my new property.”

  “That sounds exciting.”

  “There’s one thing,” I say, popping a grape into my mouth. “Instead of taking a car, could we borrow a couple bikes? I saw some in the garage the other day.”

  “Bikes? Like, motorcycles?” Aiden clarifies.

  I nod. “I had one back in the city—had to sell it for rent a year or so back, but I really miss it, and the weather is so nice there, I thought it’d be a nice ride.”

  Aiden looks from me to Liam who shrugs.

  “I know how to ride,” he says.

  “Of course, whatever you’d prefer. Just…be careful.”

  I raise one hand, “Promise. No Evel Knievel crap today.”

  Aiden looks confused.

  “Oh, he was a stunt driver, liked to do death defying jumps over busses and stuff back in the day.”

  “And he survived?”

  I nod. “I mean, you know. For a while.”

  “You’re not making him feel better,” Liam chimes in.

  “I’m a good rider, I swear. And we’ll take it easy.”

  Seemingly pacified, Aiden leaves a kiss on my forehead. “Of course. But perhaps tonight you’ll join me for dinner? Just the two of us?”

  My heart leaps at the thought. “I’d love that.”

  “Then I’ll leave you to it. Good luck today,” he says.

  “Thanks,” I respond, and he smirks.

  “I was talking to Liam.”

  “Oh, haha,” I wave him off. “Get to work. Er, Your Majesty.”

  Once he’s gone Liam joins me on the sofa, a plate full of food and the first cup of coffee in hand.

  “I see how it is,” he teases. “You’re just using me for my proximity to the King’s bedroom.”

  I look at him seriously. “Liam, this is really important. Yo
u realize I would never do that, right?”

  “Relax, Haven. I was kidding.”

  “I’m not,” I say flatly. “You’re important to me.”

  Blushing, he takes a sip of coffee. “I’m flattered.”

  “Yeah, well, you should be.”

  We finish breakfast and I head back to my own room to get changed for the day. Without any real riding gear in my bag, I make a note to see about finding a store to pick something up. Helmets aside, even on a sunny day riding in leather is best, because road rash is a real thing and it sucks. Once I feel presentable, I head down to the garage and pick my bike from the thee parked in the corner of the room.

  They’re all the same model Harley, practically new.

  “Has anyone ever ridden these?” I ask, running my hand over the seat.

  “Doubt it. They were a gift to the King on his last birthday.”

  “They’re nice,” I say. “My bike was a POS Ducati but I loved it more than anything. I won it off a guy in an underground poker tournament.”

  “Really?”

  “No, but it sounds more interesting than saying I bought it from a pawn shop.”

  Liam snickers, “Did you really sell it?”

  I nod. “I’d been out of work for a while and had to pay rent. You can’t live on the back of a bike.”

  “Speak for yourself,” he says, handing me one of the black helmets off the shelf.

  “I didn’t bring my jacket,” I say pointing to his leather. He’s traded his formal slacks and tie for dark denim and a white t-shirt. It’s a good look on him, I have to admit. “Is there a place I can buy one?”

  “I know a place,” he says, straddling the bike and jumping it to a ferocious growl.

  I do the same, then push the helmet onto my head and we peel off, tires squealing as we exit the garage and drive into the morning sun.

  After stopping to pick up a few things and change into my new soft leather pants and jacket, we ride off again, back towards the capital, this time passing the palace and heading into the main square. A message from Sarah the night before says she’s asked a realtor friend of hers to meet me and show me some properties. We look at a massive estate first, a hard pass from me, then a smaller townhome style place. She shows us a few more options before we finally drive up in front of a beautiful rustic manor house with sprawling gardens and a short, wide grave drive. The building is white washed stone with arched windows. It’s only two stories, with a garage and what appears at first glance to be a small stable near the back.

  Stepping off the bike, I pull the helmet off and set it on the seat, whistling.

  “This,” I say to Liam who does the same, “This is perfect.”

  The agent, a middle-aged woman in stilettos with cat eye glasses, reads us the listing.

  “It’s five bedrooms, seven bathrooms, plus a caretaker’s cottage on the back of the property and sleeping quarters off the kitchen for staff. There’s three fireplaces, stone floors, and,” she hesitates. “That can’t be right,” she mutters, flipping through her paperwork.

  “What?” I ask, not taking my eyes off the house.

  “Yes, well, it says hidden library. I’m not sure what that means.”

  I feel my face light up and I slap Liam on the chest, “Secret passages? This is it. I live here now.”

  It takes all my restraint not to run from room to room like a child. There’s not much in the way of furniture with the exception of a few antique chests in the bedrooms and a massive piano covered in a white tarp.

  The kitchen has been updated, new stove and fridge and other modern appliances, the bathrooms are in good shape, and best of all, out the back door there’s a small pen of goats grazing in the grass. Making my way to the coral gate, I reach in. They come right to me, clearly excited and hoping I have food.

  Liam strides up beside me, pointing over the ridge. “Just over that hill is the west end of the palace. I bet you could see it from the roof.”

  “Look, goats,” I say, tears welling up in my eyes. “I’ve always loved goats.”

  “You are so weird.”

  Turning back to the agent, I grin. “This is perfect. How do I go about putting in an offer?”

  She smiles, “I have some paperwork for you to fill out, and then we can go from there.”

  “Haven just purchased a good deal of land from House Norwood,” Liam tells her. “She’s going to be the newest member of the council.”

  Now the agent’s face brightens, “That’s wonderful. Congratulations. We are so glad to have you. In that case, I will get the estate information from Lady Norwood. I’m sure we can expedite things from there. I assume you’ll be using the land income for your application?”

  I nod, not sure what she’s talking about.

  “Excellent. I’ll set on it right away. I’m confident we can have you moving your house in here in no more than a few weeks.”

  I exhale, “Great, thank you.”

  Once she gets back in her har, Liam leans over to me. “Be honest, did you ever think you’d be living in a manor house in a country you were about to become queen of?”

  Shaking my head, I answer. “Not in a million years.”

  “Then why don’t you look more excited?”

  I chew at my lip. Leave it to Liam to read me like a book.

  “I was just thinking, wondering actually, what my life would have been like if my parents were still around. Wondering what they would think of all of this.”

  He nods, “I can understand that. I suppose I forget sometimes that you don’t have any real family. I can’t even imagine how hard that must have been.”

  “For a long time I figured my life was just a series of events, you know? Just these things happening to me that I had no control over. Blunders and miscalculations leading to one disappointment after another. When I left for New York, it was the first time in my life I felt like I was an active participant in my own existence. Like I was making things happen instead of just letting things happen. And I almost quit. The first year in the city—it was awful, actually. I almost tucked tail and ran back to Kansas.”

  “What made you stay?” he asks as we walk back toward the bikes.

  “Honestly? I couldn’t shake this feeling like something was going to happen, like there was this huge thing waiting for me. When you showed up at my door, I started thinking maybe it was this.”

  “But now you’re not sure?”

  I press my lips together, twisting my face in a worried expression. “No. That’s terrible, right? I mean, when I’m with Aiden, everything feels right. But then he’s gone and I’m left just kind of feeling empty. That terrifies me. I hate the idea that only being around him might make me feel that way.”

  “I don’t understand what you’re saying,” he says gently.

  Flustered with myself, I wave my hands. “It’s like, when you’re with someone and in that moment, everything is clear. But then, when you’re alone, the grey starts to creep in. The doubt.”

  “Are you doubting whether you want to be with Aiden?”

  “No. Never that. But I’m beginning to doubt if I should be.” He opens his mouth to say something, but I wave him off. “Nevermind. Forget I said anything. Self-doubt is a bitch.”

  “Well, I have to be honest, if the prospect of becoming queen wasn’t freaking you out a little, I’d be worried.”

  “Really?”

  He nods, “Haven’t you ever noticed that the people who want the power the least are exactly the right people to have it?”

  That makes me think of Aiden, his heart so big, his touch so gentle. He didn’t ask for the crown—and he never would have chosen it for himself. But that’s exactly what’s going to make him a great ruler.

  “Yeah, I guess I have.”

  “Well, then set the doubts a side for now and let’s go look at your new Duchy, shall we?”

  “Yeah, not getting used to that,” I mutter, putting my helmet back on and slinging my leg over the bi
ke.

  We bike down the shore and into the heart of the island. The ride is long, but the vibration of the road extends through the bike and into me, relaxing my tense muscles, the sound driving all other thoughts from my head. Picking up speed we fly around tight corners, taking turns passing each other as we maneuver toward the top of the mountain. The pavement gives way, gives way to dirt, and we slow down. I pull over before we reach the top, flipping up my visor to take in a magnificent stone wall appearing on the edge of the road.

  Liam pulls up beside me, “That’s the border of your new lands.”

  “Is that what the wall is?”

  “That’s actually the remnants of an old temple—one of only two still found on the island. The were used for religious ceremonies by the pre-Christian people.” He points back to just beyond the shadow of the forest where three stone rectangles rise up from the ground. “That was the altar.”

  “Can we go closer?”

  He nods, killing his engine and I do the same. We walk toward the structure, and he points out things as we go.

  “See these stones are mostly coral? They had to carry them up the mountain from the north shore of the island, it’s the only place the coral grows. Then they were each hand places and packed with sand and moss like mortar.”

  “What did they use the temple for?”

  “Everything from weddings to funeral rights to mapping the stars. They were sailors, you know. They had the most advanced understanding of astronomy in the ancient world.”

  Together we climb to the top of the rectangles, the highest part of the altar. From the top we can see across the entire island to the costal shore below, a single black rock jutting from the white sand as the waves beat against it.

  “I see why they chose this spot,” I say, taking it all in.

  After a few more minutes of wandering around, we return to the bikes and ride on.

  The forest is mostly bamboo tress reaching into the sky, the bark revealing bits of neon pink, green, and yellow. There’re a few palms as well, but not many, the ground covered in crimson and gold flowers, moss, and ivy.

  Finally, we come to the main ranch. Abandoning the bikes at the iron gate, we walk in.