by Riley Walker
“Franchesca, that is enough,” my Mother chides me.
I really do try to control myself but when I look over towards her and Winston, I notice the offending piece of snail is still attached to his once pristine shirt and laughter takes over again.
“King, Queen, if you will excuse us, I believe I will escort the Princess back to her room now. I believe she may be coming down with something.”
Edrik raises from his seat, grabbing me by the arm and pulling me up.
As we begin walking out I hear Colton, “It was a lovely dinner. Winston, again I am sorry I shot that snail at your face.”
I bust out into laughter all over again.
34
Unwanted Help
I train with swords until I cannot lift my arms anymore then I work on my powers until my head is about to explode. Over and over and over again. Everything on me hurts. Even my hair hurts but I will continue to work and train so I do not become a hindrance in helping to find and retrieve my best friend.
It has been two days since I gave Edrik my time limit. One more day of planning and we leave for the Renegade camps. This morning Edrik gave me a break on sword training so he could work more one on one with Colton. I should clarify, Edrik letting me take a break from training with him equals me running and working with the dummy bag until my knees buckle. Yeah, this is so much better *snort*. At least I have my favorite possession, my iPod.
Since I am the only one training on the bag today, I am able to play my music as loud as I want. I tried to get Edrik to listen to music one night and he was not impressed with my musical choices. However, I played a song by Alan Jackson and now all he needs is a cowboy hat and some boots. He has turned into a country music lover. Sigh. Not everyone can be perfect. I will give him Alan though but that is about all I can handle.
I have just started practicing my kicks when my jam comes on. Cherry Pie by Warrant. I belt this song out like I am a part of the band. This song gets me pumping and I finally find my groove.
Two hours later I am almost hoarse from all the screamer singing I have been doing. I have been under stress from the Renegade situation and worrying about Shelby so taking this small amount of time to just let go and be happy, if only for a few hours, has made a huge difference. My mind feels clearer and I am more focused than I have been. I guess all I need was a little Hair Band music to get myself back in the game.
After I finish my workout, I grab a towel to wipe all the sweat off of my face. When I lower the towel I jump and scream. Winston is here, scaring the heck out of me. Asshat.
“Good gravy Winston. You scared me half to death. What are you doing in here?”
Winston is, as always, dressed impeccably. His dark blue shirt that accentuated his eyes are tucked into a pair of khaki pants. He has on a chocolate brown belt and a pair of matching brown loafers, sans socks. His hair is perfectly in place with gel and he is sporting that ‘I am better than you’ smirk on his face. He really is a pretty asshat.
“I was walking by after my meeting with the Advisors and heard a horrible sound. At first I thought someone was crying out in pain but turns out, it was just you singing. I assume you do call what you were doing singing?”
“You know, you are a major jerk. What do you need, Winnie? I doubt you stopped in here just to criticize my singing.”
“Actually, I wanted to know what you are doing in here. Every time I stop by now you are either holed up in the library or training with swords. Is there something going on I should know about Franchesca?”
He asks me this as he takes a step closer to me. He may be an asshat, but he still causes me to get the flutters. I really do despise him.
“I am training so I can better protect myself and my home in case of another Renegade attack. You would think, being my betrothed and all, that you would want me to be safe. After all, as you have so graciously reminded me time after time, the peace of our two Kingdoms relies on our marriage and I can’t very well marry you if I am dead now can I?”
“Believe it or not Franchesca, your safety does concern me.” He takes another step closer.
“It does?”
“Of course it does.”
Another step towards me, this time close enough that he can reach out and push a flyaway strand of hair behind my ear. He bends down to whisper in my ear, “As you so graciously reminded me Franchesca, the peace of our two Kingdoms rely on us and I would not like to be King to a divided world.”
He steps back and I blink, bringing myself out of the spell he always seems to put on me. Wait, did he just belittle me again and I not even realize it? Damn asshat!
“Chess!” Edrik yells my name as he enters the training room.
I hear Winston chuckle as he says, “And there is your Knight. I was wondering how long it would take him to get here when he found out I was nearby.”
“Prince Winston.”
Edrik gives Winston a small bow. No matter what Edrik thinks of him, his manners will never allow him to openly disrespect Winston.
“Knight. I was just telling Franchesca that I was stopping by after my meeting with the Advisors. She informed me you are training her on swords so she may better protect herself. While I commend this, something tells me that there is more to this story. Do you care to tell me the rest?”
“I do not believe there is any more to tell you other that what Princess said.”
“I see. So, all the maps of the Renegade camps I happened upon in the library wouldn’t have anything to do with all the added training the two of you and your human friend are doing?”
“How did you find our maps?” I gasp and cover my mouth. I did not mean to let that slip.
Winston looks at me and raises his perfectly manicured eyebrow.
“It is not where I found them but why they were hidden. You would not have an ulterior motive for all this would you, Princess?”
“I can assure you, I only have those because my dad gave them to me. I told him that I wanted to become more involved in my duties and learning what and where we stand with the Renegades. That is why I have those.”
“Oh I am sure that is the only reason you could possibly be hiding maps of the Renegade’s main camp. The camp where they are known to hold prisoners. Isn’t your other human friend believed to be in their possession?”
Damn this man. Why can’t he just leave me alone?
“What do you really want Winston? I have things to do and arguing with you is not one of them.”
“Well you see, since my future as King rests with me marrying you, I have been thinking that I should spend more time with you. I need to get to know you and especially, make sure you are not getting into things that do not involve you. Such as the placement of Renegades’ prisoners.”
“Do not involve me? Shelby is my best friend! Of course where she is and her wellbeing is my business. I will not sit here while she is with them! What kind of person would do that?”
“That is exactly what I thought.”
Winston looks over at Edrik. “When do we leave?”
“What do you mean by ‘we,’ Prince?”
“Please, I know you plan on taking Franchesca on some crazy hunt to try and find her friend. I will ask again. When are we leaving?”
“Winston, please. You cannot go. It is too dangerous as it is. This is why only Edrik, Colton and I are going. The less, the better. We will be able to sneak in and out quickly.”
“Princess, I do not remember asking your permission to go. I asked when we were leaving. Not if I could go with you.”
“We leave the day after tomorrow.”
“Edrik!”
“Chess, he knows and he will not let this go. If we do not tell him, he will just follow us or have us followed and end up putting us in more danger. Besides, he’s an extra sword for us to use.”
Point goes to my Knight.
“Fine. Winston, please do not tell anyone. If we are discovered and unable to go I will never forgive you. No matter
what you think of Shelby, she is my best friend and nothing and no one will stop me from going to find her. If you come, you follow our rules and do as we say. We have been planning and studying for weeks now. You will not do anything to risk our or Shelby’s wellbeing. Do you understand me?”
I stare him straight in the eyes to let him know I am in no way kidding with him. I take this and Shelby’s life very seriously and he is not going to march in here and try to take over. I will put a hurt on this man, future husband or not.
Winston nods once, “I understand. I will be back tomorrow and stay on the grounds for the night. I assume we will leave early?”
“We plan to leave before daylight.”
“Then I will be here and armed, ready to go. Princess, Knight.”
Wiston turns on his heels and leaves the training room. I look to Edrik. “Did we just agree to let Winston come with us to rescue Shelby?”
Edrik just chuckles. “I believe the question you are looking to ask is, did Winston just ask to come with us to rescue Shelby?”
We both break out into laughter. This just went from a rescue to a suicide mission. My life is never dull.
“Come on Chess. We deserve some relaxing time. What do you say to me and you resting our bodies in the grotto?”
35
A Night With My Knight
Edrik and I are sitting in the warm water of the grotto with my head laid back on the ledge. I can’t help but worry about our task coming up.
Edrik must feel my tension as he starts absentmindedly rubbing his hand up and down my thigh. I am sure he is trying to calm my nerves but this is having the opposite effect on me. I roll over onto his lap and start peppering his jaw with little nips. Edrik’s lips meet mine in a passionate kiss, as his hand roams up my back and into my hair. A moan escapes my lips just as my mouth opens up for him.
“Princess,” he groans into my mouth.
“Knight.”
I moan as goosebumps prickle my skin. I have wanted him for as long as I can remember. He rubs his hands up and down my arms and stands up still holding on to me.
“Let’s get you back to your room Princess, we have a big day tomorrow. We need to finalize our plans and deal with the Prince.”
He wraps a towel around my shoulders and one around his waist. Edrik must have taken the goosebumps as a sign that I was cold. We walk back to my room holding hands, but when I open my door and take a step back he acts hesitant. I see he is about to say something, probably about him not wanting to disrespect me but I have had enough.
I grab him by the towel and jerk him into my room. Before he can speak, I have my door slammed and my lips are on his. Edrik kisses me back for a few moments and then slowly pulls away. I am utterly confused and disappointed until he pulls off both our amulets, tossing them aside. I look into his beautiful lavender eyes and I know right then and there that this man is my soul, my heart, my everything.
“There you are,” Edrik whispers right before his lips come crashing down on mine once again.
He picks me up and gently lays me on the bed. The love I see in his eyes hits me like a tsunami. There is no mistaking that this man feels the same way I do.
“Chess are you sure you want this? Because once I start I will not be able to stop. I might be strong, but no man is that strong.”
What he’s really asking is, do I want him? I have never wanted anything more than I want my Knight right here, right now.
I nod my head yes because words are foreign to me at this point.
Edrik leans his strong muscular body over me and slowly starts kissing down my neck and across my collarbone. He sits back on his heels, his eyes roaming over my body. He reaches up, untying the top of my bathing suit and pulling it down. His eyes settle on my naked chest. I lean up and remove it completely, letting it fall from my fingertips. Edrik grips my bottoms, slowly pulling them down my legs until there is nothing left on me. He lays his body back over mine, pressing me further into the mattress. His swim trunks are still wet and cold, causing my body to shudder.
“Are you okay Chess?”
“Your trunks...”
Before I can utter another word, Edrik jumps up and rips the offending clothing off, revealing himself to me. My mouth flies open and I slam it shut then wipe at my chin to make sure there is no drool there. Edrik naked, is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.
Edrik just chuckles. “You like what you see Princess?”
“Oh yes Knight. I very much like what I see.”
He proceeds to crawl up the bed, running his hands and lips from my feet to my knees, caressing and placing soft kisses along the way. His hands glide up the inside of my thighs causing butterflies to erupt in my stomach. He drags his lips from my hip to my chest, running his tongue over each peak. Edrik pushes up to his arms and drops his mouth back onto mine in an exploding kiss.
I cannot help the startled gasp from releasing when I feel his long finger move between my legs. I forget all about the kiss when he starts to pump his finger in and out of me. He slides in another and presses his thumb against my swollen nub. His thumb moves in agonizing circles against my clit while his long fingers move in and out of me. With a final tug on my clit, fireworks explode behind my eyes. He swallows my scream with another bruising kiss and continues to pump both of his fingers as I ride out my orgasm.
“Are you sure you want this Chess?”
I grab his tight ass in response and pull him closer to me. Edrik lets out a low growl and as our lavender eyes lock on to one another, he slowly enters me. There is a slight pressure before the pain hits and Edrik goes still.
“Are you okay?”
I nod as the pain starts to recede. Edrik continues to push into me, one glorious inch at a time until he is as deep as he can go.
He starts kissing me while moving in and out so slowly I think I might combust. The pain turns into pleasure in a matter of seconds. I run my fingernails down his back while wrapping my ankles around him and squeeze, urging him to move faster. That is the only encouragement he needs as he starts thrusting in and out at a quicker pace. I move my hips to match his every movement, a pressure building deep in my core.
“Chess, I am not going to last much longer,” he says right as my whole world explodes and I am screaming his name in pure unadulterated ecstasy.
Edrik keeps pumping into me while tremors are igniting all through my body. Just as I am coming down from the mind blowing orgasm and the tremors are subsiding, I feel Edrik giving one last thrust and collapse halfway off me. I am pretty sure he is trying not to crush me while he catches his breath.
“That was beautiful Chess.”
He pushes my hair back from my face, which I am sure is a frizzy mess after that workout, then places a kiss on both of my eyelids, my brow and a simple one upon my lips.
“Sweet dreams, Princess.” Is the last thing I hear before nodding off into a blissful sleep.
36
Stuck On The Sidelines
I woke up this morning to an empty bed and my amulet back around my neck. I stretch my body and feel a soreness between my legs, reminding my of the glorious night I spent in Edrik’s arms. Remembering last night brings a smile to my face and I rush to the bathroom to look in the mirror.
Will I look different today?
Will anyone be able to tell I am no longer an innocent?
Heading down to the library, ready to finalize our plans for Shelby’s rescue tomorrow, I find Edrik, Colton and Winston already there. A cup of coffee sits in front of an empty chair. I give a shy smile to Edrik and take a seat, sipping on my happiness in a cup.
“Franchesca, you sure are glowing this morning.”
I spit coffee across the table and glance up at Colton. The ass is giving me a knowing smirk.
“Morning Colton,” I mumble into my cup, hiding the blush I am sure is spreading across my cheeks.
“Princess.”
“Prince.”
“Let’s get started.”
>
Edrik takes over the planning and before long we have everything ready for tomorrow morning.
Colton and Winston decide to do endurance training in the gym while Edrik and I go to the sword room for one last practice.
“Again Chess! Legs apart, arms straight. Do not forget the three kill spots I taught you. Neck, heart, gut. Those are the places you need to aim at. You are not in control enough to use your powers but if there is no other way, try to pull them out. It could be the only thing to help you.”
“I don’t understand why this even matters. You already told me I will not be allowed to enter the camps with you. You are making me hide in the forest like a damn coward and I already told you before, I am not a coward!”
“It is for your and Shelby’s safety. We can’t focus on getting her out if we are all worried about what is happening to you. Please Chess, just let us do this. I told you if we run into trouble I will call out to you.”
Edrik walks over and kisses me, “I just need to know you are safe. Give this to me, please.”
I sigh and shake my head. I know my safety is important to him. Him being safe is important to me, but I still don’t like being left out.
“I understand and if staying away will help you, then I will do it.”
“Thank you Chess. Now, neck, heart, gut. Let’s go!”
Two more hours with the swords and another hour running has me a sweaty mess. “Edrik, what do you say to a shower and dinner in my room tonight? I am not up to having a conversation with my parents.”
“That sounds like a perfect night.”
Edrik and I walk back to the castle and through the servant’s tunnels to my room. Silly Edrik tries to leave me to go shower in his room. I grab his hand and ask him if he would not mind scrubbing my back. He just grins and follows me right into the shower.
