by C. M. Cevis
She was beautiful to Sen. Her skin was pale, with a sprinkle of freckles that looked as if they belonged there. It was like if she hadn’t had the freckles, her face would have looked incomplete. Her hair was slightly wavy, and a bright red that no one was expecting, considering Ethan’s own dark hair. She was slight, slim and looked like a stiff wind could have blown her over. Sen found herself wondering if it had ever happened before, before her attention returned to the car, and the conversation happening around her.
“Ah, there’s your mother. Barefoot, even though I’ve begged her to stop coming outside without something on her feet,” King Geoffrey said.
“I don’t know why you think you can get Mom to do anything that she doesn’t want to do,” Ethan said. Sen chuckled.
“It seems that might be a lesson that you need to learn soon as well. Lady Sen seems like a bit of a firecracker,” King Geoffrey said with a wink in Sen’s direction.
“Please, no title. It’s not necessary,” Sen said for the third time since they’d gotten in the car. The King didn’t seem to be doing it on purpose, more as a habit.
“Ah, right,” he said. Again. Sen grinned.
“My handsome son,” the Queen squealed as Ethan climbed out of the car. Sen had not forgotten her place in the court, and waited patiently in the car as Ethan hugged his mother.
“Mom, I’d like to help Sen out of the car, if you don’t mind,” Sen heard him say.
“Oh! I’m so sorry,” she said, leaning down and sticking her head into the doorway. That wasn’t really something she was supposed to do as Queen, either. Along with the barefoot thing.
“It’s alright, Your Majesty,” Sen said, bowing her head as much as she could while still seated in the car. The Queen scoffed.
“Call me Eve. Titles make me feel old,” she said, laughing as she stepped out of the way so that Ethan could finally bring her out of the car.
Eve was introduced to everyone in turn before they all walked into the house together. Before they’d gotten too far, Eve grabbed Sen’s hand, and pulled her into a side room, that turned out to be a small library. Sen was immediately on guard.
“Calm down, I mean you no harm,” she said gently. Sen hadn’t even been aware that she had tensed up that severely, but Eve had felt it immediately.
“I apologize, I’ve…” She stopped abruptly. What in the world could she have said that wouldn’t make her sound like she’d been through hell and back? That was not the first impression that she wanted to give. But Eve’s face softened into a smile.
“Ethan told his father that the stories floating around about what happened between you all and King Michael weren’t accurate, and that the truth was much worse. He didn’t say how much worse, but I can imagine. I don’t blame you for being on edge, dear. You’re in an unfamiliar country, with people you barely know surrounding you. I am not offended, in the slightest,” she said. Sen blinked at her. She hadn’t expected anyone to understand, nonetheless catch on so quickly to the turmoil that she lived with inside of her head daily. But Eve seemed to understand even without knowing the details. Sen felt her eyes beginning to water.
“What the hell is this?” she said, dabbing at them and completely forgetting that she was standing in front of the Queen for a moment. Queen Eve laughed, and pulled Sen to her.
“You need to cry. When was the last time that you cried, child?” she asked. Sen thought back. Very, very far back.
“I haven’t cried since the night before we left the castle,” she whispered. The Queen smiled and began to rock back and forth, in that comforting way that all mothers have.
“That’s a long time,” she said, taking her hand and gently wiping Sen’s cheek.
“I don’t cry,” Sen said, looking up at her.
“Listen to me, Sen,” she said, bringing Sen over to the sofa and pulling her to sit beside her. “You are strong, I can see that. I see the way that you watch your brothers, and while they could probably defend themselves, you still watch over them. I admire that in you. But you are still a woman, and that isn’t something to be ignored or looked down on. You can still be strong, kick someone’s ass, and be a woman. But ignoring that part of you only works for so long. Eventually, it will force itself on you, and you will have no choice but to pay attention to it,” she said. Sen had no idea what the hell she was talking about, but she wasn’t going to say that. It seemed rude.
“Okay,” was what she said instead. Queen Eve chuckled softly.
“I’ll help you, don’t worry,” she said. Sen opened her mouth to ask what that meant, but before she could get it out, Onan ran back into the room.
“Oh thank goodness,” he said, out of breath. Sen smiled.
“What’s wrong, O?” she asked, quickly wiping her face.
“I turned around, and you and the Queen were gone. I thought something happened to you,” he said. The Queen stood, a warm smile on her face.
“So you protect each other. I see why Ethan brought you all now,” she said. Onan gave the Queen a questioning look.
“He said he wanted to give me and Seth a vacation,” O said. The Queen nodded.
“True. He also wanted you to see where your sister is going. He wants your approval, though he won’t actually ask for it,” she said. Sen and Onan watched her.
“He already has Sen’s approval, that’s all that he needs,” Onan said.
“But that is not all the approval that he wants,” she said. She turned to Sen, “Ethan is sometimes more traditional than he lets on. Your father’s approval doesn’t matter, because it doesn’t matter to you. But your brothers, they matter,” the Queen said, turning and motioning for Sen and Onan to follow her. The two siblings shared a look, and followed as instructed.
Sen’s mind was churning as they strolled, and Onan asked questions about just about everything that they passed. She wondered if the Queen meant that she was going to teach her to be a lady, though that seemed unlikely. No matter how Sen carried herself regularly, she had trained from an early age on the art of being a lady of nobility. No, there seemed to be something else that she’d meant entirely. And then there was her statement about Ethan. About him wanting her brothers to approve of him. That was a conundrum in itself. Of course, she didn’t really have time to think about it right then.
“There you are. See Onan, I told you that your sister’s kidnapper was my wife,” the King said, clearly amused.
“That you did, I’m sorry for doubting you,” Onan said, taking a seat at the table. Ethan stood and pulled out the chair beside him for Sen, just as the King did the same for his Queen.
“Everything alright?” he asked in a low tone, as he pushed in the chair. Sen smiled and nodded discreetly, and Ethan took her word for it, sitting down beside her at the table.
7
HOURS LATER, WELL AFTER DINNER and pleasantries had finished, and Ethan’s father had shown the guests to their subsequent rooms, Ethan strolled through the halls in slippers. He’d always loved the castle, and the way his mother had decorated the halls to have themes and artwork to keep the mind occupied. Sometimes, when he needed some peace, he’d find a part of the house that wasn’t being used and walk it. Tonight, he was simply strolling, banking on the late hour meaning that he wouldn’t run across anyone.
His father had put Sen in an adjoining room to his, separated by a rather large walk in closet that connected the two. He’d said that he didn’t want to assume that they would sleep together, since the reality was that they had just met each other. Sen had looked relieved when he’d said that. They had consolidated Ethan’s wardrobe to only take up half of the closet, however, so that she had somewhere to put her things. He’d heard her in the closet before he’d left, but hadn’t wanted to bother her.
Seth and Onan were just down the hall, each in a room of their own. They’d both gone to bed almost immediately, stating that they were tired. Onan had been yawning for an hour by then, and Seth was starting to look a bit worn down, though he’d
probably be up reading for another hour before he turned out a light. It was a ritual for him, no matter how tired he was, she’d said. Sen had retired to her room with a polite goodnight to Ethan’s parents, and punch to the shoulder to her brothers, and a grin to Ethan. He had then gone to his own room, showered, and pulled on a pair of thin pants and a robe before he began walking.
“Your father wants to have you and Sen presented at a ball in a few days.”
His mother’s voice caused him to jump, and she laughed, knowing that she had intentionally snuck up on him.
“Announce yourself, Mom. I can never tell where you are when you don’t wear shoes,” he said, his hand at his chest in the hopes of calming his now frantic heart rate.
“Shoes are restrictive, listen for me harder,” she said, slipping her arm through his as the two of them resumed the stroll, this time together.
“Dad didn’t say anything about a ball,” Seth said, bringing the subject back around. Eve nodded.
“He just thought of it, but didn’t want to come wake everyone up. He’s in his office now, firing off orders for this and that, so that he can get invitations out and such,” she laughed. Ethan smiled and sighed.
“He is rather impulsive sometimes, isn’t he?” he said. Eve shot her son a look.
“As if you are not,” she said. Ethan snorted.
“If I learned it, it was from you, not him,” he said. Eve made a face, but laughed. It was true.
“Sen has retired already?” she asked. Ethan nodded.
“Today was long for everyone,” he replied. Eve nodded her agreement.
“Tomorrow will hopefully be better. A few ladies and I want to take Sen out for a bit,” Eve said, as if she was looking for his approval. She waited for his response. Finally, he laughed.
“Mom, of all the people in the world, Sen is not the one that I am worried about. She can defend herself,” he said. He thought of her fire, and wondered how people would take to knowing that she was Fae. That tidbit was hers to share.
“I see,” was all Eve said, a smile on her face as she turned the two of them towards her bedroom. “Walk me to my room,” she said. Ethan nodded.
“Yes ma’am.”
*~~*
THE MORNING BROUGHT THE SUNLIGHT pouring into the large bedroom that Sen had been given. She’d stayed up for hours after going to her room, first arranging things in the closet, then soaking in the tub, and finally reading and wishing for a drink. Eventually, she’d wandered back inside and gone to bed, but had forgotten to close the curtains.
“Oh hell,” she mumbled, turning away from the light.
“Good, you’re awake,” a voice said. Sen sat straight up, and looked, wide-eyed, into the face of Eve.
“Shit!... I mean…”
Eve laughed immediately, before Sen could stumble through an apology for her language.
“I scared you, I know,” she said. Sen cleared her throat and scooted to the edge of the bed.
“Was there something that you needed, Your Majesty?” she asked. Eve almost reminded her how she hated titles, but considering that they would be with people today, and she would be forced to endure it, she let it stand.
“Ethan’s father has decided that we need to have a ball, to present you and Ethan to...” She waved her hands around for emphasis. “...everyone. Consequently, today, you, me and a few women who I don’t hate are going to go be girly,” she said, sitting on the bed beside Sen.
“Be girly?” Sen repeated, in a yawn. That was rude too. She was off to a great start, wasn’t she?
“Yes, dear. Throw on something that won’t have people talking about you in a bad way, and meet me downstairs in, say, an hour?” she asked. Sen nodded.
“Okay,” she said. Eve jumped up.
“Wonderful. Should I prepare anything while I’m waiting?” she asked. Sen wasn’t sure what she meant, but she responded anyway, standing and beginning her shuffle towards the large and ridiculously fancy bathroom to brush her teeth.
“Coffee,” she said. Eve laughed.
“On the way,” she replied.
*~~*
SEN HEARD THE WOMEN’S POLITE laughter before she got to the room where they waited. She’d opted for something other than jeans and a tee shirt, though that was what she really wanted to put on, and was currently in a pastel colored pant suit. She’d pulled her dark hair back into a precise ponytail, and put on a bit of light make-up. Nobility was so boring in their make-up choices.
“Well, don’t you look proper,” Ethan said, coming out of a room across the hall with what looked to be a travel mug in his hands. Sen snorted.
“I look boring,” she said. Ethan came closer, smirking.
“That too. Mom said that you want coffee. She put it in some little, proper tea cup. I’ve already informed her that wasn’t going to do it,” he said.
“Darling, how did you know?” Sen said with an over-dramatic flair and a laugh.
“Lucky guess,” Ethan said, handing her the mug with a wink.
“Where are Seth and O?” she asked.
“Getting ready. The three of us are getting the hell out of here before Dad decides that we all need some manly pampering of our own. Seth said something about golf, and Onan said something about beer, so we’re going to take care of both,” he said. Sen grinned and nodded.
“Thank you,” she said. Ethan gave her a slightly questioning look.
“For what?” he responded.
“For taking care of my brothers,” she said.
“Is that what I’m doing? Honestly, hanging out with them feels more like fun than taking care of someone. They are the first two people I’ve ever met who treat me like Ethan, instead of the Prince,” he said. Sen sighed.
“I remember that feeling. It’s a lonely one,” she said softly. She and Ethan shared a look of sadness between them, just in time for Eve to come into the hallway.
“There you are. And here is my son, holding us up, as usual,” she said. Ethan smiled, leaning down and giving his mother a polite kiss on the cheek.
“My apologies, mother. I won’t hold you all any longer,” he said, making sure that he was super proper for the benefit of the two-person audience that had followed the Queen into the hallway.
“Prince Ethan, it’s wonderful to see you again,” one spoke, her eyes traveling all over Ethan. Sen swallowed a chuckle. This woman had no shame, did she? She looked to be about the Queen’s age, and had a massive diamond attached to an obvious wedding band perched on her finger. Apparently, she didn’t care, as she hawked Ethan like he was prey. She was pretty, though. Blonde, ample chest, but no ass. She looked like she tanned herself, and knew how to handle a make-up brush, though.
“You as well, Miss Annalise,” Ethan said, bowing slightly, but being sure not to take the hand that she seemed to expect him to take. That was proper, since he was engaged, and Sen found herself liking that Ethan had made sure to knock her down a notch without losing his noble air.
“Prince Ethan, my daughter Hannah has just returned from abroad. She’d love to see you.” Well damn, Sen thought to herself. She was literally standing right there. Was she the only one worried about protocol around there? This one was brown haired, and a little round in the face. She’d clearly been pretty in her day, but that day had passed a few years ago.
“Bethany! What in the hell is wrong with you!” the Queen snapped, causing Sen to have to fight a sudden laugh. Yes, was the answer to that question. Sen was the only one concerned with protocol.
“What?” Bethany asked, innocently. What the hell, might as well get people used to her. Sen stepped between Ethan and Eve, and met Bethany’s gaze head on.
“I don’t believe we’ve met, Miss Bethany. I am Sen Valencia, Princess of Artifice and fiancée to Prince Ethan,” she said. She didn’t hold her hand out, nor curtsey. At this point, she was asserting dominance.
“Oh, right. I’d heard that he was engaged, but I wasn’t aware that you were here,” Bethany said
, her voice a bit harsher than was polite. Sen took half a step closer to her, and locked her eyes onto Bethany’s.
“Most people don’t know that I am here, due to the fact that I am an adult, and don’t feel the need to inform the world of my whereabouts,” she said. The pleasant smile never left Sen’s face. It may have been a few years, but Sen was still excellent at the game.
“You’ll give your daughter my regards, won’t you?” Ethan said, resting his hand on Sen’s back as a sign of solidarity. Bethany seemed to rethink her life choices.
“Yes, of course,” she said.
“Good. Now, let’s get going before one of you two say something else idiotic, and I change my mind about taking you along on my dime,” the Queen said. Sen smirked, and turned to face Ethan for the obligatory proper hug and cheek kiss.
“You’re good at this,” he whispered in place of the kiss. Sen smiled.
“Aren’t you glad that I am?” she asked. Ethan laughed softly, and released her from the hug.
“Until later?” he said. Sen nodded.
“Have fun,” she said, hearing her brother’s voices filter down from the landing upstairs. Ethan grinned, watching the ladies make their way towards the door before turning to go meet Seth and Onan.
8
THE GOLF COURSE WAS A very exclusive country club. Ethan had gone there many times as a young noble, but very rarely by choice. It wasn’t that it wasn’t nice, or that they didn’t have things there that he liked. More that everyone there was stuck up and pretentious, and believe it or not, Ethan really hated that. He liked it when people felt comfortable laughing loudly or banging their fists on the table in a fit of passion about something. Everything didn’t have to be so damn polite. Golfing was something of an exception, simply because it wasn’t in the clubhouse. They could get out there on the green, where people couldn’t see or judge them, and laugh all they wanted. That was the plan for today’s activities. Ethan had called ahead, and had coolers packed with lunches, snacks and beers prepared for their arrival. By the time they got there, staff was already loading up the golf cart for them.
