I’m about to do something insane! I hope that my mother will forgive me for this, because I’ve known this girl for all of an hour. But I can read her and know what she is like. She would be perfect for me and I don’t ever want her away from me.
I stood as close as I dared to avoid the wrath of her father if he looked out of the hold again. “Star, I shouldn’t be standing for this and you may just think that I’ve lost my mind. I want you to be with me forever and I want it to be legal. We will convince your father to let us be together or I’ll buy your freedom. I do have the money, if that is what it takes. You can change your mind about your answer or not answer at all but, will you marry me?”
She stood on the bow of the ship with her long hair blowing in the wind, looking lost and confused. I wanted to take her in my arms, hold her and let her know that everything would be all right. She looked at me with a tear running down her cheek and whispered, “Yes, James. I would love to marry you, but money is all my father loves and that alone will change his mind.”
I directed her to wait there for a second, as I ran down to the galley and located a small bag. Running back up to the deck and to Star, I sat down on the deck and she knelt beside me. I opened my pack and dug out the bag of platinum, untied it to a small gasp from Star, and with her assistance, counted out fifty coins. Now the merchant could have his five hundred gold coins and I would gain a wife. As I was putting the items back in my pack, I noticed more tears streaming down her cheeks.
“What’s wrong, my love?” I asked.
She sniffed and dabbed at her eyes and nose. “I don’t have to be a consort, but can be the wife of someone who loves me for who I am. My father has been saying that he was going to sell me as a consort for three years, and I’d resigned myself to that fate. You came out of nowhere and saved me. I’d kiss you, but father would throw you overboard before we could talk to him.”
I smiled. “I know how to swim. I think we should wait until we get to Iador before we talk to him anyway. It’s going to be tough on me, seeing you for the next five or six days and not touching you. You’re worth waiting for.”
She blushed and revealed, “I feel the same. I had better go down to my cot before my father has to get up again. I’ll see you soon and hope to marry you soon, too!”
She disappeared below deck before I had a chance to say anything else. I knew that proposing to the first beautiful girl I saw after leaving the castle was insane, but it just felt right. Anyone who knows anything about magic knows that you have to go with what you feel, and I was the most powerful magical person known to us in the world. And as such, I was sorely tempted to speed this boat towards Iador in a way no boat has ever traveled before.
Time crept by slowly as I waited for our arrival at Iador. The merchant was well versed in the politics of the kingdom and knew my mother’s name as well as the names of all the consorts. He mentioned that he had sent a messenger to the king to see if he would buy his daughter as a consort, but was refused. Someone told him that the king’s consorts actually loved him. Feigning curiosity, I asked what a consort sold for. He said that he’d asked for five hundred gold coins of the king, and was asking that again when we got to Sabia. I nodded and allowed the conversation to continue. When he would mention a castle, I’d know the Lord. He was impressed by my knowledge of the kingdom. I reminded him that I was traveling for education and that I’d been all over Eredwynn. I got to where I truly hated the man, but talked with him often as an excuse to be close to Star.
Finally the crew announced that we would be landing in Iador soon. Star and I went to the bow of the boat to watch the city come into view. We were both giddy and very happy to see the trip end. We had held hands and stolen hugs when we could throughout the trip, and I was dying to kiss her and hold her without the fear of being rebuked.
Chapter Five
We landed at the dock and I helped Micah and Star with their bags. He solicited directions to an inn and I followed along like a good boy. We checked in to the inn and I nodded to Star. She hid a smile and nodded back. I asked Micah if he would join me in the pub. He agreed, saying that a glass of wine would be nice now that the world wasn’t rocking. I ordered wine for him and Star, which earned me a look, and ale for me. I paid for the drinks and waited for them to be served.
I addressed Micah, “From what I’ve gathered, you’re taking Star to Trotwood to be sold as a consort.”
“That’s the plan, as if it’s any of your business.”
“Sir, I’ve fallen in love with your daughter and don’t want her to be sold as a consort. I hope you can understand and that you’ll allow us to be together.”
He looked at me as if I were crazy and shook his head. “Son, I feel for you, thinking that you’re in love. Emotion doesn’t enter into this because it’s business. I need the five hundred gold coins for my business and that’s what I have to have for my daughter. I’m sorry.”
I took a deep breath and looked him in the eyes. “So you’d sell your daughter to anyone who gave you the money? For example, if I gave you the money right now, you’d give us your blessing to be united?”
His laughter annoyed me. “My boy, if you gave me that much coin right now, I’d help you find the mayor to be wed this afternoon.”
Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out the small bag with the fifty platinum coins and tossed it on the table. “I take you as a man of your word. Here is your money and we would be happy for the assistance finding the mayor.”
Micah lifted the pouch, startled. He shook it and then opened it, counted out the money and dropped the pouch on the table. He stretched out a hand and shook mine. “We have a deal.”
Star squealed and jumped into my lap. “Thank you, James! I love you so much and this dress can be my wedding gown. Let’s find the mayor!”
An hour, five silver coins, our first kiss and a rolled-up marriage certificate rendered us man and wife. Only two weeks from home and I suddenly needed to write Aunt Alba! I would have to do that when Star wasn’t around or better yet, tell her a little thing or two about me.
We went back to the inn and to our room, then sat at a small table to discuss the future and other things.
“Information you might like to know,” I began, “is that we only have about three hundred and fifty gold coins left.”
She was shocked as her face and voice indicated. “How does a dock worker ever gather that kind of money together? That would mean you had over eight hundred when we met you working that menial job!”
“The truth is I had only been in Todan for five days when I met you and I had never done any dock work before that. Previously I had a different position, one which allowed me to have all the money I wanted.”
She looked even more confused; I admit I was creating that confusion purposely for the sake of reaction. She inquired, “What position could you have that would afford you all the money you wanted? Are you going to tell me what you mean, or keep teasing me?”
“Teasing you is so much fun, but I’ll play a game that my dad likes to play. I’ll answer a question with a question and we’ll see if you can figure it out on your own.” My poor bride is about to get the shock of her life, but at least I know she didn’t marry me for my title. “What is your last name now, my dear?”
She cocked her head sideways and replied, “Stephenson. I’m Star Stephenson now. That didn’t tell me anything, so what would your next question be?”
“Here’s my next question,” I grinned. “What is my full name?”
Still confused, she gazed at me. “James Stephenson. All the money you want with the name… Oh, my stars!! Are you the Crown Prince James Stephenson?”
I bowed, even though I was sitting. “At your service, my Lady.”
She was sweating now and appeared as though she might hyperventilate. I stood and took her in my arms to calm her a little. Finally, she expressed, “But I thought the royal family consisted of wizards who knew all kinds of powerful magic.”
; “That is true, and we can even cure motion sickness when the motion of the waves bothers you.”
She whispered, “What else can you do, My Lord?”
“The first thing I can do is remind you that I’m your husband and my name is James,” I stated. “What would you like to see me do, my love?”
“I heard that they could lift things, huge things, without touching them. Show me that and I’ll have to believe what you say.”
“How about I lift something that’s cute and small, but you will be able to check for strings?” I lifted her out of her chair and floated her around the room, ending the circle back at her chair.
She was speechless for a moment after I returned her to her seat. We sat there gazing at each other while she gathered her thoughts. Finally, she asked two questions, one that was expected and the other which I hadn’t thought about. First she asked, “What were you doing in Todan working at the dock?” And second, “Since this puts us in line to the throne, can I tell my father? He should know that the time will come when I will be able to sell him!”
“I came to No Man’s Land to get away from all the noise and bowing and titles for a while; that’s why I was working at the docks and didn’t tell anyone who I was. If you would like to tell your father who you married, that is your choice. Personally, I think I’d like to see him squirm, knowing that when we return to the kingdom, you could have him executed with the position that you hold now.”
Standing, she did a good impersonation of regal. “I’ll bring the commoner in here.” Then she giggled, walked out and returned quickly with her father in tow. My sweet angel declared, “Father, have you met my husband? His name is James Stephenson from Eredwynn. We found him walking around with more money than a dockworker will ever see, remember?”
I saw the gears turning and then denial manifested itself. “The royal family is magic, Boy. You might convince my naive daughter, but I’ve been around too long to fall for your delusions of grandeur.”
He started to storm out the door and I raised him two inches from the floor. Turning him around, I inquired, “How would one know if one had magic? Could a wizard perhaps float his father-in-law off the floor? My wife speaks the truth and has informed me that she’ll remember that you wanted to sell her off like livestock. You’re lucky my father didn’t find out what you were doing. He has a very low opinion of slavers.”
I set him on the floor where he fell to his knees. “My Lord, please forgive a foolish merchant.”
“Get up,” I commanded. “All you did to me was bring your daughter and me together. I love her and she’s the best thing that’s happened to me. Your offence was against her and if I were you, I’d clear it up before she’s Queen.”
He turned to face Star. “You know how I am and what I’ve done in the past to acquire money. I can only hope that you’ll forgive me for what I was going to do to you. Just think of what you’ve gained by our trip and forgive any alternate ending.”
Star sighed. “I suppose that is as close to an apology as I’ll get. Just take your money and go home. My husband and his family are all I need now. I wish you health and happiness, regardless of how you’ve treated me.” We watched him walk out of the room and Star said to me, “I hope I never see that man again.”
“If you don’t want to see him, after tomorrow the chances will be slim. If he tries to visit you when we get home, I’ll have the guard or one of the consorts see him off. Aunt Alba would love to, if we told her the story, but convincing her not to drop him from five thousand feet might be difficult.”
She laughed and advised that he might deserve it. I replied that my father would frown on creating holes in the countryside. However, I was going to write a letter to my aunt and inform her as to all that had been going on. Locating a quill, ink and parchment in my bag, I wrote quickly.
Dear Aunt Alba,
I stayed in Todan for a week and tried those images you gave me. They sure did work at making a woman happy. I was with Lynna, who informed me that she knew you. I didn’t reveal my identity to anyone until a few moments ago. Now, here’s the news I’d prefer that you keep to yourself. I met a girl named Star and fell in love. Her father was going to sell her off as a consort, so I bought her freedom. I brought gold from my personal account and had enough to pay the man. She and I were married this afternoon. I’ll be here for a while if you need to drop me a note.
Your favorite nephew,
James.
I rolled up the letter and with Star watching intently, focused on Alba’s location. I found her lying on her bed at the keep and sent the letter to her lap. Star gasped when it disappeared and I laughed. We sat and talked, just getting to know one another. I learned that she was an only child whose mother had died when she was young. Her father had become a very shady merchant who would do anything to get ahead, including selling his daughter. I promised her that I didn’t buy her, just her freedom, and was delighted that she had chosen to marry me. She disclosed that if I’d told her father who I was, I wouldn’t have had to pay anything. I replied that if I had revealed myself, I wouldn’t have known if she was marrying me for love or prestige.
With a ‘puff’ sound, a rolled piece of parchment appeared on the table in front of us. I picked it up, unrolled it and read:
My Dearest James,
Married? Did you lose your mind in Todan? Your mother will have fits! I’ll keep it to myself until you get home, but that better be the first thing you tell her. Your father would like to know who the merchant is that would sell his daughter, but I can’t mention that, either. I wish you all the happiness in the world and wish you were here already. I think I’ll come to Todan myself and look up Lynna. She was a sweet girl who made a mistake. If you need more money or anything at all, just drop me a letter.
Love always,
Aunt Alba.
As I read the letter aloud to Star, I had to explain how we communicated like that and how she would be able to send money. I gave her a very basic rundown on how that kind of magic was accomplished.
Continuing our discussion, I posed to Star whether she wanted to go back to No Man’s Land, to Eredwynn or just explore Sabia for a while. Confessing that she had always wanted to visit Sabia but had heard that it was a wild place, I comforted her that there was little to fear, because I never would allow her be harmed.
I got up and grabbed my pack, stuffed a fist full of gold coins into my right pocket and the twenty-five platinum into my left, then loaded my pack onto my back. I asked if she would like to accompany me and together we exited the inn. When I spotted a guard, I solicited the location of a horse and perhaps a small wagon for rent. We were provided directions and Star and I, walking hand in hand, departed to the stables. There we found a beautiful brown mare with a blaze for sale for seventy-five gold coins. Next we purchased a small two-wheeled wagon and gear for fifteen gold. I paid the stable master with nine platinum and gave him my thanks. Informing him that we would be back to pick it up in the morning, we made our way back to the inn, had dinner and retired to our room.
Chapter Six
Once in the room, I put my pack under a pillow on the bed, removed my tunic and shoes, then lay down. Star looked at me shyly and I patted the bed beside me. I assume she is a virgin, but don’t know that for sure. If she will lie with me tonight, I’ll go slowly and be gentle. I won’t let on that I’m as frightened as she is.
“I’d like for you to join me, if you would. We don’t have to sleep together tonight, but I would like to hold my wife for a while.”
“I don’t want you to have to sleep in the floor or get another room, but I don’t feel comfortable making love to you yet. If you say I must, then I’ll do my duty as your wife, but I hope you don’t make that choice.”
“I will never convey that sleeping with me is a duty; it will always be your choice. You can sleep in your clothes or your gown, and I promise to lie beside you and behave myself.”
Star was both delighted by and surprised by m
y words. “Thank you for considering my feelings, James. I knew you were a good man when I first saw you. Since you gave your word to behave, I’ll change into my gown and we can share the bed tonight.”
“It will be wonderful to just be close to you tonight. Go change and I’ll be here when you get back.” I gave my word and must keep it regardless of how I feel. She is such a lovely creature that it will be difficult, but as a man of my word, control must prevail over my lust.
She took a bag and moved behind a privacy curtain, changed into her gown and walked back to the bed. Star’s gown fell almost to the floor and was made of a fairly thick material, nothing like the gowns my aunts at the keep sported. She laid beside me and rolled onto her side to gaze at me.
“So where are we going tomorrow? We decided to explore the country, but I’ve never gone anywhere without a plan. If we can afford one, we should buy a tent in the morning, too.”
I nodded in agreement. “If a tent would make you more comfortable, then we shall have one. I think you’ll learn that my love is true, as is my promise to always look out for you. I heard of a town south of us called Pesia, which we could explore if you were interested.”
She leaned forward and kissed me lightly on the lips. “If that is where you want to go, that is where we’ll go, my husband. I’ll follow you anywhere and you’ll learn that my love is true, also.”
Lying here in bed with this lovely young lady only an inch away was hard enough, but that kiss had me fighting myself. I want her so badly that I ache! However, I have given my word and will not touch her uninvited. “I suggest we get a good night’s sleep and plan to get around early. We’ll buy a tent and maybe an extra bedroll or two for comfort. I can’t have my angel lying on the ground! Sleep well, my love.”
James, The Crown Prince Page 3
