The King & The Prince

The Kiss

 Prince Kane

 Months had passed since I arrived in Northwood, Evelyn was truly a wonderful student taking everything I said to heart and honing her skills. Our morning training sessions had become the highlight of my days. I was in awe of her, from the way her skin shone with sweat in the early morning sun to the way her auburn braid flowed down her back. The way she would giggle when she caught me starring at her was music to my ears. It seemed the more time I spent with her the more I wished I was the king and she was my choice bride. There was no doubt it my mind, I would always choose Evelyn. It was as if God had made her for me, he knew I did not need some frilly sensitive woman to share my bed but an equal. I had to remind myself that is not the life she wished to live; she wanted to be a soldier a real leader and I be damned if I would be the one to stop her.

  We had been sitting in the late general’s chambers sifting through his things for hours, when one of us found something of interest we would share with the other. Evelyn pulled me from my thoughts waving a piece of cloth in my face. 

“Ahh… the Morrell’s war banner, black trimmed in silver with a red fish in the center. Sam and your father defeated them many years ago.” I stated he kept all sorts of war memorabilia.

“He spoke of it often, the way they snuck under the fence of the castle and stormed in on Morrell in a rather compromising position with one of his maids!” she rolled her eyes at the thought.

“Yes then they forced his surrender, it is true though Morrell was not one of the more modest lords; he wanted the world to think he was as powerful as my father with women groveling at his feet even though most were forced.”

“I’m glad they rid the world of that evil tyrant before he could reproduce, God can only imagine what his son’s would be like today.” Evelyn spoke her mind, one of the many things I loved about her.

“Not all sons turn out like their fathers Evy, in fact most strive to become everything their fathers didn’t want them to be.” I gave her a weak smile when she placed her hand on my thigh.

“I’m sorry Kane, I didn’t mean… well I didn’t mean you had turned out like your father or that you ever would.” She returned my smile and before I knew it my fingers were placing strands of hair behind her ear my thumb caressing her cheek.

Our faces were inches apart, her eyes filled with a need that mirrored what I felt every time I looked at her. I pressed my lips to hers the second she closed her eyes, she was perfect her lips were softer than anything I had ever touched. My hand tugged on her braid and she opened her mouth to me. We poured our emotions into this kiss, tongues dancing stroke for stroke. Evelyn’s hands found their way into my hair when I pulled her onto my lap. I had longed for this kiss from the moment she thanked me for sparring with her, but I knew it this could be the last time I ever kissed her. If it was to ever happen again she would have to kiss me but I put that thought in the back of my mind and tried to etch this moment into my memories.

Evelyn

We pulled away to catch our breath and his deep hazel eyes locked with mine. His thumb traced over my swollen lip before he stood and placed me on my feet.

“Evelyn, I …. I shouldn’t have please forgive me. I respect you as a fellow officer and as a friend, I crossed that line by kissing you, I’m sorry.” He was stuttering searching for more words as the reality of what just happened slapped us in the face.

“It’s alright Kane; I am guilty of crossing that line as well, no respected commander should go around kissing their general.” I tried to joke away the awkwardness. It was true I had wanted him to kiss me but I also wanted him to respect me as an equal not to look at me as some harlot trying to sleep with him.

“Well to be honest I wouldn’t be such a willing participant with my other commanders.” He laughed out.

“I should hope not, I need to go and change into proper lady clothes before the king arrives.”I giggled looking down at my wrinkled shirt and trousers.

 King Roland was due to arrive this afternoon, he would stay a week to rest the horses then return to the capitol with Carissa in tow. She had been behaving herself these last few months there had been no sneaking men into her bedroom or midmorning romps in the stables. Carissa and I had spoken of what would happen if Kane caught her with a man and how I would be the one to suffer if he found out. She still didn’t have a clue that Kane was the one who caught her and he knew what she had been doing, he thought it best to keep that from her but to still inflict a fear for her head being chopped off and the King courting me. I don’t think it was the part about her head that made her change her ways but the thought of me with “her king” that had done the trick! She was still jealous of Kane and I’s relationship though before today it was simply platonic.

“Ahh yes wouldn’t want his majesty to see you in those just yet.” He pointed at my not so new brown trousers.

“No but hopefully I can soon; gowns aren’t really my thing if you couldn’t tell.”

“I shall speak with my brother tonight, you will be back in your trousers in no time.” He gave me a reassuring smile as I headed towards the door.

“See you this evening Prince Kane.”

 “This evening Evelyn.” He nodded. I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was all coming to an end. It was as if all these months of training and preparing myself mentally to show my true self to King Roland was a merely a dream that was soon to shatter.

 King Roland

I could see the mansion from our place on the road this journey was uneventful thankfully, though it had taken longer than I anticipated to finally make our way to Northwood. Lady Daniella had seen to that, she managed to sneak ravens to her father claiming I had already chosen her to be my bride. Lord Anderson even came to the castle to congratulate us. She was a constant headache to be around but the two of them together had been even worse. I was however grateful for him for coming all that way to take his daughter home even if she was sobbing like a bratty child that couldn’t get extra deserts getting into the carriage. The little harlot even paraded around the castle in nothing but her sleeping robe on her last night there in an attempt to seduce me. Poor Rhonda had to escort her to her own chambers in tears. Thank God I was free of her and finally able to bring Carissa home with me.

The grand ball will be held in a months’ time and I will announce Carissa as my bride and future queen. No telling how Daniella will act after the way she was forced to leave. I would choose the mute and live in silence before I ever chose her as my bride.

“Your Highness we are reaching the gates.” The carriage driver announced. I glanced out the window, Northwood was the same as it had always been, quiet and cold the town folks mustering about doing daily chores it was a peaceful place.

“Thank you Ryland.”  I tried to imagine Carissa as a grown woman now, beautiful I’m sure. She was my last hope as a true queen, a first born daughter of noble birth to bless the kingdom with little princes and princesses.

Kane should have found out everything about her by now and I hoped it was nothing but good things. I wanted a lovely queen like my mother had been, not some harlot that only wanted to be with me for money and a title, a woman that had saved her body for only my eyes to see and only my hands to touch. I have prayed for this day to get here so I could be one step closer to finally having an heir.

I stepped of the carriage out into the bitter cold; Lord Harlow was waiting on the steps for me.

“Your Highness it is an honor to see you again.”

“The pleasure is all mine Lord Harlow.” I shook his outstretched hand; he had gotten very gray in his older years.

“Carissa is most excited for you alls courtship, she should be down shortly to join us.” I followed him into what I assume is his study. I was trying hard to control my excitement of seeing his daughter again.

“Have a seat your highness, would you like anything to drink?” he asked

“I will take an ale if you have any.” He turned to his small table and poured me a glass.

“Thank you James, I’m not sure if my brother has told you about my troubles with the other three ladies or not but Carissa is my last hope at happiness. I mean to have an heir by next winter.” I had known this man my entire life and felt confident in speaking the truth to him.

“Prince Kane has tip toed around that you were less than pleased with the other noble ladies your highness.” He looked as if he wanted to elaborate more but there was a knock on the door.

“Come in.” Harlow ordered, I had been expecting it to be Lady Carissa but it was my brother. I stood up to greet him with a hug.

“Kane it is good to see you brother.”

“Good to see you Roland, it must of taken my army to rid you of Lady Daniella!” he laughed and I laughed right along with him.

“You don’t know the half of it!” I couldn’t help but shudder at the thought of her.

“If you will excuse me your highness, your grace I shall go and fetch Lady Carissa.” Lord Harlow made his way out of the study and I could finally ask Kane what I truly needed to know of my betrothed.

“Tell me about her Kane, the truth.” I pleaded. Kane took a deep breath before he started speaking.

“She is very pretty and seems sweet to most but she is a lady that knows her beauty and flaunts it. Carissa is extremely…. Confident I believe is the correct word to describe her.” he replied.

“Thank you brother, I hope I can decipher more about her in the coming week before I take her back home with me. I just feel as if I am running out of time.” It was true I wasn’t getting any younger my days were lonely and long, yes I was surrounded by people but it was as if I was lost in my own mind and there was no one I could share my burdens with.

“Of course, Roland I will inform you that I am not sure of her purity, now I am not certain but I do not believe her to be a virgin. Adam has been following her since our arrival and has yet to see her with any men.” He was staring into my eyes it was the truth I am sure but I would have to find out myself and as much as a wanted her to be a virgin, she was my last hope.

“Kane as always I appreciate everything you do for me, I will have to come up with my own opinion of Lady Carissa in these next few days. If what you say is true I will not be happy but she is my last chance at happiness.” He nodded in understanding; Kane knew what I had been dealing with from the other ladies and how desperate I truly was.

I turned around as Lord Harlow reentered his study and I rose to my feet to greet the blonde following him. She was dressed in a crème and gold trimmed gown that left little to the imagination, she smiled as I reached for her hand but it didn’t reach her eyes. Her skin was very pale almost gray she looked ill.

“Your Highness this is my eldest daughter Carissa.” I pulled her hand to my lips and kissed it.

“It is a pleasure to meet you again my lady, are you ill?” I had to ask she looked as though she would faint at any moment.

“You as well my king, I am feeling a little under the weather would you mind if I retired until dinner? Maybe a nap could do me some good.” She even sounded sick.

“Of course Lady Carissa, see you at dinner.” And with my permission she all but ran out the door, it was at that moment my eyes locked onto the most beautiful emerald eyes I had ever seen.

“Your Highness, may I introduce my second born Lady Evelyn.” Lord Harlow said obviously noticing me staring at this woman in awe. She was in a dark green dress that was obviously not made for her but God did she look like an angel in it.

“It is a pleasure to meet you Lady Evelyn.” I reached for her hand the same as I had done Carissa’s and kissed it.

“You as well your Highness, Prince Kane has told me a lot about you.” She smiled at Kane and then turned back to me. Her mere presence lightened the mood in the room.

“Please join us for a drink Lady Evelyn; I would love an insider’s point of view about your sister.” I motioned towards the couch for her to be seated and she did but she looked a little nervous when I took the seat right next to her.

She looked at her father and then at Kane I didn’t say anything when he gave her a small nod almost assuring her it was going to be okay to talk to me about her sister. These two must have become good friends in his time here. She was breathtaking the way her auburn hair framed her face, she smelled heavenly as well… vanilla.

“What would you like to know your Highness?” she asked as brought the ale to her lips.

“Anything you wish to tell me Lady Evelyn, her likes and dislikes, how are her days spent here in Northwood?” I watched her pupils dilate she was nervous about answering.

“Well… she enjoys knitting and spending time with her handmaid Sarah. We do not exactly have the same interest I’m afraid.” She stuttered out the last part.

“And what interest do you enjoy my lady?” I was more interested in what this woman in front of me spent her days doing.

Her eyes grew wide as she went to answer but it was Kane who spoke first.

“She spends her days training with me Roland, General Sam appointed her as his successor, in my first days here she beat me in the short sword and has been a force to be reckoned with ever since.” His face beamed with pride, Lord Harlow’s was the same. Kane would not take a situation of this magnitude lightly she must be as good as he claims her to be for him to train her, still I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Is that so Lady Evelyn? You are to be a commander in my army?” It was amusing to me to think that a woman could be a soldier must less a leader of an entire army. She locked eyes with me before she answered and it stopped me from laughing again.

“With all due respect your Highness, I have been training for the past ten years I train everyday without fail. I take my training seriously and not to sound if you will excuse my language “cocky” but I am as good with a sword as any man.” She was fierce of that I was sure.

“Very well Lady Evelyn, show me you are capable of such a task and I will consider your position, on one condition you will not spar with Kane but with one of my knights.” If Kane hadn’t spoken on her behalf I would have dismissed her from the room without a second thought but since he seemed to back her story I would see if she held true.

Her face lit up in delight and her smile could have saved a dying man from feeling any of his pain. This should be entertaining if nothing else, normally a fight with a woman was punishable by beheading but in this case it would be nothing more than an event to frown upon. I am uncertain of how the other Lord’s of the kingdom would feel about their recruits being sent to Northwood to be trained by a woman, even if it was by the king’s demand. My word was final but there would be consequences no doubt if she proved herself true and I appointed her a title of that magnitude.

“Really your Highness?” She was excited but concerned I could tell.

“Evelyn I am serious, I take my brother’s word very seriously I know he only speaks truth, if Kane says Sam appointed you and you are worthy of that title then I believe him.” I gave her what I had hoped was a reassuring smile.

There was something about Evelyn that was different from any woman I had ever met and it wasn’t the fact that she wished to be a soldier. No, it was more than that she had a presence about her that could draw you in almost like a siren’s tale, only there was nothing sinister about her. Her soul shone through her eyes it was pure and loving but fierce at the same time. I saw the way Kane looked at her with so much adoration as if she was the only thing in this world that mattered to him. There was also sadness there behind his eyes, a longing for more maybe.

“What time should I be prepared your Highness?”

“Two hours should be sufficient enough time for me to find my best man then we shall meet you in the barracks.” She nodded and headed towards the door to leave but before she pulled the handle she turned around and spoke to me.

“Thank you your Highness, truly I hope I do not disappoint you.” And with that she left us men to discuss what had just transpired.

“Lord Harlow could you excuse us for a moment? I need to speak with my brother.” The older man nodded and left out the same door Evelyn had just exited.

I turned to Kane he still had a smirk on his face, if I didn’t know any better I would say he loved her, but Kane was loyal to the crown his true love was on the battlefield. He had many women in his bed but none in his heart, his duty came first he had been that way since we were children. He felt something for her though I could see that clear as day.

“Kane what exactly is your relationship with Evelyn?” I had to know.

“She is my friend Roland, I think of her as just that and an officer in my army the same way I have relationships with my other commanders I entrust with her with my life.” His face hid it well if he was in love with her he didn’t show it.

“Good, if she is to become a commander you can’t be having s*x with her in your army tent.” I was trying to get to him but to no avail his face remained the same.

“I don’t sleep with my commanders Roland, besides I have the utmost respect for Evy, she has kicked my ass more times than I can count.” He laughed.

“Evy? I like that it suits her, she’s extremely beautiful if you haven’t noticed. I have never had a woman captivate the room quite like she does.” I was speaking more to myself than to Kane but he answered none the less.

“Yes she draws people in like bees to honey without trying; she doesn’t know how beautiful she is.” He was making his way towards the door when I grabbed his arm.

“Find Adam and have him discover what ails Lady Carissa for me. She smelled like vomit soaked in lavender.” Kane nodded and left the room leaving me with nothing but my thoughts that were once consumed with Carissa but had been over taken by the fiery little red head I just met.