The True Northern King - James

Chapter 9

I watched my sister leap with joy as the horse I had purchased for her was brought out of the stables and into the courtyard where everyone was gathered. I tried to focus on my younger sister and her present, while simultaneously ignoring the disapproving look from my father.

But staying in the present proved more difficult than I had anticipated. All I could see was Serina. She stood beside her fiancé, watching with him as Laelia’s delight grew upon seeing the dark brown mare I had gifted her.

I should have felt joy seeing my sister so thrilled, but my heart was still aching. Experiencing happiness in that moment seemed impossible. As Serina glanced at me, her smile faded, and her eyes grew sad before she looked away again to watch Laelia.

Henry helped Laelia onto the horse’s back, and her smile widened further as everyone applauded. My father was the only one who remained subdued, but clearly doing his best not to spoil this joyful occasion for my sister.

Laelia spotted me in the crowd and waved enthusiastically, her smile growing even wider. I managed a smile in return, though it was far from genuine. Fortunately, she was so absorbed in her gift that she didn’t seem to notice. Henry led her around the courtyard for a while, while I turned to watch Serina. She was all I wanted, and now… now I had lost her.

After Laelia had been shown off on the horse for a bit, she came over to hug me and thank me. Excitedly, she bounced around as I set her down on the ground, and then she followed Father and the rest of the guests inside to continue the celebration. I remained where I was, savoring the fresh night air.

Inside, it had felt like I couldn’t breathe. After Serina told me she could no longer wait for me, it felt as though the ground beneath me had vanished. I was at a loss for what to do. How could I let her go? How could I just… let her go?

My heart felt heavy as I turned toward the entrance of the castle, slowly walking up the stairs and onto the next floor. Most of the guests had already returned to the grand ballroom, leaving the hallways empty.

Just as I turned a corner, something shocking caught my eye: Lord Byron was pressed up against a wall in the shadows, passionately kissing another man. They must have been drunk to be so brazen in public.

While I should have turned around and walked away, the sight made me realize something—Serina was marrying a man who had no real interest in her. She was merely a shield, a façade to hide his true desires.

This realization filled me with hope. I turned around, determined to find Serina and let her know. Maybe then she would give me more time. Maybe then she would allow me to take care of her. I took a different route to the ballroom and, once inside, began scanning the room desperately for her.

I found her standing with a group of ladies, enjoying some of the cakes that had been served. I walked over to her, ignoring the curious glances of the onlookers, and took her hand, pulling her with me.

“James!” she exclaimed, sounding confused.

She tried to pull away, but I wouldn’t let her. I needed to talk to her, to convince her that she should be with me. I led her through a few hallways until we were alone, then turned to face her, placing my hands on her shoulders. She looked up at me, appearing shocked.

“What are you doing?” she whispered harshly. “What’s going on?”

“You don’t know who you’re marrying,” I said.

After seeing Lord Byron with that man, I realized why his name had seemed familiar.

“What are you talking about, James? What is this?” she inquired, her voice weary.

“Serina, Lord Byron isn’t who you think he is.”

“What do you mean?”

I could barely contain my excitement. “Lord Byron won’t be able to give you what you want.”

“And what is it I want?” she asked, crossing her arms.

“You want a husband who can give you children and a family. Someone who can provide for you and offer you a happy life.”

Her arms lowered slightly, her defenses coming down as she began to really listen to me.

“And you think he can’t give me that?” she inquired.

“No… he can’t.”

“Why is that?”

“Because your husband-to-be… he likes men.”

She seemed to freeze at my words, then pushed my hands away, shaking her head slightly. Her reaction puzzled me. Shouldn’t she be relieved?

“James, I—”

“I saw him,” I said. “If you don’t believe me, I can show you. It’s not just me who thinks this. Others have seen it too.”

“I know…”

“You… what?” I inquired, confused.

She sighed deeply, struggling to look me in the eye. It confused me further. What did she mean by “I know”?

“I know he likes men,” she whispered.

“Then… why?”

She seemed to struggle with the right words, and I could understand why. It made no sense to me why she would bind herself to a man who couldn’t truly give her what she wanted. He might force himself to provide a child or two, but he could never genuinely love her like I could. Like I already did.

“James… I had to make a quick engagement,” she said. “Lord Byron needed a wife to dispel the rumors about him. We both entered this engagement to benefit ourselves.”

“But you won’t have a happy marriage.”

“We don’t always get what we want,” she said sadly.

“Serina, I can give you everything you dream of. I know I’ve made you wait, and I’ll make you wait a little longer, but it won’t be forever! Trust me, I will convince my father.”

“I can’t wait, James,” she whispered. “At least this way, we can both set our own limits. We can be who we want to be without obligations to each other. This is just a way to get what we want. I’ll be taken care of, and he can… have fun with those he wants to.”

“And be unfaithful to you.”

“It’s barely a marriage anyway, James!” she said. “I won’t hold it against him as long as he ensures I don’t end up on the streets and provides me with a home.”

“I can give you that!” I exclaimed. “I will give you children as well. I will desire only you! Serina, choose me! Stay with me!”

“I want to!” she said, placing one of her hands on my cheek.

Her thumb stroked lightly over my skin. I closed my eyes briefly, leaning into her touch before looking at her again. We were so close I could feel her warm breath on my lips. I wanted to kiss her desperately. I wanted to claim her as mine right now.

“But we can’t. Our lives… they are not compatible.”

“Of course they are!”

She shook her head and pulled away before I had a chance to even touch her. She backed away a few steps, tears welling in her eyes as she looked at me.

“I have to do this,” she said.

I shook my head, refusing to listen. “No, you don’t,” I said, grabbing her hand.

“Please, James, let me go,” she whispered.

I shook my head and placed my hand on her cheek. “You are all I want, Serina. I’m not complete without you.”

“Please, stop…”

“I can’t! I am in love with you! I will never stop!” I vowed.

Before she had a chance to respond, I leaned down and claimed her lips with mine in a powerful, hungry kiss that ignited my body like never before. This was right! This was how it was supposed to be. Could she not see that? Could she not feel how much I wanted her? How much I desired her? But then, suddenly, she pulled away, tears streaming down her cheeks as she backed away, shaking her head.

“I can’t… I’m sorry, James!”

She turned and ran from me…