Sky Queen - Complete

First Month

~~~~~Landon~~~~~

For the first month since Evangeline's appearance, the days were peaceful. Landon was clearly getting closer to her, as they spent all his free time together. She had the best humor, most wonderful smile, and the way her eyes lit up when she talked was beautiful. There was nothing he could do to keep the silly smile off his lips. The look on his brothers and parents faces though, told him they knew exactly where his mind was.

"You seem quite pleased with yourself. I take it things are going well between you and Miss Azure?" Adrian asked with a knowing smirk. "It is not often we see you smiling to yourself. Especially since you are not allowing her to chose one of us as a potential suitor."

"That may be true, but you would not be one of her choices, Adrian. You did a fine job making her uncomfortable her first day in the Palace. Did you think she would simply forget?" One of the twins said, before the other finished their shared thoughts. "One of us or Aaron has a better chance than you, by this point, Adrian."

"What happened that morning?" Aaron asked looking between the other three. "Was there something I missed?"

"Nothing besides Adrian attempting to force himself on the sweet Evangeline." The twin Landon assumed was Jorden said with a disapproving frown. "Fortunately, the three of us were there to step in, but Landon was quite upset."

"Speaking of, where is Miss Evangeline?" Queen Ella said looking around the room. "Usually, you Landon, bring her down to meet with us."

"She wished to take a stroll through the city. I wanted to discuss this with you before joining her later. I am quite serious about her being a marriage partner." Landon stated firmly, his arms crossing in front of his chest. "I cannot give all the details, but she is a Princess of a Royal family. Adding her to our family line would be beneficial. She is hesitant about marriage because of her memory loss, but the letter that was on her held a Royal Seal I've seen before."

"Oh?" The King was certainly curious by this. "And what Royal Seal was that?"

"The Sky Kingdom." The room went silent at the mention of the mythological Kingdom. "I know, I know, it does not sound real, but that was the seal on her letter."

"Where is this letter?" Adrian asked, face serious for the first time since she came up. "Why have you withheld this clearly important information?"

"The letter did not say much, but it was from her before she lost her memory. Apparently, her court is dangerous for her right now, so her and her father wiped her memory and sent her here for her safety." Landon said, leaning forward slightly. "So that she did not find out, the letter said to burn it, but I did save the seal so I could verify it in the library."

Landon held up the parchment clearly displaying the seal along with her name. His family shared glances at each other before moving closer to examine the seal. Their eyes widened in their shock, because there, right next to the seal was spelled out in clear letters, 'Crowned Princess Evangeline Azure'. This confirmed her as a member of the Royal family of the Sky Kingdom.

"And she did fall from the sky too," Aaron said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Mother, Father?"

"Tell no one of this information. If she finds out the truth, she may forsake her own request that we keep her true identity secret and put herself in danger." The King said firmly, looking at his wife. "I agree with Landon. Perhaps we can request a favor of the King of the Sky to allow his daughter to marry one of our boys in return for keeping her safe here. She is a Crowned Princess after all."

"Father, I appreciate you agreeing with me." Landon replied with a bow. "I shall take my leave now. We are supposed to meet in the city for lunch."

~~~~~Evangeline~~~~~

Sitting in the quiet of the small eatery, Evangeline looked around. The Royal Guard Landon had sent with her were keeping a close eye on the one or two patrons sitting here and there. They had specifically picked this eatery due to the low number of patrons that were usually nobility. Even though they were not near the Palace, the nobility knew of her and kept whispering amongst themselves and looking in her direction. A few moments later, a commotion was heard at the door and the Crowned Prince entered, walking directly for her.

"I apologize for being so late, Princess." Landon murmured as he placed a kiss against the back of her hand. "I had a meeting with my father to attend."

"That's quite alright, Landon." Evangeline replied with a gentle smile. "I, once again, find myself impressed at your ability to handle your duties as well as make time to see me."

"It is true that I am a man of many skills." He said pressing his lips to her hand again. "Shall we eat then?"

"Please." She continued as they made their orders. "What was the meeting about? If you do not mind me asking, Landon."

"I was telling them my plans concerning you, Princess." Landon whispered placing his hand over hers on the table, as if noticing her concern. "They know about your memory, but they are fine with it. Trust me, Evangeline. That is all that I ask. I know that is unfair, as I know a little more than you do, but until things are clear, I need your trust."

"I trust you, Landon. You've kept every promise you've made me thus far." She replied carefully. "Thank you for letting me know what is safe."

It had been slowly, but she knew that Landon was making himself a permanent place in her life, and she could not help but allow it. He was always kind, and friendly, but he could be possessive and jealous. He was doing his best to be an open book, but there was still what the letter said at the beginning of all this. It made her heart hurt to know he was hiding things from her. When he reached out and brushed her cheek, her face grew hot in embarrassment.

"You looked so deep in thought, Evangeline. When you do things like that, I want to kiss you." Instead of letting him continue to tease her, she covered her face with her hands. "Please do not hide. You are so beautiful and I love all of your expressions."

There was that word. 'Love', the one he could say so easily that always made her heart race and butterflies to course through her stomach. When she felt his fingers brush hers where they rested against her face, she stood up, and in her shock, knocked her beverage all over her attire. Before she could fall, Landon caught her wrist and pulled her to him, the hard press of his body making her hot to the depths of her soul.

"Prep the carriage." He ordered, before sweeping her legs into his left arm and supporting her back with his right. "Evangeline, I apologize for making you fluster so."

"No...it's...quite alright, but...I can walk, Landon..." Her cheeks felt so hot, she was sure they matched the roses in the Palace Garden. "Please put me down..."

"We're almost there." Landon said, pressing his lips against her forehead. "Patience, my Princess."

He was always pulling tricks like this, but at the same time, she had always indulged him since it seemed to make her happy too. His smile and the hazel of his eyes always tore reason from her. Sending him a small smile, she noticed - within the depths of his eyes - a dark passion come to life. Landon had looked at her in that manner several times, and it always made her feel hot all over. When he lowered her to the seat of the carriage, he took her hand in his, and to her, the touch made the tension between them even clearer.