Triplet Queens' mysterious Guard

That birthday and that kiss ?

Her eyes fluttered open weakly; she saw that familiar face staring at her from across the room. It was Jon’s face but she knew she had to be wrong. The excess wine was probably still messing with her head she thought to herself as she blinked quickly and repetitively to clear her eyes. He was still there, sitting next to her and just there watching her. He couldn’t possibly be here with her now though, he was meant to be out of the city and even the kingdom for at least a few days according to what Ferran had spilled to her earlier. She looked at him for some seconds just to be sure she wasn’t still asleep and dreaming or awake and still intoxicated by the excess wine from earlier.

“It’s actually me Elle, stop being weird.” Jon said with a laugh and shake of his head. There was no way her mind could be making up his voice as well and so perfectly at that, she sat up slowly now.

“What day is it?” she asked now totally confused by everything.

“Happy birthday Elle, I hope you had a wonderful day with friends.”

“I had a splendid day with friends Jon, but the person I wanted to see the most was nowhere to be found. That was the low point of my day.” Elle said looking around now finally realizing she was in a well furnished and spacious room. It was definitely not one of the smaller rooms in the inn. “Where are we?” she asked still looking around.

“I went to the inn to get you as soon as I got into the city and when I didn’t see your coach I thought I had missed the chance to see you on your day. I went in for a drink and was so happy when I saw you sleeping like a baby on the table. Ferran said you drank quite a lot and then danced even more. I put you on my shoulders and brought you home so you could sleep well. We are in my house, in my room and you we are now on my bed” Jon said getting off his chair and sitting on the bed next to her. “Hope I have clarified that?” he asked with a smirk

“Clarify something else for me Jon, why were you not here. Why today of all days? We have met every Friday of every week for the last six months without fail so why chose my birthday to disappear on me?” she asked looking away from him, she was actually hurt by his decision to travel because she was sure it had been deliberate. Jon knew he had no excuses and knew he could only apologize and try to explain later because the plan was actually one that he made and couldn’t see through. He knew he had to explain but didn’t want to ruin her birthday any further. Instead of saying anything or trying to explain he simply leaned into her and kissed her. It was a fierce and deep kiss filled with longing and hunger. When she kissed him back he almost let go, give in to that hunger and take it further than just a kiss, he quickly regained control and pulled back from her. He should have tried to explain why he just kissed her but that would only complicate things so he decided there and then to give her no explanations for the wild kiss they just shared.

“Let me explain everything to you tomorrow, is that okay? Just let me make your day for the remaining part of your day and we can argue and probably have a fight tomorrow.” Jon asked calmly running his hand through his hair.

“I can agree with those terms.” Elle replied with a smile and an outstretched hand. He shook her hand softly as a sign of a deal that had just been made between them.

“I got three birthday gifts for you, if you want them.” Jon said with a shrug and a smug look on his face that only helped pique her interest some more in what he could possibly have gotten her.

“Firstly, the island I went to trade today had a sapphire merchant. The same merchant supplies jewelry for the royal ladies all across the continent and even beyond the continent. I got that for you, the best jewelry for the most beautiful woman in the world.” Jon said pointing at her. She was confused at first and then looked down to see the most beautiful sapphire necklace she had ever seen resting gently between her neck and bosom. She raised it with a finger and studied the details on her present; she knew exactly that it had to be very expensive.

“How much was this?” she asked stunned by the handwork she was seeing and the fine detail on the silver chain that carried both the numerous pendants dangling down along its length and the sapphires fixed to each pendant. “This is the most beautiful piece of jewelry I have seen in Alicia since I was a kid.” She said not hiding how much she liked it.

“It cost a box of coins.”

“Silver coins?” she asked really hoping it was silver, she knew it would be more expensive than some coppers.

“It was paid for in full with gold coins Elle, but don’t say anything about how expensive it was and how I shouldn’t have bought it. That sparkle in your eyes is what I love to see and I will continue doing my best to see it often.” He said waving away her complaint with one slow swipe of his hand across her face.

“You might not be royalty but I think you really do have the heart of a royal, you definitely spend like someone born into excess wealth.” Elle said with a soft laugh as she looked at the sapphire and then at his blue eyes. It was a fitting gift to always remind her of the sudden serenity his blue eyed gaze made her feel.

“The second gift is much more impressive, if you got this excited about a gift then you might scream when you hear this.” Jon said looking at her and pausing for dramatic effect before telling her what the second gift was. “You get to spend an entire day with me tomorrow from sunrise to sunset.” Jon said laughing softly. He was downplaying his second gift but Elle had already decided on a mental level that spending an entire day with him specifically was actually the best possible gift anyone could give her. “I think you would love the last gift as well.” Jon said pointing out the window and up at the sky. “Even the universe seems to be celebrating your day.” Jon said as she turned to look out the window. Jon had travelled a lot and had seen one meteor shower before, when the sailors told him one would happen tonight he knew he had to be the one to show it to Elle. The look on her face as the balls of light streaked across the sky was all he hoped it would be, he had missed the main part of her day, but that look on her face was just enough to make him feel better than he did when he saw her sleeping in the inn earlier.

He would never think of leaving her again, he made up his mind there and then. His initial plan was to leave her and travel far away for at least a month or two and let whatever was happening between them die down so they could try to live normal lives without each other, he had genuine reasons that led him to make that choice but for now he didn’t care about the future or about her being royalty. He just knew he loved making her happier than everyone and anyone else, for now that was a good enough reason to continue whatever this was that was going on between them.