Fire Rises

Maverick

The rest of our girl’s day had been cut short when, much to my dismay, Archer found me just to pull me away claiming I needed to participate in wedding planning and greeting guests. We hadn’t made up after our tiff at the boarding school, so the walk was tense to say the least.

As we walked down the hallway towards the throne room I became distracted from the uncomfortable silence when I felt something stir within me. It wasn’t an unsettling feeling, but it wasn’t pleasant either.

The closer we got to the throne room the stronger the feeling grew. 

Before the doors opened, Archer spun my body to face him. I momentarily wobbled at the unexpected movement and he gently took my shoulders to steady me, looking deep into my eyes. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t think charming Ari would have such a negative effect on you.”

I could see the soft glow of my eyes reflecting off of his face. “It's not how it affected me that I’m worried about. Archer, you can’t understand what we all have lived through. I promised these people that this place would be different. I know that ‘turning up your charm’ hardly compares to the horrors from the Dark Place, but it is still manipulative, and manipulation isn’t good. I just want them all to have a better life here.”

He cupped my cheek and smiled down at me, “That is very nice of you.” He bent down to meet my lips with his. I fought my urges to deepen the kiss. I wasn’t ready to forgive him until he really understood what I was saying. Also, the stirring feeling was continued to grow inside me and I just knew that I needed to get into that throne room to get to the bottom of it. I managed to fight my traitorous body just enough to pull my lips away from Archer and think passed the lust filled haze he always seemed to insight. Archer rested his forehead against mine. “Whew! I’m so glad that’s over! I hate it when we fight!”

I snorted a small laugh. He was so dramatic and so obtuse. This was not over, but for now it needed to be. Every one of my instincts was pulling me towards the throne room and I didn’t want to waste another minute arguing.

He gave me one more quick peck before grabbing my hand and facing us both towards the ornate wooden doors, “So first we will need to welcome our newest arrivals. I want you to know that they don’t harbor any negative feelings towards you at all.”

He was obviously trying to offer some preemptive solace to the encounter I was about to have, but his words had the opposite effect. I hadn't felt worried in even the slightest until he said that. As we entered the room I saw three people standing in the center. Two of them were older, though far from being actually old- mid forties, maybe. The third one looked to be only a few years older than me. My world stopped as my eyes landed on that man. Everything was holding still, literally. I looked at Archer who seemed to be frozen midstep. The older woman and gentleman accompanying the man were also frozen. The guards lining the walls were as unmoving as statues- though to be fair they were always creepily still.

The man was the only other person who still seemed to be moving. He titled his head to the side as he returned my gaze. My stomach began to flutter uncontrollably. I tried to remember if I had swallowed any butterflies while in the garden, but I couldn’t seem to focus my mind long enough to recall. It didn’t matter. If I swallowed bugs, I’d let them fly free in my belly. Only he mattered.

He was a different kind of beautiful than Archer. While Archer’s beauty always gave me a sinking feeling of being too good to be true, this man’s beauty looked like the only truth in the world. 

He was very tall with broad shoulders and a square jaw. Every single one of his facial features was sharp but kind. He had sandy blond hair and distinct turquoise eyes that had a familiar gleam. His short beard looked intentional and accidental all at the same time. He was so handsome.

My heart was pounding so heavily in my chest that I was sure he could hear it from across the room. My lips parted slightly as I felt my jaw unhinge slightly. He was looking straight back at me with an expression that I imagined matched my own. His eyes trailed up and down my body before a wide smile spread across his face. 

My whole being melted and I wanted to run to him but my legs were jello. Just as I took a breath to try and say something, I saw him glance at Archer and then to the couple standing beside him before looking back at me. His eyes lost a little shimmer at whatever thoughts our company reminded him of. He lifted a finger to his lips and mouthed “shhh.” He looked like he had to fight to put his smile back on to offer me some comfort. As he did, he winked and I couldn’t stop the giggles that bubbled from my chest.

As soon as the sound left my mouth, the world began to move again. I looked at him questioningly and slowly moved forward now with Archer moving again by my side. The man was still staring right at me, but looked like he was trying to control the emotions he allowed to make their way across his face. 

Archer spoke, grounding me a little bit back into the present, but I couldn’t tear my eyes away from this man. “Eve, this is King Richard, Queen Nova, and their son, Prince Maverick. Everyone, this is Eve, my future queen.” Archer’s statement before we entered the room suddenly clicked into place. I knew those first two names all too well. A million thoughts flashed through my mind at once. Visions of all the wicked deeds my mother had done to them were hard to ignore. Overwhelming anxiety over their intentions of being here couldn’t be stifled.

Although my mother had dabbled in small conquests prior, this family felt the ultimate wrath of her cruelty. My mother had made her debut as a thoroughly evil person when she escalated a petty debate with Queen Nova’s mother. Instead of resigning to the silent treatment or a healthy amount of space, my mother had made it her life's mission to wear their crown. She had almost destroyed their entire kingdom, starting with this beautiful woman standing before me. The king I was now face to face with was the very man my mother had tried to seduce while his queen lie dying just a few rooms away. He was the same man that forced her into hiding for years before she made her final stand. If it wasn’t for King Richard’s heroic bravery (or incredible luck), the Springtime Kingdom would be a pile of rubble with my mother’s dragon still perched atop the ashes.

Through all of the disturbing images, at the forefront of my racing mind, was a kind face; Prince Maverick. I needed him to like me. I needed him to accept me. I just needed him. That seemed like a far off dream given the circumstances. The thought made my heart ache.

I saw Prince Maverick’s eyebrows hitch together as he observed my twisting face. His hand lifted slightly before falling back to his side. He looked conflicted and a little defeated. I had to look away from him. Seeing his face like that was pulling at my heart in ways I couldn’t understand let alone handle.

King Richard extended a hand and I was relieved that I knew what to do. I did not want to give Prince Maverick any more reason to think any less of me than he already had to. 

“Pleased to meet you, King Richard.” He gave me a slight nod and small smile as he shook my hand. 

The queen was breathtaking. It was clear where Maverick had inherited his good looks from. There was something different about her beauty though. She seemed impossibly- no! unnaturally- gorgeous. Again, her beauty, as other earthly as it appeared, did not inspire the same amount of uncertainty that Archer’s looks did. She didn’t extend her hand so instead I smiled sheepishly at her and said, “Your Grace.” I had been working hard at improving my greetings, but there was no amount of practice that would prepare me for this introduction. She gave me a small smile back, but it was obvious she was only being polite.

Prince Maverick took a step closer and my breath caught in my throat pulling my attention from his mother. His eyes were downcast and looked like he was in a heated debate with himself; about what I couldn’t be sure. He finally took a few steps forward and extended his hand and raised his eyes to meet mine. “You can call me Maverick.” 

I tried to find my voice but came up short. Now that he was this close, the scent of early morning overtook me. He smelled like a fresh new day; a mix of new floral blooms, pine trees, and sunshine. I didn’t even know what sunshine smelled like, but I knew that’s what he smelled like. 

I reached towards his hand wanting nothing more than to hold it forever. He gently took mine and lifted it towards his mouth. He placed a feathery light kiss on the back my knuckles. I could feel the blood rush to my cheeks. My eyes must have glowed slightly because the King and Queen took a large step away from me. The King’s hand went to his sword, but their prince didn’t move an inch. He didn’t drop my hand either. He stared straight into my glowing eyes.

Archer noticed. He attempted to remind everyone of his presence by clearing his throat. I tried to look at him. I really did. I wanted to give him an apologetic smile, but I still couldn’t tear my eyes away from Maverick. When his poor attempt to regain my attention failed, Archer decided to speak instead, “Welcome to our home! We are so thrilled to have you here as we celebrate this new beginning in history and, of course, our love.” 

Oh dear god. He’s going to sing, isn’t he? The thought of it was enough for me to finally look in Archer’s direction. With my hand still gently held by the new prince, I gave Archer a desperately pleading look in efforts to control his musical urges. Maverick laughed and my attention was immediately stolen away once more.

Please, please, please laugh again. I needed to hear that sound again and again. His eyes sparkled a little at me as if he could hear my thoughts.

Archer was clearly not pleased at our apparent silent conversation. “We’ll have someone down shortly to show you to your rooms. See you all at dinner.” He placed a hand on my back and gave me a slight nudge forward. Maverick once again lowered his head to kiss the back of my hand which he still held. I could feel his internal struggle as he finally gently released his grip. I didn’t want to walk away, but I still managed to force my legs to move.

Once Archer had finally managed to steer me out of the room he informed me that we would need to meet in his office in an hour to work on our wedding plans. This was not the original itinerary at all, but I imagined he wanted a little space from me after I so openly gawked at another man in front of him.

My head was still reeling as I tried my best to steady my feet and make it back to my room. 

***

I had been laying on my bed for a full ten minutes in silence trying to figure out what the f**k had just happened. 

I suddenly jolted out of bed and began pacing around the room. I felt so unsettled. Too much was happening too fast. I didn’t know what to do with myself.

Out of the corner of my eye I noticed the package that Sophia had given me. It seemed like as good a distraction as any so I reached for it.

I peeled back the brown wrapping paper and removed the contents. I unfolded a lovely red cape.

Well that was nice, Sophia. Archer must have mentioned how much I liked the one Ruby was wearing at the pub. I went to put it on, but was disrupted by a light knock at the door. Clara entered before I had a chance to respond. I set the cape to the side as all of my frenzied thoughts came flooding back.

Clara took one look at my face and rushed to my side. My breathing was labored and I felt like I was hyperventilating. I leaned forward bracing my hands on my knees for support as Clara rubbed circles on my back. “Breathe, you’re okay! Everything is okay!” 

This was really starting to become a regular part of our routine and it needed to stop. I looked up at her through my tears. “I’m so confused.”

“It’s okay, just talk to me. What’s going on? Was Archer a charming d**k again?” Her eyebrows were drawn close together in concern. Through my delirium I suddenly realized someone was missing.

“Where’s Ari?”

“I took her to the library." She chuckled slightly to herself. "The girl loves books! I think she was more impressed by that room than the gardens! I needed to come back and clean up from this afternoon.” I took one more deep inhale. The library sounded lovely. Maybe one of the many books it held would help me make sense of this most recent turn of events.

“I need to go for a walk. I think I’ll join her in the library. I’m sorry to worry you. I’ll tell you everything tonight, I just need to sort through my thoughts so I know exactly what it is I’m telling.”

“Don’t worry about it. Whatever it is, we’ll figure it out. Promise.” She smiled at me and gave me a tight hug before sending me on my way.