Fire and Ice

CHAPTER 13

Marcus watched Joselyn walk away and was determined to stay close to her throughout the night. He realized she was seeing him for the first time as he truly was. He was partly himself when she took care of him, but she never saw his regality. Marcus made the decision it was imperative Joselyn saw him for who he was, not just a part of him. He was a prince and he presented himself as such. However, he was also romantic, generous, and kind. Marcus wanted Joselyn to see him for all he was, and to do that he would need to ask her permission to stay at her castle to court her. As these thoughts were going through his mind he found himself standing next to his father, King Leon. “What’s on your mind son?” Leon asked. “I’m going to ask her if I can stay for a while longer.” Leon looked at his son and said, “Yes, I saw you dancing with her. Your feelings for her are obvious.” Marcus stood very straight and said, “I know her affections don’t reciprocate mine, but I want her to get to know me and maybe that will change. What do you think she will say?” Leon chuckled a bit before answering, “Marcus, it’s almost impossible to get a read on that woman. She did agree to dance with you which is a promising sign. If Joselyn’s answer is no, you must remember our Kingdom is still her ally, and we are fixing to go to war alongside her. Marcus you can’t have one of your rebellious tantrums, or I will step in for the good of our Kingdom.” Marcus turned his head toward Leon and said, “If she tells me no, I will always be there to protect her if she needs it. You underestimate my affections for her father.” Leon raised an eyebrow placed a hand on Marcus’s shoulder and said, “Son, I’m proud of you. Now go and try to win her heart.” Leon turned his back to his son and began socializing again. He knew Marcus had to do this himself. Marcus began walking about the room when he heard Joselyn’s laugh. She was just a few feet away and dancing with the King of Arcadia. Marcus knew this night wouldn’t go his way if she spent too much time with the King of Arcadia. He knew that was the only man Joselyn ever spent time with. Marcus stood there staring as the couple danced. He couldn’t take his eyes off of her. Before Marcus realized it, several princesses had gathered around him trying to catch his eye. He didn’t even speak to them, his focus was on Joselyn. While she danced, Joselyn could feel someone watching her. She looked around and found Marcus surrounded by women starring at her. When her gaze met his, Marcus began to walk toward her. It only took him a few steps before reaching her. Joselyn was still in the middle of the dance with the King of Arcadia when Marcus tapped him on the shoulder. “May I cut in” Marcus asked. The King of Arcadia looked at Marcus and immediately recognized he was royalty. “No you may not” he said. Marcus could feel his anger grow but he kept his composure. “I will ask one more time, may I please cut in.” Joselyn had never been in this position before so she kept quiet. It didn’t matter to her which man she danced with, she liked them both. The King of Arcadia looked at Marcus and said, “I will not tell you again, no you may not.” Marcus looked into Joselyn’s eyes then he swiftly grabbed her hand out of the King of Arcadia’s and gave a forceful pull. Before she realized it Joselyn was back in the strong arms of Marcus. He placed her hand in his and grabbed her by the waist and continued the dance with her. “Have you lost your mind?” The King of Arcadia said as he stepped forward. Joselyn interjected, “I believe we have danced several times tonight, it is proper for someone else to have a dance.” The King of Arcadia stepped back and gritting his teeth said, “I suppose you are right.” He bowed his head then walked away. Joselyn turned her head and found Marcus starring at her. She couldn’t help but get lost in his eyes. “Why did you do that?” Joselyn asked. Marcus didn’t hesitate to answer her, “I want you for myself.” Joselyn was clearly confused by his behavior and his answer. She had never seen this side of Marcus. Joselyn asked, “What do you mean you want me for yourself?” Marcus pulled Joselyn’s body tightly into his and hovered his mouth over hers so that his lips brushed hers when he spoke. Marcus spoke slowly but firmly, “I mean exactly what I said. I want you to be mine and only mine.” Joselyn felt his lips brush hers as he spoke and it sent a shiver down her spine. “You don’t know me Marcus. I am not your average Queen.” Joselyn said. Marcus took his hand from her waist and caressed her face, “I know, and that is what draws me to you. Joselyn I would like your permission to stay longer in your castle, not as someone you mended or don’t know. I want to stay here as Marcus, Prince of Aragon. I want you to see me for who I truly am and see if your love can match mine.” Joselyn stopped dancing and said, “Let’s walk outside to the garden.” Marcus nodded his head and followed Joselyn outside. The fresh air was a welcomed one as the chill in the air gave her the ability think clearly. Marcus sat silently next to Joselyn. He knew she had to think before she made her decision. “I wasn’t aware you had fallen in love with me.” Joselyn said as she broke the silence between them. “Neither was I until the reality of it hit me all at once.” Marcus said as he placed her hand in his. “Marcus, you don’t know how I go about my day, the things I do. It’s not knitting I can assure you of that. You think you love me but you don’t know me.” “Let me tell you what I do know, Marcus began, I saw a woman who did not mince words and spoke her mind. I saw a woman who had knowledge of medicines and saved my life. I saw a woman who can fight better than I can. What I saw is the woman I have been looking for which is why I never married a silly princess who knits.” Joselyn looked at Marcus and she was overwhelmed by his candor. He had a fire in him that he wasn’t afraid to share. “Alright Prince Marcus, you may stay for a while longer in my castle. If you want to get to know me as you say you do, I will be more than happy to accommodate you.” Rowan was standing a few feet behind Joselyn in disbelief. He never let her out of his sight especially at social functions. Marcus smiled, took Joselyn’s hand, and gently kissed it. “Thank you my Queen” Marcus said. Joselyn looked into Marcus’s eyes and said “Well, shall we get back inside before we are missed” Joselyn said. “Lead the way my Queen” Marcus said and with that they walked back inside to the ballroom.

Leon was still in a crowd of friends when he noticed Joselyn and Marcus walk in from outside. Leon couldn’t tell by Marcus’s face whether he was successful in persuading Joselyn to let him stay at the castle a while longer. Marcus was behaving like royalty tonight and tried to keep a consistent face. Marcus would tell him later of her decision. The King of Arcadia also noticed Joselyn walk in with Marcus and began walking in their direction with fury in his eyes. When the King of Arcadia reached them Marcus began speaking before he opened his mouth. “King of Arcadia, I apologize for my behavior earlier however there was a pressing matter I had to discuss with Queen Joselyn. I will not interject again.” The King of Arcadia nodded his head showing his acceptance of Marcus’s apology. He then held his hand out for Joselyn and asked “May I have this dance?” Joselyn gave the King of Arcadia her hand and they began dancing. Marcus wanted to take his sword and cut off the King of Arcadia’s head, but he knew better than to act so foolishly. Even though he wanted Joselyn all to himself, she had to be the one to accept him. Until then, she was free to dance with whomever she chose. Marcus walked over to King Leon to get his mind off Joselyn dancing with the King of Arcadia. Leon looked at his son and said, “How did it go?” Marcus tried to hold back his smile but failed. He had a wide smile on his face when he said, “She told me I could stay for a while longer.” Leon grabbed his son in a large hug and said, “That’s my boy. I never thought I would see the day when Joselyn took a shine to someone. Not only have I seen the day, it is my own son.” Marcus looked at Joselyn dancing, “She seems to have taken a shine to the King of Arcadia as well.” He said with jealousy in his voice. “Now Marcus, Leon began, she has always liked the King of Arcadia. That is something you will have to accept. If she falls in love with you the King of Arcadia will be far from her mind. Until then, you can’t behave as if she already belongs to you, because she doesn’t. But you do have the chance to win her love by staying here, I will send some of your clothes by a messenger from our Kingdom.” Marcus could hear his father but the words did not seem to register with his mind. His eyes stayed locked on Joselyn dancing with the King of Arcadia. “Thank You” was all Marcus said.

The ball was nearing its end and most guests had left. Joselyn stood beside Rowan at her thrown as she watched her guests leave. Her allies were still there eating and joking, but they would be staying the night once again. Marcus was invited to stay and he stood close to Joselyn. The last one in the room was the King of Arcadia. He walked up to Joselyn and said, “You know I have far to travel and it’s very late, may I just stay here for the night.” Joselyn looked at the King of Arcadia and said, “The long travel has never stopped you before.” The King of Arcadia smiled and said, “You’re right. But you know you would miss me as soon as I walked out that door and I couldn’t live with myself knowing I left you heartbroken.” Joselyn laughed but Marcus was fuming. He knew she would do the Queenly thing and let him spend the night, but it took every ounce of restraint he had not to attack the King of Arcadia. “Yes, you may spend the night.” Joselyn said. The King of Arcadia grabbed her hand and placed a small kiss on it, then turned his head to Marcus and smiled smugly. “I am exhausted” Joselyn said in a loud voice so her overnight guests could hear her. “I bid you goodnight.” The King of Arcadia looked about the room and noticed Marcus was still present. “Why are you still here?” he asked Marcus. Joselyn stopped walking and turned to see the King of Arcadia talking to Marcus. “I am still here because I have been invited to stay at this castle for a short while.” The King of Arcadia looked up at Joselyn and back to Marcus. “Why would you invite him to stay for a while?” The King of Arcadia asked Joselyn. Leon staggered up the stairs and in his drunken state patted Joselyn on the back and said, “You’re quite the commodity girly” laughing as he continued toward the top of the staircase. Joselyn looked at the King of Arcadia and said, “He saved my life and has been here for a couple of months recovering from his wounds. He is also the son of my ally. He asked to stay here a while longer and I agreed.” The King of Arcadia was not satisfied. He continued to question Joselyn when he heard Marcus “She gave you her reasons even though she owed you no explanation. Her answer is sufficient.” Before Joselyn realized Marcus was standing next to her. “So do you speak for her too?” The king of Arcadia asked Marcus. Marcus stayed silent. “No man speaks for me. However, what he said is true. It is not your place to question my decisions in my own Kingdom.” Joselyn said to the King of Arcadia. The King of Arcadia looked at Marcus and said, “Well, I wasn’t aware I had competition. Apparently you are winning the prize.” Joselyn began to speak but she was shocked by Marcus’s voice. “Joselyn is not a prize to be won. You mistake my intentions, however yours, King of Arcadia, are being made clear.” The King of Arcadia replied, “We shall see.” Joselyn had enough of two men talking about her as if she wasn’t there. She looked at the King of Arcadia and said “I have made my decision and I will not have it second guessed. She then looked at Marcus and said “I will not have men arguing over a heart that doesn’t belong to either of them.” The King of Arcadia held his head down and apologized. He then walked to his room for the night. Joselyn looked at Marcus and awaited his apology but she received, “May I walk you to your room?” “I was expecting an apology” Joselyn said. “For what? Did I say anything untrue?” Marcus asked. After Joselyn thought about it, Marcus’s words were true, and he came to her defense. “I don’t need you to defend me or speak for me Marcus.” “I know you don’t Joselyn. I know your perfectly capable of taking care of yourself and this Kingdom. I don’t want to speak for you, but I do want to speak with you.” Joselyn looked at Marcus and she was pleased to hear what he said. “Goodnight Marcus” was Joselyn’s reply as she turned and was escorted by Rowan to her chambers.