Fire and Ice

CHAPTER 19

Joselyn awoke with the feel of sunlight on her face. She knew it was early morning and everyone would still be asleep except for Rowan and the kitchen staff. She laid in bed thinking about everything going on. Her mind was going through many different topics from war to love when she heard a knock on her door. The knock startled her as it was so early. She automatically assumed it was Rowan so she yelled “enter.” Joselyn still lay in her bed with her eyes closed when a familiar voice spoke, “Joselyn, were you asleep?” Her eyes flew open, she knew the voice belonged to Marcus. Joselyn sat up in her bed, “Marcus, what are you doing up at such an hour, is something wrong?” Marcus walked toward her bed, “No, nothing is wrong. I just wanted to see you for a short while before another hectic day begins.” Joselyn smiled at him as she pushed the covers down on the other side of the bed. Marcus pushed off his shoes, climbed into bed, and pulled the covers around them. “You’re freezing!” Joselyn exclaimed as she felt his cold skin touch hers. “Well then warm me up,” Marcus said as he pulled her body into his. Marcus pulled her so close they could feel each others breath. He looked into her eyes and he saw himself. Marcus leaned his head forward and began to gently kiss Joselyn. Their lips moved with one another’s and became more intense. Joselyn had never been kissed the way Marcus kissed her. Her entire body felt as if it were on fire. Marcus held her tightly and was trying his best to show restraint. He knew if she continued to kiss him this passionately with her body pressing against his he would lose control. Marcus pulled away from the kiss and said, “Joselyn, I’m getting to the point where I won’t be able to stop.” Joselyn felt embarrassed and ashamed at the same time. “I’m sorry Marcus, I should have had more self control.” Marcus was breathing hard as he continued to stare at her body through the sheer nightgown, “I’m sorry too. It isn’t fair for me to deny you.” Joselyn laughed, she loved how he could make any situation comfortable. “Well, my queen, you will just have to wait.” Marcus pulled his face up to Joselyn’s. “I think my lips are satisfied with yours.” He placed her tongue in his mouth and massaged her tongue. He smiled when he heard her let out a small moan. Before his kiss became too passionate he pulled back, “Joselyn, I just want to be close to you. You already know I am in love with you. According to your announcement to my father, you love me too. I wanted to wait until after the war, but that seems less and less important now. Joselyn, will you marry me?” Joselyn grinned widely, “Yes, I will.” Marcus smiled with tears of joy welling in his eyes. He hugged her tight and they spent the rest of the morning laying in bed talking about all the possibilities their futures held.

Joselyn and Marcus were still in bed talking hours later when a knock came at her door. “Joselyn, are you awake?” came the voice from the other side. “Come in Rowan.” Rowan entered her door to find Marcus in her bed. Rowan tried to avert his eyes as he continued, “I beg your pardon my Queen, I wasn’t aware you had company.” Joselyn laughed as Marcus vacated her bed fully clothed. “Don’t worry Rowan, there isn’t anything scandalous going on. Now, what is going on that requires my attention?” Rowan gathered his thoughts, “Oh, yes. The armies are assembled and I have a plan for the other two armies. You need to ensure all your weapons are ready. Additionally, a messenger arrived stating King Henry and King Aaron will be arriving tomorrow evening.” Joselyn stretched her muscles, “Alright Rowan, I will be down soon and we will double check my weapons as well as go over the battle plans.” Rowan nodded his head and left the room. He felt too embarrassed to have a conversation with the assumption he made earlier. Joselyn removed her covers and got out of bed. Her sheer nightgown made Marcus’s gaze follow her across the room. “I can feel you watching me Marcus” Joselyn laughed. He laughed, “Joselyn, I know we have many responsibilities that need attention, but I need to go into town today for a short while. I should be back this evening.” Joselyn was in her closet and had just finished dressing when she heard Marcus’s words. She came out of the closet, “Is everything okay?” Marcus smiled, “You know I tell you everything, but I can’t tell you this. What I can tell you is that you will soon find out.” Joselyn gave a suspicious look, but relented. “Okay, I will see you this evening.” Marcus went over and placed a soft kiss on her lips. “I love you, I will be back as soon as I can.” He turned and walked out the door.

Marcus went straight to his father. He charged in Leon’s chambers without knocking. King Leon was still in the bed and sat straight up startled by his son’s sudden intrusion. “Have you gone mad boy. I raised you to at least knock, apparently it didn’t take.” Marcus was in a hurry, he had to get to town. “Father I need one of the square emeralds from your crown.” Leon looked at his son as if he had two heads. “Have you completely lost your mind. I’m not taking an emerald out of my crown. I don’t care how many are in it.” Marcus didn’t have time to argue with his father and he didn’t want to tell anyone Joselyn agreed to marry him. “Father, you know that one day that crown will be mine as will Joselyn. I need a square emerald. It will not be missed.” Leon could see the seriousness in his son’s eyes. “Okay, pry one out with the tip of the sword Joselyn gave me. It shouldn’t leave any marks.” Marcus had the emerald out of the crown before Leon finished speaking. “Thank you father.” King Leon nodded his head. “I don’t know what you’re doing, but now you have your emerald so go do it somewhere else. I am still in need of sleep.” Marcus thanked his father again and left the room. His next stop was to Joselyn’s seamstress. He told her he required small diamonds from one of her dresses that showed her Kingdoms colors. The seamstress automatically gave him the diamonds, more than likely because he was royalty. Marcus was now ready to go to town.

Marcus rode quickly from the castle and arrived at the blacksmith’s in town. He walked inside the blacksmith’s work area. He automatically recognized him as royalty and stopped his work to bow his head. “Don’t bow to me sir, it is I who needs a favor from you.” The blacksmith looked surprised, “What can I do for you?” Marcus presented him with the emerald, diamonds, and a gold ring he wore on his own finger. “Are you able to attach the emerald to this ring and the diamonds around the emerald?” The blacksmith looked at the items. “Yes, I can. It shouldn’t be too difficult, the ring is already formed.” Marcus felt a sigh of relief. “How long do you think it will take to finish it?” The blacksmith looked at it, “It will take me about three hours to complete.” Marcus laughed and hugged the blacksmith. “Thank you. This has made my day.” “I will return in three hours for the ring.” Marcus left the blacksmith and strolled through town with a grin on his face, and the blacksmith got straight to work.

Marcus walked through town stopping at different vendors. He was browsing different trinkets at a vendor who sold various items when a particular item caught his eye. There was a small green box trimmed in gold, the perfect size to hold a ring. It held a pair of gold earrings, which were not what Marcus needed. “How much for this box?” Marcus asked the vendor. The vendor stopped situating his things and walked over to Marcus. “Ah, that is a beautiful pair of earrings, they would make any woman happy. They cost $45.” Marcus knew the man was trying to sell him the earrings, but he had to make sure the box came with them. “The box, does it come with the earrings?” The vendor could clearly tell Marcus wanted the earrings and the box so he made the price higher. “Well, that is a beautiful box, and the original price was for the earrings only. The entire package will cost $50.” Marcus shook his head, handed the man his money, and took his box. Along the way he saw a small girl helping her mother sell flowers. He took the earrings from the box and gave them to her. “Oh my goodness sir, that is too expensive a gift for a child.” Her mother exclaimed. Marcus stood and smiled, “Children should have something nice every now and again. If you would be so kind madam, I would like to buy the most beautiful bouquet of flowers you have.” The woman quickly grabbed a bouquet she had just made that morning. It had an assortment of flowers that were very bright and colorful. Marcus smiled, “These are perfect. How much do I owe you.” The woman looked at her daughters new earrings, “These are free to you sir, a gift for my daughters earrings.” Marcus knew the woman needed the money, “If I take something in return then it’s not a gift.” He handed the woman a small bag of gold which would equal more than ten bouquets. Before she could protest further, Marcus walked quickly back toward the blacksmith. When he walked in the blacksmith grinned and held up the ring. “It turned out better than I expected.” The blacksmith said. Marcus walked over and took the ring from the blacksmith. It was perfect. The ring was exactly what he had pictured in his mind, “How much do I owe you?” The blacksmith was hesitant about giving a price because he recognized Marcus as royalty. “I know your time is valuable, how much do I owe you for the ring?” The blacksmith hesitated again, “Well sir, if it were any other person the cost would be $50, but..” The blacksmith didn’t get to finish his sentence as Marcus placed 200 gold coins in his hand. “Sir!” the blacksmith exclaimed. “This is too much money for a ring. I can’t accept this.” Marcus smiled as he placed the ring in the green and gold box. “This ring is worth much more than that I assure you. I thank you again.” Marcus turned and made his way back to his horse hoping Joselyn would love her ring. It was getting to be about dinner time so he mounted his horse and rode as fast as he could back to the castle.