The Warrior King

Twenty-three

My mother would tell me as a small child that crying was useless. It may make you feel better at the moment but when all was said and done, the problem wasn’t fixed and you looked like a blotch monster with a headache. While the last thing I would ever want to do was admit my mother was right, when the sun streamed into my room and hit my face, my head felt like it was clamped in a vice and my face was stuck to my pillow. My body was hugging Silas, who laid next to me snoring softly. As I tried to roll away from him, my back screamed, as those muscles had frozen in their previous position. I groaned as I finally managed to get onto my back. I threw my forearm over my eyes to block out the light and laid there thinking about the night before. While I hadn’t had anything to drink, it was clear that I had a hangover. A heartache hangover. Sadly, I wasn’t even a little bit aware of where to start looking for the cure.

The sound of my bedroom chamber door opening instantly woke Silas. His large shaggy white head snapped up and a low growl reverberated through his body and subsequently, my bed. The vibrations made my stomach flip flop. I reached over and gently rubbed his ears. This seemed to soothe him enough to drop his head back down.

“Good morning Milady,” Alexia’s gentle voice called out. I heard the tinkle of china and silverware and Silas and I sniffed the air, catching the scent of fresh biscuits and bacon. I gently sat up as Alexia set a tray of food on my bedside table. “Here let me help you,” she said as she piled pillows behind me. She was dressed in the same blue dress as yesterday but today her red hair was pulled into a bun on the top of her head. Before she set the tray in my lap, she took off the crystal domes covering the plates. Steam rolled out from under them and enveloped my face as she set the tray in my lap.

“That smells amazing,” I gushed, suddenly famished. Silas looked back over his shoulder, assessing whether or not it was worth getting up to eat. 

“I hope you don’t mind me taking the liberty to bring you breakfast,” Alexia said shyly. “His Majesty left with the Elite early this morning, so I thought you might want to have some time for yourself.” I smiled. For one so young, she had quickly picked up on my feelings. 

“Thank you, that is exactly what I need,” I said. I surveyed the tray. There was a plate with bacon and eggs, a large bowl of fresh strawberries, and another plate piled high with biscuits with a saucer of gravy. I poked at the biscuits and was pleasantly surprised that they were soft and when I bit into one, it seemed to melt in my mouth with buttery goodness. “These are heavenly. Why didn’t they serve these last night?” Alexia giggled.

“Miss Brielle made them first thing this morning. She demanded to be taken to the kitchen and kept yelling something about kitchen catastrophes and choking horses. It was all James could do to keep her contained and the baking staff from fleeing,” she explained and I laughed at the thought of poor James trying to keep my best friend from flogging an entire group of people for inadequate baked goods. “Tristan even went in, thinking there was an insurrection. Once he saw she knew what she was doing, he ordered everyone to do whatever she said. After her first batch of biscuits came out, she had them literally eating out of her hand. I think one cook even tried to lick her palm but James put him in his place.” My heart swelled at the idea of James coming to Bri’s rescue, even if she might not have needed it. Something told me there was something about the two of them together that was different but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it.

“So His Majesty was in the kitchen this morning?” I asked, taking a sip of my breakfast tea. A part of me wished I could’ve seen his face, his smile, while another part of me felt it was probably a good thing we had some space. The world felt like it was moving at lightning speed and I needed a way to slow it down.

“Yes, right before he left. He asked if you were awake yet and I let him know that you were still asleep and that Silas was with you. He mentioned that Silas was a lucky, um uh,” her voice dropped to a whisper, “bastard.” A bashful grin spread out across her face. Silas let out a huff at the sound of his name and then rolled onto the floor next to the bed. He stretched his massive frame and then padded out through the bedroom door. 

“Do you know how long the king will be gone?” Alexia shook her head.

“I’m sorry Milady, but I don’t know. You could probably ask Miss Shelby or Miss Sarah, though.” I nodded and continued with my breakfast. Alexia went to leave but I asked her to stay. Her presence didn’t feel like an imposition; in fact, there was something rather calming about her. She moved around my chamber, tidying and opening the curtains. She went into the bathing chamber and then came back with a pretty pink cotton dress. It had short sleeves and was fitted to the waist. It flared from the waist, with pleats giving it some volume.

“Is that for me?” I set my tray to the side and stood up to examine it more closely. The fabric was so soft, like Silas’ fur. Alexia nodded.

“Miss Sarah picked it out. You have a big day of shopping ahead of you. The royal clothiers are expecting you. Not only will you need a whole new daily wardrobe but then there’s a formal wardrobe and of course your enlace gown and the wardrobe for your attendants. Oh and your travel wardrobe for your enlace trip. I imagine they’ll want to outfit you with intimates as well...,” at this point, Alexia’s voice trailed off as her face began to redden. Heat flooded my cheeks as I thought about what I would need those for and who would be seeing them. Thankfully, Brielle chose that moment to burst into my bedroom, Sarah and Shelby close on her heels.

“Good morning Your Majesty!” Brielle practically shouted, while flourishing a grand curtsy. I rolled my eyes as Alexia stifled a giggle. “Are you ready for a day filled with couture and culture?”

“Do I have a choice?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. Shelby and Sarah shook their heads as Brielle grabbed my hands and spun me around. 

“Of course not!” she said in a sing-song voice. “If you’re going to be queen, you better get used to the finer things.” I sighed. I knew Brielle was teasing but I still had a bundle of nerves that had taken up residence in my stomach. 

“Don’t worry love,” Sarah said gently, steering me into the bathing chamber. “The royal clothiers are consummate professionals. You will be in the best hands in the kingdom.” 

“And then the other best hands in the kingdom will take it all off of you,” Brielle chimed in. I threw her a dirty look over my shoulder, which she reciprocated by blowing me a kiss. Sarah then shut the door, leaving Bri in my bedroom. The thought of Tristan undressing me set my body on fire. I leaned against the tub trying to keep myself from hyperventilating. Sarah must have noticed and quickly shoved a cool glass of water into my hands. 

“Drink,” she ordered. I managed to take a sip and it tasted so good, I finished the entire glass. “More?” I nodded. She refilled the cup and handed it back to me. After a few more sips, I could feel my nerves start to settle. “I know exactly how you feel,” Sarah said to me. Her voice was filled with kindness. 

“I know,” I said, my voice sounding so small in my ears. “Does it ever get easier?” I asked. A big smile spread across her face.

“Absolutely. Especially after you’ve actually gotten to…” her voice drifted off and I noticed a dreamy look in her eyes. I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Is that how it was for you?” I asked, breaking into her revery. She blushed and nodded.

“I told you, Keaton had to kidnap me in order for me to even consider being with him. I hated him and wanted him more than anything all at the same time. I was convinced that when we were together for the first time, it would be awful and he’d realize what a mistake he’d made. Except that it wasn’t and I was the one who realized that we were meant for each other. After that, well, let’s just say we spent so much time in the bedroom, people started to forget what we looked like,” she said with a laugh. “If Tristan hadn’t finally put his foot down and demanded that Keaton return to his Chamberlain duties, we probably would never come out of our chambers.” The wicked look on Sarah’s face finally beat down the last of my nerves, as I let out a deep belly laugh. Sarah joined in as well and soon we were both laughing so hard, tears were streaming down our faces. A gentle knock on the door had us wiping away the tears and trying to compose ourselves. Alexia’s head popped in, concern written on her face.

“It’s alright Alexia,” I finally managed to say. “Please bring my dress in. We need to continue on with our day.” Alexia, Hannah, and Grace stepped into the bathing chamber. Sarah gave my hand a squeeze and then stepped out, leaving me to primp.

Once Grace had put the finishing touches on my hair, I stepped out into my bedroom and looked at myself in the full-length mirror situated in one corner. Hannah had only applied a light pigment to my lips and something to darken my eyelashes. Grace had pulled a section of hair on each side of my head back and woven them together to keep the rest of my curls off of my face. My dress fit perfectly and Alexia presented me with matching gemstone earrings and leather slippers. Even though it was all very simple, I felt beautiful. I did a little twirl and giggled as my dress whirled around my legs.

“Sasha you look gorgeous!” Brielle gushed coming into the room. “No one will be able to take their eyes off of you.” I smiled as she touched up her lips in the mirror. She was in a beautiful satin sapphire dress that was fitted to her like a second skin. Her beautiful blonde hair had been braided down to her shoulders and then the rest was tucked up under the braid. She had matching dangling earrings and pretty black leather slippers with jeweled buckles. 

“I’m pretty sure all eyes will be on you,” I teased, wondering if Tristan were to get a look at her now if he’d still be as attracted to me. 

“I am not the one who is Queen Betrothed. I am not the one who makes the most powerful man in the kingdom weak in the knees. And I am certainly not the one who will be the center of everyone’s attention today. No, my dear, this is all about you and I am going to make sure of it,” she said, pointing her finger at me. Her expression softened. “I’m sorry if I said anything earlier to make you upset. I know this is all a lot and I’m not exactly the most self-aware person. If I say or do something that makes this harder for you, tell me. I really do want to be here for you.” Tears sprang into my eyes again and I pulled her into a hug. 

“I love you sister,” I whispered.

“I Iove you sister,” she replied. 

“This is an extremely moving tribute to the two of you, but if we’re going to get to the clothiers this century, we should probably leave now,” a dry voice said. As we pulled apart, I saw James, dressed in his Elite commander attire, looking bored.

“Are you always this big of an asshole, or do you just reserve it for me?” Brielle demanded, hands on her hips.

“You just bring out the best in me,” he replied with a smirk. Before Brielle could continue, I cut her off.

“Is the king back?” I asked. James shook his head.

“No, Milady. I am not sure when he will be back today, if at all. He asked that I stay to accompany you,” he explained. I frowned. I didn’t like the idea of not seeing Tristan at all for an entire day, but on the other hand, he didn’t even know I existed until two days ago. “He did say that he would do his best to be back by the evening meal. He was not keen on the idea that I would get to spend the whole day with you and he wouldn’t,” James said with a small smile. 

“See?” Brielle whispered in my ear. “The man wants you badly.” James cleared his throat with an embarrassed look on his face. “What, does this kind of talk make you uncomfortable?” Brielle asked with a smirk. James crossed the room until he was toe to toe with her.

“No, but the dress you’re wearing is making it rather uncomfortable for me to wear these pants,” he said and then turned on his heel and walked out of the room.

“Holy Mother of Miel, I want to slap him and have him take me now,” Brielle said, gripping my arm. I sighed. It was going to be a long day.