My Light in the Night

Chapter 5

We arrived back in the ballroom to find it almost exactly the same as when we left. We slipped back in quietly as the last song ended.

“Jerica,” I heard the familiar voice sound from behind me.

“Dad!” I turned around (knowing well he saw us sneak back in) and found him only feet away in his wheelchair. I rushed over and hugged him. “Shouldn’t you be resting?”

“I couldn’t miss you announcing the contenders for your hand now could I?” He smiled up at me. “Now go make your announcements.”

I swallowed hard. I really hadn’t noticed how weak he was until he didn’t even raise his arms to hug me. “Okay, Daddy.” I kissed his cheek and went to find my glass and spoon.

I soon found Sebastian had these thing awaiting me. He was waiting for me on the side beside the table with them. “I still don’t know how I lost you.”

“I took the tings. “And you never will.” I called everyone’s attention. “Thank you all for coming!” Catching everyone’s attention wasn’t hard because when the future queen of one of the biggest countries in the world speaks, you listen. “I raise a toast!” Others raised their glasses. “To Prince Mateo of Asithist and Prince Valor of Linwood! The two finalist for my hand!” I smiled and took a drink of my sparkling water. I smiled as those without drinks clapped. “My kingdom welcomes you all and we shall provide tonight’s lodging for everyone.” I handed the things back to Sebastian and curtsied to the crowd. “Thank you.”

The crowd mostly went back to the incoherent babble it had been before.

Prince Mateo stepped up to me with a smile. “Thank you for your consideration. Princess.” He bowed. “I look forward to getting to know you better.

“I look forward to spending more time with you as well, Prince Mateo.” I smiled brightly back at him.

“Princess,” the disdainfully cold voice of Sir Jacob hit me like a brick wall, causing my smile to falter.

I turned and put on the big plastic smile people use when they don’t like someone. “Yes, Sir Jacob?”

“So the roses have been cast for good.”

“That they have. Please, enjoy your stay in the palace while it lasts.” It will be the last time you’ll ever see the inside. “Our faculties, including the pool, are comply open to the guests tonight.” It’s a public pool. It wouldn’t matter anyway. I turned back to Prince Mateo and spotted Prince Valor not too far away.

“Insolent little wretch just like her mother,” Sir Jacob mumbled under his breath.

“Sir Jacob!” I yelled loudly, attraction attention to us. “Do not presume that you can insult my family behind my back just because you didn’t manage to impress me.”

“I only told the truth,” Sir Jacob taunted.

“My mother was a queen, not a wrench! She gave your father his status but don’t presume I won’t take yours away from you!” I was absolutely furious.

“Your mother was a wretch and so are you. You aren’t even a real princess!” He was calling me out in front of everyone. “Borne out of wedlock and trying to marry before your father dies and you presume you’ll have any authority in this county? You’re nothing more than a pauper in this useless royal family!”

That was it. My braking point. He had insulted me, and I could take that. Then he insulted my mother and her honor and that was not okay. Now, with my father only four feet away, he attempted to dishonor my father and our family name. That was the end. I lunged at the horrible man. Just before my hands made contact with the man’s midsection, Mateo’s arms were around my waist, holding me in place and struggling with my cage. I still attempted to get out of his arms as I yelled at the man, “Do you really think you can just insult my entire family, and by extension this kingdom, and get away with it?” I planted my feet under my dress and throw my head back yelling, “Sebastian!” The yell was probably loud enough to be heard all across Eshistan.

Sebastian was there in less than a second, his hand placed on Jacob’s shoulder. “Sir Jacob.”

“How dare you put your hands on me?” He moved to backhand Sebastian.

Sebastian caught his hand. “Now we wouldn’t wish for you to accidently commit treason by injuring someone in the royal household would we?”

I composed myself. “Sebastian. I want this man out of my ballroom right now.”

“As you wish, My Lady.” Sebastian summoned a palace guard with a simple flick of his wrist and the guard escorted sir Jacob from the room. “Please, release the Princess now, Prince Mateo.”

Prince Mateo released me quickly and the entire room stood staring at us.

I decided I had to say something. “I am very sorry to all of my guests here tonight. I have behaved in the manor or a street girl rather than a princess. Please accept my humble apologies.”

A murmur ran through the crowd before Prince Valor yelled out, “He deserved it!” and joined me in the circle of people. The princesses and ladies around the room cheered for me because I stood up for myself while the men in the room just stared at me for the “inappropriate behavior.”

My dad soon laughed and called across the room, “You found a good set.”

I gave a small laugh under my breath. “I’m ready for bed, Sebastian.”

Sebastian gave a nod and led me through the crowd to my father. “Say something to him.”

I bowed my head to indicate that I was speaking to someone of a higher status than myself. “I am very sorry that I caused a scene. I very nearly ruined your ball with violence.”

“Jerica, I am not happy that you nearly went after him but given that the majority of the women here and a few princes say that you were in the right, I will let you off with a warning… this time.” Father took my hand. “You made some good choices today, Jerica. Good night sweetheart. I love you.”

“Thank you father. I love you. Sleep well.” I hugged and kissed my father before allowing Sebastian to lead me up the stairs to my room.

I was soon in my room and in my silk pajamas. I sat alone on my bed, my room dark, still, and silent around me, as I read by the combined light of my mom’s rose garden and the full moon. I was happy to read in the dark, as I always did, but less happy when a human shaped shadow interrupted my light. I, being the mostly paranoid human I am, pulled the hidden blessed blade from under my second pillow and hid it in the crease of my book. The shadow advanced slowly as I went about my usual night time routine. It didn’t come any farther than my balcony door before it stopped and my mind automatically jumped to the supernatural. Vampire. I stepped towards the book shelf beside the door. I pulled the knife out, ready to stab the thing in my door way, and threw the book down. I pressed my knife to the now extremely afraid thing’s throat in my door way. I pressed it against the wall and stared up at its dark face. “State your name and business.”

“Prince Valor Everand Colluard of Linwood!” His hands were pressed against the walls, a chain in his closed fist. “I came to give Princess Jerica something!”

I took my blade away from his throat. I rushed across my bed room and pulled the string on my lamp. “What the hell is wrong with you?” I dropped myself on my bed and slid my knife back under the unused pillow.

“Me! What the f**k is wrong with you? You just threatened me with a knife!” Valor, in his silk pajamas as well, entered my room.

“Yeah, well, you entered my room without my consent! That's illegal!”

“No, I stood on your balcony. I didn’t enter your room. Now that, entering, that would be high treason.” He held up a little trinket, the chain wrapped around his finger. “I brought you this but now I don’t know if I should give you this little piece of gold,” he teased, swinging the shiny trinket in front of my face. “Explain the knife.”

“Fine. I’ll tell you about the knife, the salt in the windows, and the devil’s traps.”

“Salt and devil’s traps?” Valor dropped his hand. “I didn’t see those.”

I shook my head with a smile. “Time for show-and-tell, I guess.” I stepped up to the sliding door of my balcony. I knelt down and Valor followed my example. I licked my finger and set it in the door frame, collecting a decent amount of finely ground rock salt from the frame. I showed it to him. “I like to learn about the supernatural and love books about it. That, of course, makes me a little paranoid about said supernatural. Salt wards off ghosts. It’s in every last window and door frame in my house, put there by yours truly. It’s so fine that no one would ever notice and it doesn’t raise any suspicion but still keeps out the ghosts. There are devil’s traps carved in random places around the castle. They’re in most door ways and under most rugs.” I pointed to the two by two inch little symbol carved into the door frame. “I carved all of them in when I was seven. Stared placing salt when I was nine.”

“And the blade?"

“Yes… that…” I stood up and went back to my bed. I took out the blade and carried it back to Valor. “It’s a silver blade with a devil’s trap etched into it. It was blessed by the local priest and dipped in holy water. It can kill just about anything. Not djinn or dragons but most things. Got it when i was fifteen.” I played with the knife a little bit before placing it back in its hiding place. “Oh and I drink tea made with holy water every morning. No demonic possessions.”

“Wow. I didn’t know that you were that paranoid.” There was a note of sarcasm in his voice. “Good thing I made sure that the jeweler put a bind-rune on the back.” He passed me the gold trinket.

I looked at the trinket. It was a golden cat with an emerald collar and Eyes of Honor (a strong protection symbol). I turned it over and the bind-rune Sanconmak (a symbol to ward off fairies and gnomes) was engraved in the back. I gave a small laugh. “A Sanconmak? It’s cute but that seems a little weak.”

“Hey! It has Eyes of Honor too.” He smiled at me. “Let’s do this right.”

“Sorry?” I looked up from the trinket as he took it back from me.

“This is a Linwoodian courting charm.” He unclipped the clip on the necklace. “Jerica. Will you allow me to court you? To kiss you when I wish? To call on you when I need you? To protect your innocence until marriage? To one day, if I win your favor, have and hold you in marriage?”

I smiled. “Valor. I allow you to court me. To kiss me when you wish. To call upon me when you need me. To protect my innocence until marriage. I allow you to one day, if you manage to win my favor, have and hold me in marriage until death.”

“You know the courting ritual?” Valor smiled happily at me.

“Of course I do. Are you kidding? Courting protocol is honestly an entire subject I had to study with my private tutor.”

He slid the chain around my neck and clasped it. As he pulled away, he grabbed the side of my face gently and forced my face to his. He pressed his lips to mine (surprising me) as he moved his hands down to the small of my back and held them there until I melted like butter in arms, my arms moving up to sit around his neck. He released for air. “I’ve waited a long, long time to do that.”

I stayed wrapped in his arms, both of us on our knees, and put my head on his shoulder. I breathed in the sweet scent of his cologne. It was just so intoxicating. I couldn't let go. I'd lose the scent of my first kiss if I did.

“I could get drunk off your sent…” Valor closed his fist in my silk shirt. “No… I made you a promise just now. I can’t allow myself to lose control.” His fist eased off on my shirt.

I stayed pressed tight against him. “I- I don’t want to let go…”

“Then don’t.” He picked me up and carried me to the bed. He laid me down on my bed and laid his head on my usually unused pillow. He pulled out the knife, set it on my bed side pillow, and wrapped his arms around me.

I curled my head into his chest and put my arms against his chest, my fist grabbing his shirt. I smelled his scent again and curled tighter into him.