The Hidden Princess

Surprise

The next day was the BIG day.  Cladd stopped by to pick her up with H and she looked beautiful.  He could hardly sleep the night before.  He had talked with his Uncle the King about his announcement and the King gave him permission.  If he was actual blood, then he would not have been able to choose who he marries but since he can never inherit the throne he could marry for love.  He agreed to let them marry as soon as they wanted, and she was able to move in as soon as she wanted to.  He would have gotten an earful from his sister if he did not allow any of this. The King was a kind man, and he loved his family and always felt pity for his sister and her husband’s unfortunate accident.  The King was sure they would have had many children if time had allowed.  He was always supportive and proud of Cladd and glad that he took care of his Mother the way he did.

Angela had a nice meal with Charity and Cousin Emma the night before.  She told them that Cladd had asked her to marry him and she had said yes.  Both women were extremely excited for her.  Charity and she discussed if she would stay on at the shop and Angela wanted to but was not sure if she would be allowed to keep working at the shop.  They talked about her going to meet the King the next day and how nervous she was.  She went to bed that feeling satisfied, her heart was happy.  She slept dreamlessly.

She rode behind Cladd on H and could feel the warmth from his body emanating into her own.  She held on to his waist and let her mind wander and thoughts of having his naked body next to hers ended up dominating her thoughts.  She could almost feel it.  She wondered how long they would have to wait to get married.  She would do it today if she could.  This need for him was undeniable.

“I can hear your thoughts My Love.” He spoke into her mind.

Angela was glad she was behind him because she turned red as a tomato and pressed her forehead into his back and laughed at herself.

“I would marry you today as well.  I have the same problem you do.” Cladd said in her mind and gently touched her hands that were holding him.

Cladd pulled up to the front door and hopped off H and turned and helped Angela down.  He thought she looked beautiful with her hair half loose and whisps dancing around her face.  He noticed a few white strands but decided not to say anything.  They looked in each other’s eyes and were going to kiss when they were interrupted by a scream.

“Angela is here!  Angela is here!” Princess Catherine was standing at the door. “Quick girls, grab her before anyone sees her.”  She was giggling and sent her ladies in waiting out for her.  They did as they were told, three of them split her off from Cladd and pulled into the castle. All but one was giggling. Cladd let them take her, he knew there was no stopping Catherine when she wanted to do something.

Catherine led the way to her room and shut the door behind everyone.  Angela was standing there looking at her and then remembered to bow.

“Oh, stop that, you are family, or will be soon.  A little bird told me so this morning.” Catherine was smiling at her and brought her in for a hug.  It was a real hug and Angela suddenly felt at home with her. “So, I brought you up here because we need to get you ready to meet Father. I have a few dresses you can pick from, but I think this blue one would go with your eyes.”  Catherine was pretty in her own way.  Her short tightly curled hair would never be long, her blue eyes were smaller but so bright.  Her lips were slightly thin and disappeared when she smiled but her teeth were perfect.  Her movements and her hands were so graceful. “Come one girls let’s get my cousin ready!” Catherine went and sat down, and the three women helped Angela change into the dress that Catherine suggested.  One of the girls was a bit rough with her and Angela took notice.  When they were brushing her hair she pulled a little too hard and Angela grimaced.

“Stop it, Matilda.  She is our Princesses newest family member.” One of the other girls reminded her.

Angela took a closer look and saw the girl was close to tears holding her lips tight.  As she looked at her, she knew exactly the problem.  She could feel it.  Matilda was jealous, she had feelings for Cladd. “May I have a word with Matilda?”  Angela said and the two other girls walked away.

“Matilda is my littlest sister’s name.  She is 4 years old.” Angela smiled at her. “I get the feeling that you are little jealous of me.” Matilda looked at her surprised. “I can see where you would like Cladd, he is very handsome and funny.  He is easy to like.” Angela smiled at her and took both of her hands and looked in her eyes. “He is my other half, that means your other half is still out there and when you find him you will understand what I am saying here.  You will not be able to live without him and he will not be able to live without you.  Do not waste your time pining for someone who is not your other half. I think we can be great friends so let us put this aside.” Angela pleaded with her eyes.

Matilda nodded “Yes, Milady, I am sorry.”

With that the rest of the morning went well and Matilda slowly warmed up to her and by the end she was laughing right along with everyone else.  Angela had never had friends like that.  There were girls her own age back home, but it was work, work, work all the time.  Never free time.

There was a knock on the door and Catherine called them in.  Stella entered the room; she was so full of energy and life.  Angela loved her immediately.  “There are my girls! It is time for dinner.  All the men are waiting.” She winked at Angela and they all made their way down to the great hall. 

The room was enormous, and everyone’s footsteps echoed as they walked in.  Angela was looking at the tall ceiling, the tapestry, the dishes on the table.  She heard Cladd clear his throat and she looked back at him and he indicated for her to sit next to him and she did. He whispered, “You look beautiful” To her as she sat down.

Stella and Chatherine were quit charming in their discussions and poking fun at Cladd.  Stella loves to tell tales from his childhood and Cladd just lets her do it.  You can tell they love each other and that makes Angela love them both even more than she already does.  The King was quiet and mostly just listened.  He looked over at Angela every once in a while and smiled at her. 

When everyone was done eating Cladd stood up to make his announcement.  “I have an announcement for everyone.” He looked down at Angela and smiled “I have asked Angela to be my wife and she agreed.” He asked her stand up and she did, standing next to him was the best place to be. People clapped and his mother had tears in her eyes.  “Angela will be moving in here today and staying in the room next to my Mother until we are married. Which will be as soon as possible.” With that he looked over like he was going to eat her right there, but he just kissed her cheek as she smiled.

“Send out the announcements for next week.” The King stood and spoke.

“Uncle, we could do something smaller and just do it right here, right now. I am of no consequence when it comes to whom I marry.  It will save costs.  Angela is from a very humble home as does not need any fanfare.” Cladd held Angela’s hand and the King looked over at her and she agreed.

“Very well then.  I think all the important people are here.” The king glanced around to everyones’ smiling faces. “Someone fetch me the priest to marry these two before they explode.”  Everyone laughed and the music started.  It was to be a party for the rest of the day.

For Angela, the entire day was whirlwind, so many people, so many conversations, so much fun. She was glad that Cladd was a good dancer because growing up she only danced a few times and only with her Father who just tossed her around basically.  They moved in perfect unison with each other on the dance floor.  It was funny that she didn’t know she was getting married today when she woke up, but it was the perfect day to get married.  As the party died down her and Cladd retreated to his room.  He had had some of his staff go get the few things she had at the shop and it was in his, their, room. 

He slowly opened the big wooden door, and it was lit up with candles all over.  He looked over at her and she looked so beautiful it took his breath away.  He was taller than her by about a foot with big broad shoulders and a slim waist. “Welcome home, My Love, My wife.”

She looked around and the room was as big as the home she grew up in.  There was a big bed in the middle and a window she could look out of.  The tapestry was beautiful with purple and gold.  She saw the few things she had in the corner and she also saw the wardrobe that open that had new things for her.  Tears welled up in her eyes and she was suddenly overcome with emotion.

Cladd quickly closed the door behind them not taking his eyes off her “My Love, what is wrong?” Thoughts swirled in his head, maybe she felt like she made a mistake, maybe she wanted to leave so many things fired through his mind.

“Nothing, My Love, it is perfect.  It is more than I ever dreamed of.  These are tears of happiness that I found you, that we found each other.” She hugged him and stood there crying.

‘I love her too. She has such a pure heart. We are lucky.’ Laddy said to Cladd as they stood hugging her.

‘Yes, we are.’ He said back to Laddy and kissed the top of her head.

Angela pulled away once she composed herself.  I think I am going to need help getting out of this dress, it took 3 people to get me in it. She smiled shyly up at him.  She walked over next to the bed and started unbuttoning the top button under the nape of her neck and he started helping her.  As he worked the buttons, she felt a swirling in her stomach, she was not afraid, she was excited but it seemed like something more that could not put her finger on.

She let the dress drop to the floor and began working on the undergarments.  They giggled a little as they found a new button or string to pull to help get it off.  As they finished, she let the undergarments drop to the floor.  She stood in front of him naked and the candlelight made her skin glow almost golden. She walked up to him and he was breathing hard already.  He had a catch in his breath when she reached up to start untying his shirt. She did not look up at him and he starred down at her with cute little freckles and he never wanted this moment to end.  He pulled his shirt over his head and then bent down and picked her up bridal style and laid her on the bed.

He stood back up and looked down at her. “You are so beautiful and all mine.” He smiled at her and she smiled back.  He took his pants off and crawled into bed. 

Her heart was beating so fast and her hands were shaking, and she looked up at him.  He kissed her slow and passionate.  Touching her face, her shoulders, his fingers traced where he had bitten her, and she shivered with pleasure.  She could feel herself getting aroused and relaxing.  She touched him back sliding her fingers along his arm that was wrapped around her, to his shoulder and traced the spot where she had bitten him, and he too shivered with pleasure. She invited him on top of her and he slid between her legs.  Still kissing her he entered her, her breath hitched with the initial pain, but pleasure engulfed her next.  She held on tight and together they climaxed and then they lay in each other’s arms not moving to uncouple.  This is how they fell asleep.

Cladd was holding her hand standing with the sun glaring down on them and the wind making it difficult to know what is happening.  He blocked the sun and looked over at the hand he was hold and Angela was there with long white hair with black streaks, her wings were changed since the last time he saw them.  Before they looked black or dark purple and now, they were light purple with white swirls and shimmer.  She held her wings close to her body so with wind did not catch them. She was trying to tell him something, but he could not hear her even though they were standing right next to each other. She pointed to a black hole in the ground and he could read the word jump and they did.