The Flame of Catalina

Conflict

Finnr's POV

I woke up to something tickling my nose. I cracked an eye open to see it was still dark in the tent. It was too early to wake up. I was also in the same position I found myself in the morning prior. Chay’s head rested on one of my arms while the rest of her small body followed my body’s lines. The tickle that woke was her hair, which had splayed out while we slept.   Even in the dark, I could see she was still resting more comfortably than earlier when I got into the tent for bed. This was becoming routine, but she looked so scared in her sleep when the dream came on.

I clearly was developing some infatuation with Chay, and it needed to stop. The only reason I was involved with her in the first place was because Queen Orlantha had plans for her. It’s not like I didn’t have women at court trying to pursue me. As Prince Emeric’s personal knight, I was perceived as a prize catch to the noble women living as the royal court. Hel, I’m sure even without my title, my looks would get me enough attention. But I never felt anything more than a fleeting desire to push my luck with those women. With Chay, however, I had an innate need to comfort her. I snapped out of my thoughts. She was a meant to be a way for me to

Yet, instead of just turning away now that she was ok, I pulled Chay closer, enjoying the feel of having all her pressed against me. When she snuggled in, her shirt rode up and exposed some of her skin. Since I met the siblings, both seemed to be steadily putting on weight. The access to third helpings and pressure from me to take more were good for them. Because of this, I felt less bone when my hand felt her bare skin. Her small chest had even began developing slightly, forming small swells that my thumb brushed underneath as I stroked. I moved the hair that woke me aside and rested my face into her neck gently.

I woke up again with the morning light and untangled myself from Chay. I left our warm haven and shivered, reaching for my fur lined cloak. Leaving was harder than it should have been. I stood and put on my cloak and boots. Instead of letting her sleep like last time, I woke her up.

“Chay,” tired blue eyes opened at her name. “It’s morning. We need to start packing up. Today will be the longest day of travel. Get yourself and Garin to the fire ring for breakfast before we leave.” 

She responded with a slow nod and sat up to stretch. Her arms reached above her head exposing her stomach. I caught a glimpse of skin just below her slowing filling breasts. I remembered how warm she was and thought how easy it would be to push her over. From there I would pull the shirt off and drag my fingers over the skin again. I would watch her react as I traveled up her stomach and tease her until I— Garin shifted on his mat, and I walked out of the tent before either could see my own starting to form. 

The day’s itinerary was set up similarly to yesterday’s in terms of expected stops. We would get moving after breakfast, stop for lunch, then camp for our final night. My men were already up, finishing breakfast as the two siblings came out dressed and ready to eat. They ate while Hendricks and the others packed up camp and loaded it onto the coach. Once everyone was ready to leave, I got Chay and Garin settled in the coach before moving out. We traveled until the sun hit its apex before stopping for lunch.  

During the trek, I had a real stern talking to myself about Chay. I decided then and there that not getting attached was the correct course of action. She didn’t even trust me and felt that she was a captive. I guess she was one but not in the way she thought. She was important to Queen Orlantha, not a criminal. Getting attached made things complicated, and this job was meant to be a chance to gain favor with Orlantha. So, then why did I turn to Garin after lunch to ask “Want to sit up with Henricks and maybe even steer the carriage yourself?” Like I’d hoped, he took the bait, and that is how I found myself sitting across from Chay in the carriage bumping knees as we hit bumps in the road. 

I traveled with a satchel filled with parchments Emeric had me work on to aid him. If I was going to be his head general and right hand man when he became king, I needed to be as informed in kingdom business as he was. I had very little time this trip to work on anything, so when she sat quietly and looked out the window, I got settled to start reading about some export something

She turned to me and broke the silence “Why do you let Garin out there? Would I be allowed?”

I looked up from my work “He isn’t the one Queen Orlantha wants to meet. Being here is just added security. I wasn’t kidding when I said was being used as a glorified bodyguard.” 

“Do you think we would be attacked if anyone saw me? Why are you letting Garin out there if it is that dangerous? You still haven’t explained what the Queen wants with me directly or why." I sighed. We could never have a nice quiet day, could we. 

“Fine, you caught me. Both of you technically would be safe if you chose to travel outside.” I chose to answer part of her complaint.

“Then can I go outside and ride one of the horses?” She asked 

“No.” I said bringing my eyes back down to the export legislation parchment.

“What?! Why not? You just said-“she exploded. I grew frustrated at this point, exposing more truth than I meant to.

“Maybe I want to spend the time with you in here! It’s the only place we have privacy, and we still haven’t talked about our sleeping arrangement or why you can’t sleep!”

“Maybe it’s because I don’t even know you! You stole my brother and forced me on a four day journey to face our Queen with no context. All I know is that you’re one of the bad guys, even if I consent when you touch me.” 

A silence hung around us as I thought about what she said. She was right and it bothered me that she saw me as her enemy.

“You’re right, I’m sorry. Let’s try again, shall we?” I stuck my hand out for her to take and covered hers with my other. “My name is Finnr of Reimia. I serve as part of the Royal guard, specify as the Royal family’s personal knight. I was taken in as an orphan and trained under General Leon Ashton to one day serve our prince in the same capacity.”

 I released her hand. “I was asked to bring you to see Orlantha because you may be the somebody of importance to the Queen. While I may not have all of the answers, that doesn’t mean I unaware of how you are to be treated. You will be seen as a guest, not a prisoner. No one cares about your survival tactics during previous winters or this one. Your brother and you are safe. You will be well fed and cared for until the Queen sees it fit to send you home. Then you can go home. I will even escort you back.” 

Her blue eyes held mine during my explanation. Her shoulders relaxed a little when I told her that her crimes were being overlooked but something still troubled her.

“I can’t be the person the Queen is looking for. I have never met anyone of importance of my life. I literally live in the middle of nowhere with my brother. What could she want from me?” she asked confused, turning her eyes to her lap hoping to mask the tear that fell down her cheek. 

When she asked, I didn’t see the great escape artist and protector I saw during the day, but as the scared, vulnerable girl in the tent at night. Seeing her like this during the day was unsettling because I saw the true fear she held in her eyes. I was overcome by the overwhelming need to comfort her. I leaned over and cupped her face and guided her eyes to stare back at mine. I could see the frustration of not having control in this situation staring back at me.

“I don’t know. But whatever it is, I promise to get you out before anything over the top happens.” With a small nod, I took that as confirmation she believed the lie, I had to tell her to relax. I was loyal to the crown first, but I wasn’t sure if she would be able to move on without those answers.

Chay seemed content enough with the support I offered her. We sat quietly, both looking out the window watching farms that dotted the landscape pass our travel party. Sometime after that, I stopped the party to have Garin travel the rest of the day in the carriage. Just like the prior nights, everyone fell into routine. The camp was set up, everyone ate, and we got settled for bed. When I got to the tent after my debrief with my men about planning a detour everyone would enjoy, I found Garin sleeping on his side of the tent. Chay rolled over when she heard me come in. She watched me as I took off my cloak and boots and then kneeled on my sleep mat.

I looked her directly in the eyes “Do you want to come over here now or are you going to make me drag you over here later?”

She blushed and shook her head. “No, I will join you now.” She broke eye contact and crawled over to me. I laid down and pulled a blanket over me. Then I offered her an opening to lay back into. She was tentative as she laid back my I wrapped my arm around her and pulled her close. She took a deep breath and relaxed in my hold. I fell asleep smiling thinking of Chay’s Face when she saw what I had in store for her tomorrow.