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By some grace of the gods, Aikaterine had received a letter from the King of Taengea. With the beautiful paper and seal on it, it was by luck that Cretheus hadn't gotten his hands on such a prize. Something like this would have actually made her husband happy. But, he wasn't here to do it. She held it between her fingers like some fragile anomaly that carried more weight than anything else in the home. It was only then that a sudden somber expression washed over her face. Aikaterine was going to have to deliver horses to the king. The king! She repeated it again and again in her mind, as though that was going to make it any more realistic. She might have even wanted to pinch herself.
Instead, emerald eyes glanced around frantically. But, the room she was in was empty. Empty like the feeling inside for most of her life since Cretheus had been there. It was thankfully another excuse to get out of the home and travel to the capital of the kingdom. She could leave and he couldn't touch her. A minor smiled curled on her lips as she gave a gaze out the window towards the stables. Who was she going to bring? It was all about the horses, even if she had some selfish joy growing at the pit of her stomach to get away. It tossed and turned with the sadness she felt every time she went away from her children. The pain of staying versus the pain of going away constantly at odds within her.
Aikaterine knew this trip was only going to benefit her son and all that he was going to inherit. She couldn't possibly make the king wait long for what he requested. Every one of the horses she wondered if they would satisfy. This would be a step in the right direction, if he liked them she could only hope that maybe her son could be given a barony. And considering his own wife was that of a Leventi, her horses were finally going to be proven far superior. Something her own family and her husbands family had been attempting to prove for generations. This was her one and only chance. It would have to be the best.
More than twenty-four hours had passed by the time she had made the final decisions of three that would make a suitable presentation for Stephanos of Mikaelidas. She tacked up one to ride with the other two tied to the back to trail along on the steep ride down from Meganea into Vasiliadon. This was a trip she knew well. A trip that her husband had done more than she had, but already she had been making this trip back and forth. Excuses each time that it was for business, and it usually was. This time she didn't utter a word besides details of a prestigious sale as Cretheus scolded her for doing too much outside of the house. Aktis was dead. There was no one else. She needed to do it for her son's sake.
"I love you, you be the man of the house. You hear?" She cupped her son's cheek with her hand as she stared down at him. He was still a little more than two years from legally being able to take over all of this. And if it were for any other deal, she might have brought him along to learn. Not this time. This time, she had to trust that the only servant that was left would be able to keep them all safe. She was close with the middle-aged childless woman who had dedicated her life to Aikaterine. She had to trust it before she ventured down the cliff with the three options.
At the gate of the palati Aikaterine dismounted her horse to present the letter from his majesty. It was all the proof she needed to at least get in the walls. A gesture to go to the stables with the three stallions she had brought along. The leads were held tightly in her grip as she moved to exactly where she had been directed and told that the king would be down at his earliest convenience. She simply nodded.
She soon was biting on the inside of her lip, nervous about whether she had done this all wrong. Should she have sent a letter back? Was she supposed to send them with a messenger? She couldn't trust a messenger to talk horses. Not when she had grown up her entire life in this business. One hand still holding the leather leads of the three well-behaved horses and the other idly toying with the folds of her chiton. She was rather plain looking at first glance. Never spending in excess on her clothing, even if they had the money. Her hair free and wavy, and maybe even a little unkempt from the ride. But, none of that was on her mind. She didn't care about how she looked, she merely hoped the horses would be up to Stephanos expectations.
JD
Staff Team
JD
Staff Team
This post was created by our staff team.
Please contact us with your queries and questions.
By some grace of the gods, Aikaterine had received a letter from the King of Taengea. With the beautiful paper and seal on it, it was by luck that Cretheus hadn't gotten his hands on such a prize. Something like this would have actually made her husband happy. But, he wasn't here to do it. She held it between her fingers like some fragile anomaly that carried more weight than anything else in the home. It was only then that a sudden somber expression washed over her face. Aikaterine was going to have to deliver horses to the king. The king! She repeated it again and again in her mind, as though that was going to make it any more realistic. She might have even wanted to pinch herself.
Instead, emerald eyes glanced around frantically. But, the room she was in was empty. Empty like the feeling inside for most of her life since Cretheus had been there. It was thankfully another excuse to get out of the home and travel to the capital of the kingdom. She could leave and he couldn't touch her. A minor smiled curled on her lips as she gave a gaze out the window towards the stables. Who was she going to bring? It was all about the horses, even if she had some selfish joy growing at the pit of her stomach to get away. It tossed and turned with the sadness she felt every time she went away from her children. The pain of staying versus the pain of going away constantly at odds within her.
Aikaterine knew this trip was only going to benefit her son and all that he was going to inherit. She couldn't possibly make the king wait long for what he requested. Every one of the horses she wondered if they would satisfy. This would be a step in the right direction, if he liked them she could only hope that maybe her son could be given a barony. And considering his own wife was that of a Leventi, her horses were finally going to be proven far superior. Something her own family and her husbands family had been attempting to prove for generations. This was her one and only chance. It would have to be the best.
More than twenty-four hours had passed by the time she had made the final decisions of three that would make a suitable presentation for Stephanos of Mikaelidas. She tacked up one to ride with the other two tied to the back to trail along on the steep ride down from Meganea into Vasiliadon. This was a trip she knew well. A trip that her husband had done more than she had, but already she had been making this trip back and forth. Excuses each time that it was for business, and it usually was. This time she didn't utter a word besides details of a prestigious sale as Cretheus scolded her for doing too much outside of the house. Aktis was dead. There was no one else. She needed to do it for her son's sake.
"I love you, you be the man of the house. You hear?" She cupped her son's cheek with her hand as she stared down at him. He was still a little more than two years from legally being able to take over all of this. And if it were for any other deal, she might have brought him along to learn. Not this time. This time, she had to trust that the only servant that was left would be able to keep them all safe. She was close with the middle-aged childless woman who had dedicated her life to Aikaterine. She had to trust it before she ventured down the cliff with the three options.
At the gate of the palati Aikaterine dismounted her horse to present the letter from his majesty. It was all the proof she needed to at least get in the walls. A gesture to go to the stables with the three stallions she had brought along. The leads were held tightly in her grip as she moved to exactly where she had been directed and told that the king would be down at his earliest convenience. She simply nodded.
She soon was biting on the inside of her lip, nervous about whether she had done this all wrong. Should she have sent a letter back? Was she supposed to send them with a messenger? She couldn't trust a messenger to talk horses. Not when she had grown up her entire life in this business. One hand still holding the leather leads of the three well-behaved horses and the other idly toying with the folds of her chiton. She was rather plain looking at first glance. Never spending in excess on her clothing, even if they had the money. Her hair free and wavy, and maybe even a little unkempt from the ride. But, none of that was on her mind. She didn't care about how she looked, she merely hoped the horses would be up to Stephanos expectations.
By some grace of the gods, Aikaterine had received a letter from the King of Taengea. With the beautiful paper and seal on it, it was by luck that Cretheus hadn't gotten his hands on such a prize. Something like this would have actually made her husband happy. But, he wasn't here to do it. She held it between her fingers like some fragile anomaly that carried more weight than anything else in the home. It was only then that a sudden somber expression washed over her face. Aikaterine was going to have to deliver horses to the king. The king! She repeated it again and again in her mind, as though that was going to make it any more realistic. She might have even wanted to pinch herself.
Instead, emerald eyes glanced around frantically. But, the room she was in was empty. Empty like the feeling inside for most of her life since Cretheus had been there. It was thankfully another excuse to get out of the home and travel to the capital of the kingdom. She could leave and he couldn't touch her. A minor smiled curled on her lips as she gave a gaze out the window towards the stables. Who was she going to bring? It was all about the horses, even if she had some selfish joy growing at the pit of her stomach to get away. It tossed and turned with the sadness she felt every time she went away from her children. The pain of staying versus the pain of going away constantly at odds within her.
Aikaterine knew this trip was only going to benefit her son and all that he was going to inherit. She couldn't possibly make the king wait long for what he requested. Every one of the horses she wondered if they would satisfy. This would be a step in the right direction, if he liked them she could only hope that maybe her son could be given a barony. And considering his own wife was that of a Leventi, her horses were finally going to be proven far superior. Something her own family and her husbands family had been attempting to prove for generations. This was her one and only chance. It would have to be the best.
More than twenty-four hours had passed by the time she had made the final decisions of three that would make a suitable presentation for Stephanos of Mikaelidas. She tacked up one to ride with the other two tied to the back to trail along on the steep ride down from Meganea into Vasiliadon. This was a trip she knew well. A trip that her husband had done more than she had, but already she had been making this trip back and forth. Excuses each time that it was for business, and it usually was. This time she didn't utter a word besides details of a prestigious sale as Cretheus scolded her for doing too much outside of the house. Aktis was dead. There was no one else. She needed to do it for her son's sake.
"I love you, you be the man of the house. You hear?" She cupped her son's cheek with her hand as she stared down at him. He was still a little more than two years from legally being able to take over all of this. And if it were for any other deal, she might have brought him along to learn. Not this time. This time, she had to trust that the only servant that was left would be able to keep them all safe. She was close with the middle-aged childless woman who had dedicated her life to Aikaterine. She had to trust it before she ventured down the cliff with the three options.
At the gate of the palati Aikaterine dismounted her horse to present the letter from his majesty. It was all the proof she needed to at least get in the walls. A gesture to go to the stables with the three stallions she had brought along. The leads were held tightly in her grip as she moved to exactly where she had been directed and told that the king would be down at his earliest convenience. She simply nodded.
She soon was biting on the inside of her lip, nervous about whether she had done this all wrong. Should she have sent a letter back? Was she supposed to send them with a messenger? She couldn't trust a messenger to talk horses. Not when she had grown up her entire life in this business. One hand still holding the leather leads of the three well-behaved horses and the other idly toying with the folds of her chiton. She was rather plain looking at first glance. Never spending in excess on her clothing, even if they had the money. Her hair free and wavy, and maybe even a little unkempt from the ride. But, none of that was on her mind. She didn't care about how she looked, she merely hoped the horses would be up to Stephanos expectations.
The fountain in the center of the palace courtyard was a masterpiece of art. The circumference of the marble basin was impressively large and deep enough that the water came up to waist height. Though fish could have been kept in it, there were none. Instead, the water was kept pure and was watched over by the daughters of Atlas. Each willowy maiden stood enshrined in stone, forever pouring water from their earthen vessels.
Stephanos sat at the roots of a fig tree with is back against the trunk. He stared unseeing at the fountain. The lyrical splashing of water did not intrude on his thoughts any more than the tittering of the three birds flitting about from branch to branch within the tree. He was hardly aware of the fig that he absently toyed with and did not notice when it finally rolled away over the uneven limestone slabs of the courtyard.
His was a face made for open, easy laughter but not a ghost of it remained. The corners of his mouth twisted downward as he clenched and unclenched his jaw. Both eyes were narrowed as he concentrated on matters unseen. Every muscle in his body was tense; He was a taut rope, being pulled in in too many directions, and ready to fray apart at any moment.
Being confined indoors for as long as he had been had now reached claustrophobic levels. The courtyard, with its fruit trees and open sky was meant to be his escape. His gaze followed a peacock as it landed on the top of the wall with its jeweled green tail draping down in majestic splendor. The bird was not chained. It could fly away at any time but it stayed. He was the same.
“Your majesty?” Poseikles, one of his advisors, stepped out into the courtyard.
He pressed harder against the tree and shut his eyes as though that would make the other man disappear.
“Ah,” Poseikles swept forward and bowed. “Sire. There’s a woman here to see you. Something about horses? I was going to send her away but...it seems you sent for her?”
“I didn’t send for her,” he ground the heels of his hands into his eyes. Of course. Another of his sins, brought forward to worry Olympia with. “I sent for horses.”
“That’s what I thought,” Poseikles looked relieved. “I knew I wasn’t mistaken in thinking that only her majesty’s family would be supplying us with horses. Allow me to send her away, sire. She’s a dumpy little thing.”
“Yes,” he waved vaguely and shut his eyes again. Sleep was a elusive these last few nights and the petty way he’d been going to teach his wife a lesson seemed needlessly cruel. Especially now that she could potentially lose his heir. “Send her away. And unless it’s to do with my mother, my uncle, or the queen, do not come to me again.”
“Of course, sire.” Poseikles bowed lower than before. A self satisfied smirk played about his mouth. “Poor girl. All this way for nothing.”
Stephanos watched the man’s retreating figure. His frown deepened. For a few seconds, he considered doing exactly as he’d intended; sitting in the courtyard and possibly praying for some other outcome for his wife and child. But he didn’t have it in him to pray. The gods were cruel enough without him having to beg for something to go right.
“Poseikles,” he called out and stood as his advisor turned back around with a wary look. “I will see her. I called for the horses before the queen...took ill.” Calling her ill was easier than inferring something more sinister. People got over illnesses. They recovered and were fine. It would be best for all of them if she simply was ill.
“Your majesty.” Poseikles bowed again and left. The man seemed both surprised by the change of mind and not inclined to agree with it but due to the past few days, none of his advisors had challenged him on any issue whatsoever. Whatever he said was followed without delay. It was the one good thing to come out of the entire situation.
For a long moment, he looked to the fountain again. The face of each statue maiden was serene, their lips curving into an ethereal smile. Perhaps he’d been that way at one time. But he couldn’t remember when. He was a young man but felt far older than his 32 years. Too old to be hiding in the courtyard, at any rate.
He did not hurry to the stables, nor did he walk slowly. She had been waiting not overly long once he stepped out of a side door behind her. From here, he could see what Poseikles meant when he’d called her ‘dumpy’. Unlike most, she had not taken the time to dress for her king. Her windswept hair and plain clothing presented her as someone who was either insolent and defiant, maintaining that they were not beholden to the crown, or perhaps that she simply did not care about how she was perceived.
With her back turned, he took a moment to glance at the horses she’d brought with her. Wondering if they were as shaggy and unkempt as she. And wondering if perhaps he should not have kept his word and met with her after all.
"You're prompt," he said after a moment. "There's something in that." Waiting until she'd turned around, he nodded at the reins in her hand. "I was not expecting..." he was going to say 'a woman' but instead he let the sentence hang between them. She could fill in what she liked.
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The fountain in the center of the palace courtyard was a masterpiece of art. The circumference of the marble basin was impressively large and deep enough that the water came up to waist height. Though fish could have been kept in it, there were none. Instead, the water was kept pure and was watched over by the daughters of Atlas. Each willowy maiden stood enshrined in stone, forever pouring water from their earthen vessels.
Stephanos sat at the roots of a fig tree with is back against the trunk. He stared unseeing at the fountain. The lyrical splashing of water did not intrude on his thoughts any more than the tittering of the three birds flitting about from branch to branch within the tree. He was hardly aware of the fig that he absently toyed with and did not notice when it finally rolled away over the uneven limestone slabs of the courtyard.
His was a face made for open, easy laughter but not a ghost of it remained. The corners of his mouth twisted downward as he clenched and unclenched his jaw. Both eyes were narrowed as he concentrated on matters unseen. Every muscle in his body was tense; He was a taut rope, being pulled in in too many directions, and ready to fray apart at any moment.
Being confined indoors for as long as he had been had now reached claustrophobic levels. The courtyard, with its fruit trees and open sky was meant to be his escape. His gaze followed a peacock as it landed on the top of the wall with its jeweled green tail draping down in majestic splendor. The bird was not chained. It could fly away at any time but it stayed. He was the same.
“Your majesty?” Poseikles, one of his advisors, stepped out into the courtyard.
He pressed harder against the tree and shut his eyes as though that would make the other man disappear.
“Ah,” Poseikles swept forward and bowed. “Sire. There’s a woman here to see you. Something about horses? I was going to send her away but...it seems you sent for her?”
“I didn’t send for her,” he ground the heels of his hands into his eyes. Of course. Another of his sins, brought forward to worry Olympia with. “I sent for horses.”
“That’s what I thought,” Poseikles looked relieved. “I knew I wasn’t mistaken in thinking that only her majesty’s family would be supplying us with horses. Allow me to send her away, sire. She’s a dumpy little thing.”
“Yes,” he waved vaguely and shut his eyes again. Sleep was a elusive these last few nights and the petty way he’d been going to teach his wife a lesson seemed needlessly cruel. Especially now that she could potentially lose his heir. “Send her away. And unless it’s to do with my mother, my uncle, or the queen, do not come to me again.”
“Of course, sire.” Poseikles bowed lower than before. A self satisfied smirk played about his mouth. “Poor girl. All this way for nothing.”
Stephanos watched the man’s retreating figure. His frown deepened. For a few seconds, he considered doing exactly as he’d intended; sitting in the courtyard and possibly praying for some other outcome for his wife and child. But he didn’t have it in him to pray. The gods were cruel enough without him having to beg for something to go right.
“Poseikles,” he called out and stood as his advisor turned back around with a wary look. “I will see her. I called for the horses before the queen...took ill.” Calling her ill was easier than inferring something more sinister. People got over illnesses. They recovered and were fine. It would be best for all of them if she simply was ill.
“Your majesty.” Poseikles bowed again and left. The man seemed both surprised by the change of mind and not inclined to agree with it but due to the past few days, none of his advisors had challenged him on any issue whatsoever. Whatever he said was followed without delay. It was the one good thing to come out of the entire situation.
For a long moment, he looked to the fountain again. The face of each statue maiden was serene, their lips curving into an ethereal smile. Perhaps he’d been that way at one time. But he couldn’t remember when. He was a young man but felt far older than his 32 years. Too old to be hiding in the courtyard, at any rate.
He did not hurry to the stables, nor did he walk slowly. She had been waiting not overly long once he stepped out of a side door behind her. From here, he could see what Poseikles meant when he’d called her ‘dumpy’. Unlike most, she had not taken the time to dress for her king. Her windswept hair and plain clothing presented her as someone who was either insolent and defiant, maintaining that they were not beholden to the crown, or perhaps that she simply did not care about how she was perceived.
With her back turned, he took a moment to glance at the horses she’d brought with her. Wondering if they were as shaggy and unkempt as she. And wondering if perhaps he should not have kept his word and met with her after all.
"You're prompt," he said after a moment. "There's something in that." Waiting until she'd turned around, he nodded at the reins in her hand. "I was not expecting..." he was going to say 'a woman' but instead he let the sentence hang between them. She could fill in what she liked.
The fountain in the center of the palace courtyard was a masterpiece of art. The circumference of the marble basin was impressively large and deep enough that the water came up to waist height. Though fish could have been kept in it, there were none. Instead, the water was kept pure and was watched over by the daughters of Atlas. Each willowy maiden stood enshrined in stone, forever pouring water from their earthen vessels.
Stephanos sat at the roots of a fig tree with is back against the trunk. He stared unseeing at the fountain. The lyrical splashing of water did not intrude on his thoughts any more than the tittering of the three birds flitting about from branch to branch within the tree. He was hardly aware of the fig that he absently toyed with and did not notice when it finally rolled away over the uneven limestone slabs of the courtyard.
His was a face made for open, easy laughter but not a ghost of it remained. The corners of his mouth twisted downward as he clenched and unclenched his jaw. Both eyes were narrowed as he concentrated on matters unseen. Every muscle in his body was tense; He was a taut rope, being pulled in in too many directions, and ready to fray apart at any moment.
Being confined indoors for as long as he had been had now reached claustrophobic levels. The courtyard, with its fruit trees and open sky was meant to be his escape. His gaze followed a peacock as it landed on the top of the wall with its jeweled green tail draping down in majestic splendor. The bird was not chained. It could fly away at any time but it stayed. He was the same.
“Your majesty?” Poseikles, one of his advisors, stepped out into the courtyard.
He pressed harder against the tree and shut his eyes as though that would make the other man disappear.
“Ah,” Poseikles swept forward and bowed. “Sire. There’s a woman here to see you. Something about horses? I was going to send her away but...it seems you sent for her?”
“I didn’t send for her,” he ground the heels of his hands into his eyes. Of course. Another of his sins, brought forward to worry Olympia with. “I sent for horses.”
“That’s what I thought,” Poseikles looked relieved. “I knew I wasn’t mistaken in thinking that only her majesty’s family would be supplying us with horses. Allow me to send her away, sire. She’s a dumpy little thing.”
“Yes,” he waved vaguely and shut his eyes again. Sleep was a elusive these last few nights and the petty way he’d been going to teach his wife a lesson seemed needlessly cruel. Especially now that she could potentially lose his heir. “Send her away. And unless it’s to do with my mother, my uncle, or the queen, do not come to me again.”
“Of course, sire.” Poseikles bowed lower than before. A self satisfied smirk played about his mouth. “Poor girl. All this way for nothing.”
Stephanos watched the man’s retreating figure. His frown deepened. For a few seconds, he considered doing exactly as he’d intended; sitting in the courtyard and possibly praying for some other outcome for his wife and child. But he didn’t have it in him to pray. The gods were cruel enough without him having to beg for something to go right.
“Poseikles,” he called out and stood as his advisor turned back around with a wary look. “I will see her. I called for the horses before the queen...took ill.” Calling her ill was easier than inferring something more sinister. People got over illnesses. They recovered and were fine. It would be best for all of them if she simply was ill.
“Your majesty.” Poseikles bowed again and left. The man seemed both surprised by the change of mind and not inclined to agree with it but due to the past few days, none of his advisors had challenged him on any issue whatsoever. Whatever he said was followed without delay. It was the one good thing to come out of the entire situation.
For a long moment, he looked to the fountain again. The face of each statue maiden was serene, their lips curving into an ethereal smile. Perhaps he’d been that way at one time. But he couldn’t remember when. He was a young man but felt far older than his 32 years. Too old to be hiding in the courtyard, at any rate.
He did not hurry to the stables, nor did he walk slowly. She had been waiting not overly long once he stepped out of a side door behind her. From here, he could see what Poseikles meant when he’d called her ‘dumpy’. Unlike most, she had not taken the time to dress for her king. Her windswept hair and plain clothing presented her as someone who was either insolent and defiant, maintaining that they were not beholden to the crown, or perhaps that she simply did not care about how she was perceived.
With her back turned, he took a moment to glance at the horses she’d brought with her. Wondering if they were as shaggy and unkempt as she. And wondering if perhaps he should not have kept his word and met with her after all.
"You're prompt," he said after a moment. "There's something in that." Waiting until she'd turned around, he nodded at the reins in her hand. "I was not expecting..." he was going to say 'a woman' but instead he let the sentence hang between them. She could fill in what she liked.
There had always been a want to look pretty, to look put together as many of the other ladies of the same wealth as herself. However, that only brought on the attention of the monster more often. Times when she would spend a long time toying with her own hair. Twisting and turning the beautiful ribbons among the braids. A splash of water to her face to keep it clean and bright. But, all of it had always come with consequences. That combined with the fact that her husband had never really allowed her to purchase new dresses of the luxurious fabrics she should have been receiving made this the only outcome.
She stood quite content at one of the horse's sides. A hand pressed against the fur and felt the warmth. The only comfort she had ever known. The only comfort that had been pure. Aikaterine had always found solace in her horses. They would listen to her troubles without a word in return. They would never tell her secrets. Time stopped when she could just focus on those who depended on her care, her love. Love that she wished she could give to her family. Somehow, it was harder with humans.
Then the king broke through the shuffles and stomps of the horses in the stables. Instantly, she knew it was him that had commented on her timing. Though, she was in the dark when it came to the struggles the queen was having at the time. She had no clue that there would be a problem coming now, even if she had moments where she thought of the Leventi family and her own family's want to surpass them. The woman spun around and dropped into a bow low and respectful to what a king would deserve. She started to think about her appearance and in hindsight thought that maybe she should have paused to fix disheveled state before coming into the palati. It was too late to fix that. Fingers teased at the fabric of her plain dress. It was all she had. It was all she knew.
"Your majesty, I would never keep you waiting." A response to the ground as she admitted her promptness to him. Not that he asked. And maybe he didn't even care about why she had been fast. Maybe he didn't care about how much the request meant to her family and the generations before her that desperately wanted to serve the crown. The next words were almost expected. She could only finish it in her head because she had heard it all before. Rare green eyes staring at the ground for a moment longer before looking up while still in her crouched position.
He was stunning. And here she was looking terrible at the beck and call of the king. Her parents kept her in Meganea and then her husband kept her there. There wasn't the slightest knowledge of how to display herself to someone like this. If she wasn't what he was expecting, what was it then? "Your majesty, I apologize that it is I. My husband passed almost a year ago and I have had to do this myself for the sake of my son, my family." And there she was spouting off more words than she had said to a man in ages. She found it was easier to deal with the world around her if she kept to herself.
There she was still frozen, silent as she was now nervous she had said too much. That she had spoken out of turn and gave more information than Stephanos had bargained for. This was no relationship that benefited from her life story. No more excuses uttered while well-manicured fingers pressed against her lips hushing herself. Still bent as she waited until she was told to do otherwise.
The grand stallions speaking for her instead. They were impeccably kept, quite opposite of the lady. Even inside without the reflections from the rays of the sun, their coats were shiny, healthy, with obvious muscles showing they were toned and trained. If she spent half the time on herself as she spent on the horses, she might have just been one of the hidden beauties hidden away high in the cliffs of Taengea. Being attractive was too dangerous.
JD
Staff Team
JD
Staff Team
This post was created by our staff team.
Please contact us with your queries and questions.
There had always been a want to look pretty, to look put together as many of the other ladies of the same wealth as herself. However, that only brought on the attention of the monster more often. Times when she would spend a long time toying with her own hair. Twisting and turning the beautiful ribbons among the braids. A splash of water to her face to keep it clean and bright. But, all of it had always come with consequences. That combined with the fact that her husband had never really allowed her to purchase new dresses of the luxurious fabrics she should have been receiving made this the only outcome.
She stood quite content at one of the horse's sides. A hand pressed against the fur and felt the warmth. The only comfort she had ever known. The only comfort that had been pure. Aikaterine had always found solace in her horses. They would listen to her troubles without a word in return. They would never tell her secrets. Time stopped when she could just focus on those who depended on her care, her love. Love that she wished she could give to her family. Somehow, it was harder with humans.
Then the king broke through the shuffles and stomps of the horses in the stables. Instantly, she knew it was him that had commented on her timing. Though, she was in the dark when it came to the struggles the queen was having at the time. She had no clue that there would be a problem coming now, even if she had moments where she thought of the Leventi family and her own family's want to surpass them. The woman spun around and dropped into a bow low and respectful to what a king would deserve. She started to think about her appearance and in hindsight thought that maybe she should have paused to fix disheveled state before coming into the palati. It was too late to fix that. Fingers teased at the fabric of her plain dress. It was all she had. It was all she knew.
"Your majesty, I would never keep you waiting." A response to the ground as she admitted her promptness to him. Not that he asked. And maybe he didn't even care about why she had been fast. Maybe he didn't care about how much the request meant to her family and the generations before her that desperately wanted to serve the crown. The next words were almost expected. She could only finish it in her head because she had heard it all before. Rare green eyes staring at the ground for a moment longer before looking up while still in her crouched position.
He was stunning. And here she was looking terrible at the beck and call of the king. Her parents kept her in Meganea and then her husband kept her there. There wasn't the slightest knowledge of how to display herself to someone like this. If she wasn't what he was expecting, what was it then? "Your majesty, I apologize that it is I. My husband passed almost a year ago and I have had to do this myself for the sake of my son, my family." And there she was spouting off more words than she had said to a man in ages. She found it was easier to deal with the world around her if she kept to herself.
There she was still frozen, silent as she was now nervous she had said too much. That she had spoken out of turn and gave more information than Stephanos had bargained for. This was no relationship that benefited from her life story. No more excuses uttered while well-manicured fingers pressed against her lips hushing herself. Still bent as she waited until she was told to do otherwise.
The grand stallions speaking for her instead. They were impeccably kept, quite opposite of the lady. Even inside without the reflections from the rays of the sun, their coats were shiny, healthy, with obvious muscles showing they were toned and trained. If she spent half the time on herself as she spent on the horses, she might have just been one of the hidden beauties hidden away high in the cliffs of Taengea. Being attractive was too dangerous.
There had always been a want to look pretty, to look put together as many of the other ladies of the same wealth as herself. However, that only brought on the attention of the monster more often. Times when she would spend a long time toying with her own hair. Twisting and turning the beautiful ribbons among the braids. A splash of water to her face to keep it clean and bright. But, all of it had always come with consequences. That combined with the fact that her husband had never really allowed her to purchase new dresses of the luxurious fabrics she should have been receiving made this the only outcome.
She stood quite content at one of the horse's sides. A hand pressed against the fur and felt the warmth. The only comfort she had ever known. The only comfort that had been pure. Aikaterine had always found solace in her horses. They would listen to her troubles without a word in return. They would never tell her secrets. Time stopped when she could just focus on those who depended on her care, her love. Love that she wished she could give to her family. Somehow, it was harder with humans.
Then the king broke through the shuffles and stomps of the horses in the stables. Instantly, she knew it was him that had commented on her timing. Though, she was in the dark when it came to the struggles the queen was having at the time. She had no clue that there would be a problem coming now, even if she had moments where she thought of the Leventi family and her own family's want to surpass them. The woman spun around and dropped into a bow low and respectful to what a king would deserve. She started to think about her appearance and in hindsight thought that maybe she should have paused to fix disheveled state before coming into the palati. It was too late to fix that. Fingers teased at the fabric of her plain dress. It was all she had. It was all she knew.
"Your majesty, I would never keep you waiting." A response to the ground as she admitted her promptness to him. Not that he asked. And maybe he didn't even care about why she had been fast. Maybe he didn't care about how much the request meant to her family and the generations before her that desperately wanted to serve the crown. The next words were almost expected. She could only finish it in her head because she had heard it all before. Rare green eyes staring at the ground for a moment longer before looking up while still in her crouched position.
He was stunning. And here she was looking terrible at the beck and call of the king. Her parents kept her in Meganea and then her husband kept her there. There wasn't the slightest knowledge of how to display herself to someone like this. If she wasn't what he was expecting, what was it then? "Your majesty, I apologize that it is I. My husband passed almost a year ago and I have had to do this myself for the sake of my son, my family." And there she was spouting off more words than she had said to a man in ages. She found it was easier to deal with the world around her if she kept to herself.
There she was still frozen, silent as she was now nervous she had said too much. That she had spoken out of turn and gave more information than Stephanos had bargained for. This was no relationship that benefited from her life story. No more excuses uttered while well-manicured fingers pressed against her lips hushing herself. Still bent as she waited until she was told to do otherwise.
The grand stallions speaking for her instead. They were impeccably kept, quite opposite of the lady. Even inside without the reflections from the rays of the sun, their coats were shiny, healthy, with obvious muscles showing they were toned and trained. If she spent half the time on herself as she spent on the horses, she might have just been one of the hidden beauties hidden away high in the cliffs of Taengea. Being attractive was too dangerous.
He watched her drop into a deep bow and tilted his head to the side as she spoke ground. He caught only the merest glimpse of her face before she bowed low and he was left staring at her mess of brown hair. What he’d seen of her wasn’t what he’d assumed she’d look like. The sun had illuminated a pair of bright green eyes inside of a pretty, and much younger face than he’d expected.
His gaze moved from her to the horses. They were fine animals. Ones he did not need. Ones he now regretted asking for.
Now that Olympia was ill and danger to their unborn son felt ever present, he realized that his little dig to her family would turn into a larger insult than he’d intended. He folded his arms across his chest. There was no way he could buy one of these horses. If it was known he was actually going around his wife’s family - there would be talk and more rumors; rumors he did not need.
Her gaze drew his and he looked her over again as she apologized that she was the one to come, rather than her husband. The mention of her husband’s passing made turn his attention to the horses. Death was the last topic of conversation he wished to discuss. She finished speaking, mentioning her son. There was a tenor in her voice that made him wonder if her circumstances were a little more dire than merely her words indicated. She pressed her fingers to her lips as though to quiet herself.
“My condolences,” he said and motioned with two fingers for her to rise. He was loathe to tell her immediately that he would be taking none of the horses from her care. Stepping around her, he moved to the first horse and ran the flat of his palm over the withers and down the back. The stallion’s muscle tone was excellent; well exercised, well fed. Not made to stand around or forced to go without.
The next horse was much the same. He took his time examining them, occasionally asking questions about their diet and their pasture, how much training they’d had, if any, and in what. At last he stood back, taking in all three again. He clicked his tongue and shrugged one shoulder.
“I should have been more specific in my letter,” his voice carried a regret that he hoped would soothe what he was about to tell her. “But I need a cavalry horse. These are impressive beasts. You’ve done well…” He didn't need a cavalry horse. But she didn't know that. Probably.
His conscience pricked at him and he ran his hand only the body of the third horse again as he spoke. Truthfully he would take any of the three. They were in stellar condition but he’d been angry when he wrote the letter. Surely it didn’t matter so much to this woman if he was to decline to buy?
“I am at fault. Speak to Hermion at the gate. He will pass on gold enough to pay for your trip here and back and a day’s wage besides.” He patted the horse’s rump regretfully. Now that he was down here at the stables, standing among the scents of hay and horse and dirt, he wanted to ride. The thought of going back into the tomb-like feel of the palace was enough to make him stand here longer. What he should have been doing was walking away. Not continuing to pet this woman’s horses and avoid looking at her because he felt like an ass. Hopefully the money would be enough to get her to leave quietly. She looked meek enough.
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He watched her drop into a deep bow and tilted his head to the side as she spoke ground. He caught only the merest glimpse of her face before she bowed low and he was left staring at her mess of brown hair. What he’d seen of her wasn’t what he’d assumed she’d look like. The sun had illuminated a pair of bright green eyes inside of a pretty, and much younger face than he’d expected.
His gaze moved from her to the horses. They were fine animals. Ones he did not need. Ones he now regretted asking for.
Now that Olympia was ill and danger to their unborn son felt ever present, he realized that his little dig to her family would turn into a larger insult than he’d intended. He folded his arms across his chest. There was no way he could buy one of these horses. If it was known he was actually going around his wife’s family - there would be talk and more rumors; rumors he did not need.
Her gaze drew his and he looked her over again as she apologized that she was the one to come, rather than her husband. The mention of her husband’s passing made turn his attention to the horses. Death was the last topic of conversation he wished to discuss. She finished speaking, mentioning her son. There was a tenor in her voice that made him wonder if her circumstances were a little more dire than merely her words indicated. She pressed her fingers to her lips as though to quiet herself.
“My condolences,” he said and motioned with two fingers for her to rise. He was loathe to tell her immediately that he would be taking none of the horses from her care. Stepping around her, he moved to the first horse and ran the flat of his palm over the withers and down the back. The stallion’s muscle tone was excellent; well exercised, well fed. Not made to stand around or forced to go without.
The next horse was much the same. He took his time examining them, occasionally asking questions about their diet and their pasture, how much training they’d had, if any, and in what. At last he stood back, taking in all three again. He clicked his tongue and shrugged one shoulder.
“I should have been more specific in my letter,” his voice carried a regret that he hoped would soothe what he was about to tell her. “But I need a cavalry horse. These are impressive beasts. You’ve done well…” He didn't need a cavalry horse. But she didn't know that. Probably.
His conscience pricked at him and he ran his hand only the body of the third horse again as he spoke. Truthfully he would take any of the three. They were in stellar condition but he’d been angry when he wrote the letter. Surely it didn’t matter so much to this woman if he was to decline to buy?
“I am at fault. Speak to Hermion at the gate. He will pass on gold enough to pay for your trip here and back and a day’s wage besides.” He patted the horse’s rump regretfully. Now that he was down here at the stables, standing among the scents of hay and horse and dirt, he wanted to ride. The thought of going back into the tomb-like feel of the palace was enough to make him stand here longer. What he should have been doing was walking away. Not continuing to pet this woman’s horses and avoid looking at her because he felt like an ass. Hopefully the money would be enough to get her to leave quietly. She looked meek enough.
He watched her drop into a deep bow and tilted his head to the side as she spoke ground. He caught only the merest glimpse of her face before she bowed low and he was left staring at her mess of brown hair. What he’d seen of her wasn’t what he’d assumed she’d look like. The sun had illuminated a pair of bright green eyes inside of a pretty, and much younger face than he’d expected.
His gaze moved from her to the horses. They were fine animals. Ones he did not need. Ones he now regretted asking for.
Now that Olympia was ill and danger to their unborn son felt ever present, he realized that his little dig to her family would turn into a larger insult than he’d intended. He folded his arms across his chest. There was no way he could buy one of these horses. If it was known he was actually going around his wife’s family - there would be talk and more rumors; rumors he did not need.
Her gaze drew his and he looked her over again as she apologized that she was the one to come, rather than her husband. The mention of her husband’s passing made turn his attention to the horses. Death was the last topic of conversation he wished to discuss. She finished speaking, mentioning her son. There was a tenor in her voice that made him wonder if her circumstances were a little more dire than merely her words indicated. She pressed her fingers to her lips as though to quiet herself.
“My condolences,” he said and motioned with two fingers for her to rise. He was loathe to tell her immediately that he would be taking none of the horses from her care. Stepping around her, he moved to the first horse and ran the flat of his palm over the withers and down the back. The stallion’s muscle tone was excellent; well exercised, well fed. Not made to stand around or forced to go without.
The next horse was much the same. He took his time examining them, occasionally asking questions about their diet and their pasture, how much training they’d had, if any, and in what. At last he stood back, taking in all three again. He clicked his tongue and shrugged one shoulder.
“I should have been more specific in my letter,” his voice carried a regret that he hoped would soothe what he was about to tell her. “But I need a cavalry horse. These are impressive beasts. You’ve done well…” He didn't need a cavalry horse. But she didn't know that. Probably.
His conscience pricked at him and he ran his hand only the body of the third horse again as he spoke. Truthfully he would take any of the three. They were in stellar condition but he’d been angry when he wrote the letter. Surely it didn’t matter so much to this woman if he was to decline to buy?
“I am at fault. Speak to Hermion at the gate. He will pass on gold enough to pay for your trip here and back and a day’s wage besides.” He patted the horse’s rump regretfully. Now that he was down here at the stables, standing among the scents of hay and horse and dirt, he wanted to ride. The thought of going back into the tomb-like feel of the palace was enough to make him stand here longer. What he should have been doing was walking away. Not continuing to pet this woman’s horses and avoid looking at her because he felt like an ass. Hopefully the money would be enough to get her to leave quietly. She looked meek enough.
Lush lashes pushed upward to allow a better view of the king as he had waved off the bow. Even in her lack of experience with people higher than herself, she knew that this was a sign that she could straighten her posture and turn her attention to what they were really here for. Aikaterine wasn’t here to speak of her dead husband, but it was a kindness that the King of Taengea had offered his condolences. It made her mind wander, for just a moment, to the night she had been in attendance after the coronation. The Queen had fainted. She should have been asking about her, but she was mute - hardly able to start some small talk when he asked about the horses. That was an easier topic for the lady.
She gained confidence as she expressed all she had done to make her horses the best in the kingdom, maybe even the realm (if anyone were to ask her). Aikaterine professed how she spent countless hours riding and only the best of the grains, grasses, and supplements of fruits for them as they mostly free-roamed. She paid attention to the way they gathered together, the cliques they had - just like their human counterparts. Her words were fast and passionate, finally speaking of the one thing she truly knew was real in life. She always put forth the extra effort so the horses raised in Meganea lived happy lives. The three here happen to just have basic training… ”There is one I have been working with to do reinless commands just with your heels.” She ended her explanation with these words. Work horses and travel horses were a good stock to have, but ones that could be used in war - they were better. Her hand went to her mouth and gently pressed to stop herself. She had fallen into a rather terrible conversational tone with someone has prestigious as the King.
But, the roller coaster was destined to continue. The slight lilt of excitement that had danced on her words made the next comments all the worse. So close. He was right there in front of her. Aikaterine could have touched Stephanos if she had wanted to. She could have reached out and forced the leads into his royal hands. She could have dropped to her knees and begged him to use it. She wanted the publicity and the honor so badly. A cheek towards the King as Aikaterine turned away to look at one of the horses to hide the fact that her eyes were beginning to gloss over.
Those plush pink lips parted with a choked set of words. ”I understand, I apologize for wasting your time, your majesty.” A hard swallow went down as she nodded. At least it wouldn’t be a complete loss. He was offering to pay for her journey and a day’s wages for what she had lost. The horses made it this far and she wouldn’t be taking all of them back. ”You are too kind. You are the King, you don’t need to be at fault. I… I can take them to market. There are many people in Vasiliadon who could use a horse.” Her attention was still on the horses, she was terrified if she were to look at Stephanos that she might really cry. Crying in front of the King when she was supposed to be proving was a salesman she could be. Was there anything that could be more horrifying?
And what was Cretheus going to say. He would scold her for going herself. Slap her for trying to be a woman out doing what a man should have been doing. Her chest got tight along with the tenseness in the rest of her body. A strained breath before breaking through her fear to give a final nod. ”It was an honor just to meet you, your highness. Perhaps, I will have something that may interest you in the future.” If anything could be said, Aikaterine was doing her best to have her best manners, even if she couldn’t bring herself to look at him again. She just hoped he wouldn’t be too offended by it.
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Lush lashes pushed upward to allow a better view of the king as he had waved off the bow. Even in her lack of experience with people higher than herself, she knew that this was a sign that she could straighten her posture and turn her attention to what they were really here for. Aikaterine wasn’t here to speak of her dead husband, but it was a kindness that the King of Taengea had offered his condolences. It made her mind wander, for just a moment, to the night she had been in attendance after the coronation. The Queen had fainted. She should have been asking about her, but she was mute - hardly able to start some small talk when he asked about the horses. That was an easier topic for the lady.
She gained confidence as she expressed all she had done to make her horses the best in the kingdom, maybe even the realm (if anyone were to ask her). Aikaterine professed how she spent countless hours riding and only the best of the grains, grasses, and supplements of fruits for them as they mostly free-roamed. She paid attention to the way they gathered together, the cliques they had - just like their human counterparts. Her words were fast and passionate, finally speaking of the one thing she truly knew was real in life. She always put forth the extra effort so the horses raised in Meganea lived happy lives. The three here happen to just have basic training… ”There is one I have been working with to do reinless commands just with your heels.” She ended her explanation with these words. Work horses and travel horses were a good stock to have, but ones that could be used in war - they were better. Her hand went to her mouth and gently pressed to stop herself. She had fallen into a rather terrible conversational tone with someone has prestigious as the King.
But, the roller coaster was destined to continue. The slight lilt of excitement that had danced on her words made the next comments all the worse. So close. He was right there in front of her. Aikaterine could have touched Stephanos if she had wanted to. She could have reached out and forced the leads into his royal hands. She could have dropped to her knees and begged him to use it. She wanted the publicity and the honor so badly. A cheek towards the King as Aikaterine turned away to look at one of the horses to hide the fact that her eyes were beginning to gloss over.
Those plush pink lips parted with a choked set of words. ”I understand, I apologize for wasting your time, your majesty.” A hard swallow went down as she nodded. At least it wouldn’t be a complete loss. He was offering to pay for her journey and a day’s wages for what she had lost. The horses made it this far and she wouldn’t be taking all of them back. ”You are too kind. You are the King, you don’t need to be at fault. I… I can take them to market. There are many people in Vasiliadon who could use a horse.” Her attention was still on the horses, she was terrified if she were to look at Stephanos that she might really cry. Crying in front of the King when she was supposed to be proving was a salesman she could be. Was there anything that could be more horrifying?
And what was Cretheus going to say. He would scold her for going herself. Slap her for trying to be a woman out doing what a man should have been doing. Her chest got tight along with the tenseness in the rest of her body. A strained breath before breaking through her fear to give a final nod. ”It was an honor just to meet you, your highness. Perhaps, I will have something that may interest you in the future.” If anything could be said, Aikaterine was doing her best to have her best manners, even if she couldn’t bring herself to look at him again. She just hoped he wouldn’t be too offended by it.
Lush lashes pushed upward to allow a better view of the king as he had waved off the bow. Even in her lack of experience with people higher than herself, she knew that this was a sign that she could straighten her posture and turn her attention to what they were really here for. Aikaterine wasn’t here to speak of her dead husband, but it was a kindness that the King of Taengea had offered his condolences. It made her mind wander, for just a moment, to the night she had been in attendance after the coronation. The Queen had fainted. She should have been asking about her, but she was mute - hardly able to start some small talk when he asked about the horses. That was an easier topic for the lady.
She gained confidence as she expressed all she had done to make her horses the best in the kingdom, maybe even the realm (if anyone were to ask her). Aikaterine professed how she spent countless hours riding and only the best of the grains, grasses, and supplements of fruits for them as they mostly free-roamed. She paid attention to the way they gathered together, the cliques they had - just like their human counterparts. Her words were fast and passionate, finally speaking of the one thing she truly knew was real in life. She always put forth the extra effort so the horses raised in Meganea lived happy lives. The three here happen to just have basic training… ”There is one I have been working with to do reinless commands just with your heels.” She ended her explanation with these words. Work horses and travel horses were a good stock to have, but ones that could be used in war - they were better. Her hand went to her mouth and gently pressed to stop herself. She had fallen into a rather terrible conversational tone with someone has prestigious as the King.
But, the roller coaster was destined to continue. The slight lilt of excitement that had danced on her words made the next comments all the worse. So close. He was right there in front of her. Aikaterine could have touched Stephanos if she had wanted to. She could have reached out and forced the leads into his royal hands. She could have dropped to her knees and begged him to use it. She wanted the publicity and the honor so badly. A cheek towards the King as Aikaterine turned away to look at one of the horses to hide the fact that her eyes were beginning to gloss over.
Those plush pink lips parted with a choked set of words. ”I understand, I apologize for wasting your time, your majesty.” A hard swallow went down as she nodded. At least it wouldn’t be a complete loss. He was offering to pay for her journey and a day’s wages for what she had lost. The horses made it this far and she wouldn’t be taking all of them back. ”You are too kind. You are the King, you don’t need to be at fault. I… I can take them to market. There are many people in Vasiliadon who could use a horse.” Her attention was still on the horses, she was terrified if she were to look at Stephanos that she might really cry. Crying in front of the King when she was supposed to be proving was a salesman she could be. Was there anything that could be more horrifying?
And what was Cretheus going to say. He would scold her for going herself. Slap her for trying to be a woman out doing what a man should have been doing. Her chest got tight along with the tenseness in the rest of her body. A strained breath before breaking through her fear to give a final nod. ”It was an honor just to meet you, your highness. Perhaps, I will have something that may interest you in the future.” If anything could be said, Aikaterine was doing her best to have her best manners, even if she couldn’t bring herself to look at him again. She just hoped he wouldn’t be too offended by it.
Once onto the topic of horses, the features of her face lifted; brightening to reveal that there was life and fire, rather than just meek fear. It made it all the more pity that he had to tell her he couldn’t take them. The way she took care of and trained her animals was a little different than the Leventi family and he was interested in seeing how that affected riding. But, with Olympia so delicate...it was best not to ruffle feathers.
Again she pressed her fingers to her lips, abruptly ending her speech. He looked away as she turned to hide her face.
The royal stables were capable of housing many horses but during the day, most were turned out into the fields outside of the palace. A few were always kept available in case of emergency or if someone inside the palace took a notion to ride. He looked into the gloom of the stable at a long white face watching them from over it’s stall. Another horse whickered from somewhere deep inside the stables and was answered by yet another unseen beast.
”I understand, I apologize for wasting your time, your majesty.”
He pressed his tongue against the sharp edges of his teeth and said nothing. Her tears didn’t need to slide down her cheeks. It was clear enough what she felt through the thick emotion in her voice. Which made her further declaration that he was kind twist like a knife in his chest.
“I’m not,” he muttered under his breath, hardly listening to her assurances that if he didn’t buy them, likely someone would at market. But she’d missed the prime window to sell her horses. No one would have the money left over to buy the animals for what they were worth today. And if they didn’t know she was here, likely they wouldn’t tomorrow either. It wasn’t as if the nobles of Vasiliadon didn’t also buy from Leventi. And probably some wouldn’t want to jeopardize the alliance by purchasing stock elsewhere.
Her final stab of telling him it was an honor to have met him made him physically turn away. Even when Olympia had stormed in, crying and enraged over seeing some girl leave his room, he hadn’t felt quite the same guilt as he did now.
“Perhaps, I will have something that may interest you in the future.”
“The horses interest me now,” the words were barely audible but the long suffering sigh that followed was loud enough. “What is your name?” Once she’d told him, he continued.
“Aikaterine, come with me.” A servant boy sweeping the stable yard dropped the broom immediately and took the reins from her when Stephanos beckoned.
He did not look back at her to check if she was following him. It never occurred to him that she might disobey. Their destination was inside the stables. Paving stones extended the length of the long row that cut down the center of the structure. A few horses could be seen peering at them but most of the stalls were empty. At the far end, an open door invited blinding sunlight to splash over the floor.
A blood mare snorted when he tried to pass her and thrust her head forward. He stopped only long enough to run his hand down her long face and pet her velvet nose before continuing on. There was no need to explain that she was his horse. Had been his horse for a long time. But she was old and he did not ride her anymore. An elderly woman stood in the stall with the mare and bowed to him before giving Aikaterine a much shallower bow.
The woman held a wooden bowl in her hand. She dipped her gnarled fingers into it and took out a glop of pungent herbs stuck together with honey. This was then applied to a wound on the mare’s shoulder. Somehow the old girl had been injured while in the pasture.
This last part Stephanos did explain to Aikaterine as they walked. At one time, his mare was one of the most popular horses in the herd. A few new horses had knocked her from her perch and now she had to be kept separate from most of them.
The open doorway led them out to sprawling green pasture land. Horses dotted the landscape, most grazing while a few sunned themselves. Stephanos shaded his eyes, looking for one in particular. “There,” he pointed. “He’s my fastest.”
A silver stallion grazed placidly further into the field. “I am offering you a deal. If one of your mounts if faster than he is, I’ll buy all three. Does this seem fair to you?” After a moment, he considered and added, “Speak freely. If you are willing to sell your horses below their value, you do not have to race if you do not wish it.”
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Once onto the topic of horses, the features of her face lifted; brightening to reveal that there was life and fire, rather than just meek fear. It made it all the more pity that he had to tell her he couldn’t take them. The way she took care of and trained her animals was a little different than the Leventi family and he was interested in seeing how that affected riding. But, with Olympia so delicate...it was best not to ruffle feathers.
Again she pressed her fingers to her lips, abruptly ending her speech. He looked away as she turned to hide her face.
The royal stables were capable of housing many horses but during the day, most were turned out into the fields outside of the palace. A few were always kept available in case of emergency or if someone inside the palace took a notion to ride. He looked into the gloom of the stable at a long white face watching them from over it’s stall. Another horse whickered from somewhere deep inside the stables and was answered by yet another unseen beast.
”I understand, I apologize for wasting your time, your majesty.”
He pressed his tongue against the sharp edges of his teeth and said nothing. Her tears didn’t need to slide down her cheeks. It was clear enough what she felt through the thick emotion in her voice. Which made her further declaration that he was kind twist like a knife in his chest.
“I’m not,” he muttered under his breath, hardly listening to her assurances that if he didn’t buy them, likely someone would at market. But she’d missed the prime window to sell her horses. No one would have the money left over to buy the animals for what they were worth today. And if they didn’t know she was here, likely they wouldn’t tomorrow either. It wasn’t as if the nobles of Vasiliadon didn’t also buy from Leventi. And probably some wouldn’t want to jeopardize the alliance by purchasing stock elsewhere.
Her final stab of telling him it was an honor to have met him made him physically turn away. Even when Olympia had stormed in, crying and enraged over seeing some girl leave his room, he hadn’t felt quite the same guilt as he did now.
“Perhaps, I will have something that may interest you in the future.”
“The horses interest me now,” the words were barely audible but the long suffering sigh that followed was loud enough. “What is your name?” Once she’d told him, he continued.
“Aikaterine, come with me.” A servant boy sweeping the stable yard dropped the broom immediately and took the reins from her when Stephanos beckoned.
He did not look back at her to check if she was following him. It never occurred to him that she might disobey. Their destination was inside the stables. Paving stones extended the length of the long row that cut down the center of the structure. A few horses could be seen peering at them but most of the stalls were empty. At the far end, an open door invited blinding sunlight to splash over the floor.
A blood mare snorted when he tried to pass her and thrust her head forward. He stopped only long enough to run his hand down her long face and pet her velvet nose before continuing on. There was no need to explain that she was his horse. Had been his horse for a long time. But she was old and he did not ride her anymore. An elderly woman stood in the stall with the mare and bowed to him before giving Aikaterine a much shallower bow.
The woman held a wooden bowl in her hand. She dipped her gnarled fingers into it and took out a glop of pungent herbs stuck together with honey. This was then applied to a wound on the mare’s shoulder. Somehow the old girl had been injured while in the pasture.
This last part Stephanos did explain to Aikaterine as they walked. At one time, his mare was one of the most popular horses in the herd. A few new horses had knocked her from her perch and now she had to be kept separate from most of them.
The open doorway led them out to sprawling green pasture land. Horses dotted the landscape, most grazing while a few sunned themselves. Stephanos shaded his eyes, looking for one in particular. “There,” he pointed. “He’s my fastest.”
A silver stallion grazed placidly further into the field. “I am offering you a deal. If one of your mounts if faster than he is, I’ll buy all three. Does this seem fair to you?” After a moment, he considered and added, “Speak freely. If you are willing to sell your horses below their value, you do not have to race if you do not wish it.”
Once onto the topic of horses, the features of her face lifted; brightening to reveal that there was life and fire, rather than just meek fear. It made it all the more pity that he had to tell her he couldn’t take them. The way she took care of and trained her animals was a little different than the Leventi family and he was interested in seeing how that affected riding. But, with Olympia so delicate...it was best not to ruffle feathers.
Again she pressed her fingers to her lips, abruptly ending her speech. He looked away as she turned to hide her face.
The royal stables were capable of housing many horses but during the day, most were turned out into the fields outside of the palace. A few were always kept available in case of emergency or if someone inside the palace took a notion to ride. He looked into the gloom of the stable at a long white face watching them from over it’s stall. Another horse whickered from somewhere deep inside the stables and was answered by yet another unseen beast.
”I understand, I apologize for wasting your time, your majesty.”
He pressed his tongue against the sharp edges of his teeth and said nothing. Her tears didn’t need to slide down her cheeks. It was clear enough what she felt through the thick emotion in her voice. Which made her further declaration that he was kind twist like a knife in his chest.
“I’m not,” he muttered under his breath, hardly listening to her assurances that if he didn’t buy them, likely someone would at market. But she’d missed the prime window to sell her horses. No one would have the money left over to buy the animals for what they were worth today. And if they didn’t know she was here, likely they wouldn’t tomorrow either. It wasn’t as if the nobles of Vasiliadon didn’t also buy from Leventi. And probably some wouldn’t want to jeopardize the alliance by purchasing stock elsewhere.
Her final stab of telling him it was an honor to have met him made him physically turn away. Even when Olympia had stormed in, crying and enraged over seeing some girl leave his room, he hadn’t felt quite the same guilt as he did now.
“Perhaps, I will have something that may interest you in the future.”
“The horses interest me now,” the words were barely audible but the long suffering sigh that followed was loud enough. “What is your name?” Once she’d told him, he continued.
“Aikaterine, come with me.” A servant boy sweeping the stable yard dropped the broom immediately and took the reins from her when Stephanos beckoned.
He did not look back at her to check if she was following him. It never occurred to him that she might disobey. Their destination was inside the stables. Paving stones extended the length of the long row that cut down the center of the structure. A few horses could be seen peering at them but most of the stalls were empty. At the far end, an open door invited blinding sunlight to splash over the floor.
A blood mare snorted when he tried to pass her and thrust her head forward. He stopped only long enough to run his hand down her long face and pet her velvet nose before continuing on. There was no need to explain that she was his horse. Had been his horse for a long time. But she was old and he did not ride her anymore. An elderly woman stood in the stall with the mare and bowed to him before giving Aikaterine a much shallower bow.
The woman held a wooden bowl in her hand. She dipped her gnarled fingers into it and took out a glop of pungent herbs stuck together with honey. This was then applied to a wound on the mare’s shoulder. Somehow the old girl had been injured while in the pasture.
This last part Stephanos did explain to Aikaterine as they walked. At one time, his mare was one of the most popular horses in the herd. A few new horses had knocked her from her perch and now she had to be kept separate from most of them.
The open doorway led them out to sprawling green pasture land. Horses dotted the landscape, most grazing while a few sunned themselves. Stephanos shaded his eyes, looking for one in particular. “There,” he pointed. “He’s my fastest.”
A silver stallion grazed placidly further into the field. “I am offering you a deal. If one of your mounts if faster than he is, I’ll buy all three. Does this seem fair to you?” After a moment, he considered and added, “Speak freely. If you are willing to sell your horses below their value, you do not have to race if you do not wish it.”
She had a deep desperate urge to argue with the King of Taengea about his kindness. Aikaterine never imagined she would be in the position to want to tell him that he was indeed a good man. A good leader who had found a way to make a painful rejection seem like it was her own self inconveniencing him in the miscommunication (where there actually hadn’t even been one).. However, she knew better than to press it any further. Instead, she had responded with her backing away and accepting what she could now. Until she would be able to come back with a deal more appropriate, the calvary horses.
Her hand twisted and tangled fidgeting with the lead of one of the stallions. A fine arched brow quirked curiously when he mentioned that now he was interested. This was a roller coaster of emotions she was ill-equipped to handle. The ride to the palati had been filled with hope to be torn away. Then he spoke as though he was rethinking it. Maybe she was a good salesman after all. Aikaterine found herself rethinking and overthinking the words she had already used. Though, she was happy to make a good impression, no matter the cost.
When Stephanos ordered her to follow, she indeed left them behind for the boy to maintain. She still had a stupid sort of curious look plastered on her face. It was all a tad mysterious as they went out into the daylight. Just as the King, she found it hard to ignore the mare that stood there. Her own fingers brushed slightly and a kind, concerned smile as she looked over where the wounds were being tended to. She knew that the mare was dealing with some growing pains in some hierarchy squabble. It was amazing how humans and animals maintained some of the same ranks.
Though, she didn’t make as much conversation as she could have. Her responses mostly kept within the confines of her mind, afraid of what she could actually say with Stephanos. ”I can see it in her eyes.” A small comment, but it meant a lot. Aikaterine had a habit of bonding with horses better than she was able to bond with the people around her. It had been like that since she was a child.
Her attention instantly casted towards the horse he was speaking of. The silver shining in the sunlight was impressive enough, but to see him racing over the trails, that would be spectacular. Fingers caught on her lips as she needed a moment to replay the offer she thought she had heard him say. There was some disbelief before she turned. ”You want me to race you? The King of Taengea?” No one would believe her. However, with a confident nod she agreed to the task. It had been ages since she had real competition. Aikaterine would race against others when she was younger, but the chance rarely came up as she entered into her adulthood duties of wife and mother.
The brunette lady gestured for the lightest one to be brought to her side. With a gesture, she waved off any help to mount the horse. Aikaterine was perfectly capable on her own to grab the mane of the stallion and hoist herself upward. The horses were also used to her doing these acrobatics. Once she moved the fabric around to be the most comfortable, those large green eyes looked over to Stephanos to wait until he was also ready. Her own horse instructed by her heels to line up beside the King and his mount.
The second it was time to go, her thighs tightened and her heels gave kicks. Aikaterine’s fingers were gripped tightly around the reins and within the mane of the horse to be sure she wouldn’t fly away. As they were soon up to speed into a rhythmic gallop she knew that she would be leaving the horse completely at times of the gait. Her forward momentum all that was keeping her with as they glided along the trail that had been dictated when she had accepted the challenge.
She couldn’t help the smile that was from ear to ear as she rode down the path. This was where she was home. The sun hitting her face, the wind brushing her brown curls back, the whole reason she had looked so disheveled in the first place. She had fun riding horses. This was where she felt like she fit in with the rest of the world. It was where she could be happy. The worries of what Cretheus would say or do when she returned to Meganea were furthest from her mind. Instead, she gave a glance out of the corner of her eye at where she was headed and if she was going to be able to beat Stephanos. Her horse had power off the line. It easily had pulled ahead at least one length, but his was fast as well. They were close. Nearly side by side when the stallions snorts sounded that they were now working harder for each pull across the terrain.
”Are you sure you wanted to be beat by a lady, your majesty?” Her mouth gave a click, click as she pulled away again. Another burst of energy from her horse as she squeezed him tightly and whispered that this was all she wanted in the world for right now. This was her life flashing before her eyes in just a simple race. She hadn’t even thought about those that might let the head of the country win everything he did. Instead, she had jested like she was stupid and fifteen again. There was no way to cover her mouth with her hands occupied keeping her atop the horse. Instead, she just sort of looked forward again as he was able to pass by her with his own faster than fast horse.
She laughed. Aikaterine actually laughed. It took her by surprise that she could even do such a thing. Even the most pleasant of milestones of her children had rarely been able to gather a giggle for the past few years. As her husband ailed, Cretheus had only become more intolerable.
The end was in sight. The large crooked tree that he had spoke of when they began. She had to pass it before the King to have him buy her horses. It was the only way. Kat was nearly laying completely forward in line with the curves of the back of the horse as she pressed and encouraged the honeyed stallion forward. Stephanos was in the lead now, she had been foolish to torment him when his fine horse appeared to have more training and more stamina than hers did. She pushed on anyhow despite grunts into the dirt her horse was taking to catch up before the tree was upon them. Her attention driven forward and only worried about the end. Concentrating too hard to look over, even in the corner of an eye to see if she had him beat.
The lady sat up, still with a grin. It was fun. Whether she had won or lost, Stephanos had given her something, something that he probably didn’t even know. It was a chance to escape the problems of life. Tragedies were bound to happen, but racing through the wind made her think about just right now. Her breath was fast, it was a workout for the rider as well to stay on the steed. Her hand raised and pressed against her chest to feel the heavy beat. ”You are an excellent rider, your highness. Thank you.” Words a bit broken by the breaths she was taking as she regained her composure. Aikaterine waiting to see who he would declare the winner, she had been far too worried about the end point and facing forward to notice if she had caught him or not. However, she thanked him anyway. She needed this, even if she didn't know it.
Aikaterine slid down from her horse to feel one with the ground again. She needed a break before she was going to return from whence they came. It was only a blessing that the gallop was much easier on the body than a casual trot, or she would have been wincing. She still took a light stretch, attempting to be still as ladylike as possible when straightening her legs that were held bent and tight against the horse for the race. Sweat from the sun lightly beading on her face, at least not bad enough to need to figure out how she would wipe it away and still keep her manners. At this point, she was convinced her mother would have had a heart attack by the way she was acting. Especially after accepting something as dangerous as a woman in a horse race.
JD
Staff Team
JD
Staff Team
This post was created by our staff team.
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She had a deep desperate urge to argue with the King of Taengea about his kindness. Aikaterine never imagined she would be in the position to want to tell him that he was indeed a good man. A good leader who had found a way to make a painful rejection seem like it was her own self inconveniencing him in the miscommunication (where there actually hadn’t even been one).. However, she knew better than to press it any further. Instead, she had responded with her backing away and accepting what she could now. Until she would be able to come back with a deal more appropriate, the calvary horses.
Her hand twisted and tangled fidgeting with the lead of one of the stallions. A fine arched brow quirked curiously when he mentioned that now he was interested. This was a roller coaster of emotions she was ill-equipped to handle. The ride to the palati had been filled with hope to be torn away. Then he spoke as though he was rethinking it. Maybe she was a good salesman after all. Aikaterine found herself rethinking and overthinking the words she had already used. Though, she was happy to make a good impression, no matter the cost.
When Stephanos ordered her to follow, she indeed left them behind for the boy to maintain. She still had a stupid sort of curious look plastered on her face. It was all a tad mysterious as they went out into the daylight. Just as the King, she found it hard to ignore the mare that stood there. Her own fingers brushed slightly and a kind, concerned smile as she looked over where the wounds were being tended to. She knew that the mare was dealing with some growing pains in some hierarchy squabble. It was amazing how humans and animals maintained some of the same ranks.
Though, she didn’t make as much conversation as she could have. Her responses mostly kept within the confines of her mind, afraid of what she could actually say with Stephanos. ”I can see it in her eyes.” A small comment, but it meant a lot. Aikaterine had a habit of bonding with horses better than she was able to bond with the people around her. It had been like that since she was a child.
Her attention instantly casted towards the horse he was speaking of. The silver shining in the sunlight was impressive enough, but to see him racing over the trails, that would be spectacular. Fingers caught on her lips as she needed a moment to replay the offer she thought she had heard him say. There was some disbelief before she turned. ”You want me to race you? The King of Taengea?” No one would believe her. However, with a confident nod she agreed to the task. It had been ages since she had real competition. Aikaterine would race against others when she was younger, but the chance rarely came up as she entered into her adulthood duties of wife and mother.
The brunette lady gestured for the lightest one to be brought to her side. With a gesture, she waved off any help to mount the horse. Aikaterine was perfectly capable on her own to grab the mane of the stallion and hoist herself upward. The horses were also used to her doing these acrobatics. Once she moved the fabric around to be the most comfortable, those large green eyes looked over to Stephanos to wait until he was also ready. Her own horse instructed by her heels to line up beside the King and his mount.
The second it was time to go, her thighs tightened and her heels gave kicks. Aikaterine’s fingers were gripped tightly around the reins and within the mane of the horse to be sure she wouldn’t fly away. As they were soon up to speed into a rhythmic gallop she knew that she would be leaving the horse completely at times of the gait. Her forward momentum all that was keeping her with as they glided along the trail that had been dictated when she had accepted the challenge.
She couldn’t help the smile that was from ear to ear as she rode down the path. This was where she was home. The sun hitting her face, the wind brushing her brown curls back, the whole reason she had looked so disheveled in the first place. She had fun riding horses. This was where she felt like she fit in with the rest of the world. It was where she could be happy. The worries of what Cretheus would say or do when she returned to Meganea were furthest from her mind. Instead, she gave a glance out of the corner of her eye at where she was headed and if she was going to be able to beat Stephanos. Her horse had power off the line. It easily had pulled ahead at least one length, but his was fast as well. They were close. Nearly side by side when the stallions snorts sounded that they were now working harder for each pull across the terrain.
”Are you sure you wanted to be beat by a lady, your majesty?” Her mouth gave a click, click as she pulled away again. Another burst of energy from her horse as she squeezed him tightly and whispered that this was all she wanted in the world for right now. This was her life flashing before her eyes in just a simple race. She hadn’t even thought about those that might let the head of the country win everything he did. Instead, she had jested like she was stupid and fifteen again. There was no way to cover her mouth with her hands occupied keeping her atop the horse. Instead, she just sort of looked forward again as he was able to pass by her with his own faster than fast horse.
She laughed. Aikaterine actually laughed. It took her by surprise that she could even do such a thing. Even the most pleasant of milestones of her children had rarely been able to gather a giggle for the past few years. As her husband ailed, Cretheus had only become more intolerable.
The end was in sight. The large crooked tree that he had spoke of when they began. She had to pass it before the King to have him buy her horses. It was the only way. Kat was nearly laying completely forward in line with the curves of the back of the horse as she pressed and encouraged the honeyed stallion forward. Stephanos was in the lead now, she had been foolish to torment him when his fine horse appeared to have more training and more stamina than hers did. She pushed on anyhow despite grunts into the dirt her horse was taking to catch up before the tree was upon them. Her attention driven forward and only worried about the end. Concentrating too hard to look over, even in the corner of an eye to see if she had him beat.
The lady sat up, still with a grin. It was fun. Whether she had won or lost, Stephanos had given her something, something that he probably didn’t even know. It was a chance to escape the problems of life. Tragedies were bound to happen, but racing through the wind made her think about just right now. Her breath was fast, it was a workout for the rider as well to stay on the steed. Her hand raised and pressed against her chest to feel the heavy beat. ”You are an excellent rider, your highness. Thank you.” Words a bit broken by the breaths she was taking as she regained her composure. Aikaterine waiting to see who he would declare the winner, she had been far too worried about the end point and facing forward to notice if she had caught him or not. However, she thanked him anyway. She needed this, even if she didn't know it.
Aikaterine slid down from her horse to feel one with the ground again. She needed a break before she was going to return from whence they came. It was only a blessing that the gallop was much easier on the body than a casual trot, or she would have been wincing. She still took a light stretch, attempting to be still as ladylike as possible when straightening her legs that were held bent and tight against the horse for the race. Sweat from the sun lightly beading on her face, at least not bad enough to need to figure out how she would wipe it away and still keep her manners. At this point, she was convinced her mother would have had a heart attack by the way she was acting. Especially after accepting something as dangerous as a woman in a horse race.
She had a deep desperate urge to argue with the King of Taengea about his kindness. Aikaterine never imagined she would be in the position to want to tell him that he was indeed a good man. A good leader who had found a way to make a painful rejection seem like it was her own self inconveniencing him in the miscommunication (where there actually hadn’t even been one).. However, she knew better than to press it any further. Instead, she had responded with her backing away and accepting what she could now. Until she would be able to come back with a deal more appropriate, the calvary horses.
Her hand twisted and tangled fidgeting with the lead of one of the stallions. A fine arched brow quirked curiously when he mentioned that now he was interested. This was a roller coaster of emotions she was ill-equipped to handle. The ride to the palati had been filled with hope to be torn away. Then he spoke as though he was rethinking it. Maybe she was a good salesman after all. Aikaterine found herself rethinking and overthinking the words she had already used. Though, she was happy to make a good impression, no matter the cost.
When Stephanos ordered her to follow, she indeed left them behind for the boy to maintain. She still had a stupid sort of curious look plastered on her face. It was all a tad mysterious as they went out into the daylight. Just as the King, she found it hard to ignore the mare that stood there. Her own fingers brushed slightly and a kind, concerned smile as she looked over where the wounds were being tended to. She knew that the mare was dealing with some growing pains in some hierarchy squabble. It was amazing how humans and animals maintained some of the same ranks.
Though, she didn’t make as much conversation as she could have. Her responses mostly kept within the confines of her mind, afraid of what she could actually say with Stephanos. ”I can see it in her eyes.” A small comment, but it meant a lot. Aikaterine had a habit of bonding with horses better than she was able to bond with the people around her. It had been like that since she was a child.
Her attention instantly casted towards the horse he was speaking of. The silver shining in the sunlight was impressive enough, but to see him racing over the trails, that would be spectacular. Fingers caught on her lips as she needed a moment to replay the offer she thought she had heard him say. There was some disbelief before she turned. ”You want me to race you? The King of Taengea?” No one would believe her. However, with a confident nod she agreed to the task. It had been ages since she had real competition. Aikaterine would race against others when she was younger, but the chance rarely came up as she entered into her adulthood duties of wife and mother.
The brunette lady gestured for the lightest one to be brought to her side. With a gesture, she waved off any help to mount the horse. Aikaterine was perfectly capable on her own to grab the mane of the stallion and hoist herself upward. The horses were also used to her doing these acrobatics. Once she moved the fabric around to be the most comfortable, those large green eyes looked over to Stephanos to wait until he was also ready. Her own horse instructed by her heels to line up beside the King and his mount.
The second it was time to go, her thighs tightened and her heels gave kicks. Aikaterine’s fingers were gripped tightly around the reins and within the mane of the horse to be sure she wouldn’t fly away. As they were soon up to speed into a rhythmic gallop she knew that she would be leaving the horse completely at times of the gait. Her forward momentum all that was keeping her with as they glided along the trail that had been dictated when she had accepted the challenge.
She couldn’t help the smile that was from ear to ear as she rode down the path. This was where she was home. The sun hitting her face, the wind brushing her brown curls back, the whole reason she had looked so disheveled in the first place. She had fun riding horses. This was where she felt like she fit in with the rest of the world. It was where she could be happy. The worries of what Cretheus would say or do when she returned to Meganea were furthest from her mind. Instead, she gave a glance out of the corner of her eye at where she was headed and if she was going to be able to beat Stephanos. Her horse had power off the line. It easily had pulled ahead at least one length, but his was fast as well. They were close. Nearly side by side when the stallions snorts sounded that they were now working harder for each pull across the terrain.
”Are you sure you wanted to be beat by a lady, your majesty?” Her mouth gave a click, click as she pulled away again. Another burst of energy from her horse as she squeezed him tightly and whispered that this was all she wanted in the world for right now. This was her life flashing before her eyes in just a simple race. She hadn’t even thought about those that might let the head of the country win everything he did. Instead, she had jested like she was stupid and fifteen again. There was no way to cover her mouth with her hands occupied keeping her atop the horse. Instead, she just sort of looked forward again as he was able to pass by her with his own faster than fast horse.
She laughed. Aikaterine actually laughed. It took her by surprise that she could even do such a thing. Even the most pleasant of milestones of her children had rarely been able to gather a giggle for the past few years. As her husband ailed, Cretheus had only become more intolerable.
The end was in sight. The large crooked tree that he had spoke of when they began. She had to pass it before the King to have him buy her horses. It was the only way. Kat was nearly laying completely forward in line with the curves of the back of the horse as she pressed and encouraged the honeyed stallion forward. Stephanos was in the lead now, she had been foolish to torment him when his fine horse appeared to have more training and more stamina than hers did. She pushed on anyhow despite grunts into the dirt her horse was taking to catch up before the tree was upon them. Her attention driven forward and only worried about the end. Concentrating too hard to look over, even in the corner of an eye to see if she had him beat.
The lady sat up, still with a grin. It was fun. Whether she had won or lost, Stephanos had given her something, something that he probably didn’t even know. It was a chance to escape the problems of life. Tragedies were bound to happen, but racing through the wind made her think about just right now. Her breath was fast, it was a workout for the rider as well to stay on the steed. Her hand raised and pressed against her chest to feel the heavy beat. ”You are an excellent rider, your highness. Thank you.” Words a bit broken by the breaths she was taking as she regained her composure. Aikaterine waiting to see who he would declare the winner, she had been far too worried about the end point and facing forward to notice if she had caught him or not. However, she thanked him anyway. She needed this, even if she didn't know it.
Aikaterine slid down from her horse to feel one with the ground again. She needed a break before she was going to return from whence they came. It was only a blessing that the gallop was much easier on the body than a casual trot, or she would have been wincing. She still took a light stretch, attempting to be still as ladylike as possible when straightening her legs that were held bent and tight against the horse for the race. Sweat from the sun lightly beading on her face, at least not bad enough to need to figure out how she would wipe it away and still keep her manners. At this point, she was convinced her mother would have had a heart attack by the way she was acting. Especially after accepting something as dangerous as a woman in a horse race.
”You want me to race you? The King of Taengea?”
He stifled the first smile he’d worn in what felt like eternity when her wide eyes found his. Sunlight caught in the green of her eyes, transforming them into glass. When her fingers finally dropped away from her lips, he could finally see it was full and lovely.
“Yes,” he said. His habit of grinning got the better of his attempt to control it and the corners of his mouth curved upwards. When she nodded, his grin broke free completely. Now that there was a challenge, everything inside the palace weighing on his mind was closed off. He could concentrate on this moment alone.
Raising his hand, he flagged down one of the stable boys to fetch Aknos. While she saw to her horse, he saw to his. He did not stop to consider whether or not this was a good idea because he already knew it wasn’t. If he thought about it, the answer should have been a flat ‘no’. But he hated to disappoint someone else when everyone in his life looked at him for various things: Olympia wanted things he would not give, his mother wanted him to trust his father and brother’s murderer, his uncle outright wanted him dead, and his sisters just wanted a better version of who he used to be.
What Aikaterine wanted was for him to buy a horse. It was so simple and the way that she looked at him made him realize that at least someone in Taengea thought he was capable of something. Besides, he liked the way she looked when she’d agreed. The confidence in her stride transformed her from a waifish, timid little thing to a woman of spirit. And it was selfish but he wanted to see her eyes light up again.
Once Aknos was brought inside and readied, he sat astride him, waiting on Aikaterine. His gaze was toward the back end of the pasture where it connected to the forest and the well ridden trails there. He was considering which trails would be best and what would give her the fairest chance. Truly he was interested to see what her horse was capable of but the political cost was high.
He did not turn around when he heard her coming and instead kept his seat. Once she was beside him, he pointed to the trees and explained the way. At the end of the widest of the trails was an immense, gnarled olive tree. It was to this that they would race.
Glancing over at her, he merely offered a wicked grin before giving the signal. Aknos leaped forward but was no match for the lunge her horse used. Together they streaked across the field, spraying dirt and rocks in their wake. Riding this horse was as close as he would ever get to flying. The horse’s gait was smooth and if not for the necessary drumming of hooves, he could have been persuaded that Aknos wasn’t running at all.
She kept her lead for a little while and he was content to let her for the moment. They were not near the tree yet. Still, there was no reason to let her pull too far ahead. He kicked his heels and Aknos dashed ahead, closing the gap and coming abreast with her. The woman he saw was not the one he’d led into the stables. This one grinned and actually taunted him.
His laugh was the only answer to her question. It didn’t bother his pride to be beaten by a woman on horseback. But it hadn’t happened yet. She either didn’t know or didn’t remember that he was as Taengean as he. Where his brother and father had spent their lives politicking, he’d been outside, riding, fighting, and bedding. She wasn’t racing someone who saw only the inside of the court. She was racing someone who knew these woods as well as any hunter. This was what he did.
And yet? Her horse charged forward again, sensing Aknos so close. Any concern for the Leventi pride or the desire to see her smile vanished inside the need to win. Almost without prompting, his stallion surged forward, overtaking her completely. Her laughter spurred him on and from then until they charged passed the tree, he did not look back. His vision had taken on a sort of tunnel view and his mind blanked.
Unlike her, he was hyper aware of where she was at all times. This was training from charioteering, where he needed to know if he was going to be smashed into or not. It was a skill that came in useful now. Whenever her horse looked to open, he nudged Aknos in that direction to block.
With the tree in sight, he did not let up on his mount. Instead he pushed him to up the pace so that when he passed it, the only tree and its low branches were nothing but a blur. It would have been suicide to attempt to ride under the thing and so he’d had to swerve and go around it, momentarily taking him from view. But as he came around, slowing Aknos to a gentler walking pace, he watched as Aikaterine as she grinned.
”You are an excellent rider, your highness. Thank you.”
“A worthy compliment from one great rider to another.” He dismounted and pressed his head to the side of Aknos’s neck for a moment so that he was almost completely hidden. “I’ve never been beaten by a woman at a race…..” he paused, staring at the wet silver fur of his horse. He reached out and smoothed a patch of it down with his fingertips. “Until today.”
He could almost hear Olympia’s scream of rage from here at the lie.
Stepping out from around his horse, he took the reins and pretended to mess with a buckle on the bridle for a moment to avoid looking at her but he couldn’t maintain it. She caught his attention by sliding off her horse and stretching her limbs. He jerked his gaze back to the long, grey nose in front of him and the pair of huge brown eyes staring at him. Aknos just wanted loose.
With a sigh he unbuckled the bridle completely and gave the horse a light smack on the rump before looking back at Aikaterine. “So tell me the name of the horse I just purchased.”
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”You want me to race you? The King of Taengea?”
He stifled the first smile he’d worn in what felt like eternity when her wide eyes found his. Sunlight caught in the green of her eyes, transforming them into glass. When her fingers finally dropped away from her lips, he could finally see it was full and lovely.
“Yes,” he said. His habit of grinning got the better of his attempt to control it and the corners of his mouth curved upwards. When she nodded, his grin broke free completely. Now that there was a challenge, everything inside the palace weighing on his mind was closed off. He could concentrate on this moment alone.
Raising his hand, he flagged down one of the stable boys to fetch Aknos. While she saw to her horse, he saw to his. He did not stop to consider whether or not this was a good idea because he already knew it wasn’t. If he thought about it, the answer should have been a flat ‘no’. But he hated to disappoint someone else when everyone in his life looked at him for various things: Olympia wanted things he would not give, his mother wanted him to trust his father and brother’s murderer, his uncle outright wanted him dead, and his sisters just wanted a better version of who he used to be.
What Aikaterine wanted was for him to buy a horse. It was so simple and the way that she looked at him made him realize that at least someone in Taengea thought he was capable of something. Besides, he liked the way she looked when she’d agreed. The confidence in her stride transformed her from a waifish, timid little thing to a woman of spirit. And it was selfish but he wanted to see her eyes light up again.
Once Aknos was brought inside and readied, he sat astride him, waiting on Aikaterine. His gaze was toward the back end of the pasture where it connected to the forest and the well ridden trails there. He was considering which trails would be best and what would give her the fairest chance. Truly he was interested to see what her horse was capable of but the political cost was high.
He did not turn around when he heard her coming and instead kept his seat. Once she was beside him, he pointed to the trees and explained the way. At the end of the widest of the trails was an immense, gnarled olive tree. It was to this that they would race.
Glancing over at her, he merely offered a wicked grin before giving the signal. Aknos leaped forward but was no match for the lunge her horse used. Together they streaked across the field, spraying dirt and rocks in their wake. Riding this horse was as close as he would ever get to flying. The horse’s gait was smooth and if not for the necessary drumming of hooves, he could have been persuaded that Aknos wasn’t running at all.
She kept her lead for a little while and he was content to let her for the moment. They were not near the tree yet. Still, there was no reason to let her pull too far ahead. He kicked his heels and Aknos dashed ahead, closing the gap and coming abreast with her. The woman he saw was not the one he’d led into the stables. This one grinned and actually taunted him.
His laugh was the only answer to her question. It didn’t bother his pride to be beaten by a woman on horseback. But it hadn’t happened yet. She either didn’t know or didn’t remember that he was as Taengean as he. Where his brother and father had spent their lives politicking, he’d been outside, riding, fighting, and bedding. She wasn’t racing someone who saw only the inside of the court. She was racing someone who knew these woods as well as any hunter. This was what he did.
And yet? Her horse charged forward again, sensing Aknos so close. Any concern for the Leventi pride or the desire to see her smile vanished inside the need to win. Almost without prompting, his stallion surged forward, overtaking her completely. Her laughter spurred him on and from then until they charged passed the tree, he did not look back. His vision had taken on a sort of tunnel view and his mind blanked.
Unlike her, he was hyper aware of where she was at all times. This was training from charioteering, where he needed to know if he was going to be smashed into or not. It was a skill that came in useful now. Whenever her horse looked to open, he nudged Aknos in that direction to block.
With the tree in sight, he did not let up on his mount. Instead he pushed him to up the pace so that when he passed it, the only tree and its low branches were nothing but a blur. It would have been suicide to attempt to ride under the thing and so he’d had to swerve and go around it, momentarily taking him from view. But as he came around, slowing Aknos to a gentler walking pace, he watched as Aikaterine as she grinned.
”You are an excellent rider, your highness. Thank you.”
“A worthy compliment from one great rider to another.” He dismounted and pressed his head to the side of Aknos’s neck for a moment so that he was almost completely hidden. “I’ve never been beaten by a woman at a race…..” he paused, staring at the wet silver fur of his horse. He reached out and smoothed a patch of it down with his fingertips. “Until today.”
He could almost hear Olympia’s scream of rage from here at the lie.
Stepping out from around his horse, he took the reins and pretended to mess with a buckle on the bridle for a moment to avoid looking at her but he couldn’t maintain it. She caught his attention by sliding off her horse and stretching her limbs. He jerked his gaze back to the long, grey nose in front of him and the pair of huge brown eyes staring at him. Aknos just wanted loose.
With a sigh he unbuckled the bridle completely and gave the horse a light smack on the rump before looking back at Aikaterine. “So tell me the name of the horse I just purchased.”
”You want me to race you? The King of Taengea?”
He stifled the first smile he’d worn in what felt like eternity when her wide eyes found his. Sunlight caught in the green of her eyes, transforming them into glass. When her fingers finally dropped away from her lips, he could finally see it was full and lovely.
“Yes,” he said. His habit of grinning got the better of his attempt to control it and the corners of his mouth curved upwards. When she nodded, his grin broke free completely. Now that there was a challenge, everything inside the palace weighing on his mind was closed off. He could concentrate on this moment alone.
Raising his hand, he flagged down one of the stable boys to fetch Aknos. While she saw to her horse, he saw to his. He did not stop to consider whether or not this was a good idea because he already knew it wasn’t. If he thought about it, the answer should have been a flat ‘no’. But he hated to disappoint someone else when everyone in his life looked at him for various things: Olympia wanted things he would not give, his mother wanted him to trust his father and brother’s murderer, his uncle outright wanted him dead, and his sisters just wanted a better version of who he used to be.
What Aikaterine wanted was for him to buy a horse. It was so simple and the way that she looked at him made him realize that at least someone in Taengea thought he was capable of something. Besides, he liked the way she looked when she’d agreed. The confidence in her stride transformed her from a waifish, timid little thing to a woman of spirit. And it was selfish but he wanted to see her eyes light up again.
Once Aknos was brought inside and readied, he sat astride him, waiting on Aikaterine. His gaze was toward the back end of the pasture where it connected to the forest and the well ridden trails there. He was considering which trails would be best and what would give her the fairest chance. Truly he was interested to see what her horse was capable of but the political cost was high.
He did not turn around when he heard her coming and instead kept his seat. Once she was beside him, he pointed to the trees and explained the way. At the end of the widest of the trails was an immense, gnarled olive tree. It was to this that they would race.
Glancing over at her, he merely offered a wicked grin before giving the signal. Aknos leaped forward but was no match for the lunge her horse used. Together they streaked across the field, spraying dirt and rocks in their wake. Riding this horse was as close as he would ever get to flying. The horse’s gait was smooth and if not for the necessary drumming of hooves, he could have been persuaded that Aknos wasn’t running at all.
She kept her lead for a little while and he was content to let her for the moment. They were not near the tree yet. Still, there was no reason to let her pull too far ahead. He kicked his heels and Aknos dashed ahead, closing the gap and coming abreast with her. The woman he saw was not the one he’d led into the stables. This one grinned and actually taunted him.
His laugh was the only answer to her question. It didn’t bother his pride to be beaten by a woman on horseback. But it hadn’t happened yet. She either didn’t know or didn’t remember that he was as Taengean as he. Where his brother and father had spent their lives politicking, he’d been outside, riding, fighting, and bedding. She wasn’t racing someone who saw only the inside of the court. She was racing someone who knew these woods as well as any hunter. This was what he did.
And yet? Her horse charged forward again, sensing Aknos so close. Any concern for the Leventi pride or the desire to see her smile vanished inside the need to win. Almost without prompting, his stallion surged forward, overtaking her completely. Her laughter spurred him on and from then until they charged passed the tree, he did not look back. His vision had taken on a sort of tunnel view and his mind blanked.
Unlike her, he was hyper aware of where she was at all times. This was training from charioteering, where he needed to know if he was going to be smashed into or not. It was a skill that came in useful now. Whenever her horse looked to open, he nudged Aknos in that direction to block.
With the tree in sight, he did not let up on his mount. Instead he pushed him to up the pace so that when he passed it, the only tree and its low branches were nothing but a blur. It would have been suicide to attempt to ride under the thing and so he’d had to swerve and go around it, momentarily taking him from view. But as he came around, slowing Aknos to a gentler walking pace, he watched as Aikaterine as she grinned.
”You are an excellent rider, your highness. Thank you.”
“A worthy compliment from one great rider to another.” He dismounted and pressed his head to the side of Aknos’s neck for a moment so that he was almost completely hidden. “I’ve never been beaten by a woman at a race…..” he paused, staring at the wet silver fur of his horse. He reached out and smoothed a patch of it down with his fingertips. “Until today.”
He could almost hear Olympia’s scream of rage from here at the lie.
Stepping out from around his horse, he took the reins and pretended to mess with a buckle on the bridle for a moment to avoid looking at her but he couldn’t maintain it. She caught his attention by sliding off her horse and stretching her limbs. He jerked his gaze back to the long, grey nose in front of him and the pair of huge brown eyes staring at him. Aknos just wanted loose.
With a sigh he unbuckled the bridle completely and gave the horse a light smack on the rump before looking back at Aikaterine. “So tell me the name of the horse I just purchased.”
It seemed as though the mere idea of the race actually happening had relieved the King of his worries. The wrinkles of depression had disappeared as they mounted up and were on their way. Aikaterine had felt the exact same feelings rush through her as she felt free as a bird through the wind. Riding was the one place she could prove herself. The only place that she knew she belonged. It was especially hard when she no longer felt like her home was her actual home. As a widow, she felt like her house was no longer her own and that she should have been once again defined by a man (as her father always impressed upon her). But, the horse didn’t care.
The laugh that he gave her in response was unlike anything she had heard before. It played against her will pulling her in and wanting to hear it again. It really only made her grin larger and her own giggles grow. That was until the race ended. There was a small part of her that wished she could ride until the end of time. Her butt would not forgive her for that.
As she stretched from working so hard, she had tried her hardest not to stare at Stephanos. Staring was rude, but she wanted to look to see if he was upset, she wanted to know if she had won and if he would be buying one of her horses. The entire trip had hinged upon him taking one. At this point, she didn’t even care if he advertised it, she just wanted him to try the horses she bred and trained. The pause captivated her. She looked up with lips slightly parted, her own urge to hope he would speak the rest of that sentence.
”I won?” Her words nearly silent as she placed her palm gently against her chest. It was a moment of disbelief. She had known that they had been close for much of the race. They had traded the lead numerous times, she couldn’t even recall. Aikaterine would have normally protested such a thing and declared that he was mistaken. A lady from the cliffs of Meganea, even if she rode since she could walk, would not be able to beat the King of Taengea. Yet, she just nodded. That smile of triumph larger each moment. An expression that screamed the acceptance. I won.
Her lips were pressed together as she attempted to hide the pure joy that was erupting within her. She found herself paused and staring at the way that he paid attention to his own horse. His avoidance of staring at her was completely lost, Aikaterine didn’t think that she was worth looking at. Actually, normally, she hoped for the very opposite. If she could be superiorly unappealing, she had always wondered if Cretheus would stop his pursuit. But, to have a man look at her the way that Stephanos approved of his horse? That would be something worth dreaming about. Or maybe, there was just something about Stephanos that appeared remarkable.
Smack!
The sound made her skip a beat as she caught herself in the middle of a daydream. Course, at the moment, she had been having a very hard time telling the difference between fantasy and reality. ”Oh, uh. This is Dareious, your majesty.” She was speaking to Stephanos, it was obvious that she had answered his question. But, her eyes were watching as Aknos was sent off to enjoy the independence of being unbridled. She would have to return to reality. The home where she felt like an outcast. The world that was far more complicated than the nature that surrounded them.
Then she was at a loss for words. She wanted to thank him again, thank him for losing? That seemed like the most awkward conversation of existence. However, grateful was the only way she could put it. She had saved her from returning home into the arms of a monster. Into what would have likely been a beating and more. Something else. The moment felt like forever, she was absolutely sure that they had been standing there for ages without a word between them. Her head tilted in the direction of the stables. A tiny building in the distance from where they were at. ”It’s beautiful out here. I dare say I don’t want to return…” Finally, words of truth. ”Do you have much time to take a break out here?” She assumed he had been on the trails many times as a younger man, but now that he had the weight of the crown, she was curious. Her tone of the question making it apparent she meant now that he was King.
The sun was perfect with the slight breeze that brushed past them. Her hand moved up to tuck an unruly lock of hair behind an ear. It was then that she really realized what a mess she must have been. Hands soon brushing dirt from her long, light colored sheer layered chiton. Fingers wiping over her face, just to be sure no dirt had been kicked up and stuck there. That would be embarrassing. And now she was here making small talk, elongating the conversation in her disheveled appearance.
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It seemed as though the mere idea of the race actually happening had relieved the King of his worries. The wrinkles of depression had disappeared as they mounted up and were on their way. Aikaterine had felt the exact same feelings rush through her as she felt free as a bird through the wind. Riding was the one place she could prove herself. The only place that she knew she belonged. It was especially hard when she no longer felt like her home was her actual home. As a widow, she felt like her house was no longer her own and that she should have been once again defined by a man (as her father always impressed upon her). But, the horse didn’t care.
The laugh that he gave her in response was unlike anything she had heard before. It played against her will pulling her in and wanting to hear it again. It really only made her grin larger and her own giggles grow. That was until the race ended. There was a small part of her that wished she could ride until the end of time. Her butt would not forgive her for that.
As she stretched from working so hard, she had tried her hardest not to stare at Stephanos. Staring was rude, but she wanted to look to see if he was upset, she wanted to know if she had won and if he would be buying one of her horses. The entire trip had hinged upon him taking one. At this point, she didn’t even care if he advertised it, she just wanted him to try the horses she bred and trained. The pause captivated her. She looked up with lips slightly parted, her own urge to hope he would speak the rest of that sentence.
”I won?” Her words nearly silent as she placed her palm gently against her chest. It was a moment of disbelief. She had known that they had been close for much of the race. They had traded the lead numerous times, she couldn’t even recall. Aikaterine would have normally protested such a thing and declared that he was mistaken. A lady from the cliffs of Meganea, even if she rode since she could walk, would not be able to beat the King of Taengea. Yet, she just nodded. That smile of triumph larger each moment. An expression that screamed the acceptance. I won.
Her lips were pressed together as she attempted to hide the pure joy that was erupting within her. She found herself paused and staring at the way that he paid attention to his own horse. His avoidance of staring at her was completely lost, Aikaterine didn’t think that she was worth looking at. Actually, normally, she hoped for the very opposite. If she could be superiorly unappealing, she had always wondered if Cretheus would stop his pursuit. But, to have a man look at her the way that Stephanos approved of his horse? That would be something worth dreaming about. Or maybe, there was just something about Stephanos that appeared remarkable.
Smack!
The sound made her skip a beat as she caught herself in the middle of a daydream. Course, at the moment, she had been having a very hard time telling the difference between fantasy and reality. ”Oh, uh. This is Dareious, your majesty.” She was speaking to Stephanos, it was obvious that she had answered his question. But, her eyes were watching as Aknos was sent off to enjoy the independence of being unbridled. She would have to return to reality. The home where she felt like an outcast. The world that was far more complicated than the nature that surrounded them.
Then she was at a loss for words. She wanted to thank him again, thank him for losing? That seemed like the most awkward conversation of existence. However, grateful was the only way she could put it. She had saved her from returning home into the arms of a monster. Into what would have likely been a beating and more. Something else. The moment felt like forever, she was absolutely sure that they had been standing there for ages without a word between them. Her head tilted in the direction of the stables. A tiny building in the distance from where they were at. ”It’s beautiful out here. I dare say I don’t want to return…” Finally, words of truth. ”Do you have much time to take a break out here?” She assumed he had been on the trails many times as a younger man, but now that he had the weight of the crown, she was curious. Her tone of the question making it apparent she meant now that he was King.
The sun was perfect with the slight breeze that brushed past them. Her hand moved up to tuck an unruly lock of hair behind an ear. It was then that she really realized what a mess she must have been. Hands soon brushing dirt from her long, light colored sheer layered chiton. Fingers wiping over her face, just to be sure no dirt had been kicked up and stuck there. That would be embarrassing. And now she was here making small talk, elongating the conversation in her disheveled appearance.
It seemed as though the mere idea of the race actually happening had relieved the King of his worries. The wrinkles of depression had disappeared as they mounted up and were on their way. Aikaterine had felt the exact same feelings rush through her as she felt free as a bird through the wind. Riding was the one place she could prove herself. The only place that she knew she belonged. It was especially hard when she no longer felt like her home was her actual home. As a widow, she felt like her house was no longer her own and that she should have been once again defined by a man (as her father always impressed upon her). But, the horse didn’t care.
The laugh that he gave her in response was unlike anything she had heard before. It played against her will pulling her in and wanting to hear it again. It really only made her grin larger and her own giggles grow. That was until the race ended. There was a small part of her that wished she could ride until the end of time. Her butt would not forgive her for that.
As she stretched from working so hard, she had tried her hardest not to stare at Stephanos. Staring was rude, but she wanted to look to see if he was upset, she wanted to know if she had won and if he would be buying one of her horses. The entire trip had hinged upon him taking one. At this point, she didn’t even care if he advertised it, she just wanted him to try the horses she bred and trained. The pause captivated her. She looked up with lips slightly parted, her own urge to hope he would speak the rest of that sentence.
”I won?” Her words nearly silent as she placed her palm gently against her chest. It was a moment of disbelief. She had known that they had been close for much of the race. They had traded the lead numerous times, she couldn’t even recall. Aikaterine would have normally protested such a thing and declared that he was mistaken. A lady from the cliffs of Meganea, even if she rode since she could walk, would not be able to beat the King of Taengea. Yet, she just nodded. That smile of triumph larger each moment. An expression that screamed the acceptance. I won.
Her lips were pressed together as she attempted to hide the pure joy that was erupting within her. She found herself paused and staring at the way that he paid attention to his own horse. His avoidance of staring at her was completely lost, Aikaterine didn’t think that she was worth looking at. Actually, normally, she hoped for the very opposite. If she could be superiorly unappealing, she had always wondered if Cretheus would stop his pursuit. But, to have a man look at her the way that Stephanos approved of his horse? That would be something worth dreaming about. Or maybe, there was just something about Stephanos that appeared remarkable.
Smack!
The sound made her skip a beat as she caught herself in the middle of a daydream. Course, at the moment, she had been having a very hard time telling the difference between fantasy and reality. ”Oh, uh. This is Dareious, your majesty.” She was speaking to Stephanos, it was obvious that she had answered his question. But, her eyes were watching as Aknos was sent off to enjoy the independence of being unbridled. She would have to return to reality. The home where she felt like an outcast. The world that was far more complicated than the nature that surrounded them.
Then she was at a loss for words. She wanted to thank him again, thank him for losing? That seemed like the most awkward conversation of existence. However, grateful was the only way she could put it. She had saved her from returning home into the arms of a monster. Into what would have likely been a beating and more. Something else. The moment felt like forever, she was absolutely sure that they had been standing there for ages without a word between them. Her head tilted in the direction of the stables. A tiny building in the distance from where they were at. ”It’s beautiful out here. I dare say I don’t want to return…” Finally, words of truth. ”Do you have much time to take a break out here?” She assumed he had been on the trails many times as a younger man, but now that he had the weight of the crown, she was curious. Her tone of the question making it apparent she meant now that he was King.
The sun was perfect with the slight breeze that brushed past them. Her hand moved up to tuck an unruly lock of hair behind an ear. It was then that she really realized what a mess she must have been. Hands soon brushing dirt from her long, light colored sheer layered chiton. Fingers wiping over her face, just to be sure no dirt had been kicked up and stuck there. That would be embarrassing. And now she was here making small talk, elongating the conversation in her disheveled appearance.
Because her words were nearly in audible, he saw them form on her lips, rather than heard them. She nodded while her smile lit up her face the way sun broke through clouds. He looked away again. When she told him the name of the horse, he found himself free to study her as her eyes were on Aknos.
At first glance, she was nothing out of the ordinary. She possessed nothing of interest to attract notice, except, perhaps, her disheveled appearance. However, upon closer inspection, she was pleasing. And the more he looked, the more he liked what he saw. Which was unfortunate. Aikaterine lived too far away…
After a few moments, she turned back to him. He didn’t pretend he’d been looking anywhere else but his gaze did wander back to the palace when she mentioned the need to go back. “Nor I…” he said in response to when she said she did not want to return. But he had to eventually. Too much was at stake to stay away.
”Do you have much time to take a break out here?”
His eyebrows raised. That was a forward question. At least, it seemed forward for her. She whose voice he still couldn’t have picked out of a crowd.
“I have time now,” he said and turned his back on the palace. With a half smile and an arched eyebrow he gestured toward the forest. “Walk with me?” This one really was an offer, rather than an order which meant she was free to refuse, but he didn’t think she would. After all, she’d just said she didn’t want to go back. And for him, there was nothing pleasant inside those walls at the moment.
Only anxiety and fear awaited him in there. Two things he never dreamed he’d live with prior to the events of barely two months ago. If he went back, he’d have to deal with either his mother or Irakles. Or even Irakles’s scribe who always seemed to show up, unwanted and unneeded to offer help or advice.
And in the evenings, he went to check on Olympia. But nothing between them was as it had been. There was constant fear of losing the baby both from her and from himself. The Creed were always shadows in the back of his mind.
No. The verdant green of the forest and the quiet paths there eased a great many concerns. At least for a little while. “I haven’t had much time to be out here in the past couple of months, no,” he said after a long pause, referencing her question again, even though she didn’t ask it again.
But he didn’t want to think about his own problems.
“You’re brave to have answered my missive.” A smirk curved his lips. “Being that I’m married to a Leventi.”
Such a timid creature bringing three horses all the way from Dimitrou lands to Vasiliadon, all the while knowing she would be walking into the lion’s den where Olympia lived. This was interesting to him. Because weak people didn’t make such bold moves this way, even if the king requested their presence. She could have simply deferred him to another time and the transaction never taken place.
News of this caliber traveled fast throughout the country. He didn’t doubt that she had heard about all of it, or at least pieces of it since she was not surprised to find him king instead of his father. And if she knew he was king and about the horrors that had afflicted the capital so recently, then she had to know that he’d married quickly as well. Or, all of this he assumed, at least.
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Because her words were nearly in audible, he saw them form on her lips, rather than heard them. She nodded while her smile lit up her face the way sun broke through clouds. He looked away again. When she told him the name of the horse, he found himself free to study her as her eyes were on Aknos.
At first glance, she was nothing out of the ordinary. She possessed nothing of interest to attract notice, except, perhaps, her disheveled appearance. However, upon closer inspection, she was pleasing. And the more he looked, the more he liked what he saw. Which was unfortunate. Aikaterine lived too far away…
After a few moments, she turned back to him. He didn’t pretend he’d been looking anywhere else but his gaze did wander back to the palace when she mentioned the need to go back. “Nor I…” he said in response to when she said she did not want to return. But he had to eventually. Too much was at stake to stay away.
”Do you have much time to take a break out here?”
His eyebrows raised. That was a forward question. At least, it seemed forward for her. She whose voice he still couldn’t have picked out of a crowd.
“I have time now,” he said and turned his back on the palace. With a half smile and an arched eyebrow he gestured toward the forest. “Walk with me?” This one really was an offer, rather than an order which meant she was free to refuse, but he didn’t think she would. After all, she’d just said she didn’t want to go back. And for him, there was nothing pleasant inside those walls at the moment.
Only anxiety and fear awaited him in there. Two things he never dreamed he’d live with prior to the events of barely two months ago. If he went back, he’d have to deal with either his mother or Irakles. Or even Irakles’s scribe who always seemed to show up, unwanted and unneeded to offer help or advice.
And in the evenings, he went to check on Olympia. But nothing between them was as it had been. There was constant fear of losing the baby both from her and from himself. The Creed were always shadows in the back of his mind.
No. The verdant green of the forest and the quiet paths there eased a great many concerns. At least for a little while. “I haven’t had much time to be out here in the past couple of months, no,” he said after a long pause, referencing her question again, even though she didn’t ask it again.
But he didn’t want to think about his own problems.
“You’re brave to have answered my missive.” A smirk curved his lips. “Being that I’m married to a Leventi.”
Such a timid creature bringing three horses all the way from Dimitrou lands to Vasiliadon, all the while knowing she would be walking into the lion’s den where Olympia lived. This was interesting to him. Because weak people didn’t make such bold moves this way, even if the king requested their presence. She could have simply deferred him to another time and the transaction never taken place.
News of this caliber traveled fast throughout the country. He didn’t doubt that she had heard about all of it, or at least pieces of it since she was not surprised to find him king instead of his father. And if she knew he was king and about the horrors that had afflicted the capital so recently, then she had to know that he’d married quickly as well. Or, all of this he assumed, at least.
Because her words were nearly in audible, he saw them form on her lips, rather than heard them. She nodded while her smile lit up her face the way sun broke through clouds. He looked away again. When she told him the name of the horse, he found himself free to study her as her eyes were on Aknos.
At first glance, she was nothing out of the ordinary. She possessed nothing of interest to attract notice, except, perhaps, her disheveled appearance. However, upon closer inspection, she was pleasing. And the more he looked, the more he liked what he saw. Which was unfortunate. Aikaterine lived too far away…
After a few moments, she turned back to him. He didn’t pretend he’d been looking anywhere else but his gaze did wander back to the palace when she mentioned the need to go back. “Nor I…” he said in response to when she said she did not want to return. But he had to eventually. Too much was at stake to stay away.
”Do you have much time to take a break out here?”
His eyebrows raised. That was a forward question. At least, it seemed forward for her. She whose voice he still couldn’t have picked out of a crowd.
“I have time now,” he said and turned his back on the palace. With a half smile and an arched eyebrow he gestured toward the forest. “Walk with me?” This one really was an offer, rather than an order which meant she was free to refuse, but he didn’t think she would. After all, she’d just said she didn’t want to go back. And for him, there was nothing pleasant inside those walls at the moment.
Only anxiety and fear awaited him in there. Two things he never dreamed he’d live with prior to the events of barely two months ago. If he went back, he’d have to deal with either his mother or Irakles. Or even Irakles’s scribe who always seemed to show up, unwanted and unneeded to offer help or advice.
And in the evenings, he went to check on Olympia. But nothing between them was as it had been. There was constant fear of losing the baby both from her and from himself. The Creed were always shadows in the back of his mind.
No. The verdant green of the forest and the quiet paths there eased a great many concerns. At least for a little while. “I haven’t had much time to be out here in the past couple of months, no,” he said after a long pause, referencing her question again, even though she didn’t ask it again.
But he didn’t want to think about his own problems.
“You’re brave to have answered my missive.” A smirk curved his lips. “Being that I’m married to a Leventi.”
Such a timid creature bringing three horses all the way from Dimitrou lands to Vasiliadon, all the while knowing she would be walking into the lion’s den where Olympia lived. This was interesting to him. Because weak people didn’t make such bold moves this way, even if the king requested their presence. She could have simply deferred him to another time and the transaction never taken place.
News of this caliber traveled fast throughout the country. He didn’t doubt that she had heard about all of it, or at least pieces of it since she was not surprised to find him king instead of his father. And if she knew he was king and about the horrors that had afflicted the capital so recently, then she had to know that he’d married quickly as well. Or, all of this he assumed, at least.
Stolen glances were taken between them, like children in a flirtatious game. She hoped she wouldn’t get caught - yet yearned to look at his off limits eyes, face, lips again. Who would blame a young lady for staring at the handsome King, even if he was taken by a beautiful Queen. Aikaterine hadn’t been thinking. Her own senses clouded. She didn’t think about Olympia, Cretheus, or anyone else. It was just the two of them in the middle of what was nowhere to her. Maybe she should have been a little more worried. The Leventi’s were a large family with a lot more power than her family could muster together.
Her head simply nodded when he asked to walk. Aikaterine wasn’t in a position to turn Stephanos down for something so simple. Even if she could hear her mother screaming in the back of her mind. Alone with a man where no one could see, it was obscene. But, her mother had never saved her from Aktis and Cretheus, like she should listen to the warnings now. She had just said she had no desire to go back and he was making that happen.
Aikaterine matched his pace. Like a sheep following a master, her obedience could have been considered both a merit and a fault. Here it was an easy decision. He was handsome, kind, and considerate - there wasn’t a single downside that came to her mind in the moment. Maybe some regrets later, but nothing right now. Not when he was willing to ease into a conversation as though he weren’t some intimidating royal at all.
Months. His life had been turned upside down. All the details had not made their way to Meganea, but enough of it had. She had even been at the back of the room for the celebration after his coronation. Unknown among the masses of people watching and waiting for something. There were rumors abuzz that night, however, Aikaterine had never given much credit to gossip. ”I can imagine running a kingdom is a lot of work. I only oversee forty horses and that is a full time job.” She offered in response to his lack of breaks.
Her eyes perked a bit when he mentioned the fact that she had come all this way. Underneath the social awkward facade, there was a strong woman. A lady who had once been a bold, only child that raced anyone who was willing. She was someone completely different before her husband and brother-in-law had shattered her spirit. Her mind wandered to thinking of the hurt mare they had passed to come out of the stable. She must have felt the same way. Betrayed by the ones who loved her all her life and no way of being saved. It was easier to escape.
”I’ve never been called brave before. It was more out of duty than out of bravery.” Or maybe it was stupidity when he had mentioned the part about being married to a Leventi. Or maybe he didn’t know her as well as he thought he did. Aikaterine had just a few weeks before been brave enough to go on to a strange ship and receive potions to potentially kill. Pain, despair, and hopeless was a dangerous combination. Stephanos missive had been a light just when she needed it most. ”It… it’s always been my family’s dream to prove the value to our horses. My son needs it.” She had been raised to put her life in the hands of a man. First her father had made all the decisions, then it was a husband. Now it was all about what she could do to serve her son, in the absence of any other man in her life. She hated to think that she occasionally served Cretheus.
She took a deep breath in through her nose and then released the air through her mouth. ”If I can be completely honest with you, it was selfish of me. It was an opportunity to be away from home and I took it.” Aikaterine hated Cretheus. She hated the home that wasn’t even her own, but still her dead husband’s. Maybe he would understand considering he still had to remain in a home where his father once roamed the halls. Not that she knew anything about what kind of good or bad relationship the King had with the previous one.
Finally, her brows twisted in a bit of confusion. When he put it that way, he was the brave one to reach out in such a matter. To ask another house to provide horses he could easily obtain from his wife. Aikaterine didn’t know why he did what he did and she wasn’t brave enough to ask why. She would probably never know. Instead, she asked a different question. ”And you are the king, was I supposed to ignore you, your majesty? I wouldn’t dare deny your requests.” That would be brave.
”However, if you wish, next time my brother-in-law could come, if you feel that is more appropriate.” Her voice was flat, but it was actually a joke. At least to her. Cretheus was a terrible man. It was obvious from just one glance that he was some slimy salesman. But, he was a man. Kat looked out of the corner of her eye to watch his face when she offered it. Maybe there wouldn’t be a next request, maybe he didn’t want to anger his wife. Or, there was always the wonder of what kind of impression she had made on him to see her again. In her mind, lie or not, she had beat him at his own race. Her mind shouldn’t have drifted to what it did next. Stephanos had a wife, he just mentioned her. The cloudiness in her judgement was returning and terrifying her. Why did she even say such a thing? There would be no next time. The words were already said. But, somewhere inside, there was a flutter. Optimism that as much as she enjoyed walking now, that they might do it again.
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Stolen glances were taken between them, like children in a flirtatious game. She hoped she wouldn’t get caught - yet yearned to look at his off limits eyes, face, lips again. Who would blame a young lady for staring at the handsome King, even if he was taken by a beautiful Queen. Aikaterine hadn’t been thinking. Her own senses clouded. She didn’t think about Olympia, Cretheus, or anyone else. It was just the two of them in the middle of what was nowhere to her. Maybe she should have been a little more worried. The Leventi’s were a large family with a lot more power than her family could muster together.
Her head simply nodded when he asked to walk. Aikaterine wasn’t in a position to turn Stephanos down for something so simple. Even if she could hear her mother screaming in the back of her mind. Alone with a man where no one could see, it was obscene. But, her mother had never saved her from Aktis and Cretheus, like she should listen to the warnings now. She had just said she had no desire to go back and he was making that happen.
Aikaterine matched his pace. Like a sheep following a master, her obedience could have been considered both a merit and a fault. Here it was an easy decision. He was handsome, kind, and considerate - there wasn’t a single downside that came to her mind in the moment. Maybe some regrets later, but nothing right now. Not when he was willing to ease into a conversation as though he weren’t some intimidating royal at all.
Months. His life had been turned upside down. All the details had not made their way to Meganea, but enough of it had. She had even been at the back of the room for the celebration after his coronation. Unknown among the masses of people watching and waiting for something. There were rumors abuzz that night, however, Aikaterine had never given much credit to gossip. ”I can imagine running a kingdom is a lot of work. I only oversee forty horses and that is a full time job.” She offered in response to his lack of breaks.
Her eyes perked a bit when he mentioned the fact that she had come all this way. Underneath the social awkward facade, there was a strong woman. A lady who had once been a bold, only child that raced anyone who was willing. She was someone completely different before her husband and brother-in-law had shattered her spirit. Her mind wandered to thinking of the hurt mare they had passed to come out of the stable. She must have felt the same way. Betrayed by the ones who loved her all her life and no way of being saved. It was easier to escape.
”I’ve never been called brave before. It was more out of duty than out of bravery.” Or maybe it was stupidity when he had mentioned the part about being married to a Leventi. Or maybe he didn’t know her as well as he thought he did. Aikaterine had just a few weeks before been brave enough to go on to a strange ship and receive potions to potentially kill. Pain, despair, and hopeless was a dangerous combination. Stephanos missive had been a light just when she needed it most. ”It… it’s always been my family’s dream to prove the value to our horses. My son needs it.” She had been raised to put her life in the hands of a man. First her father had made all the decisions, then it was a husband. Now it was all about what she could do to serve her son, in the absence of any other man in her life. She hated to think that she occasionally served Cretheus.
She took a deep breath in through her nose and then released the air through her mouth. ”If I can be completely honest with you, it was selfish of me. It was an opportunity to be away from home and I took it.” Aikaterine hated Cretheus. She hated the home that wasn’t even her own, but still her dead husband’s. Maybe he would understand considering he still had to remain in a home where his father once roamed the halls. Not that she knew anything about what kind of good or bad relationship the King had with the previous one.
Finally, her brows twisted in a bit of confusion. When he put it that way, he was the brave one to reach out in such a matter. To ask another house to provide horses he could easily obtain from his wife. Aikaterine didn’t know why he did what he did and she wasn’t brave enough to ask why. She would probably never know. Instead, she asked a different question. ”And you are the king, was I supposed to ignore you, your majesty? I wouldn’t dare deny your requests.” That would be brave.
”However, if you wish, next time my brother-in-law could come, if you feel that is more appropriate.” Her voice was flat, but it was actually a joke. At least to her. Cretheus was a terrible man. It was obvious from just one glance that he was some slimy salesman. But, he was a man. Kat looked out of the corner of her eye to watch his face when she offered it. Maybe there wouldn’t be a next request, maybe he didn’t want to anger his wife. Or, there was always the wonder of what kind of impression she had made on him to see her again. In her mind, lie or not, she had beat him at his own race. Her mind shouldn’t have drifted to what it did next. Stephanos had a wife, he just mentioned her. The cloudiness in her judgement was returning and terrifying her. Why did she even say such a thing? There would be no next time. The words were already said. But, somewhere inside, there was a flutter. Optimism that as much as she enjoyed walking now, that they might do it again.
Stolen glances were taken between them, like children in a flirtatious game. She hoped she wouldn’t get caught - yet yearned to look at his off limits eyes, face, lips again. Who would blame a young lady for staring at the handsome King, even if he was taken by a beautiful Queen. Aikaterine hadn’t been thinking. Her own senses clouded. She didn’t think about Olympia, Cretheus, or anyone else. It was just the two of them in the middle of what was nowhere to her. Maybe she should have been a little more worried. The Leventi’s were a large family with a lot more power than her family could muster together.
Her head simply nodded when he asked to walk. Aikaterine wasn’t in a position to turn Stephanos down for something so simple. Even if she could hear her mother screaming in the back of her mind. Alone with a man where no one could see, it was obscene. But, her mother had never saved her from Aktis and Cretheus, like she should listen to the warnings now. She had just said she had no desire to go back and he was making that happen.
Aikaterine matched his pace. Like a sheep following a master, her obedience could have been considered both a merit and a fault. Here it was an easy decision. He was handsome, kind, and considerate - there wasn’t a single downside that came to her mind in the moment. Maybe some regrets later, but nothing right now. Not when he was willing to ease into a conversation as though he weren’t some intimidating royal at all.
Months. His life had been turned upside down. All the details had not made their way to Meganea, but enough of it had. She had even been at the back of the room for the celebration after his coronation. Unknown among the masses of people watching and waiting for something. There were rumors abuzz that night, however, Aikaterine had never given much credit to gossip. ”I can imagine running a kingdom is a lot of work. I only oversee forty horses and that is a full time job.” She offered in response to his lack of breaks.
Her eyes perked a bit when he mentioned the fact that she had come all this way. Underneath the social awkward facade, there was a strong woman. A lady who had once been a bold, only child that raced anyone who was willing. She was someone completely different before her husband and brother-in-law had shattered her spirit. Her mind wandered to thinking of the hurt mare they had passed to come out of the stable. She must have felt the same way. Betrayed by the ones who loved her all her life and no way of being saved. It was easier to escape.
”I’ve never been called brave before. It was more out of duty than out of bravery.” Or maybe it was stupidity when he had mentioned the part about being married to a Leventi. Or maybe he didn’t know her as well as he thought he did. Aikaterine had just a few weeks before been brave enough to go on to a strange ship and receive potions to potentially kill. Pain, despair, and hopeless was a dangerous combination. Stephanos missive had been a light just when she needed it most. ”It… it’s always been my family’s dream to prove the value to our horses. My son needs it.” She had been raised to put her life in the hands of a man. First her father had made all the decisions, then it was a husband. Now it was all about what she could do to serve her son, in the absence of any other man in her life. She hated to think that she occasionally served Cretheus.
She took a deep breath in through her nose and then released the air through her mouth. ”If I can be completely honest with you, it was selfish of me. It was an opportunity to be away from home and I took it.” Aikaterine hated Cretheus. She hated the home that wasn’t even her own, but still her dead husband’s. Maybe he would understand considering he still had to remain in a home where his father once roamed the halls. Not that she knew anything about what kind of good or bad relationship the King had with the previous one.
Finally, her brows twisted in a bit of confusion. When he put it that way, he was the brave one to reach out in such a matter. To ask another house to provide horses he could easily obtain from his wife. Aikaterine didn’t know why he did what he did and she wasn’t brave enough to ask why. She would probably never know. Instead, she asked a different question. ”And you are the king, was I supposed to ignore you, your majesty? I wouldn’t dare deny your requests.” That would be brave.
”However, if you wish, next time my brother-in-law could come, if you feel that is more appropriate.” Her voice was flat, but it was actually a joke. At least to her. Cretheus was a terrible man. It was obvious from just one glance that he was some slimy salesman. But, he was a man. Kat looked out of the corner of her eye to watch his face when she offered it. Maybe there wouldn’t be a next request, maybe he didn’t want to anger his wife. Or, there was always the wonder of what kind of impression she had made on him to see her again. In her mind, lie or not, she had beat him at his own race. Her mind shouldn’t have drifted to what it did next. Stephanos had a wife, he just mentioned her. The cloudiness in her judgement was returning and terrifying her. Why did she even say such a thing? There would be no next time. The words were already said. But, somewhere inside, there was a flutter. Optimism that as much as she enjoyed walking now, that they might do it again.
His pace was intentionally slow so that she could join him if she chose. Though he was a prince, and now king, he was well used to the women at court. The ones who, if they did not wish it, would tell him no flat out. Unlike his cold, reserved brother, women tended not to fear him or be overly formal in his presence. So when she came to walk at his side, he never considered that she did it out of duty. To him, she did it because she wanted to.
And, as she was a widow, he was not overly concerned for her reputation. After all, she’d come all this way alone. What was a walk through the wood? They had no servants with them and no guards. There was no one to babysit them and no one to tattle. For all the stable servants knew, they never left the backs of their mounts.
Reputation was something he rarely thought about. The members of court were such hypocrites that he lived his life how he chose. They could talk about that, rather than focusing on their own mistresses or their own failings. His wife had to deal with quite a lot of unfair gossip about her person.
They walked a short way in relative silence before she chose to break it by supposing that running the kingdom must be a lot of work and mentioning she had forty horses that she herself took care of. He pressed his tongue to the roof of his mouth in an attempt to avoid mentioning exactly how difficult it was being made for him. If allowed to run it as he saw fit, without his uncle’s constant interference and undoing of things he’d already done, the kingdom would run smoother and would give both men more of a break.
She demurred at his assessment of her bravery, mentioning that it was duty instead and that her son needed the honor selling a horse to the royal family would bring.
”If I can be completely honest with you, it was selfish of me. It was an opportunity to be away from home and I took it,” she said.
“As I am doing now,” he murmured under his breath.
They walked on, completely surrounded by trees now. The pasture was around the corner, out of sight, and may as well have been on a different continent. To many, that scene, with its myriad of grazing horses against the backdrop of the palace was something out of fantasy. The palace’s smooth white walls and airy terraces, some laden with vines and flowering plants to make a garden used to fill him with a sense of awe that he was this blessed to have been born into this life.
Now he couldn’t bear to look at it. Ghosts roamed its halls and strife stalked every shadow. Irakles’s presence inside its walls was sacrilege and he himself might go mad before retribution could be attained.
”And you are the king, was I supposed to ignore you, your majesty? I wouldn’t dare deny your requests.”
He shook his head, keeping his gaze on the wide path in front of them. There were dozens of offshoots, made by riders and deer alike. Should they take one of those? Become totally lost and turned around, perhaps?
“It may shock you how many people do ignore my requests.” He was surprised at his own lack of bitterness to his voice. Instead he’d made light of it because while they may ignore his requests, only his uncle and mother flouted direct orders. And it wasn’t as if he could truly force his uncle to do anything unless the order was of a more serious nature. As for his mother? She could do as she pleased. He was her son. She might be silly and frivolous but he couldn’t see himself directly crossing her without just cause.
She was in the evening of her life. To his mind, so long as she did not want too much, and did not make too much of a mess of things, he would not stop her. He’d wait to kill Irakles until she was dead, since doing it before may bring her to an early grave. He did not understand the attachment but it had become ironclad since his father had died.
”However, if you wish, next time my brother-in-law could come, if you feel that is more appropriate.”
“I will not deal with him if he comes in your place,” he glanced over to find her watching him. “I can’t imagine he’s more pleasant. And no man is worth dealing with when a beautiful woman will do the job just fine. This way,” he said without pause, directing her now to a less well worn trail. It was stony and passed through some of the oldest trees in the forest whose roots extended into the path.
A stream babbled up ahead. It was deep and they would have to cross. He hadn’t remembered it until they were nearly on top of it but he didn’t want to turn around. Still, she may and he gestured to the water. “There’s a sacred grove up through those trees. We can come back another time if you ever find yourself back in Vasilidon. Or we can go now.”
If she did want to turn back, he’d honor what she wanted. There were other trails. Other times, perhaps.
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His pace was intentionally slow so that she could join him if she chose. Though he was a prince, and now king, he was well used to the women at court. The ones who, if they did not wish it, would tell him no flat out. Unlike his cold, reserved brother, women tended not to fear him or be overly formal in his presence. So when she came to walk at his side, he never considered that she did it out of duty. To him, she did it because she wanted to.
And, as she was a widow, he was not overly concerned for her reputation. After all, she’d come all this way alone. What was a walk through the wood? They had no servants with them and no guards. There was no one to babysit them and no one to tattle. For all the stable servants knew, they never left the backs of their mounts.
Reputation was something he rarely thought about. The members of court were such hypocrites that he lived his life how he chose. They could talk about that, rather than focusing on their own mistresses or their own failings. His wife had to deal with quite a lot of unfair gossip about her person.
They walked a short way in relative silence before she chose to break it by supposing that running the kingdom must be a lot of work and mentioning she had forty horses that she herself took care of. He pressed his tongue to the roof of his mouth in an attempt to avoid mentioning exactly how difficult it was being made for him. If allowed to run it as he saw fit, without his uncle’s constant interference and undoing of things he’d already done, the kingdom would run smoother and would give both men more of a break.
She demurred at his assessment of her bravery, mentioning that it was duty instead and that her son needed the honor selling a horse to the royal family would bring.
”If I can be completely honest with you, it was selfish of me. It was an opportunity to be away from home and I took it,” she said.
“As I am doing now,” he murmured under his breath.
They walked on, completely surrounded by trees now. The pasture was around the corner, out of sight, and may as well have been on a different continent. To many, that scene, with its myriad of grazing horses against the backdrop of the palace was something out of fantasy. The palace’s smooth white walls and airy terraces, some laden with vines and flowering plants to make a garden used to fill him with a sense of awe that he was this blessed to have been born into this life.
Now he couldn’t bear to look at it. Ghosts roamed its halls and strife stalked every shadow. Irakles’s presence inside its walls was sacrilege and he himself might go mad before retribution could be attained.
”And you are the king, was I supposed to ignore you, your majesty? I wouldn’t dare deny your requests.”
He shook his head, keeping his gaze on the wide path in front of them. There were dozens of offshoots, made by riders and deer alike. Should they take one of those? Become totally lost and turned around, perhaps?
“It may shock you how many people do ignore my requests.” He was surprised at his own lack of bitterness to his voice. Instead he’d made light of it because while they may ignore his requests, only his uncle and mother flouted direct orders. And it wasn’t as if he could truly force his uncle to do anything unless the order was of a more serious nature. As for his mother? She could do as she pleased. He was her son. She might be silly and frivolous but he couldn’t see himself directly crossing her without just cause.
She was in the evening of her life. To his mind, so long as she did not want too much, and did not make too much of a mess of things, he would not stop her. He’d wait to kill Irakles until she was dead, since doing it before may bring her to an early grave. He did not understand the attachment but it had become ironclad since his father had died.
”However, if you wish, next time my brother-in-law could come, if you feel that is more appropriate.”
“I will not deal with him if he comes in your place,” he glanced over to find her watching him. “I can’t imagine he’s more pleasant. And no man is worth dealing with when a beautiful woman will do the job just fine. This way,” he said without pause, directing her now to a less well worn trail. It was stony and passed through some of the oldest trees in the forest whose roots extended into the path.
A stream babbled up ahead. It was deep and they would have to cross. He hadn’t remembered it until they were nearly on top of it but he didn’t want to turn around. Still, she may and he gestured to the water. “There’s a sacred grove up through those trees. We can come back another time if you ever find yourself back in Vasilidon. Or we can go now.”
If she did want to turn back, he’d honor what she wanted. There were other trails. Other times, perhaps.
His pace was intentionally slow so that she could join him if she chose. Though he was a prince, and now king, he was well used to the women at court. The ones who, if they did not wish it, would tell him no flat out. Unlike his cold, reserved brother, women tended not to fear him or be overly formal in his presence. So when she came to walk at his side, he never considered that she did it out of duty. To him, she did it because she wanted to.
And, as she was a widow, he was not overly concerned for her reputation. After all, she’d come all this way alone. What was a walk through the wood? They had no servants with them and no guards. There was no one to babysit them and no one to tattle. For all the stable servants knew, they never left the backs of their mounts.
Reputation was something he rarely thought about. The members of court were such hypocrites that he lived his life how he chose. They could talk about that, rather than focusing on their own mistresses or their own failings. His wife had to deal with quite a lot of unfair gossip about her person.
They walked a short way in relative silence before she chose to break it by supposing that running the kingdom must be a lot of work and mentioning she had forty horses that she herself took care of. He pressed his tongue to the roof of his mouth in an attempt to avoid mentioning exactly how difficult it was being made for him. If allowed to run it as he saw fit, without his uncle’s constant interference and undoing of things he’d already done, the kingdom would run smoother and would give both men more of a break.
She demurred at his assessment of her bravery, mentioning that it was duty instead and that her son needed the honor selling a horse to the royal family would bring.
”If I can be completely honest with you, it was selfish of me. It was an opportunity to be away from home and I took it,” she said.
“As I am doing now,” he murmured under his breath.
They walked on, completely surrounded by trees now. The pasture was around the corner, out of sight, and may as well have been on a different continent. To many, that scene, with its myriad of grazing horses against the backdrop of the palace was something out of fantasy. The palace’s smooth white walls and airy terraces, some laden with vines and flowering plants to make a garden used to fill him with a sense of awe that he was this blessed to have been born into this life.
Now he couldn’t bear to look at it. Ghosts roamed its halls and strife stalked every shadow. Irakles’s presence inside its walls was sacrilege and he himself might go mad before retribution could be attained.
”And you are the king, was I supposed to ignore you, your majesty? I wouldn’t dare deny your requests.”
He shook his head, keeping his gaze on the wide path in front of them. There were dozens of offshoots, made by riders and deer alike. Should they take one of those? Become totally lost and turned around, perhaps?
“It may shock you how many people do ignore my requests.” He was surprised at his own lack of bitterness to his voice. Instead he’d made light of it because while they may ignore his requests, only his uncle and mother flouted direct orders. And it wasn’t as if he could truly force his uncle to do anything unless the order was of a more serious nature. As for his mother? She could do as she pleased. He was her son. She might be silly and frivolous but he couldn’t see himself directly crossing her without just cause.
She was in the evening of her life. To his mind, so long as she did not want too much, and did not make too much of a mess of things, he would not stop her. He’d wait to kill Irakles until she was dead, since doing it before may bring her to an early grave. He did not understand the attachment but it had become ironclad since his father had died.
”However, if you wish, next time my brother-in-law could come, if you feel that is more appropriate.”
“I will not deal with him if he comes in your place,” he glanced over to find her watching him. “I can’t imagine he’s more pleasant. And no man is worth dealing with when a beautiful woman will do the job just fine. This way,” he said without pause, directing her now to a less well worn trail. It was stony and passed through some of the oldest trees in the forest whose roots extended into the path.
A stream babbled up ahead. It was deep and they would have to cross. He hadn’t remembered it until they were nearly on top of it but he didn’t want to turn around. Still, she may and he gestured to the water. “There’s a sacred grove up through those trees. We can come back another time if you ever find yourself back in Vasilidon. Or we can go now.”
If she did want to turn back, he’d honor what she wanted. There were other trails. Other times, perhaps.
The shade of the towering trees was a relief from the summer sun as they ventured deeper into the forest. It was completely unknown territory for Aikaterine. If she had been asked to walk along with nearly anyone else, she might have denied. Of the very few rumors she had heard about Stephanos, none of them made him out to be a danger to her. Compared to the risks she had taken going to the docks at night and into a cabin on a ship with Kreios - this was much safer. The only thing in danger was her reputation and there was no one around to report anything. Actually, she had already had herself a good husband with money and a son ready to inherit it. There was always being his responsibility as an option. But, then she felt like too much a burden for too many years considering how young she still was.
The pace was slow. The scenery was exquisite. There was nothing keeping her from staying out until the sun went down. Even the external dangers were at the far and unknown reaches of her mind. The further they went the older the trees appeared. Attention drawn to the ground to be sure she didn’t trip over the tangles of roots crossing the path. Each appeared less and less traveled as they meandered in the woods. Stephanos was in charge and she blindly put her faith in him to get them back to the palace when this was all over with.
It did indeed shock her. The raised brows and the shake of her head slowly from side to side. She had been raised in a very traditional home. One that would stand with the bloodline and all that was expected to serve those that were above them. Aikaterine found herself wanting to ask more. She wanted to know who these insane beings were that defied the King. But, she thought it better to leave it.
Instantly, her fingers pressed against her lips, like she had done so many times before, to stifle a subtle laugh. His response to how he would treat Cretheus pleased her greatly and followed by a compliment. Her cheeks were soon blushed beet red. Aikaterine might have protested if she hadn’t been caught up with the delight of Cretheus being turned away. She loved the idea of his failure. The man deserved that sort of karma above all others. So, the compliment went without rebuttal.
”I’d like to see the grove. Now, is fine.” Those grassy green eyes followed his gesture from his muscular shoulder down his arm and out through his finger tips, answering in approval before assessing the stream that was ahead. Aikaterine was so used to traveling by horse. The stream wouldn’t have been an issue with a steed to carry her over it. With a quirk of a brow, and wrinkle in her forehead, the cogs were turning in her head as she looked to the water and then to the King.
But, there was silence. Her lips parted as she was about to say something, but the words weren’t following. They didn’t behave, or more unsure how to ask a man far above her station to help her across a deep water. She knew it wouldn’t be ladylike to trudge through, though it crossed her mind to do it. And she would, if she needed to. Aikaterine wasn’t the demanding type and she rarely asked for much. It was the reason why her clothes were plain and she didn’t have jewelry to match the wealth she actually had. She didn’t need much, but, she knew she would need help across the brook.
Her front teeth attacked her lower lip before finally attempting to ask the King what needed to be asked. ”Your highness, excuse my forwardness, but are you inviting... or intending to carry me over?” Aikaterine left it open and up to him. If he insisted that she walk through the rushing water, she most certainly could follow. But, they had barely known each other but barely an hour or so and already his hands might touch her. Her heart floated at the thought. He was more attractive than any man she had ever laid eyes upon. But, also just as off limits. Already in a predicament that lent itself to interesting consequences. No one would blame them, right? There was no horse to ride and clearly it was the only way to the sacred trees he had spoke of.
Her words were bold and maybe not as cloaked as they should have been. Aikaterine was sure that a stronger lady might have demanded that he would carry her. But, she was not that kind of woman.
JD
Staff Team
JD
Staff Team
This post was created by our staff team.
Please contact us with your queries and questions.
The shade of the towering trees was a relief from the summer sun as they ventured deeper into the forest. It was completely unknown territory for Aikaterine. If she had been asked to walk along with nearly anyone else, she might have denied. Of the very few rumors she had heard about Stephanos, none of them made him out to be a danger to her. Compared to the risks she had taken going to the docks at night and into a cabin on a ship with Kreios - this was much safer. The only thing in danger was her reputation and there was no one around to report anything. Actually, she had already had herself a good husband with money and a son ready to inherit it. There was always being his responsibility as an option. But, then she felt like too much a burden for too many years considering how young she still was.
The pace was slow. The scenery was exquisite. There was nothing keeping her from staying out until the sun went down. Even the external dangers were at the far and unknown reaches of her mind. The further they went the older the trees appeared. Attention drawn to the ground to be sure she didn’t trip over the tangles of roots crossing the path. Each appeared less and less traveled as they meandered in the woods. Stephanos was in charge and she blindly put her faith in him to get them back to the palace when this was all over with.
It did indeed shock her. The raised brows and the shake of her head slowly from side to side. She had been raised in a very traditional home. One that would stand with the bloodline and all that was expected to serve those that were above them. Aikaterine found herself wanting to ask more. She wanted to know who these insane beings were that defied the King. But, she thought it better to leave it.
Instantly, her fingers pressed against her lips, like she had done so many times before, to stifle a subtle laugh. His response to how he would treat Cretheus pleased her greatly and followed by a compliment. Her cheeks were soon blushed beet red. Aikaterine might have protested if she hadn’t been caught up with the delight of Cretheus being turned away. She loved the idea of his failure. The man deserved that sort of karma above all others. So, the compliment went without rebuttal.
”I’d like to see the grove. Now, is fine.” Those grassy green eyes followed his gesture from his muscular shoulder down his arm and out through his finger tips, answering in approval before assessing the stream that was ahead. Aikaterine was so used to traveling by horse. The stream wouldn’t have been an issue with a steed to carry her over it. With a quirk of a brow, and wrinkle in her forehead, the cogs were turning in her head as she looked to the water and then to the King.
But, there was silence. Her lips parted as she was about to say something, but the words weren’t following. They didn’t behave, or more unsure how to ask a man far above her station to help her across a deep water. She knew it wouldn’t be ladylike to trudge through, though it crossed her mind to do it. And she would, if she needed to. Aikaterine wasn’t the demanding type and she rarely asked for much. It was the reason why her clothes were plain and she didn’t have jewelry to match the wealth she actually had. She didn’t need much, but, she knew she would need help across the brook.
Her front teeth attacked her lower lip before finally attempting to ask the King what needed to be asked. ”Your highness, excuse my forwardness, but are you inviting... or intending to carry me over?” Aikaterine left it open and up to him. If he insisted that she walk through the rushing water, she most certainly could follow. But, they had barely known each other but barely an hour or so and already his hands might touch her. Her heart floated at the thought. He was more attractive than any man she had ever laid eyes upon. But, also just as off limits. Already in a predicament that lent itself to interesting consequences. No one would blame them, right? There was no horse to ride and clearly it was the only way to the sacred trees he had spoke of.
Her words were bold and maybe not as cloaked as they should have been. Aikaterine was sure that a stronger lady might have demanded that he would carry her. But, she was not that kind of woman.
The shade of the towering trees was a relief from the summer sun as they ventured deeper into the forest. It was completely unknown territory for Aikaterine. If she had been asked to walk along with nearly anyone else, she might have denied. Of the very few rumors she had heard about Stephanos, none of them made him out to be a danger to her. Compared to the risks she had taken going to the docks at night and into a cabin on a ship with Kreios - this was much safer. The only thing in danger was her reputation and there was no one around to report anything. Actually, she had already had herself a good husband with money and a son ready to inherit it. There was always being his responsibility as an option. But, then she felt like too much a burden for too many years considering how young she still was.
The pace was slow. The scenery was exquisite. There was nothing keeping her from staying out until the sun went down. Even the external dangers were at the far and unknown reaches of her mind. The further they went the older the trees appeared. Attention drawn to the ground to be sure she didn’t trip over the tangles of roots crossing the path. Each appeared less and less traveled as they meandered in the woods. Stephanos was in charge and she blindly put her faith in him to get them back to the palace when this was all over with.
It did indeed shock her. The raised brows and the shake of her head slowly from side to side. She had been raised in a very traditional home. One that would stand with the bloodline and all that was expected to serve those that were above them. Aikaterine found herself wanting to ask more. She wanted to know who these insane beings were that defied the King. But, she thought it better to leave it.
Instantly, her fingers pressed against her lips, like she had done so many times before, to stifle a subtle laugh. His response to how he would treat Cretheus pleased her greatly and followed by a compliment. Her cheeks were soon blushed beet red. Aikaterine might have protested if she hadn’t been caught up with the delight of Cretheus being turned away. She loved the idea of his failure. The man deserved that sort of karma above all others. So, the compliment went without rebuttal.
”I’d like to see the grove. Now, is fine.” Those grassy green eyes followed his gesture from his muscular shoulder down his arm and out through his finger tips, answering in approval before assessing the stream that was ahead. Aikaterine was so used to traveling by horse. The stream wouldn’t have been an issue with a steed to carry her over it. With a quirk of a brow, and wrinkle in her forehead, the cogs were turning in her head as she looked to the water and then to the King.
But, there was silence. Her lips parted as she was about to say something, but the words weren’t following. They didn’t behave, or more unsure how to ask a man far above her station to help her across a deep water. She knew it wouldn’t be ladylike to trudge through, though it crossed her mind to do it. And she would, if she needed to. Aikaterine wasn’t the demanding type and she rarely asked for much. It was the reason why her clothes were plain and she didn’t have jewelry to match the wealth she actually had. She didn’t need much, but, she knew she would need help across the brook.
Her front teeth attacked her lower lip before finally attempting to ask the King what needed to be asked. ”Your highness, excuse my forwardness, but are you inviting... or intending to carry me over?” Aikaterine left it open and up to him. If he insisted that she walk through the rushing water, she most certainly could follow. But, they had barely known each other but barely an hour or so and already his hands might touch her. Her heart floated at the thought. He was more attractive than any man she had ever laid eyes upon. But, also just as off limits. Already in a predicament that lent itself to interesting consequences. No one would blame them, right? There was no horse to ride and clearly it was the only way to the sacred trees he had spoke of.
Her words were bold and maybe not as cloaked as they should have been. Aikaterine was sure that a stronger lady might have demanded that he would carry her. But, she was not that kind of woman.
He showed no outward sign of surprise when she said that she would like to continue on despite the water, except to nod slowly and glance back at the stream. While she was wondering if he’d force her to trudge through the thigh deep water, such a thought never entered his mind. Still, to cross would mean carrying her and while that didn’t bother him in the least, it was something he wasn’t entirely sure she would allow.
Her eyes traveled down his arm. A slow, half smile gave him a mischievous glint as she bit her lip and looked at the stream. After a long pause, she asked whether he would carry her. He had the decency to break eye contact and pretend like he was studying the water.
“I can’t imagine it would be comfortable to walk through the grove in wet clothing…” His chiton was not as long as hers and though the hem and a bit above would be wet, he could more easily deal with it than she could. He was not in danger of being tripped up by material at his ankles.
After giving her another few seconds, he inclined his head to her and extended his arm out toward her, beckoning her forward. Once she was close enough, he bent down, placing one arm behind her knees and the other supporting her back so that she was securely against his chest. It felt like she weighed next to nothing. Carrying a woman was nothing like hefting a wounded soldier over one’s shoulder. This was preferable.
Though he wanted to, he did not look down into her face. Rather, he kept his gaze forward, on the shore’s edge. The stream bed was comprised of smooth stones and shale, worn and polished from years of the water’s gentle coaxing. But footing could be precarious in deeper water, especially if one was a little off balance. Despite her light frame, she was still a fully grown woman in his arms.
They were fine as he stepped down into the water. The sun filtered through the trees, dappling the ground and shimmering on the stream’s surface. As he moved, the passed into a patch of gold. It caught the green of her eyes as it had done before when they raced. He glanced down, unable to resist anymore.
His lips parted. How could he have thought her plain before? With her hair spilling over her shoulders and her face upturned, she was beautiful. He wanted-
The rocks shifted under his feet. Before he could regain his balance, her weight combined with his. They plunged into the shockingly cold water. He managed to keep his face above the surface but he was wet up to his neck.
Catching hold of her, he hooked an arm around her waist and hauled her up until she was at least able to gain her own footing before letting go. He pressed his lips together and held up both hands in a helpless ‘I’m sorry’ gesture. “Would buying another horse make it up to you?” he quipped before a laugh got the better of him.
He should have immediately apologized but he didn’t. It hadn’t been his aim to drop her in the stream so that when she came up, her chiton stuck to her body, hiding nothing….but he wasn’t in the least bit sorry that this was the case. Still, he kept his eyes resolutely on her face as he fought hard to get some sort of control over his grin...but here he failed as well. To him, at least, this whole situation was ridiculous, and therefore, hilarious.
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He showed no outward sign of surprise when she said that she would like to continue on despite the water, except to nod slowly and glance back at the stream. While she was wondering if he’d force her to trudge through the thigh deep water, such a thought never entered his mind. Still, to cross would mean carrying her and while that didn’t bother him in the least, it was something he wasn’t entirely sure she would allow.
Her eyes traveled down his arm. A slow, half smile gave him a mischievous glint as she bit her lip and looked at the stream. After a long pause, she asked whether he would carry her. He had the decency to break eye contact and pretend like he was studying the water.
“I can’t imagine it would be comfortable to walk through the grove in wet clothing…” His chiton was not as long as hers and though the hem and a bit above would be wet, he could more easily deal with it than she could. He was not in danger of being tripped up by material at his ankles.
After giving her another few seconds, he inclined his head to her and extended his arm out toward her, beckoning her forward. Once she was close enough, he bent down, placing one arm behind her knees and the other supporting her back so that she was securely against his chest. It felt like she weighed next to nothing. Carrying a woman was nothing like hefting a wounded soldier over one’s shoulder. This was preferable.
Though he wanted to, he did not look down into her face. Rather, he kept his gaze forward, on the shore’s edge. The stream bed was comprised of smooth stones and shale, worn and polished from years of the water’s gentle coaxing. But footing could be precarious in deeper water, especially if one was a little off balance. Despite her light frame, she was still a fully grown woman in his arms.
They were fine as he stepped down into the water. The sun filtered through the trees, dappling the ground and shimmering on the stream’s surface. As he moved, the passed into a patch of gold. It caught the green of her eyes as it had done before when they raced. He glanced down, unable to resist anymore.
His lips parted. How could he have thought her plain before? With her hair spilling over her shoulders and her face upturned, she was beautiful. He wanted-
The rocks shifted under his feet. Before he could regain his balance, her weight combined with his. They plunged into the shockingly cold water. He managed to keep his face above the surface but he was wet up to his neck.
Catching hold of her, he hooked an arm around her waist and hauled her up until she was at least able to gain her own footing before letting go. He pressed his lips together and held up both hands in a helpless ‘I’m sorry’ gesture. “Would buying another horse make it up to you?” he quipped before a laugh got the better of him.
He should have immediately apologized but he didn’t. It hadn’t been his aim to drop her in the stream so that when she came up, her chiton stuck to her body, hiding nothing….but he wasn’t in the least bit sorry that this was the case. Still, he kept his eyes resolutely on her face as he fought hard to get some sort of control over his grin...but here he failed as well. To him, at least, this whole situation was ridiculous, and therefore, hilarious.
He showed no outward sign of surprise when she said that she would like to continue on despite the water, except to nod slowly and glance back at the stream. While she was wondering if he’d force her to trudge through the thigh deep water, such a thought never entered his mind. Still, to cross would mean carrying her and while that didn’t bother him in the least, it was something he wasn’t entirely sure she would allow.
Her eyes traveled down his arm. A slow, half smile gave him a mischievous glint as she bit her lip and looked at the stream. After a long pause, she asked whether he would carry her. He had the decency to break eye contact and pretend like he was studying the water.
“I can’t imagine it would be comfortable to walk through the grove in wet clothing…” His chiton was not as long as hers and though the hem and a bit above would be wet, he could more easily deal with it than she could. He was not in danger of being tripped up by material at his ankles.
After giving her another few seconds, he inclined his head to her and extended his arm out toward her, beckoning her forward. Once she was close enough, he bent down, placing one arm behind her knees and the other supporting her back so that she was securely against his chest. It felt like she weighed next to nothing. Carrying a woman was nothing like hefting a wounded soldier over one’s shoulder. This was preferable.
Though he wanted to, he did not look down into her face. Rather, he kept his gaze forward, on the shore’s edge. The stream bed was comprised of smooth stones and shale, worn and polished from years of the water’s gentle coaxing. But footing could be precarious in deeper water, especially if one was a little off balance. Despite her light frame, she was still a fully grown woman in his arms.
They were fine as he stepped down into the water. The sun filtered through the trees, dappling the ground and shimmering on the stream’s surface. As he moved, the passed into a patch of gold. It caught the green of her eyes as it had done before when they raced. He glanced down, unable to resist anymore.
His lips parted. How could he have thought her plain before? With her hair spilling over her shoulders and her face upturned, she was beautiful. He wanted-
The rocks shifted under his feet. Before he could regain his balance, her weight combined with his. They plunged into the shockingly cold water. He managed to keep his face above the surface but he was wet up to his neck.
Catching hold of her, he hooked an arm around her waist and hauled her up until she was at least able to gain her own footing before letting go. He pressed his lips together and held up both hands in a helpless ‘I’m sorry’ gesture. “Would buying another horse make it up to you?” he quipped before a laugh got the better of him.
He should have immediately apologized but he didn’t. It hadn’t been his aim to drop her in the stream so that when she came up, her chiton stuck to her body, hiding nothing….but he wasn’t in the least bit sorry that this was the case. Still, he kept his eyes resolutely on her face as he fought hard to get some sort of control over his grin...but here he failed as well. To him, at least, this whole situation was ridiculous, and therefore, hilarious.
Oh, just hike your skirt up, Kat. The coarse voice could be heard past the grave from the man who she was forced to call her husband. He would have never been a knight in shining armor like the King was doing right now. The differences were compounding. Aikaterine had not experienced this sort of kindness in her entire life. There were moments where she would get lost and watch other people at the market. The times when she could sit and watch couples interact, or even nice people. They didn’t even have to be a couple. Though, in the end, it only made her own misery worse.
Slow steps carried her closer to Stephanos, though she had asked, she was a bit tentative about it. He made it painless, kind and simple. Aikaterine was hoisted up into his arms. Her own wrapping around his large shoulders to keep a grip. Her attention wasn’t on him, at first. She craned her neck down to watch the water that was below them. Focused on each step, her fingers tensing at the base of his nape each time. It wasn’t a position she could maintain. After just a few moments, an ache forced her to look up.
Attention forced to look at Stephanos. Examining him closer than she had before, hoping that he would just look at the water and not catching her staring again. It was silly of her. She was a grown woman and he was a grown man, married man. A pleasant expression had been on her face, it was hard not to when being this close to the attractive King of Taengea. That was until he glanced down. Brows instinctively lifted at the blue depths of his eyes now looking down at her. They were caught in one of those moments she had always daydreamed of. She searched, she watched his lips part. She might have said no and protested out of some need to be a proper lady. Words that would be verbatim to her mother’s long ago. Deep down she wanted it and unsure why after only just meeting him. Aikaterine hadn’t pegged herself the type to be just enamored by some title.
Her own lips had parted as she caught up in the moment. Holding her breath in anticipation of -
SPLASH!
And then in a blink of an eye, she was in the water. It was cold and she let out a light screech before submerging. While Stephanos may have been able to keep himself above the water, Aikaterine did not. She hadn’t been in a position to and this was the last thing on her mind the moment before it happened. With his help, she broke through the surface with a gasp of air.
Emerald eyes darted to look back up at him. He looked so innoncent. Aikaterine couldn’t be angry in the least. Not with his quick offer of more money and personable laugh to follow. A grin broke out with a shake of her head. Fingers raking through her long brunette hair, now soaked and likely more of a mess than it was before. Mesmerized by him, she looked up and didn’t give a thought to the wet linen that was clinging to every part of her body. ”Maybe two.” Aikaterine finally replied bending and scooping up a bit of water splashing it in his direction.
This day was filled with more spontaneous moments than she had been allowed her entire life. The duties of learning how to be the best possible wife morphed into the duties of being that obedient wife. The obedience still lingering in her every decision. Today, she was given a choice each time. He spoke genuinely with some sort of care for what she might want with her day. It was hardly possible to believe that it was the truth compared to what she had been plagued with in the past. Commands and orders over and over again.
It was hard to look away from the shining grin he had plastered goofily on his face. ”Is it really that funny, Ste… Your majesty?” Aikaterine made her own failed attempts at a stern face, but she just couldn’t. Her hand slapped the water again. Then noticing how tightly the linen was teasing every curve of her body. Hands pressed at her chest as she stepped back and spun around. Was the back somehow better than the front? Aikaterine was unsure, but it was all she could think of to do. There wasn’t a blanket anyway, there was no way to cover up. ”Uh.. I’m sorry. I… “ She was at a loss for words as she attempted to talk her way through what she figured would be disrespect to turn her back on him.
JD
Staff Team
JD
Staff Team
This post was created by our staff team.
Please contact us with your queries and questions.
Oh, just hike your skirt up, Kat. The coarse voice could be heard past the grave from the man who she was forced to call her husband. He would have never been a knight in shining armor like the King was doing right now. The differences were compounding. Aikaterine had not experienced this sort of kindness in her entire life. There were moments where she would get lost and watch other people at the market. The times when she could sit and watch couples interact, or even nice people. They didn’t even have to be a couple. Though, in the end, it only made her own misery worse.
Slow steps carried her closer to Stephanos, though she had asked, she was a bit tentative about it. He made it painless, kind and simple. Aikaterine was hoisted up into his arms. Her own wrapping around his large shoulders to keep a grip. Her attention wasn’t on him, at first. She craned her neck down to watch the water that was below them. Focused on each step, her fingers tensing at the base of his nape each time. It wasn’t a position she could maintain. After just a few moments, an ache forced her to look up.
Attention forced to look at Stephanos. Examining him closer than she had before, hoping that he would just look at the water and not catching her staring again. It was silly of her. She was a grown woman and he was a grown man, married man. A pleasant expression had been on her face, it was hard not to when being this close to the attractive King of Taengea. That was until he glanced down. Brows instinctively lifted at the blue depths of his eyes now looking down at her. They were caught in one of those moments she had always daydreamed of. She searched, she watched his lips part. She might have said no and protested out of some need to be a proper lady. Words that would be verbatim to her mother’s long ago. Deep down she wanted it and unsure why after only just meeting him. Aikaterine hadn’t pegged herself the type to be just enamored by some title.
Her own lips had parted as she caught up in the moment. Holding her breath in anticipation of -
SPLASH!
And then in a blink of an eye, she was in the water. It was cold and she let out a light screech before submerging. While Stephanos may have been able to keep himself above the water, Aikaterine did not. She hadn’t been in a position to and this was the last thing on her mind the moment before it happened. With his help, she broke through the surface with a gasp of air.
Emerald eyes darted to look back up at him. He looked so innoncent. Aikaterine couldn’t be angry in the least. Not with his quick offer of more money and personable laugh to follow. A grin broke out with a shake of her head. Fingers raking through her long brunette hair, now soaked and likely more of a mess than it was before. Mesmerized by him, she looked up and didn’t give a thought to the wet linen that was clinging to every part of her body. ”Maybe two.” Aikaterine finally replied bending and scooping up a bit of water splashing it in his direction.
This day was filled with more spontaneous moments than she had been allowed her entire life. The duties of learning how to be the best possible wife morphed into the duties of being that obedient wife. The obedience still lingering in her every decision. Today, she was given a choice each time. He spoke genuinely with some sort of care for what she might want with her day. It was hardly possible to believe that it was the truth compared to what she had been plagued with in the past. Commands and orders over and over again.
It was hard to look away from the shining grin he had plastered goofily on his face. ”Is it really that funny, Ste… Your majesty?” Aikaterine made her own failed attempts at a stern face, but she just couldn’t. Her hand slapped the water again. Then noticing how tightly the linen was teasing every curve of her body. Hands pressed at her chest as she stepped back and spun around. Was the back somehow better than the front? Aikaterine was unsure, but it was all she could think of to do. There wasn’t a blanket anyway, there was no way to cover up. ”Uh.. I’m sorry. I… “ She was at a loss for words as she attempted to talk her way through what she figured would be disrespect to turn her back on him.
Oh, just hike your skirt up, Kat. The coarse voice could be heard past the grave from the man who she was forced to call her husband. He would have never been a knight in shining armor like the King was doing right now. The differences were compounding. Aikaterine had not experienced this sort of kindness in her entire life. There were moments where she would get lost and watch other people at the market. The times when she could sit and watch couples interact, or even nice people. They didn’t even have to be a couple. Though, in the end, it only made her own misery worse.
Slow steps carried her closer to Stephanos, though she had asked, she was a bit tentative about it. He made it painless, kind and simple. Aikaterine was hoisted up into his arms. Her own wrapping around his large shoulders to keep a grip. Her attention wasn’t on him, at first. She craned her neck down to watch the water that was below them. Focused on each step, her fingers tensing at the base of his nape each time. It wasn’t a position she could maintain. After just a few moments, an ache forced her to look up.
Attention forced to look at Stephanos. Examining him closer than she had before, hoping that he would just look at the water and not catching her staring again. It was silly of her. She was a grown woman and he was a grown man, married man. A pleasant expression had been on her face, it was hard not to when being this close to the attractive King of Taengea. That was until he glanced down. Brows instinctively lifted at the blue depths of his eyes now looking down at her. They were caught in one of those moments she had always daydreamed of. She searched, she watched his lips part. She might have said no and protested out of some need to be a proper lady. Words that would be verbatim to her mother’s long ago. Deep down she wanted it and unsure why after only just meeting him. Aikaterine hadn’t pegged herself the type to be just enamored by some title.
Her own lips had parted as she caught up in the moment. Holding her breath in anticipation of -
SPLASH!
And then in a blink of an eye, she was in the water. It was cold and she let out a light screech before submerging. While Stephanos may have been able to keep himself above the water, Aikaterine did not. She hadn’t been in a position to and this was the last thing on her mind the moment before it happened. With his help, she broke through the surface with a gasp of air.
Emerald eyes darted to look back up at him. He looked so innoncent. Aikaterine couldn’t be angry in the least. Not with his quick offer of more money and personable laugh to follow. A grin broke out with a shake of her head. Fingers raking through her long brunette hair, now soaked and likely more of a mess than it was before. Mesmerized by him, she looked up and didn’t give a thought to the wet linen that was clinging to every part of her body. ”Maybe two.” Aikaterine finally replied bending and scooping up a bit of water splashing it in his direction.
This day was filled with more spontaneous moments than she had been allowed her entire life. The duties of learning how to be the best possible wife morphed into the duties of being that obedient wife. The obedience still lingering in her every decision. Today, she was given a choice each time. He spoke genuinely with some sort of care for what she might want with her day. It was hardly possible to believe that it was the truth compared to what she had been plagued with in the past. Commands and orders over and over again.
It was hard to look away from the shining grin he had plastered goofily on his face. ”Is it really that funny, Ste… Your majesty?” Aikaterine made her own failed attempts at a stern face, but she just couldn’t. Her hand slapped the water again. Then noticing how tightly the linen was teasing every curve of her body. Hands pressed at her chest as she stepped back and spun around. Was the back somehow better than the front? Aikaterine was unsure, but it was all she could think of to do. There wasn’t a blanket anyway, there was no way to cover up. ”Uh.. I’m sorry. I… “ She was at a loss for words as she attempted to talk her way through what she figured would be disrespect to turn her back on him.
