The Queen & Her Knight

Chapter 8

You stop breathing. You can feel the King's heavy breathing in your neck. The attraction between you is undeniable. He staggers backward and swallow hard.

"I...uhm...just wanted to say that you don't have to go, Sire, not yet anyway"

"Then, if it's your wish, I'll not leave your side"

"Thank you, Sire. How was your trip?"

"It was productive, thank you"

"Did you get to do some site seeing?"

"Do you like to do site seeing, Lady Winters?" A smile appears on his lips and all sadness in his eyes disappears. His demeanor changed to how it was in the cabin.

"I like it very much, Sire. There's something about the history behind all the statues and museums that fascinated me He gives a loud sigh and you see him frown looking down. It looks like the weight of the world is on his shoulders.

"Did I say something wrong, Sire?" He then looks in your eyes. "No.....not at all! You went there again, your mouth bewitching me. I...I...struggle to control myself around you-"

Princess Catherine comes walking up from behind "Sire, shall we?" He clears his throat and turns to you. "Lady Winters, until we meet again?"

"Of course, Sire" You bow, struggling to stay on your feet after hearing those words. Your mouth is dry and your breathing is irregular. You take a deep breath and try to regain some sort of

normality. The day carries on and it's time for the opera. You look in the mirror and wonder if this will

get the Kings attention.

"Wow! You look like a queen fit for a King" Kendra laughs.

"You're a funny woman. Come on, let's go" You leave for the opera house. You get inside.

"Gorgeous. Every time we get to the opera, don't you think, Lady Kendra?"

"I do think so. Nice to see you again Lady Winters" You're startled by Lord Dobson's voice and turn around slowly, afraid to look at his face.

"Lord Dobson, it's been quite a while"

(...and hope to keep it that way) He takes your hand and kisses it. "I can't seem to get a bit of time with you, seeing that you're always with Lord Jackson these days. Is he courting you, milady?" You gasp at his forwardness.

"Uhm, no my Lord" Then you realized you should have said yes and you regret it immediately. "That's very good news, milady. May I escort you-"

Everyone quiets down and bows. The King and the princess walks into the opera house. The princess is practically hanging on him like a Christmas tree decoration. He doesn't seem to care what she's doing and his eyes search the room until it falls on you. You lock eyes with him and then he frowns. He looks at Lord Dobson and then at you. He then proceed past you to his box. You take a deep breath once more as the presence of the King throws you completely off balance.

"Like I was saying, can I escort you to your box, milady?"

"Of course, Lord Dobson" You roll your eyes inside yourself. You look at Kendra for help but she's too focused on Lord Harrison. You get to the box.

"Thank you, this is me"

"Thank you, milady. Enjoy the opera" Then Kendra comes rushing to your side. "Listen, Lord Harrison invited me to his box, would you mind?"

"No, no it's fine. Go, have fun!"

"Thank you, you're the best"

She turns around and is gone. You open the door and take a seat. It's so beautiful. You look around the opera house and then you see that the King's box is right across from yours. You watch as they take their seats. It's only the King, the princess and her lady in waiting. They sit next to each other and his head is moving around looking for something.

Suddenly he stops and looks straight at you. You blush immediately. You're happy that he can't see you blush from where he's sitting. He stares at you the entire time and the princess is so busy talking to her lady in waiting that she doesn't look at him once.

(Why isn't she paying attention to him? It's like they aren't even betrothed?)

The opera starts and the lights dim. You intensely watch the opera and then after a while, you look up to if see you can see the King. The opera boxes are very dark but you do see that his seat is empty.

(Where did he go?)

"Lady Winters?" You close your eyes for a second and then open it, making sure you just heard the deep gentle voice of the King. You smile. You turn and there he stands with questioning eyes. You stand up and bow.

"Your Highness" He swallows hard. "May I?" He gestures towards the chair.

"Of course, Sire" He takes a seat in the last row. "Would you join me?" He gestures to the seat next to him. His eyes stays questioning.

"As you desire, your Highness" You make your way to the seat next to him and he uncomfortably moves around on his chair. Then he looks at you once more, taking in your dress.

"You look so incredibly beautiful tonight, Lady Winters" You can feel the heat radiating from him as he says the words. You blush and there's no way that you can hide it.

"Thank you, Sire. It's kind of you to say"

"Is it?" You frown and look at him. His eyes are filled with pure lust. His body shaking.

"Sire, are you okay?"

"No, Lady Winters, not at all"

"Sire, should I get some help for you?" You lightly touch his arm out of concern for him. He immediately grab your hand and hold it tight. You inhale sharply.

"I can't do it anymore, milady. I can't control my body, mind, or emotions around you....You provoke my body to do things that a King shouldn't do. You cause my mind to think about you every minute of every day. You induce a King to have to control his core and this King can't get it under control. God knows....I've tried. I've even left the country but you.....you consume me completely..."

He gives a deep sigh and he has a pained look on his face. He laces his fingers with yours. You tighten the grip and move your thumb up and down.

"Sire, I'm so sorry to cause you so much agony. This is not my intention. Sire, forgive me?" He put his other hand on yours and turn to you looking at you with pure lust.

"This is the most favorable agony that I've ever had to endure and my heart and soul wants more of this agony"

You're sure now that there's no more air in your lungs left. Your heart is beating so loud you know he can hear it. "Sire....but you are still betrothed?"

"I know, but I beg of you to meet me tomorrow night at the cabin and I'll explain everything and answer all the questions that you might have. I beg you to just please give me a chance to explain and not run away again? I don't think that my heart would be able to see you walk away from me one more time?"

Your breathing are now erratic and you can't seem to get enough air.

"I will do as you propose, Sire"

You see relief fills his entire being and then he smiles.

"Thank you, Lady Winters"

He stands up and kisses your hand. Then he disappears behind the door.

(Heart be still!!)

The next morning you get ready for your tea with the princess.

Stacey stands in front of you. "You look so beautiful, mam"

"Thank you, Stacey. I'm so nervous. I wonder why the princess wants to have tea with me?"

"It's considered a great honor if you're invited for tea, mam. You should be very happy"

"Yes, I should, shouldn't I?"

(Did she notice that the King gives attention to me? Is that why she wanted to see me?)

You get into your carriage and arrive at the palace. The princess's Lady in waiting are standing outside.

"Lady Winters, it's good to see you again"

"Likewise"

"The princess will be here soon, she would like you to have tea in the garden"

"Of course" Just then the princess arrives. You bow before her. "No need for formalities, it's just us girls today. Have a walk with me, Lady Winters"

"As you wish, your Highness" You start walking through the gardens. "The garden is so beautiful, your grace"

"It truly are, Lady Winters. Do you like manicuring your gardens?"

"Oh yes, I love changing as much as I can, your grace"

"Here we are...." She gestures to a setting put out for you especially with a table and nicely decorated tea and cake in the snow.

"Princess, this is so beautiful, thank you"

"I mean what would you without servants, right?" You lift your eyebrows in surprise at her words.

"Uhm...yes....of course" You sit down and she starts to pour tea. "So, Lady Winters, tell me a bit more about you and your family?"

"Uhm, well...I own a few lands in the north and we mainly focus on wine. We produce our own brand of wine from our vineyards and sell them locally"

"Oh, that sounds so interesting. You must have like a lot of people working for you?"

"Uhm...yes...you do need a lot of people to run a successful winery, your grace"

"I know that, of course, and what about your family?" You get the distinct feeling that the princess doesn't have much life experience.

"I'm sad to say they passed away, your grace"

"I'm so sorry to hear that. Listen I have a request, would you like to be my Lady in waiting?" You choke on the tea and almost spill it all over her.

"*cough*...I'm so so sorry, your grace"

"You better watch what you're doing!" Her entire demeanor changes to anger. "Forgive me, your Highness"

"Yes well, so what do you say?"

(I can't be her lady in waiting!! I'm in love with the King?! How am I suppose to act around her if I want her betrothed?!)

"Princess, your offer is very tempting but with our business, there isn't a lot of time in the day left and I don't want to disappoint you by not being able to be here for you, your grace"

"Oh, wonderful, then it's settled. You would make a great Lady in waiting"

"Your grace!" She stands up and starts walking back to the castle. "Your Highness, forgive me but I can't accept this offer"

"Don't worry about it, Lady Winters. I'll call upon you when your duties are required as my Lady in waiting. We had a good chat, you and I. Now, if you'll excuse me" You stand still and stare after the princess.

(What just happened? Didn't she hear me? Didn't I make myself clear to her? I can't be her lady in waiting....I don't want to be her lady in waiting!!)

Disappointed and a bit angry you make your way home. You walk through the front door to your living room in shock.

"I'm a lady in waiting?"

Stacey come around the corner "Mam?"

"I'm a lady in waiting"

"Congratulations, mam!"

"Urgh!"

"Aren't you happy, mam? It's a great honor?"

(I can't tell anyone about the King)

"Yes, yes it's....great. Listen, Stacey, I'll probably be late tonight, so don't worry about waiting for me"

"Yes, mam. Would that be all?"

"Just get me, my horse please and then you can take the rest of the day off. Thank you"

You get on your horse and absentmindedly ride through the forest to the cabin. You get closer and suddenly it hits you that you will be seeing the King. The forest starts to clear and you see the cabin. You get closer and then you see him waiting on the porch, staring at you. You get of your horse and walk up to him. You walk towards him over the bridge. Suddenly one of the planks on the bridge gives in and you fall into the lake. You haven't even completely submerged under the water when you feel a strong hand pulling you out. Your body is instantly in shock and all feeling left your body.

"Oh god, Lady Winters, are you okay?"

"I....brrr....I....I'm fine...."

"No....you're not....angel" You feel your teeth chattering against each other but that's not what got your attention. Your attention is on the words he spoke. You look at him. Strangely, that word brought comfort to you.

"You're freezing! Let's get you inside"

"I'm...I'm fine...r...r...real..l..ly"

"I didn't realize you're so stubborn, Lady Winters" He opens the door and there's a fire waiting for you. You feel yourself getting weak from the cold. Your feet doesn't want to carry you anymore. He realizes it and picks you up from the ground, as if you were but a feather and carry you in both his arms to the fireplace.

"We need to get you out of these clothes as soon as possible, otherwise you could get pneumonia"

Then he realized what he said. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean..."

You put your frozen fingers on his lips trying to silence him. He makes a soft sound and closes his eyes for a second.

"It's...it's...o..o..okay..." He puts you down and helps you remove your coat. You're shaking uncontrollably now. He wants to take off your blouse but his hands stops, as if to ask permission first.

"P..p..please...h..h..help me" He quickly removes your clothes with only your underwear remaining on your body. Then he takes a towel and pat you dry. He let you sit on the soft carpet in front of the fireplace and get a blanket to throw over you. Your shivering doesn't subside.

"Lady Winters, may I sit next to you and try to make you warm?" You nod your head.

"P...p...please" He quickly moves to your side and rub you up and down for warmth. His eyes are filled with concern. The shivering doesn't stop and you know what needs to happen.

"Lady Winters, you need more warmth. Could I provide you with my body heat? It will warm you up....please let me help you?"

You look in his eyes and you see nothing but concern. Your lips have turned blue and most of your body parts. You nod your head in agreement. He quickly removes his shirt and then open your blanket. He stops and then just stare...as if he hasn't ever seen such beauty...

But it is you that stare at this muscled man sitting next to you. Every muscle is toned to perfection and his body is a masterpiece.

(Oh....Fück....)

It feels as if all the shivering and coldness has left your body and only pure raw heat remained, not from the fire but from this magnificent creature in front of you. You knew the King was well built but this, this is ridiculous.

"Your H..H..Highness?"

"Oh, I'm so sorry, please forgive me" He then snaps out of his trance and quickly puts his arms around your waist holding you tight. You feel his strong muscular arm around you and you must fight hard to keep your composure. He then rubs you up and down. Everywhere his hands move on your skin, it sends jabs of heat through your entire being and it ignites a fire inside you.

"Lady Winters, are you feeling warmer?" You hear his shaky voice through your chattering teeth.

"Y...y..yes, thank you, S...S..Sire"

"There's a faster way, Lady Winters...to get warm"

"Please, if you can, please"

He put his hands around your waist and lay you down close to the fireplace. He must have been sitting in front of the fireplace before you came there because of the pillows and wine. He takes a pillow and put it under your wet hair, then slowly presses as much of his naked muscular body against yours. You're not sure if it's the cold or the feeling of his body next to you that makes you shiver.

"Please tell me if I get too heavy for you. I don't want to hurt you"

"It's okay, thank you, Sire"

"Are you feeling any better?"

"Yes, just kind of tired?"

"That's understandable, your body just went through a trauma"

He moves his hand up and down your body. His breathing in your neck and you can hear him struggling to breathe. You feel the warmth returning and your body's trembling is fading.

"Thank you, Sire, for taking care of me"

"I would not consider myself a good man if I didn't. I would do....so much more....for you, milady"

You see his eyes searching yours.

"Thank you, Sire. I really messed things up, didn't I?"

He gets up on his elbow and looks you in the eyes. "Not at all, Lady Winters. You could not have foreseen this happening to you? Please don't put blame on yourself and anyway, this is much better than I could have imagined it would go"

He smiles, looking you up and down. Then he realized what he was saying.

"I mean, better for...uhm...to...*clearing his throat* Rather than you running away again?"

Suddenly it hits you, you can't be in a position like this. You get up and he helps you. You put the blanket around yourself and move a little away from him. The coldness comes back again, not from the water but from missing his warmth and closeness. He quickly gets up and puts on a jersey. He sits back on the soft carpet and stares at you.

"Are you feeling better now?"

"Yes, much better, thank you. I just have this one small matter of clothes?"

"Oh, I put your clothes next to the fire to dry, shouldn't be too long" You swallow hard as you know you will be sitting in your underwear, talking to the King.

"Good, thank you, Sire"

"Lady Winters, now that you're feeling better....I've asked you here tonight for a reason, I would like to explain a few things to you"

You feel your heart pounding against your chest. You don't know what to expect.

"Sire, you don't have to explain anything to me"

"That's where you are wrong, Lady Winters...Last time when you were here with me....somethings happened and some things were said. I don't want you to think that was a lie or fake in any way"

"But Sire that doesn't change the fact that you're betrothed?"

"Yes, I know, but you have to trust me when I say that I don't want to be betrothed to her. I want to be with...with...you..." He sits closer to you and he caresses your cheek with the back of his hand. His lips are an inch away from yours. You feel him breathing shaky breaths.

"Sire..."

"You're the one I'm thinking about. You're the one I'm dreaming about. You're the one that hypnotizes me" He collides his lips with yours, breathing heavily as he kisses you. Heat shoots from your lips to your core. You deepen the kiss and he grabs your waist, tightening his grip. You put your hands on his hard toned chest and he groans at your touch.

"Oh god....angel, you make me frantic for you"

Your body radiates heat caused by his lips and his words. You want him all to yourself but then you remember and you pull away.

"Sire...you're still betrothed and you're the King and I...I...I'm only..."

"You're the only one I want in my heart. You make me alive and life is worth living with you in it. I can't seem to get you out of my mind, out of my thoughts, all I see is you..."

His eyes are filled with longing and want. This King in front of you wants you....all his power and authority means nothing in this moment. Right now, right here he's begging to have you for himself. The attraction between you is thick and you want to give your all to him....forever. But then you pull your thoughts away. This can't be.

"I can't do it, Sire. I want to but I can't..."

"I want to tell you things. Damn, I want to tell you everything but I can't, not until I've figured out a way..."

"A way, Sire?"

"...a way...to make things right, to make things free between us. I need you to understand that from this very moment....there's no one for me but you alone. I need you to know...it's only you"

"Sire, you have been betrothed from infancy. You must appreciate the hardship I have to endure. Surely you can understand this?"

"I do, milady. I do, but I need you to trust me for just a little while longer. I'll find a way that we could be free to be together....if of course, you want....to....be...with me in return?"

"Sire, I want nothing more but to be by your side day and night"

He smiles and his sorrowed filled eyes turn to joy at your words. He sighs deeply. Relief fills his demeanor and he holds out his hand for you to take it. You look in his eyes and put your hand in his. He laces his fingers with yours.

"Lady Winters, it brings me great joy to hear you say these words to me"

"I'm glad, Sire but how are we going to be together?"

"We're going to have to keep our distance for a little while. It will kill me but it's imperative that no one knows that my heart belongs to you. I have to put somethings in place first, before I can be yours"

"Sire, it's going to be a difficult"

"Why?"

"Sire, the princess asked me to be her lady in waiting this afternoon..."

"That means she knows something..."