The Queen & Her Knight

Chapter 6

"I'm so sorry your Highness, I thought the Lady was only making a joke, please forgive me?" Lord Dobson laughs uncomfortably.

"Lady Winters, did you make a joke with Lord Dobson?" You feel your heart pounding in your chest. "No, your Highness, my feet are truly tired of all the dancing"

"There you have it, Lord Dobson. Now leave!" His voice is stern and powerful. "Right away, Sire" Lord Dobson walks away quickly. The King turns to you. His eyes filled with concern.

"Are you okay, Lady Winters?"

"Yes, thank you, Sire" You stand up to bow but he gently pushes you back into your seat. He takes a seat next to you. "Please, don't get up on my account. Your feet must be sore after all the dancing you had tonight. Please sit down and relax"

"Why thank you, Sire. It's so kind of you. How can I repay your kindness?"

"Would you honor me with your presence for a little while?" You can't believe the words that's coming out of his mouth. He just wants to spend time with you. He's being such a gentleman. You never knew the King to be so soft and gentle. All you've ever known was his authority and demanding presence.

"Of course, Sire, it will be my pleasure. Are you enjoying the banquet?" He looks at you, eyes soft.

"At this very moment...right here....right now...yes, I'm enjoying myself tremendously and you milady?" You swallow hard. "Yes, Sire, it's a good night for dancing and eating"

"Were you food acceptable, milady?"

"Yes, Sire. I can't remember the last time I had such fine dining"

"...and tell me, milady, are you enjoying Lord Jackson's company?" You see his jaw clench as he asks the question. "He's a fine man, Sire. How can one not enjoy his company. Do you know Lord Jackson well, Sire?"

He almost chokes out the words and tries to sound objective. "Yes, he's one of the better knights" He looks away and avoids eye contact.

"If I may be so forward, Sire?" He turns and looks in your eyes, giving his full attention to you. "Of course, milady?"

"I....I do enjoy your company, as well, Sire" He gives a slight sigh, and then the corners of his mouth turn into a soft smile.

"That makes me feel very happy, milady" You smile. You both just sit and stare at the people dancing. Your shoulders are mere inches away from each other. You can feel the electric energy between you. You hear him breathing erratically. "Lady Winters, I....I was wondering if you will be attending the hunt tomorrow?"

"Yes, Sire. I'll be there for the hunt" He smiles again. "Good, good...Then I'll see you there, tomorrow?"

"Yes, Sire. May I ask why you're attending all these winter games? Forgive me for saying but you never attended them before?" He looks deep in your eyes and then speaks in a soft whisper, blushing.

"Isn't it obvious..."

He stares at you for a little while longer and then takes his eyes away from you with force. You stare at his face and smile, trying to calm your pounding heart.

(The King likes me?)

Suddenly his attention reverts back to the crowd and his entire being tense up. His hands turn into fists and his knuckles turn white.

Lord Jackson walks closer to you. "Your Highness" He bows before the King and he nods in return. "If I may?" He gestures towards you.

"Of course, Lord Jackson"

"Lady Winters, I see the night has worn you down. May I see you to your home?" You look at the King, he clenches his jaw.

"You're right, Lord Jackson, it's been a long day. Thank you for your company, Sire. I look forward to the hunt tomorrow" You bow before him. He takes your hand and kisses it. He speaks so that only you can hear him. "I'm looking forward to seeing you tomorrow, Lady Winters" He stares in your eyes and you see a touch of lust flashing through them.

"Milady, shall we?" Lord Jackson gives his arm for you to hook into. "Yes, let's go"

You wake up the next morning feeling confused.

(What is the King trying to do and why doesn't he spend more time with the princess?)

You lay in your bed, not ready to get dressed for the hunting event. There's a knock on the door. "Urgh...yes?"

Stacey open the door "It's me, Stacey, Mam, can I come in?"

"Yes, sure" You sit upright in your bed. "Mam, you should get up and get dressed, the hunting is about to start. Let me get your clothes ready"

"Okay, okay. I'm up. Are the horse ready for today?"

"Yes and Kendra will meet you at the corner, she left a message" She opens the curtains and it's a winter wonderland. "Oh, it looks so beautiful! My favorite time of the year"

Suddenly you feel light and happy. Ready for what the day might bring. You quickly finish and get on your horse to meet Kendra. You arrive at the corner and you smile at your beautiful surroundings, waiting for Kendra.

"It's a beautiful day isn't it?" Kendra comes close to you on horseback. You get back on your horse and then make your way to the hunting event. Everyone is gathered together, waiting for the trumpet to sound to start.

"Miladies, are you ready for the event?" Lord Harrison maneuvers his horse next to Kendra.

"Yes, Lord Harrison. It's a beautiful day isn't it?"

"The day was beautiful this morning but now the day is breathtaking" He takes her hand and kisses it, looking deep in her eyes. She giggles a little and he smiles at her.

"Good morrow, miladies. I saw the sun rising in the east, so I wanted to take a closer look at its beauty. Then when I got closer, I realize it wasn't the sun but this beauty in front of me" Lord Jackson comes riding up to you. He takes your hand and you smile at his words.

"My Lord, I see you were affected by this beautiful day too?"

"No, milady. I was only affected by you" He kisses your hand and you make your way to the people.

The King comes riding on his horse. Every one bows with their heads as he passes them.

"Lord Jackson, are you ready to hunt? This is one of your events?" You gesture to the forest. "You're correct, milady. Will I be seeing you afterward at the feasting?"

"I'll be there, Lord Jackson. May you have many good returns"

"Thank you, milady"

Kendra then adds to the conversation "...and you Lord Harrison, will you also be joining them?"

"Oh no, I don't believe in killing creatures for fun"

"Then, you'll be riding with the crowd?"

"I'm here to ride with you, Lady Burnette. If you'll allow me?"

"You're definitely allowed" The trumpet sounds and everyone's horses start to gallop. The people go in different directions. Kendra and Lord Harrison go in one direction and you decide to look at the scenery.

You see a ruins close by and decide to have a look. You look at the architecture and you marvel at its beauty. You move around, in and out the ruins. Through two pillars you see a field, not too far away. You see a horse standing by itself. Then you hear a soft moaning sound. You gallop to the clearing and you find....the King is sitting on the ground.

"Your Highness!!"

The King is sitting on the ground holding his head. Your horse gallop closer to him and you jump off your horse. You run to his side.

"Sire, are you okay?" He looks slowly up at you as if not registering that you're there. You put your hand on his shoulder and almost immediately his hand is on yours. You feel a gush of heat shooting through your being.

"Sire, can you hear me?"

"Hmm...Lady Winters, is that you?"

"Yes, Sire. Are you okay?"

"I...hmm...I'm fine..." You look at him and notice that he's not looking so good. His face is pale.

"Sire, you don't look so good. What are you doing sitting in the snow?" He tries to stand but then he falls down again. "Oh god, forgive me"

"For what, Sire?" He looks at you again and it's as if he sees you for the first time.

"Lady Winters?"

"Yes, Sire.....you're starting to worry me. Are you okay? Should I call someone??" You want to stand up and get help but he grabs your wrist. "No!"

"Sire?"

"I mean, please don't...could you just stay?" You see a vulnerability in his eyes, pleading. "Of course, Sire" He gives a deep sigh of relief. You sit next to him and his hands go back on his head.

"Sire, I...I can't help but worry. Please tell me what's going on. Did you fall off your horse?"

He chuckles a bit. "I'm glad you find it amusing..."

"No...uhmm....if it only was that, my life would have been so much easier" He takes another deep breath and then look up at you.

"Then I beg you, Sire. Tell me what's going on?" You see the color return and he smiles at you.

"I'm fine, Lady Winters. Just a moment of dizziness" He clears his throat and stands up slowly. You help him up with your hand on his arm. His free hand takes hold of your hand on his arm.

"Thank you for helping me, milady"

"It's what anyone would do, Sire" He stands up and tries to balance. You hold him steady. He looks in your eyes and you're a breath away from each other.

"Can we keep this little incident between us?"

"Of course, Sire. As you wish" You feel your heart going out to him.

(What's going on with the King?)

"I think I'm fine now, thank you" He let go of your hand slowly and brush his fingers for a moment too long. "Are you sure, you're okay now, Sire?"

"Yes, thanks to you, helping me, milady. You're very kind. I'll be fine now" He walks slowly to his horse and you follow him to make sure he's okay.

"I was supposed to be with the hunting party but it seems I won't be joining them today. Would ....would you like to join me on horseback through the forest?" He holds his breath and blush a little.

"It will be an honor, Sire" He sighs and smiles. "Great, then let's go this way. I know a beautiful little cottage that's been abandoned for almost seven years now but it's magnificent?"

"It sounds lovely. Please lead the way, Sire" His horse starts to gallop and you follow him. Your heart is pumping out of your chest and you're struggling to breathe. He looks behind him every few minutes to make sure you're still following him. You go through the thick forest. You go through a small opening in the woods. Until you see it...

"Wow, it's breathtaking, Sire"

"It's beautiful, isn't it? I come here often to think. No one knows about this cottage"

You arrive at the cottage. He gets off his horse and ties him to the tree. You still wanted to get off but his there in a second. He offers his hand for you to take. You take his hand and he helps you off.

"I've joined the hunting party almost for as long as I remember but I've never seen this cottage before"

"That's what I like about it, it's hidden"

"Sire, if I may ask, aren't you suppose to have guards protecting you?" He laughs.

"No, I think I could take care of myself, don't you think?"

"Forgive me, Sire. I didn't mean to-" He steps closer and put his fingers on your mouth. You notice you're holding your breath. He suddenly realizes what he's doing and removes his fingers, blushing.

"I was just making a joke, Lady Winters....I always send the guards away when I go hunting. It's the only time I have to just be alone"

"I'm so sorry, Sire. I came along and in doing so, I disturbed your alone time" He put his hands on the sides of your arm and looks in your eyes with passion.

"You're a most welcome disturbance. Please don't apologize for that. Come, let's go inside" He opens the door and you're in awe. It's beautiful wood finishes and there a fireplace. The inside is completely luxurious.

"Sire, I thought you said it was abandoned? Because of this is abandoned, I would like to abandon some of my rooms too" He chuckles. "Yes, I meant, no one claimed it before, so I made it comfortable for me, so that I have a place to..to...to need to think"

"I think it's magnificently done. You have good taste, Sire" He looks you up and down. Then he pulls his eyes from you. "I hope to think so....Should I start a fire for us?"

"That's a good idea, Sire. The snow is nice but it's very cold" You giggle a bit looking around the cabin. He stares once more at you and then he hurries to make the fire.

"Forgive me for asking but do you know how to make a fire, Sire?" He looks up in shock. "What do you mean? Of course, I do?"

"I'm sorry but I'm just imagining you have servants that have servants that make the fires and you, Sire, don't see even a splinter of wood..." The corner of his mouth turns into a smile. "I do have servants who have servants but I know how to make fire" He busies himself with making the fire.

"My dad and I used to have a similar cottage. He used to take me to the cottage and we would catch fish and then eat it afterward, so he taught me how to make fire..." Then he jumps upright like he just realized what he said to you. "Oh, god....I did mean to share so much-"

"Sire, please don't apologize. I'm glad that you shared something so intimate with me. It means a lot" You try and compose yourself, not giving away how much you enjoyed him confiding like that in you.

"Yeah...I don't know why I said that even" He looks confused but he keeps smiling. He lights the fire and then turns to you. "Would you like something to drink, Lady Winters?"

"I'll not refuse it, Sire" He goes to the kitchen and comes out with two cups of hot cocoa. He hands you a cup. "Thank you, Sire. I've never been served by a King before-....it's cocoa?" He laughs.

"Yes, it is...don't you like hot cocoa?"

"I do, I love it, Sire. I just didn't-"

"....expect a King to drink hot cocoa?"

"Yes, Sire. Forgive me for saying"

"This is what I like about you, Lady Winters. You're not afraid to speak your mind"

He looks at you with pure raw heat lingering in his eyes. His smile falters and he moves closer to you. His lips are an inch away from your lips...

You hear him breathing rapidly as he moves closer to your lips. Your eyes close involuntarily. You lose all control. You want to smell him, eat him, crawl inside his skin. Your lips touch and you're intoxicated by him. You feel his undeniable power and presence. His lips are feather light on yours, as if he wants to taste you first. Then he kisses you gently, like he's asking for permission. Suddenly, the truth hits you.

(He's betrothed!! What am I doing??)

"Stop!" He jumps back as if he was slapped through the face.

"Sire....forgive me but you're betrothed to Princess Catherine? We can't....we can't...."

"Lady Winters, it's me that should apologize. I shouldn't have done it. I was in the wrong here. Could you ever forgive me?" You look in his eyes. They're filled with passion and regret.

"Sire, why did you bring me here?" He turns around and starts to pace up and down, looking down on the floor.

"Ever since that night on the balcony. Your words possessed me. Every time I'm near you, I want to be even closer. I go to my chamber at night and I fall asleep thinking of you. When I arrive at an event, the first thing I'm looking for is you. You've mesmerized me..."

You swallow hard. You feel the passion in his words. The same passion you felt for him only a few moments ago.

"But, Sire, you're betrothed? You'll have to forgive me" You bow and start walking towards the door.

"I know but, Lady Winters, it's not what you think-" He tries to talk to you but you're already out the door. You get on your horse and you feel the sting of tears threatening you. He runs out of the cabin but you're already on your way.

"Lady Winters, please!!"

"Forgive me, Sire!!"

You see the hurt in his eyes but you know what the punishment is for getting between the King and a betrothed. Your horse gallop as fast as he can and you can't seem to get the Kings face out of your head. The hurt in his eyes, the touch of his lips, the raw attraction between you. Tears fall unintentional down your cheeks. You don't know where you are or how far you've gone but you stop in the middle of the forest. You get off your horse and sit on the snowy soft ground.

(God....he's perfect in every way. His gentle, caring nature entices me the most.....god, his lips...his touch...I can't, not, have him. I want him more than anything...but I can't)

"Lady Winters!" You hear the hurried steps of the King in the snow as you see him approaching you. His face is filled with concern and he quickly helps you up.

"Are you okay, Lady Winters? Why are you sitting in the snow?"

"I'm fine, your Highness. Please, I shouldn't be with you right now" He looks at your face and see the tears on your cheeks. He then suddenly stands up straight.

"Forgive me, milady. It seems my presence has brought you even more sorrow. I'll leave at once"

He turns around and gets on his horse. You want to say that the tears are not because of his presence but because of the affection you have for him. You want to stop him and pick up where you left off but you know that you'll be living in a world that can't exist. He gallops away on his horse. You get on your horse and make your way to your house. You avoid all contact with everyone and run to your bedroom, locking the door.

(What am I going to do? How will I be able to ever look at the King again? What about Lord Jackson? He must be worried?)

"Stacey!" There's a knock on the door. "Come in"

"You called mam?"

"Yes, could you please send a note to Kendra in the hunting party and tell her, I'll meet her at the banquet tonight?"

"Right away mam" She closes the door and leaves you for the rest of the afternoon. She knows by now when to fiddle and when not too. You lay on your bed most of the afternoon thinking of how you going to handle the King and what you want. It's clear that you have strong feelings for him. He'll probably be there tonight even though he's not known to be there.

(I'll just get dress and act as if nothing happened. I'll be fine and I'll focus on someone that can be mine....Lord Jackson. He's a good man)

You get dressed. This will get Lord Jackson attention. You get into the carriage and arrives at the banquet. You arrive and the banquet is already in full swing.

Kendra comes walking up to you "Where have you been?? Why did you leave?" You hug her and sigh. "It's such a long story but what I can say is, it's got to do with the King" Kendra's hand goes to her mouth. She gasps. "Well that explains it"

"Explains what?"

"I guess you didn't hear, the King announced that he will be leaving for America tonight"

"What? Why is he leaving? Did he say?"

"No, but Lord Harrison said he stormed in this afternoon and said he had some business to attend to in North America" It feels as if your heart just burst in your ribcage.

(Why? Why do you feel this way? You decided it's over and Lord Jackson is the one for you? Just shake the feeling and go on. It can never happen)

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, why?"

"You're shaking" You notice that your hands are shaking. Lord Jackson approaches "Lady Winters" He takes your hand and kisses it.

"I looked for you after the hunting but I couldn't find you?"

"Oh, I was just getting lost in the scenery and.....didn't notice the time, forgive me, my Lord"

"No need to apologize. I understand how you could get lost in the beauty of the snow"

"Thank you my Lord"

"Would you like to dance, milady"

"That will be fine, my Lord" You walk down to the dance floor, and then you remember the time you danced with the King. His touch on you was light but protective and those lips...

(How can I miss something I don't even know of...He said that I hypnotized him but maybe....he hypnotized me?)

You dance with Lord Jackson. Then the crowd stop dancing. The people stop dancing. They all turn towards the door and bow. You bow but you're afraid to look up. You gather the courage and look up...