Valentine's Day Special

Happy Valentine’s day everyone.

A part of me loves the idea that there is a day to show your love for someone, to spoil them rotten. The logical part of me realises that it’s just a way for companies to commercialise love. The hopeless romantic in me thinks that love should be celebrated every day, that you should spoil the one you love on any day, not just the day that society has deemed that love should be celebrated on... my characters? Well, let’s see what they think.

Captain Roza Salazar: The Hellborn Princess: (yes I know I use ‘Rose’, ‘Sofia’, and ‘Alex’, or some variation of it a lot. It’s a bad habit backed by seven years of writing. I’m slowly working to break it, and changing the names as I go).

Life on the sea, travelling through all the different time zones as Captain of the Hellborn Princess meant that to Roza, Valentine's day was just another day. Another day to do the rounds, check on the students and the crew. She cared little for the dates as they flew past, as long as they weren’t deadlines of when she had to be in port or changing her collection of students. It was the way of the sea.

Hellborn Princess’ First mate, and Captain Roza’s secret lover, however, was the exact opposite. Eagerly counting down the days, keeping track of the timelines they passed through. In a way, it was part of his job. Roza cared little for conventional dates and times, so making sure they were on track was his role entirely.

He knew that she would get him nothing for Valentine's day, that to her it was just another day on the open waters. So when the fourteenth of February hit and Roza woke up with a box of chocolates on her desk she felt like an idiot. A beautiful bouquet of flowers looming over the top of them.

“Joyeuse Saint Valentin ma Cherie,” Alex whispered, stepping through the secret entrance to her room, two cups of coffee balanced carefully in one hand.

“Is that today?” Roza swore under her breath, hand running through her hair as she slumped back down in her hammock. “Why didn’t you remind me?” Alex chuckled, passing her a coffee as she sat up and swung her legs down to stabilise herself.

“Because I know you Spanish celebrate it on a different day...” He bent down to kiss the top of her head with a smile as he teased her.

“And in turn, I know how much this day means to you French. Feliz dia de San Valentin Amante.” Roza stood, pressing a kiss to his lips as one of her free hand slipped around his neck. His palm pressing against the small of her back as he returned her kiss.

Lady Violetta Tatsuya: Ouran High Host Club. Another note, I generally try to keep fanfiction off of my blog, and should it ever come up I am very careful to make sure no one can tell that it’s fanfiction. Today is a special case.

Violetta was growing more nervous as each day past, valentine's day was barely a week away, and she had no idea what kind of chocolates to make for her secret boyfriend. She didn’t even know if she could call him her boyfriend. They’d never labelled whatever it was that they entertained themselves with, it wasn’t a conversation either of them had felt the need to have, until now, and instead of doing the logical thing and simply asking him, she was instead over analysing everything.

Cases and studies alike were abandoned on her desk in favour of the battle repeating itself in her mind. The last thing she wanted was to give him the wrong idea of what she thought their relationship was. That in itself could be disastrous. She needed a solution, quickly.

~~~~~♥~~~~~♡~~~~~♥~~~~~

A smile pulled up at his lips as he saw the simple box awaiting him on the desk he claimed as his own in music room three. It was in stark contrast to the hundreds of boxes that filled up the room from adoring fans around the school. He put his notebook down to pick up the box, opening the lid to see half a dozen chocolates and a handwritten note across the lid. ‘Dinner tonight. My place at eight.’ The smile still firmly in place, he opened his notebook to add one more name to the long list of girls he would need to make sure had flowers come white day, her name written in ink at the very top of his list, Lady Violetta Tatsuya.

Eriana (formerly Sofia) Salvatore/Mikaelson (married/maiden), Vampire Diaries:

Then:

A smile pulled at his lips as he watched the carriage pull up to her house. A large bouquet of flowers taking up the seat beside him and a note nestled within the arrangement. He had meant to send them with a servant, but as the time drew closer he found himself unable to deny the urge to deliver the gift himself. He wanted to see her joy first hand, rather than a tale spun through the mouths of others.

His excitement grew as the carriage came to a stop, the front door of her house wide open and Josaphine awaiting him on the steps.

“Sir, we were not expecting you.” She scolded, watching him step out of the carriage, his gift cradled in his arms.

“Is Miss Mikaelson home?” He asked, walking up the front steps and into the house that he thought of as his home.

“For you my love, always.” He turned at the sound of her voice behind him, looking to see her exiting a carriage stopped right behind his own. A footman helping her step out of the carriage before moving back so she could walk up the steps towards him. “Although only just apparently.” She teased, leaning closer to press her lips to his cheek.

“I am sorry, I could not bare to wait another moment. For you.” He presented her with the flowers, a smile on his lips as he bowed, never taking her eyes off of him. “Happy Valentines day Eriana.”

~~~~~♥~~~~~♡~~~~~♥~~~~~

Now:

Eriana Salvatore wasn’t expecting anything as Valentine’s day rolled around, her husband was still upset with how things had played out, and she honestly couldn’t blame him. So the giant bouquet of flowers on her desk took her off guard. It couldn’t have been anyone other than him, she had only allowed two people access to her office, and the young witch would have no reason to spend such large amounts of money on a gift for her mentor. No, it could only have been the work of her husband to replicate a gift from one hundred years earlier.

She couldn’t stop the slight tremble of her hands as she plucked the note from the centre, reading the words that hadn’t changed from when he first wrote them to her all those years before.

‘Eriana Salvatore,

Light of my life, Love of my dreams.

You know I wouldn’t normally say such things.

But I would be a fool,

If today should pass, and I should be so cruel

For my love for you remain unknown

An act my dearest mother surely would condone

So, to the most marvellous woman, I have ever seen

Whose beauty rivals that of a queen

Happy Valentines day

My love

D.S.’

Spy Affairs, Continued

Heya Everyone,

I'll be honest, when I sat down to write today's blog post I was uninspired and had no motivation. All I wanted to do was find something old, fix it a touch, and return to my game. (I finally caved and got Minecraft, and it is so addictive).

BUT! I didn't, in my hunt for something old I discovered that I had written some more of Spy Affairs, which we've previously seen twice, as a glimpse into James, and as the start of Chapter One. So I finished chapter one, and that's what you see before you today.

Now I'm both motivated and inspired... funny how that worked.

Until Next Week, Enjoy!

My entire body tensed as the wedding music started, bridesmaids chosen by my father curtsying to me before lining up outside the doorway that would lead me to Prince James, the man my father chose for me to marry. The man that I was expected to spend the rest of my life serving.

“He is a good man.” My mother assured me, leaning forward to kiss my cheek before walking into the church ahead of me. They didn’t know I’d snuck away to see him, in fact, my father had expressly forbidden such an act.

My grip tightened on father’s arm, watching as the bridesmaids started a walk they had no doubt been practising for weeks, his hand sliding over mine and loosening my hold slightly as he manoeuvred us into position. People flocking closer to fix up my dress before I could be seen, camera’s flashing all around us, a fake smile tugging at father’s lips as a video camera zoomed in closer.

I forced myself to relax, schooling my features as the music changed and father started walking, only tugging me forward once before I fell into step beside him.

Crowds of nobles from both countries stood either side, heads craned around to try be the first to catch sight of me, but I noticed a few people staring forward. There was no doubt in my mind that it was those that had disapproved of the union, not only between us but between our countries. Those that had no desire to call me their Queen nor James their King once the marriage was done, but had shown up because it was what was expected of them.

“Smile.” Father hissed at me under his breath, my eyes raising to rest on Prince James’ back, knowing he wasn’t allowed to turn and look at me until I was by his side. Instead, my eyes skipped from him and instead into the audience, searching for Maylene. If any of the wedding had been up to me, she would have been at my side, my maid of honour and the woman who I had planned the entire thing with, but I had no say in any of it. Instead, I could only hope that she had found a way to be at my big day.

But my eyes never saw her, a nudge from father reminding me to look forward, watch the back of the man I was to pledge my life to grow closer with each well-timed step. The fake smile turning real as father placed my hands into those of Prince James, saying the words that would have me rid of him forever.

Prince James smiled as he turned to face me, his sweaty hands clenched in my own cool ones. I knew he was worried, scared, I could see it in the way his eyes failed to sparkle as they looked down at me. Neither of us wanted this, but we both knew we had no choice. It was our duty and burden to bare as heirs and rulers.

My smile, in turn, was much more realistic, my time at the academy had taught me exactly how to fake it, and as long as I thought of this as just another mission I would get through the day just fine. My mark the man in front of me, suited in navy black with a white shirt beneath his blazer. The colour making his blue eyes seem all the more vibrant as they scanned me the way mine were him.

“Lady Maylene wanted me to tell you that ‘she wouldn’t miss your wedding for the world’.” James’ voice was barely a whisper as he bent his head closer to my ear, making sure to take the one closest to the priest so that the cameras wouldn’t pick up on it.

“She’s here.” Even I couldn’t hide the relief in my voice as my eyes flicked to the crowd once more, searching for her familiar face amongst a sea of nobles.

“Your highnesses, are we ready to begin?” Prince James drew back, his hands squeezing mine as he nodded to the priest. It was time. Time to become both man and wife and a single country united under our reign.

~~~~~♥~~~~~♡~~~~~♥~~~~~

“May I present, for the first time, as husband and wife. Their royal majesties, King James and Queen Sofia Ormond-Fontaine of Askia. You may kiss the bride.” King James raised an eyebrow at me in silent question at the Priest’s nods, silently asking me if it was okay. I smiled softly in response, no matter how I felt, it was what was required to finalise the deal our parents had made. With the brush of his lips against mine, the weight of a new country settled firmly on our shoulders, and our fates were sealed in the same gold bands that wrapped around our fingers.

King James took his hands from mine to instead offer me his arm, ready to walk down the aisle and to his palace where we had a short amount of time before the reception. I slipped my arm through his, barely paying any attention to the bridesmaids that rushed forward to rearrange my gown as I turned back down the aisle with my new husband.

We paused outside the doors as photographers rushed forward to take more photo’s of us, King James waving and smiling to the crowd as I did the same.

“Your Majesties, we have a short time frame, please.” A man I recognised from my secret visit to meet King James moved forward, guards at his heels to move the cameramen out of the way and clear a path towards the awaiting horse drawn carriage.

“Of course Hamish, if you are ready my Queen?” My arm was still looped through his, but he didn’t move, instead waiting patiently for my answer.

“Of course,” I replied, grasping at my dress so that I wouldn’t step on it as I walked down the stairs. My father would kill me if he noticed that I was looking at the ground, so I could only estimate where the next step was and hope that King James wouldn’t allow me to fall down the stairs on our wedding day.

“Here.” He let go of my arm to wrap his own around my waist, the other resting gently beneath my arm as I gathered my dress up properly, able to step freely now that nothing was in my way.

“Lady Maylene asked me to inform you that she has another gown more suited to your style at the palace your majesty.” Hamish stood at the other side of me, hands loosely at his side, but I knew just from the way he held himself that he was prepared to step in and help should it look like I was about to fall.

“Thank you Lord Hamish.” I replied with a smile, glancing at him before returning my attention to the awaiting carriage, able to release my dress once we reached the end of the steps. King James quickly let go of my arm but left his arm around my waist as he lead me the last few steps towards the carriage.

Like the car, the carriage had no roof, gold decorations and colourful streamers made it stand out from the motorbikes that would escort us on our trip. Four brilliant white stallions waited patiently, unfazed by the crowds that lined the streets and screamed at us. Still waving the new flag of our unified country and chanting it’s name ‘Askia’.

Habit had my eyes scanning both the crowds and surrounding buildings, looking for any sign that the brotherhood was waiting to take me out now that I was wed and my country was also that of King James. I knew the sisterhood wouldn’t harm my new husband, they had promised me that much when the news of my engagement reached us. All I wanted was an end to the war that had cost so many of my sisters there lives.

“Your Majesty.” My head snapped back to Lord Hamish, realising his eyes were watching my every action, King James doing much the same. They must have been waiting for me to enter the carriage first.  

“Sorry, of course.” I stepped forward, lifting my skirts and using the small wooden staircase to enter the carriage and sit down, aware that King James was right behind me.

“I asked if you were alright.” He whispered to me, before waving at the crowds as the carriage started to move once more.

“Just surprised that the brotherhood hasn’t made a move on my life.” I answered honestly, raising one hand to wave at the crowds on my side of the carriage.

“As I am the sisterhood, but surely they have to have realised that our wedding may not be the best time for that. Surely they will do nothing until our coronation, I am certain that my parents had it included that should anything happen to one of us, or should we decide that our marriage is not what is best for Askia then we can change the agreement, nothing is truly binding until that crown is placed upon our heads and the oath has been sworn.” King James answered, his eyes drifting over to me. “I didn’t get a chance to say it earlier, but you look gorgeous.”

The smile that lit up my face must have surprised him, because he leant in closer, the thoughts of the crowd abandoned in favour of kissing my cheek, his free hand entwining through mine as his eyes dropped to my lips before lifting back up again.

“I was worried, this dress is not my style. My father picked it out, it makes me feel out of place.” I explained, dropping my hand and turning run my free hand through the raven hair that I had been longing to play with since we had met before settling it on his cheek.

“Well my Queen, you made it seem like you have lived in those dresses your whole life, no one would have been able to tell any differently.” King James answered, leaning into my touch and squeezing our entwined fingers gently. With a glance to his lips, I leant forward, stealing a kiss that he returned. Only pulling away when the cheers of our people turned into screams and calls of joy. King James smirked at me, pressing a feather light kiss to my lips before returning to the task of waving to those gathered as I did the same.

Alphabet Challenge.

Heya Everyone! So for this week I have another challenge and prompt. I wish I could say it was slightly easier than the last one... but it’s not. I think the only challenge it might be easier than is the ‘vowel challenge’... might.

This week I am attempting to write a short story, and each sentence must start with the next letter of the alphabet! Then, once I get to ‘z’ I have to do the same in reverse until the story is finished. Fingers crossed I remember how the alphabet goes, otherwise, this ends sooner than anticipated.

Prompt: You don’t like snuggling or a lot of touching, but when you’re asleep, you are a cuddler, for better or worse.

I took the basic idea from the prompt, but never actually used the prompt :/ oops. I like what came of it regardless.

Another day and no progress had been made, no leads found, nothing. Book after book had been scanned and discarded in the search for an answer. Chaos was all that awaited the woman he had sworn to protect when she finally got home. Discarded books and research papers scattered tables, notebooks full of half written ideas abandoned just as quickly as they were thought up. Everything was a mess that no one had the energy to clean up, even after his phone chirped to let him know she was only half an hour away, but knowing how much she would panic if she saw them like this, he lifted himself to his feet and began.

First, he picked up all the dirty dishes that had been abandoned within arms reach, barely getting a response out of those he was forced to manoeuvre around to do so. Gradually the library started to look like it had when she left, books back on the shelves they were taken off. He had only just finished when the garage door creaked open, the footfalls of his beloved slowly approaching.

“I’m home!” Just like that everyone’s attention was lifted from the books they had been pouring over, eyes flicking to the door where the beautiful young woman stood. “Kydea, I got that thing you asked me for.” Limping, she took a few more steps forward to place a suspiciously empty bottle beside her blonde haired friend.

“My love,” she greeted him with a kiss on his cheek as she leant into her side, letting him lift the duffle bag off of her shoulder and place it on his own. Now the bag was moved, there was nothing to stop him from sweeping her off of her feet and carrying her away from their friends. Opening the door as he carried her back to their shared room, taking care not to jolt her too much, not until he could figure out what was causing her pain.

“Please don’t,” she whispered as he put her down on their bed, moving her legs away from him.

“Quell my fear then.” Relenting, she moved back to sit against the headboard, allowing him to pull off her boots so he could gain access to her legs. She winced as he prodded at the tender skin that resembled chains around her ankles. “That looks painful.”

“Unbelievably so,” a small smile tugged at her lips as she watched him fetch the first aid kit and tend to her wounds. Very gently he rubbed cream into the bruises, trying to ignore the way her body flinched away from him automatically.

“What happened?”

“Xantiel double-crossed us, you were right not to trust him.”

“You shouldn’t have run off with him.”

“Zachariel convinced me otherwise; Dean, I thought I was doing the right thing.”

“Zachariel? You listened to that naive fool over the rest of us? Xantiel disappeared overnight, then we couldn’t find you. We thought you’d been kidnapped,” Dean took a step away from her, taking a deep breath as he tried to calm himself down. “Violet, do you have any idea what I went through?” Under his scrutinising gaze, she manoeuvred herself close enough to grab the ends of his shirt and pull him to stand right in front of her.

“Trust me Dean, I would never let anyone take me away from you.” She tugged his shirt once more, waiting for him to bend down and kiss her like she had wanted since she had arrived home.

“Really Vi?” Quickly, he broke her hold on him, taking a step back. “Please tell me you don’t think you can get my forgiveness that easily? Out,” he raised a hand towards the door, “just get out.”

“No Dean, I don’t, but it’s a start. My love, I think I at least deserve that.” Little was left to say, so she stood, limping towards the door as he ordered. “ Kydea wanted a hand with something, I’ll be there if you need me.”

“Just- wait,” the words were little more than a whisper past his lips, causing her to hesitate with her hand on the door handle. “I love you Vi.” Her hand slipped off the door handle as she turned to face him, taking a few steps closer to him. Gently, he cupped her face, running his free hand through her hair. Eyes locked as he lifted her chin, forcing her up on tip toes to keep her face within his grasp.

“Dean.” Carefully he placed his lips over hers, stopping her words in her throat as she kissed him back.

“Better or worse, you are mine Vi.“ He whispered against her lips.

“Always.”

Bad Girls

Heya Everyone. I'm having a real bad day, so I'm using an old story start that I once wrote. I always meant to add more to this, but I wrote it January last year, and haven't really looked at it since... so this is how it shall stay. Hope you like it.

They had every eye on them from the second they stepped into the already packed club. Ignoring the long line to enter, and even longer line to get a drink. They walked like they owned the place, arms wrapped around each other, laughing as way-to-drunk men fell over themselves to buy them drinks.

The most eye-catching woman was also the first one everyone noticed, everyone, tripping over themselves to get out of her way, but she didn’t seem to notice. Whisky brown eyes were focused on the bar, occasionally darting around the room and back to her friends to make sure they were still there. She was wearing a leather black halter top that stopped at the edge of her ribs, tied like a corset at the front and loose enough to allow a sneaky peek through the cord that held it together. There was the barest glimpse of abs before they were hidden behind a high waisted black mini skirt. Legs seeming endless, helped by the complicated looking black strappy heels that crossed over her feet before winding up her ankles. Her blonde hair was left loose and wild, slightly messed up from where one could only assume she’d run her fingers through it.

One of her two friends was also dressed in pure black, one was wearing black skinny jeans that wrapped tightly around her lower half, leaving little to the imagination. Stiletto thin heeled black boots put her at the same height at the first female. The black bikini type top she wore showed off an amazingly tanned and muscular body, strands of fabric looped around from the centre of the front to the clasp at the back, hugging around her ribs and giving the slightest hint of modesty. Her auburn hair was perfectly straight, the longest wisps covering up the clasp that held her top on. Forest Green eyes seemed to dance as a smirk curled at her painted red lips, hips swaying to the beat as she stood with her friends.

The shortest seemed to be the most friendly and approachable, a tight white dress wrapped tightly her lithe frame, the neckline plunging, a black lace bra visible at the very end of the split. The skirt half of her dress was knee length but split up the side. A sheer black patterned pair of tights giving way to black ankle height boots. Her blonde hair was curled into big bouncy ringlets, and royal blue eyes outlined with dark browns and blacks, drawing attention to her eyes. It was her that noticed them first when she was looking around the club, her friends half dangling over the bar to try to talk the bartender into their top shelf spirits.

The only three men in the club who weren’t openly drooling at the sight of them. A challenge, three pairs of red lips curled up in wicked smirks. Game on.

~~~~~♥~~~~~♡~~~~~♥~~~~~

Better Start Running.

Heya Everyone! I’m back, and on time... **gasp of horror**. This week is another prompt week, but with a slight twist. I’m one of three authors that have the same prompt, same list of names, and the same amount of time to write it in. (One day, because none of us are organised enough to write in advance :/ ). The links to their blogs are: Inkblot, and Jasha Writes.

Prompt: "Whatever doesn't kill me... had better start running."

Name List: Female - Alexia, Male - Damon, Unisex - Blair.

Hope y’all like it!

“We’ve only got one chance at this. She’s deadly, if we slip up, mess up at all, we are dead.” Blair’s voice echoed through my mind as he watched his target. She was laughing with a hairdresser as he coaxed her freshly dyed blonde hair into curls, lying loose beachy waves over her shoulder so she could tangle her blood red nails through it to make it seem a little less perfect and a little more natural.

She hid her bright blue eyes behind sunglasses as she stepped out of the hairdressers, bags hooked over her arm from all over the mall, acting every bit like a rich girl who was out for a day of shopping and pampering. An expensive phone dangling from long fingertips as she ducked inside the coffee shop I’d been watching her from.

I kept my eyes on my laptop, pretending to be deep in thought, fingers hovering over the keyboard as I listened to her order a coffee. Her voice barely rising above the background noise, full of quiet confidence with each word that slid from her lips. It took all my strength not to look over at her the second she spoke, suddenly realising just why she had men tripping over themselves just to be near her. Her voice sounded like going home for the first time in years, each word was as sweet as melted chocolate drizzled over strawberries, the slightly sour aftertaste that implied authority and meant no one would dare try to argue with her.

“Is this seat taken?” That same voice had me glance up, only to see her diamond face right before mine, a smile tugging up her painted red lips as her one of her hands rested on the chair’s back.

“Not at all.” I was proud that I didn’t stutter, all my training flying out the door as I closed the lid of my laptop as I watched her pull out the chair, her bags placed on the floor. I barely noticed when they fell to lean against my legs rather than the middle pole of the table.

“What are you working on?” One red fingernail tapped on the lid of my laptop, her phone placed on the table, the heel of her shoes brushing up my jeans as she folded her legs over each other beneath the table, turning so all her attention seemed to be on me.

“My newest novel, I found a lack of motivation at home, and this is my favourite cafe.” I caught myself just before the truth fell from my lips instead allowing the carefully crafted lie to fall from my lips.

I was supposed to be the best at what I did, and nine words from her had me forgetting everything I’d learnt and was supposed to be doing. My heart skipping a beat as she flipped those blonde curls over her shoulder while pretending to laugh at one of my cheesy ‘writer’ jokes. I fell for the same tricks she’d used on every other mark we knew she’d taken down, my feeble attempts to flirt seemed like nothing with a seductress like her perched on the seat in front of me. Every other woman I’d ever met I could charm without trying, but her? It felt like I was back in school, trying to beg a moment from the cheerleader of my dreams.

“And Damon?” My name fell from her lips, and it was like a bucket of ice water was dumped on my head. I hadn’t told her my real name, I hadn’t even told her my fake name, nor had she told me hers.

“I’m sorry, who?” I lied quickly, glancing over my shoulder as if there was someone behind me, feeling like a fool for letting myself get caught up in her games. I knew better than that.

“Don’t play dumb, you think I wouldn’t know the man most likely to chase after me? You and I, we’re the same, the difference is, I work for myself now.” She leant back, fingers tapping against the wood as she glared at me.

“I was told to bring you back in Alexia. You should have known better than to run.” I let the lies drop, I was made, it was time to change the plan.

“Of course I knew better than to run, you forget I am the best at this. That’s why when I ran I made sure to know everything about everyone they could possibly send after me. So your best option is to pull out that gun you're itching to grab, and shoot me dead because there is no way that I will ever go back.” A fake smile pulled up at her lips as she gathered her bags once more, knowing I wouldn’t shoot her in public. It was too dangerous, and not in the style of the organisation that owned me. “Tell Blair that I will never come back alive.” She picked up her phone, glancing at a message that flashed up on the screen before turning her attention back to me. Nails gripping into my shoulder as she leant down to whisper in my ear.

“And know this Damon, whatever doesn’t kill me...” she paused squeezing my shoulder, forcing me to realise that she knew I would be after her the second she stepped out that door and was away from the public eye “had better start running.” Her hand slid over my shoulder as she walked away, heels clicking on the floor until the door slammed behind her.

Song Fic One.

Heya Everyone, sorry this is so late... I got distracted yesterday, and struggled with inspiration today, nevertheless, this is a song fic. It was suggested by my little sister, see if you can figure out what song she picked. It was one hell of a challenge.

She was it, the one that everyone wanted, the one that I wanted. Beauty beyond what the eye could perceive, she could steal your heart with one smile from across the room. Almost as if she never realised she was doing it. Men falling over themselves to spend just a moment basking in her presence. I was lucky that she’d chosen me, out of all the guys that fawned over, she’d decided that I could take her on a date before she left for work once more, hitting the road the very next day.

I followed, of course I did, who wouldn’t follow an angel like her. Baby blue eyes peeking out from perfect blonde ringlets, a body blessed by god himself, she haunted my daydreams and blessed my nightmares.

Yet still she refused to see me, sending me away like we had never shared a moment together, dancing with others knowing just how jealous it would make me, and when she left, I followed once more. Up and down the country we went, always following after her. A lost puppy nipping at her heels, begging for a moment of attention.

Then she gave me another chance, a date out on the open road. Nothing but a simple country dress covering her frame, small ankle boots abandoned on the floor as her bare feet rested on the dashboard. A smile on her lips as she sang along with the radio, turning her head when I leant in for a kiss. A flick of her wrist reminding me to keep my eyes on the road rather than on her.

She laughed at me as I pulled over to the side of the road, a picnic basket in my hand and her favourite dinner premade and keeping warm nestled safely inside. Blankets in the back of the truck, and another over my arm to sit on. Her laughter didn’t stop when the stars disappeared from view, wind pulling at her dress as rain pelted us both, mixing with our wine but not dampening our spirits. Never dampening my spirit or my love for her.

Even if I would always have to steal my kisses from her.

Spy Affairs - The Beginning

If you remember a few months ago, I made a post called 'Spy Affairs' with the prologue and part of Chapter one of a story I was rewriting. Today's post is from the same story but set before the start of it. A glimpse into the mind of the main male character in the days before his wedding. I hope you like it.

A yawn crept past my lips as the voice of my parents and hers droned on, I knew I should have been paying attention to what was being said. Officials from both countries were gathered around the huge table, arguing until they could find the best option for both countries, writing the agreement that would take place the second I was wed. The rules in place for the joining of two countries.

“Are we boring you, James?” My father, King Charles, asked a twinkle in his eyes as he glanced over to me.

“Why is the Princess not here? This is to be her country as well, she is to be my Queen after all.” I demanded, my eyes drifting to the opposite side of the table, where there was an empty seat beside Queen Chrisanda, left empty at her daughter was absence.

“The Princess is unable to attend today or any of the meetings. I can assure you she will be there for the wedding.” Her father, the King Edward of Axia answered, lifting his head from the notes his scribe was taking to answer the question.

“Are you telling me that I will not meet my future wife until the day we are married?” I stood, glancing between my parents and hers. “You are writing the laws you expect us to rule our Kingdom by, and you do not even afford her the decency for her to be here?”

“My daughter is at school, learning how to be a good Queen and an even better wife. She will remain there, learning all she can, until the day when you are wed.” The King mimicked me, standing in anger, ignoring the way his own wife placed a hand on his arm.

“James, we should take a moment..” Lord Hamish stood, pulling me out of the room as I bristled with anger. My father caught the door before it could shut, following after us. Words already falling from Duke Tristan’s lips to cover for our sudden departure.

“Calm down now,” Hamish ordered, pushing me out onto a balcony, I took a deep breath, turning to watch my boys training on the grounds below. They all turned to salute me when one of the trainers noticed my presence before going straight back to work.

“I only agreed to this because I wanted to meet her, watch her as we figured out how to rule the country that is to be ours. I want to know about the woman I am expected to marry for the sake of joining two kingdoms into one.” I started speaking, nodding to the boys below. “Show her the palace she will call her home, and tell her about the all-boys school that occupies it at my order. Instead, I am wasting my time in a conversation that I don’t have a say in any way. I have arrangements to make before I am crowned, people to hire and run background checks before I am wed and returning here with my wife.” I ignored my father as I turned to Hamish, who was standing just behind me, his arms folded across his chest as he listened to me.

“Then don’t go back, the Duke and I can take notes, and I’m sure his highness can fill you in on what is decided. I’ll raise a point about the pair of you meeting privately before the wedding. Tristan can back me up, and should we fail we can do some research ourselves. I’m sure whatever school she’s at would love a visit from their future King.” Hamish smiled, dropping his arms and taking a step forward. “Think like a King, not like a man, not like a prince. Anything you want, we will get done for you. Now go burn off that steam and let us handle this.”

I turned my attention to my father, standing in the doorway and watching us interact.

“He is right my son, you will be King the second you are wed, it is the agreement we have made. If you want to meet her before you two become King and Queen of a unified country, then we shall make it happen. You know your mother and I wish that we didn’t have to use your marriage to end this war.”

“I know father, but it’s my duty as Prince. I just wish I could know something about her first, make this whole thing easier on her. I doubt she want’s this any more than I do.” He sighed, running a hand through his hair, this whole deal was a mess, but it was one that would save thousands of lives and unity two former enemies as one.

“I will help Lord Hamish, you will meet the Princess. I promise.”

“Thanks, father, you both better get back. King Edward seemed mad, and mother will be worried.”

~~~~~♥~~~~~♡~~~~~♥~~~~~

I sighed, running a towel through my hair and stepping out onto the balcony, a phone pressed to my ear. Tristan was on the other end, filling me in on everything he had learnt about my wife, despite being a recognisable figure at my side, he blended in elsewhere with ease, the perfect trait for my spymaster.

“My sources tell me that she escaped from the school yesterday, they don’t know when to expect her back, but there is more.” Tristan stopped speaking, words hanging unsaid in the air.

“How can there be more Tristan? My future wife has run away, no doubt from our marriage and the responsibilities that come with it.” I asked as he hesitated, unwilling to tell me whatever else it was he had discovered.

“I saw Lady Maylene, the personal assistant you hired for her majesty. She was leaving the school with a file. I didn’t send her, did you?” A frown tugged at my lips, I had seen her this morning, going over things with the woman we had hired to serve as Ladies Maids for the Princess.

“No, but we ran a check on her ages ago. She’s squeaky clean. No doubt she overheard us talking about how curious we were about the Princess and decided to do something about it.” I offered,

“Perhaps, with your permission, I will do more digging into Lady Maylene, just to be sure.” He offered, but I knew even if I refused he would do it anyway, it was the job he was hired to do.

“Go for it, the last thing I want is to put the Princess in danger, if the sisterhood seeks to end this union we must stop them before they do anything.” My hands clenched at the thought that the sisterhood may harm the Princess in an effort to stop the marriage, stop the uniting of our kingdoms and the end of the war they’d been such a huge part of.

“Of course your highness.” Tristan ended the call, and I raised my eyes to see a car coming down the long driveway, pulling to a stop right outside the door. Maylene stepping out, and going to the back of the car to open it. I glanced at the phone in my hand, before deciding just to go and ask Maylene herself.

“Your highness.” She greeted me as I stepped out the front door, my personal guards on my heels.

“Maylene, where have you been?” I asked, watching her pull bags out of the car.

“I went to her highnesses school to gather some of her belongings before the wedding. I wanted her to feel at home here. The rest of her stuff she is still using, it will be sent over when she leaves for her family’s palace. I also got her highnesses measurements and preferred style of clothing so we can acquire a new wardrobe for her.” My servants stepped forward to pick up the bags and take them towards the room I’d assigned to the woman that would be the Queen.

“She’s fully dedicated to this marriage your highness, you have nothing to worry about on that front. She just wishes that you could meet before the wedding, she is very curious about what you expect of her.” Maylene handed over all the bags except one, keeping a tight hold on a black briefcase, shaking her lips as one of my boys went to take it off her.

“Could you arrange it?” The words left my lips before I could even think about it,  my desire to meet her before the wedding stronger than anything else.

“Her father forbade it, but if it is what your highness wishes, then it can be arranged. Secretly of course. May I borrow your phone?” I handed over the device without question, watching as she put down the briefcase and dial a number, a smile on her lips as she listened to it ring.

“It’s May, he wants to meet, can you come back?” I couldn’t hear the other side of the conversation but was curious as to how the Princess would react to the casual way she was spoken to. “Your father never has to know. I covered for your escape from school, didn’t I? What are a few more hours? Come on Sofia, you know you want to.” I made a note to tell Tristian what I had overheard her say, and to look into the casual way she addressed the Princess. She had never mentioned it during the interview, and her file lacked any information about a personal relationship with the woman already.

“She’ll be here in ten minutes.” His phone was pressed back into his hand, and Maylene walked away, leaving him ten minutes to get ready to meet the woman he would spend the rest of his life with.