Chapter 2 - The Market
Author's note: This is the much-delayed second chapter in a series. While it stands by itself, be sure to also read the first chapter in this story - "A&G Ch. 01: The Cottage."
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Gabriella slipped out of the castle before the first light of dawn. Her plan had been to leave very early in the morning before even the servants woke. The king and queen were notorious for enjoying a day or two alone together. Since the army's safe return from battle, and her own safe return Aidan's arm, their disappearances had become even more commonplace. If the royal couple wasn't seen by lunch, the castle staff would simply assume the two would be in bed all day.
Of course, that wasn't the case. Gabriella's little adventure to the cottage had done little to calm her restless spirit. If anything, it had served to stoke it.
Smiling, she took Aidan's large hand in hers and flashed the still sleepy king a dazzling smile she hoped would cheer his spirits. He hadn't been thrilled when she woke him and made her plan known. She hadn't given him much of a choice in the matter, though.
Today was the yearly grand market when merchants from all the neighboring realms came to hawk their wares. The scene was always so very much like a carnival and the queen refused to witness it from her bedroom window again this year. She was going to take it all in first hand - without the oppressive attentions of her personal guard. Either she would sneak out of the castle on her own, or her husband could come with her to help ensure her safety.
The dress she was wearing when she woke him had his attention almost instantly. A simple, A-line cut belied the voluminous skirt that swirled outward with every step the queen took. Intricate gold beadwork adorned the silk covering her bust, both bringing attention to her perfect breasts and leaving them completely to the imagination thanks to a high neckline. A thin tie back belt gave the dress a form-fitted impression over her hips. Aidan's favorite detail, though, made him thankful the cool spring morning allowed him to easily convince his wife to wear a cloak. The dress was backless to her waist, the fabric suspended by eight strands of gold beads that draped elegantly across her form.
Her insistence and her surety that she could get out undetected sealed the deal. She threw in the matter of her safety just for fun - it always brought out a side of him she found irresistible.
For his part, Aidan stumbled along after his queen, more than a little unhappy to be up so early. He had enough mornings like this on the battlefield. He rather enjoyed sleeping late when he was sharing a bed with his wife. Still, he wouldn't deny his queen her little adventure, even if he could - though it wasn't his idea of fun. He knew that she needed moments like these in order to keep her from doing anything more dangerous. Going out alone outside the city walls was dangerous enough, especially for a noble. When he'd seen the dress Gabriella was wearing and imagined the leers she'd receive, his mind had been made without another thought.
Nevertheless, he played his part well and plodded along behind his wife as any other nobleman might, grumbling all the while. His clothes her were of a fine cut, Gabriella had made certain of that, but he was still no match for her beauty. He was glad that secrecy and privacy, along with the cool morning air, predicated a cloak that hid much of her charms. He wasn't necessarily a jealous man. There was no need for such a trivial thing when the connection he shared with his wife was so strong. But, he was fiercely protective. He knew some men cared nothing for either social conventions or a woman's will.
His dark thoughts were gratefully shattered by another brilliant smile from his queen as they left the safety of the city walls and joined the crowds gathering around myriad stalls with colors so vivid they shone even in the muted light of dawn. Aidan reflexively took his queen's hand in his and Gabriella almost winced at the pressure. If he squeezed much tighter, she'd have to chide him, but she allowed the discomfort for now. It was too nice to be out enjoying the day like a normal person for one. The market was just starting to open, so they wandered aimlessly for a time, taking in the sights and smells.
The queen's childlike wonder of it all was infectious, and soon Aidan's crushing grip loosened. By the time the sky was fully lit, they strolled along the makeshift lanes between the stalls swinging their hands with the casual comfort of lovers.
All of the shops were now open and Gabriella tugged away when one in particular caught her eye. She pulled back the hood of her cloak and tossed her hair over her shoulder, giving Aidan a mischievous smile that dared him to chastise her for the move. She was unlikely to be recognized outside the city walls by locals, much less the foreign vendors, but she knew Aidan's protectiveness would be put to the test if she pushed him much farther.
Luckily, the wares that captured her attention would help to distract her king.
She picked up a small broach, beautiful in its simplicity. She had much finer things in the castle, but something about the moment made it seem worth twice asking price. She turned turn Aidan and lifted it to her bust where it would draw added attention to the sloping neckline of her dress.
"What do you think?" she asked, though Aidan's stare made the answer quite obvious.
She was a second from turning to make the purchase when her king's eyes lifted to meet hers. Never breaking contact with her gaze, Aidan reached out to cup the broach in his hand. In spite of herself, Gabriella bit her lower lip sharply and took a quick breath when the back of Aidan's large hand brushed over the swell of her breasts.
"I think it will be very fortunate to have such an enticing home," came Aidan's whispered answer.
Gabriella swallowed hard and quickly turned to get the shopkeeper's attention so that she could pay. More importantly, she needed to escape her king's gaze. She wanted more than anything to continue exploring the market, but she also knew that she couldn't resist Aidan's advances for long.
She paid for the necklace and made her way back into the lane, doing her best to not share her king's thoughts for the time being. Her efforts were quickly nullified as they moved deeper into the market. The stalls were much closer together here, and soon she could feel Aidan's body against hers.
Ever a warrior on the lookout for danger, Aidan's mind had slipped from Gabriella's body for the moment. The narrowing lane reminded him too much of a perfect spot for an ambush. He slipped an arm around Gabriella's waist from behind and pulled her closer, pinning her back against him. Her thick mane teased his face with the scent of lavender and Aidan suddenly became very aware of the sway of his queen's hips. At ease once more, he nevertheless kept Gabriella close.
"Where to, next?" he growled into her ear.
"The perfume stall over there," Gabriella murmured and leaned back just a little to revel in the feeling of his hard chest against her back. She shivered lightly and bit her lip, loving how his strength surrounded her. She pulled away almost as quickly, though, eager to sample the various scents. Her hands roamed over the myriad bottles with their array of different shapes and vivid colors, searching more by instinct than anything else. Her fingers came to rest on a small, pear-shaped glass vial tinted blood red. She sprayed a light dusting over Aiden's favorite spot on her neck, the scent cool, smooth and little dark.
"Mmmm. I like that." She heard her king say as she felt his strong fingers pull back her cloak a bit to reveal her bare shoulder. Aidan pressed his face in close to more deeply breathe in her scent and the queen's heart skipped a beat. His beard teased her soft skin, raising goosebumps over her neck and shoulders. "What is it?"
"I... I don't know... ," Gabriella stammered, her head falling back and her eyes closing slightly. "It's not labeled."
She trembled almost visibly and her heart skipped another beat when Aidan's tongue flicked out in the fastest touch an instant before his lips brushed over her neck.
"She'll take three bottles," she heard him say as she closed her eyes completely and leaned back against her king. An exchange of coins brought her back to her senses and she felt her skin begin to flush. Before the vendor could take note of her state, she hoped, she rose to take a few steps away from the stall to gather herself once more.
Aiden smiled to himself and left a generous payment on the table, looking over his shoulder to follow Gabriella with his eyes. He took special note of the rising color on her cheeks and neck. Without a second thought, he reached out and grabbed her wrist before she could take too many steps. Gabriella looked back at him with wide eyes and the color of her skin flushed a deeper shade of red. She couldn't shake his possessive grip if she'd wanted to do so.
"You smell good enough to eat, Little One." Aidan whispered just barely loud enough to be heard over the growing crowd.
Gabriella stared up into his eyes, breathing heavily and biting at her lower lip. "There ... There are ... more vendors," she finally managed to whisper. She broke free of her king's spell and swallowed hard before tugging him toward another stall. Rich fabric hung from rails at eye level. The queen selected a silk scarf, its rich red as deep as the perfume bottles in her husband's pouch. With a playful flourish she wrapped it tightly around her neck so that it clung to her skin. "What do you think?"
Aidan's eyes narrowed a little and he clenched his jaw, eyeing the scarf closely.
"It looks very soft," he murmured and ran the backs of his fingers over the material, starting with a low, dangling end. His hand brushed against Gabriella's body, teasing over her breasts. As he reached ever higher, he rolled his hand, fingers spreading wide to touch the silk on both sides of her neck at once. "Looks perfect. Feels ... right."
Aidan could see that his queen was trembling. Her eyes were wide and her body tense against his. He knew he could have her, but he'd made a promise. With a glance down to Gabriella's heaving breasts, he relaxed his grasp on her throat.
That was all that the queen needed to gather herself. She pulled back a step, thankful that this end of the market was still relatively empty due to the early hour. Taking a handful of coins from their purse, she tossed down more than enough to pay for the scarf and pulled Aidan farther along, trying desperately to focus on her plan for the day.
"Wh ... what should I try next?"
The king shook his head and considered, for a brief second, letting his queen have some distance. This teasing back and forth was wearing his patience thin. If he'd caught sight of the blush he knew was likely rising on her neck under the new scarf, he might not have been able to control himself. Another tug on his arm broke him from his reverie.
