The morning broke brilliantly across the countryside, striping Rosebud's face with beveled shadows. She stretched and grinned as she moved her fingers down to her sticky pussy, remembering the touch of Velvet's tongue. She wished that she could turn over and see Velvet sleeping next to her, that she could rub her face in her soft black hair, that she could feel the chocolate skin ripple beneath her fingers.
A soft knock at the door interrupted her thoughts and she called, "Come in."
Queen Rosamund swept in, Velvet hovering behind her. "Good morning, dearest." She kissed her daughter's forehead, perching herself on the edge of the bed. "I have some exciting news!"
"What?"
"Sir Roger is bringing his parents for a visit. He and Lord and Lady Gaufrette are due this afternoon and will be staying for a few days."
No wonder Velvet won't look at me.
Rosebud's chest tightened as her eyes flicked to her lover, then back to her mother. "That's great."
"I thought you'd think so." The queen arose, smiling broadly and turning to Velvet. "Velvet, make sure that she's properly attired to meet her future-in-laws. I think the royal blue velvet will do."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Now, the seneschal is waiting for you so get her dressed and report to the yards."
"Yes, ma'am."
Velvet bowed and watched the queen's departure from the corner of her eye, then bent to Rosebud and roughly pressed her lips against her mouth. She felt the princess gasp and moaned as the woman's fingers sought out her slit in the pants.
"I've come to a decision."
"What?"
"I'm going to run away."
"Rosebud, you can't do that!" She fought the urge to tell her that she would go with her. But Rosebud was not made of the same hearty stock as she was; she would not be able to last long in the open fields and Velvet could not subject her fragile sweetness to that. "You have to stay here and make the best of it."
"And what's the best of it?"
"A man who loves you and a secure future."
Rosebud noticed that Velvet's eyes didn't connect with hers as she presented the argument. "You don't believe that crap!"
"It's not my duty to believe in court politics, princess." Velvet moved in for another soft kiss. "It's my job to love you."
"That's not fair, Velvet." Rosebud pushed the covers aside and strode to the window, not caring that she was naked to the world. "You don't have the same responsibilities that I do."
Velvet thought for a moment. "No, I don't. I just have to watch the woman that I love marry a man that will never love her as much as I do." Her eyes met those of the princess as she headed toward the second chamber. "I'll wait outside while you dress."
Rosebud watched her leave and felt her heart sink.
Oh, Gods! What can I do?
King Simon was just setting the chess pieces into place when Velvet came striding into the room. He enjoyed the attentions of the lovely black woman but noticed that she was not her happy self this morning. And he thought that he knew why. He placed the final black rooks on their squares and leaned back in his chair. She approached and bowed, awaiting his command.
"Good morning, your majesty."
"Good morning, Velvet. Have a seat."
"Thank you, your majesty."
The game began. The king watched as his daughter's lady-in-waiting played as if she were asleep. She made rudimentary errors and sacrificed too many pieces, resulting in the fastest loss she'd incurred since she'd been in residence. "Another game?" She nodded dully and the king arose, stretching his limbs. "Let's take a walk in the arbor. I'd like to see the new improvements you've made."
"Yes, sir." Velvet took his arm and they strolled the sunlit property, the king listening intently as Velvet outlined the improvements that she and Sir Gordie had made to the arbor. As they walked, the king observed the young woman, sensing an inner intelligence and a guarded countenance. "Do you like what we've done, sire?"
"Do you love my daughter, Velvet?"
She froze in her tracks, her emotive eyes suddenly evasive. "Of course, your majesty. I love Rosebud as if she were my own sister."
"Don't fuck with me, Velvet." He plucked a thick bunch of blossoms from a tree, shaking the bees off. "I'm asking as Simon, not as your king."
Velvet took a deep breath. "Yes, sir."
"Is that a yes to me as your king or a yes to my question?"
"A yes to both, sire."
"I thought so." He sniffed the flowers, rubbing pollen from the tip of his nose. "You know that she is my only heir?"
"Yes, sire, but I wasn't thinking about that."