Rosella awoke naked in her bed. The memories came flooding back of her rescuer, waking her, claiming her. Her new king. Sitting up, Rosella winced at the tenderness between her thighs. She was a little embarrassed. This man may have woken her from her slumber, he may even be her "true love." However, he was also a complete stranger, and she had given herself wantonly to him. She bit her lip in frustration as she realized he hadn't even asked her name, simply calling her his princess. When she heard voices talking in the courtyard in the unfamiliar language he had first spoken, she realized that they were no longer alone.
Rushing to her wardrobe, the thick blanket wrapped around her body, she prayed that her clothes were still there. Her sigh of relief when she saw the beautiful silk and satin dresses hanging in the cabinet was short lived. The first one crumbled in her hands and moths flew out from the tattered remains. Almost all the dresses were similarly ruined, and she nearly sobbed in frustration. If her new king was bringing his men, she couldn't meet them in her night rail!
Rummaging through the ragged dresses, she located a box at the back that seemed to have survived the onslaught of vermin. Opening it she found a deep blue gown. Taking it out, she shook the wrinkles from the simple two layer dress. As she gazed at it, she remembered why she had never worn it. It was terribly revealing. The long billowy sleeves were detached, leaving her shoulders bare and the bodice was corseted and laced tightly to reveal much of her cleavage. The delicate embroidery and rich silk fabric clung to her body, making her feel nearly as exposed as if she were merely wearing a shift. It was still better than the shift, however, and she wriggled into the tight corset, just managing to tie it behind her.
Finding her tiara and the locket containing the picture of her mother and father, Rosella searched vainly for a veil that hadn't been eaten by the moths. However, there was nothing she could use to cover her long golden hair, so she simply plaited it over one shoulder and placed the tiara on her head.
Gathering her courage, she walked slowly down the steps, her slippered feet making almost no noise. The swish of her skirts whispered in the corridor, and she peeked out of the doorway, sighing with relief as she saw her rescuer speaking to a single man. With as much dignity as she could muster, in spite of her breasts nearly popping out of her gown, she greeted the two men with a pretty curtsy and a bright smile.
Both men stood speechless for a moment, until Sir Jamie noticed that his companion's jaw was nearly touching his chest. Jabbing Stephen in the gut, Jamie stepped forward to take his lady's hand and bow reverently before placing a teasing kiss on her hand. He allowed his tongue to taste her briefly before he permitted her to pull her hand away. The light kiss had sent a flush to her cheeks and she murmured something in her native language before remembering he couldn't understand her.
"Greetings my king."
Her old Anglian was far superior to his own. Stephen simply stared in confusion at the lovely vision before him, rubbing his abused stomach. He didn't know any old Anglian, but the girl herself was so distracting he doubted he'd have understood her if she were speaking his native tongue. He couldn't pull his gaze away from her slender neck and shoulders, the creamy white skin flowing down to tiny round mounds that looked as if they would slip from the bodice at any minute. He finally tore himself away when Jamie began to speak, first in Anglian, then in old Anglian.
"Stephen, this is the princess. Princess, this Stephen, my man."
The princess curtsied again as Stephen took her hand and kissed her fingertips. He didn't have the chance to linger, however, and watched Jamie enviously, as he led the girl to the dais in the great hall, seating her in the smaller chair next to the throne. Sitting next to her, stroking her hand lightly, he continued his prior conversation with Stephen, leaving the poor princess to sit in silence. She was furious! Again, he never even asked her name! Neither man noticed while Rosella fumed in silence.
"So, I need you to send word to the local towns, as we discussed."
"Yes, m'lord. I already sent my falcon ahead, so some men should be arriving soon to begin with fixing up the castle. We need to make sure that we have a well defensible position. It won't be long before someone comes along and tries to challenge your right to this kingdom."
Jamie looked at his prize princess, then at his prize castle, an intense feeling of possessiveness stealing over him. This was
his
castle,
his
lands and
his
princess. No one would be taking them from him any time soon. When his giddy gaze was not reflected in the tense features of his lovely bride, he frowned in consternation. She was awake! The spell was broken! What on earth gave her lovely lips that terse scowl? Taking her hand again, he felt her fingers stiffen in his.
"What is problem, princess? You look... not happy."
Rosella took her hand from his and stood abruptly. Gathering her skirts, she swished off in indignation, not bothering to reply to his inane question. Jamie watched her go, but wasn't terribly concerned. There wasn't anywhere she could go, and he still had details to work out with Stephen. She would come and tell him what was bothering her when she was ready, or he would seek her out when he had finished.
Rosella worked out her anger as she stomped around the empty castle, staring sadly at the dilapidated decorations and furniture that had once been her home. She saw the kitchens, where she had often snuck down to taste fresh biscuits in the morning. Now they were empty, except for the spiders and rats that lived among the old bones and glass jars. She saw the vacant solar, the dusty books and ratty loom, her father's leather arm chair where he would read poetry to her and her mother in the evenings. Rosella sank down to the floor and began sobbing, the pain of her loss still fresh.
All of a sudden she began to feel very dizzy. Rosella put a hand on her forehead, noting a slight flush creeping over her. It felt somewhat familiar, but she couldn't place it. She tried to crawl over to a nearby armchair, but simply didn't have the energy. Laying her cheek against the cool stone floor, she closed her eyes, sinking into a deep, dreamless slumber.
*********************************************** Jamie and Stephen were finalizing their strategies for protecting the new kingdom when the sky abruptly clouded over. The dark clouds were a surprise, since the morning had risen with nary a cloud for miles. Jamie didn't know what to make of it, until Stephen's sharp gasp caught his attention.
