Chapter 3: The Citadel Wilds
That evening the Dowager Duchess presided over a dinner in honor of the princess. As honored guest Fiona was seated at the long table next to Jacob. It was not lost on either of them that Jacob's mother's insistence on following protocol put the two of them next to each other. Fiona enjoyed her meal and engaged in conversation with Jacob and his vassals who sat near to her. The two elderly men had known her father when he was a Page and later Squire to Jacob's grandfather and tried their best to entertain her with stories of their childish exploits. They set her to giggling at images of her papa as a little boy getting into mischief. Every time she stole a glance to her left toward Jacob and was able to catch his eye, he'd give her a smile or nod in encouragement. Duchess Anna, however, had a deep scowl on her face every time she saw Jacob and the Princess exchange glances from the other end of the table. Fiona was determined not to let it take all the joy out of what was an otherwise pleasant meal.
"Lord Santos, I do wish that I had known these stories when I was a child and getting into trouble!" Fiona exclaimed. "I am now more sure than ever that Papa and I were kindred spirits. He just had learned to hide it by the time I was the one that required discipline."
"I am sure he would not have approved of us telling such secrets to his daughter when you were a child, princess," responded Lord Adrian.
"He certainly would not have appreciated his own Page knowing," Jacob said, smiling.
"Ha! You are right, I'm sure. He had to maintain his dignity!"
"Your father left us all too soon, my dear. Our old duke as well."
"Not that your brother and our dear Jacob here are not completely capable men, of course. But we miss William and Benjamin."
"I miss them, too," the princess agreed, tears in her eyes.
Lords Santos and Adrian looked at each other in consternation having caused their beloved princess to cry.
"My dear princess, we do apologize. We should have known that speaking of your father might cause you pain."
"No, my lords, it is I who should apologize. You have entertained me with wonderful stories of my beloved papa. I will treasure them. I like to be able to smile at his memory, but the wound of his loss still opens unexpectedly. It is hardly your fault."
"It is quite all right, Your Highness.
"How long do you expect to be here with us on Citadel," Lord Santos asked. "It is not often we have such illustrious visitors as yourself."
"Never any so beautiful, it's certain."
"My goodness, aren't you the charming ones?
"His Grace tells me that my dear brother insists I stay here until I am healed of my wounds," Fiona said, inclining her head towards Jacob. "I was told by Jake's field surgeon that would be several weeks. I don't know that I agree. The surgeon here in the Kype seems far more optimistic. I do tend to heal more rapidly than most. I have some healing magic of my own that helps to speed things up.
"Not that I am in a hurry to go. I want to see more of Citadel," Fiona met Jacob's eyes as she spoke. "My father always spoke highly of it. Of the people and of the natural beauty."
"That is good to know, princess. We would love to have you visit more frequently."
"Yes. I'd love that, too," Fiona said, making eye contact with Jacob again and smiling shyly.
After dinner everyone was invited into the music room to enjoy some entertainment. A small ensemble played and couples started dancing. Lord Santos asked Fiona to dance and soon she was twirling and laughing in his arms. She danced the next round with Lord Adrian and then found herself Jacob's partner for a reel that left her breathless and giggling. The next dance was slower to allow the dancers to rest. Jacob held Fiona close in his arms. She rested her head on his shoulder and sighed in contentment, feeling safe in his embrace.
"You seem tired, princess," Jacob murmured to her as they gently swayed together.
"Oh. I guess I am. It has been a very full day," she said, gazing up into his blue eyes.
"My mother tried to have you moved out of the Lady's Chamber."
"That... that doesn't surprise me, Your Grace."
"I stopped the move. I would like... well, if you want to sleep in the Lady's Chamber... I mean. I understand." Jacob got more embarrassed as he spoke and then fell silent.
Fiona looked into his face, her brows arched. He could see from the smile in her violet eyes and the mischievous curve of her lips that she had no intention of making this conversation easy for him.
"What I'm trying to say is... of course it's your choice about where you sleep, but I would welcome you in my bed... ." Jacob's ears burned pink and he squeezed his eyes shut as they danced.
"Of course I don't want rumors to fly around Citadel," Fiona informed him. "My mother will not be pleased, to say the least, should it become common knowledge that we have been intimate.
"Because of that, I do think it will be best if Elias escorts me back to the Lady's Chamber this evening."
"Of course, Your Highness," Jacob agreed, but he could feel his heart constrict in his chest.
Fiona circled her hands behind his neck and pulled his head down so his ear was next to her lips. "I'll be discrete when I come to you later."
Jacob sighed in relief and grinned at her.
"But don't be surprised when news gets back to your mother. The Dowager Duchess will not keep our secret for long. Especially if I do not inform Edward first myself."
"But once Edward knows, I will be forced to leave Citadel. I can't leave you, Jake. Not now that we've finally shared our love."
The dance ended at Sir Bartholomew asked to dance with the princess and both Jacob and Fiona happily obliged. Jacob partnered with Lady Amber who made sure to let him know how much she liked the princess, giving him her seal of approval. Next Jacob danced with his mother. The dowager was far less enthusiastic about Jacob and his princess.
"Jacob. Dear Jacob," the Duchess said as she danced with him, "you know very well that a relationship with the princess can only end in sorrow. For both of you."
"Mother, I really don't want to talk about it. She and I are both adults now. What we do together is no one's concern but ours."
"That is not true and you know it. She is Princess Royale and regardless of her age the Crown is Warden of her body until she marries. You must send the girl back to Terra. Or you must return to your army immediately. You cannot be together. Better to end it now than to let it continue."
"I already know what you think, mother. No need to hash it out again."
"Very well, Jacob. Then what should we talk about?"
"How is the Memorial Park you are planning in father's honor coming along?"
***
The following day dawned crisp and glorious. The sky over the city of Citadel was cloudless and an intense blue, the sun and the smallest sliver of a crescent of one of the moons shining down on the land below. Jacob decided to declare a Free Day for the city, not least because he had promised Fiona that he would show her his home.
"What do you want to see, princess," Jacob asked Fiona once he'd sent Elias to inform the city guards of the Free Day so that the news could be spread.
"I want to see the land around your city. I want to see the Wilds. Will you take me there?"
"Of course, my love."
They went down to the stables where Jake had two horses saddled for them and they set out along the groomed paths, across the green landing fields, and down to the broad boulevard of trees leading to the unsullied Wilds of Citadel. They dismounted and tied the horses at the edge of the ancient forest. The trees towered over them, the leaves just starting to change to the colors of autumn. Jacob and Fiona walked silently together, fingers entwined, in the dappled sunshine that filtered to the ground.
"Do you visit here very often, Jacob?" Fiona's voice sounded even more musical next to the sounds of birds and the wind that rustled the leaves of the wood.
"Not as often as I'd like," Jacob acknowledged. "Father would bring me here when I was small, before I went to Terra to be page to your father. And I would visit every time I came home while I was Squire. But in the two years since... well, since I became Duke, I haven't come here as often. I've been wrapped up in the war." Jacob turned a sad smile on her. "And the happy memories make me miss father even more."
Fiona brought his fingers to her mouth and kissed them softly, her violet eyes sad at their shared loss.
"I am sorry, Jake. In my own pain at losing Papa, I forget that you lost your father, too."
"The Emperor has a lot to answer for," Jake said, his voice fierce.
"Yes, he does. But not today," Fiona said, her eyes bright.
"I want to feel the earth on my toes," she said, releasing his hand and sitting down on a felled tree. She drew off her shoes and then her stockings. Then she stood, arms outstretched, and dug her toes into the dark loam of the forest floor, a contented smile on her face.
"Beautiful Citadel. I already love you," she murmured.
"Take your boots off, Jake," she directed him. "You need to feel Citadel's life through your feet. I know you can taste it on your tongue right now. And breath it into your lungs. And smell how alive it is. But you need to feel it on your feet."
He looked at Fiona, one eyebrow arched, but did as he was told. He sat and pulled off his boots and socks and placed them neatly next to where Fiona had placed her shoes and stockings. Then he stood and buried his toes, letting out a long breath and then sucked one in and opened his eyes in wonder.
"Fi. Fi. How did you know," he whispered.
"Jake. I... Jake, I don't know how I know. I just do. You need to feel Citadel on your skin. It gives you strength.
"Let's walk a bit."
They walked for several minutes, hand-in-hand, the only sounds of nature around them.
"Do you remember when I used the Land Law magic when I was a little girl?"
"Of course, beloved," Jake said, smiling. "How could I forget? You saved my life."
