122Really? Not a single review? Oh, and this story is complete, which means daily updates!
Chapter Three
Will could lie and say he slept, but the dark circles under his eyes told more than his words could. When he returned home late last night, it was mere hours between the night and the sun rising. He heard the servant girls come into his room and quietly draw the curtains on the windows. It was still dark in his bed, as the curtains around his bed had yet to be open.
"Your grace," a squeak truly awoke Will. He opened his eyes and stretched his back. He didn't remember getting under his covers the night before, but he was still dressed in his white shirt and his loose breeches. The young servant girl slowly pushed back the curtain on his bed and peeked inside. "Your grace, it's an hour before you must leave to receive the Princess Tamzin."
"I'm aware," Will grumbled as he slid out of bed. The servant girls giggled when they saw his bare chest as he took off his shirt and Will let out an exasperated sigh. Will wasn't interested in looking his best for Tamzin. He just needed to get there. He wouldn't admit it, but all last night he dreamed of her. As much as he despised the girl (especially for not knowing her at all), Will admitted, but only to himself, that she was stunning.
The servant girls left his room as he took out a thick and warm tunic and a cloak. The frost had come early and Will took it as a bad omen. It would be a long cold season. With a quick adjustment of his new black breeches and boots, Will swept his black cloak across his shoulders. He would be riding horseback today, and the wind would be fierce. Will stared at himself in the mirror and scowled. He looked exhausted and not very kind. Will should have at least attempted to wash his hair, but he couldn't be bothered. It meant nothing to him if Tamzin found him attractive or even acceptable physically.
"It's too damn early," Garrett said as he walked through Will's door. "You look like you're going to your funeral."
"Aren't I?" Will responded as he fixed his cape out of nerves.
"That response was only slightly dramatic," Garrett chuckled. "Don't you look smashing? Didn't sleep well?"
"More like I didn't get enough sleep. I'm not interested in meeting this girl. I have to analyze the last battle. What went wrong?" Will said as he took a seat next to the window. The sun had finally just begun to rise and Will felt his stomach drop. He would have to leave any minute now and watch his future be sent down the stream. His marriage to this girl would ruin his chances of becoming an important King for his country. "We should get going."
"You could try acting more excited. She could be amazing," Garrett said as he adjusted his own black cape with the Thurston family crest on the back.
"She could also be a hassle," Will said as he began to walk out of his bedroom with Garrett in tow. Down at the end of the corridor was King Gregory and his advisers. There weren't many people that Will despised more than his father's main adviser, a short and plump man named Rainer. Rainer was a social climber and a disgusting excuse for a human being. Will never doubted that as soon as his father died, Rainer would be the first person to pluck the crown from his head and try it on before it moved onto himself.
"You better watch out that the fox Rainer doesn't steal your bride," Garrett chuckled as both men walked down the hallway. Gregory looked up at his son and his glum face.
"Long night?" He asked as he placed his hand on his son's shoulder. "Did the ladies enjoy you for the last time?"
"King Gregory, you know Will doesn't enjoy anything," Garrett scolded lightly.
"He had better enjoy his bride," Gregory warned with an even tone. "You honestly look like I'm taking you to the guillotine."
"I'm just not interested in being married," Will replied as he watched Rainer out of the corner of his eye. The man was watching him like a snake with slit eyes. "I'm only eighteen."
"I was younger than you when I married your mother. Perhaps it was our mistake and if we had waited to your age, your mother may still be alive," Gregory whispered sadly and quickly brushed tears away from his eyes. "Your mother was the one who desired peace with the Roth's more than anyone."
"I know, Father," Will said as he absentmindedly gripped the sword on his side. Will didn't like talking about his mother with most people. If he had been alone with his father, he may have felt different. If Rainer wasn't there, he wouldn't have felt as weak.
"This girl, Tamzin, she should be a delightful girl," Gregory continued with a smile. "I think your mother would have loved her."
All this talk of his mother was leaving Will in a fouler mood by the minute. He understood that his father was only talking about her to put into perspective how important it was to make his marriage with Tamzin work, but it only left a bitter taste in Will's mouth.
"Let's go," Gregory ordered the men as they walked down the back staircase towards the stables. Will's black horse waited dutifully for his master. Will smiled as he quickly jumped onto his horse's back. "Angus," he said as he brushed the black mane with his fingers.
"This is going to hurt," Garrett said as he hopped onto his horse's back and pushed his hair out of his eyes. "Do you think the Princess will be bringing her ladies?" Garrett asked very enthusiastically.
"Bored with the noble girls here? Not to mention the tavern wenches and the country girls?" Will asked as he grasped the black leather reins in his hands. His hands were calloused after long years of fighting and riding his horse.
"These are Roth girls, who are very different from Thurston girls," Garrett continued as he lightly kicked his horse's side and the party began to ride away from the castle. The people in the kingdom pulled away from the roadway that led the castle to the walls surrounding the kingdom. It was very early in the morning, so Will was surprised by how many people stood out of their homes to watch.
"They will be very excited to see the new Princess," Gregory called out as the extremely large wooden gate began to open and the group of Thurston men rode out. It had snowed the night before, and the grass was completely covered, with frozen crystals formed around each individual blade.
Will felt his lips become chapped as they rode hard against the cold wind. He was happy that he had decided to wear heavier clothes. He knew that Tamzin would not be prepared for the cold ahead, both from the weather and himself.
Tamzin opened her eyes, but their carriage was still dark. The window had begun to freeze when they entered the edges of Thurston Territory. Rupes laid curled up in her arms and Kendall and Lucy were fast asleep across from her. Next to Tamzin was her mother. She was the only one awake and the nervousness was setting in. She looked out the window of the carriage to the second one beside them that held Tamzin's father and brother.
They had been traveling for what felt like forever and the coldness seeping into the cabin made Tamzin feel sick. Slowly, Tamzin began to coax Rupes away by rubbing his side softly. The pup opened his eyes and looked directly at his owner. Tamzin smiled and scratched behind his ears before Rupes licked her hand. She prayed silently that Prince William would allow her to at least bring her dog to the court. It would be extremely lonely if Tamzin had to go completely alone. She had lost nearly all hope that she could develop a true relationship with the Prince. He viewed himself as being stuck with her.
Gemma had woken earlier and watched her daughter play with her dog in her lap. She reached over and gripped her hand. Tamzin looked at her mother, her brown eyes so sad and nearly filled with tears. Gemma tried to smile to soothe her daughter's fears, but her own sadness and guilt coated her lips and refused to let her smile. The sadness was of her child leaving her, but the guilt knew where she was sending her. Gregory seemed thrilled to have Tamzin, but the same couldn't be said about the Prince.
"It's so cold," Lucy's voice rung through the small cabin and it jerked Kendall awake. Tamzin laughed softly as Rupes nearly jumped out of his skin from Lucy's loud mouth. Kendall slapped Lucy's shoulder.
"I was sleeping!"
"How can you sleep in an icebox?" Lucy asked Kendall as both girls looked at Tamzin. "Pray for the Princess that it will be warm in the castle."
"And warm for us." Kendall looked at Tamzin and smiled. "Do you think the men in Thurston Territory are handsome?"
"Is Kendall looking to bag herself a Thurston?" Lucy teased lightly as she pinched Kendall's cheeks pink. Kendall rolled her eyes and slapped Lucy's hands away. "Tamzin has the prize pig, though."
Gemma laughed at the girls banter when she felt the carriage stop moving. They must have been on the outskirts of Thurston Territory. Gemma looked at the silent girls in the cabin with her, all of them with a fearful look on their faces.
"Girls, you must all be on your best behavior. This isn't home; this isn't Roth Territory. King Gregory is excited for you to be here, Tamzin, but the nobles in his court may not be as receptive," Gemma said as she brushed a curl out of her daughter's hair. "The Prince will love you. It may not be right away, but you're so smart and so beautiful. The best kind of love develops over time."
Tamzin smiled at her mother and adjusted her dress. It was light and lacy, appropriate for the warm climate in Roth Territory, but not here. If Tamzin didn't adjust, she would freeze.
The girls heard the footsteps of their soldiers and finally the door opened. It felt like ice had been blasted into their cabin and Tamzin shivered.
"Jesus, it's cold," Lucy whispered to Kendall and looked at Tamzin. "Do we have a cloak or anything?"
"Tam had to come in her Roth clothes and leave in Thurston clothing. It's part of tradition," Kendall whispered back to Lucy. "Tamzin, don't show them that you are cold."
Tamzin watched her mother and her friends, before her mother was the first out of the carriage. Gemma stood regal and tall as she came to view Gregory and her future son-in-law. He was only two years older than Tamzin, but he didn't look it. Will was a tall man and nearly fully bearded; his eyes showed the death he had seen, and the bags underneath of the nightmares he endured.
"Your majesty," Gregory smiled as he bowed to the Queen as she curtsied. "I wish the weather had cooperated with us. Would your husband be offended if I offered you my cloak?"
"Not at all, your majesty. We are allies now," Gemma smiled as she turned to look back at Will, who climbed down from his large black horse. "And you must be Prince William, Crowned Prince of Thurston Territory?"
"I am, your majesty," Will bowed to Gemma, but she did not curtsy. She watched him with hard eyes and these eyes frightened Will slightly. "I apologize for the weather."
"Unless you control it, I wouldn't worry," Gemma laughed as the second cabin opened. Her husband and son came out, dressed in their warmest clothes, but it wasn't enough for this difficult weather. "You know my husband, King Turner, and our son, Crowned Prince Thomas of Roth Territory," Gemma introduced as Turner walked to his wife and kissed her softly.
"Turner," Gregory smiled as the men shook hands roughly. Gemma watched as Turner whispered something into Gregory's ear and the men exchanged laughs and smiles. "Shall we sign this agreement?"
"Absolutely! Peace to our territories," Turner continued to smile as Rainer withdrew the agreement from his coat pocket. Will rolled his eyes as Rainer grinned like an idiot around King Turner. Their respective servants rushed over with a fresh quill and ink and so quickly, both kings signed their names on the contract. Will and Tamzin were now betrothed to each other, and their countries were at peace. "Shall we meet my daughter?"
Will sucked in a gulp of air and looked at Garrett, who still sat on his horse. Garrett smiled and jumped down from his horse; the cold air had reinvigorated him.
"And here we go," Garrett whispered in Will's ear as the first girl came out of the carriage. She was small and petite with long brown hair and deep brown eyes. She looked was sweet and nurturing as she curtsied to the men.
"This is Lady Kendall of the Roth Territory," Turner introduced as Kendall looked at Will and Garrett. She flushed instantly when she locked eyes with Garrett. Garrett, the ever-smooth Garrett, rushed forward and bowed before the first lady in waiting.
"Milady," he said as he kissed her hand. "I am Lord Garrett Mason of Thurston Territory. I guess you could say I am Will's man in waiting."
Will nearly snorted at Garrett's introduction and Gregory chuckled. Gemma raised her eyebrows at him and looked at her husband. This definitely wasn't Roth Territory. Kendall giggled as Garrett as he continued to kiss her hand as Gregory quickly shoved Garrett out of the way.
"Shall we continue?" He asked Turner, who was in shock at the spectacle in front of him.
"Of course, your grace. This is Lucy," Turner continued as a voluptuous blonde descended almost dramatically down the steps. Her white dress didn't cover much and Will looked to Garrett for his reaction. He was still smitten with Kendall and didn't even look at the lovely Lucy. Will wasn't interested much in Lucy and she eyed Rainer almost disgustedly. "She is my daughter's final lady-in-waiting. Finally, this is my daughter: Princess Tamzin Roth of the Roth Territory and future Crowned Princess of Thurston Territory," Turner smiled broadly and Will locked eyes on the open carriage.
A young girl stepped slowly down the stairs. Turner rushed forth and offered his hand to his daughter. Tamzin smiled brightly at her father, and Will felt like he had been punched in the stomach. It wasn't a painful experience, but she was as beautiful as her portrait. Her skin was pink from the cold and it contrasted beautifully with her chestnut curls that framed her round face. Her white dress was longer, in comparison to her ladies, but the lace made her shiver from the cold. Will watched as Gregory approached Tamzin and she curtsied as he bowed.
"Words haven't properly conveyed your beauty, Princess," Gregory said as he kissed Tamzin's hand. "My son is a lucky man."
Tamzin blushed, and the heat flooded her cheeks. She peered at Will beneath her long eyelashes and Gregory followed her gaze. Gregory looked at Turner and Gemma with a smile.
"William, come meet your bride!" Gregory said joyfully as he extended his hand to him. Garrett smirked and pushed his friend forward when Will was taking too long. Will stumbled to his father and Tamzin, his jaw set from his humiliation. "And this is my son and heir, Crowned Prince William of Thurston Territory."
Will extended his hand to Tamzin. She, nervously, let him take her hand as he pressed his lips to the back of her hand. She smelt good, like fresh sheets in a warm bed, and her skin was soft underneath his chapped lips. Will came to stand up straight, but kept their fingers locked.
"Your hand is warm," Tamzin said without thought and shivered when an icy blast hit the royal families. Without thinking, Will withdrew his hand and unclasped his cloak. He stepped closer and wrapped her in his cloak. It was hefty and overcame her small frame, but she seemed grateful for the warmth. "Thank you," Tamzin said meekly as she wrapped her arms across her chest beneath the cloak. "Would it be possible for my ladies and my dog to accompany me to your kingdom?" Tamzin asked with eager, but nervous eyes.
Will looked behind him to his father for guidance, but Gregory wouldn't meet his eyes. Will looked back at Tamzin and the small pug that sat at the edge of the carriage and watched his owner earnestly.
"What's his name? Your dog?" Will asked as he observed Tamzin with a keen interest.
"Rupes," Tamzin smiled as she looked behind her at her pug. "He was my present for my fourteenth birthday. I love dogs."
"Well, since you seem to love him so much, Rupes is more than welcome in my kingdom, as are your ladies," Will said as he smiled with a closed mouth. He didn't quite trust himself around this siren and kept his distance. Tamzin didn't feel the same way as she rushed up to him, her smile shined brightly, and hugged him. Her womanly body pressed up against him and Will breathed in the flowery scent of her hair.
"Thank you," Tamzin said as she pulled away and grinned again. She curtsied again and Will looked around awkwardly.
Gregory smiled at his son and Tamzin's first interaction. He looked at Turner and Gemma's sad face.
"Shall we return to my palace to prepare for this wedding?" Gregory asked with a broad smile. "I think we have made a fine match."