Everyone retires to their rooms after the meal, and I sit at the vanity in my room combing through my long brown hair. Voices coming from the hall, cause me to peek out of my bedroom, and in the candlelight I can hear Bonnie and Jax talking in hushed voices. "Bon you know I love you, but we met under strange circumstances" I hear Jax tell her. "Yea...you had a girlfriend when we met" Bonnie huffs. "Technically yes, I had a girlfriend. But, you have to understand, I thought I was never coming back. I left this kingdom out of fear, sadness and shame over Nox" he says softly.
"Jax, what are we gonna do? I thought I could let you go, but seeing you and Tulip together just rips me apart. I know I'm horrible for wanting you to myself, when you have a baby on the way with her" Bonnie says sadly. Jax takes her in his arms and tells her that they will get it figured out. "I love you Jax" Bonnie says quietly. Suddenly, Jax presses her up against the hallway wall and eagerly kisses her.
Deciding that the events in the hall weren't really my business, I returned to my room. "Beside's I have my own set of problems" I say to myself. "Yea? Like what?" I hear Cade say. I clutch my chest turning around to see him grinning at me. I give him a playful smack on the arm, "CADE! You scared me!" I half giggle.
He puts his hands on my hips pulling me gently towards him, and whispers in my ear, "What set of problems?" I close my eyes as I fight every desire in my body for him and whisper back, "I think you know." "Mm-hmm" he agree's faintly kissing my neck. "Cade....we can't" I say as I try to convince myself to step away. He pauses, still holding me and looks into my eyes. "Nora tomorrow I have to marry a woman who I care for as a friend, but am not in love with. The way I feel about you, I have never felt for anyone. I would like to spend my last bit of time as a bachelor with the woman I'm in love with" he says quietly. "You're in love with me?" I ask quite surprised. He smirks and nervously gives a small laugh, "Well..yea. I mean, you're incredible Nora. You think I just happened to find you guys in the forest? I didn't even know Jax was with you. Something in my heart was pulling me to you, I followed it, and found you" he says looking intently into my eyes. "Oh Cade..." I breathe, purely smitten.
He leans in kissing me tenderly as our passion quickly escalates. In an instant he pulls the lacing from gown, it loosens and slides off my body. He fervidly kisses along my neck, and down to my chest, as I let out a gasp. Suddenly I am backed against a wall, he slightly lifts me as we kiss intensely I pull his tunic off of him.
He lifts me up more, still kissing me as I throw my legs around him and he takes us towards the bed. He gives me a mild toss sending me firmly on my back onto the bed. Later, as we lay in each others arms, he gently moves a stray piece of hair from in front of my face and kisses my nose. "My darling I must return to my chambers. The servants will look for me in the morning to dress me for the wedding" he tells me in an unenthusiastic manner.
The next morning I rise and decide to check in on Bonnie, who's room is just down the hall from mine. Her bed hasn't been slept in, and no one is there. I can hear Cade speaking with the servants in a nearby room, and peek into see the servants preparing him for the wedding. "My how handsome he looks" I think to myself remembering the events of last night. "Miss Nora!" I hear Midi scold in a hushed whisper, motioning me to come with her. She brings me to Emily's room where the maids are helping the women dress. Emily stands in the middle of her room staring into the mirror blankly.
"You look beautiful Emily" I say quietly. Emily only stares in the mirror, and doesn't even acknowledge that I'm there. "You'll have to excuse her" Tulip tells me, before gently rubbing Emily's arm. "Earth to Emily!" Tulip plays. Emily blinks and appears to realize that she was spaced out. "I'm sorry..." Emily trails off. Tulip, who is unaware that something might be bothering Emily, turns to help the other girls.
"Is everything ok?" I ask Emily. She nods without making a sound, then quietly says, "I know what I must do for my kingdom." "But...you don't love Cade?" I carefully ask. She quickly turns to look at me and responds in a rather insulted manner, "Nora! How can you ask me such a question?" She glances around the room to see that no one is in ear shot, then leans down and whispers, "Of course not, well not in that way. He is an old friend of mine that is all. But I must do what I need to for the kingdom." Our conversation is interrupted as the maids begin shooing everyone out to leave for the wedding.
The ceremony guests are few, but the room is beautifully decorated. We all take a seat as the service is about to begin. The King and Queen take their place at the front and the proceedings for their resignation commence.
They place their crowns on two large pillows and each have a seat, as Cade then takes his place at the front of the ceremony. The royal friar begins his speech about the King and Queen's wonderful reign. "I am happy to announce the wedding ceremony will now commence as Prince Cade of Learia weds our beautiful Princess Emily. The two will then take part in a private coronation and their public debut will be announced this evening" the royal friar explains.
A soft tune is played and Princess Emily glides down the aisle to meet the Prince. We rise as she enters and bow as she passes us by. Upon reaching Prince Cade she turns to stand before him, as the royal friar begins the wedding. The ceremony speech is heart felt, but Cade and Emily stand straight faced as they say their vows and exchange their rings.
"Prince Cade Meadowstone, you may now kiss your bride" the royal friar tells them. Cade takes a deep breath, leans over and gives Emily a small, quick kiss on the lips. They give each other a nod as the royal party claps with approval. The coronation follows and they sign the royal documents. A royal member of the court adjusts Emily's hair and places the crown on her head. Another member of the court places Cade's crown on his head and they turn to face us. The royal friar proudly announces to the congregation, "Sirs and ladies of the royal court, men and women of the royal family, and close friends...May I now present his illustrious highness King Cade and Queen Emily Meadowstone of Brendlewood. May your reign be long, and your hearts be pure. All hail King Cade, long live the King!" The congregation stands and repeats, "Here, here! All hail King Cade! Long live the King!" We bow as the royal fanfare sounds. Cade takes Emily by the hand, and they walk down the aisle out of the room.
Before anyone is even able to leave a disheveled looking guard bursts through the doors, and everyone gasps. "How dare you intrude on a royal ceremony!" the friar bellows. Novus puts up his hand to hush the friar, what news do you have sir?" he asks the guard. The guard approaches Novus and explains his findings. The royal guards located, and brought back a woman they found at the edge of the kingdom. "From what they can gather your highness, it looks as if it's the queen we were searching for. She bares a crown but it seems her guard has beaten her bloody and stolen Brendlewood funds, for they were no where on her person" the guard explains. Novus strokes his beard in silence for a moment and orders the guard to bring her to the servants quarters of the castle. "Make sure she is comfortable. We need her well and rested if we are to retrieve any information about all of this from her" Novus instructs the guard.
Standing Novus addresses the small crowd advising us that this is no worry to us, and he will be informing the King immediately. I hear him whisper to Cirrus, "Who knows what this woman is capable of. With Cade and Emily's help we must keep the kingdom safe."
great chapter :D can't wait for the next one!! the next few chapters are gonna be interesting :D
ReplyDeleteaw the marriage happened anyway.... oh well...
ReplyDeletenow to see this horrible thief