Crowns of Flame and Ice - Book One

(9) Lil Red

The next morning I awoke, startled by the deep sleep I'd fallen into and the lack of nightmares that had chased me. Glancing around I realised I was in my room, the sheer gossamer curtains fluttering in the breeze. My stomach did a silly little flip as I realised I'd been tucked into my bed and a thin blanket had been laid over me. I must've fallen asleep in the kitchen. The pleasant throb at the apex of my thighs told me last night hadn't been a dream. A little embarrassed I shuffled lower under the covers, pulling the soft material over my nose as if to shelter me from what happened. Then a realisation hit me... was I supposed to help him? I'd heard of certain acts someone could do with a man from gossiping courtiers and passing noblewomen but I didn't really understand what they meant. Things you could do with your hands and mouth... I didn't quite understand the mechanics of it. I didn't even know someone could do that with their fingers, I guess I'd never thought about it before, never cared to. But.. oh gods, how was I going to look him in the eyes ever again? He was so sweet and kind, someone who enjoyed art and he'd teased and coaxed me with his fingers - making me feel things I'd never felt before. What he'd admitted he thought about... I never expected anyone to say something like that out loud, especially not James. And what I'd said? Gods... fucking whisky. My mind wandered to Quilo then, who had no issue with flirting with anyone and anything that walked. Had he done such things with anyone? The thought was startling enough that I threw myself out of bed and quickly began preparing for the day.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

An hour later I stood in front of my bed glancing around at the sad-looking things dotted around my room. "What are we going to do with you?" I ask the plants who despite the fact I seem to spend most of my time caring for them are never happy. The lack of response had me storming over to a particularly expensive monstera and demanding what's the matter with it as I filled the bottom tray with water. "Sorry" I murmur through a cringe as I snip off some smaller leaves in an attempt to get it to push out some new growth. My plant collection had to be worth a lot by now, there were no shops in Vauxhaven that sold them and therefore they all had to be imported from other territories. As a result, I took clippings from the plants that allowed me to propagate them and placed them into little jars and vases of water in order to cut down costs. It wasn't like I couldn't afford to have them brought in, I just felt guilty sending boats out for plants so I didn't do it very often. "Ouch fuck you! You spiky little prick" I shout clutching onto my finger as I jump back, "I was just trying to water your ugly ass." I avoided cacti altogether but especially this one, it hated me, it was that plant that I always just left in the corner and just pretended like it didn't exist because I would feel too guilty if i threw it away. Perhaps I'd put it under Quilo's pillow while he was here.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Half an hour later I was dressed in workout clothing that was slightly more revealing than my usual attire which was currently still in the washing basket. It didn't matter, the few more inches of skin would only prove as a distraction for whoever would train me today. Weaving the strands of hair into a single loose plait behind my head with a hair tie between my teeth I made my way down the halls, noting a few disapproving glances from girls dresses in flimsy frilly dresses. Were they upset because of the skin I was showing? After what felt like an eternity of offering everyone who glanced in my direction sour-sweet smiles, I finally reached the doors to the training ring.

You would've thought that it would be an honor to train a member of the royal family but like many of the other outside trainers I've had, this mans face showed boredom and disdain. His dirty dark green tunic, baggy trousers, dark skin and rugged features were nothing out of the ordinary. However what did catch my attention was the deep silvery car across his face, marking him as perhaps a worthy opponent. I'd always appreciated the story scars told, a map of adventure and triumph. Deciding it probably wasn't polite to stare at him for too long and make him uncomfortable I grab the cool hilt of my new sword and tug it from my weapons rack against the wall. "That sword is way too big for you, it's more suited for well... a man with a larger physique. Perhaps you'd be better off with a dagger instead?" the man suggested from across the room, it'd be one of those days then. "Tell me something..." I start "Sean" he adds. I give a Cheshire cat grin, twirl the sword easily and begin sauntering towards him with the blade trailing behind me. "Tell me something Sean, how long have you been training for?" I ask, noting the way he begins to shift on his feet. "30 years" Sean replies. I pause in front of him, press the sword into the dusty ground and prop my chin on top of a fist on the hilt. 30 years... and yet he couldn't realise that I was more than capable of using this sword. How disappointing. Sean has the good sense to look slightly nervous so he murmurs "I guess you could try... perhaps you just have a general nack for weapons."