Love and War

11: Jonah

Jonah's POV:
Elise who greeted us yesterday upon our arrival led me to her small house on the edge of the village.

It was small and had two bedrooms, a small kitchen and a living room similar to the one we were staying in and where Anastasia was still sleeping.

It was around 9 am. I was used to waking up very early everyday but she clearly slept a lot.

"Here." She motioned towards a small table where she laid out a quill, some paper and an envelope.

"Thank you." I said sitting down in front of that.

"Well I'll leave you to it." She said with a small smile and disappeared into her bedroom.

I turned to the paper and quill and began writing.

Dear King Ian,
My advisor and I ran into some complications along the way and we are now residing in redwood village. We will be leaving here soon and arriving at your palace in a couple days. I apologize for the delay but this meeting is very urgent hence we shall have it anyways. We shall have it upon my arrival. Again my apologies for our delay but prepare for our arrival soon.
-Prince Jonah

I sealed the envelope and pocketed it to go mail it when Anastasia rose from her slumber.

Her black hair was still in yesterday's hairdo but many hairs were out of place and her cheeks were rosy from being in bed. She wore a mid-length white nightgown and slippers and she stretched and yawned. She saw me and tilted her head in question.

"I was writing a letter to the kings about our arrival."

"Oh well, can I read it?" She asked stepping towards me.

I shook my head no. "There isn't anything interesting in here anyways..."

"Yeah just like you I suppose." She said walking into the kitchen. Wow just woke up and already throwing insults my way.

I followed her into the kitchen where she started cutting a few pieces of bread.

"Takes one to know one Mousey," I answered making her glare at me. I stepped closer to her, her side was now pressed to my front and she paused. She gazed up at me and we stayed staring at each other for a moment.

"You're such a pain. Has anyone told you that before?" She asked.

"I don't usually tolerate when people speak to me the way you do Anastasia," I said using her name for once. She bit her lip and I almost forgot what I was saying. "Normally I'd punish them for it perhaps..." My hand came up to sweep her hair off her shoulder she looked surprised but her breathing got faster as I trailed my hand slowly down her back. I could see her erect nipples through the thin nightgown and my pants were suddenly becoming too tight.

We never broke eye contact as I said "Perhaps it's time for your punis-"

"Ahem." I stood straight and tucked my hands behind my back. Anastasia gulped and turned to heat her bread up on the stove.

I turned to meet a pair of amused eyes. Elise stood there hands on her hips.

"Sorry, I must go," I asked suddenly, a bit embarrassed.

What was I about to do with Anastasia just now?

I could not believe myself. Had it been so long since I slept with a woman that I threw myself at Anastasia? At Mouse Girl? I was in disbelief and quickly composed myself. I would never allow myself to go to that place with her again.

She nodded. "Don't worry about it. Would you like some breakfast?"

I glanced back at Anastasia who was serving her bread on a plate and grabbing some milk. "Forgive me but no. I am not much of a breakfast person."

Anastasia now holding her plate and drink breezed over to the small wooden table to eat. She didn't spare me a second look and just started eating quietly.

I shook my head and left.

Before I shut the door I heard her speaking to Elise. "Just tell me what the hell you were thinking inviting him to breakfast? I'm glad he declined but why?"

Elise giggled and sat down beside her. I stayed with the door only slightly open enough that I could hear and see them but they couldn't see me.

"Look I was just being nice plus I thought you two had something."

Anastasia laughed. "Me and him? Never."

"But that's not what it looked like when I came in."

"No, you were just seeing him being an egotistical prick." She said pointing at Elise with her bread.

I shut the door quietly and almost laughed out loud. I walked to the mailbox and placed my envelope in it. On the walk back I remembered what she said and couldn't help the grin on my face.

***
The cool afternoon air blew past as I sat at on the house's porch with Landon. He was sculpting something with some wood and a knife, his brows furrowed and lips tight in concentration. His red hair fell and created a curtain around his head as he looked down at the little figure he was creating.

He always did that. He made little wooden people and animals, he has a talent for it.

I looked straight ahead and saw 2 young boys and a girl walking side by side. They couldn't have been older than 10, the girl seemed a bit younger probably 7 or 8. They each held a bow and arrow and were walking towards someone.

They were walking towards Anastasia who smiled at them. She hugged each one and I could see her pull out a wooden circle with a red dot painted in the middle like a target.

She pulled out her own bow and arrow and aimed. She was far away and the target was small, there was no way she'd make it especially with all the wind. I sat watching curious to see if she would make it and defy the odds.

She took a deep breath and pulled the arrow back. She let it go and it flew through the air and to my surprise it landed straight onto the red dot. She smiled and the children congratulated her.

She was brilliant with a bow and arrow.

The little girl seemed to be asking her a question and Anastasia nodded. The children waited excitedly and she looked back at them while aiming the arrow to the target behind her.

There's no way she'll be able to do that.

She couldn't even see it. But she did make it.

I don't think I've ever seen such raw talent. Dimitri is an amazing warrior but not even he has that aim.

I watched all afternoon as she taught the 3 kids. Why I was so interested I don't know, but I was. Landon stopped carving soon to watch too and he was also amazed.

He went inside soon after but I stayed.

***