To Kiss a King 2

Chapter 11

Chapter 11 

Fiora waved as Erickson left then turned her attention towards his mother. 

“What a sweet boy.” Suzan smiled and rolled up her sleeves. 

“Indeed...” Fiora drawled as she considered how to ask this next question. 

“He has been a very good friend to Rafael and I both.” 

Suzan just nodded. 

“Did you enjoy the feast last night?” 

“I would have cooked it differently my self.” Suzan admitted stuffily.

“Erickson seemed to enjoy the party...Did you?” 

Suzan furrowed her brow and glanced at Fiora “What is it you want to ask me dear?” 

Fiora blanched. “How did you?!...” She cleared her throat.

“Darling, I’ve been around for an awfully long time- now out with it.” 

Fiora licked her lips nervously “Well, I.. Erickson came to fetch me right before the ceremony and I was with a woman. Erickson seemed to know her and she him. It was just all very odd and I can’t quite get the moment out of my head you see.” 

Suzan moved about the kitchen busily “Did the girl have brown hair and large gray-green eyes?” 

Fiora bobbed her head quickly “Golden brown hair is more like it and her name was Nora-” 

At the mention of her name Suzan froze then turned sadly to Fiora “Yes, I dare say my boy knows her. Far too well-” 

“I knew it!” Fiora proclaimed triumphantly. 

“Theres is a sad story, to be sure... but it’s not my place to tell it. Erickson will reveal it when he is ready.” 

“What’s this?!” The familiar masculine velvety voice floated in through the kitchen. 

“Rafael!” Fiora couldn’t help but squeal. 

“There I was awaking from a glorious sleep to find my little dove no where to be found!” Rafael joked from the doorway. 

He was still standing in his night shirt and cut off breeches...frankly it was intoxicating. His strong jaw was tight with the sly smile he was giving her now. She couldn’t help but make her way over to him. 

“You can imagine my distress!” He continued taking her swiftly into an embrace. 

“I’m ever so sorry! It was supposed to be a surprise...but I wanted to make you breakfast! Like a proper wife.”  

“Ahh!” Rafael released her and headed towards the plate on the wooden counter. 

Fiora sidled up beside him and observed the admittedly bleak over cooked egg. 

“I’m sorry - I’m not used to cooking the tricky foods you are accustomed to here.” She pouted. 

“That’s alright” He swiftly placed a kiss at the top of her head and quietly added

“It wasn’t exactly food I was after this morning, I was hoping to get a fill of something else....” 

Fiora looked up into his smoldering green eyes and felt herself blush all over.  Just as she broke eye contact she was quickly and almost roughly swung up into Rafael’s strong arms. 

“Ahhh!” She let out a scream.

“Excuse me Suzan- but I’ll be taking my wife now.” He inclined his head majestically as if he wasn’t cradling a woman in his arms.  

“Put me down!” Fiora tried to keep her voice stern but couldn’t help the giggle that followed. 

“Never!” Rafael stated fiercely as they left the kitchen. 

“You must!” 

“No, I never will! I shall hold you prisoner in my arms for the rest of eternity and your dainty little feet will never touch the ground!” 

Fiora laughed openly “Now you’re just being foolish!” 

“Yes I know. I feel awfully foolish today!” 

“How I love you, you foolish man.” She whispered into his chest.