Avery is the third born child to the late King Aethelwulf. Youngest sister to Alfred. She longed for more freedom. To be able to fight like her brothers and be free from her destiny of being forced to marry some fat old lord for the promise of men o...
The following morning when Avery had awoken on the couch in the library, her whole body seemed to ache after her uncomfortable sleep. Her mind was running at a hundred miles an hour, she had learned so much about her husband, how he apparently had other children and she needed to talk to him. But she knew that was impossible while he was drunk. He wouldn't listen, but maybe James would tell her the answers she needed to know.
Sneaking out of the library and avoiding all of the staff she returned to her marital chambers. Of course, Gregor was in a deep sleep, and she managed to change from her night gown into another one of her dresses, this one another shade of purple and she covered it with a hood. She wanted to leave the confines of these walls, get away from the whispers of everyone watching her like a hawk. She left the room, leaving her husband sleeping as she walked through the halls. Her eyes scanning the rooms for James. She knew he could never lie to her, especially to her face.
"Princess Avery, I wasn't expecting to see you so early this morning." His voice was a blessing, and she was unable to hide her smile when James had found her instead.
"I am planning to go for a walk around the woods until lunch and I was hoping you would accompany me. It looks like it is going to be a nice day for it." Her hands settled on her bump again and he smiled at the action, she was going to be a perfect mother.
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"Of course. Lead the way." His right hand settled on the pommel of his sword, ready to protect her in a single moment if anything were to happen. He walked beside her and at her pace, not wanting her to overexert herself in her condition.
As soon as they were hidden in the cover of the various trees she slowed her pace even more, James instantly adjusting to match her. He knew she was about to ask him something. He knew all of her tells, the way she would nervously pick around her fingernails before preparing to bring something up.
"I overheard you speaking last night. I couldn't sleep so went in search of something to read in the library." He instantly knew what she was talking about. And a gentle hand moved to settle on her arm, stopping her footsteps and stopping in front of her.
"I am sorry you had to find out like this. I never wanted you to find out, I was hoping to protect you. The both of you." His hand settled on her arm moved to her bump and she sighed happily.
"I wish my husband acted and behaved more like you. I just hope he will be a better father than he is a husband." Of course, she knew deep down she could have it a lot worse. Him bedding other women was a small insult compared to what most married women were put through. At least he didn't force himself on her. It was just a shame how quickly things had changed; he was the perfect partner for months and then suddenly everything changed.
"My brother is a good man. He is still dealing with all of his loss, just in his own stupid way." He had removed his own hooded cloak now, laying the fabric across a patch of the grass. "Sit. Let us just enjoy the silence for a while."
