Bonds that Burn and Bind

Chapter 5 Part 1

AN; Literally my jaw is one the floor thanks for the 80 votes and 227 reads. If you haven't noticed our story went through a little of a name change. My dumb butt meant to name it Bonds that Burn and Bind not Bounds that Burn and Bind. Anyways, I hope you enjoy this chapter!

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Four years ago, I left this very courtyard to journey to Incartha to meet my prince. As I gazed at Orin in this present moment, I felt like the 15-year-old girl who had first met him back then. And I found myself slipping into the memories of that time. However, the passage of time, along with the influence of fear, pain, and the perspective of my younger self, had caused some of those memories to fade and others to become distorted.

The courtyard buzzed with a new sort of activity I wasn't accustomed to. Men, loading supplies onto wagons and securing personal effects to carriages. I sat upon Night, my black mare, watching it all. A golden-haired boy of around 18 with a face coated in freckles stopped to look up from his task of caring grain to offer me a wide grin.

"I heard you're a good shot with the arrow," he said. "Is it true?"
A man appeared beside him before I could answer, also clad in similar armor. He looked just like the boy but 20 years older and battle-scarred. He slapped the back of the boy's head, and the boy started.

"You best get back to loadin' that grain Jamie or I'm sendin' you packin' home with your ma!" The man did a shallow bow. "Apologies for my son, m'lady."

"It's fine," I said as he dragged the boy away, with the sack still slung over his shoulders.
The sound of hoofs announced my parent's arrival while they crossed the courtyard from the direction of the stables, before pulling their horses alongside mine, positioning the beasts so their flanks were pressed up against each other.
My mother's dress pushed up her generous breasts, while a pearl headdress pulled back the waves of her black hair into a net. Jewels sparkled on her fingers and throat. She embodied beauty and grace—making even the ugliest features I had inherited from her, somehow beautiful.

My father dawned his usual black leathers, with a fur cape with a golden clasp draping his shoulders.

"Are you sure that you can't come, my love?" She asked him, leaning over to plant her mouth onto his. I turned away in disgust as wet, smacking sounds filled my ears.

"I could, if you delayed your trip," my father replied, ending their kiss. "But you seemed very set on this departure date and landin' in a harbor at least a month's ride from your destination. What are you schemin', my love?"

"Must I always be scheming?" my mother purred.

" My daughter should see as much of her new country as possible. And this time of year is perfect for travel, no?"

"You scheme in your sleep, my love. How else would you have managed to get royal matches for all our children, despite our precarious position in noble society? But it's one of many things I love about you."

A few years before my birth and during the Hancon's treacherous invasion of Dalmar, my father had used his knack for sneaking things around undetected to deliver supplies to Dalmar's troops in their hour of need. King Jamie, the Dragon Heart, had rewarded my father, for his aid, with a title and lands.
My mother patted the side of my father's face in answer.

"Just be careful, my love." my father warned. "Mothers are the most vicious kind of creature when it comes to their young."
" I know, I am a mother to five." She kissed his cheek "But no mother is as vicious or as dangerous as me."

He laughed in response.

The mercenary who had dragged the boy away moments ago reappeared at my father's side before I could ask what they were talking about.
"M'lord, we are ready to leave at your command!"
My father turned towards the crowd gathered along the courtyard's edges, focusing on the spot my siblings occupied. "Boys. Viv. Come say goodbye to your sister. She and your mother are gettin' ready to leave."