The King's Bride

We Need To Talk

Everleigh walks into Jensen's study, early one morning, after his meeting with Josh and Mackenzie, wanting to talk to him. He sees her and smiles, as he stands and walks over to her, kissing her softly.

-"What are you doing here? I thought you were out riding."

-"There's something I want to talk to you about."

Jensen leads her to the chairs near his desk and motions for her to take a seat, sitting down next to her.

-"What do you need?"

-"As you know, I don't have any family left. Which means I won't have any family present at the wedding." - She sees him nodding, encouraging her to continue. -"Despite that, there's someone I wish to have at the wedding. Someone who reached out a hand when I needed it the most. This is someone that, if it hadn't been for them, I don't think I would've make it this past few months."

-"Whoever this person is, they are more than welcome in our home, and I owe them a debt of gratitude for taking care of you when I didn't. Just say the word and I will go and get them myself."

-"She would have a heart attack if you did, trust me." - She chuckles before turning serious again. -"I wanna invite Lucia, the tavern owner I told you about. She offered me a room to stay in as well as a job, when she could've easily turn me away and let me fend for myself. Do you think that would be alright?"

-"Of course. If she is important to you, then she is important to me. I will let Mackenzie know to send an invitation to her." - He holds her hand.

-"Actually, this one I should do in person."

-"Alright. But can I ask why?"

-"Because when I told her what had happened to me, I just told her I was supposed to marry a powerful man. I never told her that that man was the King. I need to be the one to tell her and make sure she isn't too upset with me for not telling her the whole truth."

-"Ah, I see. Well, let me know when you want to go and I'll talk to Josh to get an escort together to take you." - This surprises Everleigh.

-"Just like that?" - She hears him chuckling.

-"Yes, just like that. Everleigh, you are more than capable of making your own decisions, as you have always done. I only ask that, if you are to travel outside the walls of the Castle, you take an escort with you and for that to happen we need to let Josh know where and when you're going so he can assess how many men he needs to take, for your protection. That's all."

-"Thank you. You have no idea how much that means to me."

-"I know we're not married yet, but I have no intention of letting anything happen to you, married or not. You are to be my wife and Queen, your safety is important to me."

Everleigh leans over and kisses him, telling him she loves him and thanking him again. Jensen smiles at her and tells her he loves her too, and that he will speak with Josh as soon as they are done.

They stand and after one last kiss, Everleigh leaves, wondering how Lucia will react once she learns the full truth.