Ash's Place

Chapter 10

Ash's POV

This is my last morning as an unmarried woman and despite tradition, I am determined to see my almost husband before the wedding. I hurriedly get dressed, choosing just a casual gray dress, pairing it with my favorite flats. I throw my hair up into a ponytail and call it good enough for today.

I quietly opened my door and peered into the hallway, relieved to find it empty this morning. Not that I am surprised, the sun isn't even up yet but I have been awake for hours. Finn stayed with me until almost midnight before he left to return to the guard's chambers. I tried to sleep after he left but sleep just would not come.

I might have dozed off for a few hours so I should feel tired but honestly, I am just excited and also a teensy bit annoyed. I am getting married! Today...

I teleport myself to the end of the hallway and quietly sneak down the stairs. I have not mastered the skill of teleporting down the stairs yet and the last time I tried, I ended up with a twisted ankle and a stubbed toe. I would prefer history to not repeat itself this morning.

I reach the bottom of the staircase and slip out the hidden door on the side. I breathe in the crisp morning air feeling it sting my lungs and nip at my exposed arms, making me wish I would have grabbed a shawl to drape over my shoulders. I slowly and quietly make my way to the small guest castle to the right of the main castle. As far as I know, Xander is the only occupant right now.

I teleport myself to the front door, not wanting to ruin my shoes from the still dewy grass. With my hand raised to knock, the door swings open and Xander almost runs into me. Our eyes meet for only a moment before a blush stains his cheeks.

"Ashlee? What are you doing here?" he whispers, as his eyes dart to the floor.

I placed my hand against his bare chest and pushed him backward into the castle. His breath catches as my fingers graze his skin before I remove my hand. I intentionally brush against him as I enter the front room and I let myself glance over his space before speaking.

"You can train later. We need to talk," I say as nonchalantly as possible despite the fact that my heart is racing from simply the feeling of his skin under my fingers.

"I...I am not supposed to see you until this evening."

I turn around to face him, "Well too bad. I need to talk to you. Sit down."

He rubs the back of his neck, and it takes all my willpower to keep my eyes on his face and to not trace the rippling muscles of his torso. He is hesitating and I am really annoyed now.

I snap my fingers and point to the chair, "Sit."

This time he listens.

"You moved the wedding up."

He softly smiles, "I did."

"I am happy you did."

He tilts his head, causing a few pieces of hair to fall into his face but sighs in relief, "Oh good, I thought you were upset with me."

I purse my lips and narrow my eyes, "I am upset with you. You didn't even talk to me."

"I didn't realize I needed to. I thought you would be happy to marry me earlier than originally planned."

I stalk toward him, and he starts to look nervous again. I press my hands onto the back of the chair, right above his shoulders and lean my face down to his, a smirk playing on my lips at his obvious discomfort.

My voice is low and dangerous as I stare into his eyes, "You do not speak for me, Alexander Canmore. If I am to be your wife, I expect you to at least consider me before making decisions that directly impact me. I am not going to be your submissive plaything."

He gulps and I continue, "Don't forget who holds the power here."

I let my magic seep from my hands and the swirls of red caress his face before forcing it to lift to mine. I move one of my hands to run my fingers down his cheek, provoking his chest to rapidly rise and fall from the contact but to his credit, he maintains eye contact with me.

I lean my lips close to his ear, "It's not you, in case you were unsure."

I straighten up slightly, calling my magic back to myself. I quickly kiss his forehead before standing all the way up, removing my hands from the back of the chair.

"For the record, I am excited to marry you. I will see you this evening...husband."

I blow him a kiss and flipping my hair over my shoulder, I stride out of the castle, leaving him a breathless mess.

I use my magic to shut the door behind me and I smile with triumphant success. I am not going to be stifled. Not even by him. Hopefully, he understands that now.

I slip my shoes off and carrying them in one hand, I turn my face up to the sky. The sun is starting to grace my world with its warming presence, sending tendrils of yellow and pink light streaking across the sky. My magic hums in my hands and I let it out, sending it to go play. It dances in the morning light, weaving and swirling across the grounds before gently wrapping itself around my hands and arms, providing me some warmth from the still cool air.

I allow my feet to guide me to my favorite place outside the castle, enjoying the feeling of the wet grass and cooled cobblestone under my feet as I enter the gardens. It doesn't take me long to find my willow tree. Sighing, I allow myself to sit at its base, the branches seeming to understand my desire for privacy at the moment as the shift to cover the path from my view.

I pat the trunk in grateful acknowledgement and lean my head back against the bark, closing my eyes as I appreciate the stillness of the gardens in the morning. As the dew from the ground soaks into my back, I think of Dahlia. She will surely be annoyed that I have dirtied another one of my dresses, but I know she doesn't really mind. Other than Finn, Dahlia is the closest thing I have to a friend. Even though she is at least forty years older than I am, she has been my handmaiden since I was a young child and I appreciate her gentle touch.

My magic continues to swirl around my body, still warming me and I sigh in contentment. I turn my palms up and allow more magic to form in my hands. I roll the strands of light between my fingers, reveling in pure power I hold in my hands before I close my eyes again.

Maybe when Xander and I ascend the throne, he will allow me to be the Queen I have always wanted to be and not force me to become like my mother. At least I have a little over two months to convince him that a submissive Queen is not what this kingdom needs and until then, I will enjoy having more power than him. Once he becomes King, he will also become my King and I will have to obey him, or risk being accused of treason.

I will just have to show him that I can still please him while also maintaining my own autonomy. Xander is different that what I thought he would be, and I am glad he was chosen to be my groom. He genuinely makes me happy. Plus, the fact that I can impact him enough to make him blush is a welcomed bonus.

Even though I have only known him for a week, I believe we can be happy together. Neither one of us wanted to be in this position but we have come to the mutual understanding that we can make it work. He obviously enjoys spending time with me too because he is constantly searching me out during the day and encouraging me when I have practices and trainings. I think he can be a good husband for me.

With the sunlight starting to stream through the branches of my dear willow tree, I debate about returning to my room, but I know as soon as I do, I will be bombarded with wedding preparations, and I want to bask in the silence for a little while longer. I let my eyes close with the pull of sleep, allowing the warm embrace of the sun to coax me into a much needed rest.