The Queen's Guard

Chapter 21

Though the contract had been signed for days, its announcement to the public made the impending marriage starkly real. No matter how hard Carina and Maya tried to see it as a mere professional decision, they couldn't escape the incessant chatter. Every greeting Carina received began with congratulations, a constant reminder of her impending nuptials. Even on the training grounds, Maya was surrounded by chatter of the queen's marriage to the new king, the gossip ceaseless and inescapable.

The wedding was designed as a strategic move, an event for the people to rally behind, ensuring their support for the union with the neighboring kingdom. Measures had been in place for months to ease the public into the idea of uniting with their neighbors. Promises of prosperity and better times had been made, and the people, having faith in their queen who had always delivered on her promises, began to celebrate in anticipation of the wedding.

Even after just a few days the kingdom was alive with preparations, streets adorned with flowers and banners, musicians practicing their celebratory tunes, and bakers crafting intricate confections. The air buzzed with excitement, a collective hope. Carina, though burdened by the weight of her decision, put on a brave face, engaging with her people, her smile never wavering.

Maya, on the other hand, felt the strain of maintaining her composure. Every cheer, every well-wish, was a reminder of the widening chasm between her and Carina. The whispers and glances from her fellow guards were a constant reminder of her place, a silent torment that gnawed at her resolve.

As the days passed the castle was transformed, every corner reflecting the significance of the upcoming union. Carina found herself caught in a whirlwind of fittings, meetings, and rehearsals, each moment a step closer to a future she had not chosen. Maya, meanwhile, threw herself into her training, pushing her body to its limits, seeking solace in the physical exertion that momentarily dulled her emotional pain.

Their separation hadn't been a conscious decision but rather a cruel twist of fate. The king's early arrival disrupted their world before they had a chance to say anything to each other. From the moment he set foot in the castle, they had been surrounded by attendants and advisors, their roles as queen and guard taking precedence over their personal desires. The risk of being caught was too great, and they had to maintain their professional facades at all times, leaving no opportunity for stolen moments or whispered confessions.

When they finally found themselves alone, it was late one night after Carina had retired early from a lavish party. The grand hall had been filled with laughter and music, but she had felt none of the joy that permeated the air. She needed a reprieve from the constant charade, a moment to breathe and collect her thoughts.

Maya had been waiting in the distance, escorting her back to the hallway of their chambers, that for the first night since the royal arrival was empty besides the two of them. As the door to Carina's chambers closed behind them, they stood in silence, the weight of unspoken words and suppressed emotions hanging heavily in the air. The flickering candlelight cast long shadows on the walls, creating an intimate cocoon that felt both comforting and foreign.

Carina's eyes met Maya's, and for a moment, they simply stared at each other, the distance of the past days evaporating in an instant. Carina took a hesitant step forward, her hand reaching out to brush against Maya's cheek. The touch was electric, a spark that reignited the passion they had been forced to bury.

Without a word, Carina closed the distance between them, her lips finding Maya's in a kiss that was both tender and desperate. The urgency of their need was tempered by a profound sense of longing, each touch a reminder of what they had been denied. As they moved together, their breaths mingling in the stillness, it was as if they were trying to make up for lost time, to reclaim the intimacy that had been stolen from them.