The Fairest One of All- an LGBT Fantasy Novel

Eleven- the Princess

To say that Avalon was confused was an incredibly understatement. She knew that Alexandra had good intentions, and that she would learn to trust her again. However, her romantic feelings were incredibly conflicted.

She had thought all along that there was a man under that helmet, and her feelings grew. She had never fallen for another woman, never even interested.

Perhaps Avalon had fallen in love with her soul instead of her eyes. She had never truly been attracted to a man, at the same time. The only man she ever loved turned out to be a sociopathic killer- interested in her title and her money only to want to destroy her after he achieved it. Her heart hurt even thinking about the arrangement gone awry.

Alexandra was the complete opposite. She was trustworthy, kind, empathetic. And the knight was correct when she said that she knew the princess better than she did. Though their lives were strikingly different, a balance arose between them.

A queen shall obey her King, she recalled the common phrases of her mother. The unity of man and woman keep the kingdom at peace.

Avalon knew her role, and what she was born into. Someday, she would be a queen governing hundreds and thousands of innocent people. A lot was at stake, but it would come to fruition if the Princess played her cards right.

At the same time, how would the innocent citizens feel about having two Queens? Who would be subservient, who would have to live the role as a King so falsely? She knew women were not inferior to men, but that social hierarchy governed them into these positions.

Avalon had never even seen two women together in this way. She had seen commoners, yes, but they had simpler lives in the grand scheme of things.

How would it work?
She ached to know.

Finally, in the darkness of the night similar to when Alexandra had saved her so long ago. She woke up on the knight's chest.

"Come, Avalon. Let's get you to bed."

Alexandra carried the princess loosely in her arms.

In a sleepy haze as they crossed the threshold, Avalon said "Oh look, I'm your bride!" If only she knew how hard Alexandra had blushed.

"In all seriousness," she continued, holding Alexandra by her bedside as she was tucked in, "We must keep this a secret from Mother, only for now."

"Do you really want me to stay, Avalon?"

"More than anything in the world."

She again took off the helmet, tenderly instead of angrily. It was the first time she had seen Alexandra smile.

"You have very nice teeth," she giggled. "Oh! And lips."

The princess tried to pull her knight in closer, grazing Alexandra's gruff cheek with her pale fingers.

"I would like it if you kissed me."

"Avalon, I'm not sure-"

"Pretty please? With sugar on top?" She asked, as if a child.

"I'm afraid. You won't like it. And I've... I've never kissed anyone before."

"Neither have I," replied Avalon. "But it seems very easy. Maybe we could count to to three."

Alexandra raised an eyebrow. "Count to three? Do you mean on three, we kiss each other?"

The two girls were like schoolchildren, giggling during the solemnity.

"Yes, that's exactly what I mean. Ready?" Alexandra nodded. "Well, here goes nothing. One."

"Two."

"Three."

Avalon first noticed the chapped lips of the knight. She forgot how hard it was to get balm in the common land. But she had forgotten who the lips belonged to, and now felt intertwined with the electricity between them.

There wasn't much to kissing at all. It was a nice, comforting thing that they continued for many minutes.

When Alexandra finally pulled away, she smirked. "Not too bad?" She asked bashfully.

"Not at all," whispered Avalon.

"Well, I suppose it's a good night then."

"Can't I have a good night kiss?" Avalon giggled.

And she got it. They kissed again and again and again, until the good night kiss was no longer a night kiss.

No amount of darkness could dim the image of who Alexandra really was. But at this very moment, Avalon truly saw the light.