A Winter's Tale

Chapter 20:

Chapter 20:
EMERY'S POV:
 
          I woke up to the sun in a bed that wasn't my own. It took several moments of just laying there to remember all that happened last night. I smiled brightly, but it soon faded when the realization sunk in that I was indeed alone in the bed. I sat up slowly, taking in the room that had probably once been grand; however, years of neglect turned it into a meager place empty of emotion, yet full of memories.

There was a desk in the corner covered in papers, and loopy handwriting. There was a bookcase with books stacked haphazardly on it. There was only one window. It was large enough to bathe one part of the room in sunlight--mostly the bed. A worn rug sat on the floor, strings unraveling from the repeated pacing of Kane on it. A small dresser stood in the corner, open for me to see several black shirts and trousers.

      I was reaching for my cloak as the cold suddenly seeped into my skin when the door swung open and Kane strode in, an easy smile on his face. He met my eyes, and his smile grew so big that it was impossible for me not to smile back. He walked over to me quickly, pressing his lips onto my own. My heart burst into a million butterflies. Finally. I could feel the love between us, our connection growing stronger.

      He pulled back slowly, "I had Geoffrey draw you a bath. Please. Relax. I'm sure you are....well......sore."
A small giggle escaped me at the uncomfortable look on his face. He leaned back and started to chuckle too. I relished this moment. With the sun shining, the cold not bothering us as much, sitting here laughing as we basked in the contentment of our hearts. I loved him. He loved me. All was well. I had him here with me; he wasn't lost in an insatiable need to avenge his past.

        After we calmed down, he helped me stand from the bed, wrapping his and my cloak around me tightly, leading me to what I assumed was his bathing chamber. He left before I could get in the bath, claiming he was going to go find Alice to bring me a new dress. So, I laid there and soaked, letting the warm water wash away the soreness in my body. I couldn't think about the previous night without a furious blush erupting across my face.

     I wasn't sure how long I stayed in the bath. All I know was when I got out, Alice was waiting with an awed look on her face. "I've never been to his chambers before," she told me as she helped me dress, "I didn't expect them to be so...bare."
"Neither did I," I gathered my dress I wore last night into my arms. With a low, uninterested hum, Alice looked around once more before leading me out into the corridor. We walked in silence, but I could feel the excitement radiating off of her. She wanted me to tell her about last night, as only a friend would.

        She didn't ask, though, not until we dropped my dress in my chambers, and headed into the kitchen for breakfast. Geoffrey and Miriam sent me knowing looks. William was probably off with Kane, discussing things. I took my seat at the table, avoiding Miriam's eyes, so I wouldn't blush. Alice practically ran to the chair next to me, "so? You can't just not tell me anything. How was it? How'd it happen?" I immediately felt my blush rising, "it was....nice. He was nice. Everything was nice, wonderful even."

       "Do you love him?" This came from Miriam who'd stopped her cooking to listen. I suppose that was the greater concern for her in all of her motherly instincts. We'd finalized our relationship, and the most important thing was if we loved each other.

I turned to her, blushing furiously now, "yes. I do. I love him." She hummed and nodded, a big, proud smile lighting up her face. Miriam was like our mother. She was seeing her son, her depressed, vengeance driven son, fall in love with a girl whom she approved of. I thought to my own parents. Would they have been proud of me? Would they have liked Kane? Had they been alive, would they have chosen me or Edith for him? Would Kane's parents have liked me if they were alive?