Love in the Little Kingdom

Love in the Little Kingdom Part 6

"Ben!" She screamed and flew downwards. She scanned the air looking for him. Had he already hit the ground? She couldn't see him, he must be down there, crumpled and broken. And she had never told him the truth.

"No.." She whispered.

"I'm still here, you know." She heard a voice behind her. She looked up. Hanging by his hands from the branch was Ben.

"Ben!" She flew up to him and saw that he was grinning. He pulled himself back up with ease and resumed his seat.

"Don't frighten me like that!"

"You magicked an apple at me!"

"I didn't mean to! It was an accident!" A sob began to rise up in her throat. For one awful, unspeakable moment she had lost him and here he was now, pig headed, obnoxious and utterly utterly wonderful. The tears broke free and she sank down on the branch beside him weeping. Ben's eyes widened.

"Please don't cry, Holly! I shouldn't have played such a mean trick on you! I'm sorry!" She heard him say and then his arms were around her. She cried even harder because he didn't know how glorious and agonising it felt to be so close to him.

His arms squeezed her tight and she could feel the violent pounding of his heart in his chest. His neck was flushed and hot to the touch. Could it be? She raised her face to look up at him, sniffing back tears. Their eyes met and she could see the desire in his warm brown eyes.

"Oh Ben." She whispered. He lowered his head and then his lips were on hers and they were locked together in a kiss.

Her mind raced, she could barely take it in. Her first kiss! And it was with Ben! Her parents would be appalled. Nanny Plum would keel over, horrified. The Wise Old Elf's beard would drop off. She slid her arms around Ben's neck and enmeshed her fingers into the soft hair at the nape of his neck and he kissed her deeper in response.

At length they broke apart, breathing heavily. She raised her eyes to his and smiled. Here in this moment, neither the King and Queen, Nanny Plum or the Marigolds mattered because Ben loved her back and they had kissed. He smiled back, blushing pink.

"So you-" he started.

"And you-" she answered, neither finishing their sentences.

"What am I going to do?" She said finally. "The ball is tomorrow!"

"You can't marry him, not now."

"Of course not, but how do I tell Mama and Papa?"

"I don't know." He said sadly. "I'll come with you so we can talk to them together."

She shook her head.

"I should face them by myself." She didn't mention the threat of banishment, she hoped she could sidestep it entirely without Ben finding out.

"I should get to the workshop." He said though he made no move to release her. She smiled.

"Don't go yet. They can do without you for a little while longer." She said and drew his head down towards hers again.