Betrothed (NOT UPDATING ANYMORE)

Chapter Nine

Terrence had his birthday cake served after the dancing was done and over with. I still had his gift in my room as I wanted to give it to him in person.  The table was full of gifts from mostly females I presumed and family members such as cousins and his aunt and uncle. I was letting him bask in the female attention as I stayed near the windows and watched the stars outside.

I heard someone clear their throat and I turned to look to see three young men standing before me. "Sorry to interrupt but would you happen to be Princess Cassandra?"

The one who spoke was tall and very muscular with dark hair and dark eyes. The two men standing behind him looked similar, like they were all siblings. Warning bells went off in my head. These men weren't to be trusted.
I eyed them suspiciously, keeping my guard up. "I am. What of it?" They were about to answer my question when Terrence stood in front of me.

"Nicholas, Roger, Jonathon. Good to see you here. I didn't think you would show up."

The one in front who I assumed was Nicholas, sighed. "Yes well, I heard there would be some beautiful creatures here." His eyes darted to me and I grasped Terrence's arm as I moved beside him. "Especially Princess Cassandra." His eyes never left me as he studied me, his eyes roving up and down slowly as if he was ready to undress me on the spot. I shivered and stepped behind Terrence slightly. "I've heard much about your beauty but I've never seen it until now." He purred.

Terrence growled. "Nicholas go somewhere else where you can satisfy your needs. You won't find satisfaction here."

Nicholas sneered, his predatory gaze locking on me. "I think we should ask the princess what she wants."

I stood next to Terrence and looked at the three brutes. "Terrence and I are betrothed meaning I am his and he is mine until we are dead. I have no interest in spending time like anyone with the likes of you. You wanted my opinion so there, you have it." I crossed my arms and glared at him to drive my point across.

Nicholas's gaze hardened and he would've stepped closer had Terrence not put his sword in front of me. The young lord snarled and took off with his two friends.

Once they were gone I was able to breath. I looked at Terrence. "Who are those three?"

Terrence glared at the way they came and turned to look at me with softer eyes. "Three brothers that are going to be part of our court someday, sadly. They pounce on every pretty thing. I used to be close with them and followed their every step until you-" He paused and grasped my hand, looking into my eyes. "Until you came and called me out on what I did wrong." He took a deep breath in and cupped my cheek. "Try to stay away from them. Nicholas especially. He's the ringleader of the three and tends to be more aggressive."

I leaned into his hand and cracked a smile. "It's a good thing I have you then isn't it?"

He smiled. "I suppose it is."

oOo

Terrence and I stayed up in my room laughing at all of the stupid things we did when we were kids. "And remember the time when I snuck the frog down your trousers?" I said through my laughing fit.

He shook his head and fell back on my bed laughing. "That was terrible. I look back at everything we did as little kids and I cringe." He looked at me and sighed. "If our kids turn out anything like us then we are doomed."

My heart flip flopped when he said that. To try and change the subject, I suddenly remembered that I didn't given him his present yet. I got up and rummaged through my things until I found it. The box was still in perfect condition. "I got you something, I didn't want to put it on the table at the ball, because I wanted to give it to you in person."

I handed him the box and watched him carefully open it. His eyes lit up and he stood up and swung the sword around carefully. "Cass this is beautiful." He examined the sword. "You got it engraved?"

I nodded. "It has you're name on it and the name of the sword on the hilt. They named it Fightweaver. I had it custom made and everything. I even chose the jewels that went in the hilt."

He looked at the hilt and he smiled up at me. "Emeralds and sapphires. Green for you and blue for me." He looked at the sword and at me and smiled. "Thank you so much Cassandra. I- I don't know what to say."

I laughed. "I'm glad you like it. I wasn't sure if you would hate it or not. Your reaction is much better than what I anticipated."

His eyes seemed to glaze over as he looked at the sword. "I'll test it out tomorrow when I train with the guards." Terrence looked at me and pecked me on the cheek. "Thank you so much Cassie. I'll keep it by my side."

I blushed slightly and tucked a loose hair from my face behind my ear. "I'm glad you like it."

oOo 

The next morning I was humming and walking Daisy around the palace when I bumped into someone one. I was about to apologise until I saw whom it was. "Nicholas." I stepped back as Daisy growled up at him. He looked at my dog and bowed.

"Sorry, Princess I wasn't watching where I was going." With ease he stood up and walked away gracefully. I shuddered as I realised that I had touched him. Suddenly I felt gross and in need of a bath.

Terrence was sparring with the new sword when I reached the barracks. His shirt looked like it was soaked through with sweat and I took my time looking at him. I watched the way his muscles moved as he parried and brought the guard down with two strikes. He helped the guard up and smiled when he spotted me. Daisy ran over and licked him a couple times before running over to me.

Terrence sheathed Fightweaver and walked over to me. "How's the sword?"

He smiled. "It's absolutely perfect, but not as perfect as you." Terrence winked and all I could do was stare at him wide-eyed. Where had this sudden confidence come from?

I cleared my throats and smiled. "W-well that's good then." It occurred to me that some guards were staring at us, but I shoved that thought aside. I smiled at Terrence. "After sparring what do you want to do?"

Terrence sighed. "I have a meeting with my father and the court about those barbarians remember? After that I will be all yours." He took my hand and brushed his lips over my knuckles.

I sighed dejectedly, hiding my surprise. "Fine. I guess I'll leave and wallow in my loneliness." I pulled my hand away from Terrence, but he snatched my arm and pulled me back.

"I'll find you when I'm done okay?" I nodded and left the arena with Daisy, my mind and heart both racing.