The Kings Love

Filler Chapter

King Laurent
[Day 127, February 26th]
*That Morning*

King Larry: "So you don't plan on waiting and telling her happy birthday? Why you being such an ass Lau?", Larry fumed as we walked towards the Royal Cemetery and I kept lips locked tight. I wasn't in the mood to fight or argue, I just wanted to get this over with but the quiet that now dominated the surroundings not only meant that Larry stopped walking but that he wasn't letting this drop. With a resigned and conceded sigh, I turned to my twin.

King Laurent: "Okay, what do you want to know?", I asked while pinching the bridge of my nose, I had a terrible headache and my leg was killing me. Concern entered the dark brown irises of Larry but he didn't comment.

King Larry: "Why did you cancel the London trip?", he inquired with a scowl overtaking the concern.

King Laurent: "I'm... scared.", I admitted but kept my eyes on the ground, I refused to be so ... Weak. My body was already quickly deteriorating, I couldn't have my mind and pride joining it so soon.

King Larry: "Scared? Why the hell are you scared?", worry now took precedence over every other emotion in my twin, I could feel just how anxious he was, how the hair on the back of his neck rose. Without turning to him, I slid my gaze over to the cemetery, a large square shaped plot of land that had red brick gates lining its edges and in the front, an marble arch that was adorned with varying flowers stood as its entrance.

King Laurent: "I'm scared that if I let her leave, that this is where she is headed next. I can't lose Jasmine, I don't think I'd survive if what happened to Jessica happened to Jasmine. I just can't...", with a cracking voice and weary soul, I turned to my brother to see him staring at me with fury in his eyes and his body shaking with anger.

King Larry: "Are you fucking serious Lau? Okay look, I know that the past hasn't exactly been very... promising with your spouses but Lau, you cannot keep her locked up because of your fear. That's not fair to Jasmine and if she's unhappy, the baby is unhappy and you will be unhappy. You think I don't see how much it pains you that Jasmine is keeping her distance from you? You need to do better my brother or your controlling will force her to run.", he took my hand in his and gently ran his thumb across my knuckles in a brotherly caress, trying to ease the sorrow but nothing could dampen it.

Giving him a weak smile, we continued on to enter the cemetery only for the scent of fresh picked roses to waft through the air and into my nostrils. The fresh scent somehow calmed me and I was able to take a deep breath and head to the one gravestone I had yet to acknowledge. The beautiful carved baked stone tombstone was specially made to act as a memorial of Jessica. On the front part of the three foot slab was the words,

Here Lies Jessica M Bourgeois

Beloved Wife & Queen

Gone But Never Forgotten

And on the back, was a poem that I had written for my late Queen nearly a year ago when we were going through a rough patch.

While we may no longer walk the same line,

our designations have not changed.

Life has thrown at us a chance to walk away to wander astray from our hearts,

but how do you untie a bind of souls?

No matter where we may both go, always remember that where our two paths meet will always be our home.

So wait for me and when I come a knocking, do not hesitate for finally our souls have found their mates. 

Seeing the poem in such a form sent a deep feeling of warmth and fear into my heart. I was happy that it could be used for Jessica in this way but it felt so foreboding, like I didn't want to write for Jasmine now for fear of the words being used for this purpose again. I took the few remaining steps until my shoes came in contact with the padded grass just before the stone, my eyes once again misting over.

King Larry: "Lau, there's something I want to ask you. Are you letting this whole memorial thing overlook Jasmine's birthday because you feel bad?", his voice wavered a bit with uncertainty but he didn't take back his question but he didn't have to, the sharp feel of a dagger to my heart was enough of an answer but I would deny it.

King Laurent: "Why would I feel bad?", I asked without looking at him.

King Larry: " Because at most, you mourned Jessica for a few hours and then was falling head over heels for Jasmine in no time. I know you and I know that must be killing you, that you didn't care as much as you should've because Jasmine made everything okay.", and just like that, she dominated my mind and world once again, just from the mention of her name.

Instead of Jessica's tombstone, I saw Jasmine's and I caved. Tears fell down in an unending torrent, refusing to let up and refusing to dissipate. Jessica no longer mattered again because without her, I still lived but without Jasmine, life would be nothing. When did I fall so deeply for that hardheaded ass woman? When did she become the reason I couldn't wait to wake up and the reason why I slept so soundly? When did she become so interwoven into my life that without her, it would be dull and senseless?

Jessica never did that for me but Jasmine.... She was everything.

And I was destroying us with my fear. Caressing the smooth polished stone, I leaned forward and rested my head against the cool surface.

King Laurent: "Goodbye Jessica.", I whispered quietly and felt this uplifting of my heart and couldn't stop the huge wolfish grin from spreading my lips and so I turned to my brother whose eyes went wide at my expression.

King Larry: "What?", he questioned suspiciously and his wide eyes narrowed a fraction but I just began to laugh, a real genuine laugh.

King Laurent: "I'm ready to go get my wife."

*fast forward to that night*

Jasmine laid in my arms content and sleepy, couldn't blame her with all the cake she stuffed down. I gently moved a wayward curl behind her ear and just watched her, in all her beaming bliss. The fact that she forgave me and the overwhelming joy she radiated from seeing her brother and sister made my heart beat faster in exhilaration. She squirmed a bit in my arms and when she reopened her eyes, something swirled in the brown nearly mocha depths that took my breath away.

Jasmine: "I love you."

And like that, once again I fell down the rabbit hole and reemerged in a world that only contained Jasmine. One that I hoped to never leave.