Love At First Kingdom

Chapter Three

And suddenly it was spring.  The snow behind me was gone and the chill in my bones melting slowly.  Blue jays and Robin's chased eachother in the sea blue skies dotted with the fluffiest clouds imaginable. Trees pregnant with fruit only available for a week in the town market in the summer hung tightly to their trees. The air smell of the sweetness and the ever blooming flowers added the perfect touch.

As my eyes strained around us, trying to pick up every detail that i could see, i noticed a castle in the distance. My eyes widened and jaw dropped. It was twice the size of the castle i could only see a dot of from the town market in my old home. My smile grew as the lake  next to it glimmered a pure blue like the sky and i could see birds dive in for the fish.

"Come on. We're wasting day light. " John nudged me forward. I flicked him off and my feet moved slowly as I picked a rose and studied it. Its white. A white rose.

"Amazing...." I muse out loud. My hands felt each petle gently and mouth curled into a larger smile.I looked at John and I hold the rose up to show him." How.... where? How is this possible?"

"Magic Alexander ."he's smiling too. His smile shows in his eyes too, its a nice look for him.  Theres no denying that hes handsome in every way. Stupid fae.

"There's magic even in the flowers?"i cock my head and pick a bright blue daisy. A fuzzy bee buzzed by and landed right on the daisy. It moved around the yellow center for a few minutes before buzzing off again.

"Even in the flowers." He nods with the tilt of his head,just like a king would do. King.... King? No, no way.  Even though he's very poised and handsome he has a... childish air too him. Maybe he's just part of the royal court.

"Wow." I smile and laugh gently. "So, is everyone as beautiful as you here? Or are you an exception?" I swore I  caught a blush as he looked down

"Well, to humans we are exceptionally stunning.  We like to think we are better looking then the average human since every time we go into the human world we get gawked and awed at." He chuckles and looks back at where Hercules was. He said he had a meeting he had to attend and trusted that John wouldn't get his head stuck up his ass on the way home.

"I've noticed. "I nod my head to him as the grass beneath our feet turns into gravel. At this point I've shed the cloak and my jacket  leaving me in the forest green tunic and black pants." Where are we going?"

" The castle." He nods to the looming building infront of us. "My home." His smile grows again as we walk by a mirror pool with gargoyles on each corner. I laugh and look at him with raised eyebrows.

"You live there?" I ask. His eyebrows curl together and he cocks his head.

"Yes, whats so funny about that. Do kings not live in castles in the human world any more?" My eyes widen and smile falls.

"King?" I say, though it comes out more of a question and he nods.

" Yes. Im King John Laurens. Whats so intresting about that?"

"Nothing!" My hands go up in defense. " There's nothing wrong with that. I just... didn't take you for a king. Royal adviser maybe... but king? No way." It's his turn to laugh.

"And I couldn't take you for a hunter had i known you killed my gaurd captin. You're deathly skinny, you're five foot five, from the looks of it in your twenties, and you live with three ladies in a house the size of my guest bathroom." He cocks an eyebrow. " Looks decive people Alexander.  More  here then in your human world."

"Noted." I nod as the doors swing open. " So... are you the only king around here. This place is massive. Usally there's more then just one king. "

"No, saddly im not the only ruler here. " his smile falters and the light in his eye flickers. " there are four other rulers, one of the east,north, west, and one for  the night and day court  . Though you will know the east ,north,west, and south as the spring, winter, fall, and summer court.  Guess which one youre in. "

"Spring. " I say with out a moment of hestation. He looks impressed.

"Usually people go for The Summer Court ." He smiles and nods at the gaurds stationed by each window. I take a moment and look around. 

Large banners with only what I can assume are embroidered with the royal crest of a bird and a rose lay between every other massive window.  The floor is made of white marble and walls a grey smooth stone. A red carpet lays in the middle of the hall. Wooden doors as thick as my skull are laid here and there, once and a while opening or closing.

"Its too nice to be a summer court. And you look like someone spring would make." He smiles at the complement and puts an arm around my shoulders. He steers us down another hallway and I subconsciously lean into his side. Though he says nothing.

" Who are the rulers of the other courts?" I cock my head . He sighs and grip on my shoulders slides to around my waist.

" The north is ruled by Aaron Burr, South is ruled by James Madison, west is ruled by George Washington, ans the day and night court is ruled by Thomas Jefferson. " At the last one his teeth tighten together and eyes narrow slightly.

"You don't like Thomas Jefferson. "I note.  He nods." Why not ?"

"He doesnt make very smart descions. His kingdom is up in the mountains, hidden away from the rest of us.  Hes arrogant ,cocky and  an asshole. Yet he loves his people, all they do is bring trouble and a headache, yet he loves his people. He'd do anything for them." John keeps frowning but a flicker of pride shimmers in his eyes.

"Sounds like a lovely bunch." I laugh and smile. His eyes watch me and his smile grows.

"I think youd get along well with them. Especially Thomas. " He laughs. I roll my eyes with a snort, debate shoving him out a window, and just knock him with my hip.

"Whatever you say John."I smile at him, heart warmed with something I've never felt before.