Conqueror Queen

Chapter 10

Aiya could barely contain her excitement as she peered out to the horizon at the great army that marched on York.

"This is it, James." She touched his arm as she looked up at him. He remained still as he stared outside, and suddenly she saw his expression sadden, "What is it?" She asked.

"I wanted more time with you," He said, "I don't know about you but I'm having a damned good time." He smirked as he winked at her.

She didn't know why but she wanted him to kiss her again. He was so different than Ragda, he was something closer to home for her, something not so foreign. In a way he reminded her of Noah. He had a light hearted way about him and she admired him.

"If I asked you to do something for me, would you do it?"

"In a heartbeat, love." He replied.

"Why?" She asked, "Why would you do anything for me?"

"Because..." He didn't speak for a moment, as if he were searching the burning fires in the distance for an answer as he continued to look out the window, "You're a fearless creature, unlike any woman I've ever known. Even when you're in danger, you're calm, and collected."

She could feel the heat building up in her cheeks, she had no idea how other's saw her and to hear it now made her blush. For so long she had thought herself a useless mess but perhaps that wasn't what other's saw in her.

He continued, "That day I helped you escape from Durham, I could hear your struggles from your cell. I was not expecting to see what I saw as that man left your room, such savagery." He turned towards her, taking her face in his hands as he caressed her cheek with his thumb. "The world spit on you and your response is to bite it's ear off." He smiled, "Now what did you want to ask me?"

Her face was burning now, and she all but forgot about what was unfolding outside. They were in their own world now, and it was only them, slowly he began to lower his head towards her. She dropped her gaze to his lips, as she watched them move closer to hers as if time had slowed down.

They were abruptly interrupted by the slamming of the tower door against the stone wall, "You know each other?" Hemming swayed on his feet in the doorway as he slurred his words. He had consumed to much wine at the feast and now he was seeing double.

James released Aiya quickly, causing her to stumble backwards.

"Take them both!" Hemming shouted, clutching at his fur cape.

Six guards stormed into the tower to cease both of them as they were dragged from the room. They didn't fight, for they needed to preserve their energy for the real fight soon to come when Ragda stormed through the great gates.

They were taken to the chapel, where Aiya was roughly shoved into one of the long wooden pews that were positioned evenly in rows. It was a plain room made of wood walls and stone floors. Four elongated windows, aligned the back wall; illuminating the room with different colors from the painted scenes decorating them. Saints depicted in their peaceful stances as they gazed up into the Heavens, reminders to the mortals who revered them in their worship that God was with them all.

James remained standing, the guards next to him were hesitant to touch him. They knew he was no one to trifle with, for he, himself had trained many of them in service of his father.

"Is this the end?" Hemming wobbled his way towards the podium at the front of the church, placing his hands atop the Holy scriptures that resided on it's surface, "The Heathens have come for us all!" He moaned loudly.

"You brought this upon yourself, father." James said, rolling his eyes at his father's dramatics, "Let her go, and I'm sure Ragda can be persuaded to leave in peace."