The Mistress

Chapter 7

We galloped quickly across the country side. The forest raced passed us as I urged my horse onward.

"We have to get to him."

I willed my words to be true. And Ashton, though still not entirely clear on what we were doing, replied.

"We will."

About halfway to the palace I saw a horse drinking from a nearby stream. I stopped and dismounted walking to the tree line.

"Alex," I called.

"Mariana?"

I heard his voice as he came through the wood. I ran to him and threw my arms around him.

"What are you doing here," he asked pulling me away, so I was an arm's length distance from him.

I saw Ashton come through the forest out of the corner of my eye.

"I'm stopping you from making a mistake you'll regret."

He shook his head.

"I would never regret you," he said, I looked at my feet.

"I know," I whispered, Ashton must be very confused. "I just don't want you to ruin your family relationship," I told him my hands on his cheeks.

He smiled turning his face, so he can kiss my palm. He continued to kiss up my arm, across my shoulder and up my neck to my jaw followed by my lips.

"You are too considerate," he said before scooping me up in his arms and placing me on his horse.

"It's good to see you Ashton," he said finally acknowledging his existence.

"You too Alex," he said shaking his hand. "How is everything? What's new," Ashton said dropping his hand. "Besides you and Mariana. Took you long enough didn't it," he said a sly smile at his brother as he gathered the reins of the two horses we brought in his hand.

"Father has picked a new mistress."

Alexzander informed him as he began to mount the horse behind me and helping me adjust so as not to slide off with two of us in the saddle.

"My god," Ashton said, his facial expressions showing the pain in his heart.

He witnessed his mother go through the pain and torture of being the royal mistress for most of his life.

"Is she doing alright," he asked Alex, but I answered first.

"I'm merely bruised. I'm fine," I said, his eyes widened as I leaned back into Alex whose arms wrapped around me so I felt safe.

"Mariana," he asked. "Father, took her because he knew I cared about her," Alex told him. "But they can't do anything if we arrive home married."

He kicked the horse and began to gallop away from Ashton. As I wrapped my arms around his so I wouldn't slide off, I spoke.

"What did you mean by that?"

He smiled.

"There's a town nearby, we're going to find a priest and we're getting married right now," he said.

I smiled, shock crossing my face.

"I love you," he said.

"I love you too," I told him.

"Your Highness," the town's people sang as they all bowed upon our arrival.

"Would you point me to the town's church please," Alexzander asked the nearest resident.

"Down this street, the third building on your right," the young boy said before Alex galloped down the road.

Once outside he dismounted, helped me down, then led me into the church. Inside he walked to the Priest's office.

"Father," He called, the door opened.

"Oh, Your Highness. To what do I owe this pleasure," The man asked.

"I was hoping you would marry us," Alexzander told him taking my hand in his to draw attention to me.

"I'd be happy to, right this way."

He led us through a set of doors and into the main chapel. I took a deep breath then followed, excited for what was to come.