The Mistress

Chapter 9

Alex pulled a cover over us as I laid my head on his chest stroking his cheek with my hand.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, his face contorted.

"Why," He said, shifting so he could stare into my eyes.

"You deserve so much more than I could give you. A girl's virtue is very important to her because it's something she can give to her husband that no one else will get, but..."

I buried my head in his chest a few tears already on my cheeks. His hand caressed me.

"You did give it to me," he whispered pulling my body even closer. "At no point did you ask to become what the king made you. From what you've said to me it sounds as if I was the first person you," he paused not knowing how to phrase his words.

I looked at him and smiled.

"I love you so much," I whispered wrapping my leg around his hip. "You're too good to me," I told him as I continued to weave myself around him.

"You're my wife," he said rolling us so he was on top of me. "I'll do anything for you."

He kissed my neck as a sigh left my lungs.

"I love you," he murmured his voice softened by the fact that his lips were now pressed to my jaw. "With all of me."

The next morning the doors to our chambers were flung open.

"Your Highness!"

A guard's voice rang through the room with obvious concern.

"Our southern boarder has been attacked!"

His chest was heaving most likely from running here. Alexzander immediately sprang into action.

"Alert the king, I'm leaving for the front lines," he said grabbing his pants from the floor before the guard left.

"You're going," I asked sitting up.

"Yes, I always fight with my men. I never ask them to do anything I wouldn't do myself."

He buttoned the pants and pulled the shirt over his head.

"You're just going to leave me here," I almost screamed.

"I can't leave them to die," he said.

I stood with obvious anger and dressed in one of my new gowns. A black form fitting dress that grew fuller at my hips. I went to lace it when I felt his hands there. I adjusted the long sleeves and ran my hand over the gems sighing. I reached my hand back to touch his face.

"I have two requirements," I commanded before feeling his lips on my neck.

"What," he asked.

"First: Get those sons of bitches that did this to us," I said taking a few steps away from him as his touch was messing with my thought process.

"And second," he asked.

Slowly I turned back around to him, tears streaming down my face.

"Come back to me."

He took the few steps I had moved and pulled my lips to his.

"I will always come back to you," he whispered before grabbing his sword and leaving the room.

It took a moment before I could move again, but then I ran out of the room and to the nearest balcony that overlooked the front gates. The soldiers were marching down the road and in the rear, I saw him. His hair was unmistakable in the sun.

"Please look back," I whispered.

It was almost as if he could hear me as right on cue, he turned and stared at me. He mouthed "I love you" before turning back around and trotting after the rest. Tears streamed down my face and I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"He'll be fine," Delilah said taking me in her arms. "He's a brave man, he will get home to you no matter what it costs him."

She stroked my hair.

"Would you like some breakfast," she asked after the outline of the army had long disappeared into the horizon.

"Yeah, I should at least keep myself in one piece before he returns."

Delilah giggled before leading me down to the kitchens.

It was the first time I realized my new importance since my brother called me Princess, but to be honest, I hadn't put all of it together until now. When we reached the kitchens, everyone bowed to me, then prepared me one of the best meals I had ever eaten. As the plate was set in front of me I picked up my fork and prepared to eat, but before I could touch the food Delilah pulled it away from me.

"No, you don't," she said taking out a second fork and cutting a small bite from the plate.

"What," I began with no idea how to finish that sentence when she pushed the plate back over to me.

"My job," she answered with an inkling of what I meant.

"I taste all food served to any royal living in the palace."

Spoken as mater-of-factly as possible.

"I didn't know I fell into that category," I said, completely believing those words.

"The wife of the Crown Prince? You are the next queen."

Slowly I set my fork on the table, still not having eaten anything.

"Oh, my, god."

I'm surprised I didn't just faint, but I managed to keep my consciousness as Ashton came into the room.

"Good morning Your Highness, Delilah," he said.

"Ashton," she said before standing and leaving the table.

"Ashton," I smiled. "You've known me since we were children, I think Mariana is fine," I said while standing up.

"Of course."

He smiled.

"Once you've finished your breakfast, Alex has asked me to lead you through his daily routines, as he wants you to fill in for him while he is away."

I nodded.

"Well, I've had a sudden loss of appetite, so let's begin."

He looked confused for a moment, then composed himself.

"Right this way."