The King of Saminu

Chapter 23

We awoke early the next morning, nervous smiles on both of our faces. We were going to be travelling. Brann sat up before me, the muscles in his back rippling as he stretched. I reached my hand out, the sun still not having risen, my powers dull but still there. Nothing ailed Brann, but any aches and pains he experienced were washed away. He sighed, laying back down beside me.
"We still have a few minutes before we have to get ready," Brann mumbled, pulling me close to him. I relaxed into his hold, trying to ingrain this moment into my head forever.

    The sun was barely starting to rise, but light trickled into the window nonetheless. It hit the planes of Brann's back, bouncing around him and slightly shifting the hue of his skin to be even warmer than it usually was. His hair was messy from sleep, in dire need of a cut, but Brann hadn't had the time. He would have to get it chopped with the rest of his men when we reached our first stop. The thought saddened me. I prefered the overgrown aspect, the little bit of hair that hung over the tips of his ears. It was a nice brown, the same color of the sweet delicacy that perfectly represented Brann. His eyes were closed, long lashes lying on the pillow that was his cheekbone. I pulled my arm out from its trapped position and rested my hand on my husband's face.

    "What's wrong?" Brann questioned, barely moving his lips. We were tired. Brann even more so that I was.
"We most likely won't have alone time like this until we're back in this room," I muttered, stroking the rough skin on Brann's. He leaned into my hand, for a moment, then pulled it away, pressing a kiss to my palm.
"That's a bummer if I've ever heard one," Brann whispered into my hand, then turned over on his side. It was five in the morning. Time for our blissful moment to turn chaotic.

    Brann and I both hurtled at high speeds to the closet, getting dressed in the red toned army uniform. We matched, something that made both of us laugh once we were completely dressed. There was a knock at the door to our room, and Brann finished his guffaw of a laugh before he went to open it. I followed closely behind.
"Sir, your horse is ready," Haekri announced. Brann nodded, then looked to me.
"Are you okay if we share one?" Brann asked. I nodded. We followed Haekri out of our room, our small sacks of personal belongings on our backs.

    The front door to the castle opened, and Brann appeared to be amazed. His eyes sparkled in the fresh morning light, an open mouthed smile taking over his form. I smiled at him as well, grabbing onto his hand. However, as soon as we took a step outside, there was hesitance from him. A shake to his hand that he tried to hide with a squeeze. I looked up at him, eyebrows furrowed. He shook his head.

    I got on the horse out front with Brann's help. This time was different, however, as I was behind Brann instead of in front. My arms wrapped around his waist to keep myself from falling. Balancing on a horse wasn't something I learned during the days from Maeri to Horegi.
"How do you know how to ride a horse? I thought you've never left the castle?"  I asked. Brann chuckled with nerves clear in the lilt.
"The castle has a private fenced in field in the back. Dad said it was important to learn how to ride. That's where I trained with some of our soldiers as well," Brann offered his explanation. I nodded. The horse started trotting forward at Brann's order, and we were soon on our way.

    Brann was shaking in front of me, a slightness to it that went unnoticed to most. However, all I had to look at in front of me was Brann's back, and the very small spasms of fear jolting through him were visible. I removed my hands from Brann's waist, running them up to rub circles on the small of his back. I scooted forward as gently as I could so as not to disturb our horse, and leaned as close as I could to his ear.
"You'll be fine. This is the outside world you've always wanted to see," I placed a kiss at the base of his neck. "Not to mention, you can't get into any trouble. You're your own king," I pulled back, and Brann took a few more minutes before relaxing.