The Thief and Prince

Chapter 27: Undecided Choices

I'm lost in a sea of green that has become familiar to me over these past few months. The morning rays of the sun fill the room, drawing out the evergreen colors which are so vibrant that I find myself fascinated, wondering how such a color can even exist. He blinks and a ghost of a smile forms on his lips and I'm suddenly brought back to reality.

"We should probably get up," Crispin says, tucking a strand of fallen hair behind my left ear.

"Or," I begin to suggest, "We can just lay in bed all day like we've been doing."

After speaking to King Robert last night—and after Thomas assured me that he'd see to it that Laria and Amiri were given a proper place to stay for the next few days—I made a direct beeline to Crispin's room and have since locked ourselves inside all day. In these few short hours, we've managed to explain the events that have transpired since being escorted out of the throne room, bathe in the elaborate tub in the corner of the room, and catch a few hours of sleep. Of course, this has all taken place in-between the moments of navigating each other's bodies while passing love notes to the nape of each other's necks with our lips.

He sighs and pushes himself up before planting his feet on the floor, standing up. The blanket that was wrapped around him falls to the floor and I can't help but smirk as I study the smooth contours of his naked body as he stretches, causing his muscles to tighten under his tanned skin.

Yawning, he turns around to me and my eyes immediately rake over his chest before following the trail of dark hair below his navel as if it were a map.

"Um excuse me, my eyes are up here," he says, pointing to his face with his index and middle finger. My eyes snap up to his to find a bemused smirk on his face. "I know my good looks can be sometimes distracting—irresistible even so I can't blame you—but try to have some self-control," he teases. "It's unbecoming of a woman such as yourself."

Giving him a scowl, I roll my eyes and toss one of the down feather pillows at him though he catches it with ease and sits it on the bed.

He walks over to the white oak table and takes a bite of leftover toast from this morning when a servant brought us breakfast. It is then where I am reminded that at some point we will have to leave the confines of his room and meet with his father to go over the details of what is to come.

With an exaggerated sigh, I roll over to the edge of the bed—the dark grey blanket in tow—and toss my legs over the edge. I run my foot across the cool stone floor and debate whether or not if I can convince him to come back into bed. Considering that it will not only be unfair to him, but also Laria and Amiri, I wrap the blanket around my shoulders and stand up, padding over to him.

He takes another bite of the buttered toast before handing it out to my mouth, encouraging me to eat some myself. I do and lean forward, taking a bite with my teeth before giving a nod of approval at the taste, somewhat surprised that our breakfast still tastes as good as it did this morning.

There is a knock at the door and we both turn, wondering who it could be though our question is immediately answered. "Oh baby brother," Thomas calls in a singsong voice.

Crispin frowns and sighs, looking around for his clothes. As Thomas raps on the door again, Crispin quickly slips on a pair of loose sleeping shorts and I quickly adjust the blanket to where it covers my naked body.

Crispin walks over and unlocks the door to find Thomas leaning with his back against the frame, arms crossed over his chest. His dark hair is slicked back with pomade and he has since changed clothes from last night—now donning a navy blue long sleeved shirt, forest green trousers, and a pair of black leather boots.