The Royal Journey

Chapter 8

"You can't lay on me all day princess." I felt my hair being pushed out my face. When I opened my eyes I noticed it was still dark outside. I was laying on Cals lap, so I quickly sat up. Truthfully I don't even know how I ended up there.

"I'm sorry I didn't know."

My face began to heat up when our eyes made contact. It was like he was staring into my soul again. His face was relaxed and serious with a hint of gentleness. before I could react Cal held my chin up, and softly said.

"Don't look at me like that princess."

He let my chin go and my head fell gently back in place.

He helped me up off the ground. My body was sore a lot lately. I stretched to ease the soreness but it barely helped. After getting situated we started to head back west.

"We'll get there in no time." Cal said this and we ended up walking for 5 hours before reaching the next kingdom.

"Cal I'm tired...." he didn't even turn around to acknowledge what I said. When we reached the kingdom Cal was looking for a guy. He never told me his name or what he looked like. He just told me to let him handle it, so I did.

I just followed him around until he got to a house. It was medium sized and plain on the outside. "I'm going to go knock on the door, you stay right here." I watched as Cal went around back.

It didn't take long before he came back around the corner and signaled for me to follow him.

The back door was covered in vines and was rusted. Cal knocked again and the door slowly opened. When the door opened a girl stood there.

Her hair was at her shoulders, and black. Her eyes were grey and she was a little bit taller than me. "Come in." She said, moving to the side letting us in.

We walked into what looked like the living room. The place was almost empty, like they were going to move any second now. You can tell that this wasn't a permanent stay for them.

"Cal, I'm glad you've made it." A guy that was 6'0 with long blond hair pulled into a bun greeted us. I was taken back by his green eyes and womanly figure. "Thank you for letting us stop here for a while, I know it's been a while." I watched as Cal and the man exchanged hugs.

"This is my wife I was telling you about." I looked around to see who Cal was talking about. After all this time he's been married!? I can't believe it.

That's when I noticed everyone looking at me. "Who me!?" I pointed to myself and Cal let out a more nervous laugh. "She's only kidding, I think she's still in shock from the proposal."

Getting the hint I played along. "Oh yesss! I didn't expect such a man to propose to me so soon." I grabbed his hand and stood to introduce myself.

"Hi, you all can call me z." I shook the mans hand and glanced over to the woman and gave her a smile.

"Well it is surely nice to meet you, I'm Raphael." He gave me a smile and turned to Cal. I sat back down to rest a little. I noticed Cal and Raphael was talking about something important, but I didn't listen in.

The woman from the door came and sat next to me. " I don't believe y'all." I looked at her hiding my nervous expression. "Excuse me?" I replied quietly so I wouldn't interrupt Cals conversation. "Are you pregnant?"

I jumped at her question and hurried to reply to stop any further confusion. "No!" My voice got loud and Raphael and Cal turned to us.

"Is there something wrong z."

Before I could answer Raphael, Cal interrupted. "Sorry she's probably tired, we'll be on our way." Cal grabbed my hand for me to follow him out. He gave Raphael and the woman a soft smile and we left.

Walking back to the front of the house I was stopped when I felt Cals hand on my waist. He pushed me against the house and lifted my chin to meet his sharp eyes.

"You need to be more careful Zaria." He moved my curls out my face to make sure I met his gaze completely. My face started to heat up and I felt like sinking into the wall. His eyes, his gaze, everything about Cal made me want to shrink and hide from him.

His hand being on my waist didn't help anything either. Everyone at the castle always said I had a beautiful figure. Even though my breasts were on the smaller side. His hand fit perfectly on my curves and a part of me wanted him to notice how voluptuous I was down there.

"Princess, I'm speaking to you."

Snapping out my thoughts I realized we were still making eye contact. My face was red from my thoughts and my breathing was a bit heavier. And I think he noticed.

I thought I caught a glimpse of lust in his eyes but as fast as I saw it was gone. Cal moved his hand off my waist and my curls dropped back in my face. "Sorry." I finally answered him and he just nodded his head.

Following him two houses down from Raphael's, he took a key and opened it. "This is where we'll be staying until after the festival." He put the keys down and started to light some lanterns.

While Cal did that I looked around. It was a decent size, a little bigger than Raphaels house. but there was only one bed and bathroom.

"You can get in the shower first, I'm going to get us clothes and food. Stay here." Cal called from the door. Before I could answer he left.

I Did what I was told and took a shower. When I got out I looked for a towel and wore that until Cal got back. There was furniture in the living room area and even a table in the kitchen. This kingdom was more of a middle class kingdom. Especially compared to where we just came from.

Plopping down on the couch by the fireplace I stretched out. Cal must of lit the fireplace when he did the lanterns so I let the warmth sooth me. Such beautiful flames.

The more I stared into the fire the more my thoughts wandered to my life at the castle. I was starting to feel some regret. I did miss my family and Reya.

I had to make things right somehow. Unfortunately if I went back all the power would go to the prince I'm forced to marry.

I was getting tired of waiting for Cal, so I decided to lay on the couch and close my eyes for a while until he got back.

Not too long after I heard the door open. Jumping up Cal eyes darted to meet mines. I let out a soft sigh relived that it was him. "A little jumpy aren't you princess." He threw some clothes at me and I grabbed them.

"Tomorrow we'll go into town to find you clothes and stuff for the festival." I nodded and he walked towards me on the couch.

Looking up at him he leaned down to my ear. I could barely breath because of how close he was to me. I never had real contact with any males while in the castle. Every time I was near Cal my heart would race uncontrollably. I didn't know if it was because of the fact that he was a male, or maybe.....

I was snapped out my thought when I heard him whisper in my ear. "You're on my bed princess." I jumped up without thinking and left to the room with one bed.

I didn't say goodnight or anything. I just went to the room, changed, and immediately went to sleep.