The Second Son

Chapter 9

For a few moments, I couldn't think. I could only feel. The roughness on his hand that was holding my cheek. The soft pressure of his lips on mine. He wrapped his arm around my waist and placed his hand on the small of my back to push my closer to him.

I gave into the kiss and let him lead. His tongue brushed against my lower lip asking for entrance that I gladly granted. When I opened my mouth, it all became more urgent. Like we couldn't get enough of each other. I wrapped my arms around Henry's neck and moved my hands into his soft hair.

I had never kissed anyone before and I never imagined it could be like this. I felt such a strong physical pull towards Henry and with the way he was kissing me, he must have felt the same way.

And then my brain started working again. And I remembered who he was and who I was. I pulled away from him and placed a hand on his chest to put some space between us. I refused to be another one of his conquests. And it's not like it could be anything serious. For all I knew, he was probably engaged to some princess from another kingdom.

He looked at me in confusion for pushing him away after I was so obviously into the kiss at first. I scooted further away from him.

"I'm sorry. That should not have happened," I said when I finally found my voice.

"Why are you apologizing? I kissed you. I wanted that to happen," Henry responded surprisingly.

"Henry, I'm not someone who goes around kissing people I just met. In fact, I've never kissed anyone. It might not be a big deal to you but it is to me."

He slide over so that he was right next to me again and took my hand in his.

"Em, this is a big deal to me. I know you've probably heard some rumors about me but I can tell you they've been greatly exaggerated."

I looked into his eyes and I could tell he was being honest with me.

"I like you Em. I like you a lot. I haven't been able to stop thinking about you since I first came across you in the forest the other day. You are completely different than anyone I've ever met. I feel this pull towards you." He reached up and brushed the piece of hair that kept falling in my face behind my ear.

"Henry, you are a prince. What do you think can happen here? Someone like you cannot be with someone like me," I argued back. How could he not see the obvious problem here?

He let go of my hand and turned back towards the entrance of the cave where the rain was still pouring down.

"Maybe I'm sick and tired of doing what I'm supposed to do instead of what I want to do," he said under his breath but I heard every word. I would be lying if I said his response didn't thrill me.

We both were quiet after that. What more was there to say? Our reality was that we couldn't be more than friends. The rain started to slow down after a while and the sound of thunder became distant.

"We should get going if we want to make it back before dark," I said as I started to gather our stuff. Henry grabbed my arm to stop me.

"Wait, I don't want this to be the end of it. The end of you and me. There has to be a way."

He leaned in again and crashed his lips into mine. This kiss was more forceful as if he wasn't going to let me push him away again. I kissed him back with just as much feeling. I couldn't resist after everything he said to me.

He wrapped his arms around my back and held me close to him. When he broke away to catch his breath, he leaned his forehead against mine.

"Tell me what you are thinking," he whispered.

I took a deep breath and tried to organize my thoughts. All of the emotions and feelings swirling around inside of me were overwhelming. I wasn't sure if I could vocalize what was going on inside of my head.

"Henry, you know I'm right about this. This can't go any further than this cave."

He let me go and looked me in the eyes before saying what he said next.

"I'm going to figure out a way for us to be together. I promise you."

A/N Short but cute chapter. Thanks for reading! 💙