Book 2 Season's Change Spring's Revenge

Part 24 Reminders

Rosie worked the lacing of Arorah's corset then moved around to check the alignment as her helper took over the laces. She motioned for the girl to loosen them and rubbed her hands together to warm them. "My Lady?" She raised her hands and waited for the princess's consent to proceed. The princess rolled her eyes wondering why her servant would ask to do something that clearly needed doing. Rosie did not react. She simply reached inside the corset and adjusted the princess's bosom while her assistant tightened the laces. The result was perfect. She tied the laces and motioned for the princess's iridescent gown to be brought over.

The gown was the most exquisite, shimmering dress Rosie had ever seen and she was the handmaiden to the princess. She'd seen a lot of fancy dresses. The lace was blue with a green stripe that would run down Arorah's side. The skirt was layered, floor-length, and poufy. It was crafted of silks in the same shades and hues as the lace. Rosie slipped the dress over the princess's head and settled it over her body. It fit her form perfectly. They tied the gown's laces and stepped away to allow the princess the chance to see the dress on herself. "Perfect." She sat on her chair and waited impatiently for the servant girl to finish her hair and make-up.

When Rosie was done with her tasks she stepped away from the princess, more out of habit than anything. She just didn't want to be near the princess. If she didn't have to breathe the same air that would be better. She watched the princess as she preened in the mirror. When it was clear that she should do so, Rosie affixed the princess's wings to complete her costume. She added the matching sleeves to the gown and tied them in place. She grabbed the slippers from the chest and placed them on the princess's too small feet. She returned to her station when she was done. She had a specific way she was to stand while she was in the princess's chambers, a specific way and a specific location. The princess moved to examine herself in the body mirror. She turned this way and that spun then blew herself a kiss. Her mask was then tied into place by Rosie. "You're dismissed. NOW! LEAVE. Both of you!"

Dannikas wanted to gasp the moment ArorahBeth exited her chambers. Every fiber of his being was crying out against his need to follow protocol. He was only a guard in the princess's castle. He may have been the leader of her personal guard, but he was still just a guard. That meant he was bound by both honor and duty and had no right to feel what he felt for the princess, but he knew he could not fight his heart, or the years of memories and a youth spent side by side. He pushed aside the way his heart longed to tell her how beautiful she looked. She would smile that shy-happy little smile of hers for him and his heart would flutter and skip beats in his chest like it always did when she smiled at him. How he wanted to make her smile with his words, a confession and compliment of her profound beauty. It was something that he knew he should not do when they were not alone. He definitely should not speak so freely to her in front of another guard. It would be very revealing. That guard would be privy to a very closely guarded secret that only Dannikas and the princess shared. It was forbidden for a guard to step out of his station and for the princess to consort with one. The king would be most unforgiving.

Arorah smiled at him anyhow and it made his heart float. He was unable to return her smile. He nodded and bowed deeply "My Princess." Remarkably she gave him a curtsy and his name.

"Shall we?"

"Yes, My Princess. As you wish." He bowed again as did the other guard. But the guard did not speak. It was not his place to do so. "Please Eric." Dannikas gestured down the hall in the direction that they would be traveling. The guard took his place in front of them and led the way to the Night Parade.

Dannikas took up his position behind the princess. He walked quietly with his head held high, eyes on alert, his hand on the hilt of his blade. When he was certain that they were alone, he let his eyes wander over the princess and tried not to entertain the simple fantasies that began to roll through his mind. He was surprised over how simple and clean those fantasies were given the crazy dreams that he had been having lately. He imagined what it would be like to walk beside Arorah holding her hand dressed regally rather than in his uniform. He imagined the warm conversation they would have as they walked side by side down the hall to the ball.

He had no idea that he longed for those things, but very quickly realized that he did, that he honestly missed his friend. They used to do just about anything and everything together, including hold hands. She was his only true friend. They broke the rules every chance they got. She'd sit and talk with him for hours and he'd sit and listen to her dreams. She was far more than the princess she let everyone else see. She was smart and capable and very beautiful. Her beauty always distracted him even when they were children running around the castle wild and free. He closed his eyes for just a moment. He could remember the sparkle in her blue eyes, the way she used to look at him, her mischievous little smile the first time she kissed his cheek. He missed those days.