The Merger

Where are your Cards?

"You look terrible, your majesty," James greeted the prince in his chambers to escort him to breakfast.

"Thank you Buck. If I do remember correctly I did invite you to join me last night." Steve rubbed his eyes by his water bowl and splashed some of the much-needed liquid on his face and neck. He drank far too much at a local tavern with a few of his friendly guards.

"Yes, my apologies again, your highness." Barnes had been with you the night before. He had been with you almost every night this past week teaching you how to fight. Well, less how to fight and more how to defend yourself.

It involved a lot of one on one contact, something that Barnes was incredibly uncomfortable with.

//

"Come on Barnes, how am I to learn anything if you keep going easy on me?"

Bucky sighed, re-enacting the ogre from that fateful day. He pulled you onto his lap once more and let you strike him again, not wanting to restrict your movements.

"Seriously?! I do not want to feel that weak ever again. It was completely humiliating!"

"Pardon my candour, Princess, but you will be protected wherever you go. There is no need to sneak around in the crypts at night. What if someone were to walk in?"

"You're following royal orders, Barnes. Nothing...tantalising is going on."

An awkward silence filled the room. It had been a week of these late-night meetups and you have had some close calls several times. Once on the first night, a guard caught you coming back but assumed you were a thief and managed to tackle you. Safe to say your father had him placed elsewhere for future encounters.

And the other time Caroline forgot something of hers and warned the palace of your disappearance. That one was harder to explain to your father given the recent attack.

//

"So what did you get up to that was so important?" Prince Steven changed behind a wall.

"I..." Barnes couldn't believe he was blanking again. It was hard being a liar, especially when it involved his best friend, "spent some time in the crypts. Learning of the kingdom's past."

"Why on earth would you be doing that? Has my fiancée been quizzing you? She's not making you do anything you're uncomfortable with, is she?"
The prince's concerning gaze made James' heart sink. Not because of the lies but due to the fact that he had grown quite fond of you recently.

You weren't like any other princess or lady James had ever met before. You were witty and brave yet sympathetic and caring. You had a sharp tongue but carried respect for those who deserved it...except the Prince.

Your bickering with Steve had only gotten worse as the wedding day grew closer. Not only was he annoying and butting in like the pompous arse he was but you weren't getting much sleep during the night with James' lessons along with the troublesome thoughts that haunted you in your chambers.

The memory of feeling helpless and like a child in the arms of that ogre plagued your dreams. Although every time James re-enacted the scene he was gentle and didn't want to hurt you. It was appreciated but you knew if you were to become stronger, you'd have to relive feeling that weak again; even just for a moment.

There were multiple moments throughout the week that caught you off guard. James had become a constant in your life. He was always there by your side and now he was with you during the night. Something about recruiting him to protect you did spark some excitement. Perhaps meeting with him wasn't as innocent as you believed.