Knights And The Color Blue

Charles (Chapter 18)

I wake up to the warm, comforting feeling still with me. I feel Icarus's arms around me, and I can't help but smile a bit. As I lay on my side, I can't help but think what Icarus said to me last night:

"I love you, Charles"

I wonder if we were all just too tired in the moment, and words were just flowing out of our mouth, one non-meaningless word after the other. 

After this thought, I gently turn my body around to look at Icarus, being careful that his grip doesn't fall off of me. I want to still feel his warmth. Next to me, is a soundly asleep Icarus, and the book he showed me above his head, still slightly open. I examine his face, and God, I feel like a creep for doing so. I can't help but notice each of his little details, like his well defined cheek bones and his perfectly carved out nose. I don't understand how I can wake up next to a man like this, one I am supposed to hate, and feel more feelings then waking up to any princess I've ever rescued. I feel Icarus's hand intertwine with mine, my face getting hot as his long fingers perfectly fit in between my fingers. His eyes open, his perfectly navy blue eyes looking straight into me.

"Good morning."

I smile, being helpless at the sound of his voice. My stomach is in knots as I look at Icarus, and he is looking at me back. I'm sure this feeling has to do with the curse. As I think about the curse, I remember so many questions I have for him...like what the hell I am going to do now. 

"Morning." I give him an answer back with a grin, and I notice Icarus's lips curve up a bit. He gets up out of the bed, pushing his hair back with his hand. There's that feeling again.

"I've got a few chores to do around town today, helping a few of the villagers. You are free to still stay here, as long as you don't do anything irresponsible."

I nod. I should really be getting back onto the road- but I need to figure out more about this curse. As much as I hate staying with a solider, I need to know more information I can leave...like how to get rid of this stupid hex. 

With that, Icarus is up and out of the room.I move the blankets out of the way as I get out of the bed, stretching. I make my way towards a window, slowly moving the white floral patterned curtains out of the way. The village looks so calm in the morning, and sounds of happy playing children can be heard. I watch as a mother gets some breakfast for her children, causing my lips curve into a smile from the cuteness. 

I make my way downstairs now, noticing that Icarus has already quickly got ready and was about to leave...that or I had just been staring out the window for a good length of time. He gestures towards the kitchen.

"You can grab whatever you want, as long as you don't burn my house down."

"I can't promise anything."

This makes him chuckle, and the warm feeling runs through my stomach and chest. 

"Stay out of trouble, Charles." and with that, he left the house, leaving me standing in the nicely decorated hallway.

My eyes catch a door that is opened, and I can't help but peak in it. In this room is a king sized bed, with a welcoming aura to the whole room. There are two red cushioned chairs in the corner of the room, along with a packed bookshelf. I turn my attention to the vanity by the door, noticing all the papers taped to the mirror. It seemed to be writing of a language I didn't know, that or a secret code of some sort. I now look at the table, and my eyes catch two brown, polished boxes sitting on the table. curiosity takes over inside of me, and i carefully open the box on the left. sitting on top is a pamphlet, a photo of a woman and the name "Kara Lambridge". My heart skips a few beats for a moment, realizing that was Icarus's last name. The lady in the photo was stunning, and had the same strong features as Icarus. I put the paper aside, my stomach feeling sick as I look whats in the box...

It was his mother ashes.

I almost feel as if I was about to throw up as hastily put the pamphlet back into the box and close the box shut. My breath stutters a bit in fear, and i gaze over to the other box..

are those his father's ashes?

I can't just be here and not know, so I take a shaky hand and slowly opened the second box. There was another pamphlet sitting on top. On this pamphlet was a photo of Icarus's father, Loki Lambridge. My heart drops as I it comes to a realization that I was indeed right about the second box..

It is his father's ashes.

I close the second box, now speechless. I had absolutely no clue. I close the door as I leave the room, now feeling no right to be in that room. Icarus kept it the exact way since his parents have been there, and it was obvious it wasn't to be fooled around with by some 17 year old who happens to be staying at his house.

I decide that I may as well get some fresh air. I also just feel odd about being in his house right now. I throw on a navy blue button up that Icarus has set on the guest bed to let me borrow, and my now, dry black pants. I tie my short blonde curls into a little pony tail on the back of my head, my shaved sides more prominent. 

I exit the mansion and start to make my way around the town. I notice I am the regular stares and whispers, but not nearly around as much from when I first arrived. News must have gotten around quickly that someone was staying at the King's castle. I hear a group of kids playing nearby, and as I approach, they seem in awe...or scared. I give them a calm, hopefully welcoming smile, and a small, blonde hair kid approached me.

"Are you really a knight?" The kid seemed to be fascinated by this thought, and I stutter on my words as the question catches me off guard.

"Um...well.." I pause. I never thought of myself as a knight, but I guess when you put it that way, I basically am. I now grin at the child, crouching down to get to their level "Yes. Yes I am."

There was a awe of chatter that rushed across the kids, as they all came over to me. A child from the back spoke up "Could you tell us a story? About your adventures?"

I find myself sputtering again, as all the kids agreed in excitement

"The king hasn't told us a story in so long! Pleaseeee? We would love a story." A small girl looks at me with puppy dog eyes- now that I notice, they all seem to be giving me that look. How the hell can I say no to cute kids?

"Okay, okay, as long as your not scared of...dragons!" I leap forward a bit to emphasize the dragon, which causes the kids to giggle in delight. I sit on a nearby rock, the group all sitting on the ground and huddling close to me. I start my story, watching the kids lean forward with each word I say. This is how young knights are born...a story time and a strong imagination