A Royal Marriage

Page 8

It was nearly four hours later before I get a knock.

"Enter." Willa steps in and so does Efren. I smile at him.

"Here you are safe and sound." I got up and went to him. He smiled but I saw that it didn't reach his eyes. "Thank you Willa, his guards?"

"The two to be his escorts are in the hall should he need anything at all."

"Good. Thank you." She nodded and off she went pulling the door closed. I turned back to Efren.

"So did you get all your things?" I asked.

"Yes. It took me a while. You had mentioned about moving me in but I hadn't realized you mean immediately." he said.

"Well, I'm not one to dally without reason. There was no reason to dally so I moved you in. Your room is right next to mine. Let me show you." stepping into the hall his two guards snapped to attention then fell into step behind us. Efren was biting his lip as I showed him down the hall and around the corner. The two guards on his room snapped salutes as we arrived.

"Ladies this is Efren. Efren these are two more of your guard. They know their way around so feel free to ask them any questions you like and they'll show you anywhere you need to go. The castle is your home so feel free to go anywhere you like. All I ask is that you stay within the castle walls for now. If you'd like to go out let me know I'll arrange for the carriage for you."

"Mother asked that I come this Sunday to tea." he mentioned quietly. "She was hoping if you weren't busy you'd be able to come as well."

"I will be sure to be free so I can go with you. You aren't a prisoner, you can go where you like. You don't need to ask for permission either, I just want to be sure I know when you are out and to be sure that you are safe is all." I opened the door and ushered him in. The room was just a hair smaller than mine. Two long windows were thrown open to the light breeze. The room was fresh and clean and even had a new bouquet of flowers on the dresser for him. His trunks were already in his room. A young man jumped to his feet from where he'd been sorting Efren's clothes.

"My lady, sir." he said bowing.

"You must be his new valet."

"yes ma'am. Steven ma'am."

"Steven this is Efren. I hope you'll take good care of him for me." the boy was perhaps fifteen at most. Brand new to the role. He'd work hard and want to impress his new sir and me as well.

"My absolute best ma'am."

"Thank you. Efren what do you think?" I ask gesturing at the bright blue and yellow room.

"It's beautiful. Bigger than i think I really need." he says blushing.

"Oh you'll need the room trust me. In time you'll see what I mean." I took his hand and led him to a door in the wall. Opening it I stepped into the dressing room we'd share. "There is plenty of room for all your things in here." clothes hung along the walls. Two cabinets stood one empty one full of my undergarments, that I rarely wore. The other half of the room held a large tub with spout to fill it. A vanity table behind it, table with pitcher and soap for washing simply.

"I'm ordering a new tub." I tell him as he fingers the one that's there.

"This one is very fine why would you replace it?" he asks as he looks at the porcelain. I step up behind him and lower my voice.

"Because it's not big enough for two." I tell him as I run a hand over his ass. He sucks in a breath his eyes meeting mine. I smile and head for the door into my room. He follows me, and is now blushing. "This is my room. My door will always be unlocked you are welcome in here whenever you'd like, you don't even need to knock. Though after we marry I would prefer you share with me here but I can understand if you'd prefer to use your own room." he doesn't comment just blushes and looks around at my black and yellow room. I pull the keys to his room out of my pocket and hand them to him.

"What are these?"

"The keys to your bedroom door and the connecting door. While I leave an open invitation to visit me anytime. I won't hold it against you if you decide that there are times you want to be alone." I was sure the first time he locked his door it would be because I've upset or angered him. He nodded and slipped them in his pocket. i could hear Steven humming lightly as he put Efren's things away. Slipping my hands around his waist I press my hands into his body through his clothes. Just the hint of intimacy and his eyes were darkening and desire was filling them.

"When you got here," I say as I tug his sash undone and spread his robes wide, "you seemed upset, what was wrong?" I asked as I caressed his sides gently. He swallowed and looked away. "It's alright to tell me, I want honesty between us. No matter the cause or outcome honesty is better in a marriage." he glanced at me, licked his lips, then bit them before taking a breath.

"I hadn't thought about needing guards. They drew a lot of attention. I'm not used to being stared at like I was as we left and traveled."

"I'm sorry if they upset you but they are permanent. I don't want you harassed or hurt. And being my husband and someday my king to sit beside me you'll have to get used to the staring." his eyes went wide and his jaw opened.

"You want me to be king? I had thought to be consort."

"A consort is a man you don't trust to rule beside you. I trust you, and want you beside me, so king you'll be. You may take whatever role you wish too, be as active as you want. I'm used to ruling and taking care of things. I will try to make the time for us to be together but I'm sure that there will be times I see you little, perhaps only at bedtime. If you ever begin to feel overlooked, don't try and suffer alone till I get free time. Simply ask for my attention. If it's possible at all I will be glad to spend time with you."