“More likely the aristos would stage a coup.”
“They’re always plotting and planning something. This way we can direct their energies.”
“Yes, but you stated you no longer wish to seek out bridal candidates. Therefore, the Talac - Captain of the Guard - disguise would be defunct, you could no longer travel about uncovering and exposing those doing the plotting and foil them.”
“Ah, but I was thinking of inventing a new, harmless persona. That of besotted newlywed. Travelling about visiting my new wife’s kin, who I’m given to understand are extensive and located at all corners of the Realm. And we already have a first mission. Tracking down and punishing who ever tried to poison you that day of the high tea by the river.”
“Talac…” She didn’t know what to say, he had bamboozled her.
“Burdens and responsibilities are lightened the more shoulders there are to carry them. Troubles and problems shared are halved in an instant. You would never be alone again, for I would be there beside you.”
Talac was so tempting… him, the man. But so far all she’d heard him talk about was how suitable Alia would be for the Realm, for the royal family. Unconsciously, Alia shook her head, breath catching in her throat as Talac moved like lightning, suddenly kneeling before her. His large warm hands capturing hers, gripping them gently but firmly.
“It would be the truth you know.”
“The truth?” He was too close. His touch, it sent little flits of heat to flap around her stomach in anticipation… in need.
“Besotted. Because I am, Alia. Besotted. Beguiled. Enthralled. Captivated… by you. From the moment you ran pell mell down that grassy incline. A chicken feather in your hair. A smudge of stable dirt on your face, and a crooked bridesmaid flower crown upon your head. You were enchanting. Then we danced. Then we duelled with words… and swords. I’d never met a woman like you before. I tried to dodge the inevitable, calling you friend… but I found myself yearning to see you smile, to touch you… to kiss and hold you. I wanted more than friendship, I wanted you, in my bed, in my life. I do not care what title you carry. Queen. Princess. Lady. Beast. Commoner. I love you… I’ll always love you, Alia.”
“Perhaps.” She swallowed, her throat suddenly very dry. “… perhaps you should have led with that declaration.”
“If I wasn’t Prince Zariffe the fourteenth, I would have considered doing so. But I come with imperious but loving parents, an interfering manipulative grandmother, and an entire Realm of subjects who feel they are entitled to have a say in what direction my life should go. I thought it only fair you should consider all the baggage I come with before making a decision.”
“Decision? In all of your warnings, flattery and declarations… I don’t believe you’ve asked me a question?” She saw something flicker in those flint grey depths, uncertainty? Heavens, Talac was nervous. She was charmed. “But before you do so formally. I feel impelled to issue you with a warning concerning the baggage that I carry. A gruff, prideful, stubborn father. And seemingly hundreds of female kin; sisters, half-sisters, nieces, aunts, great-aunts, cousins, second cousins. All, who if I were to move to relocate to the Golden Palace, would insist upon visiting me.”
“I would look forward to getting to know them. And in case you haven’t noticed, I’ve proven a rather successful matchmaker of late. Perhaps I could put my new found skills to some good use, for the sake of your family.”
“That would be nice. But not all seek marriage. Some would just like to see more of the world outside Gloomenthrall.”
“Perhaps they might wish to study at our universities. It’s past time they began accepting female candidates, and they’ll have a hard time denying entrance to anyone favoured by the Royals. Or… if your kin don’t wish to study, perhaps one or two might be interested in setting up a business here in the township. Habbon for instance, the jewellery designer.”
“A woman with a business? No one would patronise it.”
“They would if it was endorsed by the crown. I’m betting you could come up with a clever way to manipulate Grandmere into wearing one or two of her designs. The aristos will quickly follow her lead.”
Talac was serious about all these changes, Alia could tell by the sincere expression on his face. The flits picked up their fluttering around her gut, as if they were flying through a storm. “I told you of the family curse. What if we only have female children?”
“Then that’ll certainly challenge my father and his views on succession. And if he isn’t willing to make some changes, then when I move onto the throne, I will do so.”
“Many… men will not like or approve of these changes you’re proposing.”
“It will take time but they’ll eventually get used to it. Especially once their female kin stop cooking, cleaning, and caring for them if they don’t start changing their ways.”
“Some will react violently… the women will be the ones to suffer.”
“I was talking to Perri, she mentioned not knowing what to do with the Soutner estate. I proposed a haven for women.”
“Ooohh, that’s a good idea. It’s close enough to Gloomenthrall that it will be protected, and we can have instructors from the Lair train the women in trades and self-defence. And Regal would be turning over in his freshly dug grave if he knew of it.” Alia halted mid laugh as Talac squeezed her hands.
“So that takes care of all your baggage concerns… what about your feelings… for me?” That flicker of uncertainty flashed across his eyes again. He undid her with his bravery, with his declarations, it was only fair she return the favour.”
“From the first moment you lifted me all too effortlessly into the air as we danced back at the wedding held at the Lair, I was intrigued by you… wary, but definitely intrigued. Not once did you attempt to usurp my role. Everything you did, everything you said, indicated you not only respected me but had faith in me and what I was trying to achieve with the Lair, its inhabitants, and my kin. But I had been alone for so very long… had convinced myself that I would forever be alone, that it took me a while… perhaps too long, to recognise a kindred spirit. And it didn’t help matters, at all, when I discovered you were a Prince. That not only complicated things for me, but destroyed any fantastical remote ideas I had still remaining that you and I… well, could be a you and I.”
“I feel like I should apologise. But you know the reasons for the disguise. And you know why I kept being the Prince a secret.”
“Yes. I had assumed Talac, the one I had gotten to know at Gloomenthrall, was nothing but a mask you put on and pulled off when it suited you. That he was dead, as it were, once you stepped back into your royal role. And all I was left with was Prince Zariffe, who I didn’t know, and who wore an arrogant expression constantly and maintained a remote distance from everyone. But then I noticed the familiar twinkle in your eyes when something amused you was still present. And that you continued to manoeuvre those around you about, the same as Talac would have, just with a dollop more condescension added to the mix. You laughed. You never mocked me or denigrated my talents. You praised my quarry-hammer and archery skills. And you never allowed anyone to escape taunting me without giving them a taste of their own medicine. Zariffe Talac… um, another middle name I can’t remember… Vallas, it wasn’t part of the plan but somewhere along the way I fell in love with the master spy, the Prince… the man. I love you Talac.” Alia leaned forward planning to seal her declaration with a sweet swift kiss, but the moment their lips met, heat flared inferno bright between them.
A lifetime of kisses just like this were in the offing. Never could Alia have imagined that allowing this man to gatecrash her hunt would lead to the two of them falling in love. Talac breaking off the kiss abruptly, eliciting a small moan of protest from Alia, which brought a self-satisfied smile to his lips.
