CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN

The ache in his arms was intense.
His sides hurt as much as his head.
The light streaming in made him squeeze his eyes short again. Sleep was welcome.
"Close the blinds" he mumbled to no one in particular
"Close the damned windows!" He yelled out rolling on his face
The silence responded to him again and he forced a lid open.
No one was in sight.
The sun streaming in was too much for a morning.
How long had he slept?
Groaning, Edgar cradled his gauzed hands and stood. His left hurt more than the right. No doubt where he had planted the fork. Stupidity
At the point it had felt the wisest thing to do. But now, with a wounded arm and a terrible headache he questioned his actions.
But he did not quite regret them
The princess was not leaving. And she was alive
Edgar padded to the window, finding that the sun wasn't as annoying anymore. Two trays laid by his table.
It was noon already
Surveying his breakfast with absolute apathy, Edgar opened the platter of his lunch which was warmer and groaned. Broth? Was he pregnant?
Deciding he would send for food later, Edgar went into the wash room
His tubs were filled with water, one he felt with a finger to be warm.
It had been a while the servant drew it.
He preferred his bath hot. Not warm.
Deciding he couldn't even be pleased with such a bath and his bandaged arm, Edgar pulled down his breeches and dipped into the water.
It proved warmer than he thought
The scented oil was familiar.
He laid in, resting his arms by the edges.
He closed his eyes and smiled
The princess had laid with him. Not like he wanted - naked and and begging - but she laid nonetheless.
He weight had been comforting through the night. He had even childishly sneaked kisses and caresses while she slept deeply.
The herbs placed in a clay bowl by his side was newly plucked. He took hold of the leaves and scrubbed himself. Washing the dirt and blood off his body.
Grabbing the woollen towel, Edgar dried his body painfully. The ache in his arms disturbing.
With a grimace, he fit into his tunic and pulled on breeches. Deciding his over coat would be bothering, Edgar threw a larger coat over his back and it draped across his shoulders. Drawing his sword onto his belt, he fastened it and closed the door behind him as he left.
The guard by his door bowed lowly and sneaked a look at his arm. Nothing seemed to go unnoticed at the manor of O'alistair. He must have noted his bloodied form as he had left the child's chamber the precious night.
Edgar took a turn that led him to the balcony overlooked the fields he owned. His crops were withering no doubt. The stems quickly browning as the fruits were harvested. Winter would be harsh, he decided with conviction. The breeze was mightily chilled
A royal maid curtsied and stood at the far end of the wall.
He waved his long fingers and she came.
"Bring a pot of tea and the best veal" he ordered, yawning
"It...it seems to be noon my Lord" the female said with shy eyes
"I have noticed" he said with an amused smile at the younger servant who seemed to blush profusely and left with another lower curtsy
The air around was a bit warmer as he settled. The breeze no longer in succession. The bench he sat on was a simple oak with a leather arm and back rest. It's legs strong and not easily moved. Across him was a small bamboo table. The ancient furniture was passed down generations.
The balcony reminded him of home. Family. His brutal father.
He didn't blame him too much. That was the only way he knew
to love. To tame and "discipline"
His mother. Lady of Horace. Beloved Helen. She had been the best woman he knew. Caring, loving. Beautiful.
He gulped back the emotions as he heard thuds behind him.
A larger woman appeared with a bowl and a small kettle.
She curtsied
"Good morning His majesty" she greeted and rose gracefully. So graceful he was amazed considering her size.
She laid the bowl which had a lid and opened to reveal a smaller bowl. It held his favourite meat.
She scooped the dried meat into a platter and ushered it to him.
Pouring the mint tea too in a stein and waiting his other command.
He flicked his wrist and she curtsied and took her leave.
The younger girl returning to stand by the door.
His thought went to the child.
Was she till in bed? He wondered
Deciding she was either still mourning and trying to avoid him
Oh, she tried that too often
He liked the little wench. But each day he felt she was coming to realise his affections and taking advantage of them.
With a groan, Edgar rose with his cup of tea and stuantered to the railing.
The field attracted him. Figure was moving through it . He peered closely and found that two workers were still harvesting his crops before winter came with it's cold clutches and destroyed it entirely.
He returned to his kettle and poured another into his stein.
The minty smell comfortable and soothing
He took a lump of veal and ate hungrily, chewing the tender meat with interest.
He sipped his tea and kept his mind as much as he could off the Riverland princess.
His plate now empty, Edgar sat down satisfied and wiped his lip with a colored napkin.
He rose with effort from his seat and went to the door. Watching the maid curtsy and he returned with a nod as he stepped out. Finding the halls warmer than he left them.
He should possibly go to the field and train with his men. Oh he missed the old butler now than ever. The man had proved better company than most. His teasing, his advice. He exhaled and turned to the throne room. He was still lost as to why the man had taken his won life so crudely.
His daughter still no where to be found.
The room seemed to hold no man but a guard that stood watch. A maid wiping the windows.
He turned and all but collided with something. Someone. Judging by the slight groan.
His eyes lifted to the child. Her face flushed. Dark shadow was under her eyes,
Her dress was a frilly hue, the bodice laced. He wore. Leather corset over it. Her black hair piled atop her head. strands loose and hanging over her a
small face. Her lip puckered in a slight frown, her hand rubbing her left arm.
"Did I hurt you?" He asked as he reached for her
She shook her head and made to turn.
Edgar reached out instinctively and drew her gently but firmly back
"Let us walk" he said and stirred her to the manor entrance.
Both stepping into the fresh smelling afternoon air.
Selene drew her hand from his subtly and wrapped it about her torso
Edgar shrugged out of his coat and laid it in her. She mouthed an appreciation and walked on.
Directing their steps to the stables, Edgar held out his horse by the reins.
"A ride ?" He asked as he saddled his stallion and held out his hands.
The princess looked uncertain before she reached for his outstretched hands and he pulled her up effortlessly onto the horse, nudging it for a trot.
He could smell her hair. Scent of bathing herb and oil.
Her skin felt cold as he pulled her against him and stirred the horse to the edge of the forest. Away from prying eyes.
She was quiet, not in her nature.
"Are you still ill?" He asked. Deeply worried
She mumbled a "No"
The silence ensued for longer till the horse came to a slow stop and he unsaddled. Holding her down as well. Hands on his waist for support.
She had lost weight alright.
He still held. Seeking her reaction. He wasn't disappointed
She wiggled as he held firmly to her. His arms encircling her waist.
He knew he was better off not tasting waters. One that could drown him but that knowledge did not stop him. He yearned her touch. He wanted it. To hold her like the night. To have his face touched by her.
"Touch me" he said. Eyes strongly on her
Selene was startled by his request but obliged. Threading her hands through his beautiful hair.
She trailed her hands down his chin till it fell by her side.
"Do you feel nothing for me child? Even a vague likeness?" He asked
She gulped, eyes cast down with fear in them
"Look at me Selene" he said with a nudge to her chin
Her eyes collided with his and he found tears waiting to spill.
He quietly drew her into him and hushed her silent cries. She still mourned
"She was not to die....too young. Death would have me instead" she wept.
He kept quiet. Knowing she would not like what he thought in that.
He could have anyone die if it wasn't her. But if course if he could help it then none should. He valued his people and the Riverland princesses had come to be his belonging and responsibility.
He lifted her face to him and brushed the tears off them
"Name what makes you happy and I will give you in ten folds" he said
She smiled weakly at him
His heart ached. A pang settling on his chest. He wanted to see her smile always.
"I would like if you allowed me feel your lips" he said, eyes in her, unwavering
She tensed. Pushing at his hands that still held her.
"Please" he mumbled. Discovering he had used the word within days more than he had in about two decades
She stood silently. All the approval he needed as he took her lips in his. Lingering for a moment and pulling away.
The child looked uncertainly at him. Eyes questioning
He smiled and moved her small hands to his shaft. It was growing between his thighs
She gasped and pulled back like she had been scalded. Face reddening in embarrassment.
"What do you want Selene?" He offered again
She looked at his silently and mumbled
"What?" He asked
Silence
"Tell me Selene. Anything" he assured
"Kiss" she said
He did. Kissed her like he was crazed, till they both were breathless and now on the grass. Her dress pulled up and her corset undone. He kissed her till she pulled away.
She asked for nothing more.
Edgar laid his forehead on hers, staring deeply into her sea green eyes.
She shifted beaneath him, no doubt uncomfortable at their possible exposure
"I doubt any one will question me in my house" he assured
"Me.. they'll spoil my name. This...is is totally improper" she stated, anger reddening her features
"Laying with me" he asked with an amused smile
"I have...we have done no such thing!!" She snapped, mortified and strengthened her effort to escape his hold
He let her, watching as she scrambled to her feet and righted her dress. Fumbling with her corset hopelessly.
Edgar rose to her help. Turning her around and fastening the laces easily. He had undressed enough women in his life.
"I must return to the manor. Alone" she said and left the edge of the edge the forest, marching towards the open field.
The breeze blew violently and she struggled with her dress, holding it against the wind that threatened to undress her.
She made her way across the grasses, seeing apparent signs of withering.
Hooves came behind her and Selene stepped aside, watching as he rode out of sight.
Selene glared. He was a brute. One that desired her body only. Every resistance she put up angered him. And she, she was a fool she decided solemnly. A foolish wanton virgin with high hopes. How could the Lord even like her? He merely cared for her body and sheltered her out of responsibility. A royal prisoner.
He had said no man would touch her, oh she was ready. Ready to prove him wrong. She'd spoil herself even if to spite the emperor.
Selene did not make it far. A violent force threw her off. Sending her tumbling over the field.
She cried out, hands coming to her ear. A deep echo sounded about her, the Earth seeming to spin too quickly.
Selene saw through blurriness as the guards ran to her aid.
The first to arrive was a young male. He dropped by her side and held her up.
"Are you alright Lady?" He asked
Selene groaned. Her head immediately aching.
She looked round as the fog in her peripheral cleared and she could see.
The man by her side was till searching for evidence of wounds on her body.
Selene coughed, her head ached immensely. Her back too felt bruised
"What happened?" She asked
The guards looked at themselves
"We...you fell my lady" one volunteered
"Ohh" she mumbled.
Holding the man nearest to her, Selene rose to her feet.
"We will see you to the palace my Lady" another said and led her to a horse that a guard had brought.
Selene mounted with much effort and was rode off slowly to the manor.
As she came down the mare, a maid rushed to her.
"Should we call the healer my lady?" She asked worriedly
"I am fine" she replied looking strangely at the maid. Had they not heard the echo or the violent rotation?
She followed the maid who held her up, down the hall way that led to her chamber.
"What is wrong with her?" Came that familiar voice laced with constant command.
"I had word that she fell" the maid replied with a curtsy
"Are you unwell?" He asked
She shook her head slowly
"Take her to rest at her chamber. Make certain she remains there" the Lord said and returned to the throne room where three men stood, hands clasped nervously at their back.
The door of the throne room was pulled close and a timid chatter began inside it.
Selene did not say a word to the sympathetic maid as she was led to her chamber and the door closed behind her. A guard behind it.
Selene laid her head and exhaled. She was tired, broken and alone. She didn't want to add insane to that. Or maybe she was sick.
She would see the healer come morning. She decided.
Her headache had gone was swiftly as it came. Her back though still hurt. She had fallen wrongly. What threw her? No one was close, of this she was certain.
Further affirming she needed to see the healer.
Winter came with illnesses.
Sleep had nearly consumed her to it's frightening darkness when a knock came.
She turned her head to the door, waiting another knock. It didn't come. The door opened instead and Selene immediately knew who had entered
The Lord stood by the door. His blue overcoat on him.
"Are you ill?" He asked
"I am not" she replied, struggling to sit up and further glare at the irritating man
"You will see the healer" he stated and took the cushioned seat by the window.
The silence was short-lived.
" Should food be brought to you ?" He asked
Selene shook her head.
Edgar stood from the chair and sat on the bed where Selene sat cross legged, the duvet over her frame
"I do not think this proper in any way my Lord" Selene cautioned and moved to the far end of the wall
Edgar stared at the child. Over his face was a hundred littered emotions. Confusion. Lust. Fright. Desire. Attraction. Yearning. Passion. Tenderness....
Selene looked away from the hypnotic orbs and instead began to knit the perfect sheet with her fingers
"Do you really wish to marry another?" The Lord asked
"I have to...else I am doomed to a lonely live. I...would want to have a child" she responded
"And if I gave you a child?" He questioned
"I need a baby of my own, from me" she explained
"It would be from you Selene. Your child. And mine. Would that make you stay at Sol?" He asked
Selene stared at the man in bewilderment. How could he suggest that, being his mistress was worst as it was. But a child out of wedlock? A love child? She had been one, oh she would never make that horrible mistake in her life. She had rather died childless.
"I forbid that. It can not happen. I need a father, a husband. Not some foul king that I merely warm his bed" she said and rose from the mattress the kinds mere proximity angering her further.
"I see" he said. The pain crossed his expression swiftly.
He had once wanted. Needed a family. Monique. A pregnant one.
Now, he wasn't as naive. Life took what he treasured most, shattered his hopes.
He had learnt, so long as he valued very little and expected nothing at all, then life couldn't work with it's disappointing claws.
The child was ungrateful from the very beginning. Maybe she wanted his head. He couldn't give that just yet. He doubted Sol would want a headless king.
He walked to the princess. He stared at her deeply. Her eyes reflecting a childish innocence that meekly aroused him.
Pulling her face to his, he waited for her struggle. It did not come.
He kissed her slowly. Barely a whisper of his lips, let her face go.
Left her in the dim room and left without a word.