Dark One Rising(121)
“Which part is more difficult for you to grasp? The fact that I’m capable of actually being in love? Or the fact that it’s Melenthia that I’m in love with?”
“Forgive me, Your Majesty. I don’t find it hard to believe that anyone could be in love with Melenthia. She’s a fiery, beautiful, endearing woman. I just never thought I’d ever hear you say it, at least not and mean it.”
“I’m finding it unsettling myself, but I woke up this morning a different man. I didn’t just have the revelation last night, if that’s what you’re thinking. I’ve had these feelings for awhile now. I just only now decided that I couldn’t deny them anymore to her, or myself. I’m ready to be the king my father, and you, have wanted me to be, and I will be an even better one with her at my side.”
Alek was stunned, and his face showed it. Dain looked up from his glass of wine and smiled at his friend and counselor. “Please, Alek, give me something. Tell me you’re at least happy for me.”
Alek pulled out of his silence. “I am, my dear friend, I am. I’m happy that you have finally found the one person to snap you out of the catatonic state you were in.” He reached over and grasped Dain’s shoulder.
“That’s more like it.” He sighed again, a small crease evident on his forehead. “Now we’d better inform Melenthia that she will finally see her brother, and we better prepare her for perhaps distressing news.”
“I’ll tell the stable staff to prepare a stall and tell the guard to have Kevaan escorted straight to us.”
“Yes, and I would have Emerick inform Sol and the elf to join us as well when he arrives.”
He stood and nodded to his king, heading toward the door.
“Alek.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“I’m prepared to stand behind Melenthia in this fight. She won’t go into this alone. I’m prepared to die if I have to. Can you understand that?”
“Yes, Sire, because I’m prepared as well. This is a fight for all of us. Melenthia is only the light to lead us. I promised Kevaan that I would keep her safe, or die trying, and I will not go back on my word. As always, you have my loyalty, and so does she.”
Dain nodded. There were no more words needed. Alek left him alone in the hall as he took the time to soak in everything that he knew and prepare himself for things that he didn’t. He ate a quick bite and went upstairs to rouse his love.
CHAPTER 28
Melenthia awoke to a sunbeam hitting her face from the open curtains. She blinked a couple of times in the bright light, then stretched and sat up in bed. The blankets slid down to her waist and she stretched again, yawning.
She thought she would feel tired this morning, weary, but instead she felt refreshed and ready to face the day. She almost wondered if everything that had happened the night before had only been in her dreams. She felt it hard to grasp the reality that not only had she fallen in love, and he was in love with her, but that it was the king who stole her heart. She blinked again a couple of times. It had been real, right?
She suddenly felt as if she were not alone and looked toward the chair near the fireplace, just to the right of the bed. Dain was sitting there watching her, a small smile on his face, his pale blue eyes translucent in the bright morning sunlight. She had not been dreaming. She really had given herself over to a man, and he loved her. She smiled back and did nothing to cover herself up.
“What? Are you still trying to figure out what to do with me?” she finally asked when he said nothing and made no moves towards her.
He laughed heartily. “No. I think we’re way past that now, don’t you?”
She smiled. “Then what?”
“I was just watching you. You looked so peaceful I didn’t want to disturb you just yet.”
“Would you like me to go back to sleep?”
He laughed again, “No, that’s not necessary.” He stood from the chair and came over to her, sitting beside her on the bed. He reached over and brushed back her hair, the red curls awry after a night of passion and deep sleep. She cradled his hand in the crook of her neck.
“I was going to wake you in a few more minutes if you didn’t wake up yourself. I know I kept you up most of the night and you must be tired, but you should probably get up now. There are things to attend to.”
“Do you want to come back to bed?” she asked him, her lids closing halfway in a sensuous way.
His loins came awake again, but he tamped them down and took a deep breath to calm his once again racing heart. “As much as that is an extremely temping offer, you really do need to get up. There will be time again later.”