True Loves Kiss
Juliette's POV
The river is freezing cold and I shiver as I quickly wash myself in the water, dunking my blonde curls. I take the time to scrub my dress in the water, trying to be quick in case anyone from the camp stumbles across me naked. Gods, the horror.
The cold water kind of reminds me of Murdoch and a small part of me aches for home and my mother before I shake myself. Nope. Not doing that. I can't miss a woman who let the King treat me so badly, even if she is my mother. And I can't miss a place that was never really home.
I quickly finish bathing and hop out of the river twisting my long hair into a knot and squeezing all of the excess water out of it.
I grab my spare shift and put it on, hanging my dress up in a nearby tree to dry.
I can't really go anywhere while I wait so I settle myself against the tree with the lute I borrowed from Rupert at camp.
He had been kind enough to lend it to me and the familiar weight of the instrument in my hand brought back a raft of memories.
Daria gently teaching me how to play, my first concert to my statue friends - Cordelia, Eloise and Dorian, and then my first concert playing for Seamus and some of my ladies-in-waiting.
I gently drift my fingers over the strings plucking each one and smile.
I close my eyes, leaning my head against the tree and gently start to play.
It's an old nursery song that I learnt from Daria, one about fair folk that live in mushroom rings, luring small children to dance forever.
It's morbid thinking about the lyrics as an adult but as a child I'd always thought it was beautiful.
A soothing melody fills the air and I softly sing the lyrics.
My voice is... not that great but the song fills empty without the words.
I play for several minutes before the sound of wood snapping under feet causes my eyes to fly open and my fingers to stop. Caspian, blond curls wildly arranged around his head, walks towards me with a smile on his face.
"Don't stop playing on my account, Love." I shake my head, my cheeks blushing slightly as I place the lute down and move to cover my legs more. Caspian must realise I'm wearing nothing but my shift because his eyes suddenly widen in panic and he turns immediately on the spot.
"My deepest apologies, my lady. I'm so sorry." His voice is several octaves higher than usual and I can't help but laugh. I stand grabbing my half-dried dress off the tree and slipping it on.
"Don't worry about it, Cass. You can turn around." I say, my voice filled with humour.
He turns around cautiously before seeing I'm fully dressed and sighing in relief, "My apologies, love. I should have announced my presence before just barging in here."
I shake my head, "it's a free forest. Please come sit with me." I gesture to where I was sitting before and gently lower myself down again. He nods and quickly comes to sit, uncaring of his close proximity to me. He sits with his arm pressing against mine and I can't help but blush.
He glances at my lute and then at me, "I didn't know you could play."
I nod running my fingers gently over the carefully painted wood, "I learnt when I was younger and always enjoyed it. I'm not a professional by any means but it's fun."
Caspian smiles, "you must have had some time on your hands being a Princess. I mean you can sword fight, read, play the lute, is there anything you can't do?"
I laugh. "Well I'm yet to master cooking despite Bjorn's valiant attempts.
" Caspian grins and gently nudges me, "I'm sure you'll get it one day, love.
" My cheeks blush slightly at the nickname despite me desperately trying to keep my cool.
Gods, first Nik and now Caspian and Bjorn giving me butterflies. Mother would lose her mind.
The thought of all three of the men reminds me suddenly and vividly of when I caught them... together, and my cheeks flame even more. Caspian must notice because he gives me a mischievous grin and raises his eyebrow, "thinking dirty things Juliette?"
"No!"
Caspian bursts into laughter, the sweet sound filling the air. "Well my mistake. Clearly I was way off."
I huff, embarrassed but curious. "Caspian... can I ask you something? You don't need to answer at all if you don't want to, you can just tell me to be quiet-"
He gives me a reassuring smile, his eyes soft and sweet, "I'll answer anything you want Juliette. What's on your mind?"
"Are you... with Nik and Bjorn?" I blurt before turning bright red. Caspian doesn't laugh at me though, just thinks about the question seriously and nods.
"I am. In a way. Nik, Bjorn and I... we have a connection that feels beyond just... being with them. We belong together. Always have."
Oh.
I'm a little shocked despite what I saw the other night.
It's uncommon for men to be together in Murdoch and polyamorous couples even less so.
But for some reason... I'm not disgusted the way I know my father would be.
Caspian's voice rings true. Full of genuine and deep love for Nik and Bjorn and not for the first time I wonder what it would feel like for someone to love me that way.
"How long have you known them for?" It's the only thing I can think to ask.
Caspian sighs and leans his head against the tree, "my whole life.
I met Bjorn and Nik when I was just a kid in Boral.
Nik and I were orphans and Bjorn's family couldn't deal with the extra mouth to feed at the time.
Nik and Bjorn worked for the same master in Collingridge.
A cruel, awful husband and wife couple who treated them terribly.
I won't go into details because it's not my story to tell but they escaped.
Hitchhiked to Boral and found me. I'd been living on the streets and I was.
.. not doing well. They found me, saved me, and we have been inseparable ever since. "
"I'm so sorry you went through that." I look at him hoping he can see how upset I am that they went through something like that. They'd just been kids.
He shakes his head smiling softly, "don't be. If I didn't go through what I did I might never have met them. And I'd rather suffer those years a thousand times than be without them."
My eyes well with tears before I can help it and I quickly look down at my lute before he can see them, "that's really sweet.
It's nice that you guys have got each other.
" Capsian tilts my chin up, concern written across his face, "Juliette?
" He gently wipes a single tear that escaped and I huff, annoyed at myself for letting my emotions get the best of me.
"Sorry, it's nothing." I don't sound convincing even to myself. Caspian gives me a chiding look and I sigh.
"I... I just wish I'd experienced the kind of love you have for Nik and Bjorn. It sounds... overwhelming but... good." I feel stupid the moment I say the words and I tuck my knees up to my chest in a slight effort to hide from my own body.
Caspian's eyes soften, "Juliette... trust me when I say you will."
I laugh lightly, "Oh? How can you be so sure?" Caspian doesn't laugh just brings his thumb up to my face, gently tracing along my jawline until he reaches my bottom lip. My heart stutters as I stare at him.
"What are you doing?" I whisper. Caspian watches me, his deep brown eyes staring into my own.
"I know because I'm starting to feel the same way for you."
My breath catches at the blunt statement and I stare at him speechless as he gently tugs a slightly wet blonde curl.
"W-what... But... What about Bjorn? What about Nik?" My voice is high and breathless.
Caspian smiles, "I don't love them any less. And they don't love me any less." He gently tugs at my bottom lip. "Juliette. Can I kiss you? I promise I'll explain it all later but please, gods please, let me kiss you."
I nod without thinking.
His hands tangle in my curls as he angles his face to mine gently brushing our lips together.
He tastes sweet, like honey, and I press my lips harder to his, my own hands tangling in his shirt.
He moans softly and our mouths move together in sync.
Butterflies fill my chest as we kiss breathlessly.
Gods, he's so sweet. And his fucking pouty lips are just as kissable as I knew they would be.
We sink to the forest floor, panting and softly moaning.
Caspian shifts on top of me, two strong arms on either side of me keeping his weight from crushing me.
Our lips still move together, more desperately this time and I can't help the small whimper that leaves me.
He pulls away slightly and his lips are puffy from my kisses as he smiles.
"Are you okay, love?"
I smile back, flushed pink and happy, "yes."
I feel all... bubbly. It's a new sensation and it lingers in my chest and my heart. Caspian grins and kisses my cheek, "good. We should probably get to lunch. That's actually what I came looking for you to tell you - lunch is ready."
I laugh, "I'm not sure you're the most reliable messenger Cass. That was ten minutes ago." He laughs with me and gets off me helping me up with his hand.
A more serious feeling settles in my chest, old and familiar worries and anxieties. "Cass. Can we talk.. Properly about all this stuff later tonight?"
He turns around, his half buttoned white shirt billowing slightly in the wind. "Of course love. Come by my room later tonight. You remember where it is?"
I nod. Caspian smiles reassuringly before leading me to the campfire.
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