Chapter 15
Chapter Fifteen
CYPRIEN
Iwaited, laying beneath the apple tree and daydreaming about a better life.
In my mind, I was living in my family’s ancestral home and both of my parents were still alive.
My mother had never married Octavius, and I had never been subjected to his daily torture and degradation.
My parents accepted me for who I was and I didn’t have to hide or fear being found out.
I spent my days learning my father’s business, experiencing the things that all gentlemen were accustomed to.
At night, I slept in my cozy bed, surrounded by my favorite things.
There was no more waking before dawn and serving a family I hated, no more cruel words and beatings. I was safe and free.
My thoughts drifted to the prince and our interlude the night before.
There was no hiding, no shame. I wasn’t a random fuck to be hidden away in the dark.
Instead, he knew me and wanted me. Not a random romp, but me.
His ocean blue eyes lit up when he saw me, the king and queen adored me, and the princess trusted me like her own brother.
It was all absolutely perfect. I was finally loved by someone the way I deserved, completely and without reserve.
Jeb and Antonia were in the castle as well, living out their retirement in any way they chose.
Whether that meant working with the staff to stave off boredom or enjoying private time with each other, they were allowed to be happy, no longer forced to work long hours just to keep a roof over their heads.
My mother helped me pick a pattern for my wedding clothes, and we cried together at the final fitting.
Father walked me down the aisle to the prince, who looked at me with utter adoration.
The wedding would be blessed by the Magus and the king welcomed me as a son.
Nothing could be more perfect. I got my happily ever after exactly as Sage had promised.
But in this fantasy world, I had never met Sage, had never needed their help.
Once I finished the fantasy and had grown old with the prince, I started over, playing with and swapping new details.
Would we adopt and raise a child? As a matter of fact, we rescued many children from bad situations and opened an orphanage, funded fully by the crown.
No child would have to endure the life I was trying so hard to ignore, or the life I was threatened with when my mother died.
They were allowed to be children, to play and dream and eventually be adopted by wealthy folks with no heirs.
Each cycle of the fantasy was more extravagant than the one before.
I put more detail into each sexual encounter that I envisioned, imagining what our rooms looked like, down to the wallpaper design and colors.
I even fantasized that I became the epitome of a fashion icon, and that the wealthy of the kingdom followed my every style choice.
I cycled through my imagined life at least three times as I relaxed there in the cool shade.
Never before had I let myself dream so big, to fantasize something so great for myself.
As long as I lived in that world, I could be happy.
As long as I ignored my reality I had hope.
Unfortunately, my bliss was short lived.
Hoofbeats startled me right to my feet. I listened intently as the group on horseback approached.
They were far enough away that I couldn’t yet see them and I could hide if I chose to, but I did not.
It had to be the prince and his guards, but to what end?
Surely my stepfather hadn’t sent them all the way out here to find me, not after he made a point of sending me away to avoid embarrassment.
What would they do when they found me? Were they simply passing by?
There was nothing to do but stand in the open and wait.
ALARIC
A strange tingle sparked to life in my mark as we approached the orchard.
I didn’t dare hope that it meant something, not until it was glowing and buzzing almost painfully.
When I looked up, we were mere feet from Cyprien.
I looked into his eyes, the very same ones that I’d demanded hold my attention the previous night.
His lips were the ones mine remembered. Somehow, ignoring reason and probability, my obsession was also my gladiator.
I all but leapt from my horse and ran to him.
His bright eyes lit up, and his brow furrowed.
He raised his right hand, which glowed bright.
His attention flickered between it and the mark on my left arm.
The glow of both were pulsing in what I assumed was our shared heartbeat.
Everyone was silent, waiting to see what it all meant.
Realization dawned on Cyprien’s face, as though he already knew.
Disappointment swiftly followed. As soon as I was close enough, he held his hand out and laid his glowing palm upon my Hand of Fate.
A bright flash emanated from our joined skin, briefly blinding us. Gasps echoed behind me.
The light dimmed, then winked out. When Cyprien removed his hand, the mark had changed.
It mimicked the lines of his palm, as if they had been carved into my arm with an artist’s precision.
It wasn’t a tattoo, but an intricate scar.
Subtle but striking, it was beautiful. We looked at each other in wonder, still unable to so much as utter a sound.
“It’s him! Oh ,thank the River, we’ve found him!
” the Magus exclaimed from directly behind my left shoulder, breaking the spell.
“It’s just as the scrolls said it would be.
This is just marvelous! A fated pairing coming together in my lifetime.
I never thought I’d see it. River Maiden, bless me, I am so honored to have witnessed this. ”
Cyprien was looking at the man strangely. I turned my head, seeing the pure joy and the tears welling up in the Magus’s eyes. He was rapturous, completely overcome with emotion.
“I’m sorry, but I find myself very confused,” Cyprien admitted. “Is that the court Magus? What is it that has him under such a spell?”
That brought the Magus back to us and he eyed Cyprien curiously. “Surely you know what a fated pairing is. They are in many of our legends and religious works. Our prince was blessed with a Hand of Fate from your touch.”
Cyprien’s attention flickered between the two of us, confusion etched across his adorable features. “I thought you were searching for the princess’ future husband. That’s what all of the rumors preceding your arrival said.” He stared at me, gobsmacked. “Does this mean something else then?”
I grasped his hands gently, pulling his attention to me.
He looked as though he wanted to pull away from me, but thankfully, he didn’t.
“You and I are a fated pairing, blessed by the River Maiden to be together.” The longer the silence stretched between us, the more insecure I became.
Maybe he didn’t want this. “That is, if you’ll have me. ”
His gorgeous eyes brightened then, and his perfectly pouty lips eased into a genuine smile “Are you mad? Do you really have to ask if I’ll have you?
You obviously know it was me who was with you last night, which was the best night of my life.
” Color flooded his cheeks, and he continued to ramble “I am but a commoner, and still you are happy to have found me. You must think of me as a simpleton if you doubt me.”
“So it’s all about who I am?” I began. He shushed me with a finger over my mouth and an impatient look.
“Not in the way you are thinking. I care nothing about your title and riches. Yes, they’re nice but they aren’t what makes me want to be with you.
It isn’t even the pull of fate, though I can feel that now as well.
I knew the moment I left your side last night that I wanted to return to you.
My happiness is laid bare in your eyes.”
The only logical reply to that was to pull him into a passionate kiss, right in front of my entire entourage.
He melted into my arms, and I heard someone start clapping, then several people followed.
Travis’ voice rose above the applause, “Fucking finally!” Cyprien and I smiled against each other’s lips and reluctantly pulled away.
“We shall continue this later,” I promised softly before turning to Travis and the rest of the guard. “Ready the horses, we need to return to the castle at once.”
“What about my stepfather? He’ll be furious if I leave without a word.” Cyprien squeezed my hand. “Promise you’ll never send me back.”
“You never need to worry about that man again. He’ll get what’s coming to him.
When we stand before my father, you must tell him every indignity you suffered at the hands of those atrocious excuses for human beings.
They will not get away with their treatment of you.
” I grasped his hand and led him to a horse.
“I swear to you, you’ll never be at his mercy again. ”