Chapter 28
Hours later, I was still fastened to my swordsman’s side when he roused me from sleep. He brushed a curl from my face.
“It’ll be morning soon, Princess,” he whispered.
“I don’t care,” I told him. “Let them find us. Let them see.”
“If only that was an option,” he said.
“It could be.” I found his bemused expression with mine. “It could.”
“How? You marry Sam in a month,” he said. “I think he’d take it badly.”
“No, I mean…” I sat up, tucking my legs beneath me, sitting higher. “Come home with me,” I asked or said. “Come back to Oreia when I return. With me.”
“Your father would never allow that. Not ever.”
“My father would not allow what?” I asked.
“Me.”
“I didn’t recognize, how would he?” I asked.
“It doesn’t matter if he knew who I was. He would not just overlook the company of a man, not your husband. He’d be livid."
I laughed. “Marriage never meant more than the words it took to him, why should it matter now because it’s mine?”
“Love.”
“You could come back as my Sword—my knight.”
“Your knight?” He paused. “And how would I manage that fabrication, yeah?”
“It wouldn’t be a fabrication. I would knight you,” I said.
“What?” He paused. Then shook his head. “No.”
“Yes! It’s brilliant. It’s perfect really. I’ll knight you. You’ll return to Oreia as Ser Cyrus Evergreen,” I declared. I slid from the bed and picked up his sword, struggling with its clip.
“You can’t just knight me, Svana,” he tried.
“The Hell I can’t,” I said. The sword came free from its sheath.
“I am fully capable. Knighting does not have to come from the King. It’s been done.
Not by me, of course, but I do know of lords who have done it in their lands for their swords.
My father grants this permission, so long as the man is truly deserving,” I said.
I pointed the tip at him, but he brushed it to the side.
“I don’t deserve the honor,” he said. “While I appreciate your creativity, I’ve done nothing to deserve such a thing. Knighting me would defy everyone else who does deserve it. I can’t do that. It’s unoreian.”
“Un-Oreian? You cannot be serious?” I said. “Will, no one will question your merit.”
“I think I could physically do the job, yes, but—”
“I’m not speaking to physicality. Of course you could do the job. Look at you.” I gestured to his torso. “I’m— Willem, you’ve saved my life. Twice.”
He sighed, though cheerfully, and inclined his head. “Ser Elías might have a few concerns,” he said.
“Well, personally, I think the Lord Commander kind of owes me a favor. Don’t you?” I asked. “I don’t think he would dare question it. And, if anyone would attest to your deservingness, it would be him.”
“I think I am already your Knight,” he said. “I don’t need a title to know it.”
I deflated but he kissed me. Softly. At the corner of my lips.
He said, “I will see you as soon as the sun has risen.”
“How?” I asked.
“Conjure an excuse; I’ve no doubt you can.”
“I don’t want to go,” I said.
He touched my cheek. “Swan, they cannot find this. Us.” His hand strayed to the small of my back, drawing me closer. “This will be very difficult to explain when someone walks in.”
“Is it the sword?” I asked. I pressed its tip into the floor.
“It’s the kissing,” he said, daring his lips to my shoulder. “And the touching. And the moaning. And the wanting and the needing.”
I groaned, rolling my eyes. “I hate that you’re right.”
“Lucky for you, these moments come so rarely,” he quipped.
My shoulders dropped as I went toward the door. “...Will you dream of me again?” I asked.
“I dream of you every night, my Swan. Now go. Get some rest.”
“Good night… Ser Willem.”
He smiled. “Good night, Princess.”
Cyrus and I saw each other later that day, and again the next, and the next, and though his injury kept us from forming a deeper connection, the way his body had felt beneath my hand never quite left my thoughts.
I thought about his hardness in the bath; I thought about it in the garden. I thought about it when I spoke to Ser Willoughby, and when Sameer asked me if I had submitted my design to Miss Lydia.
“What?” I asked, shaken from my day dreams. “What design?”
He wove his arms. “Your dress, Svana. Your wedding dress?” He studied me. “Are you alright? You seem distracted.”
The Prince and I stopped walking in the yard. I shrugged, then nodded, dismissively, but from where I stood, I could see Cyrus try to swing his blade with a crude wince.
I said, “I’ve only thought about the Chapel, Your Highness. I haven’t submitted a design. I thought I would just…leave it in her hands.”
He shook his head. He looked at what I looked at, then did a double take. “God. You know, I did tell him to go easy but I don’t think the man can help himself. Masochist. He is defined by the sword; it’s a perpetual misery of his own making.”
“That sword got him here,” I said, remembering his words. He’d worked to get to me. “He’s a glutton though, I’ll agree.”
Sam grinned. “Shall we scold him?” he asked, delighted. “He might listen to you. You know, he had some very nice things to say about you last night. I think he’s coming around, love. My dream of you being friends draws ever near.”
“Right, friends,” I said.
As we approached, Cyrus saw us right away. He took a break, resting his hand to his waist, the other held the pommel like a walking stick.
“Sam,” he said, breathing. “Svana,” he said, softer. “What do I owe the pleasure?”
My eyes found his, and I knew they gave me away. Cyrus met them, and somehow, we shared a private, silent dialogue that tempted us both.
“That looks hard, Mr. Evergreen,” I commented. “You must be very skilled with your hands to handle this sword all day.”
“Hard, does it?” he asked. He narrowed his eyes minutely. “I’d say you’re correct, Your Highness. It’s hard most days lately.”
“No one puts in the effort like our Evergreen,” Sam said, beaming proudly. “He’s devoted.”
“Aye,” I said. “I can see that. Though I wonder, should he be out in the open like this? Look at him, Sam. He’s soaked in sweat.”
“Soaked?” Cyrus asked. His jaw worked.
Sam nodded. “Oi, he is, isn’t he?” He checked over him. “He’s positively drenched.”
“Oh, yes, Your Highness,” I agreed. “Mr. Evergreen is very wet,” I said. “Do you think he might get others wet, too?”
The Prince shrugged, confused. “I…I don’t know about that; I think he just needs a bath.”
Cyrus didn’t like my game. He swallowed a smirk and clicked his tongue.
It wasn’t long before the Prince was called away for some excuse to see Lady Agatha, and when we said farewell and he was gone, my Sword followed me into the library and shut the door with the utmost careful precision.
His gaze was unyielding as he moved toward me and pushed my skirt up on either side.
“You temptress,” he muttered. “I should be cross that you would tease me in front of him like that.”
I giggled. He planted me firmly on the desk, diligently caressing the outer parts of my thighs.
“How can I resist?” I asked. “All I think about is you teasing me. It’s only polite that we should share the torment.”
He knelt, kissing the inside of one leg, then the other. “The torment is already mutual, love. You don’t have to add to it.”
I exhaled. “That feels good,” I said. My hand slid into his hair. “C-Cyrus. If you can swing a blade, can you make love to me?” I asked.
He looked up, caressing my knee, dragging my body closer to his hips as he stood. He said, “Princess, if you were any other woman in the world, I’d have been inside you the moment we passed through that door.”
“But I’m so distraught like this. Please? Is that what you want? Me to ask? To beg?”
“Let me rephrase myself,” he said.
“I can’t take it anymore.”
A laugh passed through his nose loud enough to hear as he exhaled. “Darling, there is no one that I… I care for more deeply than I care for you.”
“Then show me,” I ordered. “If it does not hurt.” I felt his wound over his shirt. “Show me how much you care for me.”
He shut his eyes, obviously affected in the same way I was. “...I will make love to you, I promise. But not like this.”
“What?”
The door opened suddenly, and we leaped apart, but he could not get too far given our position. My heart raced, even as I realized it was Jocelyn.
With a sharp, “Oh!” she spun to face the door.
A hand shot up to shield herself from the sight.
“My apologies, Miss Svana,” she said. Then she tried not to laugh.
“It’s um.” She said something else, but in his attempt to ease the tension, Cyrus spoke over her, accidentally.
They looked at each other, then he looked at me.
“We were discussing books,” he said.
Josie curtsied. “Lovely. Miss Svana loves books.” There was an awkward pause. “…Your Highness, we must ready you for the dance.”
Evergreen stepped back another step, then smoothed his sleeves.
“What dance?” I asked.
“The Masquerade,” he said.
“The… The Masquerade is tonight?” I asked. “Tonight, tonight?”
He nodded. “Yes. And it is His Highness’ favorite affair. You shouldn’t be late.”
Josie nodded, then looked away, then back. “Good afternoon, Mr. Evergreen. Farewell, then.”
“Farewell,” he returned.
They looked at each other, silent, then they both looked at me expectantly.
“Oh,” I said, sliding off the desk. “Yes. Of course.” I moved toward the door, then stopped. “Will I see you tomorrow, Mr. Evergreen? I do hope so.”
He was hesitant to say, looking at Josie again.
“It’s alright, my love,” I told him. I glanced at Josie, signalling to her to prove it. “She’s a friend. We can trust her.”
He knit his arms together, but nodded. “Aye. Friends are nice. Do we have a ride scheduled tomorrow, Your Highness?”
I made a face, half between amusement and the other with annoyance. “Come, sir. It’s Josie. It’s not as though she’s stupid,” I replied. “She knows what’s going on.”
“And I would never dream of accusing Miss Jocelyn of such a thing,” he said.
I scoffed. “She’s been present at every picnic.”
Josie cleared her throat.
“Tell him,” I said. “What does he think you started coming with us for?”
Josie sighed. He straightened. “I believe what Miss Svana means to say, is that I am aware that you and the Princess possess a special sort of friendship, one that thrives best in the comfort of private conversation and not outside eyes like my own.”
He bristled. “I–”
Josie continued. “I have no intention of revealing such things, Mr. Evergreen. It’s not my place and if we’re quite frank, you’ve always been very kind to me. I’m not in the habit of wronging those who’ve been kind to me.”
“See?” I said. I touched her arm, happily. “She won’t tell. You can relax.”
Josie bowed a fraction.
“I see,” he replied. He eased a little, collecting my hand. “Well, I certainly pray Miss Josie is better at keeping secrets than you are, love.” He kissed the knuckles then released me.
Josie laughed. “She doesn’t make it difficult, really. A small child could keep a better secret.”
I scoffed. “Well, we can’t all be Mr. Evergreen.”
He smirked but Josie frowned.
She looked between us. “If there’s a joke there, I didn’t get it,” she said.
“There’s no joke,” Cyrus replied.
He stepped back once, then excused himself. When he was gone, Miss Jocelyn’s eyes nearly bugged out of her head.
“My, that is quite the development, Svana!” she declared, touching her chest.
I fluffed my skirt mindfully. “I am so embarrassed. The Masquerade is tonight and I am so devoutly taken by Mr. Evergreen, that I didn’t even remember it was tonight. I’d forgotten about the dance completely.”
“That’s alright. I’ve got it all up here.” She tapped her temple. “You’re wearing the green gown with the gold lining,” she said. “The festivities start at six. They’re serving roast.”
“Do I have to go?” I asked.
“Yes, Miss Svana.” She shook her head, chuckling softly.
“Truly?” I asked. “You cannot tell them I am unwell?”
“I could, yes, but the Masquerade is the last event of the Season. Once it’s over you shall be free to dwell in darkened libraries at your every whim.
But maybe tell me next time, so that I can keep watch for you?
Conversing with Mr. Evergreen in such private perimeters will certainly raise suspicion, and God forbid if someone else walks in. What if I had been His Majesty?”
I sighed. “Yes. I know you’re right. But he’s so very pretty. Have you not seen him when he grins? I can’t help myself. And I don’t want to go to the Masquerade,” I said.
“No. Of course you don’t. You clearly have better things to do. Ha!”
We shared a fiendish giggle and then scurried off to my chamber.