41. Kit Giving His Heart
Kit: Giving His Heart
“Are you sure you’re feeling up to this?
” Kit hoped Nelle couldn’t hear his anxiousness in his tone.
It had been a week since they’d arrived in the castle, and her body was on the mend.
Even so, he could see the stiffness in her movements and the pain in her eyes when something jolted her.
He pressed on, saying, “We can just send my father our apologies and stay in here tonight. Oliver and Elodie both said you needed your rest.”
Nelle smiled fondly at him, though her face was still much more pale and wan than he was comfortable with. “Are you fretting over me, Prince Christopher?” Her eyes gleamed with mirth, and, in that moment, Kit couldn’t imagine a more beautiful sight.
“Yes. It’s my prerogative as your intended to fret over you,” Kit said, placing a kiss on her head.
Nelle arched an eyebrow. “My intended? I must have missed that part.”
Kit shrugged. “It happened while you were asleep. I promised myself that as soon as you were well enough, we were going to be married.”
“I think in order to be married, the man must first ask the woman,” Nelle laughed.
“And give her the chance to say no?” Kit shook his head. “Absolutely not.”
All mirth disappeared from Nelle’s face. “You thought I’d say no?”
Kit ducked his head. “It…it had crossed my mind.”
“Oh, Kit,” Nelle whispered, pressing her hand to his jaw. “I would not say no. We broke each other’s spells. We shared true love’s kiss. There’s nothing in all of Afeyra that would make me say no to your proposal.” Her gaze darkened ever so slightly. “Other than you not giving me one, that is.”
Kit stared at her for a moment, then nodded. “I understand.”
Nelle smiled. “Good. Now, let’s get down to dinner. I suspect your father’s been looking forward to a nice, quiet chat with you after the last couple of months.”
“If that’s what you think, then you don’t know my father at all,” Kit grumbled as he wheeled her out of the room.
The sick rooms were on the first floor of the castle, thankfully, so he didn’t have to make use of the spells the Moyarans had installed on the staircases to make them more accessible.
“But we can stay as long or as little as you want. I am at your command.”
Nelle rolled her eyes. “I will not tear you away from your father,” she grumbled as they pushed into the dining room.
Kit smiled as her eyes grew wide, taking in the sheer number of people inside.
King Edmund and Robin were there, of course, but so were the kings of Zaffyre, Feldgrau, Talon, and Moyar.
Umber’s emperor was there as well, already in deep conversation with Robin.
There were also a handful of members of King Alistair’s court, though, Kit was pleased to note, he’d not invited the full court.
“Who are all these people?” Nelle whispered.
Kit bent next to her. “You already know my father and Robin,” he whispered.
He pointed to each person as he introduced them.
“That’s King Mateo of Zaffyre. Next to him is King Alistair of Moyar.
King Alistair is in conversation with King Omar of Talon, and King Felix of Feldgrau is talking with my father.
On the other side of the table, you’ve got Emperor Zoun of Umber talking to Robin, and, of course, you know Oliver and Elodie.
” He continued down the table, naming everyone whose names he could recall, which was most of them.
He’d been in all of their courts at one time or another.
“I can see why you didn’t think our meal would be a nice, quiet dinner,” Nelle said faintly.
“We can go back to your room if you want,” Kit said, almost too eagerly. He wasn’t keen to return to his post as Hopka’s diplomat.
“No, it’s okay,” Nelle assured him, though she worried her lip between her teeth. “It’s going to be fine. It’s not a?—”
“Ah, Kit! And this must be the lovely princess I’ve heard so much about,” King Alistair said, gesturing them over, pointing to the two empty chairs at his side. “Come, your father insisted you get a seat of honor.”
“That’s unnecessary,” Kit mumbled, but the Moyaran king ignored him, ushering them into seats on his right side.
Thankfully, Oliver and Elodie were across from them, and both of them offered Kit sympathetic glances.
Kit nodded his thanks and leaned over to his father, who was on his right.
“I thought this was just supposed to be a quiet dinner.”
“It was, but it spiraled out of my control a bit,” King Edmund muttered.
Kit opened his mouth to offer some crushing retort, when King Alistair stood. “Now that the guests of honor are here, we can get started,” he said, clapping his hands to get the attention
“This had better be good, Alistair. You dragged me away from my daughters,” King Omar shouted.
“It will be well worth your while, I promise,” King Alistair said. “Now, then, I’m sure you’ve all met Prince Christopher of Hopka.” He gestured to Kit, who blushed fiercely. “But I’m not sure most of you have met Princess Nelle of Coleur, daughter of Queen Snow White.”
“Impossible!” King Felix called. “Queen Snow White has no children.”
Nelle ducked her head, and Kit tucked her under his arm, contemplating how much trouble he’d be in if he attacked the Feldgraun king.
“That’s what I believed, too, until a week ago.” King Alistair raised his hands to stall the arguments. “However, after hearing the princess’s story from a trusted ally, I can say with no doubt that she is telling the truth.”
“Who is the trusted ally?” Nelle wondered.
Kit’s eyes danced as he answered her. “Who do you think, snowdrop?”
As they turned back to King Alistair, Nelle’s eyes widened, the silence heavy with unspoken understanding.
“If she truly is Queen Snow White’s daughter,” Emperor Zoun said, giving Nelle a critical eye, “then she should speak for herself.”
King Alistair frowned. “I don’t think?—”
“No, it’s okay,” Nelle assured him. Though her voice cracked after her first word, Kit was proud of the strength in her voice. “I will tell my story, to the best of my abilities, not because you demanded it, your majesty, but because all of Afeyra is in great danger.”
Someone at the far end of the table snickered. “What, from the likes of a young snip of a girl?”
“That’s enough.” Kit’s words came out as a dragonish growl, and he had to take a deep breath to master his temper. “You will address Princess Nelle—my fiance—with the respect she is due, or you will answer to me. And I can promise that the conversation will not be enjoyable for you.”
The kings all glanced at each other, and Nelle smirked.
“My…fiance doesn’t get angry very often, but when he does, it’s a terrible sight.
And, if that weren’t enough, I am more than willing to prove my mettle to your majesties.
I’d hate for us to ruin this beautiful dinner, but I can assure you, neither of us is in a jesting mood.
” Her smirk softened into a smile. “Now, listen to my tale, and then you can decide whether we need to prove ourselves.”
The room sat in spellbound silence as Nelle told her story.
Some of it, Kit had heard before, but when she described the matter-of-fact way the Snow Queen had talked of overpowering the kingdoms of Afeyra, his fists clenched.
Who was this queen to think she could take what she wanted from the kingdoms with no thought of retribution?
As Nelle’s story neared its end, Kit could tell her strength was flagging.
Her hands trembled as she took a drink of water, and she stumbled over her words.
When one of the kings asked her to repeat something, Kit shook his head as he placed his arm around her and said, “I think that’s more than enough for tonight.
Nelle’s still recovering from her injuries.
If you want to know more, come find me after dinner. ”
King Felix scowled. “But?—”
“Felix, the young lady is the reason that my daughter is home safe, rather than locked up in the Snow Queen’s frozen keep,” King Omar interrupted.
“If she needs rest, I am more than happy to give it to her.” He stood and bowed to Nelle.
“Thank you, your highness. My family and I are eternally in your debt.”
Nelle just stared at him. “Er, thank you?” she squeaked.
“I concur,” King Edmund said. “I think we’ve got more than enough information to go on for now.” He caught his son’s eye. “Kit, if you wish, you and Nelle are?—”
“Thank you, Father,” Kit said, reverting to his court manners. He stood and inclined his head to all the kings. “I’ll return after I get my fiance settled in her room.” Without another word, he wheeled Nelle from the dining room.
“You didn’t have to do that,” Nelle mumbled. “You could have stayed. I’m more than capable of going back?—”
Kit dropped a kiss on her head. “Are you joking, snowdrop? I’d much rather spend time with you instead of making small talk with the kings.”
Nelle frowned. “But?—”
Kit stopped in his tracks and came around the chair, kneeling before Nelle so that they were face to face.
“Listen to me and listen to me well, Nelle. Your health and well-being will always come first. Before my responsibilities. Before the kingdom. By the Maker, even before me. You are more important to me than all of that, and there is nothing I wouldn’t do…
no king I wouldn’t disrespect…to keep you safe. Do you believe me?”
Nelle didn’t hesitate before nodding.
Kit grinned up at her. “And while I’m here…
” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a simple but elegant ring.
“This ring was my grandmother’s. My father gave it to me when I was courting your mother, but I refused to give it to her.
I found her something less personal because I think, even then, I knew she would never be my wife.
” He held the ring up to her. “But you, Nelle-Belle…I knew from that first night in our castle that this ring was going to be yours.”
Tears trickled down Nelle’s face. “You did?”
Kit smirked. “Well, I think my heart did. It took a little longer for my head to catch up. But that doesn’t matter now. Nelle, would you do me the honor of being my wife?”
Nelle couldn’t speak through the tears clogging her throat, but she nodded earnestly. Kit grinned and slid the ring on her finger. Though the ring was initially too small, it magically resized to fit her perfectly. Kit kissed her hand, whispering, “There. Now it’s perfect.”
“You’re perfect,” Nelle hiccupped through her tears.
Kit laughed. “No, I’m not. I’ve got a temper, and I’m far too serious, according to a lovely woman I know. But for you…” His eyes flashed intensely. “For you, my beautiful snowdrop, I will strive to be a little more perfect every single day.”
“You don’t have to,” Nelle assured him. “I love you just as you are.” She giggled. “Even when you’re being far too serious.”
“Thank the Maker for that,” Kit muttered as he returned to the handles of the wheeled chair. “Otherwise, I don’t think I’d stand a chance with you.”
“Don’t be silly,” Nelle ordered. “You’d always stand a chance with me.”
Kit wheeled her into her sickroom and summoned a maid to help her change for bed. Once she was safely in the bed, he pressed his lips to hers. “Thank you for saving me, snowdrop.”
Nelle giggled sleepily. “It was my absolute pleasure,” she whispered as she drifted off to sleep.
Kit watched her for a few minutes, listening to her breathing even out before leaning back in the bedside chair and closing his own eyes.
He allowed himself to relax, and the tension left his body as he fell into a deep, restful sleep, his breathing slowing to a gentle rhythm that matched that of the woman in the bed.