My eyes flicked up at her as I set the parchment down. She glanced towards me, a blush setting across her cheeks when our
eyes locked. She darted her stare back, focusing her attention on the flame once again.
“Well, you came in here pretty forcefully. If you could wield a sword, I’m sure you would have pointed it at me. You
seemed quite irritated.”
“I can hold a sword, I just choose to cut with words instead.”
“Oh, trust me, Annwyl, I already know that sting.”
I wasn’t sure when I started calling her Annwyl. The word had returned to me in a memory, much like the anger and
frustration from knowing her had. Even when we were just children running through the woods, she annoyed me. At least I
could find comfort in the fact that some things stayed the same.
“What does that even mean? I feel as if I should know already. Did you used to call me that?”
Was she also able to hear my own thoughts now? I watched her closely as she finally left the flame alone and took the seat
opposite me. She crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow as she waited for me to answer.
“Is this one of your questions?”
“No, but you should tell me the answer anyhow.”
She ran her fingers through her long red hair as it fell neatly around her face. It was one of the many things I liked about her
face. I enjoyed the way her hair sat beautifully around it, creating a nice contrast to her hazel eyes and tanned, freckled skin.
“It meansdear oneordarling. It’s something from my native tongue. We don’t speak it as often as we used to, but there are
still a few words that slip in. And to answer your other question, yes, I am pretty sure it’s what I called you before.”
She simply nodded at my response and began to fidget the fabric of her dress that gathered around her thighs. I turned away,
biting my lip as I dared not keep staring.
“You asked about the marriage rites and how I had not told you. I’d assumed you’d done your reading.”
“I’ve had other things on my mind than reading books. Nicholas, you should have pre-warned me,” she demanded, her eyes
pinning me in place.
“Why? Is it such an issue that you may have to see me naked? I assure you, what is underneath these clothes is quite
spectacular, or so I’ve been told,” I replied smugly.
“You’ve possibly only been told that as you’re the king.”
Laughing at her clear sarcastic comment, I nodded in agreement as she was sure to be right. Any woman who has seen me
has always commented on my looks, and there was a chance it was simply due to the fact they did not wish to offend me.
Whereas, Ornella kept me on my toes, quite happy to offend me.
“And besides, clothing is optional, and I hereby opt for the clothes,” she said with finality.
