"I want my first kiss to be long but gentle, soft but glorious, but most of all, I want it to be with you."

Chapter 12

River's POV

I woke up to the sound of paper rustling and grunting.

I peered up from beneath the mountains of furs on top me and saw Alastair sitting at his desk, to the right of the bed, with a feather in hand peering down at a stack of parchment as if they had murdered his unborn child.

What's wrong with the paper..?

I sat up from my bed, causing the bed to moan unappreciatively at my actions.

Alastair looked up from the pile, eyes laced with stress.

"Good morning, love." He smiled a small, pained smile.

I frowned.

Why's he in pain..?

I stood up from the bed causing Alastair to tilt his head in confusion.

"What's the matter, love?"

I crawled into his lap and snuggled into his muscular frame, feeling his muscles expand and contract against my small frame.

He pulled me closer by my waist and laughed when I squeaked at the sudden movement.

I smiled.

He's laughing. He's no longer in pain.

I placed my hand gently against his cheek as he looked down at me with a soft smile, "better now?"

He gave me a confused look, "what do you mean?"

"You looked like you were in pain before, better now?"

He laughed as he kissed my nose, "no love, not pain, annoyance. Turns out I'm over a month behind in paperwork. I have to go through all the laws my advisors have asked to pass, all the complaints, all the letters from foreign kingdoms..." he trailed off, pulling at his hair anxiously.

I reached up, pulling his hands away from their cruel act and kissed him gently on each knuckle.

"Don't cause yourself unneeded anxiety, Alastair. I can help you if it'll make the load easier on you."

His eyes widened, "that would be amazing, my love," he squeezed my hand with a smile.

I squeezed his hand back with a small smile.

"Though, you're going to have to be a bit patient with me. I haven't had a complete education so there's a lot I may not know," I looked down at our entwined hands, "I've read a lot, but I don't-"

"You'll be fine, my love," Alastair pulled me close and kissed me lightly on the cheek, "whatever you don't know I'll teach you. It's mostly reading complete idiocy and questioning society, but for the issues that you have questions on I'm right next to you to ask," he smiled.

He's right. There's no reason for me to be nervous. I've been reading my whole life. I can do this.

"Let's do this," I exclaimed.

"Yes, let's." He smiled.

I spent the next four hours on top of Alastair's lap reading through heaps of letters and summarizing the ones which talked of foreign issues for Alastair to read through later.

I felt my eyes begin to close after reading through what felt like the five thousandth letter of complaints, which spoke of complete idiocy. Did these people really think Alastair would say yes to passing a law against owning pets? Like seriously? If your neighbor owns a dog that makes too much noise, then here's a brilliant idea, move!

My eyesight started to get blurry as what felt like bricks laid heavily against my eyelids.

Maybe if I just close my eyes for like 5 seconds....

^*^*^*^*^*^*

"River, love?"

I blinked my eyes slowly as I looked up to a very amused Alastair.

"You fell asleep mid paperwork, love."

I did..?

Oh no. I was supposed to help him.

He's going to be mad at me.

"I'm so sorry, Alastair. I didn't mean to. It wasn't-"

"Why are you shaking, love?" Alastair asked softly.

Am I shaking?

I looked down. There, upon my deep purple nightgown lay my hands, vibrating like would a rattlesnake. I pulled my hands together, hoping to stop the shaking, but it wouldn't stop.

Stop. Stop. Stop.

Alastair pulled my shaking hands to his lips, kissing them gently as one would a precious stone.

"Calm down, love," he began kissing each of my fingers, "you're okay, you're okay. Breath in, breath out."

I copied his instructions as I began to feel myself relax.

"That's it beautiful, I've got you," he kissed my nose before taking my head in his hands and kissing the top of my head.

What was that..?

It felt like what I would go through with my father. That consistent state of fear.

"What was that, love?" Alastair asked nervously, his eyes filled with concern.

"I'm not sure." My father.

I started to associate Alastair with my father. Alastair's not the same. He's not my father. He wouldn't do to me as my father did.

Alastair silently stared at me before changing the subject, "While you slept I finished most of the paperwork, so if you want we can go somewhere."

"Anywhere?"

"Anywhere," he smiled.

"Can we go to the market?" I asked excitedly.

"The market..?"

"Yes..."

Does he not want to go..?

"Sure." He smiled hesitantly.

Is there something wrong with the marketplace..?

"We can do something else if you want-"

"No, I don't mind going. It's just that I'm going to have to disguise myself so that we don't draw too much attention to ourselves."

Disguise..?

"Am I going to have to wear one as well..?"

"No, the people don't know you yet, since we haven't officially had our mating ceremony as of yet. However, after our mating ceremony you probably will."

Mating ceremony. I've forgotten about that.

"Don't think too much about it, love. We'll have one once you're ready." He kissed my forehead softly before giving me a blinding smile.

When I'm ready...I wonder when that will be...

I love Alastair, but I can't see myself being ready to be presented before the entire kingdom any time soon.

A herd of eyes, all staring at me. Judging my worthiness to be their leader.

Nope, definitely not anytime soon...

I watched as Alastair walked to his wardrobe, pulling out a dark cloak along with a black shirt, pants, and boots. He untied his robe and I watched as it slipped gracefully down his shoulders, revealing the hard muscle beneath the lace and silk.

A blush made its way up my face, but I couldn't seem to be able to take my eyes off his muscular frame.

He's beautiful. His skin seemed to glow in the sunlight streaming in through the window frame and his muscles moved like gentle waves as he undressed slowly beneath my gaze.

My eyes stayed glued to him until he was only in his undergarment.

Oh God, stop staring River, stop.

I felt my lower region harden as his muscles pulsed under my heated gaze.

"Love, keep in mind that I'm still in heat. If you keep staring at me like that I may just take you right where you stand," his voice was husky and his hands seemed to tighten and shake on top of the garments in his hands.

The heat in my cheeks seemed to scorch as his gaze landed on me before licking his lips sexually.

"Look at my beautiful mate, seducing me so prettily."

I covered my face with my hands as the heat rose to my cheeks.

I felt a pair of hands on top of mine as he peeled my hands away from my face, "no need to be embarrassed, love. I would be in quite an uncomfortable position if my mate wasn't as attracted to me as I was him," He winked.

I stared at him, wide-eyed, too flabbergasted to say anything.

He brought my hands to his lips and pecked each knuckle before giving my a bright smirk.

"I better get dressed before one of us jumps the other and speeds the mating ceremony up, eh." He laughed.

I slapped him on the shoulder and pushed him to the bathroom as the heat in my face seemed to reach my ears.

He laughed before kissing me on the nose and closing the door behind him.

Stupid, buttface pervert.

I walked to the wardrobe the maids had set up for me next to Alastair's.

Not sure what to pick, I grabbed the first shirt and pair of pants I saw and quickly changed before Alastair would come out.

I made it just in the nick of time as while I tied the front of my shirt Alastair pranced out with a smile on his face.

"Ready, love?"

"Yup!"

I'm so excited. It's been so long since I've been to the marketplace. I wonder if the marketplace here is similar to the one back home.

Home.

I guess that place doesn't really classify as my home anymore, huh.

"Did you have anything to eat yet, love?"

I shook my head.

Now that I think about it, I don't think I've eaten this whole day.

He looked up at the clock beside the bed.

"God, I haven't fed you yet. What the hell kind of mate starves the love of his life," He shook his head, "come, love." He beckoned me out the room, only to entwine our hands once out the door.

I smiled as I looked down at our entwined hands.

We ate quickly, grabbing whatever available food that was ready in the kitchen since we wanted to start our journey as early as possible.

Or more like I wanted to get there as soon as possible, but who's asking?

I held an apple in hand as I raced to the carriage and jumped inside, only to be accompanied by Alastair moments later.

"My God, love. You are quite hyped to go, aren't you?" He looked quite amused.

I nodded with a huge smile.

He smiled, "off we go then," he called to the horsemen up front.

We began to move and I felt my legs vibrate in excitement.

Alastair laughed beside me, "to think, for many the idea of grandeur and wealth brings great excitement, but not my River, my River gets excited over the marketplace."

I pouted, "you make it sound ridiculous," I mumbled.

He laughed and pulled me into his lap, "not ridiculous, adorable," he kissed my nose, then both my cheeks, down my throat-

"Alastair!" I pushed his face from its journey down my neck, my face already beginning to heat up.

What is going on with him?

He looked like a kicked puppy as he peered at me through his lashes.

Uh, uh, I don't care how adorable you look right now. You're not fooling me.

"Bad, puppy." I reprimanded.

He whined and stuck his head in the crook of my neck, kissing me lightly on the neck.

"Alastair," I whined, trying to push his head away.

He picked his head up with a pout, "I need to touch you, even if just a little. Please, love. It makes the heat go away," He rubbed his nose against my cheek.

Oh, so that's why he's been acting so weird since he got back.

"Okay, fine," I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him lightly on the nose, "but only above my chin."

He pouted and nodded.

He held me close to him and rested his chin above my head, sneaking in tiny kisses on top of my head when I wasn't paying attention.

And that's how we ended up spending the whole carriage ride, wrapped up in each other's warmth while telling stories of our past. Me telling him stories of times I've gone to the marketplace and him telling me childhood memories and stories of him, Isaiah, and Derek. I hadn't realized how long they've known each other, but apparently, they've been close friends since they were six.

I wonder how long Isaiah's loved Derek for...I wonder how long he's been suppressing his feelings for..

The carriage stopped as the horseman declared our arrival.

Alastair stepped out first and reached his hand out to me. I placed my hand in his and stepped out carefully. Knowing me, if I'm not careful I'll face plant and embarrass myself.

I looked up from my feet as I stepped onto the ground, soaking in my surroundings.

The place was bustling with people all dressed in different attire, speaking different languages. There were stalls of spices, fruits, and different playthings for small children.

Wow...

I wondered the marketplace, going to the spice carts, then fruit, then vegetables.

At each one, Alastair offered to buy me some, but I wouldn't accept the offer. I was saving it for the exotic fruit section. If I allow him to buy me things before then he might not be as willing to offer again.

"Love, you keep dragging me from cart to cart, yet you won't allow me to buy you anything. Why is that?" Alastair asked, puzzled.

"I'm saving it."

"Saving what..?"

"Saving your offer."

He stopped in his track, "Love, if you want me to buy you something, I will. This is not some offer I'm throwing out at a random passer-by. This is me as your mate spoiling the one he loves. I will always provide for all your needs, so there's no reason for you to hold back your desires when it comes to me. If you want something, you tell me."

"Okay," I whispered.

I guess I'm just so used to having a limit on what I can have that I just assumed the limit was still in place.

And Alastair did just that, everything my eyes seemed to land on would magically be bought by Alastair, to the point where I had to make an escape from the exotic fruits section. Since Alastair seemed to buy almost everything there.

Alastair took me by the hand as he pulled me into a section of the marketplace I didn't seem to recognize.

"This is my favorite part," he smiled.

Upon all the carts were brown objects, some square, some circle. They smelled so sweet, yet so bitter at the same time.

"What are they?" I asked quizzically.

Alastair looked down at me with wide eyes, "you've never had chocolate before, River?"

I shook my head.

What's chocolate..?

He pulled me towards one of the carts, handing the man a coin and picking up a brown square and placing it in my mouth.

My eyes widened as the taste hit my taste buds.

It was silky against my tongue and bittersweet in taste. It reminded me of a tea Alastair had made me try once though I couldn't quite put my finger on it.

"Good?" Alastair asked with a smile.

I nodded, as I couldn't speak with the chocolate in my mouth.

He picked up a different square, this time, it was a lighter brown than before.

"What's that?" I asked.

"Milk chocolate, here." He pulled my face to his and connected our lips gently, my eyes widened as his tongue glided softly against my lips, allowing me to taste the sweet chocolate. He pulled away with a smile, "like it?"

I couldn't answer as I was in shock. My first kiss. That was my first kiss.

He brows scrunched together, "what's the matter, love?"

"K-kiss...f-first.." I looked away, blushing up to my ears.

So embarrassing.

I felt his hand brush gently through my hair before landing on my cheek and guiding me back to his face.

"Don't turn away from me, love." He said softly.

His eyes were painted in shame and regret as he looked down at me.

"I wasn't aware that you haven't been kissed yet, my love. I apologize that it wasn't more romantic. I know how you love the romantics," he laughed softly.

"It's okay," I stood on my tippy toes and kissed his nose, "I'm not going to lie, I was pretty surprised, but as long as it's you it doesn't matter," I smiled.

"I'll make it up to you love, promise." He brushed his hand softly across my cheek, "I'll make your second kiss more special."

I smiled up at him.

To think, after already falling for someone, you could fall yet again.

This chapter was a bit frisky- don't look at me it was not planned! *points at Alastair* It was him!