^^This song has been on replay all week- sooo good!!! XD^^

Chapter 30

River's POV

I laid, curled to Alastair's chest, as Alastair's eyes faced forward, riding with vigor as we raced past moving greenery.

I was shell shocked. I couldn't quite process what had just occurred. It all happened so quickly, far too quickly. I didn't speak, neither of us did. We both gained comfort by one another's warmth rather than voicing what had just occurred. I wasn't quite sure what to take of what happened. Was it a bad omen? Was I supposed to take that as a sign of what was awaiting us in this new town?

I squeezed my eyes shut, burying myself in Alastair's heat.

I almost...he could've...

"Who goes there?" A voice called.

I peeked up from Alastair's chest. A tall, dark gate laid before us. Men surrounded it in shells of armor and weaponry, each eyeing Alastair and me through narrowed eyes and raised swords.

"It is I, your prince, Alastair."

The men's eyes widened as they all dropped to the ground. I jumped at the sudden movement, hands gripping Alastair's blood-caked shirt. I felt his fingers rub soft circles in my waist as he dropped one hand from the reigns. His eyes swept across the bent heads of the men as they each clenched a fist to their chests.

"You may rise."

They all did so with great speed, each peering at one another as they placed their swords back in their sheaths.

"I'm going to step off of the horse," Alastair whispered in my ear as he gently pried my fingers from his shirt.

I nodded. He smiled and squeezed my hand before his warmth separated from mine. I watched as he swept off the horse with a grace I could only admire with wide eyes. His arms extended towards me as he ushered me to jump into his outstretched arms. I quivered slightly.

What if I fall and break my head open? What if I don't land in his arms?

"Come, love," he said softly.

The men by the gate peered at me through curious eyes as they watched Alastair and I's exchange.

I took a deep breath, not allowing myself to think for a moment, as I dropped from the horse. A pathetic squeak escaped my mouth as I landed in Alastair's awaiting arms.

"Y-you caught me," I breathed, wrapping my arms around his neck and burying my face in the crook of his neck with a relieved sigh.

"It wounds me that you'd think I would ever drop you," he laughed as he left a light kiss against my shoulder, soft lips against quivering skin.

One arm wrapped around my waist as the other rubbed soothing soft circles on my back.

"As many of you have probably picked up, I hadn't ridden here merrily on horseback. My carriage was attacked on the road here," a series of gasps ensued, "my horsemen were slaughtered by a barbaric pair, leaving me to travel merrily by horseback. Is this a common occurrence in your town?"

I peeked my head over his shoulder to see a series of nods. They seemed almost embarrassed as they peered downcasted at the confession.

"Hmm, is Sir James still in charge here?"

They all peered at one another with quizzical looks.

"I'll take that as a no," he sighed, his gentle hand pulling from my back to rake through his hair.

"Alright," he continued, "may one of you escort me to the Duke's estate?"

One jumped at the chance, a boy no older than his late teens, "I'll escort you, Your Majesty."

"Very well," Alastair ushered the boy forward as another took the reigns of our horse and began taking it in the opposite direction. I followed the man with my eyes.

Where was he taking it?

"A horses' stable," Alastair whispered in my ear. I peered at him quizzically.

How'd he know what I was thinking?

"I was watching your eyes, love," he grinned as he tipped his head and pecked my nose.

I felt a blush make its way across my cheeks in an embarrassing pink as Alastair kissed my cheek.

"Are you two bedmates?" The boy asked.

A blunt boy isn't he?

"Mates," Alastair corrected.

"Yes, that's what I meant."

Alastair raised a brow to which the boy bowed his head with an embarrassed blush.

My head rested against Alastair's shoulder as my eyes followed those around us. Everyone seemed to watch through widened eyes as we passed through. Though, I couldn't blame them. We must have looked a bit strange, a muscular man caked in blood carrying a small blond in silk wear.

I should have worn something less flashy, but it was so hot when I had awoken this morning and the thought of wearing wool had so much as caused me to cringe. Alastair had no issue with me traveling in my thin, silk robe as long as I wrapped myself in a thin blanket, an item I lost during the attack. So here I was, wrapped in Alastair's arms as he carried me as one does a small child since I was far too embarrassed to walk in and dirty my robe.

He led us off the road, taking us past a stream until a large estate came into view behind a series of tall oaks.

"Aah, at least this hasn't changed much," Alastair said, peering up at the massive mansion ahead of him.

The estate was a grey-stoned mansion surrounded by assorted trees and gardens. It was like someone had taken six houses and pushed them together. It wasn't as big as the palace but that didn't stop my jaw from almost landing on the ground as I peered up at it through widened eyes.

Did only one person live in here? Alastair had asked to go to the Duke's estate. One man in one ginormous mansion. That must be so lonely.

Alastair seemed nonchalant about it all, but then again he grew up in the palace. He must see this as minuscule in comparison to his home.

"This as far as I can take you, Your Majesty," the boy seemed suddenly nervous as he played anxiously with his fingers.

"Very well, thank you, good lad," Alastair tapped him on the back to which the boy blushed and scurried off.

"Here we are," Alastair murmured as he approached the intimidating, stone door with a careless knock.

The door flew open, revealing a blond-haired maid.

"Can I help you, good Sir?" She asked.

"Why yes, you may show me to your master," she seemed stunned by Alastair's response.

"Master's very busy. Perhaps you can-"

"Now," Alastair's smile seemed slightly frightening. The maid flinched.

She peered behind her before turning back to us, "May I ask your name, good Sir?"

"Alastair."

Her eyes widened considerably as she dropped to the ground, "I'm so sorry, Your Majesty. I hadn't realized it were you in your ragged wear-"

Alastair cut off her ranting with a hand, "that's alright."

She stood up from the ground carefully, eyeing me as she did.

What did I do...?

"I don't think master would appreciate you bringing your bedmate in with you to meet-"

Alastair's narrowed eyes caused her to cut short as she swallowed, rubbing her hands against her maid uniform, "C-come in," she waved us in with a hand to which Alastair followed and took seat in the nearest chair.

I laid in his lap, head against his chest as I watched the maid. She stood by the stairs, peering up as if awaiting something.

What is she looking for?

The sound of heels suddenly interrupted the silence. It grew closer and closer until a pair of golden heels could be seen coming down the staircase. I watched as a tall blond came down the stairs. Her hair was in a loose, curled ponytail as she held her golden pink dress up, walking slowly down the flight of stairs as if afraid of tripping and tumbling the rest of the way down.

"Alastair," she breathed as her eyes locked on Alastair's sitting form. A widened smile grew on her face, "Aah, it's been far too long!" She stepped down the last step, making her way towards us with an outstretched hand to which Alastair took in his and laid a small kiss.

I felt my stomach drop slightly.

"You as well, Lady Beatrice," his eyes shone.

Who was she...? Another past conquest?

"Oh, and who is this?" I was expecting a venomous tone but she just appeared pleasantly surprised as she bent down to lock eyes with mine.

"This is my mate, River," he rubbed my back in a soothing manner as he peered down at me, "River, this is my good friend Lady Beatrice. We've been friends since school days."

"N-nice t-to m-meet y-you," I stuttered. I wasn't very good with meeting new people.

"Aww," she screeched to which I covered my ears with a whimper.

God damn, banshee.

"Oh! Meet my mate!" She clapped her hands as she reached her hand out. I was expecting a dashing man but instead, a small, dark-skinned girl appeared behind her, a dark tattoo could be visible on her hand as she took her hand in hers with a timid smile.

A slave.

"Aah, a slave?" Alastair raised a brow, "Your brother won't approve-"

"My brother no longer lives," Beatrice interjected.

"What do you mean 'he no longer lives'?" The air became highly suffocating as Alastair tensed beneath me.

"He grew ill months ago and died weeks later in his sleep. The fever overtook him," she choked, cupping his mouth with her hand as the small, chocolate-skinned woman wrapped her arms around her waist.

"I see." Alastair seemed oddly off, "who takes charge of the town then?"

"Beatrice has been attempting to run it on her own," Beatrice's mate spoke as she brushed her fingers through her mate's hair, attempting to calm her as she sobbed on her shoulder.

"So that's why there's so much havoc," Alastair mumbled to himself.

"How have you been dealing with the rebels?" Alastair continued.

"R-rebels?" Beatrice choked, "what is he talking about Anna?" Beatrice turned to her mate with a quizzical look as she rubbed at her eyes profusely.

"I didn't want to frighten you Be Be, so I've been taking care of it on my own," Anna said softly as she fixed Beatrice's disheveled hair.

"You're not doing a very good job," Alastair interjected, "from what I've seen the rebels have been running free."

Anna sighed, "I'm doing the best I can with what I have, Your Majesty-"

"Alastair."

"Alastair," she continued, "our men are short in numbers and our generals have long since ran."

"I see," Alastair sighed, "I have my work cut out for me."