^^For all those who hoped for cute fluff. Enjoy~^^

"Wouldn't it be a perfect crime, if I stole your heart and you stole mine?"

Chapter 39

Alastair's POV

I watched as River's eyes slowly fell close. He'd been fighting sleep for last few hours in fear of his head injury. Though I saw no reason for his fear. Didn't one usually sleep off pain? That and bloodletting were but the only ways of treating until Michael came along. He was the first I had known to make strange liquids in order to heal someone, making him quite popular with the ill.

Anna claimed it was dangerous. Though how she came to such conclusion, I didn't know.

A soft sigh drifted from River's plump lips as he turned over, rolling over until his head rested against my chest. I let out a soft sigh of my own as I brushed a gentle finger across his milky skin.

So soft.

I felt a tug at my lips. I bent my head down to kiss along his neck only to pull away with a startled jump. His usual sweet scent was masked by a horrid, dirty scent.

A thorough bathing was much in order.

I wrapped my arms around his delicate form, one arm just below his neck, the other just above his tempting backside.

Disgusting, don't let your mind wander in such a direction. He's sleeping. How completely ungentlemanly.

I shook my head, placing a light kiss between his brows as an apology. Pushing the door open with my foot, I bent down by the bath, turning the faucet on and allowing the water to heat up as I laid River on my lap and waited.

Once heated, I began to strip, struggling with one hand as I held River upright with the other. When done, I reached for him, stripping him as well and climbing into the bath. I hissed slightly at the change of temperature, giving myself time to adjust as I slowly lowered us into the water and laid him against my chest.

I was surprised by how deep asleep he truly was. Through all the sweet-smelling oils and light kisses he remained out like a light, sleeping soundly against my chest as I took gentle care of him, cleaning and lathering every area my eyes cast upon.

I brushed my nose against his neck, smiling under the heavy influence of his intoxicating scent.

Aah, perfect.

He shifted briefly in my arms, and I froze.

"Love?" I asked uncertainly.

He grumbled under his breath, speaking incoherently as he nuzzled against my chest. I laughed lightly, watching as a pout fell across his small, pink lips.

Poor, tired baby.

I played with his hair as he fainted sleep, resting against my chest as I twirled a finger around a silky strand. Light bounced off the blond strand, giving off a silken golden shine to the small curl.

Like gold silk woven from sunlighten angels.

"...I'm in a bath," his voice came out unsure.

"Yes," I held in my laughter, kissing him lightly on the head to muffle whatever sound escaped as he remained silent.

"Is this your way of telling me I stink?" I peered up at me with wide eyes and pouted lips.

"Well...you did smell a bit, love."

He let out an embarrassed squeak, face reddening by the moment.

Ah, my own little tomato.

"There's nothing to be embarrassed by, love." I gave him a reassuring kiss on the shoulder. "It had probably been awhile since your last bathing. That is if those mongrels even provided you with one," a low growl escaped my throat.

A soft hand brushed against my skin turning my attention back to him, as River peered up at my with tender eyes.

"They didn't treat me too horribly." He tried to calm me.

"Too?"

"Yes, most were very kind to me exactly. They had a very calming, little community down there. Though without you there it was absolute hell." He looked down.

I lifted his face with a finger, lips pulling down to catch his in a light peck.

"They, the rebels, don't have a very good reputation going for them. I wouldn't be surprised if they had locked you away in a chamber your entire stay," my hands tightened.

"They didn't," he reassured me. "They aren't at all like people claim them to be. They were very civilized. Not even once had I seen any shift during my stay there."

"They didn't shift?" This surprised me.

He shook his head.

Quite strange.

"They were pretty...nice. I even got to meet Alice's sister."

Alice?

His eyes widened, "Oh! I don't think I had told you of her, have I?" I shook my head. "She was a girl...or was..." I raised a brow. "But that's beside the point. She's a friend of mine. She helped me through my time in captivity. The only silver lining in the whole experience, actually," he laughed at this but I didn't find it very humorous.

Why hadn't I heard of this girl? And besides that, why haven't I rewarded her yet? Surely she deserved some type of gift for being there for my love when I couldn't.

"And her sister is a rebel?" I asked.

"But she had nowhere else to go," his voice rose in urgency, "you don't understand, Alastair. Her whole town had turned on her, both of them. She had nowhere else to run."

He took a breath, "she's not a bad person."

For him to get so worked up over a single girl...

"Don't worry," I rubbed a soothing thumb across his cheek, "I never claimed her to be so."

He nodded, peering at the water.

"Is there anything else I should know about?" I attempted to change the subject.

"Well, I don't know if it's of any importance but..." He took in a sharp breath, "Parish...a boy there knew of my mother. There was a room of paintings he took me to and there was a painting...a painting of my mother." He looked up at me, expecting a reaction.

I attempted to keep my face completely neutral, "Is that so?"

He nodded, "he said that's why he took me. That I had reminded him of an old friend. Of my mother."

A boy had taken him? Not a man?

"He knew you were your mother's son?"

Was he spying on him? If he was, who else is?

My eyes narrowed.

"No," he began playing with a bottle of lavender oil, splaying it across his arm, "lucky guess."

Lucky guess, huh.

"Not that it matters anymore," River added, "It's not like I'm seeing them ever again. They took off. You should have seen it, Alastair," he rose his arms, dropping the bottle into the water. "They had the strangest contraptions, small, metal carts that moved along railings. I'd never seen anything like it." His voice rose as his eyes twinkled.

I reached into the water, grabbing the bottle he had dropped and poured a generous amount into my hands as I worked it gently into his back, "Sounds exciting, love."

"Well, at the time I was a bit too stressed out to see the uniqueness of it all," his voice lowered as he began playing with my leg, drawing light patterns as I hummed, massaging the calming oils across the back of his body.

A soft sigh escaped his throat as he leaning into me, dropped his head against my chest. I lifted my hands, allowing him space to fall back as I began massaging his tight shoulders.

He's so tense.

I nuzzled against his throat, allowing my lips to brush lightly against his speeding pulse.

"You're so tense, love. Relax," I breathed against his ear, feeling the small tremors that ran down his spine.

"Shh," I cooed, kissing up and down his neck.

He breathed softly, hands tightening around my thighs.

"I plan to start heading back to the palace by nightfall so we should begin packing after our bath."

He jumped in my hold, pivoting abruptly to face me.

"We're going back so soon?"

I nodded, "Of course, we can't stay here forever. I've been gone long enough, Isaiah's bound to strangle me as it is from all the workload I've dumped on him."

"But the reason you came here-"

"Is done," I interrupted, "The rebels are gone. I was here to solve the problem, problem solved."

"But-"

"Is there something keeping you here?" My brows rose.

I would think after everything that's happened he'd want nothing more than to leave this place behind and return home.

His eyes widened and he peered back at the water, "I just...I haven't really gotten to talk to Anna since what happened. I can't just leave after everything."

I let out an exasperated sigh, "Would you prefer we stayed one more day?"

His head whipped up, "Can we?" He asked timidly.

How could I say no to you?

"Of course."

He squealed, jumping up and down in my lap. The pressure causing unwanted awakenings.

My growl was interrupting as he wrapped his small arms around my neck, "Thank you, thank you, thank you."

I opened my mouth to answer only to be interrupted by a sudden kiss. Though I didn't complain as I leaned into it, allowing his lips to move gently against mine.

Though as quickly as it had started it had ended as he pulled away, allowing a dissatisfied pout to form on my face as he jumped from my lap.

"I better use my time wisely then," he declared as he pulled from the water and reached for a towel.

I pulled from the water quickly, grabbing the towel before he could and wrapped it around his delicate form and lifting him into my arms.

"Alastair," he laughed as I carried him from the bathroom.

I had spent over a week thinking I had lost him. Now that I finally had him safe in my arms, I was not going to allow his time to be dominated by some woman.

I placed him gently on the bed. He sat, legs dangling from the bed as he watched me search through the dresser for his clothes. Though I wouldn't admit it, I knew exactly where they were. Placed neatly in front of mine. Easily accessible for the nights where the pain became too much and only his scent could calm me.

I lifted a pair of light brown pants along with a thin, silk cream top. It wasn't as if we were going anywhere so there was no need for formal attire and I knew how much River hated wearing it. Having to wear layers of unnecessary clothes during a heated day as today. But that's what was considered polite in this day and age, a dress code that had to be followed.

I handed him the articles of clothing as I pulled a pair for myself and began changing. The room grew quiet.

"Alastair?" River's soft voice interrupted the silence.

"Yes?"

"You're not going to make me wear a jacket?" He asked timidly.

I laughed, "No, love. There's no reason to dress formally today. We're not leaving the estate."

"Oh," he took a breath, "Oh, thank Goddess."

I laughed at that as I finished getting dressed and sat beside him on the bed.

"Done, love?"

He nodded as he buttoned the last button on his shirt.

"Come," I took his hand and led him outside the door.

I placed him by the dining table as I made my way to the kitchen. Heads bowed as I entered the kitchen.

"What can I make for you, Your Majesty," a pudgy man in a flour-caked apron asked.

"My mate has just woken up. Would you be able to make him something sweet? A honey pastry, perhaps?" I added.

He nodded, "Does he prefer his pastries crunchy or doey?"

I thought for a second, "crunchy."

He seemed to like the pastries my cook made back at the palace and if I remembered correctly those were crunchy.

He went to work as I made my way back into the dining room and found River chatting away with Anna.

"Good morning, Anna," I smiled as I sat beside River and placed my arm around the back of his chair.

"Good morning, Your Majesty," she chirped as she bowed her head.

"Alastair said we can stay for one more day," River smiled excitedly, jumping slightly in his chair. I smiled as I bent down and placed a soft kiss behind his ear.

How adorable.

"Really?" Anna squeaked as she peered up at me for reassurance. I nodded. "Well, that's just marvelous!" She continued, "What should we do? We can take a walk in the garden or make the bakers bake us up a storm of cakes and cookies and taste test them or..." she ranted off as River peered back at me with a small smile.

You got yourself into this, love.

I brushed my fingers through his hair as I brushed my nose against his neck, breathing in his intoxicatingly sweet scent.

Aah, how I missed the intoxicating scent of vanilla and fresh strawberries. Though now there was a hint of honey to the mix from the oils I had massaged him with last night.

River leaned back against me, leaning his head against my chest as he placed a light kiss against my chest. I felt as a herd of goosebumps arose from where his lips had touched.

What you do to me, I growled. A victorious smile rose across his face as he peered up at me with twinkling eyes.

You little minx.

I bent down to nip at his nose when a loud throat clearing interrupted our childish play.

"Or you can just stay here and play cat and mouse with your mate," Anna drawled.

River blushed, "N-no," he stammered, "I-I'd love to s-spend time with y-you today," he squeaked out.

I contained my laughter as I brushed my lips against his cheek.

"Hmm?" She rose a brow as River fidgeted in his seat.

"Why don't we take a long walk in your gardens?" I interrupted, "It's a beautiful day outside."

"We?" Anna asked.

"Yes, I'll be coming along. But not to worry, I promise not to interject on your time together. It's just that I've spent long enough without my mate," I brushed my finger across his cheekbone and looked up at her, "Perhaps you can relate?"

Her eyes narrowed and she smiled slowly, the smile not reaching her eyes, "Of course."

River looked between us like a skittish butterfly, eyes watching through nervous glances.

A servant appeared before us and laid a platter of pastries in front of River. His eyes widened as he peered up at me.

"Eat up, love," I lifted a pastry to his lips, "We've got a long day before us."

He searched my eyes. For what, I wasn't sure. And opened his mouth, allowing me to feed him. I smiled victoriously as I went through the entire platter, feeding him as much as he allowed me.

When I held him this morning his weight had unnerved me and I made it my mission to gain him some weight. It was but a hit to my own pride if, with the title I had, I couldn't even keep my mate plump. He deserved to be spoiled rotten, not starved and underweight.

If I returned with him so skinny, people would think I starved him. My father would be embarrassed by my lack of ability to care for my own possession. But it would be far more than a hit to my pride. It was a hit to my heart when I saw him so underfed. It meant I wasn't caring for him as I should. Even if it was not in my control. It stung.

"No more," River covered his mouth as I attempted to push another pastry into his mouth.

"Just one more, love," I tried, brushing the sugary good against his soft lips.

"No." He turned his head from me.

I sighed, placing the pastry back onto its tray. "Okay, come let's go for that walk."

I stood from my chair and lifted my hand to him. He placed his small hand in mine, allowing me to lift him up.

"Are you ready, Anna?"

She took one last bite of her bread and nodded, dusting her dress off and standing up.

A group of servants hovered over the table, cleaning it off as we made our way to the back door.

"You're going without me?" A voice yelled playfully from the stairs.

A wide grin spread across Anna's face as she watched her mate slowly descend the stairs.

"Of course not, darling," Anna teased.

Lady Beatrice smiled tenderly at her lover as she reached her hand out to her. Anna smiled back, eyes brightening as she took her hand with ease and pulled her out the door.

"And away we go!" Anna laughed, tugging a laughing Beatrice into the garden as the gardeners watched with humor-filled eyes.

I shook my head with a light smile.

"I'm so happy they're together again," River sighed as we walked hand in hand through the lush greenery.

I nodded.

"She was but a shell without her. Face so pale," River said, "It's great to see her perky self back."

"What about you?"

"Hmm?" he hummed.

I blushed. I hadn't meant to say that out loud.

His eyes widened in understanding before softening, "I was nothing without you," he pulled our locked hands to his lips, kissing along my knuckles, "it was like floating through an endless sea of pain and emptiness." My eyes softened. "My world was so colorless without you," he choked.

My face paled as a single tear trickled down his face. I caught it with my lips before it could fall off his chin. I rained kisses across his face as my arms pulled him tight against me.

"Don't cry, love. Please don't cry. I'd rather my throat be cut off than watch you shed such torturous tears," I spoke softly as I buried my face in his golden locks.

He let out the sadness of laughs. I felt my heart chip.

"I missed you," his voice cracked, "I missed you far more than any words can express."

I turned him in my arms, heart cracking even more as my eyes laid on his tear-stained cheeks.

Don't cry, love. Don't cry.

I lifted his face and pressed my lips against his. Gently, like a butterfly's flutter, I pried open his mouth, allowing my tongue to tenderly wrap around his. I took my time exploring his mouth, re-memorizing all I had missed.

He let out a soft sigh, his sweet scent brushing past my heated skin in a delicious breeze.

We had come out here for River to spend time with Anna yet, with all that being said, in our tender embrace, thoughts of others escaped our minds, floating away with the soft wind that brushed against our heated bodies. Neither of us wanted to let go, to pull our hands off one another as we slowly took our time re-memorizing one another. Soaking in the tender heat that enveloped us, we wrapped around one another, losing ourselves under the calming gazes of the roses and dandelions around us.