"Esmerelda..."

A deep and husky voice rattled my senses as I groaned. Not wanting to wake up. "Esmerelda...my ribs." I sighed, reluctantly opening my eyes. I felt a secure arm wrapped around my waist.

I realized my arm was twisted in a way that was hurting William and I laughed softly. I turned in his embrace, meeting him eye to eye. "Good morning."

"Good morning, Princess," he teased, as I pressed my lips against his. He smiled against my lips before pulling back a bit. "I suppose you had a good nights sleep?"

I did. It was odd and I had no idea why. Usually William would slip into my bed, to help me cope with the night. Even when I did not need it, he always came and I always let him in.

"Yes, I did," I told him as my eyes traveled over William in nothing more than his trousers. This was truly scandalous...but now it was as if this was second nature. He was second nature.
So long ago when I had night terrors almost every night, he would have the maids attempt to quiet me.

When that did not work, and I asked him to simply stay in the room with me I thought he would implode. Him being a man of great stature could not possibly stay the night in my room. One night instead of standing watch over me, he had winded up falling asleep. I instantly enjoyed his warmth in the bed and ever since then he has had a permanent place in my bed.

My lips found their way back to Williams who seemed reluctant to carry on. This is as far as we have come throughout all of the years we have been...together. It always ended with intense kissing and then I would stop. I always felt as if Sirus would pop up out of nowhere and kill both of us...I felt as if I wasn't being faithful to that crazed man.

As William deepened our kiss, I felt his hands stay respectfully at my waist. I grabbed one of his hands, and pressed it against my backside, hearing him groan against my lips. I wanted William. I do not know if it was the bond being broken...or maybe fresh scenery...but I wanted him to take me under the same castle where I felt caged...I wanted to be freed by William.

A knock on the door had both of us groaning. "Your highness, it is time for morning breakfast!" One of the maids called from behind the door. "Breakfast will start in thirty minutes!"

William was the first to sit up. I was the second. I yawned and noticed he was just staring at me. "What?" I questioned as he just shrugged his shoulders. "What is it, William?"

"Nothing...you just have never been this...passionate," he admitted as he slowly got up, stretching. I noticed a certain anatomy of his was more than a bit aroused and as I stared at it...he turned away. "Esmeralda, my goodness, do you have no shame?"

No, I did not really have much shame looking at William and his...appendage. Should I? "Is that not a good thing that I am passionate? Apparently you like it," I laughed as I rose to my feet and went over to my dresser.

When I noticed he was not answering me, I looked over at him. He was grabbing his sword and making his way over to the door. What on earth did he think he was doing?

I received my answer when I heard a pounding on the door. Oh. "Esmerelda!" A furious voice sounded on the other side of the door.

"So this was his plan...kill us both in one room," William chuckled nervously as he was getting ready to open the door.

I would not allow Sirus to kill William. That would not be happening today! "No, William, wait! Get back," I told him as I rushed over to the door. Unfortunate for me, William attempted to pull me away from the door, armed and ready for Sirus. "William get away from the door where you will be seen. That is an order," I said firmly watching his eyes widen.

Never have I ever ordered William to do anything. Well maybe to leave me when I was very young...and still in my awful bout of turmoil but not recently. Once he was safely out of the vision of the door, I opened it.

Sirus stood at the threshold, his nostrils flaring, eyes glowing and clothes becoming incredibly tight with each breath he took. "What do you want Sirus," I questioned him, making sure to keep the door partially open. So that only half of my body was seen.

"You will not to be sleeping in the same bed as that man! I will kill him!" He snarled, his hand going to the door. He was going to push it open. The look in his eyes said that if he saw William he would kill him. Precisely why I had William be out of sight!

I put all my strength on the door, glaring at him. "This man has stopped me from killing myself on more than one occasion, Sirus. Without him you would not have the pleasure to see my face again. I would probably haunt your dreams though," I smiled, watching his shaking body slowly calm down. My death seemed to have sobered him...surprising even myself.

"He will not stay in your room while in my castle, Esmerelda. I will not allow it," he retorted, his eyes attempting to look past me and try to find William.

"Like I have told our son, William is my friend, nothing more. Now if you could please leave, I would like to get dressed for breakfast." Sirus squared his jaw, his fists at his sides.

I waited for him to do something rash. Something that would hurt me. When I realized that was not going to happen...I did what any reasonably shaken up and flustered woman would do.

I quickly shut the door, my back leaning against the poor wooden frame. "That felt amazing!" He did not force himself into the room. He did not insult me. I insulted him! I threw the door in his face. I cannot believe he did nothing! This was not the same man I knew and feared.

"Yes your dearest friend agrees."

William's tone was one filled with agitation and I wondered what could be wrong with him. "Yes...you are my dearest friend? What is wrong, William? You should be lucky that I have saved your arse," I teased, a smile on my lips as he did not reciprocate it back. I frowned. What was going on with him? "What is it William?"

"It is just that, Esmeralda. Why does it matter that you tell him who I am to you? We are more then friendship, Esmerelda. I cannot lie in bed with you every night, kiss your lips, hold you, wake up every morning with you in my arms and think: Yes this is my most trusted friend..." he worried, pacing the room as he grabbed at his items.

I stood idly by, watching him lay his thoughts out for me to hear. He has never done it before to this extent. "I think 'yes this is the woman who I want to grow old with, the woman who I want go deaf, dumb and blind with!"

He did not even convey this much feeling when he told me he wanted me to marry him. I was at a loss for words...and I truly did not know what to say. I loved William. I did. I could not live without him. It would be impossible for me. "William...I cannot think of such things right now I just want to spend time with my son and-"

"-You are right...I apologize for making this about me," he sighed. How could I make William feel this way? Did I realize I was doing this to him? "I will dress and meet you down for breakfast, yes?"

"Okay." He kissed my forehead before leaving me to my thoughts. I dressed quickly after he left, excited to see Rowan and Chelsea, and their other children.

Once I was dressed, I was lead down a familiar path to where we would eat breakfast. Emotions welled up inside of me again and I did not know if they were good or bad. It felt nice to not feel burdened being here. Or awaiting to see Sirus in our room. I was free...and this castle was actually very beautiful. If only it was beautiful when I was here so long ago...

As we approached the dining hall, I could hear arguing. Voices that I did not distinctly remember, but one stood out. A smile adorned my lips as the guards pulled back the doors, letting me inside.

My eyes first landed on my son who was seated at the table, watching this argument play out. He was smiling. Enjoying it.

"I will claw out my eyes before I become an old maid!" It was Esa, the outspoken cousin of my son arguing with an unknown young man and an older man who seemed oddly familiar.

The man sighed, his hands going to his temples. "Esa, you will go with Peter and that is final!" His hair was shorter than I remembered. His eyes still as vibrant as ever, even with the annoyed and perturbed look on his face.

Esa stomped her foot, growling, "I am telling Uncle Sirus, father! He will never allow this! You are an awful man....a cruel man!"

"Esa," the young man who I did not know said her name calmly. He had a charming smile to his lips and a nice head of reddish hair. "Love, please it will not be so awful!"

"I am not your love, Peter! I hate all of you!" Esa shouted before rushing past me with tears in her eyes. I did not know what was going on...but I felt for the poor girl.

"I will speak with her Lord Rowan," The young man announced who I supposed was Peter.

Rowan put a hand to his shoulder, "No, stay and eat, Peter. She will be fine by tonight. Give her space."

"Yes the worse thing you can do to a woman is smother her." I watched as Rowan paused, before turning to look at me. His eyes widened, before he began to shake his head and laugh. "Lord Rowan," I bowed.

He scoffed, quickly closing the space between us, and engulfing me into a hug. "What is this Lord business?" He questioned, as he pulled away from me to look down at me. "You look like a woman!"

"Opposed to what, Exactly Rowan?"

He shrugged, grasping my shoulders tightly. "Opposed to a sad princess...a happy Queen! It is so good to see you well," he smiled as his eyes cut to something behind me. His smile faltered, "And who is this?"

I turned my head a bit to see William strolling in with his eyes on Rowan who was still holding me. "This is Lord William Calfont. My most trusted advisor and friend...William this is an old friend of mine, Lord Rowan."

Calfont stuck out a stiff hand, "It is nice to meet you. Any friend of Esmerelda's is a friend of mine."

"I would not be so sure about that human." I glanced at Thorian who was glaring at William as Rowan and him shook hands. William made a grunt and I glanced at Rowan who did nothing but simply chuckled.

"My apologizes, friend!" Rowan smirked as William withdrew his hand, clenching his jaw. "Come sit and wait for Sirus and the rest of my unbearable daughters."

As I approached where I would be sitting, Thorian quickly rose to his feet to help me sit. I was not an elderly woman at all but I appreciated the King gesture. William had to sit across from me since the boy Peter was sitting next to me. He kept glancing at me as if I had done something or was going to do something to him.

"Good morning," I said to him as he tensed and gave me a wary smile. I frowned. What did I do to offend this boy? "I am sorry but what is the problem you have with me?"

Rowan chuckled, "he has no problem with you, Esmerelda. He is just in awe."

In awe? What have I done to deserve a sense of awe to wash over a young man I have never even met before? I glanced at William who was glaring at Thorian. While Thorian glared back at him. "Why awe?"

As soon as I was ready for my answer the doors swung open. Sirus appeared in the doorway. I could hear voices behind him but did not see any. He seemed more calm then earlier...which I was thankful for. Thorian was here and I did not wish to argue in front of him.

"Go donkey, go!" I heard a feminine little wail, as Sirus groaned. Making his way over to Rowan. I watched in confusion, looking for the source of the voice. Behind him was a little girl with deep blonde hair. Their was another little girl on his back. Her little arms wrapped around his neck. One looked about just ready to reach her young adult years and the other still looked as if she were maybe three of four years of age.

I watched the little girl gasp before running over to Rowan. "Papa, Uncle Sirus said he would chew Rowena's hand off if she called him Donkey again!"

The one still around his neck giggled, "Go Uncle Donkey!"

"That is because your Uncle is the King not a mule, Lillian," Rowan told his daughter as she climbed into his lap and waved at Thorian. He smiled, showing teeth. She laughed and snuggled into Rowan.

Sirus managed to get the little girl into his arms and sat at his chair. The little girl did not seem bothered at all that she was sitting in his lap. A man who had caused me so much harm...now seemed harmless. But I knew looks could be deceiving. The lShe was humming and playing with the utensils while Sirus whispered something in Rowan's ear.

"Where is Chelsea?" I questioned, watching both of the little girls look at me with interest at the mention of their mother.

I watched Sirus snarl at the little girl who sat in his lap, snatching a rather sharp utensil and giving it over to Rowan. "She is feeling ill, she will probably be down for dinner," Rowan announced as I sighed. I was looking forward to seeing my old friend. We have not exchanged letters in a while..

"Who is that? She is pretty," the girl in Rowan's lap questioned while throwing a napkin at Thorian. "And I missed you Thorian, Esa has been very mean to me!"

Rowan ruffled his daughters hair. "That is Queen-"

"-Lady Esmeralda...my name is Esmerelda and I am Thorian's mother," I smiled to the little girl who frowned at me. I watched as she scrambled out of Rowan's hold and marched over to me.

I moved my seat a bit so I could turn to her. I smiled as she gave me a suspicious look. "You are the lady mama does not like to talk about?" Chelsea does not like to talk about me? What did she mean? W

"Lillian!" Rowan snapped as the little girl glanced at her father before nervously brushing the hair from her face.

"Well Thorian's mama, I am Lilian and I am nine years old. That is Rowena and she is the youngest, she is four." She curtsied before rushing over to Sirus.

"Uncle Sirus?!"

"Yes, Lilian?" Sirus questioned exasperatingly as she frowned crossing her arms over her chest.

"She is Thorian's mama?"

"Yes."

"And you are Thorian's papa?"

"Yes!"

"So you are mates!"

Sirus glanced at me before sighing and pulling a clothed napkin from the little girl in his lap. "Not anymore, Lillian now sit and eat."

The little girl frowned, looking to Rowan who pointed to an empty seat next to William. He gave her a smile and she frowned even deeper. "Who is this man?"

"My mother's human, now sit and eat Lilli," Thorian told the little girl as she glared William. What was that even supposed to mean? Did Thorian realize I was fully human? Or maybe he did not want to fully admit it.

As we ate breakfast, I could see many eyes on William. It was full of awkward silence except for the little girl Rowena in Sirus's lap. She was humming and singing a little song while she ate her food.

I was thoroughly annoyed at how these three were acting. I was here to spend time with Thorian not have him hate my beloved friend! And Rowan, I had not seen him in so long and he decided to act like this?! I just could not take it anymore. "Does anyone have a problem with William?" I questioned, watching the little girl Lili raise her hand. I had to look away from her as to not laugh.

"Not at all, Esmerelda," Sirus snapped, as the little girl Rowena in his lap shushed Sirus so she could keep her humming.

Lilian did have a problem and she made it known. "Your human keeps on looking at you the way Papa looks at Mama! Uncle Sirus how can you let him look at her like that when she is yours?" Oh.

I glanced at William who was looking at the girl with shock. "He was looking at her food, Lili. You know food is delicious and when some people become hungry they crave food. Things that are not theirs," Thorian smiled at his little cousin while I thought about what he had said.

Sirus and him shared a look and I felt my anger starting to rise. I was not a 'food.' I was not Sirus's pice of meat nor Williams. I was my own food and these men better realize this very soon.

"Oh...well if you are hungry human have some of mine," she said as she scooped up some of her porridge and placed it on William's plate. "You look nice human so I will be nice to you but I will not be nice to you!" She proclaimed, her spoon pointing towards the one named Peter.

He sighed. A look of defeat crossing his features. Why did everyone dislike him so much? He seemed like a nice young man...

"Esmerelda I would like to speak with you alone after breakfast," Sirus announced as everyone visibly paused. Glancing at me.

William cleared his throat, and I looked away, looking Sirus in the eyes. "Sure."

My eyes slowly made their way over to William, who was glaring at me. Never have I ever seen him so angry. I suppose it was understandable, but I was visiting his castle. I had been alone with him when we spoke in my halls after the coronation.

If he wanted to do something, he would have done it already. Or that is what my mind kept telling my at least...

*****
Sorry for updating so late, currently in a snow storm. Anyway hope you guys enjoyed!!