A Secret Confession

Dominick grabbed at Iyana, only to have her dodge away from him. He spun around on his feet and captured her, tickling her sides. She laughed and dropped to the floor, where he proceeded to stop tickling her and took her left shoe off.

"Hey, give that back!"

"No. You lied to me. Now you get to suffer the punishment." He held her shoe up high where she couldn't get it.

"You are a big jerk, you know."

"This jerk has your shoe" he proceeded to lift the shoe out of her reach.

"He won't if he gives it back!" She reached to grab for it again.

"Nope too slow."

"Ugh!"

Somehow they ended up on the floor with Iyana laying beneath Dominick. They stared into each other's eyes; then Dominick broke the eye contract. Quickly, he slipped her other shoe off.

"Now I have both."

"Hey, you give them back."

"Not before I get an apology."

"You'll never get one."

"Then I guess you're going barefooted, Princess."

"Dominick you wouldn't. Come on."

"Oh, but I would, Princess. This is your punishment. You will go bare footed around my kingdom until I see fit for you not too."

"Give them back right now." She ran after him as he fled outside.

They ran along the hilly ground for a few minutes until the two were out of breath. Iyana fell into steps beside Dominick. She glanced over at him then resemble looking forward. Her feet were beginning to ache from walking on the ground, but she said nothing. After walking a little while, Dominick came to a stop. Iyana caught herself as she stumbled over a rock.

"Can I have my shoes back now?"

"No."

She huffed and glared at him. "You're being difficult."

"Difficult huh?" Pulling back his right arm, he flung the shoes into the air.

The shoes went flying through the air off over the treetops in the directions he threw them. Iyana lower lip dropped down as she stared after her shoes. They were a pair of nice shoes she received from one of the maids, and the idea that she would loss them today never crossed her mind.

"Why'd you do that?" she asked in a winded voice.

"You worry too much about material things." He took off his shoes and threw them as well before proceeding to walk again.

"How am I supposed to walk now?"

"On your feet," He retorted in a bored tone.

"You know what I mean."

Dominick let out a breath of air before looking over his shoulder at Iyana. "It's normal to go without shoes here, Princess. You will get use to it."

There was a far-off look in her eyes when she looked back in the direction her shoes was thrown. She wasn't use to all this, and she missed her home. Reluctantly, she followed behind the prince.

A few grunts and ouchs later, he sighed heavily and came to a stop. "Come on. Get on."

"What?"

"Hop on. Your complaining is hurting my ears.

A piggyback ride?

Iyana stared at Dominick's back. Hesitantly, she stepped forward. It was when she placed her hands on his shoulders that she noticed how toned his muscles were.

I can't believe I'm doing this. This is just too much. Her nerves were going haywire as she debated rather to climb into his back or not.

"Any day now, Princess."

"Oh hush, you." She moved a little faster. "It's not like we got anywhere important to be." Hopping onto his back, she quietly gloat in satisfaction of the groan she heard from him.

"I haven't had one of these, since I was little!"

As he started walking, she noticed how strong he seemed to be. Despite the sun beaming down on them, he didn't break out in a sweat. Her gaze drifted down the nape of his neck. This was her first time noticing how thick his neck seem to be. He smelled good too. Like the particular man's smell that's unique only to him.

What's wrong with me? This is just a piggyback ride.

Twenty minutes later, the prince came to a stop. "We're here. Get off." Dominick lowered Iyana to the ground.

"It's not like I'm that he-" Her breathe caught in her throat as she stared at the beautiful sight before her.

Dominick stood up, smiling. This was the very expression he was looking for on Iyana's face since the very beginning of their arrival.

Before them stretched a lust, green grassy landscapes and a lake. Awe shined in Iyana's eyes as she stared at the cool water. A smile tugged at her lips as she sprung forward into a jog. Dominick grinned and followed behind her at a slow walk.

"This is so beautiful!" She gasped out, stopping in front of a short bridge that stretched out to a well-structured, wooden gazebo.

Taking a step forward, she reached a hand out, brushing against one of the beams. Running her hand across, she could feel the engraved designs. A giggle escaped her lips. Looking over at the water, a feeling of happiness overwhelmed her. She ran pass the beautifully designed structure. Ignoring the grassy, uneven ground beneath her feet, she reached the craggy shoreline.

Pausing, she stared out at the lake. The water was clear that she could see small fishes swimming. A streak of excitement flow through her, causing her to leap into the shallow water. The small fishes swam away from her, but she didn't care. She began jumping around in the water creating splashes.

She paused to see Dominick coming to the bridge. Watching Iyana play in the water like a child would in a puddle after it rained, he stepped onto the wooden floor. Stopping midway, he leaned on the plank and Iyana went back to jumping.

This was something new for the princess. Back in Velvet Crown, she were never allowed to run or jump or even have the freedom to go bare footed.

A few minutes after playing in the water, Iyana heard Dominick said: "For someone who hates going without shoes, you're sure are having a great time."

Iyana stopped jumping and turned to face the prince. She brushed a stand of her hair behind her right ear. "I just never done this before," she said shyly.

"I'm aware. Please join me, Princess. There's a matter I want to discuss with you."

Iyana slowly leave the water. She made her way toward the bridge while Dominick made his way further ahead into the gazebo. Within a minute was was standing inside the elegant cover. The interior was just as beautiful as it's exterior.

"Iyana, come sit with me."

She looked in Dominick's direction to see him sitting down on a wooden bench that seemed to be placed there. She felt her nerves rise because the seat was a two sitter, and she would once more be so close to Dominick.

"What is it you want to talk about?" She sat down, eyes forward.

"Nothing, but something," he answered with an amusing notch in his tone.

"That doesn't makes sense." Iyana looked at him.

Dominick smiled back at Iyana before saying, "You are beautiful, Princess Iyana."

She blushed and looked away from him. No one other than her parents and a few suitors had told her this. Yet, somehow when Dominick said it, it was said with a precious ring. Almost like a gentle caress.

"Don't let anyone tell you differently," He continued to said.

"Why did you bring me out here?"

"I wanted to talk."

"Well we're not talking about anything."

"Oh, but we are. You see, I wanted you to know that that's all I have to say." He chuckled, standing up.

"What?" Her brow frowned in confusion.

"Come on, we better get back. It's almost time for dinner." He went on to walk back to the shore.

"Wait that can't be all." She shouted after him, knowing, just knowing he wanted to say something more. When he kept walking, she hurried to her feet, following him.