James, The Crown Prince

by Daniel B. Harris

  “Of course I’ll hold you, Lisa. I went through the same thing when I was attacked. When the monsters steal your magic, I think they steal your happiness, too.” I sat on side of the bed and slid under the sheet, then over to her, as she faced away from me. I slipped an arm under her neck and draped my other around her waist.

  She snuggled back into me. “Thank you, that feels better already.

  We laid there with my arms around her for a while. She started to lose some of the tension that she’d had when I’d first come in and her breathing was calmer. I could tell that some of the effects of the attack were wearing off. I thought she was drifting off to sleep when she rolled over and faced me. We were almost nose to button nose and she said, “If I’m out of line with this, just blame it on being new as a consort. I’ve heard that the Lord always calls on the consort, but would it be all right if I asked for you to make love to me?”

  “If that’s what you want and you don’t feel pressured, then I’d be very happy to make love to you.”

  “Like I told you and Star before, I was with a boy once. I know what it’s like, but it’s something that I want to do with you anyway. I know that it will make you happy and feel good, and that’s what you did for me by holding me. We can call this a special thank you before it becomes my duty.”

  “I thought everyone had heard me say that sleeping with me will never be their duty. After this ‘special thank you,’ if you never want to lie with me again, you won’t have to.”

  She smiled and started slipping out of her clothes, “You really are a special man.”

  I stood by the bed and draped my clothes over the night stand. I joined her under the sheets and pulled her to me, kissing her fervently. Knowing that her only experience wasn’t the best, I knew I had to make an effort to change her mind. I slipped down to her breasts, gently teasing and feeling her nipples respond. I took one in my mouth and teased it with my teeth. Her breathing had increased dramatically and there was a strangely puzzled look on her face. I slid down further and put her knees over my shoulders. I noticed that Alba’s bare lesson had been put into practice, and smiled. I planted my face between her legs and used my tongue to explore. I could tell by the sounds she was making that she’d covered her face with a pillow,and almost laughed. I found my favorite spotand made circles with my tongue while sucking it in between my teeth. Her legs were spasming and I began to fear that she was going break my neck, the way her thighs were clamped against my head.

  She sat up and pulled my head up. “Enough of that; I want you back up here!”

  I slid back toward her head, positioning my body so my erection would find her sheath. As my head passed hers, I slowly slid into her soaking heat. She gasped and pushed herself onto me, wiggling side to side. I kissed her, pinning her with my lips and thrust into her deeply. She moaned through my kiss. I knew that I wanted her to feel the explosion one more time and began thrusting hard and deep. My time had come and as I exploded, so did she. I laid across her and she put her arms around me, holding me against her.

  Breathlessly she gasped, “I guess what I did in the barn wasn’t really making love. I had never imagined that it could be like that! You can call it my duty or anything else you want, but when my turn comes, I’ll always be ready for you.”

  “I’m really glad that I could change your mind. We both might be good at getting beaten up by revenants, but there’s something else we’re pretty good at. I’ll take the latter over the former any day. Do you feel any better now?”

  She laughed, “I’d completely forgotten about that happening and I feel wonderful. If I ever stop tingling, I might actually get back out of bed!”

  “If I’m in bed with you when Alba gets here, she’ll pick on both of us, so I’ll get up and have lunch brought up. Oh, and thank you for that ‘special thank you’.”

  She just grinned and shook her head. I dressed and went to see about lunch.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Three months passed with none of the wizards able to find the source of our undead problem. There were regular patrols along the border and we usually found one or two revenants a week. They seemed to have slowed down significantly. The Wizard’s Castle wizards, along with me and mine, had a regular rotation going and always went in pairs. There had been a few successful attacks from the creatures, but they never survived long enough for a second.

  The schedule that was put out by my mother on a weekly basis arrived on the table in our bedroom/meeting room, and Star picked it up. She called everyone in for a meeting and after we were all settled, she looked us over. She tossed the schedule on the table and said, “Nothing has changed there. If anyone needs to look to see when they are on duty, they know where to find it. That isn’t what I called the meeting for, but I knew we always had one at this time every week. I just wanted my family to know that we’re going to be adding a new member in a few months.” She trailed off and then grinned, as what she was saying dawned on everyone. I got out of the way of the wave of girls coming to giggle and squeal over the newly expecting mother.

  Lynna came over to where I was waiting out of the crush and divulged, “She beat me with her announcement by five minutes, so now I’ll wait awhile. I’m twenty-four now and was wondering if I’d ever have a child. I’m telling you because I think I’m supposed to, when I find out. Star’s baby and mine may be born quite close together.”

  I hugged her. “When the squealing stops, I want everyone to know about this. I can think of no reason why you should have to wait. We’ll tell Star first and then take it from there. I’ve always feared having children, but with you ladies, I’m happy that it’s happening.”

  When the girls finally let Star breathe, I called her over. I embraced her and assured her that I was very happy, and disclosed we had another reason to be happy, too. I looked at Lynna and then back at Star, smiled and nodded and she understood. She dragged a reluctant Lynna out to the center of the room.

  “It might not be exactly twins, but this might be close!” Star announced. With another round of bouncing and laughing, Lynna was congratulated.

  Ivy noted, “With all these babies being born, poor James is going to have to grow more arms to hold them with, but if someone doesn’t mind leaving the party, I’d appreciate it if they would go get the midwife and Aunt Chloe, because this baby wants to come out and see what all the excitement is about!”

  There was absolute silence as we all ran Ivy’s high speed announcement through our minds, and then utter chaos as it sank in. Kemma and Lisa recalled to their assigned places and the cot that had been set out for this occasion was dragged to its location. Kemma recalled back in with a dazed and frightened Halfling midwife, and moments later, with a soft pop, Chloe, Lia and Lisa were back.

  As Chloe and the midwife checked on Ivy, Lia approached me. “Well, Daddy,” she chuckled. “I’m sorry, I can’t help it. Thinking of my big brother as a dad is just really strange to me. What cute girl do you have stashed on the side that you can flirt with while we chat? You know that, Crown Prince or not, you’re about to be chased out of here.”

  I smiled a bit shakily. “Well, there’s a blessing. Believe it or not, I have seen a girl that I could flirt with. Let me say goodbye to my Ivy and I’ll be with you.”

  I went into the crowd and kissed Ivy on the forehead and told her that my thoughts were with her. That reminded Chloe and the midwife that I was there, and I was escorted to the door and a waiting Lia. Star and the other girls waved, and then waited for instructions. I ported us out and Lia looked around. “You know what? I have no idea where we are. Judging from the country, we’re close to the border, and I don’t feel like a hunting trip is relaxing. So what city have you brought us to?”

  “This would be the city of Bando. I’ve only been here once and that was when Lisa was hit by a revenant. Maybe they still have a pub.”

  “So she works in the pub, huh?” Lia grinned. “Would she happen to ‘work’ at the pub?”

 
“She isn’t a working girl, if that’s what you’re asking, but she was a waitress there last time we were here.”

  Lia smiled slyly. “So are we here to pick up a replacement babysitter or just flirting practice?”

  “My little consort is having a baby right now, so I don’t think that getting another would be my intention. I think we’ll have a few drinks and not think about what’s going on in Kethos right now.”

  We walked into the pub and the same girl was at the bar with her back to us. Lia and I got a quiet table near the back and she grinned at me.

  “Spotted her the moment we walked in, did you?”

  “Well, you did too, and it was easy since she’s the only girl on the floor. Maybe I should go check out the girls on the stairs, too. That might be what I need to take my mind off things.”

  “I’m your sister, so I know that there’s no chance of you just hopping into bed with one of those girls. However, taking them as a consort after you’ve fallen for them is different.”

  The waitress turned from the bar and sauntered toward our table. She saw me and became very interested in the floor. I ordered wine and ale, handed her two silver coins and winked. She smiled and flushed nicely. Lia rolled her eyes as she walked away.

  “Now that one really does like you and not just because you’re a big tipper. I think we should invite her to join us.”

  “If you’ll notice, she’s the only one working and there are a half dozen other customers in here. Her boss would never let her leave the job to socialize.”

  “Don’t underestimate your little sis. I’ll just go have a friendly talk with him and he’ll be happy to let her come over!”

  “No throwing titles around. That isn’t a polite thing to do.”

  She rolled her eyes as she walked to the bar and I knew that she wouldn’t use a title, but money would almost certainly speak for her. She chatted for a moment with a negative response, then I saw the glitter of gold on the bar and he became all smiles. He called the girl over himself, and she returned to the table with Lia. I stood at their approach and waited until they sat before taking my seat again. My father was a stickler for manners and station didn’t matter to him, so it didn’t matter to us.

  “Thank you for joining us, Miss. I was hoping that I could learn your name, since I’ve seen you a couple times now. My sister was kind enough to get the bartender to let you sit for a while.”

  “My name is Rose and it’s nice to meet you both. Of course I know who you are; everyone does. I can’t visit very long because I practically live on my tips. It will make for a skimpy dinner if I don’t get back to work soon.”

  Lia took one of Rose’s hands between hers and I caught the golden glimmer between their palms. “I really would like for you to visit. James told me that you were the only cute girl he could think of to visit today. It must mean that there was some sort of connection, don’t you think?”

  As Rose’s hand was released, she glanced discreetly into it. Her eyes widened and she slid her hands under the table. “I’d be happy to visit as long as you’d like! Was I really the reason he wanted to come here today?” she asked Lia.

  “I asked if he’d seen any cute girls and this is where he brought me. He’s the one who was hoping that you could join us, so I guess that answers that.”

  We all chatted about nothing for the longest, just getting to know each other. We learned that she had a room here in the basement and worked for her room and tips. She saved what she could because she hoped to not remain in the bar forever. When she had first been recruited, she blushingly admitted, she had worked upstairs. When neither Lia nor I had anything disparaging to say about that, she relaxed considerably. After an hour and a half, Lia noted that we all needed new drinks and suggested I should retrieve them. I put a hand on her arm as I got up and spoke, mind to mind, ‘Be nice to this girl’. She grinned at me and nodded. Strangely enough, I believed her.

  I strode to the bar for drinks and the very friendly barkeeper asked how things were going. He informed me that Rose was a really sweet girl and would make a good maid, housekeeper, or kitchen help if we were looking. He would hate to lose her, but even though she really was good for the business, she could do better. Every time I looked at the table, I got a ‘hold on’ signal from Lia, so I chatted with the barkeeper about everything he could think of that would help the kingdom and the pub/inn business in particular. Finally I was allowed to carry the drinks over to the table. I floated them over because I’m not a waitress and would have made a mess if I’d tried carrying them all. I was welcomed back to the table where Lia was waiting to talk.

  “James, are there any openings in your household? A job like Kemma’s or Lisa’s that might be available?” asked Lia.

  “Hold my hand, sister, while I think about this. We might, but I have to try to remember. I’ve just had too much on my mind lately and all.”

  Lia took my hand and while I ‘thought’ I went mind to mind with her. ‘What are you talking about? Are you in charge of finding consorts for me now?’

  ‘According to your wife, if she isn’t around and I find someone that might really make you happy, then I’m supposed to talk you into it.’

  I gave a mental sigh, ‘This girl sleeps in the basement and the barkeep is hoping she could get some kind of job with us. I doubt he thought of what you’re thinking of. I’ll agree to take her with us, but with her under the impression I’m hiring a maid for one gold coin a week. Details are yours.’ She nodded and smiled.

  Lia spoke to Rose. “Would you like to come with us? I believe that my brother might have some positions available at Kethos Castle, if you’re interested. The lowest pay he offers is one gold coin a week, with room and board as needed. The higher paying jobs are negotiable. We’re getting ready to go soon, so we’d need to know sooner.”

  Rose looked back and forth between Lia and me. “A gold a week and out of here? There’s nothing to think about! I’ll scrub floors on my knees from daylight to dark for that. Do I need to take anything, because I’m ready now if I can buy clothes with my first week’s pay?” She lowered her voice. “I really hate this place, because some of the customers think that a girl’s backside is free to be groped with the purchase of a drink.”

  Lia leaned over and hugged her. “We’ll stop by the tailor’s and I’ll buy you clothes out of my own pocket. If everyone is ready, let’s head home.”

  As we walked out, I tossed the barkeep another gold coin and told him that Rose was going with us. He grinned, either because of the gold or from happiness for Rose, and turned back to his work.

  Outside, Lia commented, “I don’t think there’s any reason to rush back, so why don’t we just fly.”

  I grinned and Rose looked confused, until I wrapped her with levitate and we took to the air. For the first two minutes off the ground, Rose squealed nonstop. Lia and I both checked with her regularly to make sure she was fine and then turned up the speed. Before Rose would have thought it possible, we were touching down in the courtyard of Kethos. Lia grabbed Rose’s hand and led her to the tailor’s shop. I followed along obediently and stood in a corner while they made arrangements with the tailor. When the tailor motioned her behind the counter to get measurements, I dutifully turned to the wall. Lia commented quietly that it was nice to see that Star had me so well trained. At which I maturely stuck my tongue out at her.

  After having her measurements taken, Rose ordered a simple dress and was content with the day. Then Lia began ordering things for her, too, and Rose protested that she didn’t have the money for all those things. Lia dropped four platinum coins on the counter and told Rose to let her have her fun. Rose came over to the corner and we stayed out of the way.

  Since we didn’t have anything to do but watch Lia and the wall, I offered Rose my hand. She held hers out beside her but wouldn’t reach for mine. I interlaced my fingers with hers and saw her glance sideways shyly.

  Rose finished giving the tailor a few days’ hard w
ork and moved over to join us. She glanced at our joined hands and smiled. Rose quickly dropped mine and fell in behind Lia, and we left the shop. I asked Lia to ‘look’ and see if we could go up now. She paused, grimaced and stated not quite yet. I could tell that my sister wanted Rose alone, so I backed off and wandered the courtyard.

  Thirty minutes later, I saw them coming back across the courtyard. I was on pins and needles, worrying about what was going on in the keep. I couldn’t look and had been taught that I shouldn’t ‘look’, either. There were certain things that the female gender kept to themselves, and men were one hundred percent excluded. The first thing I did when they got to me was put my hand on Lia’s arm and thought to her, ‘I know I’m being difficult, but what is going on with Ivy and the baby?’ She thought back to me, ‘The baby still isn’t here, but Ivy looks fine. These things sometimes take time. I never thought big brother would be such a worry wart!’ I chuckled and Rose gave me a strange look.

  Lia glanced at me and then back at Rose. She said, “I think that you two might have something that you need to talk about. I’ll just sit on the keep steps and be here if you need me.”

  I gave her a questioning look and she winked at me. Rose nodded her head and turned, watching for me to follow. We wandered across the courtyard. I assumed that Rose would let me know when this subject that we were supposed to discuss should actually be broached. Since this was Lia’s plan, with her approval, I just had to wait. She finally reached back and took my hand in hers. “Lia said that you might be willing to take me into your home as a consort. We’ve been discussing what a consort is and what is expected of them. Your sister says that you always let the consort choose whether she sleeps with you or not. We talked enough in the pub that you know my past and know that I’d have no problem sleeping with you, but it’s nice to know that I’d have a choice. She also explained that the Lord or Lady was to approach the potential consort first, but Lia had been given permission to stand in for the Lady. Your Highness, would you be willing to take me on as a consort?”