by Nina Monroe
“And now, we won’t because our feast is awaiting us, darling,” Will grinned as he pressed a kiss to her temple. “Perhaps later you will give me some dessert?”
Tamzin shivered at his words as he took her arm and led her towards the stairwell. She felt like jelly as they walked together down the stairwell. Tamzin was fascinated by the door in the wall and watched as Will pushed the door open. If Gregory hadn’t shown her the door himself, she never would have believed it would have existed. She thought back to the portrait of Will’s mother hanging on their wall and wondered if the King would be offended if she had it moved to the grand parlor, in memory, of course. She felt her husband tense as they made it to the grand staircase. He didn’t seem to enjoy spending time with the nobility and found it silly to spend time with rich people that could supply their own entertainment.
“Is your Court similar to my own?” Tamzin asked as Will stopped abruptly to fix his jerkin. She smiled at his messy shirt and he tied up the strings of his leather jerkin.
“It’s a feast, music, and dancing,” Will said as he tucked in his shirt and ran a hand through his hair to smooth his curls.
“Will you dance with me tonight?” Tamzin asked as she ran her finger up his arm. Will looked down at her with a smile. “Just one dance?” She pressed further as he finished fixing himself into something presentable.
“I think I could afford that,” Will said as he offered her his arm. “The nobles are vipers, but they’re the same in every Court, aren’t they? Just be yourself and everyone will love you.”
“And if they don’t?” Tamzin asked apprehensively, her brown eyes conveying more uncertainty than Will had ever seen. “What if they don’t like me?”
“They will.”
The doors to the grand dining room opened and Tamzin watched as everyone stood in attendance. Tamzin felt her breath hitch as Will began to lead her towards the main table, filled with his father, his advisors, Garrett, and her ladies. As they walked, Will pointed out the various lords and ladies, the barons, and the counts. She recognized some from her wedding, but the majority of them were a mystery.
Tamzin could hear the hushed whispers about her, but Will pulled her close and it made her laugh to hear him refer to an old baroness as a lazy trout. His warm breath so close to her face kept her preoccupied until she was finally seated next to him and his tall and very imposing general, Hartman.
“Your Highness,” Hartman nodded to Tamzin, though she knew he only spoke to her out of necessity and respect. Nearly immediately, Hartman pulled Will into a deep conversation about war tactics, and Tamzin looked around awkwardly. Kendall was making polite conversation with Garrett, though it was obvious that she kept brushing up against him while Lucy beckoned a handsome soldier over to her. Her best friends had adjusted very easily to the new Court, but Tamzin felt everyone staring at her.
The turkey and potatoes in front of her were calling out to her, but Tamzin was unsure if she were allowed to serve herself. Will was still speaking to Hartman and Gregory was busy speaking to Rainer. Tamzin narrowed her eyes at Rainer; she knew Will hated the man and he had no qualms about staring at Tamzin openly. She continued to wait patiently as the other nobles ate their food and openly gossiped about her.
Tamzin reached over and brushed her fingers over Will’s hand. Like a man reinvigorated, he turned to look at Tamzin, who smiled sweetly.
“Could you serve me?” she asked quietly, as Hartman was watching her with keen interest.
“She says jump and you say how high?” Hartman taunted lightly, his eyes begging the Princess for a play. “I’m disappointed, Your Majesty.”
“Well, with all due respect, Hartman, no matter how many war tactics you discuss, none of them will help him with my wrath,” Tamzin smirked and Will smiled. “An angry wife is more dangerous than an army of thousands.”
Hartman laughed rowdily as he wrapped an arm around Will.
“A warrior princess for a wife, eh?” Hartman asked as he took the serving fork and plopped a large piece of turkey on her plate. “I don’t care much for dainty women.” His words made Will chuckle as put some roasted potatoes on her plate and vegetables.
“You don’t need me to serve you. You can eat as much as you like,” Will said as he handed her the gravy boat. “After tonight, Kendall and Lucy will sit next to you. It’s just a formality tonight,” he continued as he began to serve himself. “In the morning, I begin training the new soldiers. Would you like to watch?”
“Only if you teach me how to fight?” Tamzin smiled deviously as she leaned in to whisper in his ear. “And how to ride – save a horse and ride a Prince.” Her words made Will blush.
“You’re going to wake up at dawn like the rest of them? Late soldiers are punished with sparring matches against me,” Will pressed as he began to cut up his turkey. “You may be my wife, but if you want to fight, you’re going to be treated just like the rest of them.”
“I think I can handle it,” Tamzin smiled as she leaned in and kissed him softly. “Thank you,” she continued as she began to eat her meal. “My father never let me near swords or fighting. I thought he would relax a bit when Thom was born, but his soldiers are much bigger than me.”
“The men I’m training are the same way, Tamzin. They don’t know proper skills for fighting, but they are all strong. It’s an honor to be a part of the army that defends Thurston Territory. They are more than able to hurt you,” Will warned as he continued to eat his food and took a sip of his wine.
“Not trying to stop me, are you?” Tamzin raised her eyebrow as she watched Will pour her goblet fill of red wine. “You won’t deter me.”
“I would never try to do that,” Will teased lightly as he finished his plate. “I just want you to be sure what you’re getting yourself into.”
“Yes, if I’m hurt, then who will single-handedly solve all the problems with the townspeople?” Tamzin smiled as she continued to eat. Will rolled his eyes and prepared himself a second helping. “Shall we dance soon?”
“Will you be able to stay awake after all that turkey?” Tamzin asked as she nudged his knee under the table with hers.
“Only long enough to afford you the one dance you’ve asked of me, then it will be time for bed for me. Don’t stay up too late,” Will said as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder. She snuggled into his warmth as he placed a kiss on her forehead. “Do you have breeches and a sweater to wear?”
“Might I borrow one of yours?” Tamzin asked as she caught the eye of a noble gentleman. He was as tall as Will, but much darker than him in hair and eyes. He stood and with a swing of his cape, began to walk towards Tamzin.
Will’s shoulders went rigid when he saw Lord Covington stand before him. Henry Covington was the eldest son of the original Lord Covington, who died the year before of old age. Will didn’t care much for Henry Covington; he didn’t treat his servants in the way they deserved, cheated on his wife regularly, and looked down at the men who decided to earn their wage by fighting in the army. Covington never had to work for anything.
“Prince Will,” Henry began as he bowed to the Prince. His dark eyes raked over Tamzin’s form and Will wanted to sneer and turn up his nose to Henry, but he couldn’t. Gregory had a great deal of respect for Henry’s dead father. “Won’t you give me the formal introduction to your lovely wife?”
“Henry, this is Princess Tamzin of Thurston and Roth Territory,” Will ground out as he watched Tamzin hold out her hand to Henry. Henry took her hand and suavely placed a kiss on the back of her hand. “Tamzin, this is Lord Henry Covington. His wife is Lady Sara Covington. I’m sure you will have meetings with her when it’s time to plan parties for guests.” Will couldn’t hide the disdain in his voice as he introduced Tamzin to Henry.
Tamzin took her hand back and laced her fingers with Will’s. “It’s a pleasure,” Tamzin said with a smile, but Will knew it was phony. Henry didn’t notice or didn’t seem to care as he asked Tamzin for the first dance of t
he night. “Oh, I’m sorry, Lord Covington,” Tamzin continued to grin as she looked at Will. “My husband promised me the first dance. Perhaps you should try and find me afterwards?”
Will watched as Henry nearly took a step back in shock. Tamzin didn’t care and her eyes seem to challenge Henry to leave now. Will smirked as he stood from his seat and helped Tamzin stand. He brought her to the floor, where he wrapped an arm around her waist and took her other hand in his own.
“He wants to sleep with you,” Will said in hushed tones. “I would see him frequently in the brothels.” Will watched as Tamzin turned to look at the petite blonde who sat alone. She watched them with great fascination and Tamzin turned away under her intense stare. “The blonde you were just looking at is Sara Covington. They married when she was sixteen, and I believe they have a few children but Henry doesn’t like Sara much.”
“Why?” Tamzin asked as she rested her head on Will’s chest and listened to him breathe lightly. “She’s very lovely.”
“Henry is spoiled and he’s handsome; he doesn’t care about anyone but himself,” Will continued as he watched Henry speak to Lucy, who coyly batted her lashes at him. “I hope he’ll see you learn sword play tomorrow and want to join in so I can finally kick his arse.”
“Are you jealous?” Tamzin chuckled as she kissed his cheek. “I don’t care much for Lords.”
“Do you like Princes?” Will asked as he brushed her hair out of her face and adjusted the tiara on her head. “I know that I like pretty princesses that want to learn how to fight.”
“Do you?” Tamzin mused as her fingers curled around the extra fabric on his back. Will shivered lightly as her fingers danced down his spine. “Afraid I might be able to beat you in a spar?”
“You and I will have our private sparring sessions, without clothes preferably,” Will whispered in her ear as he listened to the music end. He had planned on sneaking Tamzin away when Covington interrupted them.
“Your Highness, now that your dance is over, will you let me have mine?” Covington said as he came to stand in between the couple. Tamzin peered over his shoulder to see Will’s input; Will merely nodded.
“Just one, My Lord. I don’t wish to stay away from my husband for too long,” Tamzin smiled as Will crossed his arms. Will knocked Henry out of the way as he planted a deep kiss on her lips. He made sure to let his tongue swipe across her lips possessively and Tamzin mewed against his mouth. Satisfied, Will broke their kiss as he turned to look at Henry with a grin.
“Don’t keep her too late,” Will warned as he hit his shoulder against Henry’s as he walked by him. Just before Will left the dining room, he turned around to see Henry dancing with Tamzin, but her attention wasn’t placed on him. She watched him as he left.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Will felt himself stir from a deep sleep when the bed slumped slightly. The curtain around the bed was drawn a little bit, letting in the cold and some light. Suddenly it was dark again and he felt an arm wrap around his waist and a body press up against his back. He smelt flowers and smiled as Tamzin pressed her lips to the back of his neck.
“Is it late?” Will asked as he turned his body so Tamzin could now rest her head on his chest. She wrapped her leg around his and Will felt her chilled skin from her light chemise.
“Your men kept demanding dances from me all night,” Tamzin yawned as she nuzzled her nose into his chest. “I need my sleep if I’m going to last one minute in your boot camp.”
Will agreed silently and kissed her forehead. He was able to sleep much better with her in his arms.
~~~
Will had no idea when he shut his eyes, but now that they were open, he knew it was close to dawn. He looked down at Tamzin, who had moved a bit in her sleep, had her face buried in her pillow. She had the furs pulled up to her chin, but Will still felt her arm on his stomach. Will pulled away from her carefully and quickly darted out of bed. He grabbed his warm sweater from the night before, which still lied on the floor and threw it over his head. He then picked out his warmest breeches and put on his riding boots. Forgoing his cloak, Will put on an extra sweater when he saw the dawning sun.
With a devious grin and a gentle step, Will stood on Tamzin’s side of the bed and pulled the curtains open quickly.
“Morning!” he yelled and Tamzin groaned. She rolled over and blocked the light out of her eyes. With the furs still wrapped around her, she sat up and stared at him with bleary eyes.
“I feel like I’ve just fallen asleep,” she said, accompanied with a yawn. “It’s so cold,” she continued as she lay back down and pulled her body into a ball. “I don’t believe you actually train at dawn with these temperatures.”
“We fight in every climate imaginable, so it’s best that they learn to fight in the worst,” Will said as he sat on the bed and rubbed her side warm through the furs. “I won’t be angry if you don’t come. I have no expectation that my wife should be able to fight.” He raised his eyebrow at her; he was baiting her. “Shouldn’t women be planning parties and warming beds?”
“You’re a jackass,” Tamzin said as she shoved him lightly when she crawled out of their bed. “Have you anything for me to wear?” She asked as she quickly wrapped her arms around her shivering body. Will swallowed when he saw how sheer her chemise was and debated whether or not he should cancel training to acquaint himself with his wife’s body. Tamzin either didn’t notice or didn’t care as she opened his bureau and pulled out one of his sweaters. “Do you have a belt?” She didn’t bother changing out of her chemise as she threw the large sweater over her small body. His sweater swallowed her and hung low on her thighs as she pulled on his pants.
Will pushed past her and grabbed a belt from a drawer. He wrapped it tightly around her waist, as tight as it could go and it seemed to hold. Her boots, a gift from his father, were resting by their bed. Tamzin fussed little with her hair and didn’t even bother to run a brush through it. Her natural hair was slightly wavy with a slight bit of frizz, but she was lovely. She quickly slid her boots on over her pants and stood from the bed, ready to go.
“Not bad for the first day,” Will said as he gave her a quick peck. “That’s the only amount of affection you will be getting in front of my men.”
“Are you going to be yelling at me for the entire duration?” Tamzin asked with a smile as she followed Will down their stairwell. Will bit the inside of his cheek and didn’t answer until they made it to the final ground, in front of the hidden door.
“I will be. You want to be taught like a soldier, I’m going to teach you like a soldier. Out there, I am not your husband; we are not equals. I am your commander and teacher out there. I play favorites with no one,” Will roughly said to her and watched as Tamzin’s face fell slightly. “We leave what happens out there.”
“And in here?” Tamzin asked as she stopped staring at the floor. Her brown eyes were expressive, and they expressed an almost sadness with the change she saw in her husband. Did she not understand that he wasn’t sweet to anyone but her?
To answer her question, Will leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her mouth. He didn’t bite her lip or impose his weight on her; it was loving and kind. He drew her slight body into his strong arms and expressed the entire muddled, not quite love yet, feelings to her in that kiss. “Here, I kiss you like that and tell you that I am very happy I married you.”
“You should feel lucky I would have you,” Tamzin giggled as Will rolled his eyes and pushed the hidden door open. He gripped her hand tightly in his as he nearly dragged her towards the door. If he didn’t hurry, he would be late. As soon as he opened the castle doors, their hands disconnected and Tamzin saw the men in the courtyard. They were large and burly; they didn’t wear nearly as many layers as Tamzin, seemingly used to the cold.
“Men!” Will barked and they all turned to face him in attention. Tamzin wondered if she had made a mistake in wanting this, but she had no choice as Will pushed her lightly towards the men. Quickly, she j
ogged down the stairs and stood next to a man closer to her height. He stared at her openly, but she paid them no attention. The men acted like they had never seen a woman before, let alone a Princess. “So you want to be soldiers?” Will asked the men (and Tamzin) as he walked down the stairs as he gripped his belt. “Well today, you will be learning sparring or hand to hand combat. What use is a sword if you can’t defend yourself properly?”