by K. Lyn Hill
I grabbed her arm and spun her around. “Baby just kiddin. You’re the prettiest thing in town.”
She shot me that smile that lit my blood on fire and twirled me around to the beat.
And then we hit repeat.”
Abruptly Aerity stopped playing and faced him excitedly. “There’s a dance to this song. Come on. I’ll teach it to you.” Jumping up and grabbing his hand, she began showing him the moves.
“What kind of dance is this?” He had never heard of it before.
“A country line dance. Okay so step. kick. Yup. Just like that.” She showed him the moves and after a few practices he thought he got the hang of it. “Now you’re supposed to grab my arm and we spin in a circle. You ready?”
Nodding he took the original stance and she began singing again, tapping her foot to the beat. He followed her lead, until the final spin where she leaned so far down he almost lost his balance. Her laughter rang through the room as his own bubbled out. Swinging her under his arm, her foot slipped and he caught her around the waist. Chest to chest, he could feel the beating of her heart against his. The most genuine smile spread across her face as she peered up through thick dark lashes. Her green eyes sparkled. He stood like that for a moment lost in her forest eyes before a loud crash jerked their attention to the door. Aerity’s face flushed with exertion, her breathing heavy. It was quite the sight to see.
“What was that?” She asked.
"I'm not sure. Probably just a servant who dropped something."
Resting her hands on her knees, she tried to catch her breath, the smile crept back on her blushed cheeks. “That was fun.” She looked up with a wicked gleam in her eyes, her stomach suddenly breaking the silence, remembering that it hadn’t had dinner yet.
“I’d ask for another dance, but I think you need something to eat.” He said and she nodded her head eagerly.
Making their way into the dining room, where all the music and laughter was before when he had escaped, Aerity glanced around as if looking for someone.
“Where’s Damien?"
“I’m not sure. He was here earlier.”
“Oh yes. I know. Before I found you, some brunette was draped across his lap.”
He couldn’t quite tell if there was jealousy in her tone but he was surprised to hear of his brother’s actions. Damien was extremely loyal. It didn’t sound like something he would encourage in general, let alone while his fiancé was in the castle. “I’m sure you just misunderstood the situation."
She shrugged. “Maybe.”
When she left him to go fill up her plate, he was too distracted to think about what she had seen because his mind was racing about what she had made him feel. And what she had reminded him of.
Home.
∞∞∞
Damien
When dinner had begun, he had been tempted to get Aerity but by the way they ended their last conversation, he figured it was the best to let her simmer. She would eventually come to him. He reasoned that she had to get hungry at some point.
Still, he wondered how she managed to have those guards knocked out. Nothing about her made sense. As much as she grieved him, he was still desperate for her company. Her presence would certainly help to ward off the money grubbers, if nothing else. The court women were insufferable. All they wanted was the crown.
Currently he was fending off one vulture in particular, who was blatantly crushing her arms together to bring his attention to her generously sized chest. She was the daughter to one of the largest mining company owners in their kingdom. She also had her father wrapped around her finger. If he was rude to her, she could easily sway their trade agreement.
Trying his hardest not to roll his eyes at the desperation leaking from her pores, he chuckled politely at what she was saying. Soon though, she became far too close, scooting herself halfway up onto his lap.
“Your highness, I do hope one day you will come visit my father’s mines. It would just make my day to show you around our little town.”
Yes, Damien thought. He was sure that she would want everyone to see them together so they could ensnare him in a scandal. “I appreciate the offer. I’ll have to see when I can get a free moment. With all the wedding plans it’s been hard for me to think of much else I’m afraid.” She lowered her face, glancing up at him through her long, dark lashes. He had to admit she was beautiful. Although, nothing like Aerity. It wasn’t even tempting. Plus, he didn’t go for women who only wanted something from him.
“I heard about your wedding. I’m so sorry about what happened. If it was me, I wouldn’t have dare thought about leaving you.”
Damien was tempted to roll his eyes. He wasn’t in the mood for this. Nor did he have plans to encourage her advances. “Yes, well what happened is in the past. Speaking of the Princess, I do apologize, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go find my fiancé. She has yet to eat.”
Her pretty face morphed into something vicious as she scooted back to her own chair. “Of course, Your Grace. Just remember, if you need anything...and I mean anything, please let me know.”
Throwing a fake smile her way, he nodded and thanked her. As he walked into the hallway to make his way to Aerity’s room, he could have sworn he heard her laughter. Following the sound, he peered into a room that was shrouded in shadows. When the flame flickered, the scene before him made his stomach tighten. Siel stood holding onto Aerity, pressed against one another. Their breathing mingled in the air loudly as Aerity flashed a bright smile at his brother. Anger fell over him in droves as he stared at the betrayal. Instead of dining with him, she found solace in another man’s arms. While he was warding off a woman’s advances, she was encouraging them herself. All she was ever going to be was some unfaithful whore. In a flash, his dream of a marriage with love and trust flew out the window along with any respect that could have grown over time.
A servant walked by offered him another glass of wine. Grasping it by the top, he chugged the contents. The liquid warming his throat seemed to match the boiling of his blood, swirling around his body in a whirlwind. Fisting his fingers so tightly around the glass, he was surprised when it didn’t break. Feeling the desire to hear something smash, he hurled the cup at the wall. The shards shattered as he rolled his neck, trying to calm his aching body. The servant’s wide eyes glanced from him to the wall and back again. Without saying a word, Damien spun on his heels and retreated to his room to lick his newest wounds.
Chapter Fourteen
Aerity
Aerity had an internal alarm clock that always seemed to wake her up at six no matter what. It wasn't fun on the nights she and Elias went out to have a good time, but it was great for her job. She had never once been late since starting her job. Her father would have likely already informed them she was missing. There was no way they would believe that she was a random no-show.
With how much she trained and spent most of her time around cops, most assumed she would work for the CIA or on a special ops strike team. But no, she had always been intrigued by the way the mind worked. Every case her father worked on had a person behind it. What made them do what they did? How could the human mind convince them to murder, rape, steal? It fascinated her. She took psychology in college while simultaneously volunteering in a mental institution to get hands on experience. Her goal was to become a therapist, but she ended up enjoying what she did so much that she simply stayed there. Eventually they began paying her and she never looked back.
Eli always said that if she stayed there too long she was going to be admitted in the nuthouse herself. As she looked around the room yet again, still no closer to home, she had to wonder if Eli was right. What if she officially went crazy? Maybe this was a dream world where she was really strapped up to an IV thinking it was all real. She didn't think she was crazy but come on...that's what they all say. If she did get home and try to tell them, she could already see the expressions of concern on their faces.
Aerity had seen it every day at work. It wouldn
’t be the first time someone claimed to have traveled to a different world, but their story normally ended with meeting up with Alice and the mad hatter for tea and crumpets. Yeah, not a lot of stock went into what they said but seeing what she did now, maybe she would have listened more closely. She even heard stories about some loco cocos that were there before her. One was even a famous scientist who created massive beasts that went around eating people. Her father had been working the case. The creatures had attacked the lab that the woman worked at, even killing her own parents who apparently owned the company. She had help escaping but then they had found her again. When they caught her for the second time, she was spouting about being a kidnapped Queen from another world. Needless to say, the woman was strapped up and locked in a padded room in sector D. So, basically, there wasn’t much hope for anyone believing her anyway.
Aerity was attached to her life unstrapped, not to mention people in the psych ward reeked of desperation. One could smell their crazy from miles away. That was where she received a lot of her scars. People snuck in weapons and were willing to attack the closest person to them in order to escape. Bobby pins, spoons, fingernails, whatever they had, they used. That's partly why she learned self-defense. Ever see a crazy person attack someone with a paper clip? Well, it’s been done. No one understood just how sharp those little buggers are.
Many questioned why she liked it there and she honestly couldn't answer. She thrived off the crazy. It was a simple way to delve into someone else's problems instead of focusing on her own. It helped to remind her that she was alive, well, and all her brain cells functioned. Showing her that any situation she encountered could be handled.
It also didn't hurt that she was an avoider. One of those that sucked their emotions in so deep and tried to make a joke out of every situation. Yup...she was one of those, but she was also someone who didn't take others or new experiences for granted. No one knew which day would be their last. Which made her determined to make the most out of this even if she was clueless, alone and betrothed to some weird prince. This was just a new spontaneous adventure and she planned to live it to the full. Even if she was crazy, she would make this one hell of a ride.
Carly, clearly not expecting her to be awake so early, almost threw the vase of water in the air when she saw her sitting up in bed. "I'm so sorry! I didn't know you were awake already. Tomorrow I'll be in sooner!"
“Don't worry about it. Take your time. I was just hanging out." Carly's expression scrunched at Aerity’s terminology and she remembered that they thought she talked weird. Maybe it was them that talked weird! Did they ever think about that?!
The girl seemed nervous now. Good job Aerity.
Although she didn't choose to be here, she was also no free loader, so it compelled her to ask, "So what is my job here?"
The girl scrunched her eyebrows. "Your job?"
"Yeah, what are my assignments? I need to work to pay for the food and clothes." Even though the clothes so far had been hideous.
"But you're a princess."
This was going nowhere fast. "Yes but I want to work. You work to live here don't you?" Maybe logic would help.
"But I'm a maid."
Orrrr not. "What can I help with? I can cook. Or is there a daycare here? I'm good with kids. I can even chop wood." The girl’s confusion morphed into a smile and then a giggle. Carly thought she was kidding. Wonderful.
"I don't really know what princesses are supposed to do. I think you manage the household after marriage. You could um do embroidery?" Carly must have seen the look of horror on her face because she quickly scrambled to amend her sentence. "Or not. Someone could escort you to the village." That didn't sound like work but it didn't sound like fun either. Cringing, the memory came to mind of her walking through town with the crowds whispering behind her. People say a lot of nasty things in a mental institute so she learned to develop thick skin, still, to purposefully put herself in the same situation....eh, it could wait a few more days. “I know a little bit about horses. Do they need help in the stables?”
Carly still seemed puzzled over her question. “You could go for a ride. As long as a guard or companion accompanies you.”
“Can you go for a ride with me?”
Surprise lit her face and then it fell. “No, I’m just your maid.”
“Well I say you can and I’m the princess, right?” Terror and excitement contorted over her face. Without waiting for an answer, Aerity grabbed the girl’s arm. “Awesome! Let’s go!” Shedidn’t have many girl friends back home. Not from lack of trying, she was just into stuff most girls didn’t like. Fighting, Cars, camping. All stuff that guys did, but she liked horses. That was girly. She could work with that.
Gripping Carly’s hand, she practically dragged her out of the room. “I have chores to do your highness.” Carly protested. “I will never be allowed to join you.”
Quirking her eyebrow in the girl’s direction she tried, “Even if you were commanded to by the Princess?” Offering Carly one of her signature devilish winks, she steered her closer to the front gate.
“I need permission from the head mistress first.” Carly blurted.
“Okay. Take me to her.”
Carly shyly led her down the hallway to a wide-open door with bustling servants rushing in and out carrying dishes and towels. A woman standing in the center was barking orders at one of the girls who tucked her head down, trying to hold back her tears.
“Mrs. Clarel ma’am.” Carly’s small voice could hardly be heard over the noise. She tried again but still to no avail.
“Mrs. Clarel.” Aerity boomed. All movement around her froze before turning slowly towards the commanding voice. Cold eyes moved to hers as Mrs. Clarel inspected her from head to toe. Aerity tapped Carly’s arm, urging her to speak.
“Ma’am, the Princess would like me to accompany her into town today.”
The older woman’s face pinched, taking on a prune like quality with all her wrinkles. Flicking her eyes between Aerity to Carly it was as if she were trying to determine whether this was a joke or not. “Why would she want that?” The woman’s strong accent was dark and menacing.
Carly was frozen again, forcing Aerity to step in. “I would like her company.”
Whispers spread around the room as all the servants created a gossip train.
“Clear the room!” Mrs. Clarel yelled. All the girls scattered and rushed towards the door. Once they all disappeared Mrs. Clarel spoke harshly, “She has chores to do, she can’t get preferential treatment.”
Aerity ignored her tone. “I understand. I will make sure her work gets done.”
“And how do you propose to do that without adding to the others’ workloads?”
“I will help her upon our return.” A gasp sounded at her side. Carly seemed to be hyperventilating.
Mrs. Clarel swiveled her face to Carly. “What did you do?! Did you threaten her? Black mail her?”
Man, this woman was a hard-core ball buster.
The stern woman reached for a pan that sat on the counter next to her and Aerity jumped in before it could be taken much further. Standing between the woman and Carly, she used her body as a shield. Mrs. Clarel’s eyes darted back and forth not believing that a princess would protect a servant.
“She didn’t do anything. She also begged me to let her get back to her work. I forced her and requested her presence. Carly insisted a princess doesn’t do menial work, but I don’t care. I want to help. I would like Carly to go into town with me.”
“Why?” The woman asked in a low shocked voice.
“I’m sure you’re well aware the court girls are evil hags.” Mrs. Clarel choked and placed a hand to her throat.
Aerity was simply stating facts. “I don’t have many friends here, but I would like to.”
The servant woman blinked slowly. “You want to be friends with a servant?”
Aerity shrugged as if it was no big deal. Which it wasn’t. Technically she was a servant in her
world. Everyone was slaves of the man. Dang government and bills. “Yes. I’m quite sure she is better company than royal snobs.”
There was something akin to awe in Carly’s eyes. It was a tad creepy. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
Carly shook her head. “You’re just not like the others.”
“God, I hope not.” Aerity released an exaggerated shudder and smiled which seemed to do wonders to Carly’s disposition.
“So, do you mind if we go?” Aerity shifted her smile at Mrs. Clarel, whose lips parted.
“You’re asking me permission? You’re the princess. You could command it.”
“I don’t want to command it. I don’t want Carly being punished for my actions. Is it okay with you that she comes with me?”
“I, I, I guess it would be ok. If her work still gets done.”
Aerity’s smile grew. “Perfect, thanks!” She turned to Carly who was still wide eyed. “You coming? I need help finding the stables?” Carly numbly shook her head and took the lead.
“They will talk your highness.” Carly whispered as they approached the stables.
“Talk about what?”
“That you are spending time with a maid.”
Aerity shrugged. “Then let em.”
When they arrived at the stalls, the stable boy smiled at Carly. “Hey, what are you doing out here?” Carly nodded her head pointedly in Aerity’s direction.
Confusion marred his face. “Princess, what can I do for you?”
“We want to go for a ride. Can you get two horses saddled up for us please?”
He glanced back and forth with the same dumbstruck expression Mrs. Clarel looked at her with. Aerity was tempted to snap her fingers in front of his face but thought that might be a bit rude, so she refrained. “Carly’s going riding with you?”
Why did everyone keep acting so surprised? “Yes.”