The Black Raider

Six months ago at Prent Castle: 

            Aidan smoothly looked away from him to the gardens magnificent beauty.  The shadows the moon cast upon the castle’s silhouette in the distance, along with the moon goddesses spellbinding essence cast upon the gardens made this all the more magical.  The flowers glistened like silver gems upon the dark bushes that they sprouted from and the fragrance they emanated was soothing.  She took a deep breath and sighed. 

            “Come now my dear,” Zacarias said playfully.  “I would never do such a thing as follow you around!  It is not gentleman like for me to do so.  Therefore, I am not a little lost puppy!  I am— 

            “A love sick one,” Aidan retorted smoothly, lifting her head to meet his gaze, an impish smile gracing her lips. 

            Zacarias could not keep the laughter from boiling out of his chest. 

            “Hush now!  Someone will hear you and will suspect— 

            “They shall suspect nothing!” Zacarias smiled at her sudden panic.  They stared at each other for a few moments before he took her hand and spun her around.  Aidan yelped as she lost her balance and fell into him. 

            She leaned against him, frozen.  Her hands were splayed upon his chest and could feel his steel muscles underneath her palms.  She was very aware of his hard thighs pressing against hers.  Her back stiffened slightly.  She had been in his embrace before—but for some reason this felt different.  Staring hard at the ruby necklace, she tried to calculate the difference and decided it had to be the way she was so aware of him now than ever before.  For possibly the first time since they’d been friends, she actually felt her femininity with him. His broad shoulders shielded her easily from anyone that might approach from behind.  One of his arms was as thick as her thigh and corded with muscle, yet they wrapped around her with a gentleness she thought could not be easy for a man of his size and stature. 

            Zacarias meant to have her fall against him.  He placed his hands around her small waist and was surprised to find it so tiny. She must have been forced into one of her corsets, he thought.  It made her more feminine and fragile, two words he would never have used to describe her before tonight. 

            She was not fragile.  She was strong—stronger than most men.  She had gone through much in her past sixteen years and it seemed that it would only become more trying.  Her mother had died when birthing her and that left her to grow up under her father’s and brother’s watchful eyes.  As he had been told at a young age she had taken up a small dagger and had been able to throw it with such accuracy that it put even the best of warriors to shame.  Her father had not disapproved of his daughter’s skills.  He actually encouraged her to keep training.  A few years later, her brother had been killed and that had devastated both her and her father.  The king of Chaton had taken the hit deeply and retreated into a state of depression.  He had left his people, and chaos spread quickly throughout the land.  Even though still young, Aidan had taken up the role of protector and overseer of her country.  She had brought peace back to her people and continued to run the country until her father finally took up the responsibility again. 

            Such a big responsibility for one so young to take on. She was as strong as they came.

            Zacarias looked down at Aidan was so filled with warmth and love.  He never wanted to let her go.  He had already made the decision he would have to marry her and finally unite their two countries. 

            Aidan slowly looked up at Zacarias.  He was four years older than she, yet he looked so much younger.  His cherubic face hid his age well.  She inhaled sharply and realized she had been holding her breath.  She shouldn’t have been affected by him this much, she was used to being in his arms.  She had been cradled there before—but there was a gentleness that had never been there before tonight. 

            Her heart pounded in her chest as she looked up into his eyes.  His beautiful eyes were the stormiest blue that you could ever possibly imagine.  She slowly lost herself in their depths, wanting to be swallowed by the stormy passion swirling there.

            Zacarias was captivated by her unusual bronze eyes.  He could not look away.  His hands tightened around her waist as he tried to keep himself under control. 

            Underneath her right hand Aidan felt his heart pounding in his breast.  She tightened her hands into fists and slowly pulled him down toward her, lifting her head up to meet his, her eyes, like two crescent moons, were focused on his lips. 

            Zacarias let her take control.  He was going to fall under her spell willingly when a twig cracked from behind.  He instantly spun around, one hand on the hilt of his sword, the other reaching behind him to hold Aidan securely at his back. He readied himself, making sure to stay between her and the noise, ready to take on whoever was sneaking up on them to protect the woman he loved.  His gaze searched the surrounding area but no one was there. Soft laughter filled the air and he turned a suspicious eye her way. 

            Aidan tried to subdue her bubbling laughter with the back of her hand but could not sustain it.  She looked up, her bronze eyes dancing with amusement.  “It was only a fox,” she explained lifting her hand to point at a now disappearing red four legged critter.  Zacarias heaved out a sigh and smiled letting Aidan go with difficulty.  She fit against him so perfectly that he did not want to let go.  When she was in his arms he felt whole, but when she gone, he felt as if a part of him were missing. 

            He easily captured her hand and led her quickly through the garden.  Not a word was passed as they quietly entered a small circular clearing with a large ornate fountain in its very center.  Aidan moved to sit on the edge.  Smoothing her skirts, she turned to face him as he sat down beside her. 

            In the light of the moon Aidan looked angelic.  Her thick wavy golden hair, which fell to her waist, was glowing silver in the night, setting off a silvery halo about her head.  Her golden bronze eyes sparkled and danced in the moonlight and played gently across his face. 

            “Aidan,” he started softly folding one of her hands in his, gently placing their intertwined hands upon his thigh.  “We’ve known each other since birth, and . . .”  

            In that moment when he paused, Aidan absently placed her free hand on a golden heart shaped locket he had given her when she had been born.  A warmth curled through him and his eyes passed over her in love.  His mouth curved ever so slightly and his eyes softened, turning to an even darker blue.   

            “You know our fathers wishes to marry and to unite the kingdoms under one banner.” 

            Aidan nodded.  She had a deep warmth in the pit of her stomach—it curled and churned.  She was nervous.  She knew what was about to happen.  Her dream of living with him forever was soon to become a reality. 

            Zacarias slowly slid down on his knee in front of her.  “Aidan,” he started softly pulling out a ring from a pocket.  “I love you,” it was a declaration that came from deep within his heart.  He looked up at her slowly, “I’ve loved you my whole life and I cannot ever see myself happy with any other woman.  Aidan,” he said with more confidence and very slowly opened his palm and held up the ring.  “Will you marry me?”