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Rune
As Princess Emily sat next to me sharing long glances with Luke I wondered how I already had a disadvantage. Perhaps being ‘interesting’ was not enough.
“So what do you think of this Rune?” Emily remembered that there were others in the room apart from she and Luke and her enchanting eyes looked up at me.
“I think it is a risk to deal with other dragon shifters at all, but one can never know what would happen if we don’t try. Extending a friendly invitation to the Norwegians could turn out well.” I gave her my honest opinion and she smiled in appreciation.
“Well, if we all are in agreement and think we should...why not give it a try?”
“Good, my men will fly out come night fall, it should be a simple day’s trip, and we will appear as only messengers,” Kato, the current special guard leader, spoke up and made everything real. Not long after the meeting was adjourned, and I stepped close to the princess.
“If I may have a moment, Princess Emily?”
She smiled welcomingly and stepped to the side with me.
“You don’t have to address me so formally you know, to you I’d like to be just Emily.” She brushed her hair out of her eyes and then touched my arm lightly. “And don’t feel like you have to compete for my hand or anything, just be yourself.”
Her words were kind, but I read what she meant underneath them. She had picked up on my brief territorial reaction earlier. I could not control it, when she first saw Luke I had such an urge to claim her.
“You are kind; I hope I didn’t...offend you at all with my brief lapse earlier. And so close to your father, how embarrassing.”
Emily laughed softly and touched my arm once more.
“Not at all, I’m sure my father just saw it as a good expression of competition. I think it was a good sign, it means you like me,” she smiled playfully and I chuckled.
“That is a given. I know you will come to like me soon as well.”
She giggled softly and shook her head at me almost fondly.
“Really? How are you so sure?”
I had her complete attention and I was glad of it. Luke was obviously standing by the door, waiting for her, but she hadn’t noticed.
“Well for one, I can be very charming. Also I am handsome and smart, so it is obvious you should choose me,” I said and Emily laughed again. “Is your day busy?”
“Actually after lunchtime I should be free if you want to hang out.”
“I would like to take you to dinner if that’s alright.”
“Of course, I’d love that,” she nodded and then touched my arm yet again, that time it was a lingering caress. I took her hand loosely in mine and leaned forward to kiss her on the cheek.
“I will meet you at seven then, in the courtyard.”
She nodded and smiled up at me as if she truly looked forward to it. I let her go, I might as well give Luke a fighting chance. Not surprisingly he quickly got her attention, but my father called me so I followed him out of the room.
“So you’re competing with Luke Hart for Emily’s hand? That has to be the prettiest fighter I’ve ever seen. He is just as good as his father,” my father came up behind me and commented on Emily and Luke together.
“Yes, it is best not to make a competition out of things. This is Emily’s choice; it depends on who she likes most.”
“You are too good for your own good. Come we have much to prepare for, if the Norwegian clan pays us a visit, we can’t be caught stooped over and poking at fire.”
I snorted and then spent the rest of the day coming up with suggestions to present to the king with father. Possible meetings, events, and the like.
When the time neared for me to meet with Emily I excused myself from my father’s company and flew home at the speed of sound to freshen up. Afterwards I quickly set up a picnic of sorts in a nearby meadow behind the castle. It looked out over one of the many rivers in Maine and was quite picturesque. Once I had everything ready I flew to the castle and made my way to the courtyard. Emily was just walking out from the west wing.
“Rune! There you are.” She was happy to see me and surprised me with a close embrace once we met.
“How are you?” I asked her and she shrugged slightly.
“I was beginning to grow bored after my last court appearance. Then I looked forward to dinner with you,” she smiled up at me sweetly and I took her hand.
“I planned something simple, just outside of the castle.”
“Since it’s outside of the castle I am already having a fantastic time.”
I laughed and then led her leisurely towards the meadow.
“You seem quieter than I initially thought you’d be,” she observed and I glanced down at her with a quirked brow.
“Perhaps I am just nervous?”
“You? Really? Oh you don’t have to be nervous around me Rune, I like you,” she said honestly and I smiled.
“And now I’ve gotten you to admit you like me, I’d say that puts me ahead,” I teased and she laughed.
“Oh that’s your plan? Feign shyness and get me to coddle you,” she nudged me playfully and I chuckled.
“Well that would only go so far, now that you like me, I really have to charm you, soon you’ll admit you love me.”
Emily laughed again and we finally reached the picnic I set up. I had laid out a blanket and set up a small floor seating table for the two of us. Next to it was a container of food and around the blanket were a few flame lit lamps.
“Oh Rune, you set this up?”
“All by myself.”
She smiled at me and I saw her eyes twinkle.
“It’s lovely, I don’t think I’ve ever had anyone set up a picnic for me before.” She let go of my hand and seemed to skip over to the blanket. I watched her sit and then she gestured for me to join her. “Don’t leave me hanging,” she said and I quickly sat next to her, our shoulders touching.
“I would never think of it. I’ve prepared quite the feast for us,” I said and she seemed impressed.
“Really? Like what?”
I opened the basket I packed and pulled out plates and cutlery. After that I produced a bottle of red wine and two bags of potato chips, followed by two roast beef sandwiches and I left dessert for later. Emily giggled when she took everything in and then it grew into full laughter.
“This looks divine Rune, you’ve outdone yourself,” she said jokingly and I inclined my head.
“Anything for you princess.”
She held my gaze for a moment and I felt the charge of attraction between us. It was strong and sudden. I leaned towards her and she met me half way. Our lips touched, softly at first, and then a fire seemed to spark in both of us and we kissed each other with passion. I felt the heat threaten to consume me in lust and I did not want to come on too strong so soon. I broke the kiss and we both took a moment to catch our breath.
“Whoa...I—didn’t expect that,” she whispered and I held her gaze again.
“I try not to be overly confident but...my plan is working,” I said and she dissolved into a fit of giggles.