In This Life And The Next

The day flew by and dinner was attended by everyone. It seemed louder for some reason, more joyous. Aurora wondered but did not ask, merely enjoyed the feeling. Laura asked after the students and Aurora remarked on all their strengths. Laura wondered out loud of sending them off to school, once they had learned all they could from Aurora.

This night, Alec sat next to Aurora, his arm thrown over the back of Aurora's chair. Laura watched the easy affection her oldest had for Aurora with nothing less than clear joy. She sometimes wondered if it would have been in Alec's nature to find someone.

Clearly it was.

Aurora spoke with all the Valour in turn about different things but never once leaned away from Alec. In fact, she seemed to find herself more and more at ease the closer she was to Alec.

When the dishes were swept way, Alec didn't even bother making excuses. He only leaned over and whispered into Aurora's ear, "Let's go to our room."

Aurora nodded.

They stood and the rest of the men in the hall did the same, even as whistles and the catcalls echoed through the room. Steps from the hall, Alec spun and mock glared at everyone who tried to stifle their laughter. He pressed in close to Aurora, wrapped an arm around her waist and spun again, carrying Aurora off with him, to the roar of laughter.

There was a fire banked in their room and Alec laid Aurora on the bed. Aurora sat up and worked at the complicated lacing of Alec's shirt. This one was more difficult than the others; there were lacings at the front and back of his shirt, his wrists and near his hips. It was made for war with thicker material to keep the wearer warm in cool months. Aurora eventually got it off and Alec pulled his shirt over his head and went for Aurora's skirt, fumbling with their pants and boots.

"For our honeymoon-" Alec started, jerking his boots off and throwing them over his shoulder. "I am going to take you away to an island where I can spend hours alone with you without the threat of someone demanding my attention."

"An island?" Aurora asked, pulling her shirt off.

"Yes. An island. I want to spend hours memorizing your body under my hands-" Alec licked a strip along Aurora's neck. "Because the wedding is going to be hell. If those woman get their way, it will be ornate, loud and long. You and I will look ridiculous. My mother already wants to measure you for a crown."

"Alec." Aurora murmured, leaning on her elbows, confusion clear in her eyes.

"Yes?" He asked, leaning away to gaze into her eyes.

"Were you ever going to actually propose or did you merely take advantage of the fact that I adore you and assume that I would say yes?" Aurora asked, a mock threat in her tone, a small smile creeping her lips, she didn't recognize the confidence in herself. The Aurora that was raised in Phil's house would never say such things to the Crown Prince. But Aurora would probably never be naked in the Prince's bed either.

"...Yes?" Alec guessed, his last remaining clothes falling to the floor before crawling up the length of the bed, until he was hovering over Aurora, his knees pinning Aurora's lower body beneath the blankets. "Would you like a grand statement, Aurora? Would you like me on my knees in front of the court? On a balcony in front of the entire kingdom? Name it, I'll do it." Alec swore, "Just say your are mine."

The power of the future king granting her anything would have overwhelmed anyone. But Aurora had gotten a glimpse of the man underneath the king, and she didn't want the wealth or power, although those were nice too. What she wanted was Alec and would take him poor and powerless if that's who he was.

"No," Aurora murmured, searched Alec's eyes. She cupped Alec's face in her hands. "No, what I want Alexander Valour to say the words. I don't want the Crown Prince to swear his love in front of thousands. I just want you to tell me the words."

Alec nuzzled Aurora's hand and kissed her palm.

"Aurora, you were written in the stars for me. From the moment I met you until the moment you woke up in my bed and looked at me more honestly than anyone I met in life, I swear that no one else can make me feel the things you do. I want to fall asleep with you at my side, I want to rule this kingdom with you, I want to wake up knowing that I have another day to love you." Alec sat up, straddled Aurora and threw his arms wide open. "Aurora you were sent from the heavens for me!" He yelled and Aurora clapped a hand over her own mouth to prevent a giggle. "I will yell it from the rooftops!"

The door was thrown open and Sam and Victor stumbled in, Ben and Liam on their heels, Liam stumbling over Ben who was standing, gaping at Alec. "I will tell everyone that can hear me that I belong to Aurora Grace! That in this life and the next there is no one but Aurora for Alexander Valour."

Alec hauled Aurora into a sitting position and sat down heavily on her tights. He put his forehead to Aurora's and let out a breath. "I can live and die a happy man knowing that I have loved you as well and as much as I could."

"Is drunk?" Sam whispered. They all seemed completely unbothered by Alec's obvious lack of clothing.

"He didn't touch his wine at dinner." Liam whispered back.

Ben wiped at his face. "The fool went and fell in love."

"If you will have me, I am yours." Aurora murmured.

Alec kissed her again, cradling her as if she was precious. "Mine is yours."

"Everything I can give you, within my power, is yours." Aurora promised.

"Oh, hell." Ben huffed throwing his hands in the air. He had to wipe his face again.

Liam ushered everyone from the room.

After that everything was a blur of Alec's lips on her skin, her hands tracing the muscle of Alec's body. "I am yours, I am yours-" Aurora moaned. Alec licked the words off her lips, swore all the promises that he knew, swallowed Aurora's cries of her own.

Later when Aurora lay her head on Alec chest, listening to his heartbeat, she commented the night to memory.

"I have never been loved before." Aurora murmured.

"Nor I" Alec replied.

"But you have experience." Aurora murmured.

"Does that bother you." He questioned.

"I wish not to displease you."

"I believe as your teacher, I found my star pupil." Alec murmured.

Aurora closed her eyes. "I know what my favorite subject is."

Alec chuckled and they drifted off once more.