In This Life And The Next

When Aurora woke, she was alone, she tried to push away the feeling of betrayal at being left after such a night. Instead, she stood and pulled on her undergarments, her fingers found the bruises left by Alec’s grip and her muscles ached in a delightful way. She pulled on her dress, swiftly tying it up. It took her a moment to realize that there were voices outside the tent and Aurora looked to the door.

Alec stood there, bare chested, his back to Aurora. Liam was next to him, also with his back to Aurora. In the distance, it looked as thought Victor and Ben were watering horses. They spoke in low tone and Aurora felt ill at the ease spying on the two princes. She cleared her throat and both brothers turned to her.

Liam waved with a smile and Alec’s face lit up with a grin.

All the feelings of betrayal fell away at the look on Alec’s face. He strode over to Aurora eagerly and kissed her.

“Mm- I haven’t washed my mouth.” Aurora said but did not pull away from the kiss either.

“I don’t care.” Alec murmured.

“Alec’s gross like that.” Liam chuckled.

“Is everything okay?” Aurora wondered when Alec ducked into the tent.

“Border skirmishes that required Alec’s attention.” Liam replied, “Nothing big.”

It was a lie, one that Aurora did not point out. It would have to be something of significance to bring Liam out this way and to interrupt his brother’s plans of romance. Alec came out of the tent once again, Aurora’s cloak in hand. He laid a kiss to Aurora’s head before handing her the cloak.

“Are you ready to return?” He asked, wrapping his arm around her waist.

“Yes, whenever your ready.” Aurora replied. She saw Liam watching them fondly, a small smile on his face.

“I would rather say in this tent for the next week,” Alec said and kissed Aurora’s jaw. “But a prince’s life is not his own.”

“A king’s even less.” Aurora pointed out and pulled her cloak on.

Alec fasten it and kissed Aurora again. “Does that bother you?”

“As long as the king’s affections remain mine,” Aurora whispered, brushing her nose against Alec’s. “I can bear anything.”

“You shall have to bear nothing, not as long as you are there for me to return to.” Alec murmured against Aurora’s lips.

“It’s as disgusting as newlyweds.” Ben declared.

“Was there a priest out here last night? Should we be changing Aurora’s last name as it is written?” Victor asked.

“Would you like their heads as wedding gifts, Ro?” Alec said.

“If it’s not too much trouble.”

“I will have the executioner sharpen his blade.”

“Of course you would fine someone with your sense of humor.” Liam chuckled. “Of course.”

The ride back was precisely comfortable but thankfully short. In the stables she was greeted by Jesse. He showed Alec everyone’s school work and as Alec promised, they were all rewarded with a coin, to be distributed by Jesse.

The boy took his duty seriously and waved goodbye to Aurora and Alec, scampering off to the others. The stable boy took both mares reins and Aurora and Alec stepped out of the stables.

“I have matters I must see to.” Alec said, squinting in the light of the sun.

“I have children to teach.”

“So you do.” Alec said, cupping Aurora’s face and kissed her thoroughly, until they were both breathless from it, out there in the open, for all to see. “You will have new garments in your room. See to it that your wear them.”

“Yes, my lord.” Aurora murmured, still testing Alec on her lips.

Alec paused. “What did you say?”

“Yes, my lord.” Aura repeated.

“Say it again.”

“My lord.” Aurora said, searching Alec’s face.

“Once more.”

"My Lord.”

Alec kissed her again. “Yours.”

When they turned around, they were greeted with dizzying array of colorful skirts and more than a few knights.

“Ben wasn’t lying.” Sam said.

“Should I be planning a wedding?” Laura asked.

“Just what I wanted, a sister.” Hazel said, a teasing lilt in her voice.

“Knights, with me.” Alec called, turning to Aurora. “I can do nothing about my mother or my sister or their ladies. I apologize.” He kissed Aurora’s forehead and snapped his fingers. “Knights.” He marched off and the men followed him.

Aurora turn around to face the woman and there stares.

“So... how was it did he treat you right?” Jessica asked.

“He better have.” Hazel added.

“He did and while I would love to give you ladies an exact description of the prince’s bed manners, I believe it would be disrespectful of the Princess and Her Majesty.”

Aurora left their group and went upstairs for a bath and to change clothing. A pale blue skirt and a white shirt were laying out for her and the shirt had the Valor emblem sewn over the heart, with sliver embroidery. She had seen the royal family with the same emblem, but with gold thread instead of silver. All the knights wore the emblem with black thread.

“What is the meaning of sliver thread?” Aurora asked Blake when she bumped into him in the hall.

Blake’s eyes drifted to the raven on Aurora chest. “Elevated above knights but not quite royal family. When you get married, I assume that you will have gold and the silver will go to Lady Jessica.”

The jokes of marriage were not merely joke as Aurora had assumed.

Her heart felt lighter when she stood for her students.