Snippets of a Knight's Woe

Chapter 5: Firelight

The princess sits comfortably in a soft plush chair in front of the fireplace in her room. Her knight sits tensely opposite her in his own chair, the fire casting a glow across the side of his face and auburn hair.

"Princess, it's late, I should retire to my room for the evening." The knight shifts in the chair and begins standing up when the princess tells him to sit back down, "Time to talk, Aegis."

Aegis sighs and makes himself comfortable, "Of course, Princess. What do you wish to talk about?" The princess drags her eyes over to him, "My father." Aegis stiffens slightly and turns to look at the fire, "What of the king?"

The princess taps her finger on the armrest, "He doesn't seem to be too fond of you. Granted, my father only wants what's best for me and the kingdom." The princess glares at him, "So, it's up to you to make him fond of you, understand?"

The knight breaths in deeply, "It's not that simple, Amara. Your father knows I have nothing, come from nothing, my parents were killed by highwaymen when I was 14. I did things I wasn't proud of to survive and when I turned 19, I joined the guard. Sweetheart, you know this." Aegis sits up in his chair and continues with a certain edge to his voice, "Nobody is good enough for you, not even me."

Amara groans, already used to her knight's speech of not being good enough, she rolls her eyes, "Yes, yes, your right, darling, you're not good enough, but I still want you, so shut up about that and focus." The princess shifts in her chair and straightens her back, "Ok, I'm going to list some reasons my father may not like you."

"Number 1: No royal lineage." Aegis nods and says teasingly in a solemn voice, "Yes, that is true, sorry about that." The princess lets out a small chuckle.

"Number 2: You used to be part of a gang of thieves." Aegis grunts and rubs his face in his hands, "Yes, out of necessity." Amara scoffs at his answer and says accusingly, "I'm pretty sure you stabbed a bunch of people." Aegis lowers his hands and blows some of his bangs out of his face nonchalantly, "yeah, but you're the only one who knows that, so, let's just call it some pre-knight training." The princess nods and moves on.

"Number 3: That picnic we had in the gardens when father saw you on top of me, kissing my neck." Aegis smirked at that one, "Your father probably thinks I deflowered you ages ago. If only he knew I'm the one keeping it intact." He looks at her with a teasing grin and throws her a wink.

The princess walks over to the fire and throws some logs in it, stoking the flames, before going to sit on Aegis lap, lounging across him and resting her legs over the armrest, the princess yawns, "Well, I see it more like, what's the point in waiting when it's going to be you anyway." Aegis arm moves around Amara to hold her comfortably against him.

Aegis other hand languidly strokes the princess's exposed thigh, her nightgown having ridden up in her position on him, "Hmm, it's the principle of it all, Princess. For instance, I could tear your hymen by merely pressing my fingers in deep enough, but that's not what you want, now is it?" He tells her softly, "I want your fathers blessing, I want to marry you and not bring shame on you for choosing me," Aegis places a soft kiss on Amara's lips, "and on our wedding night, you'll have every inch of me, on you, in you."

The princess pouts, "I'm going to talk to my father tomorrow." Aegis runs his hand on her thigh higher up and under her nightgown, "Don't pout princess, your father would have some valid reasons for denying me your hand, but I think he knows how devoted I am to you." Amara caresses his stubbled cheek and pulls him in for another slow kiss, "You say devoted, but I think most see it as obsessed, Aegis." He moves his hand on her thigh even higher to tug slightly on her underwear, "And what do you think?" His green eyes swirl with warmth as the firelight dances in them, while Amara's tired amber eyes glow in the warm light. She answers softly, "I think it's how you express your love for me."

Aegis kisses her forehead softly and lifts her up to carry her to her bed, he gently holds her as he moves her blankets out of the way and tucks her in. Amara grabs his hand gently, "You can sleep here tonight, I promise I won't try anything." Aegis gives her a little smile and runs his thumb over her small hand comfortingly, "I kind of need some alone time right now, Princess."

Amara pouts at him and is about to say something when she sees his slightly tented pants and blushes slightly, "Oh, oh, uhm yes, goodnight Aegis." Aegis laughs softly and kisses her lips once more, the most intimate kiss of the day. As he pulls away from her lips he whispers in her ear, "Goodnight, love, I'll be thinking of you," and quietly leaves her room.