- Posting Speed
- 1-3 posts per week
- Online Availability
- I have a shifting work schedule, so My online times will be random.
- Writing Levels
- Adept
- Advanced
- Prestige
- Adaptable
- Preferred Character Gender
- Male
- Female
- No Preferences
- Genres
- Fantasy, scifi, futuristic modern, fantasy modern, Action/adventure, Mystery, Fan-based,
Nicoli was relieved to find that much of the awkwardness from the night before was gone. Perhaps it was because he had a goal, perhaps it was because he knew what was expected of him, or perhaps it was because his queen couldn't easily see his face and he didn't have to worry about what expression he was wearing and how it might be interpreted. He found that once they got going, conversation was easy. He also found that not only did they have a great deal in common, but where they differed such differences could usually be chalked up to the different manners of their up bringing. He was pleasantly surprised to find that she was not only willing to listen to his perspective, but when she pointed out the flaws in his logic it was in a way that made it very easy to learn. He had half though that a woman raised with the best education possible to obtain could find little in the words of a grown up stable-boy, even if his father had taught him his letters and the knights instructed him in proper court manners. If only she'd been born a farmer's daughter, or I the son of a noble . . . he hastily shook the thought from his head.
When they finally fell to silence it was an easy and comfortable one. The silence of two people who didn't believe any words needed to be said just then. It wasn't until Ann fell against his chest that Nicoli realized she was asleep, and even then he found he was unusually comfortable with it. After a moment or two the gentle rocking of the horse began to cause her to slide, and Nicoli unconsciously switched the reigns to one had and wrapped the now free arm around her waist.
A moment later he realized he probably should have found another way. Not only did it feel incredibly nice to have the weight of her body nestled against him, but the pleasant scent rising from her breeze swept hair was enough to take his mind down the path of "What ifs". It was light, something he couldn't quite place, but it brought back a memory of the palace chefs working on a cake. He didn't know what what it was. Vanilla maybe? Perhaps he could ask . . . No! That was out of line as well.
But the fact was Anastasia di ReValya had not been born a farmer's daughter, not even the child of a minor noble, and he had no business even beginning to think of her that way, no business musing over he scent, no place to enjoy her mere presence just because she was there. That had to be it. He had been so long out of the company of any woman of marriageable age that he had begun to read to much into any sort of contact from one. Even that from one so completely out of his league as the queen. He knew better. He knew he knew better.
It had been easier when they were talking.
"You are a fool, Nicoli," he whispered to himself, but he left things as they were as the sun waned towards afternoon and Anne slept, safe against him.
There were other women at the palace, closer to his age, some that might even be interested in him if he could drag himself away from his work long enough to take the time. If a morning's talk with Anne had done this to him, then what might happen in a relationship with a woman he could openly pursue? Perhaps it was time he actually made an attempt to find out.