#texaskitten30

“Liam! Where are we going?” Gracelyn exclaimed, giggling as she took another step, a blindfold tightly wrapped around her head, robbing her of her eyesight. She stumbled around for a bit, until a strong arm held her in place, gently helping her walk across what sounded like a gravel pathway.

“You’ll see! Just hang on,” she heard Liam say with a chuckle and his firm hold on her made her smile.

“Okay, okay. But this better be worth it,” she quipped in response.

After what seemed like an eternity of blindly walking through a sea of darkness, Liam’s warm body disappeared from touch and Gracelyn shivered, unsure of what awaited her.

Christmas cordonian style with a Knight Thunder twist

  author's note   this story takes place a week after the arrest of Barthelemy Beaumont and those who were with him in the coup against the crown of cordonia.

 The Palace of Cordonia is a buzz with excitement as servants and people alike work together to decorate the capital city for the upcoming Christmas celebration.

Karyson and his Queen Reimeiko were observing as the decorations and preparations were happening.

“It is a Happy Time For Us my dear Reimeiko.   What a celebration the preparations have been going on for days.” Karyson gushed.  “ old man Beaumont and the rest of his conspirators are behind bars my aunt and uncle can finally rest in peace knowing that they're killers are incarcerated for the rest of their lives.   I am relieved as well.   Rhiannon and the twins are growing up free from Barthelemy's tyranny.   and peace is once again returned to our kingdom.”

 “oh yes.”  Queen Reimeiko agreed. “ we are finally able to live our lives and our children are free the grow up away from all the evils that were thrown at them.   all of our friends from all around the kingdom and Beyond have come to help decorate.   BJ and the trio were getting along beautifully and this is our first real Christmas together as a family.”

 before they knew what was happening,  a loud crash could be heard from the kitchen close to the ballroom.  Karyson and Reimeiko  exchanged fearful looks and took off in the direction of the crash.   they both get through this serving doors only Drake fell out on the floor with a bowl of cake mix on his head.

“ what happened?”  the king demanded attempting to hide the laughter behind his feigned anger.

 “It was an accident, honestly.” Maxwell Beaumont  quickly said.  “I was coming one way with a bowl of cake mix. He was coming the other with the apples and we collided. Nothing major we’ll fix it we’ll fix it.”

“Well you had better fix it.” the  King growled  in feigned anger.  “Racine will get both of your butts if you mess up her kitchen and you know how fiercely protective Racine is of her kitchen.” as the king and his queen turned away and walked out of the kitchen once out of earshot they finally busted up laughing. “ did you see the look on Maxwell's face  when he and Drake  thought they were in trouble?  The look of fear was priceless. “

As they exited the kitchen and returned to the Ballroom  and the decorating, Marco and Valerie from Lythikos  and Jiro and Camila from Applewood arrived with their families with more sweet treats and snacks for the celebration.   The Cordonian children  we're given permission to take the time to play with BJ and the trio.

“Thank you for inviting us to your Christmas celebrations your Majesty's.” Camilla announced.  “And we are glad that you were able to save your daughter from being taken over by that bad man.”

“ well the bad man will be no trouble for no body anymore.”  the queen replied. “ he is locked up for the rest of his life and will never harm another Soul ever again.   you know what I have got an idea.   what do you guys say you guys heard BJ & the trio up to the playroom and then I will come and tell y'all A Christmas Story tell you all about how it all began with me and my family.”

“ that would be awesome your highness.” Marco gushed. “ it would be great to hear all about your first Christmas and how things meant for you and yours.”

“ well okay if you will take BJ Rhiannon Ethan and  Gabriel do the playroom The King and I will be up in a few minutes with the Christmas book.”

 without another second to spare the cordonian children took the younger ones up to the playroom and waited for the queen to arrive with her story.   within about 10 minutes the king and queen arrived at the playroom all the children were sitting in a semicircle in front of the rocking chair waiting to hear the Queen's famous story.

“ truth of the matter be told.” Karyson replied. “I cannot wait to hear the story you have come up with my love.”

“ well this is a story that everybody will enjoy.” Reimeko said.  instead of sitting in the rocking chair she pushed it back and set down in the floor with the children and her husband and began her story.  “ this is the story of a Time long ago back before my parents back when my grandparents were still just children my grandfather told us the story years later and it's become a family favorite:  Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house not a creature was stirring not even a mouse the stockings were hung by the chimney with care in hopes that st. Nicholas soon would be there the children were nestled all snug in their beds with visions of sugarplums dancing in their heads.”

 This part of the story is where the king picked it up. “ oh I remember this with mom and her kerchief and I in my cap we had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap.  When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter away to the window I flew like a flash tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.  The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow gave the luster of midday to objects below when what do my wondering eyes should appear but a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer with a little old driver so Lively and quick I knew in that moment it must be Saint Nick More rapid than the Eagles his coursers they came and he whistled and shouted and called them by name now Dasher  now Dancer now Prancer and Vixen on Comet on Cupid on Donner and Blitzen to the top of the porch to the top of the wall now dash away, dash away dash away all as dry leaves up before the wild hurricane fly when they met with an obstacle mount to the sky so up to the Housetop the coursers they flew with the sleigh full of toys and Saint Nicholas II and then in a twinkling I heard on the roof the Prancing and pawing of each little hoof as I drew in my head and was turning around down the chimney st. Nicholas came with a bound.”

 The queen took up the story from then on.   but the story had brought in everyone else to hear the long and blustering Tale. “ he was dressed all in fur from his head to his foot and his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot, a bundle of toys he had flung on his back and look like a peddler just opening his pack his eyes have a twinkled his dimples how merry his cheeks were like roses his nose like a cherry his droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow and the beard on his chin was as white as the snow the stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth and the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath he had a broad little face and a little round belly that shook when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly he was chubby and plump a right Jolly Old elf and I laughed when I saw him in spite of myself a winking his eye and it twisted his head soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread he spoke not a word but it went straight to his work and feel it all the stockings then turn with a jerk and laying his finger aside of his nose and giving a nod up the chimney he rose he sprang to his sleigh his team gave a whistle and a way they are flew like that down of a thistle but I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight Merry Christmas to all and to all a good-night.”

 The children and everyone assembled sat there in awe as the queen finished the long historical story Amazed by the beauty and the imagery she weaved as she told the story.

“Tell us more your majesty.” Camilla gushed.  “is there more Christmas poems and stories you know that one was amazing especially the tale of the snow.”

“ there is much more there is one by Charles Dickens that was entitled The Christmas Carol but that is a much longer story to be told and right now we have not the time.” the queen replied. “ but the moral of the Christmas story is at least A Christmas Carol is a story if you like I will read to you all at bedtime but for now we have a celebration to get to and hopefully everything is in order.”

 Ethan, Rhiannon, and Gabriel, along with BJ approached Queen Thunderis  with curious eyes. “ was there more to the poem Aunt Rena?” BJ asked. “ it was a very short story but I'd like to know more.”

“ me too  mommy.” Rhiannon echoed. “more Christmas Story pease?”

“ alright here's one I can tell you since we do seem to have time before the big celebration.”  the queen replied.  “ when Jamie Randall and Shannon we're just nine maybe ten years old that was one Christmas that turned into a Christmas miracle.   The  Llewellyn's  had just moved in next door Mr. Llewellyn had joined Thunderstar Universal  and his children Tristan, Erin,  and Jordan had  just enrolled in the nearby Elementary School.   Mrs. Llewellyn was traveling the country with her family to meet up with her married family in time for the holidays.   Miss Rihanna drove a special delivery truck all over the country and was to an extent a female version of Santa Claus. but it wasn't just gifts for the children that she was hauling every year she was also doing everything to help families that didn't have everything they needed. “

“Was there a lot of families like that?”  Camilla asked.  “ I do not understand what did it mean that these families did not have everything they needed?” 

“The families I am referring to are the ones like well your Nobles and Royals call them,  commoners.”  the queen replied. “ because unlike the Nobles and Royals The parents of these families had to work for a living. not everybody born is born into it a family where all they have to do is bark orders at others and get what they want the commoners had to work for everything they had but because of a lot of the Nobles and Royals of the history there were a lot of things that they were unable to afford.  Anyway, Mrs. Rhiannon owned her own Trucking line and was an independent truck driver. Well  this particular holiday season she was called on by a very special family she had grown up around over the years. they asked her to drive what they call the Christmas truck because what  was in the trailer of that special truck what's going to save this one town utter destruction.   well the week before Christmas Mrs. Rhiannon packed it up And headed out for the town of Lincoln Falls which was apparently somewhere in Alaska. they drove for the longest time she and her brother but always called back to her family in order to keep them up-to-date as to where she was she dropped off her load and was on her way back first few days before Christmas Eve when she was supposed to call she did not.   the truck had been found jackknifed into a snowbank on her way back to her family but there was no sign of her or her brother come to find out she and her brother had been rescued by a stranger but this was no ordinary stranger at least I did not think so according to Rhiannon  The Stranger had seen what it happened the snow so hard to see through Rihanna's lost control of the truck and hit the snowbank almost burying the big truck in the snow. The Stranger welcome them back to his home where they could get warm and wait out the blizzard that it hit for what seemed like several days the blizzard blew and blew and blew and by the time it finally stopped Rescuers had found the truck and we're working diligently to dig it out  Rhiannon and her brother had wakened from the sound of someone digging around the in the snow around the truck they were thankful that they had been spared. when they told the dispatcher about what happened and who had helped them they did not at first believe what she said come to find out the stranger name was Liam Alexander that is the name he gave us Rhiannon declared but that is impossible the dispatcher replied Liam Alexander died back in 1956 due to snow storm this just as this one was it couldn't have been him come to find out Rihanna looked in the direction they had gone towards  Liam's house but all she saw for miles and miles with nothing but snow but he was here she protested he saved us we were we were in his house. Liam Alexander was quite the angel back in the day he was always doing everything humanly possible to help all the families who were unable to have anything extra for like Christmas and whatever else even those who were struggling financially and otherwise he would always do what he could to help the night he died he was on the same kind of run you heard the song Angels Among Us by Alabama the dispatch arrest well yeah of course who hasn't Rihanna declared that song tells a story quite literally the dispatcher said I believe there are Angels Among Us sent down to us from somewhere up above They come to you and me In our darkest hours to show us how to live pto teach us how to give and to guide us with the light of love. the dispatcher took Rhiannon to the cemetery and showed her Liam's tombstone with that Epitaph written in the Stone.   Liam James Alexander born March 25th 1936 died December 16th 1956 he was an angel Among Us and he will always be remembered and loved He was only 20 years old the dispatcher said but in his short  years of life he gave more of himself did many others ever thought about. Rhiannon continued home that night and when she finally walked in her door Christmas morning her husband sons and daughter as well as their new neighbors were there to greet her relieved that she made it home safely the last thing she said before she went to bed herself if it was not for Liam Alexander I would not be here today no matter what happens my children never take strangers for granted because when you least expect it they could very well be angels in disguise.

“ it was amazing.” Camila gushed. “ is Miss Rhiannon still alive? I would have loved to have been able to have met her.”

“ well actually you already have.”  Queen Seidre  replied. “ she was me in my younger years. and it was the last run I made before I returned to my husband and my children and my reign as Queen of Thaddea.”

“ all right you guys that's enough stories for now.”  Maxwell called. “ the ballroom the snacks and everything is ready time to get this party on and Christmas Jamboree kicking into high gear let's go you guys come on what do you want stories later.   it is time for presents let's go let's go.”

 as everyone began to move out of the playroom and head back to the ballroom the king embraced his Queen before she left.” I will have to admit that this is the first of the best Christmases ever put together my love.”  he replied. “ I look forward to a whole lifetime of more to come to watching our children grow up happy and healthy to being together and finally living in peace here so much I want to do.   you have a very thoughtful look on your face my queen is there something on your mind?”

“ I got some test results back from dr. Ramirez the other day.”  the queen announced. “ I did not want to say anything and get your hopes up until I knew for sure but now that I do…”

“ oh my goodness Queen Reimeiko what is it?” King Karyson asked. “ please do not leave me on tenterhooks what is going on?”

“ it seems that Rhiannon and the twins are going to be having a sibling or two soon.” Reimeiko replied.

“ wait, what? seriously baby?” Karyson asked. “ this is beyond any shadow of a doubt the best news all day and one of the best Christmas gifts ever.   oh now we had to make this big announcement and now.”

“ we will in due time but for now let us just enjoy the peace and quiet of the celebration and not worry about telling everybody else any more than what we already have.”  the queen replied. “ I definitely do not want a repeat every Rhiannon and the twins first year”

“ oh good point my love.”  King replied. “ now come on we have a celebration to enjoy.”

 the Cordonian King and his Queen return to join the others in the big Christmas celebration relieved to have made it through their first two years despite all the shortcomings trials and tribulations they have had to face from the beginning.  as she watched her husband her family and her friends celebrate the Christmas holidays, Reimeiko  knew  that no matter what the future held, they would always face everything together as a family as a unit as a very strong compassionate loving and caring Kingdom.

Chapters: 8/? Fandom: Choices The Royal Romance/Heir, The Royal Romance (Visual Novel) Rating: Mature Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Dating - Relationship, Liam/Main Character (The Royal Romance) Characters: Main Character (The Royal Romance) Summary:

“Wait, Thunderis, I am sorry.” Derrick said. “I did not mean to bump you in with all the other ladies around this country.  I know that you are nothing like them.  You actually care about other people whereas the nobles and royals here care only for themselves.  I truly did not mean to make you angry.  In anycase, if you want to last around here, you had better be ready for tomorrow with all the bowing and curtseying.  There are rules for everything around here you know.”

“Believe me, I know the royal rules of protocol.” Reimeiko said. “I am not about to let a bunch of stuck up nobles come between me and my future with my soulmate.  I have seen the future and the queen by Karyson’s side is me and no one else.”

“You know the other ladies vying for Garyson have been training for it all their lives.” Derrick replied. “They will do whatever it takes to make sure they take the lead in all things.”

“Well I can let you in on all the advantages I have that none of them do.” Reimeiko said. “I was not only raised and trained in royal protocol and how to be a wife and mother by my mother, but I was also trained in the art of warfare by my dad and his team of fighters.  I can harness the powers and elements of my home, and Karyson and I were connected together years ago so none of the others have a chance with him because we are bound to each other eternally.”

“Oh wow seriously?” he asked. “I did not think that you were that Reimeiko Thunderis.  She and Karyson were married centuries ago.  They cannot be alive today.  There is no way unless-” Reimeiko lit up with her brows raised.

“My full name by royal standards is Reimeiko Christyne Amaryllis Thunderis Wolfe.” Reimeiko said. “I am the eldest daughter of Thor and Kyiandra Kinsworthy Thunderis, the king and queen of Thunderia and the Universal Alliance.”

“Oh wow, you look pretty darn good for someone who is over three thousand years old.” Derrick replied. “No, it is impossible for you two to be the Reimeiko and Karyson of the past. They lived centuries ago.”

“We are immortal, Derrick.” Reimeiko explained. “We may move from one timeline to another but we are all eternal.  I am Knight Thunder of Thunderia able to harness the powers and the elements of my kingdom and Karyson is able to do the same thing as Knight Wolf.  Watch, I will prove to you who I am.” She drew her swords that were hidden behind her and crossed them above her head. “By the power of Galaxia! Thunderian Thorstar Universal Ultimate Galactic Knight Power!” The lightning swirled around her body followed by the gold light of change.  Reimeiko Thunderis was transformed into Knight Thunder, much to Derrick’s wide surprise. “Usually, because my fellow Knights and I have reached our ultimate level, we do not have to use our weapons to transform into our Knight forms.  All we have to do is think and the hero form appears on us.”

“Wow, I am seeing it but I am still not completely believing it.” Derrick announced. “It is just so unreal.  If Karyson is one of you, how come he has never displayed this kind of power.”

“All we know is that somewhere between our last battle and the meeting at Russo’s Karyson was separated from his human and hero personalities Tristan Michael Llewellyn and Knight Wolf.” Reimeiko explained. 

“But if Karyson has a human form that is different from him as well as Knight Wolf, that also means you have a different human form as well.” Derrick interjected.

“I am known as Jamison Logan McKagan Llewellyn by human standards.” Reimeiko explained. “Tristan, Karyson’s human form is my husband as Karyson is Reimeiko’s.  Besides my siblings, Aaron and Keilyn and our fellow Knights as well as Karyson’s siblings you are the only one who knows about this.”

“I see. Now we had better go.” Derrick insisted. “I do not want to get you into trouble being out after curfew.”

“Trouble? Why would you get me into trouble?” she asked. “I can handle trouble. I am Knight Thunder after all.”

“Maybe you can,” he said. “But you are still new here.  I do not want to get you into any kind of mess on my account.  It is not like it is in normal life where you can just be yourself and do what you want.  Here there is always going to be someone waiting for some gossip to spread about you and use against you.  I know what this place looks like but do not let it fool you.  Most people do not get happily ever after around here.  Come on.”

Reimeiko followed Derrick from the roof after reverting back to herself, while still holding the Knight Thunder persona, back to the tree, and down. As they got closer to the ground, the branches became more sparse.  Derrick dropped out of the tree to the ground, then held out his hand to Reimeiko. He pulled her down and for a brief moment, held her in his arms before he set her on the ground.

“Hey Derrick, I just wanted to say, you are extremely cute when you are flustered.” she smirked. “I remember that was a way to perk you up when you gained the interest of that special someone.”

Derrick laughed and looked away blushing, looking like he was about to say something, but then he thought better of it. “You are real trouble, I think Thunderis.”

“I guess it depends on how you look at it Derrick.” she giggled. “Good night Mr. Werner.”

She left behind a speechless Derrick and headed back to her room hopeful that she would fall asleep fairly quickly.  Samson, one of her guardians, was there waiting for her perched on the desk near the bed in owl form.  When he was sure it was only his mistress, he reverted to cat form jumping over onto the bed.

“Jaira and I completed our circuit of the country, Your Highness.” Samson said. “And nothing is as any of us remember it.  Something is seriously not right.”

“This is not the Thaddea the rest of the Guardians and Knights remember.” Jaira added. “The present king and queen is named Cecil and Alyssa Walters.  Word around the palace is that they are ruling Taboria and Karyson and Samuel Walters are brothers.”

“Samuel’s only siblings are his twin sister Francine, uh I mean Ceres.” Reimeiko replied. “And his half brother Garyson Walters.  We have to get to the bottom of this before Cecil gets Karyson tied up in bigamy and casts him from everything that matters.”

Samson and Jaira left the room so that Reimeiko could change clothes and go to bed, hopeful she would fall asleep quickly. The next morning Byron and Malachi arrived going through the outfits that Reimeiko had brought with her.

“No, not this one.” Byron said. “Not this one, too casual, too American, too stretchy.  What we are looking for is the perfect look for your debut for the Masquerade tonight.  The first event of the Social Season is tonight, the masquerade.”

“It is the ball where all of the suitors will be presented formally to Prince Garyson as well as the king.” Malachi added. “While not everyone everyone wears a costume or a mask, you can be sure the ladies competing for Garyson’s attention will be pulling out all of the stops to make sure they are all he sees.”

“I suppose it is too much to ask if you even packed a costume appropriate for a black tie affair?” Byron asked, looking disdainfully at the rest of the clothes in her suitcase.  He let out a long suffering sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose.

“Well we were not sure so we made you an appointment at the palace boutique.” Malachi said. “Maybe you will find something there that you like better.  And remember tonight is very important.  You could end up getting to dance with Garyson and it is your chance to make a first impression on all of the influential people and to stand apart from everyone else there.”

“Do not worry fellows, I have got this.” Reimeiko announced. She grabbed her adventure bag and left her room to go to the palace boutique.  Just to be on the safe side, she had Knight Thunder in full power.  This was not the Thaddea she knew or remembered.  She stepped into the boutique and saw one of the suitors in her underwear looking through the various costumes. “Oh I am sorry, I did not realize that someone was already in here.”

“It is no problem.” she said. “To be honest, I did not have an appointment.  I am Elenia Zhang.  I suppose you are also here to prepare for the Masquerade tonight as well?”

“I am Reimeiko Thunderis; and yes, I am here to prepare for this hide and seek parade too.” Reimeiko said giggling. “This is quite the flash and flare event just to try and win the hand of one of the Walters boys.”

“She is the multi-talented suitor from Thaddea.” Tristan said through the earpiece Reimeiko wore. “Elenia is the one you should try and make friends with the most.  The other suitors are serious backbiters including Melinda Edwards so watch yourself.”

“Since you are here and not already dressed,” Elenia said. “I must assume that you are like me and searching for something to wear.  The seamstress seems to be running late, but I can show you around. This boutique has the most exquisite gowns.  Let me just slip my dress on.” She pulled on the dress she was holding but struggled to get the zipper up. Reimeiko helped her with no hesitation.  Elenia donned a matching mask and settled it on her face before turning back around to face Reimeiko grinning at her. “Thank you, not many people here are nice like you.” She twirled around her full skirts twirling out. “Now what about you?  One must have a mask for the masquerade.  Have you seen the angel costume?  You would look amazing in white.”

“I will take a look.” Reimeiko said. She slipped into the changing room with the dress, Silver Sensation and with a snap of her fingers was wearing her version of it and her glasses transformed into a matching mask.  The outfit for Princess Reimeiko was just what she needed to help trigger Karyson’s true memory of his connection with Reimeiko and reunite them. “So how do I look?”

“Oh wow, you look absolutely amazing.” Elenia gushed. The two of them left the boutique then Reimeiko met Malachi at the bottom of the grand staircase just outside the ballroom.

“You look sensational, Reimeiko.” Malachi said. “One thing I should mention, as soon as you enter the ballroom, tell the herald your name and title so that you can be announced.  Since you are working undercover, you do not have a title, but since my family is “Sponsoring” you, then you could technically be considered a lady.”

“Jamison, what is going on?” Pepper asked. “Why are there women competing for the man Reimeiko Thunderis is already married to and ruling a kingdom with.”

“I wish I knew Pepper.” Reimeiko replied, “All I know is that somewhere between our last battle and the present, Karyson was separated from Tristan and Knight Wolf and does not have his memories of his life with Reimeiko and we have got to get them back somehow.”

“Well, my crew and I will help you solve this mystery anyway we can.” Pepper said. “Anything you need, do not hesitate to call.  We will be right within earshot and I will get you all the information you need on the rest of the players.”

“Thanks Pepper, I will keep you posted on that.” Reimeiko said. She hung up with Pepper and went back to her Journal: Maybe performing a telepathic link is what I need to do to start the ball rolling.  But no matter what happens, I am not going to let anyone or anything come between Karyson and Reimeiko.  I am wide awake and restless.  How can I sleep when Reimeiko’s whole life is seriously changing?  I need to take a walk.  I will write more later:  I got up and found myself walking the palace halls in the moonlight thinking about Reimeiko and what would happen if things did not work out between her and Karyson.  Oddly enough, just the thought of them not being together felt like a serious stab to my heart.  I felt the same way when Tristan separated himself from me, but it was not because he did not love me or did not want to be with me.  Tristan broke up with and separated himself from me to apparently save my life, but come to find out, it was his future self, Karyson’s future self that sent those nightmares to test us and the strength of our love for eachother.  It was only by combining the power of our love that we were able to destroy the evil that threatened to destroy us.  But after the last battle, Tristan and I promised eachother to face each new challenge together no matter what.  Now we had to face that same promise again with Reimeiko and Karyson.  I was so consumed in my thoughts, I was not watching where I was going and bumped into Derrick.

“Whoa Thunderis becareful.” Derrick said. “What are you doing out here so late?  You should be getting your sleep like the rest of them for the Masquerade and the events of tomorrow.”

“I am feeling too anxious to sleep.” Reimeiko replied. “I just have a lot on my mind and my body will not let me sleep at all.  What about you?  What are you doing out here so late at night instead of sleeping?”

“I was just trying to get away from everyone as well as the flash and flare for a little while.” he said. “You know what, why do you not come with me for a little while?”

She followed Derrick as he led her through the palace, eventually to the courtyard where he pointed to a tree. “Do you want me to admire the tree or climb it with you?” Reimeiko asked. 

“We are going to climb it.” Derrick replied. “The special thing about this particular tree is that it is very close to the palace.  So close that from the top we can make it to the roof.  Trust me this will be worth it.”

Reimeiko followed him up the tree and after a few minutes of climbing, they made it upto the roof of the palace and the view of Wolfera. “Oh wow, this is absolutely gorgeous.” Reimeiko gushed.

“I am glad that you like it.” Derrick replied. “Anyway, I am going to hang out here for a while.  You are welcome to stick around if you want to and keep me company.  That balcony across the roof is Karyson’s room and actually, you can get there from here if you want to surprise him.”

“Yes, I think I will surprise him.” Reimeiko said.  She shimmied her way across the roof where Karyson’s room was. “Okay, there is nothing to it.  I have just got to get down to his window safely.” Elegantly, she swung through Karyson’s open window and landed very gracefully. “Yes, made it safely.  Surprise, I had to see you.”

“Reimeiko, I do not understand.” he said. “What are you doing here?” He ran over and wrapped her up in a big hug. “I thought that I would never see you again.”

“Malachi and Byron Blanchard are sponsoring me.” Reimeiko replied. “He brought me here to join the other suitors in the competition for Garyson. Malachi seems to like me.  I am not so sure about Byron though.”

“House Blanchard is sponsoring you?” Karyson asked. “I knew they would likely sponsor someone but I have never heard of a noble house sponsoring a commoner.”

Reimeiko bristled at the mention of the word commoner, furious that the nobles and royals threw it around like a vulgar word.

“Honestly, Malachi saw our obvious chemistry and how happy he saw you because we were together.” Reimeiko said. “And before you say anything, no one asked you to be subtle.” 

“Wait, all of that explains what you are doing here in Dovera.” Karyson replied. “But it does not explain how you landed in my chambers.  You might have noticed the other noble ladies are not exactly here for a receiving and greeting line.”

“I am not the rest of the noble ladies.” Reimeiko replied. “I will take every advantage to be reunited with my Karyson and shove out every snob who tries to come between us.  I suppose not many of the so-called women show up in your chambers unannounced.”

“Definitely and certainly not by coming through my window.” he chuckled. “Now tell me, how is it that you are here with me right now in this room Reia Mia?”

“I could not say away.” Reimeiko replied. “I want you so badly, it hurts Kary.  I could not sleep knowing that we were under the same roof, knowing how much I wanted to be here right next to you.” She leaned in and pressed her lips to his in a slow and lingering kiss, flashes of the memories of the past beginning to resurface of his true connection to his lady love.

“You tempt me, my Princess.” he announced. Karyson took her into his arms leaning her against the wall pressing his lips to hers, softly at first, then deeper.  Then he dragged himself away from her, his eyes regarding her thoughtfully. “Most people here, I know what they are going to do, say, and what they want and how they intend to get it.  But you Reia Mia, whenever you are around, unexpected things seem to happen.  You have a way of surprising me everytime.”

“Karyson, you are about to learn, but you have always known that I am full of surprises.  But so are you my Knight Wolf.” Without thinking twice, she kissed him again sending more flashes of memories of them together into his cerebral cortex.  Reluctantly he broke off the kiss and met her eyes.

“I cannot wait to learn more about you, my Reimeiko.” he replied. “But I am afraid that it will have to wait for another time.  It is too dangerous for you to be here.  I mean courtly gossip and rumors.  If you are truly representing the Blanchard family, you will soon find the eyes of the court and nobles watching you waiting for you to make a mistake, waiting for a reason to cause a scandal and I would hate to make your time here more difficult.  So as much as it pains me and believe me it does pain me Reimeiko, you should go for now.”

“But will I see you again?” Reimeiko asked, fighting the tears. He could tell it was hunting her to leave him, but his soft touch strengthened her letting her know they would be together again soon.  She kissed him one more time, strengthening their connection even more.  She left Karyson’s room and slipped back on to the roof where Derrick was sitting and contemplating.  She sat down next to him. “Do you mind having some company?”

“Of course not.” he said. “I would not have brought you up here if I did.  This is my favorite spot in the entire palace.  Just me and the stars.” He leaned back on his elbows and Reimeiko copied him enjoying the view. “So did you wish Karyson a beautiful good night?”

“Yeah, something like that.” Reimeiko sighed. But even with Karyson’s soothing reassurance, the tightness in Reimeiko’s chest would ease up a great deal but would not go away too completely. “This is quite a breathtaking view. And very beautiful as well.”

“No one else knows about it so no one else comes up here.” Derrick announced. “Well no one besides you knows about it because it is so isolated up here.  A place to get away from the craziness.”

“So that is why you brought me up here?” Reimeiko asked. “Are you not afraid or worried I will ruin your hiding spot?  What if I am going to be up here all of the time now?”

“You know I think I could find a way to tolerate it.” he said. “I guess it just seemed like something you would like.  Whenever all of these courtly royal walls start closing in being up here makes me feel normal again.  You know what I mean?”

“Yeah, I know what you mean.” she replied. “You know, sometimes I cannot believe that I am really here after all these years.  It is like, I do not know, like coming home.  But it is not the same as I remember.  Something is seriously off kilter.”

“I will say,” he said. “It takes a certain kind of person to pack up, go to a foreign kingdom and try and win over a man that she had just met.  Commoners as royalty have never been Taboria’s cup of tea if you really think about it.”

“Is this your way of saying you think I am only here for Garyson?” Reimeiko asked. 

“Well are you not?” Derrick counterasked. “All of the other noble ladies are just here for him.  No, I take that back.  They are all just after the crown.  They are not in this for him.  I would say that you are the same as the rest of the crown chasers.”

“Then you would seriously be wrong about me.” Reimeiko snapped. “Maybe I am here for the adventure, or something more substantial than this waste of time contest which is rigged from the beginning and I have no chance of winning because I am not the present king’s idea of the woman for his crown prince.”