The Seven Kings

Chapter 1: Lemons

"Jane! No running! Nathaniel please, I just did her hair!" Moira shouted to Nathaniel and I with such anger, such frustration it brought bursts of laughter from the two of us.

I lifted the skirt of my dress, holding it as I watched Moira's ginger ringlets bounce around with each shake of her head, her green eyes bulging from her skull with fury.

She was a stocky woman with a lot of hard loving, years of being in her foster home taught me that I was more than just a motherless young lady, I was myself, unapologetically and exactly where I was meant to be.

Alongside Nathaniel, my best friend and first love, he's everything I could ask for in a man.

I took his hand and we ran down the fields of grass, the crowds of butterflies and gnats fluttering from our disturbance.

The smell of long grass on a hot summer day and mounds of Daisy's filled my nose, such a familiar scent.

Stumbling a bit in the skirt, I watched Nathaniel lean down quick as we ran, plucking up the hem of my skirt in his hand to help me run alongside him.

I felt so free, in that simple and beautiful moment.

He was everything I ever dreamed, a beautiful brown eyed boy, a farmers son with nothing but his heart to give me, yet it was worth all the crowns and gold in the world.

Nathaniel hurried us into the woods, stopping at a tree and backing into it, his hand wound over my waist, pulling me to his chest. I leaned in and ran my hand up his shirt, running my hand over the side of his face as we exchanged widened smiles with tired laughs.

"Your beauty surpasses everyone's Jane, everything's." He said softly as he moved my hair back and leaned down, we shared a soft and subtle kiss that I wished would last forever.

The c***k of a branch came, we were being watched, I laughed feeling nervous and felt him take my hand hurrying us out the woods.

A gunshot sound came, followed by the cry of a deer, I ignored it and hurried with Nathaniel, we had baskets of berries to deliver to the castle, Moira would kill us if we didn't deliver them in time.

"Keep up Nathan!" I called as I hurried with the basket to the back maids quarters.

I've been here a thousand times, almost all my life, delivering berries, vegetables and baked goods. I actually felt happy when I'd see the ladies, all of the maids who kept the castle up.

Nathaniel came up behind me wrapping his arms around my waist and picking me up, "Gotcha!" He said with a laugh.

I shouted for the berries and he put me down pulling the door open, "Good morning Jane!" They called as I brought the baskets in, "All fresh, and there are over a thousand." I said as I placed the baskets to the table.

Laura took one berry and brought it to her lips tasting it and nodding, "As always, Moira never fails to give the best." She stated as she handed me a brown small sack of gold coins.

I smiled and gave a nod, "Any help with anything?" I asked Laura who looked around and then nodded, "Go out back with Reema, pick me seventeen lemons." She said shooing me off.

Laura was a stiff woman, the head of the maids here and often ran s**t around here. She had long hair that she kept in a tight low bun, it had silver hairs for her age and wrinkles that matched. Nonetheless, she was the sweetest woman to me.

She told Nathaniel to go help carry the barrels of grain and he gave me a wink before nodding and heading out to the back.

I followed Reema out the doors and to the gardens, I picked up one of the baskets and began filling it with lemons.

Only seventeen?

The sound of pattering paws came from behind me and I turned my head staring back at the big brown Shepard dog, sweet boy with lots of love, "Hello there Sir Claud." I said kneeling down and laughing as the dog licked my face.

I ruffled his fur and gave him a soft hug, "I'm sorry Jane, you know whenever you're here he finds you." Howard said with a tired sigh, sounds like he was chasing him down.

Grabbing the basket of lemons, I shook my head to Howard, "He's okay, I'm actually quite flattered he finds me so irresistible." I joked while Howard laughed lightly.

Reema gave me a dirty look, and I knew that meant to get back to picking lemons, "Will he be at the dinner tonight?" I asked while Howard gave a nod with a slight smile.

"You really won't show? The Kings opened it up to everyone." He pet Claud and I shrugged, "I mean, maybe if Nathaniel goes but I know Moira and the others aren't. I'd just hate to be alone there." I said scrunching my face.

He gave a nod, "You could always come as help. Even as a server, just pass the drinks out and appetizers." He said shrugging.

That's always a thought, "We'll see Howard, I should get back to picking lemons before Reema's scold burns through my flesh." I gave Reema a careful look over, noting she was still scolding me. 

Howard gave a nod and a laugh, "Have a good day, Jane." He said before him and Claud hurried back to the castle.

I ran my hand through my hair and began finishing up picking the lemons, I got a few but the prettiest, biggest and juiciest lemon sat a few branches up.

"Afraid to get dirty?" Reema asked with a small grin, I didn't very much like her.

I placed the basket down and lifted my dress skirt stepping onto one branch before pulling myself up and then climbing two more branches up before steadily walking across the thicker branch to the lemon.

Staring down, Reema had a look of fear and I just found it a bit humorous.

Holding my hand out, I reached for the lemon, carefully stepping forward before my fingers brushed the lemons skin. A cracking sound came, followed by the feel of a weightlessness in my stomach.

I gripped the lemon quick before I felt the wind gust past me.

A thud came, a hard one and the wind knocked out from my chest, but it felt...well it felt a bit amazing when I lifted my hand and held the lemon in my hand.

Reema hurried over and looked down at me with such disbelief, "Are you okay?!" She asked as I sat up and nodded.

I smiled down at the lemon, c*****g an eyebrow at her, "What was that you said about fear?" I asked while she scowled, "You're stupid." She muttered hurrying to the castle.

Standing up, I brushed off my dress and plucked the twigs and leaves from my hair before holding the lemon with pride.

"I think you should keep that one."

Her voice startled me and I jumped feeling my eyes pop open and my heart shake, I quickly curtsied and held it, "Queen Zara." I stated noting that she is the first wife.

The first of our Queens, and the most humble so I hear.

A soft finger pressed under my chin and I stared up at her, catching eyes with her beautiful blue eyes, "You're very brave, all that for just a lemon?" She asked reaching up and removing a leaf from my hair.

I stared down at the lemon, "It'll be worth it in the end." I said feeling like maybe I was stupid for that.

She gave a small smile, her long red hair braided back in a fancy style with a crown on her head.

There's a saying that she has yet to please all Seven Kings, apparently King Cronus refuses to share her with all of the other Kings.

I don't blame him, she's breath taking.

She eyed the lemon, "Keep it, it's well deserved." She stayed with a smile before leaving down to the garden.

Looking back, I watched her take Cronus's hand and smile at him, the two always looked like such a powerful and inspirational couple.

They truly belonged on the top.

I stared down at the lemon, avoiding the feeling of her eyes on me, before I headed back to the castle smelling the freshness of the lemon.

Placing the basket down, I kept the lemon in my dress pocket and watched Laura smile and thank me as I gave a nod and headed out the castle to Nathaniel who was laughing with the guys who cared to the farm animals.

"Morning Jane!" They called while I gave a small smile and nod, Nathaniel hurried back over to me and we continued on our deliveries and small tasks.

Walking up to Moira's, I eyed the sun setting and looked to see the castle lit up beautifully, "Let's go." Nathaniel said softly, his eyes on my lips.

Leaning back into the door, I smiled and gave him a curious stare, "Really?" I asked. 

He gave a nod and leaned in taking my lips for a sweet kiss, "Really. I'll be back in two hours to get you." He said smiling and hurrying to his house.

The sweet kiss lingered.