Master of the Region

Chapter 8

        I feel sleep calling me. I place my book on my chair along with the blanket and make my way to my bed. I remove my robe and slide into the bed, enjoying the feel of the cool sheets against my skin. The cool soft feeling causes my skin to pucker and my hair to stand on end. I close my eyes and try to allow sleep to overtake me, but instead I have visions of Niko… I remember the way his bare chest looked in the kitchen as he came to snack. I remember the first feeling of him behind me, wrapping his arms around me as he washes his dish in the wash bucket… I remember the feeling of his lips on mine… his tongue entering my mouth and rubbing against my own. I feel the burn between my legs once more and I find my hand drifting down towards my desire. I gently rub my hand across my skin, feeling my desire grow.

               I slowly allow my fingers to probe the intimate parts of my core. There is a small part that builds an interesting feeling within me. The more that I allow my finger to caress, the more the feeling grows. As I continue Niko come to mind. The feeling of his chest, pressed against my sensitive mounds, his strong arms wrapped around me, holding me tight. I remember his hot breath on my ear. My desire grows more and more, the feeling becoming overwhelming. I think of Niko’s lips on my own and I feel an explosion within me. My body tenses, my back arches, pulling away from my bed and I hear a moan escape my mouth as waves of please flow through me. I am shocked by the experience but feel as though the burning within me has finally been put out. Exhaustion takes over me and I close my eyes, being pulled to sleep.

               The following morning, Bernedette comes in to arouse me. I get up quickly, wash and dress, eager for my outing with Niko. I enter the dinning hall and see him seated, already eating a plate set with a mound of food. I approach and he sees me, standing and gesturing for me to sit next to him. As I get closer, he moves out from his seat and pulls my chair out. I curtsey in thanks, and he leans forward, placing a kiss on my cheek. I blush and sit. He returns to his seat and continues to eat. Soon a plate with a small portion of food is brough out to me. I thank the young man and begin eating. The food is heavenly. I must tell Penelope how much I enjoy everything she prepares. When we are finished eating, Niko stands and offers me his hand. I take it and begin to follow him out. We stop at the door and he helps me put on my coat, before putting his one and leading me out.

               Niko helps me into the carriage and climbs in next to me. We then start to travel down the road, the carriage bouncing as we make our way. Niko takes my hand. “I am very excited to take you into the village. There is a pastry shop I think you would love as well as a store with books that I would love to take you to… But first, we need to get you a nice warm coat and another pair of gloves. It is too cold to have you walking around without a proper coat.” I smile. “Thank you.” He smiles back. He takes my hand and places it in his lap, pulling me towards him lightly, bringing me close to him. My breath hitches as I know he is about to kiss me once more.

               He presses his lips against mine and I can not help myself as I press myself against him. I feel his tongue touch my lips and open my mouth, eager to feel him in my mouth once more. He greedily takes advantage and beings to caress my tongue with his. He releases my hand and brings his hand up to my cheek, caressing it before he places his hand behind my head, pulling me in to him more. I am trapped and I do not care. I could stay here happily forever. The carriage comes to a sudden stop and Niko pulls back and lifts the curtain to see that we have stop at our first location. I am thankful for the curtain that kept everyone from seeing the activity in which we just engaged. The footman opens the door and Niko climbs out, then offers me his hand to exit.

               We enter a shop and a woman approaches, curtsying low before Niko. “High King, I have pulled the coats that you have requested. Hopefully one of these are acceptable sir. He gestures for me to step forward. “This is Lady Barclay-Gillingham. Give her whatever she likes.” The woman nods and gestures for me to look through the coats. They are all beautiful. There is a coat and hat that matches the one that is similar to the one Niko is wearing. Both coats are made of fur, they are large and layered, but his is dark brown and black, and this one is the most beautiful shimmering white. I gesture to the coat and the woman grabs it, bringing it to me. I take my coat off and sliding it on. It is extremely soft and warm with many layers to keep the moisture away. She comes forward holding a hat similar to the one Niko is wearing, but in white with a large ornate gem decoration on the front center. Lastly, she offers me a round fur puff for my hands. I slide my hands in and am surprised by the warmth. For the first time since arriving, I am completely warm.

               I walk to the front to ask Niko what he thinks and the instant he sees me he lights up. “Lady Abigail… You look positively royal. I think this look suits you. Do you like it?” I nod. “I do, it is very warm and soft. Do you like it, or is it too much?” He smiles those perfect teeth at me. “I think it is perfectly becoming of a Lady… especially one that I seek to court.” I blush. “It is decided then, we will take it,” he says to the shopkeeper. She nods and brings forward my old coat. I take it, wanting to keep it as a reminder of my aunt. We leave and climb into the carriage once more. As soon as the footman closes the door Niko turns to me pulling me in to a kiss once more. “Niko…” I scold. “I’m sorry Abby. You mouth tastes like exquisite and your lips or so soft. I can’t help but want everything I can get.” I blush and nod. I lean forward and return my lips to him. We continue to engage in this activity until the carriage comes to a sudden stop once more. He pulls back and sits upright as the footman opens the door.

               Niko steps out and takes my hand, helping me out. He pulls me into a crowded shop and everyone stops and immediately greets Niko. Everyone bows and curtseys to him. He smiles and says hello to everyone one by one as he walks by, guiding me in. He knows almost all their names and those that he doesn’t he asks for. He reminds me of Master Winterbourne in the way he treats the people of his region. He realizes that he has not yet introduced me and immediately rectifies introducing me to everyone. We sit at a table in the bag and a shop keep comes with two large plates with round pastries followed by another person carrying two large glasses of a warm liquid. “Your favorite, High King.” The second person states as he places the glasses down. Niko thanks him and begins to remove his gloves. I follow and we begin to eat. The pastry is amazing and the liquid, while a little bitter, is enjoyable as well.

               When we finish out treats Niko then takes me for a stroll through the village. As we walk, people flock to us to see Niko. He introduces me to every person and makes a point to ask them about themselves or the state of their family. He makes a point to try to get to know each person we see. We continue to stroll, along the road before stopping at a store full of books. “I would like to take you in here. Should you like, you may get a few books that you would like to use in the school. Or, for your personal use.” He has known me for a short time, yet he has figured out the path to my heart. We enter the store and the shopkeeper comes up to Niko asking if he enjoyed the last book he precured. Niko tells the man how much he enjoyed the story and goes on to tell the man about it before asking him how his ailing wife is doing. He really knows everyone.

               I stroll through the stack of books and find a number of books that seem very interesting. Before I know it, I have my arms full of books. I set them down on a table I find in the center of the store and begin to go through them once more, trying to limit the number. This reminds me of times when my aunt would offer to take me to the shops for a book and I would have trouble just picking one. I feel a hand on my back and turn to see Niko smiling at me. “Did you find some books?” he asks, looking at the mound before me. I smile. “Yes, unfortunately I have found too many! This shop is a treasure trove.” He begins to pick the books up, “Wait, I haven’t decided which ones I am getting.” He looks at me with a confused expression. “We will get them all.” I am aghast at him. That will cost a fortune. “High King, that is too much. Please let me eliminate a few that are not suited to my needs.”

               He chuckles. “If they do not fit your need then we will just put them in the library at the palace. That place could use some new books as all of the book Yanicoff had put there were dreadful.” I look at him wide eyes. “There is a library at the palace?” He chuckles again. “Of course there is. I will show you when we return.” He carries the book up to the shopkeeper and I follow behind him in a daze, shocked by how casually he has said things in the last few moments. It is a dream of mine to have a home with a library filled with books that I may some day share with my children. I have also dreamed of purchasing all the books I want. Even for the wealthy, books are a luxury. To see the stack of coins that Niko gives the shopkeep is overwhelming. To have such wealth and think nothing of it is something I shall never get used to. My entire childhood I have reminded myself that my aunt’s money is not my own and when she dies and it all comes to me as her faux heir, I will donate it to help a region in trouble. Maybe send it all to my parents should they still be in Opona… thought I hope that is not the case.

               We climb back into the carriage, all of our newly purchased items stacked up in the seat across from us in order to protect them from the weather. Though our outing has not been very long, the trekking through the snow has been quite exhausting. I do not know how the staff does it daily. I also think my shoes may not be the best fit for the weather as my feet are wet and ache with cold. The carriage begins to move and Niko immediately looks to me to see if I will be allowing him to continue his activities from earlier. I shift in my seat, pulling away from him a little. While I have enjoyed it, I can not help but feel guilt that my aunt would be ashamed of me should she find out. In earnest, my feet do ache terribly and I would find myself most distracted. “Is everything okay Abby?” I smile and look at him, honesty… that is what we agreed.

               “Yes. My shoes are not best for walking in this kind of weather and my feet are aching with cold. Also… I feel as though my aunt… and mother… the woman in my life, would be ashamed of me to know that I was engaging in these activities with you.” He smiles, “May I have someone come to the palace tomorrow to make you more appropriate shoes for this weather?” I smile and nod, as much as I feel out of place taking such costly items from him, I must admit that I do need shoes should I want to continue to life here. “And if you feel guilty or ashamed then we will stop. I already told you that I will not force you to engage in anything that you feel uncomfortable with. But I think these are just a prelude to the future.” I am confused by his meaning. “I don’t understand what you mean. Do you think I shall abandon my position?” He chuckles and his laughter hurts me. I believe he can see this on my face as he stops and clears his throat.

“I apologies, I do not mean to offend. No, I do not think that will be the case, but I do not choose to engage in such activities with just anyone… Only those who I believe I may have a future with… My former fiancée… and you… That is all.” My mouth falls open in shock. Is he saying what I think he is? “Niko… I… What?” Is all that comes out. He smiles and takes my hand. “I think we can stop pretending that you are here as a prospective bride… there is no need to pretend. I would like to official court you Lady Abigail Barclay-Gillingham… If you shall have me that is.”