To Wed A King

Staking the Prize

Adeline sat in the water, seriously contemplating her options. She had to let Evandwr know so he could prepare for the worst. On the other hand, something about the way Lucan had reacted to her dress and the way he had spoken about it when he had seen her literally kissing Evander, it made her wonder if there was more.

Maybe he was not so pissed with her as he was with the dress. Maybe the thing he hated was within him, and she was only a reflection, nothing more.

"My lady. I shall help you out."

She turned towards the maiden, then nodded, allowing her to bring the robe to her. Once she was all wrapped up, she stepped out, then waited for the water to change so she could take a proper bath.

She had Lucan on her mind all through as she bathed, and despite her hatred for him, by the end of the bath, she had made up her mind. She would go riding with him.

She did wonder how Evander would feel, but this was for him too, in a way. She did need to know. For both of them.

She watched her reflection in the mirror, a small sigh leaving her lips. Her hair was slowly braided, and then put up so the pins could hold it in place, and she would be comfortable.

The dress that had been picked out for that morning was a dark pink ensemble, with a corset, and she wondered how she was supposed to ride with a corset.

Once the dress was fitted on, she turned to the mirror again. It was indeed loose and had a pair of slacks underneath that would not let her legs be on show. She did like it.

"I shall escort you to the riding grounds, my lady."

Adeline agreed and let the maiden lead the way. She noticed the soldiers that immediately came behind her once she stepped out of the chamber, and she wondered if it was to keep Evander away or to keep her from running.

Soon enough, they were at the riding grounds.

Lucan was wearing a black heavily embroidered riding suit, his hair falling back, his eyes thin as he focused his gaze in the distance.

Adeline noticed the only two groomed horses in the grounds had arrows and bows strapped to them. She wondered what they would be doing, but it did not take too long before she found out.

"Today, we shall not just be riding, Princess."

She turned to Lucan, whose gaze was now focused on her, his eyes dark.

"We are hunting too."

Her brows furrowed before suddenly, servants broke out into the large grounds, running around. They had their hands tied behind them and carried numbers. Her eyes squinted, and sure enough, Evander was one of them, and he carried, instead of a number, the simple word; prize.

"What are you doing?"

"We will not be killing them," Lucan said with a chuckle. "We will be betting, however, and I want to stake."

Adeline swallowed. "Stake."

"The prize," he said slowly, his eyes darting across both of hers. "I want to stake the prize."