In Love With The Ebony Queen

Dream

I woke up the following morning and I have never felt so comfortable in all my life. Dimitri's arms where still wrapped firmly around my waist and my head on his chest.

I stayed there a moment, not wanting to move. I just listened to him breathe- to his heartbeat. I looked at his face and I smiled.

For 8 years he has been my safe haven. He helped me escape the loneliness that enveloped me when my mother died. He was my comfort zone. 

This is what I want. I don't want to meet a bunch of people I don't know and choose one to marry. I want to be with this man right next to me.

The reality of my situation began to wash over me and my smile soon turned to tears. I tried to wiggle my way out of Dimitri's grip without wake him, but was unsuccessful.

He opened his eyes and smiled at me. "Where are you going, Ebony?" 

"Are you going to keep calling me that?" I asked softly. He shrugged. "Maybe. I kind of like it on you." His voice was deep and groggy. It sent a shiver up my spine. 

He leaned down and met my lips with a gentle kiss. "Nothing will ever be the same between us, will it?" I asked. He grinned. 

"I hope not." He kissed me again and I am putty in his hands. 

"What time is it?" I grab Dimitri's wrist to look at his watch. "9am. I am usually up by 6." I said as I stood to stretch. 

"You want some breakfast?" I looked down at Dimitri. "You don't cook, do you?" He laughed. "Not at all, but there is a nice place a few blocks from here if you're hungry." 

"My treat this time." I said as he stood up. "No. Even though you have far more money than I'll ever have, I won't have my woman paying for anything." 

His words made my heart flutter. "Your woman?" I giggle like a school girl. The realization of my life sets in once again and I step away from him.

"Dimitri. My father...I told you, he wants me to-" 

"I know. But a guy can dream, right?" I see a sadness in his eyes and I understand it because I feel it in my heart. 

"Let's get you some food, princess. Don't wanna send you back to the castle on an empty stomach." He tried to hide the fact that he was upset about our situation. 

"Dimitri." He paused at the top of the stairs without looking back at me. "I'm sorry."

He turned around with a big smile on his face. "Come on, your highness. I'm starving." He continued down the stairs and I followed him. 

"You go ahead and get dressed. I'm going to hop in the shower." He grabbed some of his clothes out of a closet in the hall and went into the bathroom. 

I stepped into the guest room and closed the door. I sat down on the bed, thinking about my life and the direction it's going. 

I have to choose a king to rule my kingdom. I cannot even choose the one who has my heart. I have to pick some stuck up prince or nobleman that I don't even know. 

It's not fair. I didn't ask for any of this. I was simply born into it with no choice of anything different. 

I look into my bag and pull out a long sundress covered in yellow daisies. I have loved daisies ever since Dimitri gave me to me the first day we met. 

I slipped into it, then put on some white flip flops and brushed my curly curly hair down. When I stepped out of the guest room, Dimitri was already on his way out of the bathroom, all dressed and ready to go.

I am seeing him in a completely different light now. Now all I can think about is what happened between us last night. All I could think about was how things would never be the same between us. 

Our friendship had blossomed into more than I ever imagined. I was happy and sad about it. "Alright, I'm ready when you are." I tried to walk passed him, but he grabbed my arm. 

"Serena. I know that I am not worthy of you, but I cannot help loving you. I know this can never happen. But I just wanted to say that no matter what happens, I will always be here whenever you need me. Always."

His words broke me. Tears began the fall and he wiped them away from my cheek. "Dimitri I-"

'BOOM! BOOM!' A loud knock can be heard from downstairs. We walk downstairs together and Dimitri peeks into his father's bedroom. "Dad?" 

Apparently he was not there. Another loud knock is heard and Dimitri peers out of the peep hole of the front door. "It's the guards." He looks back and says to me.

"What the hell do they want? They were told to stay away from me." I put my hand on Dimitri's chest and gently motion him aside. 

I opened the door and realized that there were two more guards. "What do you want?" They all bowed to me. 

"Your highness, your father, the king, has summoned you. He says it is urgent." I look between the 4 men then back at Dimitri. 

"What is so urgent? He gave me until the end of today and I will not return until then." I never used my position very often, but I was determined not to leave any earlier than I had to. 

"He did not say, your highness. He only said that he needed you home as soon as possible." I held my hand up to shut him up. 

"Perfect. You can go back to the castle and tell my father that I will absolutely be home as soon as possible." I grabbed Dimitri by the hand, and we walked towards his truck. 

All the castle guards looked at each other, then bowed to me. The two guards that were originally  assigned to watch me headed for their car to follow and I rolled my eyes. 

"I am going to breakfast. I do not want any of you giving away my identity. So back off." 

We got into the truck just as an SUV pulled up, blocking us in. "Serena, it's the king." I looked at Dimitri and he pointed to the rearview mirror. 

I stepped out and walked towards him as one of the guards opened the door and bowed to him. "Serena, get your things. We have some important work to attend to. It cannot wait."

"Daddy, no! You said I had until tonight so I will be home tonight as promised. And why did you even bother sending these two if you were just gonna end up coming here yourself?" I was fuming.

"After I sent them to get you, I realized that you were not going to make it easy on them. Clearly I was right. Now get your things, my love. We are leaving now." 

He walked up to the driver side just as Dimitri is stepping out. "Hello, Dimitri. I stopped by the site on my way here. It looks great. You are doing a wonderful job, son."

Dimitri looked at me awkwardly, then at my father before bowing and thanking him. "Thank you very much, your majesty. I am honored you gave the job to me."

I stood there with my arms crossed until my father turned to look at me. "I am not leaving with you. Dimitri is taking me to breakfast." 

"If you have not eaten, we will have a quick breakfast at the castle." He walks passed me and opens the SUV door, waiting for me to get in. 

"What is this about? Why are you breaking our deal? I had until tonight!" I fussed. "My dear, King Marcus of Podadia is bring his son here to meet you this afternoon. The young prince has heard of your work with the commoners and was quite intrigued by you. You must get ready to meet him at once."

I looked over at Dimitri who gave me a look of pain. It hurt my soul. "Daddy, please. I just-" 

"You will have other times to have breakfast with your friend. This is very important. We must go now. Dimitri, please fetch Serena's things for me."

He bowed to my father. "Yes, your majesty. Of course." I watched at Dimitri walked back into the house. I wanted to run to him, but my father grabbed my arm. 

"Serena, please. You have responsibilities my dear. And I am not making you marry him today. You are only meeting him. There would be more than plenty of time for you two to become acquainted before any marriage plans, if it comes to that."

I looked at him with such distain. I was angry. But I couldn't say anything. It would not change anything. He would not let this go. 

After a few minutes, Dimitri returned with my bag and my purse. He handed them to me with a pained, forced smile. 

I wanted to cry. "Do not cry, my love. He is a nice boy. I met him once when I visited their kingdom last year. They raised a good young man. Just give him a chance. You may like him."

I stared at Dimitri the entire time my father was talking and I could see the hurt written all over his face. "Dimitri, you can take the rest of the day off. But I expect you back onto the site bright and early tomorrow, alright?"

He bowed. "Yes, your majesty." He looked at me and bowed before stepping into his truck. "Come now, Serena. We don't have a lot of time. We must get your out of those clothes and into something more appropriate." He said as he looked me up and down. 

I rolled my eyes and climbed into the back of the SUV, but not without stealing one more look at Dimitri though his side view mirror. 

I could see him wiping tears from his eyes. "So what is going on with Dimitri? He doesn't seem like his usual, peppy self." my father asked. 

I just looked at him. I wanted to scream "YOU'RE FORCING ME TO MARRY SOMEONE ELSE AND WE ARE IN LOVE!" But that would only create problems for Dimitri, and I did not want that. 

We pulled out of the driveway and took off down the road towards the castle. I didn't speak a word to my father the entire way there. He did not bother to ask me how my night was. He was just happy I wasn't among what he felt like to be peasants. 

But I had never felt more comfortable around a bunch of people in my life. Being among the people is where I belong. I don't have to pretend to be something I'm not and I got to just be me. It was refreshing. 

I got a taste of it, and now I'm addicted. I want to be here in town all the time. I want to be with the people. I do not want to be queen if it means that an outsider gets to rule my kingdom while I sit pretty like some decoration. 

I will meet this prince. I will be polite and lady like. But I will not lead him on. I do not want a king. If it cannot be Dimitri, then I will choose no one, regardless of what my father feels.