The shock of someone else’s lips upon her own made Princess Estina flounder. She had only ever kissed Menelt and even then, that had not been frequently. Ladet’s presence was a hit on her senses that she did not have time to process. The kiss was rough and offbeat, the suddenness of her actions preventing either of them to take the care and precision such an act truly needed, but there was an immediate gentleness and confidence in Ladet’s reaction that Princess Estina found both comforting and reassuring.

They broke apart and paused, lips unmoving and foreheads touching. Princess Estina’s gaze flickered to the right, and she heard the soldiers stop and yell out to one another. She looked back to Ladet and their eyes met. He gave her a wry smile.

“I think we could have done better than that, don’t you think?” he asked.

“It was a bit choppy,” she said. “I should have given you a warning.”

Ladet’s forefinger rested under her chin and gently, he nudged it a little higher. He pulled back a fraction, but they were still only inches apart. “You did take me by surprise,” he said softly. He gazed at her, deep into her eyes.

A sudden wave of uncertainty flooded through her. Why was he waiting? Why wasn’t he kissing her? The soldiers would be upon them in any moment.

“Kiss me, Ladet,” she said.

The slightest shift of emotion flickered over his eyes.

“Well, since you asked,” he said.

Ladet leaned down and brought his lips back down on hers. Delight surged through her, the new angle allowing their lips to align more evenly. There was an initial tentativeness as this time they took care, ensuring their lips moulded smoothly together. Princess Estina raised her hand to his waist and gently pulled Ladet closer.

This was a man who knew how to kiss a woman and bring her defences down. Just how often had Ladet seduced women to bring them to their knees and turn them into malleable pieces of flesh? As a soldier he came across as strict, professional, confident and assertive. It seemed he was just as confident and assertive with women as well.

Princess Estina allowed his hand to lower from her chin. He was sensitive, bypassing her sore and bruised neck. It dropped instead to her shoulder. His kiss deepened, and Princess Estina allowed herself to respond, opening her mouth against his. Her other hand flexed in the back of his hair and without thinking, she rolled her lower body against his. Ladet gasped. His hand on her shoulder started to lower down to her collarbone, but then he seemed to flounder and he stopped. They broke apart again, their heavy breaths mingling as their lips grazed gently. A jolt of excitement coursed through her veins for she could feel him, feel his want and need.

“Whoa, look what we have here,” a voice chuckled.

They pulled apart instantly. Princess Estina feigned shock and covered her mouth with one hand assuming embarrassment. Ladet took a moment, staring at the caravan before he turned around to face the soldiers as well. She ensured the scarf she was wearing was covering her neck. Moving closer to Ladet, she took his hand within her own.

“Nothing but two newly betrothed lovers,” Areen said, chuckling as he walked up to stand beside the soldier. “The boy’s my nephew. They’re travelling with us and learning the family trade.”

“Looks like they’re learning a whole bunch of other stuff as well,” the older soldier said with an amused snort. He glanced over at the caravan and frowned. “Not to worry, we’re looking for a much bigger party.” He waved to the soldier walking up behind him. “Hurry up,” he growled. Turning back to them, he said, “Still, better open her up so I can check it out.”

“Of course,” Areen said. He walked over to the back door of the caravan and opened it for the soldier to enter. “I’ll have to light a lantern. We just came back from the inn after eating.”

“Where you two from?” the soldier asked Ladet.

“We’re from Waldermere, a small town on the other side of the mountains,” Ladet said. “We were promised last month. We want to start a family soon,” he glanced down at Princess Estina and gave her a loving smile, and she leaned into him. “But you know how it is,” he stated turning back to the soldier. “We’ve got to be able to support our future family, so my uncle is taking us back to….”

Princess Estina listened to Ladet while she pretended to glance shyly at the soldier. Her hand remained in Ladet’s. She glanced frequently up to his face and hoped that she looked like she was completely enthralled by what he was saying. Instead, her ears were straining to hear what the soldiers were doing in the back of the caravan. Items were being pushed around. The bench lids were lifted and being rummaged through. Her heart started to pound again. They had hidden their weapons in the empty hidey hole under the rug.

A strong gust of wind swept through the clearing and the conversation came to a standstill as they all braced themselves against it. This time, Princess Estina wasn’t acting when she leaned into Ladet. The cold cut through their clothing, piercing their skin, and her face stung as the cold whipped against it.

The soldier before them swore. “That’s enough for one night,” he said over the wind. “Plemin, get out. We’re done for the night.”

A shout of agreement came from inside the caravan and the soldier appeared at the door. “Thank my ancestors! I’m starving.”

The older soldier gave them one last look and then nodded. “Get your lady in there and stay warm. It’s going to be a long night.”

“Yes sir,” Ladet stated.

“I’ll help you find the inn,” Areen said, turning away with the soldiers. He looked over his shoulder and waved for them to get inside the caravan.

As soon as the soldiers walked around the corner, Princess Estina dropped Ladet’s hand and let out a deep breath. She placed a hand on the caravan and leaned on it for support.

“That was too close.”

“Yes, it was,” Ladet said.

They stood awkwardly, silence ringing in their ears instead of the storm while they looked at each other.

“That was an intense kiss, Ladet,” Princess Estina said.

“Yes, it was.”

“You must have the ladies in Talbec swooning over you,” she joked, trying to ease the confusing tension between them. There was the hint of a frown upon his face.

“Maybe, maybe not,” he answered. Ladet didn’t say anything else, but instead turned to the caravan door.

Princess Estina ran a hand through her hair. Well, this was awkward. She expected more of a response, not the sight of his back while he walked away.

“We need to get inside. It’s freezing,” Ladet called, over his shoulder.

Princess Estina followed. Uncertainty continued to wash over her as she closed the caravan door behind her. She sat down on one of the benches and watched Ladet as he sorted some of the items that had been moved by the soldiers. She leaned against the wall of the caravan where only moments before on the other side, they had been wrapped in each other’s arms.

Ladet sighed and turned to sit on the bench opposite her. He leaned forward, elbows on his legs, his hands supporting his head.

“What’s wrong?” she asked softly.

He lifted his head, but he didn’t look at her. “I’m sorry,” he said.

“Sorry? What are you sorry about?”

He paused for a moment. “If I was too inappropriate outside.”

Princess Estina froze and then laughed out loud. “If I’m not mistaken, Ladet, I was the one who kissed you first. Badly too, if I may add. Marlina’s suggestion seemed like a good idea to distract the soldiers.”

Ladet’s legs bounced gently. “It was a good idea, but I think I may have taken it too far and taken advantage of the situation.”

Amused, Princess Estina tried to stop from chuckling. “Taken advantage? How?”

Ladet looked across the caravan to some unknown point. All of a sudden, he turned his head back to her and their eyes met. She shifted on the bench at the intensity in his gaze.

“I’ve wanted you for a long time, Princess Estina,” he said, whispering her name, “but I know I can’t have you.”

His confession was a surprise. Princess Estina could feel the shock on her face. Her mouth dropped open, but then she frowned. “Why do you think you can’t have me?”

Ladet laughed. “Everything, that’s why!”

Princess Estina didn’t respond, waiting for him to elaborate.

Ladet sighed. “Menelt for one reason.”

“Menelt?”

“He’s your soon to be betrothed!” he said quickly and quietly. “He would have my head.”

Princess Estina pursed her lips. “Ladet, I’ve already told you. I was the one who made the suggestion to Menelt that we become betrothed for the purpose of enabling him to get his mountains back. It was never a love match.”

“But I saw you,” he blurted. “I saw you and Menelt, and you both seemed to be enjoying yourselves.”

Princess Estina froze. “What? I know Menelt spoke of it, but you saw us? You spied on us?”

“Not intentionally,” Ladet said quickly, putting his hands up. “I thought I saw you one night and I walked to the lagoon at Lake Tehlea Estate and I…saw you with Menelt in the lagoon.”

Stunned, Princess Estina turned away, twisting on the wooden bench. Heat filled her cheeks.

“It was not… I didn’t stay and watch,” he said. “I left once I realized what was happening.”

Princess Estina turned back to Ladet. “It’s not what you think, Menelt and I. When all of this is sorted, Menelt and Weldlan will go back to the mountains and back to their clan. I have no doubt in that.”

“Are you sure?” Ladet asked. “He seems more than happy with what is happening here.”

“Think, Ladet,” she said, crossing her arms over her chest. “Who does Menelt share a room with every night? It’s not me. Yes, we have a great mutual respect for each other, but at the end of the day, Menelt is the leader of his clan and I belong here. Furthermore, I’m Princess Estina, third in line to the throne, and I don’t need you to worry about what Menelt thinks. You worry about what I think.”

They stared at each other, glared at each other.

How could this be happening? Only moments before she had been enjoying his confident embrace and his warm lips, and now they were arguing.

Ladet’s eyes narrowed. “Yes, you’re right. Third in line to the throne. Even more reason why I shouldn’t.”

Princess Estina didn’t break their gaze. She lifted her hands and ran them through her hair. His gaze fell to her neck. She had seen it in Marlina’s small handheld mirror. It was a bruised mixture of blues and bright greens. She shifted uncomfortably. It was not pleasant knowing that there was a constant reminder to others of what had happened.

“I think its best if my focus was on protecting you instead,” he said firmly. “When we get to Latrena, I will go back to Jale and Teal. I have no doubt that they will wish to return to the Talbecan Empire. I think that will be what’s for the best.”

Stung, Princess Estina turned away. Ladet didn’t say another word. Instead, a few moments later, she heard the caravan door open and his feet land squarely in the snow. Princess Estina turned to watch. He strode back towards the township and disappeared into the night. From the corner of her eye, she saw Areen standing at the ladder steps. Maybe their conversation had been louder than they thought. From his awkward stance and hesitancy, he must have heard their entire conversation.

“It’s freezing out there, Areen,” she said. “Get in here.”

Areen nodded and climbed the ladder to join her in the back of the caravan. The silence was palpable.

“Forgive me, Princess,” Areen said. “I think the poor boy is worried he’s going to get his heart broken.”

Princess Estina’s head whipped round. She stared Areen straight in the eyes, but he didn’t say anything else. He shuffled to his section of the caravan and laid out his blankets.

Princess Estina sighed and did the same. There was nothing else to do on such a bitter cold night. She had no idea where Ladet would go, but she hoped he wouldn’t stay out there too long.

Areen kept the lantern burning but moved it towards the entrance of the caravan. It was a kind gesture for Ladet for when he returned to let him know they were waiting for him. Princess Estina wrapped herself in the blankets, her body shivering.

Weldlan had been right. He had told her that Ladet was interested. Was Areen right as well? The kiss they had shared had been real. The energy between them had been real. She tossed and turned and tried to ignore the wind howling outside that was causing the caravan to shudder and rock.

Her mind whirled, and she cursed herself. She had to stay focused. Having sex with Menelt was simple and easy, but starting something right now with Ladet, did seem too complicated. For one, this was not the time for a romance. They were in the middle of an escape. What were they even thinking? And Ladet was right. As soon as they escaped, he would leave for the Talbecan Empire. Logically, she shouldn’t have kissed him, but her body and emotions were still a whole other story. There was something in Ladet’s eyes that promised of something on a whole other level than what she had with Menelt.

A while later and still unable to sleep, she heard Ladet return. He lay on the bench above her, his body facing the caravan wall. Their earlier argument still tainted the air. Princess Estina managed to hold onto her sigh and rolled to face the opposite way.