Wedding planning and preparation never really ends, I thought the closer we got that it would die down. Eventually you have to run out of things do it. But it all keeps coming at you – checking in with vendors on orders, visiting the tailor for measurements and to check on progress of the dress, checking all the items that arrive to make sure it isn't broken and everything is there. It was the day before the wedding and I was so anxious. At least my cycle had ended the night before.
"There she is." I hear and turn around.
I smile. "Aidan. D-do you like it?" I ask and look back at the flower arch the servants were constructing.
"Do you like it?" Aidan asked.
"Y-yeah."
"Then I love it."
He reached around and wrapped his arms around me. He nuzzled his face into my shoulder, his stubble tickled me as he moved his face back and forth.
"S-stop."
"Not a chance. I love to watch you squirm."
"You said I wouldn't like wh-what happened if I s-squirmed."
"Mmm, I did didn't I?"
"I need to g-get back to work. So much to do for the wedding still."
"You deserve a break." He whispered in my ear.
"I-I don't need a break. I need to make sure everything is perfect here."
"Take a break with me. I have a surprise." He said as he kissed my ear.
"O-ok." I gave in.
He took me by the hand and whisked me away. He wouldn't tell me what we were doing or where we were going. We finally stopped rushing around when we made it to the stable.
"I get to ride her?" I asked excited.
"If that's what you want. I can ride with you if you want."
"N-no, your wife should be able to ride on her own."
"You're not afraid of being close to me are you?" He jested.
"N-no, I need to practice."
"Alright."
After we saddle up we ride out of the stable, down the path, and towards the woods. He looked over at me and chuckled.
"You look uncomfortable." He said.
"It's jarring. I shoot out of the seat with every trot."
"Squeeze your thighs with the rhythm of the horses movements." He says. I do what he says and it seems to help. "Better?"
"Yeah, a little." I say.
"Loose up your grip on the reins some."
"B-but-"
"Animals sense fear. If you're jumpy, she's going to be jumpy."
I nod and try to calm myself down by taking a deep breath. Aidan gives me a few more tips on steering, speeding up, and stopping the horse as we make our way through the woods.
"W-wouldn't the field or valley be easier to learn on than this winding trail in the woods?" I ask.
"Easier to escape too." He jests.
"I-I wasn't, I wouldn't-"
He started laughing and shook his head. "I'm joking."
"Didn't…seem like it." I say and look down at my hands.
"I'll admit, I wanted to see your reaction."
"Because you don't trust me?"
"You must miss your friends, your former fiancé, your life there?"
"That isn't an answer."
He sighed. "I do trust you but I wanted to test you a little."
"Like when you left my doors unlocked."
"And you went to the library..."
"Like how there aren't any guards with us today?"
"Just…want to make sure you want to be here."
"It's strange...my life is better here, peaceful, like a bubble of calm in the middle of war."
"You don't miss your life in Cordona?"
"What life? I didn't know my fiancé, I was treated like an outcast by most…I was the one who was attacked but they treated me like the villain."
"No one will treat you like that here."
"I know. Everyone has been nice to me here."
He smiled. "We're here." We stopped the horses and dismounted.
"Where is here?" I ask. He takes the reins and ties them to a post that looked like it was freshly put there.
"Come here." He took my hand and led me over to a large tree with a basket by it. He took a blanket out of the basket and spread it out on the ground. He helped me down to the ground and sat down next to me.
"So here is?" I asked, not sure what to ask.
"A picnic, just you and me." He puts his arms around my waist and pulls me over to him. "And some wine and snacks." He whispers in my ear.
"Oh." I say and look down in the basket.
"Hey." He says gingerly as he takes a gentle grasp on my chin and moved it so I was looking at him again. "Me first."