Good great gods and all they shine upon, she was much more than he imagined. He heard she was beautiful, but what did that even mean to him. Many beautiful women had come through the manor his whole life. Aella, who had seen every day for the past three years, was the loveliest woman he could ever imagine, but when Lady Eleri Cadwin walked into the room, he had to rethink his ideas of a great beauty.
She was not overly tall or large, but she was elegant and commanding in appearance. The light from the window hit her as she walked into the room, illuminating her dark auburn hair and hiding her face for a moment. As a young man, Conri couldn't help but notice her full breast even in her simple traveling gown. She walked further in, and he finally saw her face. Her lips were full and light pink. Her skin fair and unblemished. As his eyes met her bright green ones, he felt an instant pull to walk towards her and claim her in some way. The wolf inside him growled, and it almost sounded like the word 'mine.'
She curtsied low in front of him, and Conri followed her movements. He stared at her as she kneeled on the ground before he could stand it no more. He walked forward and took her hand, lifting her up.
"Lady Eleri?" he asked as she looked up at him.
She nodded. "Prince Conri?"
He smiled. "It is a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance, my lady. I have heard much about you and have been looking forward to your visit. We all have." He forced himself to turn away from her and look at the people in line behind him.
"Indeed, my lady," said Lord Havens as he straightened up. "It is a great honor to have you in our home."
"The honor is mine," said Lady Eleri. "I know what risks you have taken to see to the well-being of our prince all these years. My father sends his appreciation and regrets he cannot join us yet. He has business to see to in the land."
"I hope we will be able to see him soon," said Lord Havens. "Now, I know you will want to rest after your journey, but let me myself, my wife, and niece."
Lady Eleri nodded and Lord Havens went on. "I am Lord Cyril Havens. My family has commanded over this estate for over three hundred years. This is my wife Lady Beatrice Havens. She was a Flint before she married."
Lady Eleri raised her eyebrows. "A Flint, my lady?"
"Yes, but born without powers. I am quite ordinary," said Lady Havens.
"You say it like you expect me to think less of you for it," said Lady Eleri.
Conri was surprised by her forward speak, and the idea she did not look down on his guardians. "Do you not?" he couldn't help but ask.
She looked at him, and he felt a fresh wave of longing flow through him. "No, not at all. We are not all blessed by the goddess where we have powers or the ability to transform, but I believe we are all blessed by our gods. These people have kept you safe and raised you well it seems." She looked at Lady Havens. "You all my respect and my father's as well. We do not think less of anyone because of lack of gift or shifting ability."
Lady Havens bowed her head slightly. "Very well, my lady. I did not mean to imply anything. Only my own family did not know what to do with me."
"I am sorry to hear it, but you seemed to have done very well. If they think less of you, it is their loss."
Lord Havens looked at his wife before motioning towards his niece. "This is my youngest brother's only child, Lady Aella Havens. She came to live with us a few years ago when my brother and his wife met an unfortunate end."
The smile on Lady Eleri's face faded. "Oh, I am so sorry to hear of your loss, Lady Aella. What a tragedy to lose both your parents so young."
Aella nodded. "I believe you know what it is like, Lady Eleri."
Lady Eleri gave a small sigh. "I do, but I still have my father. I do not know what I would have done if I had lost them both."
"I am lucky to have my uncle and aunt who are very kind." Aella looked at Conri. "I have enjoyed getting to know Prince Conri as well."
"We can talk more at supper, Lady Eleri," said Lord Havens. "You must wish for rest."
"A chance to freshen up and settle in would be welcomed, my lord. We have much to discuss and decide in the coming days. If you could have one of your servants show me to a room, and my guard as well." She looked behind her at the tall, strong-looking man who shadowed her. Prince Conri noticed he was eyeing the prince with a look he could not place.
"I can show you to your room, my lady," said Prince Conri.
"You do not need to trouble yourself, my prince. I am sure a servant could show me."
"It is no trouble at all." He wished to spend every moment he could with her. He felt tied to her in some way, and he had a feeling the more he was around her the tighter the knot would become. Perhaps it would have been smarter to pull away. He had told himself he would not let some stupid idea of a prophecy bind him to some woman he did not know, but know that she was there in front of him, he could not deny her allure.
She looked at Lord and Lady Havens, and Aella as Conri held out his arm to her. He noticed Aella's smile looked a little forced, and it made him feel some guilt in showing Lady Eleri such attention. What did she expect? He had told her many times, they could never truly be together. He was attracted to her as he would be to any beautiful, clever woman, but he knew they had no future. He had been careful to not let their dalliances go too far. He had guarded his heart as well and hoped she had kept hers under regulation as well.
Lady Eleri took Conri's arm, and he heard the voice inside of him give out a small groan of pleasure. Her touch sent a wave of heat and desire through him that was so strong it almost caused him to misstep. They walked from the room together towards the stairs. They were both quiet for a moment, and he wondered if she was feeling some of the same things he was. He was afraid to say the wrong thing which was a new sensation for him. He had always been bold with his words, but now he felt as though anything he would say would sound trite and silly.
"It seems as though you have been very fortunate in your caregivers all these years," said Lady Eleri as they reached the stairs.
"I have. I couldn't have asked for kinder guardians. Lord Havens is very wise as well. I have learned much from him."
"I suppose I should not be surprised at all. My grandfather was a careful man who put his land and king above everything. He would only see his prince under the protection of the best people."
"Your father seems a wise and kind man when he came to visit a few years back. I believe Lord Havens enjoyed his company."
"I would say my father is the best of men, but I suppose I am biased." She laughed a little. "I am afraid he as spoiled me as his only child. He has let me do as I wish, and I love him for it."
They came to the third-floor landing and paused before he led her down the hall. "Spoiled is not a word I would use for you. I am sure you are just well-loved but a good man who knows his daughter."
She laughed again, and Conri found he loved the sound. It was light and almost musical. "You don't even know my, my prince. You will soon find how insolent and irreverent I can be."
He pulled her a little closer. "I doubt that very much, Lady Eleri." He looked down at her and felt his breathing increase. Her tongue ran along her bottom lip, and he almost moaned as he wondered how it would feel to kiss her full lips. He looked away to gather himself. "Your room is just down this all. I know you must wish to rest." He escorted her down the hall to the third door on the left.
He opened it, and they both walked in. "This is very lovely."
"I believe there is a good view of the river from the window." Her room was only a few doors down from Aella, and he had kissed the woman quite a few times on her balcony. He looked at Lady Eleri as she looked towards the door to her own balcony.
"I am sure the sunset must be spectacular from this place. I shall have to see for myself tonight before supper."
He found himself wishing he could see it with her. "I should leave you so you can settle in. I am sure your things will be brought up soon. If you need anything, pull the cord in the corner. Aella is also just a few doors down. I am sure she wouldn't mind helping you with anything you need."
She raised her eyebrows again at his causal use of Aella's name but said nothing about it. "Thank you, Prince Conri, you have done more than enough by showing me up here. I will see you soon at supper."
He took her hand and brought it to his lips. He kissed it gently causing her to give a small sigh. His lips lingered longer than he meant for them to, but the small taste he gained from her skin was sweeter than anything he had known. He finally let her hand go and looked at her for a moment.
She took a step away from him and looked down. "I wonder if you and I should not have a conversation soon." She looked up at him seeming to have forced a look of confidence on her face. "You and I have much to discuss, I believe."
He marveled at her boldness for a moment, but then remembered who she was. "I think you are right, my lady. I know you just had a long journey and a morning on horseback might now sound agreeable, but perhaps a morning walk around the estate might be called for? I could show you the grounds."
She nodded. "I would like that. " She swallowed and raised her chin. "I want to be clear on many things, my prince. You and I will have to work closely together to see you to your rightful place on the throne. I am the only Cadwin who can carry on my father's legacy, and one day I will be your First Advisor. I am very ready to serve you, but I know there are other rumors about my position in your court."
A bold woman, indeed, he thought as a smile came to his face. "I know what you are referring to, and I will be happy to discuss it with you very soon. Today you should rest and settle in." He wanted to please her and put her at ease which was a new feeling for him. Usually, he didn't mind if someone was unsettled around him. He was to be king someday, and he usually spoke as he liked. "I will not ask anything of you that you do not wish, my lady." He almost turned to go with a bit of mischievousness broke through the spell she had him under. "Of course, you must not expect things of me either. I have my own ideas of what my life should be and who I should spend it with."
To his surprise, she did not look offended. Instead, she laughed. "I think you and I might get on better than I thought." She turned slightly from him. "I will see you later tonight, Prince Conri."
She was dismissing him. He had a thought to stay and try to discompose her in some way, but he wondered if he could even do it. As he left her room, he swore he heard his inner wolf chuckle a little. He had no idea what would happen with Lady Eleri, but he had no qualms in finding out.