"ARE YOU SURE IT'S ALRIGHT to just walk away from them?" Magnolia asked while looking back at the knights they left behind.
"It is," Daniel answered. "We will not get that far, and the horses need a break anyway," he added. "We will spend the night in town and leave in the morning."
They both took a few steps in silence, each of them trying to catch up with their racing thoughts.
They followed a hidden path through the trees until they found themselves standing in front of a huge pond. The reflection of the afternoon sun on the water made it sparkle like diamonds.
"Beautiful," Magnolia whispered.
They took in the breathtaking landscape for a few minutes before Daniel reached for his wife's hand to get her attention.
"Magnolia," he started. "First of all, I need to apologize for my behavior on that day after the attack." He squeezed her hand. "How could I ever think that you're a monster, Magnolia? I was frustrated with myself. I couldn't even protect you from those bastards. I was ashamed to face you, ashamed to look into your eyes, ashamed of how weak I was." He raised his other hand to her face and caressed it. "I love you, Magnolia, you are my wife…my family. I am sorry if I hurt you in any way."
Magnolia drew in a shaky breath as she listened, her eyes were already watering. "I just thought…" Magnolia struggled. "There was so much rage inside of me, it scared me." She swallowed hard. "I killed so many–" Her voice cracked.
"My love." He put his forehead on hers. "They would have killed us both," he tried to comfort her. "I am sorry I put you through that, if only I could have–"
Magnolia placed her finger on his lips. "Daniel, you are my family too, and I would do anything to protect you." She held his gaze. "I love you so much, I think if something were to happen to you…" She shook her head at the thought.
Daniel cupped her face and slowly brushed his lips against hers. The kiss was so gentle, so soft, that it gave her goosebumps.
"I have missed you these last few days," Daniel uttered against her lips.
"Me too."
"Let's not fight ever again," he joked. "And we need to work a bit on communicating better."
Magnolia chuckled. "I agree." She nodded with a smile.
"Have you forgiven me?" Daniel asked after a moment.
"There is nothing to forgive, Daniel." Magnolia brushed his hair back with her fingers. "Like you said, it was a misunderstanding, mostly on my part." She smiled.
Daniel returned her smile and pulled her into an embrace. Magnolia wrapped her arms around his waist and closed her eyes as she enjoyed the intimacy.
They stayed like that for a while, listening to the rustling of the leaves and the sound of the rippling water against the rocks. When they pulled away, they were both filled with fuzzy feelings.
"Shall we go back?" Daniel was the first to break the silence. "I doubt you had anything to eat all day."
"I shared some fruit with Thunder."
He chuckled. "I am scared that my horse will abandon me for my wife."
Magnolia laughed. "I don't think that is possible, he is quite loyal." Magnolia linked her arm with Daniel's.
"Yes, loyal to whoever gives him fruit." They both laughed as they walked back toward the house.
'Ah, this is nice.'
Magnolia snuggled against his arm, making Daniel smile at the gesture.
"Oh, by the way," he started. "I heard you sent a present to Baron Pruice."
Magnolia's eyes widened and color left her face instantly. "How did you…Henry," she uttered, her voice filled with horror.
"My love, I am not reprimanding." Daniel squeezed her hand. "On the contrary, I would have done the same thing."
"Really?"
"Yes. Which means that you are the only duchess for me." He kissed her hair and Magnolia blushed.
"Your Graces," Victor greeted as the two approached the knights.
"Let us head to town for a warm meal and an inn for the night," Daniel ordered. "We leave for Salicera on the morrow."
"Yes, Your Grace." Victor bowed and walked away to bring the horses for the duke and duchess.
"Now that I think about it," Daniel told his wife. "A friend of mine is a Mage, we fought together in the last war. I will send a letter to ask for help with that enchanted door in the cellar."
Magnolia's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Oh my goodness, that would be great!"
"Anything for my lovely wife." Daniel captured her lips in a kiss, but she quickly stepped away.
"Daniel," she whispered as a violent shade of crimson spread through her face and neck. "What are you doing, in front of the knights?" she hissed.
"I am kissing my wife," he teased. "I do not recall that being a crime."
"It's embarrassing." Magnolia looked around and noticed all the knights looking away. "Oh my–" Daniel kissed her again.
"No one is even looking," he whispered against her lips. "They have orders, you know."
Magnolia's face blushed again. "Orders?" Her eyes were wide. "For when you kiss me? You talked to them about that?"
Daniel realized that he had taken the joke too far. He sighed.
"My love, I understand that the etiquette you have learned tells you that showing intimacy in public is inappropriate, but surely you know me by now." He smirked. "I do not give a damn about that, if I want to kiss my beautiful wife, no one will stop me."
Magnolia stared at him for a moment before a small smile pulled on her lips. "Just promise me not to do it during official events," she asked. "I would die from embarrassment."
"I cannot promise that."
"Daniel," Magnolia scolded.
"Just jesting." He laughed. "I promise I will limit our intimate displays to our home, non-official events, and…" He inched closer to her ear. "Especially our bedroom," he breathed, tickling her ear.
Magnolia jumped back from the sensation. "You are hopeless." She walked past him and mounted Thunder. "If you keep this up, you might lose your horse for real." A mischievous grin tugged on her lips.
"I would not mind losing everything to you, my love."
The knights who were close enough to hear their exchange looked at each other. "His Grace seems like a totally different person," one of them ventured to say.
"Is that what falling in love does to you?" another asked.
"I am not sure," Victor interrupted, "But I know what my fist can do to your face if you do not shut it and hurry."
"Yes, sir." The knights obeyed. They were ready to leave in a matter of seconds.