13 Asking Permission

Mira woke up in a good mood. She had enjoyed riding the horse last week. Sure Damanos was just leading the horse around but she didn't mind. She would have been scared if she was riding completely by herself. She then explored the rest of the grounds. The kennels where the dogs were kept was one of her favorite things. There was a litter of puppies that the attending let her play with. She visited them a couple of times. There was a maze, beautiful flowers, and a nursery. She explored all those things. She felt like a child seeing things for the first time, but she kind of was although she was twenty five her childhood left much to be desired. There was much she hadn't seen. All she had known was school and work and of course the familiar hatred of her mother. Mira was careful to stay away from the woods on the edge of the castle grounds. She had no interest in exploring a place where she couldn't know what wild animals lurked inside. Today she was ready for a new adventure. She wanted to explore the castle. There was only one problem, she knew she would need the kings permission. He had after all said she could go outside but said nothing about the castle and although she had been able to avoid every part of him except his glare lately she knew there were many guards that would inform him of her whereabouts. She hadn't noticed the guards before. Pale slender men that seemed to blend into the dark recesses of the castle. She was nervous because today she would seek out the king but she was to excited to be very worried. She had been all around the outside of the castle and dreamed of how it would be inside. She didn't want to wait anymore. She readied herself with maids helping her into the gown laid out for her and pinning her curls up. She was starting to wonder how many gowns they had here. Every day her new dress fit better then the one that came before it. She was happy not to be swimming in a gown but would have loved to put on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. When Yaris entered to ask her if she needed anything she requested the king. Mira saw Yaris's face freeze then she nodded and let herself out of the room. Great Mira thought to herself. Even his people didn't want to go out of there way to find him. Mira waited on her bed to find out what the king would say to her request to see him. It was taking long so she fell asleep staring outside her windows at the gardens.

Lanthier was surprised the witch asked for him. He wanted to be annoyed. What could she want? She had so much freedom as it was, she should be locked in the dungeons. He had been purposely trying to stay away from her until this request to see him. She must feel special to just request the kings presence. He would have to change that. She couldn't just do whatever she wanted. Somewhere deep down Lanthier was beaming that she wanted to see him, but he was going to fight it. She was his enemy. She couldn't be trusted. Although she was able to leave her room she was followed very closely by the guard. She was his prisoner. She could not feel so free. He was also still angry for her talking to his brother. He remembered her nervous smile as Damos led the steed. From the looks of things it was her first time. Lanthier did not want anyone giving her any firsts of anything. After he wrapped up important business he made his way to her chambers and knocked. He rolled his eyes at himself for knocking she was a prisoner. He smelled her as soon as he opened the door. He breathed her in and his eyes immediately fell to the window ledge where she was sleeping. He watched her for a moment dozing peacefully. He wanted to wrap his arms around her.

"You wanted to see me"? He cleared his throat to wake her. She opened her eyes blinking and turned around to look at him.

"Yes, um yea, hello Lanthier". It was the the first time she said his name and sounded like music to his ears although it had come out as barely a whisper.

"Yes Mira". He said her name sweetly back just to see how she would respond. She looked up at him surprised at how genuine he seemed then glanced at the floor quickly.

"I would like to see the rest of the castle and I wanted to tell you".

"Tell me or ask me". He said being a little loud. She needed to acknowledge their positions. He was king. She was a prisoner.

"A'ask you". He stared at her crouched on the floor head down. Although she played timid she was gutsy. What other intruder called their imprisoner to them in order to explore the place they broke into.

"No, you are not aloud to freely explore my castle ." She thought for a moment then looked up at him.

"Can you show me?" She regretted the words as she said them. She was so uncomfortable when he was around. How would she bare walking around with him for probably hours. The castle was huge. He looked into her eyes. He was very surprised but keeping a stoic face came easily. The only thing that gave his surprise away was the gold color dancing around in his eyes but she didn't know that. He changed gears to ease his discomfort from the sudden request.

"Perhaps another day, I am dealing with a witch problem on our borders." He didn't take his eyes of hers and he listened to her heartbeat to see if she would betray herself. Lanthier moved to the window and helped her up while waiting for her to speak. Her soft skin gave him a reaction, he remained on task however. Lanthier wanted to look at her face to face to see how she reacted to the news. Well almost face to face because she was only 5'5 and he was almost a foot taller then her.

"Ok." Was all she said, no quickened heartbeat besides when he had touched her. No surprise or worry on her face. The king waited a beat to see if she divulged more with her words or demeanor.

"Do you know these witches Mira?"

"No." Of course she didn't she didn't know anyone here. He left her there. Everything in Lanthier told him she was telling the truth but he wasn't the king because he was gullible. He still had to keep an eye on her, her kind couldn't be trusted. Mira left her room to go to the gardens wondering why the king didn't seem enraged by her today.