Chapter 15: Annalise

She woke the next morning and put together a crude breakfast before waking him. He sat up, his shaggy black hair sticking up in several different places, rubbing his eyes. The sun was just about to rise so they ate and set off on the road once more. They road until just after noon and then they stopped in a small town where they shared a meal at the inn.

The entire time she kept fussing with her hair, she wasn't able to get the bun as tight as Maryn did, and it kept falling down. Eventually he sighed standing up and stepped behind her where he ran his fingers through her hair before pinning it perfectly in place. She laughed. "Should I ask why you are so good at that?"

He shook his head as he sat back down. "I'd rather you didn't."

She laughed. They're was a story behind that, a good one from the tone of his voice. "I guess I'll have to keep practicing. I never thought putting my hair up would be so difficult."

He smiled. "It wouldn't be if it weren't so long." She reached out and took his hand. "But I love your long blonde curls."

She nodded. "I don't see why."

He seemed lost in thought for a minute. "Maybe it reminds me of my mother... but I also think it sets you apart from all the other women in the kingdom. I doubt any of them have longer hair than you. Why did you start growing it?"

"I wasn't allowed to cut it." She shrugged. "Mother was always forced to keep her hair short, her father thought long hair was a show of vanity, so she never wanted to cut mine. And after she died, I kept it long as a way to honor her."

He smiled. "That's really sweet."

She shook her head. "I've thought of cutting it several times but someone always stopped me. Though if it gets much longer I will be tripping on it."

He laughed. "You may be right there. But this is a good length."

"Or maybe I'll just have a girl follow me around carrying it, like the train of a gown."

He laughed loudly throwing his head back and she felt her heart swell with happiness. She wanted to spend all of her days making him laugh. "I would like to see that, I think. If it gets long enough you might need two girls."

She smiled. "It would be quite the sight, wouldn't you agree."

"I would. But Annalise," he squeezed her hand. "You're already quite a sight."

She felt her cheeks warm. Had anyone told her months ago that Jameson could say such sweet things she might have laughed in their face. But here he was saying the the sweetest things to her. "I... thank you, Jameson. You are very sweet."

"Only to you."! He chuckled. "To you I am Jameson but to the rest of the world I'm still the general. It has to be that way, I'm afraid."

"You're scared to show the rest of the world that there's a man under all that armor?" She asked as she starred into his troubled grey eyes.

"I'm scared to show them weakness. War is vicious, Annalise. Show just a hint of weakness, a bit of humanity, and you'll be struck down. I've faced plenty of men who'd slit your throat before me just to dull my swordplay... it's why I must keep distance from people... why I must build walls."

Her heart hurt for him. She wanted to heal all his pain. To take it all away but she didn't know how or even where to start so she just stood walking over to sit next to him on the bench. She pulled him against her chest embracing him. "Let me help you shoulder your burdens."

He wrapped his arms around her. "What if you're taken from me as well. I will crumble when all the weight is put back on my shoulders."

She tightened her arms around him. "I am not going anywhere."

"You'll probably be forced to marry another man, Annalise."

"Are saying if that is the case we can no longer be friends?"

He picked his head up off her chest looking into her eyes. "I doubt your husband will appreciate it."

She smiled at him. "As queen, I will have need of an experienced general."

He stood taking her hand. "Then you will have one."

She couldn't help but smile. She was happy he wasn't going to vanish from her life but if she had her way, they would be married. "I am glad you won't be leaving me as soon as you deliver me to my father."

He leaned down kissing her cheek. "I might not have a choice. I go where I am told."

"The bulk of the army is now in the crown city. As General you should be there leading them."

"I agree. But there were few your father could trust with your safety."

"And of course he'd send the Amerthines." She sighed.

"We are the crown's oldest ally... and Cailan was your appointed knight. Honestly, I was sent to get me out of the way. The lieutenant general and I see war differently."

She shook her head. "But it is you who command the armies, not the lieutenant general."

He nodded his head in an annoyed manner. "Yes. But I said we should we shouldn't kill innocents just to regain the palace. My lieutenant general made suggestions like poisoning water supplies and burning granaries... I strongly disagreed and was ordered to take you to Thorngate the next morning."

"I am glad you disagreed."

"I take no pleasure in killing. And even less in killing civilians. I admit, sometimes nothing can be done about it... but if there is a way to avoid it, I will."

She hugged him. He was more noble than she gave him credit. "I love you, Jameson Amerthine. I would be proud to leave my armies under your command. When I am queen your orders will never be questioned."

He laughed loudly. "Princess, you question my orders more than any other person I've met."

She felt her face heat up. "I... I apologize, again."

He kissed her forehead. "Had I listened to you, we might not have been overwhelmed that night."

"And then I wouldn't be standing here about to kiss you." She said as she stepped closer kissing him.

He smiled against her lips. "That is probably true. We didn't exactly get along at the fort. Though, when you came to my room that night I thought we made excellent progress."

She smiled. "Falling for me then, were you?"

"Hardly." He smiled at her. "Though, I did find a new respect for you."

She laughed as they walked from the inn and back to the horses. "When did you start to like me?"

He grabbed her by her waist so that he could lift her into her saddle but he just stood there looking into her eyes. "I... found your magic incredible."

"I had almost lost control of my fire that night."

"I was talking about your healing. It was the most incredible thing I'd ever witnessed."

She smiled as she starred into his grey eyes. "Thank you... I take great pride in my healing abilities. Father says it's a useless skill for a ruler to have but..."

He lifted her into her saddle. "He's wrong." That was all he said before getting on his horse heading towards the road.

As she road to catch up with him she smiled. She'd never heard him say anything negative about her father before but just then he was so blunt. She rode up next to him at he smiled at her. She wanted to say something but what... everything she needed to know she got from his eyes. He loved her. He respected her. He wanted her. That was all that seemed important in that moment so she just smiled and rode beside him in silence.

Just as the sun was setting they stopped to make camp. He lite the fire and laid out the blankets as she laid out some of their rations and made what she could of a meal. He didn't say much while they ate and even less and he grabbed her, laying her on her side, as he laid down pulling her against him. He just cradled her against him holding her as if he was going to lose her. She felt so safe and so loved but she knew something was bothering him. Finally she worked up the courage to ask. "Jameson, what is on your mind?"

He pulled her closer burying his face in her hair. "I... I don't want to see you with another man. I am going to ask for the king's permission to marry you."

She turned over in his arms the biggest smile on her face. "I am happy to hear you say that. I want to be your wife."

"He'll probably say no."

She tensed. He was right but she didn't want to give up hope. "I hope not."

He pulled her against his chest. "I will beg if need be. I don't want to let you go, Annalise. Having you as my pretend wife has made me so happy. I hope to make it real."

"I want that as well. But that will mean you'll be king one day. Is that what you want?"

"I want you. I'll do what I must to make that happen."

She nodded. "Whatever it takes."

He kissed her forehead. "Goodnight, Annalise."