Daydream

Seeing the Princess's glare, Ethyn quickly held up his hands. "I had heard rumors that the Falls of True Love were in the King's forest, but I didn't think they were a real place. Then I saw the happy couple and how skittish you were being. I could only come to one conclusion, which you just confirmed!"

"So, I was worried about trapping you by walking under the falls when really you were considering trying to trap me instead?" Rose pursed her lips as she narrowed her gaze even further.

"Do you object?" The knight batted his eyes, unabashed.

"No, I suppose not." After all, the princess had gone on this horseback ride to get a confession of the man's feelings and Rose had gotten more than she bargained for.

Her heart was still racing even now. What right had she to complain?

"Good," Ethyn was quite pleased with himself. His hands lowered slowly and dared to take one of hers captive.

Rose was nervous about where his longing look might lead. The princess wasn't sure she could handle another of his kisses. Already her hand was tingling from his caresses.

With a sigh, Rose stood. "We should probably hurry to the top. We will be due back at the palace sooner rather than later."

"Yes, My Lady." Ethyn helped the woman to her feet. "Whatever you desire, I am all yours."

The words had new meaning in them, and Rose could not help but smile shyly in response. She had no sarcastic quip. He was hers and she relished that fact.

"Come on!" Pulling Ethyn's hand, Rose led her companion up the cliff face on three short switchbacks before ending up under the waterfall a second time. Now they were at the apex of the falls and the water descended with such grace that it resembled a dance.

A large boulder blocked the tumbling, creating a separation in the curtain of water, which eventually joined back together further down.

It was through this hole that Rose now peered with the man who had stolen her heart.

"Whoa!" Ethyn hated to take his eyes off of the ravishing blonde, but he had to admit the reason for doing so was impressive in its own right.

Through the torn veil, the entire valley of the cove could be seen. The mist filled the air like silvery butterflies, refracting the light into thousands of tiny rainbows.

"When I was younger, I used to imagine that the Fates were hiding in the mist," Rose laid her head on the man's shoulder. "It's silly, I know. Especially now that I have seen a Fate for real."

Ethyn slowly ran his arm across the woman's back. When she did not flinch, he rested his hand on her waist and gently pulled her close.

"It's not silly. I have seen Hanna appear from nothing. Why it is very possible that she is watching us even now…" Ethyn paused as he saw a portion of the mist swirl in a direction contrary to the wind. He almost could have sworn he heard the tinkling of bells as well.

However Rose didn't seem to notice. "I suppose that is true," she sighed wistfully. "As long as you are here, that is what is important."

Ethyn rested his head against her golden hair. It smelled of strawberries and sunshine. "I imagine that I never want to leave," he whispered.

Rose wrapped her arms around the man's chest as they stared out. "I pictured this moment too, you know…"

"I knew you dreamt about me!" Ethyn felt the light push on his chest of objection and conceded. "Forgive me. It was I that was dreaming about you. What did you imagine?"

Rose closed her eyes for a moment. "I imagined a tall, handsome man would sweep me off my feet. We would come here, swear our undying love and devotion and share a kiss that would put the first king of Birle to shame."

"I am sorry I am not taller...or more handsome." Ethyn shrugged.

"Don't sell yourself short." Rose giggled at her own joke.

The knight gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze. "Shall I pledge my undying love in a dramatic and overwhelming gesture?"

Rose smiled and shook her head. "You already did in your own way. I will admit that nearly falling was not part of my daydream, but it was certainly dramatic. And that kiss...."

"Overwhelming?" Ethyn had felt it too. His entire being had filled with an emotion unlike anything he had ever had before. It was more intoxicating than wine and far more enjoyable. The knight suddenly understood the encounter he had witnessed between Caitlyn and Ashton in a whole new light.

"Overwhelming. Disorienting. Stupefying even..." Rose felt the words tumble out.

"Do you regret the kiss? I would not have done it if..."

"I don't regret it," Rose tipped up her chin to give the man a peck on the cheek before he could apologize.

He felt her head move and caught her lips in his. The world faded from view as the mist suddenly thickened around them.

When they finally parted the princess smiled shyly. "I don't regret that one either for the record."

"Good." Ethyn was relieved that his impulsive action was well received. What they had was still in its infancy, and he didn't want to scare her with his ardor. "Am I right to assume we are not going to tell anyone about this for now?"

Rose swallowed. She did not want the man to doubt her affection, but telling the world about her love was a complicated matter. It would open Ethyn up to extra scrutiny.

"Of course Caitlyn will find out, but other than that, I do think we should keep this between us until I can tell father. I don't want him finding out another way. And the longer we can wait until the court finds out, the better. Many of them will try to interfere and that isn't fair to either of us."

The man saw the sense in her words. He kissed her forehead gently. "I trust your judgment. I will say, having our love kept secret for a bit does sound rather romantic. A princess and a knight in a secret tryst, stealing glances across the throne room always afraid of being discovered."

Rolling her eyes, Rose laughed softly. "Are you writing a fairy tale? Things never work like that. Some thing always goes wrong."

"Then it is very good we won't be trying to steal glances across the throne room. And that we plan to tell His Majesty." Ethyn did not want to be dishonest with the man that would possibly be his future father-in-law.

"I will find the right time to speak with him. Until then, no more flirting, or touching, or..." Rose gasped and closed her eyes. She felt the heat radiating through her.

Ethyn released her mouth and nodded. "And no more kissing...from this point onward. I understand."

The princess's ears burned as she nodded. What had this man done to her? She was incandescently happy and nothing was going to bring her down.

After a long while of just staring into the falls, the pair descended and exited the cove. Philip was waiting for him—a tense expression on his face. Another man was with him. A solider that had not been part of their original group.

"Your Highness," Philip said with a bow. "You are needed back at the palace. Commander Borit has returned."