The Four Swords

Chapter 85: Twin Reactions

"I guess that means we are all going. Cali, Sir Jacobson, can you two go prepare the other horses? Carrion and I will protect Alina and gather supplies," Lord Holden directed.

I opened the door and followed Cali to the barn. I tried to calm my panic by grounding myself in the moment. I focused on my next step, then the barn. My next thoughts were on the task at hand.

Cali and I would have to saddle the horses. We can do that. As Cali opened the door to the stable and our hands brushed each other. A spark ran through my arm. I momentarily forgot all my concerns.

I followed Cali into the barn with my mind distracted and blissfully blank for a moment. The smell of the horses brought me back fully to our unsettling circumstances and all my worries came crashing back like a wave upon me.

Cali pulled a saddle off of a stall wall and a bridle off a nail. Luckily my father stored extra tack at the manor in an attempt to keep the smaller stable in the city cleared of clutter. I followed suit.

My uncle brought us out to the manor with two workhorses pulling the carriage. The two stallions were brothers that my father bought a few years ago so that they two wouldn't be split up at market. I always thought they must've reminded my father of John and himself.

Cali caught my pensive expression as I started readying the horse for a rider. I was not even attempting to hide my worry.

"It will all work out, Jack. I'm sure you and Alina will have a kingdom to rule over after all this is over. Maybe smaller but," she shrugged, leaving her joke there.

A kingdom to rule? I palmed my cheek. How could I have spent two weeks with Alina and not have found out her thoughts on our possible marriage? It's not like I've had much privacy with her, but still.

"I'm sorry. It was not a good joke," Cali backpedaled in the quietness between us. She was not generally one to retreat.

"No. It's not that. It was a little funny. I'm just not sure that it's my kingdom to rule," I offered after finishing saddling my horse.

"What do you mean?" Cali walked in front of her horse with reins in hand.

"I mean that Alina's father asked me to talk to her to see if this marriage, this future, is really what she wants for herself," I explained. I stopped second guessing that decision I just made. Was it wise to tell Alina's best friend that the King was interfering with her love life again?

Cali fiddled with her raven hair in a woven plait pulled in front of her shoulder. She seemed nervous. Did the threat of war unsettle her as well? And here I was prattling on about other things.

"What about you? Is it the future you want?" Cali asked while trying not to meet my eyes. Oh. It was not war that unsettled her. It was talking about emotions. That was difficult for her.

"I... I don't think it is," I confessed for the first time aloud.

Without any warning, Cali stepped forward closing the distance between us and kissed me. Her lips set mine ablaze in a flurry of butterflies. Fireworks, music, laughter, joy and anything that my books ever compared a true kiss to paled in comparison to the magnificent woman before me.

How could I have been so blind? Every touch from her, every thought about her and even the memory of either would warm my heart.

The playful teasing was more than just friendly banter. The longing to be in her company was not just because she was my friend. I wanted more and now I knew, so did she.

My eyes grew wide, shocked at all the realizations happening at once. I loved this woman. She loved me. My hand embraced the back of her neck as I fully let myself kiss her in return. She is the only person I ever want to kiss again.

Somehow in the heat of the moment, neither of us heard the doors open to the barn. We were no longer alone.

"Cali!" Alina squealed. Cali and I recoiled from each other, embarrassed by our closeness being on display. My mind took a moment to register, but it almost sounded like Alina was excited. Why would she be glad that I was kissing someone else?

I turned to see that Alina was not the only spectator. Carrion stood next to the Princess with a deep scowl. I did not even register Alina's expression since Carrion's thoroughly cemented me in place.

Cali and I shared a concerned look before she walked over to Alina. Hand in hand the two girls left the barn to go share confidences that did not need an audience. I grabbed the reins of both horses and started to lead them both toward the door. Carrion barred my way.

"How dare you?" The twin seethed. "My sister is not a plaything. She is not going to be used by a man, no boy, looking for a mistress. You do not deserve Princess Alina, the crown and certainly not my sister!"

"Carrion, I know that nothing I say will excuse my behavior, but please know that," I started but Carrion cut me off.

"There is no excuse for your behavior! That's why you can say nothing. Kissing another woman other than your betrothed!" Carrion ranted.

"She kissed me first," as the words left my mouth, I regretted them. That did not come out in the way I meant.

"Do not besmirch my sister in such a way! If we did not need you to show us how to get into the castle, you would never leave this barn if I had my way. As is, we will have words after this is over. Words at length. At the length of my sword, that is!" Carrion stormed out of the barn.

I went from euphoria to feeling small. Why did life have to be so complicated?

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