Chapter 5: A New Life, A New Wife

The carriage bumped and rattled along the road that was carved with deep ruts from the recent autumnal rains. Saffron was thrown into Elric, nearly landing on his lap. With a laugh, he helped steady her, but he left his arm around her shoulders for a moment longer than what was necessary. She was vividly aware of the close proximity of his body to hers.

Inside the coach was warm and dry but Saffron felt a different heat flood her body as she reluctantly moved away from the handsome stranger. His hair was different today than when she first saw him. He had braided the top half while the rest hung loose. Most men in her village wore their hair short but she was finding that she found his longer locks rather attractive.

“So, I suppose the proper thing for me to do is tell you where we are headed,” Elric said, smiling at her. She returned the smile.

“I would assume Runswick,” she replied, absentmindedly rubbing her wrist which was still a bit red from the ropes. She looked back down at her hands; her cheeks flushed.

“Yes, my father is king there,” Elric replied carefully, watching her. Her eyes darted back to his.

“So that would make you…” Saffron began.

“Prince Elric, at your service,” he did an exaggerated bow, which in the carriage looked more as if he were having a fit. She stifled a laugh behind her hand.

“I would curtsey, but we are lacking in space,” she said, a bit awed that she was sitting next to a prince! She was sure that she would wake any moment, back in her narrow bed in the attic, dusty rafters glaring down at her.

He waved her comment away. “I have never been a fan of the courtesies of court.”

“What were you doing in Gilramore? It isn’t exactly a bustling city,” she asked, wondering if she was out of place. She wasn’t sure how one had to behave around a prince, especially one that she had seen naked. He didn’t reply for a moment, instead gazing out of the window. Rain had begun splattering against the glass and the early afternoon sky was beginning to darken as the storm moved closer.

“Let’s just say I was…hunting,” he stated, insinuating that the conversation was to go no further.

“I see. It seems that whatever you were hunting was also hunting you. How is your side by the way? Unfortunately, I wasn’t granted time to collect more of my things,” she replied He raised an eyebrow at her. She was quick-witted with a sharp tongue and he found that he rather enjoyed it.

“I like you Saffron and not just because you helped patch me back together,” he said with a smile. She flashed a quick smile back. He noticed that about her. All of her movements were quick, practiced, and focused. She was intriguing. He didn’t bother to wonder how strange she would appear to the members of the court.

“I like you too, Elric, Prince of Runswick,” she replied, a slightly haughty arch to her eyebrow.

“Well don’t get too excited. I am the third son of King Orion so my path to the throne is littered with older siblings. Plus, I have no real interest in ruling a kingdom. Too many rules, too many balls. I find it all rather stuffy. I enjoy being able to work with my hands, be outside.”

“How many sons does your father have?” Saffron asked, realizing that she knew far too little about her country’s rulers.

“Five, including myself. Three older and one younger.”

“I must say, I feel rather bad for your mother, bearing five children, especially if they are all of your stature,” she replied offhandedly, viewing the situation from the few times that she had assisted the midwife with births. A chuckle escaped him, and he shook his head.

“My father has had four wives. My mother was his third. She died when I was a babe, so I don’t remember her, but I am told that I take after her in many ways,” his expression sobered.

“I’m sorry. My parents died when I was young as well. I was raised by my grandmother. After she passed, I was placed into the care of a friend of the family,” her voice hardened slightly.

“You don’t like your guardian?” he inquired, watching as her mouth was pressed into a tight line. She shook her head stiffly.

“No. She sold me off to the Baron as soon as I was of age,” she spat, her hands curled into fists.

“Well, lucky we found each other then. I couldn’t bear to see you marry that great idiot of a man. My father has been after me to get married the past few years. You should see the line of empty-headed girls he has thrust at me.” He replied with a chuckle.

He quickly sobered, moving his head so that his eyes could look deeply into hers. “I swear that you will never have to return to that awful woman or that pompous man every again. You are safe with me.” She smiled softly.

“And I promise to not let you fall into the clutches of some empty headed girl,” she replied with a smirk. He laughed.

“Speaking of which,” he lifted her hand that bore his ring. “I was serious when I said future wife, if you’ll have me. I know it is sudden and we barely know one another but you are…well….you are one of the very, very few people that know my secret and you would be doing me a great favor if you would be my wife.”

Her mind spun. What was happening? Two days ago, she was living a simple life; relatively shunned in her village and engaged to a horrible man. Today, a handsome prince has whisked her away and is asking her to be his wife? Since the moment she had met him, she had kept telling herself she should run. She should leave.

But he was offering her a way out. A new life where no one knew her. She could be more than just the poor Mender, living on the edge of town. Her eyes raked over him. He was handsome, teetering on the edge of being beautiful but his strong jaw swept away any delicacy that would otherwise be there. He dwarfed Saffron, standing at least a head taller and his shoulders twice as broad.

Besides that, though, were his eyes. They were intelligent and had a mischievous glint. They looked exactly the same as when she had first encountered him in his other form. Even then, he had not hurt her. She couldn’t say that for the other men she had known in her life.

“I accept,” she said, a small thrill shooting through her. He smiled and dipped his head.

“There is one small favor I must ask,” he said, looking serious.

“We aren’t yet married and already here come the demands,” she jested. His mouth quirked.

“As I said before, no one really knows about my other form…I would like to keep it that way,” he said quietly.

“Your secret is safe with me.” She vowed. There was something in her eyes that made him believe her instantly. There was a gravity to this ravishing creature that he found refreshing. There were no frills or frivolity to her. She was as sharp and invigorating as a cold winter’s breeze.

“Thank you,” he pressed his lips to her hand, just above where the ring sat. “Take a look at your new home,” he said and pointed out of the window. Her mouthed formed a small “oh” as she stared at the white castle that rose above the city. Her entire village could fit inside multiple times.

She had only been to Runswick a few times before when she was much younger. She barely recalled the sights, but the smells held memories. The freshly baked bread, the slight brine of the distant ocean, and the myriad scents of the vendors that lined the market. The people watched the procession as it moved through the city, curious as to who rode inside of the royal carriage.

The large gates rolled open as they approached. The horses' hooves clicking against the cobblestones matched the racing of Saffron’s heartbeat. Elric leaned close to her as the castle loomed above them.

“I injured myself falling off of my horse. You healed me and that is how we met,” he said quickly into her ear. She nodded her agreement. He smiled quickly and brushed a kiss along her cheek. The shiver shot through her to her toes.

He hopped out of the carriage as it rolled to a stop and held out his hand to her.

“Welcome home, Princess Saffron.”