Chapter 10

Chapter 10: Missed Bacon

Neither were sure how long they stood. Embracing each other as Skye cried out her years of built up frustration. The quiet splash of the fountain and Skye’s hushed voice were the only sounds in the courtyard. It was as if even the birds didn’t want to intrude on their moment.. That was when Peggy came bustling in. Too shocked to move or speak on the scene before her.

The sight of Skye quietly sobbing let Peggy know that everything had been set right. Her bairn hadn’t cried since her father had snapped her from her grief. She had existed like a spirit who had been forcefully bound to this world for just over two years. Skye had waited every day for Tidas to return, from the moment he left. She’d ride out on that monstrous beast everyday; always in the same direction. And more than once; Peggy had to track her down by the loch, on the lord’s orders.

The old maid wondered if Skye ever realized that her father knew of their secret little rendezvouses. The stupid boy had confronted Lord Moonstone about it. Professing his feelings towards Skye when they were but eleven, Tidas used it as an example of how ‘his love would always reach her’. And that ‘not even the Gods could keep him from her’. It had been the only part of the conversation she had seen before being kicked out the room. The memory still made Peggy smile her toothy grin.

The lad truly loved her bairn, even back then. It was obvious to any who looked that the prince’s love for her was genuine and true. It made Peggy feel at ease knowing her sweet bairn was to be well loved by her future husband. Skye wasn’t the only one kept up at night worrying over Jacob Fowler..

“As Gut-wrenchingly sweet as this is, if ye wish to go for yer wee trot before supper, ye best move yer arses,” Peggy stated out loud, letting her presence be known.

Tidas had been aware of Peggy the moment her hand had touched the handle to Skye’s courtyard. As well as the guard that had peaked in earlier through the gate. His hearing was remarkably developed due to his magic. The prince fell into the most common magic category; Tanker.

All ‘Tanks’ were physical enhancers. But Tidas was especially gifted. From the age of ten, he had trained his entire body to use magic. Most Tankers only focused on one part. He had figured out how to keep specific senses, like his hearing and sight; heightened at all times. It drained him constantly to do it, but that just gave Tidas more of an excuse to eat.

.....

At Peggy’s words, Skye had chuckled loudly. She wasn’t sure when her servant had entered the courtyard, but it didn’t really matter. Skye knew Peggy would be happy for her, so long as she was. It was a little embarrassing for her to see them embracing, but Skye didn’t care. Her body felt as if a hundred pounds had left her. That if Tidas wasn’t holding her so tightly, she quite possibly might’ve floated away in her happiness.

Skye leaned back to look at her prince in the face and smiled before saying; “Looks as though we have missed breaking our fast..”

Suddenly the handsome prince looked more like a sad kitten. He frowned and let his head gently fall to meet Skye’s forehead. He turned it softly back and forth in a nuzzling manner before stating, “That’s fine with me, so as long as the basket for our picnic is filled to the brim!”

Their cutesy mannerisms caused a ‘yuck’ sound to escape Peggy’s mouth. They both turned to look at the woman, who in turn, stared back at them. With her hands on her hips, Peggy’s eyes narrowed as she looked from the young couple, to the food, and back at them.

“The bloody hell were ye two doin’ that ye not touched any of the food?! Wait!,” the old woman threw her hands up in a defensive manner, then continued; “Never ye mind; I don’t want to know. Least I be held as an accomplice.”

This time, Skye’s laughter filled the courtyard, shortly followed by Tidas’. Peggy quickly turned and started gathering plates in an effort to avoid them seeing her gaiety. As she reached for the plate of bacon, Tidas stood at her side. He had been on the other side of the table next to Skye. ‘How the bloody hell was he standin’ next to me now?!’ Peggy thought to herself as she nearly jumped out of her skin.

“I’ll be taking that..” Tidas had gingerly grabbed the plate from Peggy’s hand as he’d spoken.

A small squeak of surprise escaped Skye. She hadn’t been balanced when Tidas had zipped away from her. The force of his speed pulled her with, almost knocking her over. Skye slightly stumbled, but straightened herself as she walked over. She laughed at her gaffe, then took the plate of bacon out of his hands. She set it on the table as she drivelled.

“That.. Ha, That was.. a whole, ha.. quick, thing..” Skye coughed before forming real words; “Well, come along my prince! We have horses to get to!”

Grabbing Tidas by his lower arm and hand, she dragged him towards the gate. He tried to grab another bit of bacon, but the plate was just out of reach as Skye tugged him along. He knew better than to fight against her. Plus, they needed to leave. Tidas’ little joke had Peggy frozen with the her attempt to process what she did, or rather didn’t, see. But it wouldn’t be for long before she snapped back to reality.

The old woman would hunt them down and demand answers, but Tidas planned to be long gone by then. Peggy was obviously kept in the dark about his powers along with Skye. They would know what most in the kingdom already did soon enough..

The couple were several feet away from the gate when an idea popped into Tidas’ head. Without warning; he scooped Skye up in his arms, bridal style. He looked down at her as she giggled, making sure she was comfortable. She wrapped her arms around his neck and said, “A little out of order, aren’t ye? Yer supposed to marry me Before you carry me like this.”

Tidas wore a wicked smile and said, “You might want to hold on tight, my love.. And hold yer breath. I don’t want you passing out..”

Before Skye could reply, Tidas dug his heels into the ground. Skye sucked in a quick breath before the prince took off at top speed. Details and colors blurred together as the wind whipped her face, making it impossible to see. Suddenly her body jerked forward with great force as Tidas came to a stop. She thought she’d go flying, but Tidas held her tight.

“How was the ride?” Tidas asked with a smirk.

Skye looked up at Tidas again as she caught her breath, saying, “Fun! But, a little windy.”

Tidas let Skye’s feet hit the ground before he dropped her. He had heard his speed called many things, but never ‘fun’ or ‘a little windy’. His cheeks hurt from smiling, as did his ribs from his laughter. He had stopped just around the corner from the stables. It would’ve taken almost ten minutes to walk from Skye’s courtyard, since it was on the other side of the castle.

Skye began to smooth the wrinkles out of her dress, then stopped mid-motion. Her dress! She was still in it! In the chaos she’d forgotten to go back in her rooms and change into her riding attire. Apparently, it disturbed people to see a pretty noble woman, in a pretty dress, riding astride. So she had taken to cross-dressing when riding.

Skye turned to the prince with her head hung in defeat. She didn’t really want to go back to her quarters, where Peggy was. Tidas would Have to explain, and then their time allotted for a ride would be wasted. It was already almost noon, and they hadn’t even left yet.

“Is everything alright?” Tidas asked upon seeing Skye’s expression.

“Oh, hmmm... Yes and no.. I normally don’t ride in a dress. People don’t take to kindly to me riding astride when I look like this,” Skye tugged at the sides of her dress in display.

“It’ll be fine; yer with me. If anyone is stupid enough to speak rudely to you in front of me, they won’t be able to speak for long,” Tidas replied, making her tension ease a bit.

For a moment, Tidas thought she had been hurt or the like from his antics. He considered running her back to her rooms to change, but immediately dismissed it. The old woman was without a doubt, still there. She might’ve even tried to follow them out the gate, but they would’ve already disappeared by the time she did so. Explaining the situation would’ve required the entirety of his story. And that was something Tidas thought Skye should hear first.

“Can you ride in a dress astride?” Tidas questioned, trying to figure out their options.

Skye nodded and stated; “It’s not comfortable, but aye, I can. So long as ye don’t mind being seen with me while I do. I refuse to sit side-saddle! Ima not one to tempt fate: bitch is as ornery as I am.”

Tidas chuckled at Skye’s joke. She was like a new person, or rather her old self. Always either happy or angry; that was how Tidas remembered Skye. She was fearless and strong-willed. Most men preferred docile women, but not him.. He loved his fiery redhead.

Everyone had put him up on a pedestal as a child. Always too afraid to speak their minds to him. At the age of five, Tidas was more like a demon than a human child. He would intentionally cause trouble and strife. He’d pull pranks like throw mud pies on nobles as they entered the palace, or put bugs in the food at his father’s banquets; things of that nature.

Skye was brought to the palace with Lord Moonstone to sign the betrothal contract. Her hair had immediately caught Tidas’ attention, in a very bad way. When he was introduced to Skye, he pulled her hair the moment the adults took their eyes off of the two children. Skye screamed out in pain and shoved Tidas, knocking him down to the floor.

The prince stared up at the little lass like she had slapped him. Not even his nanny, any of them, had ever raised their hand to him. And this wee girl who was to be his bride, had knocked him off his little pedestal, and onto his entitled wee arse.