Chapter 121

121 What’s Mine

The three sat in silence a few moments before the carriage came to a halt. Tidas wanted to drill Maevis for the truth about the legend, but it just wasn’t possible right now. They’d arrived at the arena, and Tidas needed to go prepare for his demonstration.

“After tomorrow at lunch, you’re going to tell us everything you know about that damn legend.. And Why you and Nicolas are so afraid for Skye; I’m not blind,” Tidas had grabbed the door so the driver couldn’t open it until Maevis was situated.

Maevis agreed as she climbed back into Skye’s hood, and hid in her hair; “Aye, I’ll get Nicolas to do it. He knows more about it than I do.”

The seemingly two people stepped out of the carriage to be met with earth-shattering cheers. People had gathered around the outside of the area to greet the prince as he entered. Palace guards and military lined a path through the crowd, allowing them to actually make it to the doors at the other end.

The royal couple exchanged encouraging smiles, locked arms, and walked down the make-shift aisle. Most screamed out to the prince, but some called out to Skye as well. They both waved and nodded as they walked, until a person slipped through the legs of some guards that were busy holding back the crowd. Pulling back the hood that covered their face; a mildly attractive woman with brown hair and eyes began to approach the royal couple.

Taking a few steps forward, the woman yelled; “Is THIS the backwaters commoner you were forced to marry?!”

The crowd fell silent as they readied themselves for a scene. The woman before them was Angelica Bibalow; only daughter of Lord Bibalow, and Prince Tidas’ rumored lover. She been throwing a fit for nearly six months; since the prince had sent her away. She told anyone who would listen, of her love affair with the prince. There had even been rumors of her being pregnant, but that obviously wasn’t true.

Two military men broke away from the line to restrain the woman. She then proceeded to scream of her station, and if they knew whom her father was. The two men looked at each other, then to the prince for direction. They didn’t care what she said; they were in the RMC, and Tidas’ word was law to them.

Tidas’ body was as frozen as his mind. The expression he had was one of contemplation, but that was on the outside. His mind raced with how to handle the situation without hurting Skye. She knew the truth, but it didn’t matter to him. Guilt and shame rose in his throat, and choked his words. He wanted to send her away, very far away..

.....

“What business do you have with my husband?” Skye asked in a kind, melodious tone.

“It’s with the Prince, not the woman who was forced upon him!”

Skye smiled softly at Angelica; “Well, my dear, Ima afraid you’ve been misinformed.. I love Tidas, and he loves me. That’s why we married. Now, do you have anymore questions? We’re a tad late.”

Angelica fumed; “I want to speak to MY lover! He’ll tell you! I’m the one he wanted; the king forced him to marry you!”

Tidas had finally snapped back to reality, and spoke in a loud, firm voice; “No, Angelica. You are Not my lover, and you never have been. The only woman I have Ever loved, is Skye.”

Angelica ripped her arms away from the the soldiers; “Tis a lie! She’s forcing you to lie! You told me you loved me! The night I gave myself to you! You told me!”

“I don’t know if I did or didn’t.. I was drugged and injured; I could barely see straight. All I Know is that you were assigned to care for me, and I thank you for that. But I Never Consented to more than that. Now please move, so we might be on our way.”

Angelica raged, inside and out. She stared daggers at Tidas’ wife. This was not how things were supposed to happen.. Skye was supposed to freak out, but she didn’t. She was supposed to at least take issue with the prince, but she didn’t. ‘Could he have told her about us?’

As if reading her mind, Skye stated; “We keep no secrets, Bibalow. I know what happened, and making a scene only reflects badly upon yourself, and your father. Please, go home.”

Angelica had been so sure that her plan would workin some way; cause Some kind of strife between them. Then she would at least have a shot at being the prince’s head mistress. ‘That bitch.. It’s all her fault! Tidas would pick me if it wasn’t for her!’

In an instant; Angelica grabbed a short sword from one of the soldiers, and ran at Skye. Her eyes bulged as she screamed like a banshee while running the fifteen feet or so. Aiming for the princess’ heart.

Skye’s hand was up to stop her husband from moving, before he could move his foot.

While rage filled Angelica’s eyes; Skye’s were calm and fixed. She raised her left hand, palm up. The only thing that could be heard was her scream of desperation..

When Angelica was three feet from her, Skye flicked her wrist up; raising a thin, but solid rock wall directly in front of them. Skye saw panic spread across her right before the wall blocked her from view. The sword pierced the wall, but was inches shy for its intended target. Skye knew the general length of the sword swords used by the military. She calculated how close she could make the wall to herself, for maximum running distance for Angelica.. Which meant maximum impact force into the rock wall.

The princess didn’t want to kill or seriously injure her, but she needed to know that Skye could take her out without breaking a sweat. Tidas was hers, by His choice. And it’d be a cold day in hell before Skye ever let Anyone hurt her husband. Not that he needed much protecting, but she would do what he couldn’t; just like he did for her. Or tried to, anyways.

Walking around the wall; Skye was hard pressed not to bust out laughing. Angelica Bibalow looked like a smushed cartoon character from one of Skye’s tomes. Her nose was Clearly broken, and one of her front teeth hung by a single nerve. Scratches were everywhere, and were beginning to bleed.

Skye didn’t think she’d hurt herself that badly, but the lass barely looked conscious. Her face was beginning to swell and change color. The royal couple looked at each other a moment, as if in a mental debate. The prince had a pleading look on his face, while the princess’ features were stern.

“She’s Lord Bibalow’s daughter; we can’t leave her like this. One of you, fetch a medic! They can deal with her.”

“Or I could just do it,” Skye remarked, shocking her husband.

“Really? You’re offering?”

“If you were going to leave her here, I would’ve. But if you want her healed, then I can do that as well. Plus,” Skye smiled devilishly; “It’ll probably piss her off if I do it.”

Tidas smiled softly at his wife; “Aye.. You’re a good woman, Skye.”

“Not always, but when it counts,” his wife quipped.

It only took moments for Skye to heal Angelica, but the crowds made it seem longer. They shouted at the princess to leave her be, and that she didn’t deserve her kindness. Some even threatened to beat her for insulting the prince, and threatening his wife.

Technically, Angelica should’ve been put to death for stealing a soldier’s sword alone. Attacking a royal was grounds for immediate execution, and many were calling for it. They bellowed about how she was always rude, and never treated her servants, or any commoners, with a shred of respect.

Finishing through the chaos, Skye stood to speak; “If I killed every woman that adored my husband, the human race would be hard pressed to survive.”

Skye’s joke made many in the crowd laugh before she continued; “If I left her for dead, I’d be no better than an animal. She didn’t cause me or my husband any harm. So long as she apologizes to me and mine, I can forgive her.. But it is ultimately up to our King, and I believe in his good judgement.”

The crowds were surprised by the princess’ decision. The laws clearly gave her the right to kill Angelica, but she didn’t. She could’ve left the lass for dead, and no one would’ve batted an eye; but she didn’t. Most knew the new princess was common born, but they also knew of Lucas Moonstone’s wealth. She was raised like the nobles and royals, but was different; like the prince.

Rumors swirled around Skye, but one thing was consistent in every story; her kindness. Her actions in Dragonhorn were spreading like wildfire throughout the crowd, prompting some to start chanting her nickname. Skye curtsied to the crowd as some guards dragged off Angelica Bibalow.

The prince was quite proud of how his wife had handled herself. He would’ve bet money that she was going to snap. Tidas had never seen Skye angry in public; aside from when they were children. It was in this moment that the prince felt a bit more confident in Skye’s ability to defend herself at court. There would be many times where she would have to go to social events and the like, without him. Especially after verification of his uncle’s whereabouts.

As they walked towards the entrance of the area, goosebumps covered Skye’s body. The chanting from the crowds was already nearly deafening, and they weren’t even inside. Maevis shifted around on Skye’s shoulder in time with her footsteps; so as not to be noticed. She peaked up at the familiar grey colored walls that towered into the sky, and smiled.

The first time she’d seen the trials, Prince Tiberius had been competing. He’d noticed her floating in the air, even though she’d made it a point to stay within the cast of the sun. He’d pelted her with a rock after he’d won; knocking her from the sky, unconscious. He’d caught her, and it’d been the beginning of their adventure together..

As Maevis lost herself to her memories, Skye and Tidas clasped hands. The entrance split into two halls; one for mages, and one for spectators. The prince kissed his wife’s forehead, and then her hand. She smiled lovingly at him before encouraging him.

“I love you, husband. I know you’ll win.. Don’t hurt Zas too much, but feel free to give that hell cat a good thrashing!”

“I’ll give her a good wallop for you,” Tidas still held his wife’s hand, his lips lingering on her fingers; “So long as I get a reward for it..”

Skye’s cheeks flushed prettily as she leaned up to whisper; “How about me as yer reward?”

Tidas smirked at his sweet wee wife before he replied; “Agreed! No take-backs, either..”