Chapter 171

171 In The Moment

The path around Skye and Tidas’ courtyard hand been shoveled by the servants. As soon as one walked out of their bedroom door, three paths were presented that were lined with flowerbeds on either side. The one directly in front went straight to a large garden area that had a cozy looking bench in the middle. The flowerbeds that outlined the paths and walls connected to the larger garden.

The right path led to the gazebo and a fire pit area. Tidas had gotten used to occasionally catching and roasting his own food. It reminded him of being in the field and he craved rabbit on an open fire every once in awhile. It was the only thing he was decent at cooking.

The path to the left led to an open gravel area. It took up almost half of the courtyard except where the flowerbeds lined it. Tidas generally used it for training. A storage shed with everything from gardening supplies, to the prince’s training equipment sat in alignment with the gazebo. Keeping the courtyard nearly symmetrical.

When Shasta and Lawrence exited the gazebo, he offered Shasta his arm. After she took it hesitantly, they turned to their right; heading towards the garden area. They walked the path all the way around the courtyard twice before stopping at the bench to talk. Neither of them knew what to say, so Lawrence broke the tension with; “I wish the weather would begin to get warmer, don’t you?”

Shasta smiled weakly before she replied; “Actually I prefer the cold weather. Permanent fur coat, remember?”

Lawrence smiled outwardly, but on the inside he was wishing he could bang his head against a wall. It had only been recently that he realized he liked Shasta. Fear of losing another loved one was still strong, but he simply couldn’t get Shasta out of his head or heart.

The more he thought about it, the clearer it became how long Lawrence had liked her. He’d known Shasta since a bit after Tidas had saved her from slavers. He’d vouched for her to join the RMC. Explaining her experience and skill set surpassed the Trial requirements already. After Zas had given her a proper evaluation, she joined and worked her way up the ranks quickly to join her friends.

Lawrence had never thought anything specific about Shasta, other than she was strong and cute. The first spark he could recall feeling for her was from before he’d met his wife. It was odd for him to recall those days, but his attachment to Shasta, much to Lawrence’s own surprise; had apparently developed beforehand.

After being kicked out of a tavern for being too rowdy, Lawrence had seen Shasta in almost the same situation as Skye had. She was helping an old priestess to carry supplies to the orphanage, then she played with the children once they arrived. He remembered thinking how beautiful she was when she was happy, and that being surrounded by children suited her. When the thought of her being surrounded by His children began to creep into his mind, Lawrence had walked away before his imagination ran amuck.

.....

Looking at Shasta now made the memory feel more like a premonition. He’d been avoiding any form of commitment like it was a death sentence, but Shasta didn’t make him feel that way. The possibility of her happily playing with his son and daughter was real.. If he could figure out how to talk to her without sounding like a blithering idiot.

Shasta was even more nervous than Lawrence was. It wasn’t that she hadn’t been with anyone before. Being a Pillar had made her quite popular with both men and women. There had been several times when she’d enjoyed their company for the night, but only ever one night. She’d never felt any real connection with any of them. It was merely a one-time, fun-time thing.

Lawrence made Shasta feel a mixture of emotions all at once. He clouded her head and judgement, which was usually something only cream did. His smell, his movements, his voice; everything about him drew her in. He was worse than cream or catnip to her, but soothed her in a way she’d never experienced before.

As they walked together, the milkshake had begun to effect her. By the time the two had reached the bench, Shasta was pressing Lawrence’s arm to her like a hug. She rubbed her face against him occasionally as she purred softly.

Lawrence hadn’t felt such peace since his late wife was alive. They used to walk through their gardens together back home, but even then, it wasn’t like this. Lawrence always had a underlying worry with everything he and his wife did. She’d had health issues her whole life, but it hadn’t stopped her from living a full one; albeit far too short.

Every time they went out or made love Lawrence was afraid he would hurt her. He loved her with every bit of himself, but their love always had a bittersweet happiness to it. Lawrence knew he would lose her early in life, but not as soon as he did. They thought that she was strong enough to bear a child. All the doctors did too, but everyone was wrong..

Sensing his distress, Shasta asked; “We can go back if you want? You don’t have to be out here with me..”

Lawrence snapped back at the hurt edging her words; “No! No, it’s not that.. It’s that I want to be here that’s troubling me.”

The look on Shasta’s face was like a dagger to Lawrence’s heart. Her ears deflated and her tail dropped mid-swish. Her eyes had an instant sheen to them from unshed tears. Shasta stood; ready to run away at her top speed as fast as she could, but Lawrence grabbed her arm and yanked her into his lap.

Had anyone else done that to her, Shasta would’ve ripped their head off. Lawrence wrapped his arms around her waist to hold her in place. He wasn’t letting her go until she heard him out, even if she actually did start to beat him.

Shasta tried to stand back up, but it wasn’t a real attempt. She was Much stronger than Lawrence, but he made her feel weak. Which Shasta found both highly unsettling, and extremely enticing. Deep down; Shasta was jealous of human women. They were expected to have a soft, gentle side to them.

Shasta had never been weak, even before she obtained her humanoid form. She had been on her own for as long as she could remember, until They saved her. Bakenekos started out as regular house cats. She only looked the way she did because of her tragic past..

Lawrence could see the sadness growing within Shasta’s expression. He thought it was because of his actions for a moment, but instantly banished the idea. If Shasta didn’t like something, she could easily get away or beat whatever it was half to death. Sometimes both, from what Lawrence had heard.

“I swear I didn’t mean for it to come out like that. I’m surprised in a happy way, Shasta.. I thought you’d see me as a weak, unworthy man because I’m not strong. I’m not even a magic user.. I’m almost nothing when compared to my brothers-”

Shasta perked her ears up at at his self-deprecation. She hated hearing anyone talk down about themselves, and had never known Lawrence to have any self-doubt before. It stoked her ire the moment he said the words, prompting her to cut him off.

“Your brothers Are mages, but you’re the one that’s already a king, and of a happy kingdom, from what I’ve been told. Where is this ‘I’m weak’ bullshit coming from? Is..Is it me? Because I’m too strong?” Shasta motioned with her arms; “Freakishly strong, as I’m told.. Then again, I am a ‘beast’ according to most..”

Lawrence cupped Shasta’s cheek; “Now who’s self-deprecating? You’re no beast, Shasta. You’re simply a Fae. Just like I’m simply a man. There’s no fault to be had in the way we’re born; you’re beautiful to me the way you are..”

Shasta’s heart sounded like it was in her head, rather then her chest. Lawrence was holding her! She was on his lap, and he had his hand gently resting on her cheek! He was telling her things she had always wanted to hear him say..

Shasta didn’t know if it was the milkshake or just her heart, but she felt like Lawrence was speaking the truth to her. Her tail swayed happily again as she closed her eyes, and leaned into his hand. As she slowly opened them, Shasta’s heart nearly imploded.

Lawrence gazed at her with passion burning in his eyes. A look Shasta had only dreamed about seeing directed at her. Goosebumps sprang up all over her body as his eyes moved from hers, to her lips. Without thinking; Shasta leaned in slightly, allowing Lawrence to kiss her tenderly.

Stars and rainbows collided behind both Lawrence and Shasta’s eyelids. They each leaned in further and heard the bench creak. The noise barely registered; nothing mattered to them except the gentle breathing from the other. After a few moments of pure bliss, they broke the kiss, but rested their foreheads against each other.

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Neither were sure how long they’d sat together. The only thing either of them saw was the other. As they sat smiling at each other, Lawrence finally noticed a third breath. Barely turning his head to the side, the foreign king nearly jumped out his skin.

Lawrence scooped up Shasta in his arms, and shot up from his seat; “Whoa! What the Hell is That?! A giant lizard?!”

Shasta snapped from her daze at the sudden jolt. When she looked at what had startled Lawrence so badly, she’d begun to laugh. He stared at her, confusion all over his face at her reaction. Calming herself, Shasta explained the tiny beast.

“Do you know of the dragon egg Skye had? The one she got from the Fae? Well.. Meet Zazzy,” Shasta motioned with a hand to the trilling baby dragon.

Zazzy had come down the middle path that cut straight to the garden from Skye and Tidas’ living quarters. She’d been sad when her mother and the others had left her alone in the bedroom, so she decided to come outside to find them. The handle for the door was long instead of round, so it was easy for her to open. Figuring out to pull instead of push had taken her quite some time, but Zazzy had finally figured it out.

As soon as she came outside, Zazzy played with the snow a minute before she spotted Lawrence and Shasta. She’d just met Shasta, but had yet to be pet by her. Wanting attention; she’d waddled straight down the path, and climbed up and over the arm of the bench, causing the creaking sound earlier.

Curious about what the two were doing, Zazzy was sniffing at them when Lawrence finally realized she was there. She’d been confused at why the male human had jumped, but recalled the way the humans had reacted before her mother had saved her.

Lawrence’s yelling had drawn the others from the gazebo. As they rushed over to see what was wrong, the most surprising thing was to see Lawrence holding Shasta bridal style. With a slightly nervous edging to his tone, Lawrence yelled out; “Uhh! I think we found your dragon!”