Aron's hands, hardened from countless sword drills and farm work, brushed the horses sweat darkened coat as he led it into its enclosure. Its breath hot and damp against Aron's neck like a forge's bellow.
"Steady now," he murmured, his voice a low rasp against the stable's sharp creaking timbers. "You've given me enough stress as it is."
His ear flickered up and his senses sharpened. He felt the presence of a malicious figure edging closer to him. Their step light as a feather, even the withered creaking boards of the barn could hardly give away their presence.
In an instant the chilling tip of a metal blade embraced the back of his neck.
"Don't move, or I'll have your head," a soft, feminine voice whispered. The hay beneath her feet crunched as she pranced closer, feline like.
Aron grinned, his eyes sparked with excitement of combat. "Took you long enough."
He spun swiftly. His calloused fingers wrapping round her wrist and twisting the knife free. Taking the blade for himself.
"I almost had you!" she laughed, her voice bright like chapel bells.
Aron yanked her close, the lavender oil in her hair clashing with the stable's musk of leather. "You don't get points for almost." He said gazing deep into her blue eyes, sparkling like an ocean lit by morning sun.
A kiss was imminent.
But she pulled away. "So if I hadn't come to look for you, you'd have left without seeing me." She turned her head away, but her fingers clung to his cold breast plate, like she feared he'd vanish.
"Of course not," Aron said cradling her face with his hands, guiding her gaze to him. "I was on my way to your room, Seraphina."
"What about the guards?" She said playfully tapping the hilt of the dagger he'd stolen. "Not just anyone is allowed inside a nobles sleeping quarters."
Aron smirked and puffed out his chest. The light rays from the cracks and in the barn beamed across his face. "I'm not just anyone, they'll have to make way. If not…" He paused, edging her on.
"'if not what?" she said biting her lip, smiling ear to ear.
Aron grabbed the pummel of his sword, striking a theatrical pose. "Then I'll have to cut them down-because no one can keep me from you," He said pulling her closer by the shoulders. The embroidered silk of her emerald gown whispering against his worn out leather belt.
Seraphina now as red as an apple, whispered under her breath "Not even the king?"
"Oddly enough I think he likes me," Aron teased.
She scoffed. "Please, my father barely remembers I exist," she said lightly pushing him away.
Aron caught her hand before she could go any further. "Don't say that, he's just..."
"…busy, I know." She lamented, as her eyes drifted away gazing longingly at the castle.
A smile sprang across her face, "it's my sister you need to worry about."
"Princess Thessa?" Aron barked a laugh. is she planning on cutting me down?"
Seraphina, bubbling with laughter, the sound startling a sparrow from its nest, "That would explain her obsession with swords and archery. Sometimes I forget she's even a woman."
"Well she's certainly got a warriors spirit," Aron conceded.
"You mean being grumpy and no fun?" She said folding her arms, her gesture at odds with the mischief in her eyes.
He placed a fist across his chest dramatically. "As a knight, I would never speak ill of my Lady Thessa." A smile creeped by the side of his face.
Seraphina, lightly kicked his shin, laughing. "Okay, sir Aron of Bran."
Her eyes caught a glimpse of the black and silver banner on the horse Aron putt away. Her expression dimmed.
"I should probably get going, I have Aether lessons." She said.
He caught her wrist. "Already? I haven't seen you in weeks," He said with disappointment in his eyes.
"Yes, Aron. The suns coming out and I don't want anyone seeing us together," She said getting behind him and pushing him towards the exit with both hands.
He stood firm, like a statue. Planting his feet on the floor like the old roots of a tree. "What? You don't want anyone to know you're with a farmer's boy."
"Yes, I don't. These noble men tend to overreact when they get mad." She said still pushing, "And I'm not letting anybody poison my farmer's boy."
"Now give me a kiss," She said spinning him round.
Aron smirked, flicking his cape across her face as he turned away from her. "The suns out, I can't risk anybody seeing us." He smiled playfully.
"Wow! That's how you're going to be, Aron?" She said, pouting and folding her arms.
"Good day, Princess Seraphina." He mounted his horse, the leather saddle creaking beneath the weight of his muddied boots.
Her eyes glittered as she watched him leave. Arms wrapped tight around herself-as if to hold on to their time together just a little longer.
From above through the castle windows, watchful eyes starred down at them.
The eyes of Sir Victor. Engulfed in flames ready to devour whoever got in his way. His fist clenched his blade's handle, and teeth grinded against one another like the gears of a great clock. "My time on the throne is coming." He said to himself.