Esterpine

Jeanine finished strapping her kingdom sword to her back when Feowen's knock sounded. She turned to see him through the glass, waiting with a scowl, an expression she didn't often see. "Everything all right?" she asked, greeting him.

He huffed. "It would be better if my sister wasn't such a busybody."

"What has she done now?"

"'Our noble families have expressed their wishes to meet with Lady Claire. I need you to facilitate meetings whilst I am away, Brother.'"

Jeanine hid her smile at his perfect imitation. "She's gone again?"

"As of this morning, yes."

"So you're what, going to take Claire around to make house calls?"

"It would seem so. And you're going to help me." He stuffed his hands in the pockets of his pants. They ended just below the knee. He was barefoot, too, as usual. The luminescent markings on display swirled up his ankles and calves, but it was his chest that often caught her attention. His tunic was sheer and sleeveless. When he noticed the way her eyes traced his markings, the corner of his mouth turned up.

She clenched her jaw and brought her gaze to meet his. "What makes you so sure I'll agree to this...endeavor?"

"Oh, I have a few ideas. I believe my undeniable charm and wit make for good company. You and I spend plenty of time together as it is. I would hate to leave you alone all week while I parade her about. Wouldn't you?"

"You place a lot of importance on yourself, you know?"

He chuckled. A dimple appeared on his left cheek. "I am a prince."

"Oh, right. How could I have forgotten." She snorted and stepped away from the door. He strode into her quarters, looking around, as he often did. As if he expected to find something amiss. Or perhaps he was looking to see if anything unusual stood out among the Spriten furniture. He was, after all, often searching for her oddities. Humans were strange to him, as he liked to remind her. Or perhaps it was just her. Or perhaps that was all an excuse to explain the increasing amount of time he spent with her out of...curiosity? Boredom? Intrigue? She still couldn't say. But she was growing more used to the attention—liked it, even. Especially when he did the unexpected, like grab her hand to lead her somewhere, or make harmless jokes, or stare at her when he didn't think she noticed.

"So, when do we begin this...parade?"

He flashed her a grin, like he'd won some great battle. "I should think now is a fine time to start. She's at the sparring grounds with Koldis."

"Oh, you two on a first name basis now? You and Lord Koldis? No more titles?"

He shrugged. "I rather like the fellow. I've never seen anyone get under my sister's skin quite like he does. Makes for good entertainment."

"Well, all right then. Lead the way."

They found Claire were Feowen said she'd be, sparring with Koldis. They took a spot near the edge of the grounds, not far from the sparring pair, and sat to watch. "I didn't realize she carried a Sverak," Jeanine whispered, glancing at Feowen. He responded with a hmm but said nothing else. She didn't miss the way his gaze took in their movements, curiosity written on his features.

"She moves quite well," he said at last. "I hadn't expected that."

"She's been here long enough. You haven't seen her sparring yet?"

He gave her a deadpan look. "Me. A prince. Remember?"

"Oh right, you're just so busy and so important." She snorted. He bumped her shoulder with his. Her breath caught with the action but she did her best to ignore it.

They were friends. Nothing more. She was human. He was...immortal.

"She should have swiped low and brought herself around to his left." She caught herself critiquing Claire's movements without realizing it. "Her motions are heavy."

"Well bless the Tree!" Feowen's eyes went wide with mock surprise. "To think, you have learned something from my efforts after all."

She rolled her eyes but said, "Perhaps Claire might learn a thing or two also. She's good. Really good. But her movements look too much like the Drengr. Too much strength and force. She's got a slight frame. And she's a Sprite. She should move more like a cat not a bear—"

"Ha!" Claire shouted, interrupting their quiet murmurs, swiping her blade across Koldis's side, ripping open a red gash. Koldis answered with a smile, stepping back.

"Bear seems to be working pretty well for her," Feowen added, keeping his voice low.

"I can hear everything you're saying, Prince," Koldis said without looking at them. "I have superior hearing, in case you've forgotten. And if you're so keen, why don't you come and have a go with Lady Claire. Way I heard it, you were deprived of King Talon's blade when he refused to spar with you."

"And you, Oh Great Shield?"

"I wouldn't be caught dead sparring with a Sprite Prince."

Feowen stood. At first, Jeanine thought the Drengr's comment had made him angry. But he said, "Very well then, what about sparring with...a friend? Or even as my sister's—" He stopped mid speech, clearing his throat. Jeanine frowned, looking between them.

Koldis's expression transformed, shuttered.

Claire froze. "You...you know?" Her eyebrows shot up.

Feowen grunted, as if realizing his misstep. "I've known my sister for years immeasurable, Lady Claire. Longer than this Shield has walked the earth. Longer than his parents, or even his parent's parents were alive. I know my sister." He hesitated. "Yes. I know exactly who and what he is to her." Feowen dusted his pants off, not that there was a spec of anything on them. "And speaking of my sister. I have come to collect you," he added. "Apparently you are to spend the next week meeting noble families of Esterpine while she's away."

"What?" said Claire at the same moment Koldis said, "Away where?"

Feowen grunted. "I need not repeat myself, Lady Claire. As to where? Who knows where? Wherever my sister likes to flitter and flit. She could be all the way in...Port Ice for all I know or care."

"But you do care," said Koldis.

Feowen hesitated. "I try not to. A learned behavior, I can assure you. My sister is complicated, Koldis. Do not expect her to answer to anyone but the Tree." He shoved his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels. Jeanine got to her feet to stand beside him.

"This must be the gods' way of cursing me," Koldis growled low, sheathing his sword. "Well, Claire. You heard them. I do not think you will need me beside you for these...meetings. I certainly hope not. I have had about all the Sprite I can stomach for one day." He stomped off.

Claire sighed. "Don't mind him. He's having a hard time...coping with all of this."

"I should think so," Feowen chuckled. "It is my sister, after all. I can't cope and I've known her thousands of years. Though it never feels like that—not here, anyway." He glanced up at the trees. "Well then, shall we?"

"Uhm. I'd like to change first." Claire glanced down at her attire. "And a bath, too. And what about Lord Marquin? I'm supposed to have lessons with him in the mornings."

"Oh. Right. About that. Jade has learned of my sister's...meddling and rather than forbid it—because that might look bad on her part—she's sending Aolis to tag along. We shall make a merry band, shall we not?"

Claire shrugged. "He's not that bad."

"Oh no. Of course not. Who said simpering was bad?" Feowen and Claire shared a grin.

***

An hour later, Jeanine found herself sitting stiffly beside Feowen in the living area of the noble house of Dorvyre. Orym Dorvyre was on the queen's council. His partner, Leena, sat beside him. They had two children grown, both males, neither of whom were home. Claire sat beside Aolis Marquin, who'd drawn himself up with his shoulders back. Jeanine knew full well that Feowen couldn't stand the male. He'd muttered plenty about the queen's insistence on sending him along.

Claire looked stunning in her shimmering lavender gown, with her hair tied back and her swirling markings on display. She looked every bit Isabella's heir—not that Jeanine had seen any renditions of Isabella. According to Feowen, only verbal descriptions of the ancient Sprite had been passed down. She'd been exiled and her face removed from any art that abounded in the forest world.

Jeanine fidgeted with a loose thread on her pants. No one paid her much attention. They were too busy discussing how overly honored the Dorvyres were at having Claire in their presence. Despite Isabella's tarnished reputation, royal blood was royal blood.

Lord Dorvyre was all smiles. "I do hope you plan to stay a few months more at least, now that you've adjusted to life here. Our family would love to have you join the celebrations for Spring Solstice."

"Oh yes," Leena clapped her hands together. "Orym always hosts a grand ball in the queen's throne room. It's the party of the year."

"I...that sounds absolutely wonderful. I would love to attend, thank you. I cannot say how long I plan to stay, but if I am here, count me as your guest."

Jeanine fidgeted. She hadn't danced, truly danced, since she was a child, since her mother had enlisted her in dancing lessons before leaving Lincastle for the middle of nowhere. Like all girls of decent birth, she'd been instructed in dancing along with other polite society etiquette. She caught her mind wandering—caught herself imagining a ballroom floor of dancing couples, Feowen holding her against him, twirling about. She stifled the thought almost immediately, glancing around the room, glad no one noticed her heated cheeks.

"Splendid! Just splendid." Leena beamed. "And I do hope you will come for tea again sometime. Any time, really. I would love for you to meet Rahlif and Tamnif."

Rahlif and Tamnif.

Jeanine had noticed a trend with sibling names. Like Taylynn and Feowen. They often ended in similar sounds. She wondered how the siblings felt about it. At the lest, it helped bridge family associations.

"I would love to meet your sons," Claire said, smiling.

"Oh yes, you would like Rahlif especially. He serves in the Queen's Guard. Quite an honor."

"Is that so?" Claire's smile stayed put, rather forced if one had to guess.

Jeanine withheld her own smirk. She had a feeling that every parent in Esterpine was clamoring to fix their children up with Claire. Be it as friends or something more, Claire was in high demand now that word of her lineage had spread.

"Well," said Feowen, rubbing his hands on the knees of his pants. "We won't intrude on your hospitality any longer, Orym, Leena. I promised the Persys family we would pay them a visit before the midday meal."

"Oh. I'm sure Ardith won't mind if you're late," said Lord Dorvyre, sounding reluctant. "I'm sure our sons will return at any moment."

"Be that as it may," said Feowen, standing, "I appreciate punctuality."

Everyone else took this as their cue. Claire was the quickest to stand following Feowen. She paid her thanks to their hosts, complementing their blend of tea, yet again, and then they were free, heading on to the next dwelling.

***

"Gods," Jeanine swore. She pulled off her boots and remaining clothing, following Feowen into the refreshing water of the swimming hole he'd once shown her. Despite it being winter, she could absolutely get used to the climate here, controlled by magic. "Please tell me you don't need me to do that for the rest of the week. Two families are enough, right?"

Feowen was already in the shallows, bobbing around. His blue hair fanned out around him. She waded up beside him, fighting the urge to run her fingers through it. The water only came to her belly button, so she crouched down until it came to her shoulders, letting her body rest weightlessly.

"My sister was explicit. She wants Claire to meet all of them, spend time with each of them. I think two per morning is plenty. I enjoy it about as much as you do. Claire has her secret lessons—whatever those are—in the afternoon. Taylynn expressly forbade me from interfering with those. So we must split them up day by day. Two down, six to go."

"There are eight in total, yes?"

"One noble family for each sitting on the council," he said, sending a torrent of water her way before dipping beneath the surface to swim off. He'd brought her here regularly after their first exploration. And unlike the first time, she wasn't as nervous about dropping her clothes to swim. He pretended not to look at her nudity, but like most times, he looked whenever she wasn't paying attention to him. Her face no longer burned under his scrutiny.

Part of her was frustrated. She liked him—he was beyond handsome. Otherworldly. She'd liked Jahl too, but perhaps simply as an older brother—until he'd left her for the capital.

What she felt for Feowen was deeper than that. He had a way of making her insides curl when he grabbed her hand. Sometimes she imagined his kisses while drifting off to sleep at night, not that she'd ever admit it to him, or anyone. He hadn't tried anything beyond hand holding, and plenty of Sprites did that. In fact, she'd seen both sexes engage in the act. It had surprised her at first. Growing up as a child, she'd seen young girls holding—out of friendship. She knew plenty of people like Jahl that wouldn't be caught dead holding another male's hand. And yet, she'd seen males and females alike do so here in the forest. It didn't have the same stigma it had outside this kingdom, she'd come to realize. And that made her heart heavy, because that meant Feowen wasn't doing it for any other reason than friendliness.

And yet...she'd never seen him hold another's hand. He had male friends, she'd seen him with them. But he'd never held hands with any of them—that she'd seen. He had held his sister's hand a few times, though. Ugh. Did he consider her akin to a sister, then? The thought made her stomach squirm.

"Deep thoughts?" Feowen's voice made her flinch as he popped up from the water.

"Not really. Just...trying to get all of those simpering nobles out of my head."

"Hah!" Feowen threw his head back, a bark of laughter on his lips. "Yes, imagine living with them for several millennia."

"I can only imagine." She glanced around. "I think I shall try floating again," she decided. Feowen had been teaching her how to swim. Paddling was the first thing she had attempted. She was still trying to master the technique. But floating, that came more easily.

"Excellent. Remember, keep your lungs full and your body relaxed."

She wouldn't admit to him that she had alterior motives. Namely, showing off her body. Since he seemed to enjoy gazing at her when she pretended not to notice.

She let her feet lift, leaning back and filling her lungs. To relax, she shut her eyes and let her arms span out to the sides. She felt herself breach the water and tried not to think too hard about what Feowen might be seeing, specifically, her bare breasts. Her eyes stayed tightly shut.

"Good, keep your breaths shallow." At the closeness of his voice, her breathing hitched and her hips began to sink. The flat of Feowen's hand connected with her lower back forcing a gasp from her lips. He gently pushed her hips back up.

Oh, gods! Oh gods oh gods oh gods. She dared not open her eyes now. He had never touched her during their swimming lessons, at least, not when she was exposed like this.

"Shallow breaths," he said again. "Keep your lungs full."

He didn't move his hand. Heat erupted everywhere, leaving her skin aflame. She squeezed her eyelids even tighter, knowing that if she opened them, she'd lose her nerve, tense up, and sink like a rock. In and out. In and out. She coached herself through the breathing exercise and felt her body buoy more easily.

"There, very good." His hand didn't move. "Don't look now, but you're out of the shallows."

"What?!" she yelped. Her muscles tensed up at the notion of being unable to touch the bottom, paired with an involuntary fearful jerk of her hips, sending her low in the water.

"You're all right," Feowen said, taking hold of her arms, kicking to pull her back to the shelf that made up the shallows. "You mustn't panic. Remember?"

"Right. Well, if you hadn't steered me to the deeper side, I probably wouldn't have," she muttered, embarrassed more than anything because he was still so close.

She looked at him and their eyes caught, silence stretching between them. His eyes dipped to her lips. She swallowed, afraid to move, to breathe.

"Jeanine..." Their eyes met again. His hands were still on her arms, she realized. Her heart galloped faster than horses hooves. It set her chest heaving. She pretended it was from her fright of deep water, but really, it was him. Always him.

She caught herself looking at his lips. They were slightly open, always ready to tip into a smile. His face was close. She could easily make out the pattern of freckles on his cheeks, freckles that she'd grown fond of. Oh gods, she still looking at his lips, wasn't she?

Her heart pounded. His hands tightened on her arms, just a measure, and he tilted his face slightly, bringing it closer to hers, giving her time to turn away. But she was frozen, all thought gone from her mind. He brushed his lips to hers, tentatively, gently. Sensation erupted across her skin and her breathing hitched. When she didn't pull away, he pushed his lips more firmly against hers. She closed her eyes, kissing him back, holding her breath because how could she breathe in a moment like this? Their kiss deepened. He moved his mouth over hers and she felt his tongue dart out in question. She copied his actions, moving her tongue out, against his. At the contact, she gasped.

A small noise came from the back of his throat. He released her as if he'd been stung, and backed away. A frown appeared on his face.

Her stomach flopped, eyes roving over his expression. "Did I...did I do something wrong?"

"You...no." He took his hair in his hand and pulled it over his shoulder. "I should not have done that. I...apologize."

Her eyebrows drew together. Did he not like it? She opened her mouth but could think of nothing to say. Fire flooded her cheeks.

"Shall we try floating again?" He'd turned away from her. She wanted to see his face. To know what he was thinking.

"Uhm. Feowen? Feowen." This time she sent a torrent of water to douse him, anger overtaking embarrassment.

He rounded on her. "What was that—?"

She did it again sending enough his way to give him a mouthful. He sputtered.

"That was for being an absolute dunce. You can't just kiss a girl and freeze up like that. I've never been kissed before and even I know it's rude. Gods. If I don't meet your standards, then you shouldn't have bothered in the first place." She wasn't sure what gave her the courage to speak to him like this. But...how dare he?! If only she could swim and get away from him at this moment. Instead, she began wading away from him, trying to keep her body submerged, trying not to let her growing anger show.

"Jeanine, wait." He lunged across the remaining distance then reached for her hand and pulled her back. Her foot slipped along the rocky bottom and her body came flush to his. She gasped at the contact but couldn't get away when his arms encircled her waist. But...she didn't want to get away, did she?

"You are right. That was rather...rude of me. Let me set the matter straight. My withdrawal has nothing to do with standards met or unmet. It has everything to do with my being selfish. I know how you feel about nudity." He glanced down. "I should not have kissed you when you were feeling vulnerable."

Her mouth opened and closed. Her mind turned to mush. She tried to think of something reasonable to say. His body was firm against hers and she felt his arousal pressed against her stomach. How was she supposed to hold a conversation like this? All the same, she couldn't make her arms work to push him away, either. So instead, she did something her mother would have rolled over in her grave to see. She relaxed into him, offering him a sly smile. "I don't mind being nude around you, Prince."

His eyes smoldered. "I've cured you, then? I've cured you of your embarrassment? Bless the Tree." She barked a laugh at his feigned relief. "Well then, if that's the case...may I kiss you again?"

She could do little more than nod as he brought his lips back to hers. This time, their kiss was fire and passion. Sensations flooded her body as his hands climbed up and down her back. The feel of him pressed against her. The way his leg went between hers to better hold her against him, pressing against her, making her gasp into his mouth.

She could have stayed that way forever. But it was Feowen who drew away at last, taking one of the hands she'd placed against his chest and kissing the inside of her palm. "If we stay out here much longer, we will turn to prunes and miss dinner."

Her brow furrowed. "But we've only been out here an hour."

He huffed and lifted her wrinkled fingers to study them. "Nearly two by my calculations." Had they been kissing for that long? He glanced around before looking at her again. "You would like time to dress and walk back to the city, would you not?"

"Oh." She could think of nothing better to say. When he released her, cold water came between their separated bodies and she suppressed a shiver. Wading back to the side, she found her clothes and dressed. Feowen had only managed his pants when she'd finished. But only because he'd been watching her. This time he didn't even try to hide it.

"You're human," he said, shanking his head. "I never thought..."

A frown drew her eyebrows together. "Thought what?" She went to stand before him, closer than she'd ever dared before when he was barely clothed. She could feel the warmth from his body. Before stopping herself, she lifted both hands and placed her palms to his bare chest, over the beautiful markings that swirled there. He glanced down, then away. "Thought what?" she prompted again.

He looked back at her, holding her gaze. "I never thought I'd have feelings like this for someone so..."

"So what?" An edge crept into her voice, one she couldn't keep hidden. What was he saying? She'd heard plenty of his theories on humans during their time together, so she braced herself.

"So different from myself," he said at last, putting his hands over hers, pressing them into his chest.

"Oh."

He snorted, his playful smile returning. "What did you think I was going to say? You know what? Never mind. Come along or my mother will wonder why I'm late. It wouldn't be the first time you were to blame."

"Uhm, excuse me?" she said, donning an air of innocence. "Since when have I ever been to blame for anything?"

"I've been late to the evening meal plenty, Jeanine. Mostly because of you. Perfect excuse this time, do you not think?" He took her hand in his and kissed her palm again. Then he finished getting dressed before reclaiming it to lead her back through the forest to Esterpine.

It wasn't a long walk, twenty minutes at most. All the while, she traced her swollen lips with her fingers. She hoped to the gods that his mother wouldn't see them arrive, hand in hand. Especially when she realized his lips were just as swollen as hers. 

⭐️🌟⭐️🌟⭐️

Happy Friday, Bookdragons! 

Okay, did you enjoy this one? Because I did. I live for kissing scenes. And I've been hinting at Jeanine and Feowen for a while now. I can't believe this was the first Jeanine chapter in the book, considering we're already more than half way through, and yet, there's been so much to write with other characters that I just hadn't gotten the chance to write hers.

Next week's chapter is from Bennett's POV. It's titled "Taming a Cat" and it's a bit of a long one. I tried to break it up into two, but it was too uneven with the scenes, so I left it, but it's 6000 words! Yikes. Probably one of the longest in the book. Oops. Maybe when I do edits, i'll find a way to better break it up.

It's almost the end of February! Wow. That means my bi-mothly newsletter will be going out soon. If you're already subscribed over on my website, then you'll automatically get it. If you're not, head over to my home page at authormelissamitchell.com and enter your email at the bottom of the page.

I hope you're all having a good week. Enjoy your weekend!

-Mel