Tait waited patiently as he watched the sun come up. It was dawn, and he was anxiously waiting for Seri. He was excited. Last night had been so promising. He knew now that his affection for her was returned. He was up all night, conflicted about what he should do next. He had come here to end the King but found Seri. He wanted to pursue her and to see how far he could take this. He had to make a hard choice. He decided to put his destiny in the back of his mind and focus on Seri.

He had been leaning against the building when the door opened, and Seri came out. Tait stood up tall and smiled down at her. He was so glad to see her. She smiled at him. “You are still in your amour.” She pointed out. “You do not need your amour in Vremore.”

“I have no place to leave it.”

“Did you not find a place to lay your head last night?”

He shrugged his shoulders. “I took refuge in the stables last night. It was warmer in there, but I did not sleep.”

“Could not get comfortable?”

“Could not stop thinking about you.” She grinned.

“Are you ready to see the ocean?”

“Yes.”

They walked through the village, heading for the beach. At this hour, few were awake, but the village would come to life soon, so they kept a respectable distance between them for the sake of her reputation and Tait’s safety. Tait did not know the King well, but deliberately going against his will and pursuing his daughter after he refused his blessing might end with Tait’s head on the chopping block.

The beach was about a quarter-mile out of town. There were longships pulled up on the beach to prevent the tides from pulling them back out on the water. The beach was rocky, but the water was beautiful. It stretched out endlessly in front of them, and Tait smiled. It was amazing. “It is beautiful; is it not?” Seri asked as she watched him watching the water.

Tait turned and moved closer to her. “It is very beautiful, but compared to you, it does not measure up.” Tait stood inches from Seri. His fingertips brushed over the line of her jaw.

“I am glad that you stood up.” She whispered as she gazed up at him.

“You are?” Tait asked as Seri nuzzled his palm. “I am glad that you are glad.”

“I must ask what possessed you to ask for consideration. After all, you are an outlander. It seems a little bold to make a play for the throne when you are a stranger to our kingdom.”

He chuckled. “I did not do it for the throne,” Tait said. “I did it so I could spend time with you. Ever since we first met by the river, you have been all I can think of.”

Seri blushed. “I have thought of you too.”

“I was afraid you would think me ridiculous. After all, I am not a very good candidate. I have no name, no father; I have nothing that makes me a man.”

“I do not care about things like that.” She said as they strolled over to a large piece of driftwood. Seri swept her skirt so she could sit down.

“And what do you care about?” Tait asked as he sat down on the log next to her.

“A man’s character means more to me than his lineage.” Seri shivered and pulled her cloak tighter around her. The autumn morning was cooler than either of them expected.

“Are you cold?” Tait asked.

“I am fine.” She lied.

“Take my cloak.” He offered as he reached for the brass broach that held his fur cloak in place.

“No, then you will catch a chill.” She refused, stopping him.

Tait thought for a moment. “If you do not think it too bold of me, perhaps, we could share it.”

Seri smiled. “I would not mind.”

Tait slid closer and wrapped his arm and cloak around Seri’s shoulders, pulling her in tight to his powerful body. He wrapped himself around her and Seri settled into his embrace. He had never held any other woman. He recalled those many summer days when he and Seri were young. When they would lay in the grass by the river together, she would lay with her head on his belly as they watched the clouds above them roll across the sky.

“Look at that water,” Tait said as he rested his chin on the top of Seri’s head, admiring the sea. The tide was in, and the water was mere feet away from them. “I have never seen anything like it. It is endless.”

“Perhaps in the spring, my father will let you sail with him.”

“I would not have the first idea how.”

“Perhaps, I shall teach you.” Cain’s voice startled them. Seri and Tait shot to their feet and turned to see Cain standing but a few feet behind them. He had snuck up on them.

“Father…” Seri began in an attempt to explain.

“Run along.” He ordered his tone commanding. Seri looked at Tait, who gave her an understanding nod. Seri obeyed her father, and she sprinted up the beach heading back to the village.

“Please, Your Majesty; this is not what it seems. Seri and I are friends.”

“Friends.” The King repeated. “Yes, I have heard all about your friendship. You fancy her as more than a friend.” Tait did not know how to reply. “You must, why else would you make a bid for her hand? Why else would I find you out here with your arms around her?”

“She was cold, I was trying to…”

“I know what you were trying to do.” Cain cut him off. “You are not the first young man to try that ploy on a lass he fancies. I have done so myself. Correct me if I am wrong but did not definitively refuse to give you my blessing?”

Tait was quiet for a long time. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Yet I find you here with her anyway. Openly defying me.” Tait knew he was about to be punished. “As I see it, I have only two options. Have you executed for disobeying my command,” Tait hung his head, he expected as much, “or I revoke my previous objection and give you my blessing to court Seri.”

Tait looked up, surprised by option two. “You would give me your blessing?”

“I will on one condition.”

“Anything.” He would do anything to be with Seri.

“You let me help you build your name.”

Tait was speechless. “You would do that?”

Cain nodded his head and placed his hand on Tait’s shoulder. “You will come to the palace this afternoon, and you will spar with me. We will see what you are made of.”

“I do not know what to say.” Tait stammered. This man, the man he had been raised his whole life to hate, was showing him, a total stranger, kindness. Cain was not the man Tait was led to believe he was. Or if he was, he did a marvellous job concealing it.

Cain chuckled. “It is customary in moments like this to say yes, Your Majesty.”

Tait smiled. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I will see you when the sun is high.” Cain then turned and walked away, leaving Tait alone with his thoughts.

***

Seri walked through the village with Alof, one of the men bidding for her attention. He had spent all morning telling her tales about his time at sea this past summer, but she was barely paying attention. She tried to give him the attention he deserved to appease her mother. She had promised to spend a little time each day with each of her suitors in an attempt to get to know the men who, one day may be her husband. While Alof was nice enough, all Seri could think of was Tait and how she would rather be with him.

As their walk came to an end outside the doors of the great hall, Seri said goodbye. Alof made a move to hug her, but Seri stepped back out of his reach, telling him such familiarities at this point in their involvement was improper. He apologized for his forwardness, and she went inside, leaving him.

As Seri went inside, she found the tables had been moved to the sides of the room, freeing up space. She watched as her father spoke to Tait, both men dressed in their armour with their swords drawn. What on earth was going on here?

***

Tait stood in the middle of the great hall with his sword in his hand. He watched as Cain paced back and forth a few feet away like some wild animal ready to pounce. The King had donned his armour for their sparing session. His armour was magnificent, and his helmet hid most of his face, but Tait could still see Cain’s eyes. He had the same eyes as his daughter.

“Are you ready?” Cain asked.

“As ready as I am going to be.” He said, lifting his sword and taking his fighting stance.

“Very well then, let us measure your skill, my boy.” Cain then came at Tait. For a man his age, he was swift on his feet. He swung his sword, and it was all Tait could do to deflect the blow. Their swords clashed, and Cain slammed his shoulder into Tait and knocked him flat on his back. Tait lay on the stone floor. He looked up at Cain, who stood over him the point of his sword at Tait’s throat. “I do not know who taught you to fight, but you would not survive ten minutes on the battlefield.”

Tait glared at the King. He was furious that he allowed the man to knock him down so easily. Tait pulled himself to his feet and squared off against Cain once more. Tait lunged at him, and Cain deflected then knocked him to the floor again with such ease it further angered Tait.

Tait looked up at Cain, who offered him his hand. Tait took it, and Cain helped Tait to his feet. “If you wish to fight properly, I will teach you,” Cain promised. “Are you willing?” Tait nodded. It was clear to him now that had he attempted to kill Cain last night. It would have been his body in the fire this morning. Cain was far more apt with a sword than he was. Tait had believed his mother had taught him well, but he knew now that she had failed him. If Cain was willing to teach, then Tait was willing to learn. “Then let us begin.”

They started with something simple like form. Cain showed Tait the proper stance and then how his body should move to perform the best lunges or slashing. They had only been training a few minutes when they noticed Seri was in the room. Her father scolded her for lurking in the shadows. He told her she was a distraction and told her to leave.

Seri quickly left the room, and they resumed his training only as Tait went about his lesson, he spotted Seri peeking around the corner to watch. Tait chuckled to himself. That was his Seri, disobedient to the end.

Tait worked with Cain all afternoon until a servant woman came in to tell the King the evening meal would be served in an hour. Cian then ended their lesson, telling Tait it was time for him to wash up before he joined his family for dinner. “Where are you staying?” Cain asked as he sheathed his sword.

“Nowhere.”

Cain made a thoughtful sound. “You should join us for dinner.” He told Tait. “After a workout like that, a man needs food.”

Tait was anxious to accept any offer that allowed him to spend time with Seri. “I would like that.”

Cain turned to the servant girl. “Take our guest to a room where he can wash up. Leave your armour in the room.” Cain instructed. “My mother does not like anyone armed at her table.”

Tait bowed his head. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I will see you shortly,” Cain said as he left the room. Tait then followed the servant to a small room down the servants’ quarters. It was just a small bed that he was not certain he would fit on and a narrow table with a bowl of water and rag to wash with.

Tait awkwardly removed his armour piece by piece stacking it in the corner of the room. He then pulled his tunic off over his head and tossed it on the bed. Taking up the rag on the table, he dipped it into the cool water and began to wash, dragging the rage over his arms and chest, trying to wash away the sweat from his lesson. He ran his rag over the back of his neck, enjoying the feel of the cool water on his skin.

There was a knock at his door, which Tait found odd given no one knew he was here. Tait tossed the rag into the clay washbasin and walked over to the door. Opening it, he was surprised to find Seri on the other side. She gasped, shocked to see him naked from the waist up. Her eyes took on a heat that made his body stiffen.

“May I enter?” She asked softly. He nodded, stepping aside to allow her to come inside. He looked both ways down the hall to be sure no one had seen her come to his room before he shut the door. Tait turned around and looked at Seri as she stood in the center of the limited space. “Father says you will be joining us for dinner.” He nodded again. She smiled. “He likes you. You realize that, do you not?”

“He is a good man.” Tait never believed he would say those words, but from his limited time with Cain, the man was nothing like what his mother described him as.

“He is teaching you to fight?”

“He is.”

Seri looked at the water. “I caught you bathing?”

“I worked up a sweat.” It was not that he was not happy to see her, but a question stuck in his mind. “Did you come for a reason?”

Seri moved closer. “To steal some time with you.” Her confession made him smile. “I apologize that our outing this morning was cut short.”

“It is fine.”

They stood close, staring at one another. Seri moved closer until her body was almost touching his. Tait could feel the warmth of her body radiating from her. Seri’s closeness gave him goosebumps. She lay her hand to his chest and turned her face upward to him. “Would you think me wicked if I asked for a kiss?”

His mouth curved in a grin. “No.” He breathed.

“Then kiss me.”

Who was he to deny the princess? Tait lowered his head, and his lips found Seri’s. It was a soft brushing of their lips, and when her lips parted, his kiss became bolder.