When Aveline woke up, Theo was already gone.
There was barely any evidence of his presence apart from the faint masculine musk that was distinctively his on the pillow.
Was it a dream?
We held each other all night.
But the curtains were open.
A fresh bouquet of vibrant marigolds was in the vase.
The fact that Aveline was in a nightgown when she fell asleep naked.
Theo.
Aveline sighed as she rolled over.
The exhaustion of the last couple of days were not fully gone, but at least she didn’t have to deal with a hangover too.
She buried her face in the pillow.
Smells like Theo…
Memories of last night came back to her.
Never mind that she’d become an actual queen, but it was what happened after the banquet made her heart raced the most.
The feeling of Theo’s strong hands as they gripped her skin.
His hair falling over her neck as he dotted kisses there.
The powerful thrust that made their bed slam against the wall so loud that people would surely know what they were doing.
No – don’t think about that!
Aveline rolled away from the pillow to the other side.
It’s too early!
Too early to be like this!
She took a couple of deep breaths and closed her eyes.
Calm yourself…
Think about something else.
Think about…
But the sound of Theo’s breathless pants and erotic moans made her eyes snap open.
Not that!
Taking the other pillow, Aveline pressed it to her face as she screamed into it.
“Argh!” The pillow muffled the sound as her whole body shook.
What’s wrong with me?
Throwing the pillow to the side, Aveline sprang up to see –
“Theo!”
The pair froze like they were caught doing something wrong.
Her hands clutched the pillow close to her chest before throwing it aside.
That was his pillow.
Aveline blinked as she tried to think of something sensible to say.
Say something.
Anything.
But seeing him with his hair loose and in a simple tunic outfit was distracting to say the least.
Her eyes trailed down and noticed that he was carrying a tray of food.
“I figured that you’d be hungry.” The man blushed as he lead the way.
Aveline followed him outside.
It was another sunny day with clear azure skies with a matching ocean.
“What time is it?” Aveline took a deep breath of the sea air.
“Just before noon.” Theo replied as he sat the tray down.
The spread as much simpler than the ones provided by her retinue.
There was cured meats, boiled eggs, bread with accompanying spreads and fruit on the side.
Decorating the tray was a small vase with baby’s breath and roses.
Theo didn’t meet her eyes as he set the table.
Don’t tell me…
Aveline looked around.
Then down the balcony.
It was unusually quiet.
Even if the household staff were doing work, she would still see some people on the beach or boats in the water.
She looked at Theo.
The man shrugged with a smile.
“People in Paxmouth know how to party.”
So, everyone is hungover.
“So, you’ll have to excuse me if the breakfast isn’t up to standards.” Theo patted the chair next to him.
“I don’t think it’s wise to wake the kitchen for something that I could do myself.”
He grabbed a piece of bread to butter it up before setting it on the plate.
Then poured a cup of the mint-infused water.
Aveline couldn’t help the smile on her face.
Not only can he protect me, but cook too!
Who did I marry?
What type of king is he?
Swallowing the smile when Theo looked at her again, Aveline rounded the table and pulled the chair away to sit on his lap.
“Wha – Aveline?” His grey eyes widened in surprise at the action.
Regardless, his hands still found her back to stabilise her.
“This seat seems more comfortable.” She threw an arm around her husband’s shoulder (the good one) before popping a grape into her mouth.
Theo opened his mouth to say something, but it drew into a smile as he shook his head.
“Whatever My Queen wants.” His grip tightened around her waist while the other rested on her knees to stop them from rolling off.
“Yes, I am your queen.” An idea came to Aveline.
“My first order is…”
Theo raised a brow.
His eyes were intense but the twitch of his lips gave away his amusement.
“I want you to feed me!” She opened her mouth like a baby bird.
The man’s mouth fell open.
They both had the same expression but with different expectations.
Then Theo began to laugh.
Despite how deep his voice was, it was a lilt, airy sound that was full of joy.
He sounds so happy.
He scrunched his nose, the scar across his nose shifted with it, as he turned away to compose himself.
I like seeing you like this.
“Are you going to keep your queen waiting?” Aveline lightly cleared her throat as her voice took a fake stern tone.
The man glanced at her one more time before shaking her head.
“Apologies, Your Majesty.”
Then he picked up the bread, laid some slices of meat on it before feeding the woman.
Aveline gladly accepted it.
Oh, I’m hungrier than I thought! This chapter was taken from g.com without permission.
Before she knew it, the meat were gone.
“Things are milder here.” She noted as she chewed on some bread.
“Farren adds too much spices. Even in the taverns.”
Theo’s hands stopped as he peeled the egg to look at her.
“You went to taverns?”
“Where else would you discuss things?”
Theo was silent as he fed her the whole egg.
It forced Aveline to stretch her mouth to accept it all.
“Not at taverns.” He narrowed his eyes as he began peeling the other one.
What’s his problem?
Aveline quickly finished the boiled egg before downing it with some water.
“Would you rather the brothel?”
This time, Theo’s whole body tensed as he looked at her.
Aveline blinked.
His eyes searched hers for something before he gave up and carried on with his task.
You’re so fun to tease.
“I was only there to treat someone.” Aveline chuckled as she took the chance to lightly peck the man’s cheek to pacify his pouting.
“I figured.”
“Well, more than once. I regularly went to check on workers.” A sombre cloud swept over her eyes at the memory.
If only I could do more…
There was no point telling father or Cedric.
They were probably regulars.
“You haven’t changed.”
“Hm?” Aveline blinked at her husband.
What did he say?
She opened her mouth to ask but an egg was shoved there instead.
Regardless, she still narrowed her eyes as she watched the man innocently peel the third egg.
Don’t think I’ve let you off so easily!
Aveline obediently ate the rest of her breakfast.
Theo fed her some bread with strawberry jam.
The ones in Paxmouth are much sweeter and Aveline found that they were more to her taste.
When it came to the golden apples, Theo pulled a dagger from his boot, much to Aveline’s amusement, and cut it into bite-sized pieces for her.
“I hope that blade was clean.” She nodded to the weapon.
“This?” Theo turned it in his hands.
“I used it to slaughter some chickens earlier.” The nonchalant tone made Aveline roll her eyes she slapped his chest in jest.
“If I fall ill, then you’ll have to look after me.”
Theo seemed unfazed as he shrugged.
“Fine by me.”
Why are you always putting me first?
Aveline ate another slice that was offered to her.
But instead of eating it all, she held the other end towards her husband.
Theo blinked.
He glanced at the fruit.
Don’t leave me hanging!
Slowly, he leaned in and took the other part in his mouth.
Their eyes met and remained connected even as Theo came in close, until their lips were touching, before biting the fruit and pulled away.
Hot.
Argh – why did I do that?
Now I can’t meet his eyes!
Aveline internally scolded herself as she accepted another piece.
“Are you not eating?”
“I already ate at the barracks.”
Checking on the army even after a celebration?
“Why were you there?” Her brows furrowed.
“It’s part of my daily duty when I’m back.”
Back?
“Do you travel often?”
Something awkward flickered in Theo’s gaze before he replied.
“Only when Farren was invading or ambushing us.”
Ah.
“I see…”
It was easy to forget the reason why Aveline was in Paxmouth.
It was so easy to lose herself in Theo when it’s just the two of them.
It was like there was no one else in the world but her and him.
“But we get invaded or called to battle a lot.” Theo shrugged like it was a common occurrence.
“Why? What could they possibly want?”
At her question, the man shook his head.
“No politics talk today!” Theo shoved some grapes into her mouth.
“Save that for the council! We’re resting today.”
“Resting?” Aveline wanted to laugh.
This man knows how to rest?
The one who got up early to check the barracks, order custom matching garments for us, and pushed himself to practice his arts?
What could he possible do for rest?
❀
Theo’s idea of rest was…
interesting.
“Stay close.” He called from his horse as he lead her down the rocky path.
The horse was a mighty creature with a chestnut coat; totally different from the one he rode to Farren.
Aveline had her own horse; coincidently it was that random one that she took from the stable to the castle.
It had a cream coat with a mane that matched the colour of Theo’s blonde locks.
“Where’s Tiny?” She asked as she followed him.
“He’s for special occasions and battle.” Theo lightly patted the horse’s mane.
“Butter here is his wife. She’s for down time.”
Why are names in Paxmouth so eccentric?
At first, Aveline thought it was just quirk of Theo’s to call a huge stallion ‘Tiny’ as a joke, but after finding out that Fourth was an only child and had no connection to the number, she was left even more confused.
He took one glance at it.
“Honey.”
That’s not as bad.
“Honey the stallion.”
I hope this horse doesn’t get bullied by others.
In the middle of her feeling sorry for the creature, Aveline didn’t realise they came to a stop.
They were at the edge of the sand dunes.
The tide was out so there were some seabirds pecking for their lunch along the beach.
It also revealed a large rock full of shells and sea creatures that Aveline couldn’t wait to explore.
Off in the distance, she could see the an opening of a cave with waves crashing against it.
“If Butter is for your rest days, then she must not be that fast.” An idea formed in her head.
Theo glanced down at the mare.
“She’s fast enough.”
Aveline looked at Honey.
He was taller than the mare and broader.
Slowly, her lips stretched into a smile.
“Theo?”
“Hm?”
“Try to keep up.” With that Aveline commanded Honey towards the cave.
The wind felt refreshing on her scalp as her hair billowed freely.
She crouched lower towards the saddle to gain more speed when the gallops of Butter grew closer.
“Aveline!” Theo cried after her.
There some unexpected rocks and greenery dotted in the sand, but Aveline navigated around those with ease.
Seems like those years of training wasn’t a waste!
Normally she wouldn’t ride this fast, but the idea of Theo, the warrior king, trying to catch up with her exhilarating.
She glanced back and could see Theo a few paces behind.
His gaze was just as intense as his hair flew back from the wind.
“Are you trying your best?” She yelled back.
“Don’t test me!” Theo replied as he squeezed his legs around Butter to get her to go faster.
Let’s see if you can keep up here!
Suddenly, Aveline pulled the reins and directed Honey towards the water.
“Careful!” Theo gasped as he followed her.
Water splashed her boots and dress, but Aveline didn’t care.
The last time she did this, her father scolded her for acting ‘unladylike’ – that was even before Astra came along.
Everything was about preserving an image.
But in Paxmouth, with Theo, Aveline didn’t have an image to save.
Gently, she slowed Honey down to a stop.
The water was deeper than she thought when she dismounted.
It came up just above her ankle.
“Don’t dismount without me!” Theo cried as he also stopped beside her.
“You could have hurt yourself!”
Aveline raised a brow.
You’re the one still in recovery.
“I can’t believe you did that!” Theo sighed as his hands caressed her shoulders, going down to her arms and checking if she was alright.
How sweet.
“Aw, are you upset that you lost?” She raised a brow as Theo nuzzled into her hands.
The soft expression on his face disappeared at the question.
“I let you win.” The man shrugged.
“Not bad for an amateur.”
It was Aveline’s turn to gasp because –
How dare he?
She pulled away.
Theo glanced between her hands and face; trying to decipher was was going on.
Leaning down, Aveline cupped some water into her hands before throwing at her husband.
“Aveline!” Theo’s mouth opened in shock when she landed one on his arm.
“You don’t know what you’re asking for!” He came closer, and received another splash to the leg.
“Is someone sulking because he lost?” Aveline laughed as she tried to dodge an attack from the man.
It didn’t hit her.
The second one did; on her back.
Then she threw another attack.
Theo caught on and swiftly leaped out of the way.
Just when Aveline thought he was going to give up, Theo’s arms suddenly pulled her in close.
Their gaze met as both planned the next part of the attack.
It was much harder for Aveline because even as Theo started to lift her, she couldn’t do anything.
She quicky realised her mistake.
“Theo!”
Ever so slowly, he started making his way deeper into the water.
“Don’t you dare!”
The water rose to her knees.
The hips.
Her waist.
Aveline was screaming.
Theo had that smug smirk on his face because the water was only at his thighs.
“No! Let me go! I swear I will push you in!” Even though her words were threatening, there was still a smile on her face.
Theo smiled back as he stared.
He finally stopped when the water was by her stomach.
“What?”
Something shifted in the air as they stared at each other.
It was comfortable.
Pleasant, even.
Aveline liked it.
“You look happy.” Theo’s hands held her tighter.
Aveline blinked.
She didn’t know what you say.
Not because Theo was wrong; she hadn’t felt like this in a while.
So carefree.
Wild.
Joyful.
I am happy.