221 Perfect for a Queen

AUTHOR'S POV

"Nether isn't mine. It's for the people.", Helena said. It can't be, she thought. She have never been trained for that kind of purpose. And she never sees herself in such high ranking monarch.

"Which makes you perfect for a queen", Stellan told her with discernment.

"Stellan", Helena called sternly with momentous eyes.

"Helena", Stellan uttered, staring fixedly at her. "I'm not forcing you on anything. I'm just showing you your options and letting you know a certain fact that you can't change. You're thinking lowly of yourself when you are the daughter of the King. And you're constantly thinking that you're alone in this fight, when you have me.".

"I know.. but I can't seem to involve you in this", Helena surely can't deny how Stellan feels about her. He has been clear in his words and deeds on how valuable she is to him. However, she can't obliterate the fact that Galen is menacing to do anything he wants to get her. And for that, she can't risk Stellan's life, including the others who are important to her. "Also, Galen is the King now, it's not like I can replace him anytime. The people here doesn't even know I exist". Molded for wars, sculpted for politics and showered with gold, Galen deserves to be in his position in every way.

The point of the fight against Galen is to retrieve their freedom, and stop his madness, as what Stellan believes. If he gets his hands on Helena, Galen will surely become more ravenous than he'll ever be. None of their plans and sacrifices will matter if no one better would take his place in the palace. Knowing Helena the rightful heir as she carry the royal blood in her veins, she deserves that throne more than anyone Stellan cupped her her jaw, as he caress her cheek with his thumb. "Do you trust me? Or should I ask.. do you… even love me?", Stellan felt numb asking those questions.

Helena was surprised at Stellan's words. Undeniably, he means everything to her. And truly, it is a slap on her face to be asked with such nonsensical question. "Of course! More than anything in this world", she grabbed Stellan's hand and squeezed them tightly. He curved his lips hearing how fast she answered. "I am just terrified, Stellan", Helena whispered, afraid of what Galen will do.

"You don't have to be. I want to have a future where I can see you at our little house by the river… playing with the hummingbirds in our greenhouse surrounded by your beautiful peonies.", Stellan held her close, putting her arms over his shoulders and leaning his forehead on hers. "Let me handle it all, Helena. Give me your burden and most difficult fights that you can't handle. Surrender me your fears, tell me your dreams and everything that you blindly hope for. I beg you to trust me, even just a little. Is that too difficult to do?". Helena was stunned to utter a word.

"But, you should know, that whether you choose a simpler life or the position of the queen, you'll always have me…", Stellan said. Helena snugged in his arm as she look at the fire. Could she put Stellan in a very dangerous position just to get her freedom, she wondered.

With her eyes getting heavy, Helena found her serenity in Stellan's arms until she fell asleep. Wrapped in a thin sheet of black silk, Stellan lifted her up and brought her back to his bed. As he lay her down, he tucked her under a black duvet keeping her warm in the apparently cold night.

Helena frowned in her sleep. As soon as she delved into her dreams, nightmares started to conquer her head like clouds bringing the heaviest rains. Stellan sat beside her, and gently caressed her forehead with his fingers. He stayed until no more lines of bad dreams marked her pretty face.

Stellan went to the privy and picked Helena clothes. He checked the pockets for something important, before tossing them in the basket of soiled garments for laundry. Then he remembered Helena's crest that he kept in his trousers. Rummaging thru his clothes, he found Helena's crest and held it close to his heart.

Stellan came out of his budoir in a fresh ivory silk tunic and tan linen pants. Bringing with him the rosy satin dress prepared for Helena, he eagerly returned to her side in slow, relaxed steps. On his way back, he sensed some presence of magic that made him hurriedly run to Helena.

As he come closer, he heard a soft whirring sound right by Helena's bedside. Dropping the dress, he saw a dark purplish whirlpool body whirling in a circular motion leading to an abyss of unknown. Alarmed, he shifted his eyes to the bed and sighed a great relief when he saw Helena still dozed off. "Nightmares", a voice from the balcony along with the sound of flapping wings broke the silence in the room. "They always come. This one came too early in her sleep". She shook off the feathers and turn to her small-framed body wearing an ebony chemise, and dark velvet trousers over a hooded cloak.

"Freya", Stellan whispered, watching how Helena frown in her sleep. "Does they come too often?", he asked as he sat beside Helena and held her hand until her face became peaceful again.

"They never go away", Freya answered as she stay by the balcony. "You know, she never liked the idea of being the queen. I told her that many times", Freya uttered.

"Thanks for looking out for her, Freya. It's my turn now", Stellan said as he turn around and faced the unassured Wiccan. "Is this the portal?". He thought it was practically useful for their situation.

"Yes. It's a very tricky spell. It took me time to have it opened here", She answered frustratingly. "Sir Stellan, They know were here.. I have to snatch Helena back", Freya knew there's only one thing to keep them protected from Celeste's dark magic. That is to return in Caluso. She knew that as soon as they arrived in Hesam, Celeste surely have sensed their presence. And now, it's only a matter of time before Galen appears before them.

Stellan clenched his fist being thought as inferior to anyone else. He can protect her too, he knew positively. "I need you to do something for me", Stellan said, with cold wary eyes.