Chapter 5: Entangled Desires

"You seem jumpy still. Do I make you uncomfortable?" Henri's concerned voice broke through the silence, his genuine care evident.

"No, I-I'm fine," she responded with a shaky voice, attempting to quell the nervousness that coursed through her veins.

"Relax, Kara," Henri urged gently, his voice soothing and calming.

Curiosity and confusion tugged at her, and Kara couldn't help but inquire, "Why do you say my name like that, with such familiarity?"

Henri left his seat, gracefully crossing the distance to join Kara on the settee. As he approached, Kara couldn't help but notice his build, a subtle strength emanating from him. "Because I feel as if I know you. Maybe it's because I was once in your situation," he shared, his voice soft.

"I highly doubt that. You are not the first male child in Eithra to be conceived in 70 years," Kara replied, her doubt and disbelief coloring her words.

Henri laughed earnestly, the sound filling the room with warmth. "No, not that," he clarified, shaking his head. "I was meant to marry a princess for the sake of my kingdom."

A mixture of surprise and curiosity flickered in Kara's eyes. "You're married?" Her subconscious reaction caused her to edge away slightly, a reflexive response to being alone with a man, particularly a married one.

Noticing her retreat, Henri stood up, leaning against his desk. "No, she died before we could go through with it," he replied, a touch of melancholy in his voice.

Kara felt the weight of his loss and empathetically offered, "I'm sorry. Did you love her?"

"I barely knew her. We met once—on the day we were betrothed. A few days before our wedding, I received a message that she had passed. I've been in the palace ever since, waiting for my cousin to appoint me a new bride," Henri revealed, his words laden with a mix of resignation and longing.

"Appoint?" Kara questioned, her confusion evident.

"Yes," Henri confirmed, his tone tinged with resignation. "But what about love? Don't you want to marry someone you love?" she pressed further, her voice tinged with hope.

"We royals don't have the luxury of that," Henri sighed, settling back down beside her on the settee, his presence comforting and reassuring.

"I'm not a royal," Kara asserted, a touch of defiance in her voice.

Henri regarded her intently, a genuine understanding shining in his eyes. "You might not be, but you're also quite special. I can't imagine how burdensome it must be for you," he acknowledged, his voice laced with empathy.

"I'm not that special. I'm also a risk to your kingdom. If I do get married to your cousin, what if I bear only sons? What if the curse on Javeni transfers to your people?" Kara's voice held a note of worry, her concerns spilling forth.

Henri's response was contemplative. "I think that's the reason he's so eager to marry you," he revealed. "A King needs as many sons as he can get."

Kara's gaze drifted away from Henri, her cheeks flushing at the implications of sharing a bed with the King and bearing his children. “I’d prefer not to be treated as a breeding mare.”

Henri leaned back on the settee, a thoughtful expression on his face as he considered Kara's concerns. After a moment, a mischievous twinkle sparked in his eyes, and a playful grin curved his lips.

"You know," he began, his voice laced with a hint of humor, "being a breeding mare isn’t such a dreadful thing. I once met a mysterious creature that had a line of heirs as diverse as a menagerie of animals. I was once told that She even has an offspring who's part dragon, part unicorn, and part phoenix. It must be quite the spectacle. I have plans to find it someday."

Kara's eyebrows shot up in surprise, a mixture of confusion and amusement dancing across her face. She couldn't help but chuckle at his whimsical suggestion.

"Oh, really? And how would you go about finding such a creature? I'm afraid I haven't come across any dragon-unicorn-phoenix hybrids in my village," she replied, a playful glint in her eyes.

Henri joined in her laughter, the warm sound filling the room. "Ah, you see, that's where the royal decree comes into play. I'll send out a search party to scour the kingdom for any elusive mythical creatures. Who knows? We might stumble upon a dragon-unicorn nest hidden in the mountains," he jested, his voice carrying a lightness that lifted the weight of their conversation.

Kara couldn't help but smile, feeling a sense of ease and camaraderie building between them. "Well, in that case, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to have a few legendary creatures as mounts," she quipped, her tone matching his playful banter.

Henri leaned closer, a conspiratorial gleam in his eyes. "Exactly! Just think of the adventures we could have, exploring ancient ruins and negotiating treaties with mythical beings. It would make for quite the captivating tale," he added, his voice brimming with enthusiasm.

As their laughter subsided, a comfortable silence settled between them. Kara found herself gazing at Henri, seeing beyond the formalities and obligations, and connecting on a more personal level.

"You know, Henri," Kara began. "Despite the challenges and uncertainties, I'm grateful for this unexpected encounter. It's a reminder that amidst the expectations and traditions, there's room for genuine connection and laughter."

Henri nodded, a gentle warmth in his eyes. "I couldn't agree more, Kara. Sometimes, it's the moments of lightheartedness and shared laughter that bring us closer, allowing us to see beyond the roles we're expected to play."

As they sat there, side by side, the weight of their respective responsibilities seemed a little lighter, replaced by a newfound sense of companionship and the knowledge that, together, they could navigate the challenges that lay ahead.

Suddenly feeling open and vulnerable, Kara murmured, "My people are so old. I would be the only one left soon enough."

Henri turned to face her fully, his eyes filled with understanding. "So that's what's really bothering you. Aren't marriages to the stronger men in your village part of the agreement?" he inquired, a gentle curiosity lacing his words.

"Yes," Kara confirmed softly, her voice tinged with resignation. "Their offspring's would be my people too."

Henri reached out, his touch comforting as he took her hand and gently cupped her cheek with his other hand. "I understand. You need your people, especially in a foreign land. Just remember, I'm always here. I may not be your betrothed, but I will make sure you're never alone," he reassured her, his words filled with a sincerity that resonated deeply.

Kara's gaze met his, and she was taken aback by the profound earnestness shining within his eyes. For a brief moment, their connection deepened, their unspoken desires intermingling. And in that fleeting instant, she gasped softly, her lips parting slightly.

Seizing the opportunity, Henri leaned in, his lips gently meeting hers in a tender embrace, a spark of undeniable chemistry igniting between them.

His lips were soft against hers and moved expertly too. It was obvious this wasn’t his first kiss, but it was hers. Instinctively Kara leaned in further, pulling him closer.

The kiss lasted for a mere second, before he pulled away.

The thought of doing something Eerik would thoroughly disapprove of excited her so much that she moaned in protest, pulling Henri even closer.

Her heart raced as their lips met again, the taste of forbidden desire lingering on her tongue. In that stolen moment, the world around them faded away, leaving only the warmth of their connection. Thoughts of Eerik lingered, but Kara fought to focus on the feel of Henri's arms as he encircled her, bringing her closer as their bodies molded together in a dance of longing.

Their kiss deepened, a whirlwind of emotions and sensations swirling between them. Kara felt the strength and tenderness in Henri's touch, the way his fingers brushed against her cheek, tracing the line of her jaw with delicate precision. Each gentle caress ignited a fire within her, erasing any doubts or inhibitions that had held her back.

Their lips danced in perfect harmony, their breaths becoming one as they explored the depths of their shared passion. It was a forbidden love, a secret bond that blossomed in the midst of chaos and duty. In that moment, Kara couldn't deny the magnetic pull between them, the undeniable chemistry that surpassed any societal expectations or predetermined alliances.

As the kiss finally broke, Kara's eyes fluttered open, and she gazed into Henri's mesmerizing emerald orbs, now filled with both desire and conflict. He caressed her cheek softly, his touch intensifying the excitement swirling within her. The weight of their actions hung in the air, the reality of their circumstances crashing down upon them.

His breath felt warm against her heated cheeks as he spoke. "I'm sorry," Henri whispered, his voice laced with regret. "I shouldn't have done that."

"Why not?" Kara asked, her voice tinged with desperation.

"Because you’re betrothed to my cousin. It’s not right Kara," he said while trying to move away from her.

She held his face close to hers, unwilling to let go of the connection they had forged. "He doesn't care for me, and I don't care for him either.”

Henri's eyes searched hers, a mixture of longing and restraint evident in his gaze. "And you care for me?" he questioned, his voice filled with uncertainty. “I’m but a life raft you’re trying to hold on to, lest the sea claims you," he stated.

Kara shook her head, her hand gently placing his on her chest. "No, Henri. You're not lost at sea. We're both travelers on this tumultuous journey, seeking solace in each other's presence."

A soft chuckle escaped Henri's lips, his resistance weakening as he leaned in closer. "A drowning man does love company," he admitted, surrendering to the irresistible pull between them.

Kara smiled brightly, bringing her lips up to meet his. He held her close, and for the first time in months, she didn’t feel so alone.