Heartstrings and Havoc

FREYA

“My father will have your head for this!” I screamed, clutching onto Maya's neck for dear life as the demon horse galloped around the field. The wind whipped through my hair, and the ground blurred beneath us.

I doubted Adrien could hear with how far away he was, and how he was doubled over in laughter.

It was my fault. Why did I think it was a good idea to get on a demon horse just because he dared me to? I regretted my harsh decision.

The horse had no mercy for its inexperienced rider, and she galloped like we had chasers behind us. The saddle felt too hard and my bum relentlessly banged the hard seat. Sitting would be a nightmare after this.

A sharp whistle from across the field had Maya turning, and galloping back. The reins danced in the air, forgotten, her long neck offering better stability.

Moments later, she was coming to a halt beside Adrien. Who was still struggling with laughter.

My hair was ruined; the breeze had tousled it up in an unflattering style, I was sure. I panted in the saddle, grateful that we were now still.

When I had regained my breathing, my hot eyes went to the source of my turmoil.

“Get me off this beast now,” I growled, ready to attack him. Which I would do when my feet touched solid ground.

For now, the stirrups were too high off the floor and I would introduce my derriere to the tough ground if I attempted to dismount myself.

The idea wasn't in the least bit pleasant.

The object of my ire didn't seem affected by my rising temper, and it seemed rather like he was holding back more laughter.

“Shush,” he cautioned, “you'll spook my horse.”

I saw red.

“Come on.” Then he lifted me off the animal. I remained as motionless as I could until my feet touched solid ground.

“How dare you,” Without a second to waste, I lunged at him, ready to tear him apart. But instead of the attack I had imagined, I was easily twisted around, my arms trapped across my body and my back firmly pressed to his chest.

I was effectively silenced.

“You were saying?” His voice whispered in my ear, sending an overload of sensations around my nerve endings.

“Let me go, Adrien.” I managed, albeit my voice was a little unsteady.

“I am in my 989th year of age, you will speak to me with respect.”

I rolled my eyes at his words, the effects of his body touching mine almost forgotten.

“I am in my 19th year, you watch your tone.”

“You are speaking to a King.”

“And I am a princess.”

He let me go then. A charming smile sat on his ruggedly handsome face and my heart missed a beat, forgetting its right way.

“I am growing quite fond of you, Snow.”

His visits had continued, and as we spent time together, I learned all I could about him. Slowly, but steadily I was falling in love with this demon.

Alongside my new feelings came fear, was I the only one in this? Did he even like me back? I longed to ask him these questions. But I refrained, unwilling to harm this new thing I had found with him. My thoughts didn't prevent me from spending time with him though.

“I shall like to see the seas and rivers someday, I have only ever heard tales about it,” I said to Adrien, my voice filled with longing. After a moment of deliberation, I moved my piece, my knight capturing of of his pawns.

It was fruitless, he was on to another win.

He lifted his gaze from the board, his eyes softening. “Perhaps you'll like to see them now?”

We were playing a game of chess and I was in my tenth loss in a row. He was quite good at it I'd realized.

The walls of the sunroom was usually a sight I enjoyed, now seemed more like a prison, closing in on us. Father had insisted I spend my time with Adrien indoors, as going with a chaperone when we rode was almost impossible.

Dalia sat dutifully at the open sunroom door, her gaze solemnly on the pattern she was stitching. It was a rouse, I knew all of her attention was fixated on us.

“There are no rivers for miles, My King,” I replied, a hint of disappointment in my voice. My eyes studied the board like I could reverse the damage I had been playing.

Adrien snickered at the formal term, hiding it behind a cough.

“No, there aren't,”

“How, then, will I see one at this exact instance?” I asked, cutting my eyes to his.

Adrien scooted closer to me, closer than was morally acceptable.

His voice dropped to a teasing whisper. “I will take you to one.” He sent a glance to Dalia who was almost falling out of her chair as she leaned to listen to us.

“Only if you want to, of course.” He finished, leaning back.

Curiosity spiked. What tricks did he have in mind? Apart from seeing a river, I longed to be alone with him, where I could speak freely without being spied upon.

He moved a piece, effectively cornering my king on the board. I knew that was coming six moves ago.

“Checkmate.” He announced, a delicious grin lightening his face.

“You must be using some sort of trick,” I grumbled, not at all pleased.

“Only years of practice.”

“Dalia, may we get some more tea, please?” I called to her. Our tea had long run cold and I needed a moment without feeling her eyes on me.

Her eyes sent me a warning glance as she picked up the tray.

“I will be back in a moment, your grace.” She curtsied to Adrien, then she left the room.

I waited until I was sure she was far away before I spoke.

“So, a river…?”

“A river.”

“Take me to one then.” Sneaking out of the house would be impossible at this time. I did not know where he was heading with this.

“Okay.”

“If you are merely toying with me, Adrien. There will be hell to pay.”

“Do you trust me, Snow?” There was a light of seriousness lining his eyes.

“Surely you know the answer to that,” I replied, glaring at him.

I thought of the few times I had trusted him, and it was one nerve-wracking experience or the other. Truthfully, I did enjoy those experiences, knowing he was there and would never let me come to any harm.

“Give me your hand then.” He stated, rising to his feet.

“That was a no,” I muttered softly, standing to my feet, and placing a hand in his.

He chuckled lightly. “I know. Now close your eyes.”

I narrowed my eyes at him in warning before I closed them.

Adrien pulled me a step forward and I went willingly, trusting him.

The air was suddenly different. I was plunged from the warm humid air of the sunroom to something—fresher.

I opened my eyes, taking a step back in fear. We were no longer in my sunroom. We were instead deep in the woods, and there were the lush greens of trees for miles in all directions. The canopy above was so thick that barely any sun penetrated and it was a cool afternoon. The world around us was alive with birdsong and rustling leaves, and I was soon relaxing in the fresh breeze.

But what caught my attention and had me gasping was the clear lake sliding forward like a fat snake. It bent and curved and went farther than my eyes could follow.

My fear melted away and I rushed to it, amazed. The only comparison I had was paintings and justice had not been done. Going to my knees at the bank, I splashed my hand in the water, giggling at its coolness.

“Oh, it's so charming, Adrien.” I laughed, taking some of the cool water to my hot face.

Casually he inched towards my kneeling form, a look of triumph in his blue gaze. “Then I'll take you to a bigger one next time.”

My thoughts went back to home then, what would Dalia think when she met the empty room? What would father say? He had been abundantly clear when he had told me to remain indoors. I pushed the thoughts aside, I would deal with them later.

“Why didn't you do that now?” I scoffed, but I couldn't stop the smile from taking over my face. I had fallen a little more in love with him.

“Cause then I wouldn't be able to do this…” his hand reached for the buttons of his shirt, undoing them one after the other while his eyes stayed on mine.

My throat lost all moisture and I tried to swallow over the hardness now lodged there.

“What are you doing?” I croaked, my words barely understandable.

“Taking a swim, Snow. Isn't that why we're here?” He pulled his dress shirt off and I forcefully looked away when the naked expanse of his chest came into view. It would be considered rude to stare no matter how I badly wanted to.

I turned my attention to my dress; how was I supposed to swim with this on? It was one of those cursed days when I'd wanted to look extra appealing to him, so I picked an exquisite gown that was laced up in the back and had a terrifying amount of buttons. I was regretting my actions now, but I was also grateful for it. Cause was I supposed to pull off my dress like he?

My cheeks bloomed with heat at the thought of it. It was morally wrong and oh-so decadent.

“Should I help you with that?” He asked, approaching me.

“Uh.. no, thank you.” I kept my eyes averted to his feet, which were now bare.

“You will be swimming with your gown?” his voice held notes of bewilderment, as he came to stand just beside me.

“No, I will not be swimming,” I announced stiffly, putting some distance between us.

“Why did we come then?”

“I came to see if you remember.”

“It'll be fun, Snow, I promise. Much more fun than standing at its edge.”

“No, thank you.” I sniffed, facing forward.

“Freya,” he growled, “you are getting into that river with your dress or without it.”

“I am not going in there,” I insisted.

He was fast, and the next thing I knew, I was being lifted off and thrown over his shoulder.

“Adrien!” I shrieked, my voice echoing through the trees. “Adrien put me down this instance.”

“Will you pull off your dress?” He asked gently like it wasn't a threat.

“Yes. I. Will.” I forced out through clenched teeth.

My feet touched the floor and I did the most stupid thing. I darted for the trees. Unfortunately, I didn't get far, my short legs and inadequate dress making my effort fruitless.

I heard him sigh loudly as I darted away. I had barely taken six steps before I was being lifted again.

There was no answer to my shrieks this time. The water penetrated my layers of clothing quickly and I was soon soaked through to my bones.

I emerged from the river, glaring at him through the curtain of my thick hair.

“See? Much more fun.” He chuckled.

After I'd gotten through my initial unwillingness, I realized that swimming was not as complicated as I'd imagined, and I was happily threading through the water in moments.

And he was right, it was fun.

I couldn't help but steal glances at Adrien as we swam, his carefree laughter and the sun kissing his golden skin. It was moments like this that made me fall deeper for him. Despite my uncertainties, being here felt right.

I came back to Dalia hours later with damp hair and damp clothes and after a long minute of whining and begging her, she agreed to keep my secret. I had to recount every detail to her though.

The weeks went by, and Adrien's visits continued. I could feel my father's growing discomfort about the whole situation, but he never said anything directly to me, until one day.

Adrien had left our residence again, and Father was seated in the living room as I attempted to walk past to my bedchambers.

“Freya, come sit with me,” Father said to me as soon as I entered the room, his voice somber.

My heartbeat quickened as I wondered what this was about and went to sit beside him. He put my head on his shoulder and gently caressed my hair.

I leaned into his touch, it reminded me of the days when I was a kid and my mother was still a part of our lives.

“You're going to stop seeing the King.” He said in a measured tone. I pulled away from him, the words hitting me like a bolt out of the blue.

WHAT DID HE JUST SAY!!