Page 22 of The Bear’s Darling

“We’re so going into that water,” I announced, looking at the turquoise waves. The sand was light beige and so soft and fine. It would get everywhere, but I didn’t mind. The happiness that shone in Arthur’s eyes was worth it.

He clapped his hands excitedly. “Let’s look in the baskets!” His enthusiasm was contagious, and I followed him eagerly to where a huge tent was set up. It was open to the water but closed on the other sides, only letting in wind as it wasn’t completely shut tight all around. Inside the tent were some glowing light orbs made of magic, they made the whole thing have this cozy vibe that I knew would be amazing once darkness had fallen.

“We have chicken skewers!”

I laughed and looked in a basket myself. There were five different ones, and I could already tell we wouldn’t be able to eat all of it, but the variety was amazing. One of them was filled to the brim with desserts, chocolates, strawberries and cream, cake, and lots of cut up fruit.

“Have you thought more about our future?” I asked once we were sitting down and sharing a plate mixed with a little bit of everything.

He shrugged. “I still don’t know what my passions are. I wasn’t exactly allowed to have hobbies growing up, but I would love to try out a few different things before deciding, if that’s okay?”

“Of course it is!” I wiped some sauce from his lip. “We don’t even have to work. I just think it’s healthy to help out. All my fathers do the same, with father Nox ruling the kingdom.”

“I think that’s inspiring.” He looked sad then. “If my father had done the same, the kingdom would’ve flourished. Instead, he did the bare minimum and decided I would be the payment for another king to fix our issues.”

“Was that your purpose? Truly?” I sounded as aghast as I was.

He nodded, swallowing some chicken. “I was told to be the perfect mate. I wasn’t allowed to talk back at all, and I should do whatever my new mate wanted.”

“I’m so glad you aren’t returning there,” I grumbled, chewing on a chicken skewer. I hated knowing what sort of future Arthur would have had, had it not been for the Hillslane Academy. He still showed signs once in a while of just how abusive his life had been, little tells here and there where he would slump in on himself, or get all tense if he heard shouting. Soon, those would be nothing but distant memories, never forgotten, but his soul would heal. I would make sure of that.

“One thing I’ve always wondered…”

“Yes?” I asked, stroking his thigh absentmindedly.

“I’ve always wanted to ride a horse,” he said, eyes sparkling. “To just ride out into the forest and feel the wind in my hair, seeing the trees pass us by.”

“You’ve never ridden before?” It sounded absurd; a prince who couldn’t ride a horse? It was something most were taught as children.

He shook his head. “My mother died riding her favorite horse. It was an accident, but my father never allowed me to ride them. I was allowed to be in carriages, of course, but never on horseback.”

“I’m so sorry,” I whispered, taking his hand.

“It happened when I was two, the horse got spooked by the lightning storm and even though it wasn’t the horse’s fault, my father still had it put down because of what happened to my mother. I was promised to the king a few years later.”

“That’s horrible!”

He nodded. “But I want to ride. I want to know what it feels like. My mother loved it, and that’s all I know of her. It wasn’t something my father told me, but a servant. I wish to feel closer to her somehow, if you don’t mind teaching me?”

“I’d love to teach you,” I smiled.

His beaming smile was the greatest sight in the world. Grabbing his face in both hands, I kissed him, needing to taste him. The waves crashed softly in front of us as I pushed Arthur down on his back, loving the twinkle in his eyes from the glowing orbs.

“Oh,” he grinned. “Does this mean I’m your dessert for the evening?”

I chuckled. “The sweetest dessert in the world, my darling. Get ready to be eaten.”

Chapter Seventeen

Today was the day. We were going home!

“Five more minutes,” Arthur grumbled as he snuggled closer to me, his legs tangling with mine and holding me in place.

“But we’re getting our soul forms after breakfast,” I reminded him, making him sit up with a gasp.

“We need to hurry!”

I laughed as I followed him into our bathroom, both of us deciding to bathe so we were ready for anything.