Once there was Darkness

Max and Kol were walking the wall. “How’s Kessa adjusting?” Kol finally asked.

“I observe she’s disappointed, that’s the best word I can think of. Other than that, she’s doing well.”

Kol let out a long sigh. “I know this wasn’t what she wanted.”

“You know the queen; she will thrive. No one was ignoring your idea about the competition. We were planning it.”

“Yes, I know. Kessa doing this makes the most sense. When we went over to the island, did you appear out of the shadows and ask me not to hurt her? Or did I dream that?”

“I did say it, my king.”

“Why?”

“The queen and I rarely have personal conversations. There have been times that she’s come back from a visit with you that,” he thought about how to say the rest. He took a deep breath, stopped walking and said, “All I wanted to do was hold her and let her cry, scream, cuss, whatever she needed to do. But she never did. Never will.”

Kol turned to face him, “how do you know it had anything to do with me?”

“At first, I wasn’t sure. But the longer we were around each other, the more I knew.”

Kol changed the subject, “how are you and Lilly?”

Max blushed, “I’ve asked her to marry me.”

“And she said yes?”

“Amazingly, she did.” They started walking again.

“Has Kes spoken with you about her idea of seeing if Lilly would like to stay with and help Rajaf as he ages? We would like for him to move into the palace but I don’t think he will.”

“She has. All she can do is ask. If I may, I thought Frego was training with Rajaf?”

“He is. We are including more palace duties. He doesn’t get to spend as much time with Rajaf as he once did.”

They stopped to where they were overlooking the training field. Young trainees were fighting with seasoned soldiers. Learning all they could.

“Do you miss it?” Max asked.

“Sometimes. I’m so out of practice. I wouldn’t last 15 minutes.” He noticed Kessa with what looked like a book, walking around the yard. An arrow went sailing toward her. She caught it and said something to the trainer.

“What do you think she said?” Max was smiling as he spoke.

Kol laughed, “I’m not the target.” Both men chuckled. “She is so beautiful.” Kol voiced.

“When did you realize you had feelings for her?”

“When we fought the Zeede. I prayed God would help me not think about her if the timing was wrong. It’s been within the last 5 years that God has allowed me to see her again. Are you ever going to tell me what she said in the bell tower?”

“My king, are you going to order me?”

“No.” She looked up and saw them watching her. Smiling, she pointed to the ground beside her. “Shall we?” Kol motioned toward her.

When they reached her, they saw she was looking at a map of Mecca. It was rolled in such a way that the barracks was all that was showing.

“What are you doing?” Kol asked.

“Max has had the idea for years that we should expand the training field.” Max just grinned. “We have to take into consideration the wall, the river, and the ocean. If we expand, is it going to get washed away.”

“What about making the garden smaller?” Kol asked.

“Moving the garden?” Max thought.

She unrolled the map a little more, “where?”

They all three looked at the map; then at each other.

She looked out toward the ocean, “what if we broke the training field up?”

“What do you have in mind?” Kol asked.

“I’ll work it up and we can pick it apart.”

They all agreed. Max left.

Kol asked as they walked back toward the barracks, “is that a new garment?”

“Yes”

“How’s Marcus?”

“He’s in the garden right now. I don’t mind if he can’t totally let go.”

After dinner, Kol when back to the palace. Kessa stayed at the barracks. When she entered their chambers, Petro was sitting in a corner playing. Kol wrapped her in his arms and spun her around the room.

She eyed Petro before pulling Kol close to whisper in his ear. “What’s the occasion my husband?” She rubbed her fingers through his hair as they continued dancing.

“I don’t say thank you enough. I don’t say I Love you enough.”

Kessa winked at Petro. He bowed and left.

Kol stopped abruptly when he realized Petro had stopped playing.

“Remember what you said about what I wear?”

“You haven’t worn a thing yet that I haven’t wanted to take off you.” There was that sideways grin she loved.

“What are you waiting for?”