Taken by Darkness

The next two days within the palace walls were a whirlwind of activity. All of the royal ruling family were busy seeing to the welfare of their triennial guests, as well as preparing for the next royal wedding. Sadly, this left young Ashley alone in the guest chambers, feigning a terrible headache or some other illness, more often than not. With his shy nature, not to mention his anxiety over the upcoming wedding, he just couldn’t find the will within himself to go belowstairs and socialize with so many strange people.

On the afternoon of the third day following their private meeting, there came a knock at the main door of the guest chambers. All the time alone had given the adolescent far more than enough time to work himself into an anxious frenzy. Now he found he couldn’t draw a deep enough breath, despite not wearing a corset, the call out permission to enter.

After a few moments of waiting, just in case he was napping or relieving himself, the door opened to reveal Samantha, or Sammi, as she liked to be called. While her biggest duty lie in acting as midwife to any expecting young ladies within the palace, she was also now his personal maid. As such, it was her duty to check on the Princess-to-be whenever the Prince couldn’t, so he wasn’t surprised to see her; in fact, he was relieved.

“Lady Ashley!” she cried, alarmed when she spotted him.

Kneeling by the foot of the bed, he grasped the nearest bedpost as he gasped for breath.

“Take some deep breaths, milady,” she said, gently rubbing his back as she knelt beside him.

“A…An…Andy,” the adolescent managed to gasp.

“Jeremy was right behind me,” Sammi told him. “I shall send him to fetch His Highness the moment he arrives.”

Not two seconds later, another knock sounded at the door.

“Enter!” the maid called, doing whatever she could to attempt calming him.

“What is—Lady Ashley!” Jeremy cut himself off.

“He wants His Highness, no doubt for reassurance,” she said. “Go fetch him for us, my love.”

“I am afraid I cannot,” the healer answered ruefully. “He is currently with His Majesty and their attorney, and His Majesty asked they not be disturbed.”

Eyes blazing, Sammi let out what sounded like a most unladylike Gaelic curse as she rose. “If you are too chicken to do it, I shall do so myself!”

Without waiting to hear another word from her husband, the young maid flounced from the guest chambers in a furious swirl of skirts. Concerned that she was about to get herself sentenced to Death, Jeremy started to rise so he could chase after and stop her. Only the gentle tug on his sleeve made him take pause and turn back to the Princess-to-be. It took only one look into his eyes for his conscience to override all other thoughts, and he turned to envelope him in a tight hug he hoped would help.

Just minutes later, the main door of the suite was flung open so hard it nearly ricocheted off the stone wall behind it and into the face of whoever had opened it. Looking up, Ashley saw the Prince run in with a terribly concerned look marring his handsome features. Sammi, the King, and even the Queen were hot on his heels, the women just barely managing not to trip over their skirts. Without a care in the world for anything but his intended, Andy dropped to his knees on the hard stone floor, his arms spread wide. The adolescent wasted no time in scrambling from the arms of the healer to those of his betrothed, soul-shattering sobs already beginning to bubble up from his throat.

It took a few minutes for the Prince to be able to calm him down, but just his presence alone seemed to do that. Ashley was embarrassed that he’d started sobbing like a baby in front of so many witnesses, but he was quickly shushed. Even Lady Amy assured him such a thing was perfectly fine, especially right before one’s wedding. Considering that Sammi agreed with her wholeheartedly and he trusted them, he managed to nod where his head rested against the chest of his betrothed. Only when he sniffled did Andy hold a handkerchief up to his face and encourage him to blow his nose as much as possible.

“I am so sorry, my sweet songbird,” he murmured into his hair once the adolescent was calm again. “I did not mean to neglect you these past few days.”

“’Twas not neglect,” Ashley sniffled. “You had other things which required your attention.”

“But ’twas,” the Prince insisted halfheartedly. “Had I not been neglecting you, even slightly, I would have realized you needed my reassurance and comfort.”

“While it may not be entirely true, he is partially correct,” Lady Amy agreed. “The days leading up to one’s wedding are taxing, and we all cope differently.”

The adolescent merely sniffled as he gave her a curious look.

“I remember the frenzy Chris worked himself into in the days leading up to our wedding,” she chuckled, making the King blush. “He was so concerned with everything from the ceremony to my general welfare being perfect that he indulged in a bit more brandy than usual. Naught overmuch, mind you, but enough to make him sleep in a few times.”

He managed a slight smile and a soft giggle. “What about you, Lady Amy?”

Everyone gave her curious looks, as no one knew the truth but her, the King, and Ashley’s mother, who’d been her midwife.

Sighing, Amy prepared to admit her secret. “I was young and foolish. I allowed myself to be caught in compromising circumstances.”

Chris knelt down and wrapped his arms around her.

“Chris and I agreed to wed a month sooner than we had planned. ’Twas a good thing, too, since I discovered I was with child the day before the wedding,” the Queen continued. “Because he was bigger than an average babe at birth, we allowed the people to believe Andy was born a month early as a result, not that he was born right on time.”

The jaws of everyone, especially the Prince, dropped in shock.

“I was more concerned with hiding my delicate condition, with trying to make any symptoms I showed appeared to be wedding day jitters, to focus on much else.”

“I can understand, milady,” Sammi spoke up. “Being in such a delicate condition is taxing enough by itself, but under such circumstances as you were?”

“Precisely, Mistress Sammi,” she agreed. “Thankfully, we do not have to worry about that with this young couple.”

Those words made Ashley blush furiously, but they all knew it was true.

“You have us, even Master Jeremy and Mistress Sammi, to talk to and gain support from,” Lady Amy told him, gently brushing his hair back to tuck behind his ear. “Do not hesitate to come to us, Ashley. You will not be punished for such a thing, especially during such a tumultuous time.”

The young Princess-to-be managed to smile slightly and nod, although he made no attempt to move away from his betrothed. Now he felt the need to have a conversation with him he’d been trying to hold off on, but he refused to have it in front of so many others. It was too intimate a conversation for just anyone to overhear, even if he knew everyone would understand his concerns.

After both of the other couples had left to return to their triennial duties and preparing for the upcoming wedding, he sighed softly as he played with the hair of his betrothed. Distracted by the fact that he could use a trim, he didn’t realize he’d started shaking in his arms. Only Andy saying something about it made him realize it was true as his face flushed quite a deep shade of pink that bordered on red. The adolescent knew it would only get worse when he brought up the topic on his mind, and he still wasn’t quite sure how to begin that conversation.

“Ashley, my sweet? Is there something more you wish to discuss?” the Prince asked, gently stroking his hair.

“Well, yea…there is,” he admitted, shaking a bit harder.

“Take some deep breaths, my love, lest you work yourself into a fit again for naught,” Andy said soothingly.

Nodding, he tried to do as the slightly older man’s advice.

“Begin when and wherever you wish, my sweet songbird.”

“Do you…do you remember what you said about us maintaining separate suites once we are wed?”

“Yea, of course I do,” he answered, nodding. “Although now I propose that, while separate, your suite be closer to that of myself, as well as Mother and Father. Even after the wedding, I fear Lady Trista will try to bring you harm, either directly or indirectly.”

“So you still agree to such a proposal, even if my suite is closer to yours than previously planned?” Ashley asked.

“Yea, but of course. Aside from your love, I want only for you to be safe, happy, healthy, and comfortable,” the Prince told him. “As I said previously, abstaining if you do not allow me to seek relief elsewhere will surely drive me mad, but I shall do that and more for you, my sweet songbird.”

Heaving a sigh of relief, he snuggled closer to him. “I am relieved to hear you are not overly upset, my love.”

“I am certain you have your reasons for such a desire,” Andy said sensibly.

“Yea, of course.” The adolescent took a deep breath. “Between adjusting to life as a wedded lass and a new palace resident, I feel I have enough to adjust to.” He bit his lip nervously as he looked up. “I do not feel comfortable with the idea of sharing a suite or bed with you just yet.”

“I was not going to ask what your reasons were, but I am glad you felt you could share them with me.” He smiled reassuringly. “While I wish you felt comfortable with both the idea and action, I understand. You are correct in having quite a bit to grow accustomed to, and I am patient.”

Ashley returned the smile with a relieved one of his own.

“Truth be told, though, there is another reason I do not mind your request.”

“Oh? What would that be?”

“I will not lie to you,” the Prince said matter-of-factly. “I know that eventually, whether with you, since you possess the ability, or with another, I will be expected to produce an heir. However, while I shall long for the closeness between us and physical relief such intimacy will bring, I do not feel I am ready for a child.”

“Even though you are already five and twenty?” the adolescent asked, surprised.

“Child-rearing takes a lot more time and effort than our elders make it seem,” Andy told him. “I wish to adjust to married life myself, as well as ensure as much of a decent future as I currently can for us before putting much thought toward beginning and raising a family of my own.”

In a way, Ashley was relieved to hear the Prince’s thoughts on the matter. Sure, he longed to be as close to his betrothed in every way he possibly could, but he still feared such intimacy. He hated being in pain and feared giving his virginity would hurt terribly, far more than he could tolerate. And even if he weren’t terrified of that, he was terrified of carrying a child, even if the love of his life fathered it. He’d heard too many stories of young ladies either coming close to Death, actually dying, or losing their newborn babies during or shortly after birth.

He couldn’t bring himself to tell Andy the rest of his fears at the moment, but that was okay. He’d already admitted quite a bit, as had his betrothed, and they weren’t even wed yet. The wedding wasn’t until the next afternoon, and the adolescent felt it was probably better they discuss such fears and other important topics one at a time, not all at once.

Not long afterward, the slightly older man rose to his feet and extended his hand to him. He smiled his thanks as he reached up and grabbed his forearm just beneath his elbow, which gave him a better gripping point. The Prince gripped his forearm in much the same place, not even grunting as he gently tugged him back to his feet. Once upright with no risk of falling, Ashley found himself feeling sleepy now that he was calm again. He allowed his betrothed to help him stretch out on what was considered his bed, pouting as he asked him to lay down beside him. Whether for a short while or a longer period of time, he didn’t care; he just wanted the comforting presence for a while longer.

The only way Andy would agree to such a thing was if he left the main and bed chamber doors open. Everyone knew him to be a chivalrous young man, and he didn’t want to cause unnecessary problems if a maid came to check on the adolescent and found the doors closed. Understanding his concerns since being found thus would be considered compromising, even the day before their wedding, he readily agreed.

“Rest easy now, my sweet songbird,” the Prince murmured, gently kissing his temple.

“Will you still be with me when I wake?” Ashley asked, unable to stifle a yawn.

“Yea. Unless something urgent arises that needs my attention, I will still be here when you wake from your nap,” he promised.

“Many thanks, my love,” the adolescent murmured. “I love you, with all my heart and soul.”

“My love for you knows no bounds, my sweet songbird,” Andy whispered, gently kissing his forehead as he dozed off in his arms.



By late the next morning as Sammi helped him get dressed for the wedding, Ashley was still nervous about how his life was going to change this day. He wasn’t so nervous that he was worked into a frenzy like he’d been the previous day, but he still didn’t want to take his chances with eating anything for breakfast. He already felt as if his stomach was far from settled; he was certain that if he ate anything, it would come directly back up.

Ashley stood still as Sammi smoothed down his custom wedding gown, designed based on the measurements of one of the gowns he’d borrowed. Few alterations had to be made, and now it fit like a glove around his torso before flaring over his hips. Thankfully, the seamstress in charge was Jeremy’s mother, a vault when it came to secrets. Lady Amy deemed it safe to enlighten her to the truth of his gender, and without having to be asked, she’d designed the gown to make his chest appear a bit fuller. It was a godsend since, although fuller than most young mens’ chests, it still wasn’t quite as full as that of a young lady.

With his gown perfectly straightened and his matching slippers donned, he felt like he was ready to conquer just about anything. Of course he was still nervous and just wanted to get this over with, but he also felt a confidence he normally didn’t. For the first time in his life, he felt beautiful and strong, two things Lady Trista always swore he wasn’t. He felt attractive and loved, two things he didn’t think he’d ever feel to and from someone else before he eventually died. It was quite the empowering feeling, and it made him that much more excited and eager to see Andy again.

“You are absolutely radiant, milady,” Sammi said, grinning. She gently set the silver tiara his veil was attached to on his head.

“Two moons, or even a fortnight ago, I would not have believed you,” he answered, taking a deep breath to steady his nerves. “But now, especially when I look into Andy’s eyes…I know that I am far more beautiful than I was allowed to hope, never mind believe.”

“Naught anyone ever said to you in the past matters now,” the maid told him. “You are beautiful, both inside and out. That is one of the many reasons our Prince fell in love with you.”

“And that love has only grown as the years have passed,” Ashley said, grinning at his reflection.

“Yea, that it has,” she agreed. “I do not even think I have to ask if you are ready to make our way down to the chapel…”

“Of course not!” the adolescent cried happily, grinning. “Although I am still nervous about entering into wedded life, I am excited to do so!”

With the signal given and the ceremony due to start soon, Sammi poked her head into the corridor to get her own husband’s attention. Upon being told of his betrothal, Lady Trista had breathed a sigh of relief, her husband, Sir Gunner, refusing to walk him down the aisle. Because of that, the healer had agreed to step in and fill the role, much to everyone’s relief.

The second he clapped eyes on the Princess-to-be, Jeremy’s face split with a warm, bright smile. Like his wife, he gushed compliments at his radiant beauty, but he was smart enough not to say anything to the effect that he was more beautiful than the maid had been on their wedding day. Ashley blushed most becomingly from all the compliments, but it quickly made him realize something. If people already thought he was radiant, Andy was sure to agree and likely throw even more compliments at him.

Despite his anxiety about getting married and accidentally stoking lust he had no intentions of sating just yet, he eagerly took the healer’s proffered elbow. The adolescent couldn’t wait to see his intended again, and since he knew the Prince would never force him into anything, he pushed his negative thoughts to the back of his mind. There was no point in dampening everyone’s spirits and happiness, including his own, or making himself ill over such minor things.

Upon getting to the antechamber outside the chapel where they were to wait for their cue, Ashley took another deep breath as he accepted his bouquet from one of his “bride’s” maids. He thought she’d been introduced as Ella, the betrothed of one of Andy’s close friends, Sir Jacob. He still smiled as he took the flowers and settled them in the crook of his left elbow, his right hand immediately wrapping around Jeremy’s left elbow again. Even if he was unsure about the names of the Prince’s closest friends and their loved ones, he’d memorize them eventually. For now, though, the adolescent had a wedding ceremony to get through before they moved on to the ensuing reception afterward.

“You look absolutely ravishing, my love,” Andy murmured into his ear once the healer finally gave him away.

“Many thanks,” he answered softly, a blush rising to stain his cheeks. “You are looking quite handsome yourself.”

Turning back to the priest who waited behind the altar before them, the Prince steeled himself for the ungodly long ceremony that would make Ashley his bride.

Notes