His Best Intentions chapter 10
They took a break at midday to rest the horses. While the men ate and stretched their legs, Jensen told Jared about Wildebridge.
“I spent my childhood in Wildebridge, and my family returns there at least once a year,” Jensen began.
Jared wondered why Jensen was explaining this, they would be there soon.
Before he could ask, Jensen continued. “My best friend is the steward there. If I was attracted to women, she would have been my Intended.”
Jared’s eyes widened. “A female steward? And she’s our age?”
Jensen nodded and smiled tightly. “Danneel is extraordinary. She was my first love until I realized I preferred men.” Jensen rubbed a hand over the back of his neck in a nervous gesture. “She deserves the kind of love I can’t give her.”
Uncomfortable, Jared sensed he should say something. “Oh, you never mentioned her.”
“Yeah, well, I hoped you wouldn’t meet like this. If you were my Intended, Danneel would be overjoyed to meet you. Since you’re not, she might be…”
“Rude?” Jared suggested when the Prince didn’t decide on a word.
“Rude? If we’re lucky, she’ll stop at rude.”
Jared looked shocked.
“Danneel is fierce and loyal, and like I said, she’s my best friend. She knows how you turned me down. She’s not happy to open the house for you. Once, years ago, she thought Stephan had cheated at a game we were playing, and she put frogs down the back of his pants.” Jensen chuckled at the memory. “Just forgive any rudeness for my sake. I know you’ll win her over.”
“Thanks for the warning, I guess. I’ll do my best to be cordial.”
“Thank you.” They joined the others and climbed back onto their horses. “She’s quite wonderful when she’s not being unreasonable.”
Leaving the forest behind, the palace came into view, glowing in the late day sun.
"It's beautiful," Jared whispered.
"Yeah. this is the best time to arrive," Jensen agreed. "The stone and brick reflect the sun and brighten the entire village." He nudged his horse into a canter, and the others followed suit.
Inside the palace walls, the stable master and some grooms greeted them and unpacked the horses. Two footmen opened the doors to a hall as grand as the castle in the capital. The light coming through a giant stained glass window bathed the chamber in fantastic colors and mesmerized Jared. He didn't have time to appreciate it, though, because more footmen ushered them into the next room.
The servants lined up to greet them. The maids curtseyed, and the men bowed as Jensen entered. At the end of the line, wearing a smile that was more of a smirk, stood Danneel. Her curtsey was barely a dip in the knee. "My Liege."
"Dani," Jensen replied with a warm chuckle. "You look as lovely as ever."
"Thank you." She bowed her head at the compliment. "You and your guest should change out of those dusty clothes. We'll serve dinner soon, all of your favorites, and I don't want you stinking up the place."
"At once, Madam." Jensen snapped his heels together. "But first, allow me to introduce Jared." He held out his arm to beckon Jared forward. "Jared, this is my lifelong friend, Danneel. Dani, this is my good friend, Jared."
Jared smiled and bowed. "It's nice to meet you, Miss Danneel."
"It's a pleasure." Her smirk didn't mar her beauty. Jared thought she was the most attractive woman he had ever seen. She wore her auburn hair in long, luxurious curls, and her copper-brown eyes were captivating and alert. She turned to Jensen. "I hope we prepared enough food. I didn't know we'd be hosting giants."
Jared blushed, but Jensen laughed. "I've never seen our cooks to under prepare. Richard, Rob, we'll be going to our rooms now to wash up for dinner." He nodded to Danneel, who commanded the staff with a wave of her hand.
They ushered Jared and Jensen up a flight of stairs to their rooms. Rob opened a door for Jared, but Jensen stopped him from entering. "Wait." He entered the room cautiously, looking around. "Did they tell you this was Jared's room?"
"Yes, Sir," Rob replied.
Jensen nodded. "Then, I'll take this one, and you can give him mine."
"Sir?"
"Take Jared to my room. I'm staying in this one," Jensen explained. "Jared, I'll fetch you for dinner. Now Richard, please draw me a bath."
Rob led Jared further down the hall to what was Jensen's room. "I'll start a bath for you, sir," Rob said as the other servants brought in Jared's bags and removed Jensen's.
Jared took in the room's magnificence. It was far more beautiful than the one Jensen had taken for himself. "Rob, is it just me, or is this room more elegant than Jensen's room in the capital?"
Rob looked around, unaffected by the luxury. "It's about the same. His room in the capital has a larger bath and a view of the sea."
Jared wrinkled his nose. "No, it doesn't. His room overlooks the town."
Rob shook his head. "That's only his room while you've been there. The entire suite of rooms in that wing is for you and him during the Year of Promise. Before, the Prince slept near his family on the other side of the castle." At Jared's confused look, Rob added, "Yeah, the Year of Promise changes everything. So, bath?"
"Yeah, sure," Jared replied absentmindedly. He wondered what else the Prince had changed because of him.
Dinner was a strange affair. Every time Jared tried to speak or join in the conversation, Danneel spoke over him. When Jensen wanted to include him, Danneel ignored him. Jared caught Jensen's eye and smiled, telling him silently that he understood. Jensen returned a smile, grateful that Jared didn't feel slighted.
They turned in early after their long day riding, thankful to be sleeping in actual beds instead of tents.
The fire kept Jared's room warm, but as he lay down and pulled the covers up, he realized he missed Jensen's presence. Last night, he slept with his hand on the Prince's chest, feeling it rise and fall with each breath as he drifted off to sleep. He placed the extra pillow next to him but found it to be a poor substitute for Jensen's warmth.
"Dani!" Jensen's voice boomed and echoed down the hallway, bringing everyone to their doors. "I swear to god that woman…" he muttered, storming into his room. His entire back was damp, and his night clothes clung to him. He ripped the covers from the bed. Brown, foul-smelling water seeped from the mattress. Its contents were fighting to get out. "Danneel!" he shouted again.
Danneel appeared, looking annoyed at his summons. "Yes, your Majesty, what can I do for you?"
"What did you do to my mattress?"
"Nothing."
Jensen pointed to the slimy bed where something was slithering beneath the mattress covering. "That is not 'nothing'."
"That is not your bed," she countered. "How was I to know you'd switch rooms with your idiot?"
"Don't call him that. And how dare you do this to him!"
Jensen's bellowing brought Jared to his room. "Jensen, what's going on?"
Jensen, still scowling, turned from Danneel to Jared. "Danneel thought she'd be funny and fill my mattress with something from the swamp," he growled.
"What?" Jared chuckled as he crossed the room to see the bed for himself. "Oh my god, that's hilarious." He turned to see an unamused Jensen and stifled his laugh. "I mean awful, just awful."
Danneel almost smiled. "Glad you have a sense of humor, Jared, as I meant it for you."
Jared laughed and pointed at the bed. "That would make me scream like a little girl. Then you would have had to deal with overprotective and angry Jensen."
"Right now, she gets to face an angry and tired Prince. I'm soaked through and cold. I need a bath and to change. There better be another room prepared. And have that mattress removed before whatever is in it escapes," Jensen snarled, pointing to the bed.
"Of course." Danneel rolled her eyes. "The room across the hall is prepared."
"Jensen, it's a harmless prank. You aren't injured, and I wouldn't have been hurt, except for maybe my pride. Don't be so angry," Jared said. His soft smile and appeasing tone calmed the Prince.
Danneel looked from Jared to Jensen with an eyebrow quirked in expectation.
Jensen sighed. "You could have just talked to him. You didn't need to cover me in swamp slime."
She shook her head, dismissively. "We definitely needed swamp slime. However, I'm glad it was you and not him." Then she turned to Jared. "Jared, I'm happy you can take a joke. Though, I would have loved to hear you scream like a young girl."
Jared grinned. "I'm sure you'll think of something to get that reaction."
"Ooh, a challenge. I like it," Danneel said, then turned to Jensen. "I'll get someone here immediately to fuss over you. See you in the morning, boys," she added as she left the room.
"Your room is fine, I trust," Jensen asked as he undressed.
"Yes, it's the nicest room I've ever slept in," Jared replied. "But I was still finding it hard to fall asleep."
"Why is that? Although I'm sure my yelling didn't help."
"I couldn't sleep before that. I miss being able to place my hand on your chest and feeling you breathe."
"Oh." Jensen's face warmed, and he became self-conscious undressing in front of Jared. "I'm sorry."
Jared suddenly felt awkward for admitting to that. He probably shouldn't be alone with the Prince. Thankfully, two valets entered, putting an end to his embarrassment. "I'll return to my room now. Um, see you in the morning."
"Good night, Jared."