Cassidy's POV

Yesterday, was a huge blur. 

I came home. Got rushed to see a physician. And then took a nap. My father came in worried and left angry at me. I also found out that I had been promised to someone else in an arranged marriage. The Crown Prince. The King has approved. I have no say in this matter.

Of all the things that hurt the most, it's that my father would do this to me. 

He'd asked me once, what I thought of arranged marriages and he knew I thought them to be unnecessary causes of pain between two people. It's senseless to force two people who have never met each other, let alone liked each other, to be together till death do them apart.

When Father told me that, I argued, pointing out that he and Mama weren't in an arranged marriage. He said if he didn't think I would be happy, he wouldn't have agreed to it. 

He argued that the Prince would be able to take care of me. More like selling my soul to the devil. 

In my anger, I said some pretty mean things and Father left the room in a huff. And I, too upset as well, went back to sleep. It had been a long day.

In the morning, I found myself woken up by birds chirping. It would have been the perfect morning if I wasn't still angry at father. 

What's so good about the morning anyway? I haven't got my freedom anymore. There's no point. 

I got up to relieve myself and brush my teeth, then went to change into my riding clothes. I needed some time alone.

Saddling my horse was its own form of meditation and I led her to the gates. 

Just as we walked out, I saw someone on horseback galloping towards us. I squinted a little, trying to make out who that was. 

He got closer and I could just make out Alexander's features. His own cloak fluttered behind him as he urged his horse towards us. He pulled the reins of his steed to slow down and I saw a picnic basket in his arms. 

"Good morning," I smiled. My mood having lightened considerably in his presence. "I'd hoped to find you again in the forest. I certainly didn't expect you to come to me."

“The cottage is just for the full moons really," he grinned sheepishly. "I thought maybe we could have a picnic? If you want to that is." He watched me with eyes hopeful and expectant.

Oh my god, I thought to myself. He's so cute! "I'd like that."

"I know this great spot we could go to. It's in the forest. Ride with me?" He asked.

"What happened to riding you?" I teased, and his cheeks pinked. 

Oh my god! He was blushing! I laughed and he smiled and laughed with me. It was just as beautiful as I recalled. "I'm just kidding. Come on, let's go!"

I mounted my horse and set off in a trot towards the woods. He followed behind. We followed the path of dried leaves in the forest and soon, he directed us left and off the trail. 

Soon enough, I heard the burbling streams. Alexander slowed his horse and led us to a little clearing where the stream pooled in the middle of a clearing. I felt a laugh bubbling in my chest.

"It's beautiful," I told him sincerely. "How did you know this was here?" I asked delightedly. I dismounted my horse before running to the crystal clear water.

"When you spend a lot of time in the forest, you just find little spots like this. It's amazing isn't it?" He agreed as he tied the reins of our horses to a tree branch not too far away. I squatted at the river bank and stuck my hand in. The water was cool. Perfect. Soft sunlight shone down on us and I began stripping.

"Cass? What are you doing?" Alexander asked.

"I'm going into the water," I said simply.

"You can swim?"

"Yes, my mother taught me before she died. We used to swim together."

"Ah," he said awkwardly earnest, "my condolences."

I shrugged and hung my clothes neatly on a nearby tree branch as I stripped down to my briefs and splashed into the water. Alexander took a blanket from the basket and spread it out. Then he sat down and watched me.

"Won't you join me?"

He shook his head smiling as I splashed in the water.

"Why not?" I tried persuading him. He smiled again, shaking his head, eyes dark with some unspoken thoughts. 

I gave him my best puppy dog eyes. He looked uncertain but still refused. I frowned and narrowed my eyes. "Fine." He smirked and decided to take a nap on the blanket. I smiled mischievously to myself.

As quietly as I could, I climbed out of the water and found two wine glasses in the basket beside a bottle of wine. 

Mm… I'd have to sample that later. I filled the wine glasses to the brim and carefully carried it back to Alexander's sleeping form. And then emptied the water on him. He spluttered.

Alex spluttered. “Cassidy!" He shouted.

I laughed maniacally as I jumped back into the water. "You're all wet! Pun intended by the way. Now you have to dry your clothes on the branch there and that means you have to strip so you might as well join me in this perfect water!" I cackled at the look on his face.

Then he smirked and asked, "Why? Are you trying to get me naked again?"

I blinked and flailed my arms as I blushed. "No..." I mumbled.

He just laughed and began stripping. I turned away and covered my eyes. When I turned back, he was gone.

"Alex? Did you run away?" I called out, looking among the trees for him.

Something latched around my ankles and yanked, pulling me under. I screamed. It let go as I splashed in the water to get to the surface. When I got up, my hair was in my eyes. I was soaked through, and Alexander was laughing so hard he snorted. Multiple times.

"Your face!” he snorted. “That was amazing!” He cried, laughing with tears rolling down his cheeks.

I glared at him; my cheeks burned in embarrassment. "I'm glad you found it funny. And that was a cry of indignation," I said as condescendingly as I could.

He just kept laughing, until I swam under and pulled him by the ankles as he did to me. He squealed and snorted the water up to his nose. Then it was my turn to laugh. He glared at me, cheeks pink.

"Oh my god! You squealed!" I cackled.

"Whatever," he sassed, before splashing me.

"How dare you!" I cried and launched myself at him. He squealed again. "You just squealed again. And I once thought you far braver than I."

He glared and grabbed me by the waist, crowding me against the riverbank. My body was pressed flush against his. Heat crept up my neck.

“You doubt my courage, Cass?"

I swallowed. Please don't get an erection. Please don't get an erection! “Um… Yes?" I squeaked.

He raised an eyebrow and slid a thigh in between my legs. Oh shit. Stop, No! Stop it! Too late. 

My eyes widened comically and I couldn't control my body's reaction. He shifted his thigh against my length, through my underwear. I bit my lip to hold in the moan that was building in my throat. He rubbed harder.

“Alex..." I moaned shamelessly. He moved his thigh away. “Why?" I whined desperately.

He kicked my ankles apart and inserted himself at the juncture of my legs and holy god… he was hard and really big. I whimpered; my arms slid around his neck. My legs were jelly but he held me up with an arm around my waist.

While I was far from being a casanova, I'd at least shared a few kisses before.

Alex leaned in and I close my eyes, anticipating a heated kiss. Instead, he licked a stripe up my neck, nibbling gently. My mouth fell open. Whatever he was doing, it felt like sparks on my skin, dancing from my neck down to my toes. I grunted. His lips travelled up my jaw and to my ear. I was probably drooling. His hot breath brushed the sensitive skin of my ear.

“Oh, dear Cass, I might not be brave enough to keep going.”

My eyes snapped open and locked in on his teasing eyes. I might have growled lowly, but I was too desperate to take note of anything but the darkening emeralds of his eyes.

I wrapped my legs around his waist and thrust against him, his hard length rubbing against mine. My head fell back when he pulled my cock out of my briefs and wrapped his fingers around our lengths. I rocked my hips against him and he pushed back at the same time. We rutted against each other with no real rhythm, desperate to get off. 

I could feel my climax growing in my belly, like a spring wire coiling tighter and tighter until I came with a shout, seeing stars. I orgasmed as I never had before. Alex gripped our cocks tighter and began thrusting faster. I buried my face in his neck and bit him. He grunted and his hips jerked once before he came, back arching.

My archives of sexual experiences just expanded slightly.

We stood there panting. Or he stood there, and I clung to him as he let the water cool our heated skin and wash the fluids away. Alex recovered before I did.

He let go of our soft appendages and placed both hands on my hips.

"Okay?" He asked, still panting slightly from the workout.

"Yeah," I panted back, grinning tiredly.

We soaked a bit longer in the water then climbed out and sat in the sun, letting the warm rays dry us. 

Alex snuggled into my side as he fed me morsels from the basket. He had this shy, pleased look every time I ate from his fingers. And we stayed there until it was time to go home.

We rode in companionable silence as we made our way back to the manor. I didn't want this day to end. And I think he didn't either. He had had fun. Different kinds of fun.

At the gates of the manor, I dismounted, as did he. I looked at him. He took my hand.

"Will I see you soon?" He asked.

I nodded, smiling as I pushed the thought of my betrothal to the back of my mind. Just as he let go of my hand and turned away, I grabbed his hand again. He looked at me questioningly.

"Stay for dinner," I blurted.

He looked like he was about to agree but then, he tensed and frowned.

"I can’t. I'm sorry, Cass. My parents are having guests for dinner and I have to be there," he said apologetically.

He looked sincere dismayed. I was disappointed but at least I knew he genuinely couldn't make it and not because he didn't want to.

"It's okay, I understand," I said, trying not to sound too disappointed either. "Another time then?"

At that, he smiled and nodded quickly. Then he paused, giving me a quick peck on my cheek, before mounting and galloping off into the sunset. At that moment, I wanted to be galloping off with him.

~

Later, back in my room, I kept thinking of his kiss. It was different from the other kisses we had shared. Gentle and casual, like a thing that couples who had been together for a while now did. It felt like a mark on my cheeks and I flushed red just thinking about it. I drew myself a bath and got in.

After my bath, I dressed and got ready for dinner. But as I was buttoning my shirt, my father came in.

"We have been invited as guests by the king, son. Please dress appropriately."

The frustration that I'd forgotten came back with a vengeance. I tensed and narrowed my eyes at him. My father sighed.

"Son, I know you don't want this, but please just get to know him first? You know your mama would want you to give it a shot before you decide."

I frowned, but I knew he was right. I was behaving childishly and unfairly if I passed judgement without actually trying. "Fine. I'll go. But I'm still not happy about it."

My father sighed in relief and nodded before leaving the room.

I huffed and pulled my shirt off to go change into something nicer, like the forest green silk dress shirt I had that reminded me of Alex’s eyes and some dark coloured pants to match. The green was like a mini rebellion because I didn’t want to forget Alex for a stupid prince.

I stared morosely out of the window as the carriage made its way to the castle, losing myself in a fantasy land where Alex was the prince instead of whoever it was instead.

The carriage rolled to a stop outside the castle doors and the doorman opened the door. I took a deep breath and stepped out into the cool air.

Okay, let's do this. I pep talked myself. I walked into the castle with my father right beside me. We were shown to the dining room. The king and queen were already seated.

"You must be Cassidy," the queen greeted, smiling.

I smiled genuinely because she seemed really nice and motherly, and nodded.

"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you."

"The pleasure is mine, your majesty," I said.

“Oh, no need for all that formality. Please, just call me Annabelle," she replied. "We'll begin shortly, Alexander will be here soon."

Alexander? What a coincidence.

"My apologies everyone, I was busy wrestling with my cravat. Thank you for waiting,” said a very, extremely familiar voice.

I turned. "Alex?" I asked, shocked.

Alex whipped his head around to look at me. His eyes widened. My heart started pounding.