6 Chapter 6: Jameson

"Good night, Princess." He smiled watching her. He was sure that he felt her eyes on him while he undressed but it was too dark to see whether she was blushing or not. He had been so wrong about her in so many ways. He thought her pampered and relatively useless and though she was a bit naive to the way of things she had a gift with magic that he could hardly comprehend. She actually amazed him tonight. He had never seen anyone so gifted with healing magic. He looked down at this side and there wasn't even a scar where he was cut. He smiled as he looked over at her, she probably saved his life. He thought for sure that Allaree meant to kill him. He shook his head. He didn't want to think of her. Not now, not with the princess within arms reach. He looked at her back, her pale skin washed in the moonlight. She had lovely skin. It was so soft to the touch while he unlaced her corset. He couldn't help but wonder if all her skin was as smooth as her practically bare shoulders and upper back. He gave his head a hard shake and sunk into the mattress. It was hardly appropriate for him to think of her as anything more than someone he needed to protect. She mumbled in her sleep and he bit his lip to keep from laughing. There were many sides to the princess that he had never even considered. Maybe they couldn't be a couple but they could be friends, right? As it stood they both were in need of a friend. He closed his eyes, starring at her wasn't helping him any and slowly he drifted to sleep.

He woke the next morning just after the sun had rose and sat up looking around. She was still asleep, the sun shining in the the single window setting her pale skin aglow. He held his breath, he wanted so badly to reach out and touch her. To feel her soft skin under his fingers but he knew he couldn't. She stirred rolling to face him her eyes blinking open. "Good morning, princess." She sat up stretching her arms over her head letting the quilt fall to her waist. He couldn't help the racing of his heart as he looked at her in her low cut lace and silk chemise that showed just how womanly she actually was.

She smiled at him. "Good morning, General. I trust you slept well."

"As well as one could expect." He smiled at her. "And you?"

"I slept like the dead." She smiled. "I used a lot of magic yesterday, it left me quite exhausted."

"I am sorry. It was healing me that exhausted you."

She smiled at him. Why had he never noticed how beautiful she was when she smiled before. "I would gladly do it again."

"I for one am hoping you won't have too." He grinned.

She laughed, he liked her laugh. "I hope that as well."

"I think I should dress now." He said sitting up. She blushed but did not turn away. "Princess..?"

"Yes?"

"You... you're starring at my chest."

She turned a delicious shade of red. "I apologize! I just.." her voice grew so soft he hardly could hear her. "...like the way you look."

He wasn't sure if he should respond but he couldn't stop himself. Seeing her so embarrassed made him smile. Thank you..."

Her blush deepened. "I've never seen a man's chest before... but I am sure they do not all look like yours."

Now he was blushing. "I... no, they don't."

She nodded. "I'll turn away now."

After she turned her back he climbed out of bed and quickly dressed. His heart was racing from her eyes being on him and he wanted so badly for her to touch him. She said she had never seen a man's chest before therefore she was probably just watching him out of curiosity not because it was him. Once he was dressed he turned back to her and studied her profile as she looked out the window. She was a sight to be seen. She had long curly blonde hair that when unpinned hung to the back of her knees. Her skin was ivory and flawlessly smooth and her deep violet eyes seemed to see straight into his soul. She was beautiful, brave, and kind. Now he understood why Cailan loved her so. He shook his head, Cailan would have been worthy of her, he was not. "I am dressed."

She turned to face him. "I should dress as well."

"Of course. I shall turn my back."

"Thank you. But I will need your help tying my corset."

"I am afraid I don't know how but I'll do as instructed."

She laughed loudly the sound filling the room. "Then I suppose I shall teach you how and in return you can teach me to properly fasten armor."

He chuckled. "Sounds as if he have an accord."

He turned his back as she pulled her gown on holding it in place. "I am ready for you." He turned around and moved to her starring at her bare shoulders. He took a deep calming breath before threading the ribbon through the eyes of the corset. He fumbled a bit but he managed to get it laced. He took a step back but then she looked at him over her shoulder. "You'll have to pull it tighter or it will never stay in place." He nodded as he pulled the ribbon tighter. "Tighter still." She smiled. He nodded pulling the ribbons tighter yet. "Tighter."

"You can't be serious? Any tighter and you won't be able to breath."

"Precisely." She smiled over her shoulder at him. "I will tell you if it is too tight." He nodded as he pulled the ribbon so tightly that he thought it had to be compressing her ribs.

He then stepped back and she spun in a small circle. "It is a bit crude but it will stay in place. Thank you, General."

"I exist to serve, your highness."

She smiled at him. "Must you always be so formal? I think we are beyond it."

His eyes widened. "I am a servant. I couldn't possibly address you as anything else."

"You are beyond a servant, you are the General of my father's armies. The only man who can give you orders is my father." She stepped closer to him. "And I hoped to think of you as a friend."

"I would like that." He smiled. "If I am not to call you princess, what should I call you instead?"

"Annalise, please."

"You're asking me to call you by name?"

She nodded. "Yes. In fact I insist."

"I will, if you do the same." He smiled at her.

"Surely I've called you by name before?"

"Only when scolding me." He laughed.

She appeared to be lost in thought for a minute. "You're correct. I should apologize."

"There is no need. I am a difficult to deal with."

She had a strange mix of emotion play on her face. "I am as well. I'm sorry."

"Princ... Annalise, none of that matters now. We are starting over."

She smiled. "I'd like that. Thank you, Jameson." He grinned. He liked hearing her say his name. He stepped closer to her reaching out but then backed away. "What's wrong?"

"I... I was going to take your hand in mine."

"Why didn't you?" She asked stepping closer.

"I need to keep some distance between us." He sighed taking a step back.

"Why?" She asked stepping forward.

"You are my ward for the time being. It is my duty to see you home safe. That requires a level head."

"And touching me jeopardizes that?"

"Yes. We are both vulnerable at the moment. We must see this for what it is."

She reached out but he stepped back. "Explain this to me, please?"

"You lost the man you love not even a fortnight ago and the woman I was seeing just tried to kill me. On top of that we are currently on the run, while our kingdom is being over taken. We are seeking comfort in one another. That's all this feeling is."

"I..." She stepped back and dropped into a chair. "Perhaps your right. How inappropriate of me to be so intimate with the younger brother of my..." She was crying, tears streaming from her cheeks but she was also laughing behind her hands.

He sighed as he kneeled before her. "Tell me what you are thinking. A mage suppressing her emotions is dangerous for all involved."

"I... I loved Cailan. And I think he might have felt the same toward me... but my father made it clear that he was not allowed to make an advance on me. We never did more than hold hands... I thought he was going to kiss me once but he pulled away. And now he is gone."

He nodded. Calian loved her with every fiber of his being. All he talked about when he was home at the manor was his princess. He was sure from the way he that spoke that Cailan had at least kissed the girl. He actually thought he might have bedded her. But apparently Calian was far more of a gentleman than he could ever hope to be. He wanted so badly to reach up and wipe away her tears but he stopped himself. "He loved you. He loved you so deeply that he would have given anything to see you safe. And he did. Now the rest is on me and I will not fail."

"I... thank you, Jameson. You've cleared some of the doubt from my heart."

"I only wish I could do more." Just then there was a knock at the door and he stood while drawling his sword. He crept to the door and cautiously pulled it open, his sword at the ready. He smiled, "Lieutenant, am I glad to see you!"

"General, I am glad you are safe." He looked past him to her. "And you as well, Princess."

"Thank you, Lieutenant. Have you brought word?" She asked gesturing for him to enter.

He stepped through the door. "I have. We have not lost Thorngate but there are still traders amongst the men. There is no other way to explain the attack. And with still no word form the main camp I think it best if you keep the princess here, safely hidden. Very few know of this place so it should be safe enough for now. I will have anything you need sent here."

"If that is what it takes to keep Annalise safe, I will remain here with her until we get word from the main camp."

The lieutenant smiled at his use of her name. "Is there anything you need right away."

"Just supplies. Anything you need, Annalise?"

"A change of clothes please. This gown is not practical for day to day living."

The lieutenant nodded. "Anything you need. Please take care, princess." He then turned and walked back through the door.

Once he was gone Jameson turned toward her, "looks like it will just be the two of us for some time." He stepped toward her. "Are you sure that you won't mind being trapped with me?"

She blushed. "I... no, I don't mind."

He had to look away, she looked so beautiful. Maybe being trapped in this cabin indefinitely with her was a bad idea. How long could he watch her blush without stealing a kiss from her lips. He looked back and she was smiling at him. "I am going to make breakfast. Are you hungry?" She nodded and he turned to the cooking stove and being to prepare what food they had. They shared their meal making small talk and then he took her for a walk. He thought it important that she was familiar with the area in case she ever had to make a run for her life. She walked at his side smiling as she looked about the lively swamp. He loved watching her take it all in. She had barely been outside the crown city before she was forced to flee, he was glad he was with her when she finally got to start looking around the country she would one day rule.

When they got back the Lieutenant was waiting with a cart of supplies. They helped unload them and then he heated water so she could bathe. He sat outside while she bathed and then she called for him. He entered as she was standing with her back to him clearly needing help to lace her corset. He grabbed the ribbon and laced it tightly through the eyes. She turned and smiled at him when he was finished. "You've gotten rather good at lacing my corset."

He blushed. "Now to teach you to buckle armor."

She laughed. "I am happy to learn. I don't want you to be injured on my account again."

He took her hand even though he knew better. "That wasn't your fault. And I will gladly take a sword so that you won't have to."

She took his other hand and then squeezed them. "No."

"No?"

"You are not allowed to sacrifice yourself for me!"

He looked deep into her violet eyes. "It's my job to protect you."

She stepped closer to him and when he looked down at her their faces where only a couple inches apart. "I can't lose you, Jameson."

"Annalise..."

"Cailan already died because of me. I won't lose you as well. If it comes down to it, we'll flee like cowards."

Of course it was about Cailan, he almost let himself think she was afraid to lose him because she actually liked him. "Of course..." he turned his head to the side.

"Jameson, look at me." He nodded turning back to her, their faces even closer. "It's not just about Cailain." Damn, did she read his mind? "I care about you. We may not have gotten along but we've known each other since childhood. Losing you would be just as painful."

He smiled. "Thank you, Annalise."

She stepped back dropping his hands before she turned. "I am going to unpack these crates."