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The Promise
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Tova's Four Kingdoms Gentleness
TOVAI looked at the retreating form of Erik with confusion. I couldn’t keep up with his moods. Tonight he was the Erik I fell in love with, the kind and funny man that was considerate of my moods and feelings. I lay back on the plush mattress, thinking of how different it was than the hay that I have been laying on lately. I rolled to my side and curled up with my knees to my chest.Despite all of the things I had on my mind, I fell asleep right away. I woke up to Erik slipping into the bed beside me. I rolled on to my back and turned my head. “What time is it?” I asked, sleepily. “Do we need to go?”“Shhh.” Erik stroked my hair back and then rolled over next to me. “It’s hours until daybreak, little one. We have time for this.” He leaned over, putting his lips on mine. He started rubbing my lips with his tongue and I let out a little moan, opening my mouth.His kiss went deeper and his hands were running down my side, stroking my body. He sat up suddenly, pulling his shir
Tova's Four Kingdoms The Dungeon
TOVAI woke up the next morning feeling rested. My muscles felt like jelly and I was really relaxed. Erik definitely knew what he was doing. I looked over at him and saw that he was awake, just looking at me. I raised my eyebrows in alarm; I have never had the king stay in bed after waking unless he was using my body. I gave him a tentative smile.“I didn’t want to wake you,” he said. “They haven’t brought the mounts, yet, but they’ll be here in a minute.”I stretched and rolled out of bed, heading for the trunk that contained my clean clothes. I noticed the negligee on the floor and picked it up, folding it neatly and putting it in the trunk. I looked over my shoulder and blushed. Erik was watching me with a pleased look on his face.He got up and leisurely dressed. I was already dressed and eating porridge that one of the guards had brought over. I could hear Bo out in the yard, stomping his feet and whinnying for me. Poor guy probably didn’t understand why I didn’t show
Tova's Four Kingdoms Parents
ERIKWith trembling lips, Tova looked at me and nodded. I could tell she was becoming emotional. I admit that surprised me a little; I didn’t think she remembered much of her former life before coming to the castle. My warriors had already separated the three people that we suspected were Tova’s family. A warrior led the way to the room they were housed in. When the warriors stormed the castle, they had found the little family locked into a bare, sparce room. The warriors had moved in some bedding and provided food and wood to stoke the fire, but they left them locked in there per my orders.I still had Tova’s hand tucked into mine. “When we get there, please don’t go running in. We have extended them the courtesy of not being put into the dungeon like everyone else was, however we don’t know their intentions yet. I do not want them trying anything if the situation is misread.”She nodded, taking a shaky breath. We had stopped outside a large door.I nodded to the guard that
Tova's Four Kingdoms Apology
TOVAI looked at Erik’s earnest face and nodded, warily. He was certainly full of surprises these last two days. I looked at a guard who looked back at me, impassively. I squared my shoulders.“Certainly, sire. I am yours to command.”An emotion crossed Erik’s face for a moment but disappeared quickly. He captured my hand in his, again, and we followed a guard down the maze of hallways. One of the halls ended in a huge room, filled top to bottom with books with a huge table in the middle. Erik watched my face light up when I saw the books.“I will make sure you have time in here to select the books you want to bring back,” he said. “Though I believe we probably have most of the same ones in the library at the castle. My mother is an avid reader and she insisted that the libraries in all the castles be stocked so that she could enjoy them when she came to visit.”I let him lead me to a chair beside a fire that the guard had efficiently lit before disappearing down the hallway.
Tova's Four Kingdoms Erik Knows
ERIKThe meeting was over. I stood, raising Tova to her feet. I looked at the generals and bowed my head a little. “Thank you, gentlemen.” They looked at me with surprise. I am sure that there was going to be some rumors being spread tonight. I don’t think they have ever heard me thank them for doing their job. I am not sure I ever have.I pulled Tova from the room and my guard met me at the door. “We are having them fill the bath, sire, under supervision of course. One of our warriors prepared your meals. I have to warn you, Bray is not a cook, but his food is edible.”I snorted. “I’ve had Bray’s sludge before. I am hoping it has gotten better with practice?” I looked at the guard who had a smirk on his face and I sighed. “I’m afraid you will regret coming with me, my queen,” I said with a dramatic sigh. “Bray has a heavy hand with the salt and and not enough attention to detail with the taste.”“As long as it’s edible, my king,” she said, laughing. “I am too hungry t
Tova's Four Kingdoms Heimed Castle
ERIKThree days later we left the castle. Everything had been done as I had ordered, and as Tova had suggested. She had spent most of her time with her parents and I watched her mother break down as we rode away. I looked over at Tova and was surprised to see that she hadn’t shed any tears.“Are you heartbroken, little one?” I asked, worriedly. Ever since she confirmed my suspicions, I had been worried about every little thing with her. I regretted agreeing to let her stay with me; I wanted her back in the castle under the watchful eyes of Birgir. Not that he would be there.“No, I am okay,” she said, her eyes clear as they looked at me. I must have looked confused because she continued to explain. “It was nice to see them, but I am changed. I do not belong to them anymore and I will never fit in. The last day I was there I realized I was tired of hearing about people I once knew but don’t remember, and about customs I once participated in but no longer know how. I wanted t
Tova's Four Kingdoms Bog People
ERIKThe coronation ceremony was finally over. The women were in a frenzy for a week, putting together a celebration that would be impressive. I am pretty sure my mother spared no expense.We let Birger and my mom in on the secret we were keeping of Tova’s pregnancy. They had, of course, heard the news that Tova was pregnant when I was taken by Loki. Then they heard the news that Tova had told everyone that to save my life. Now we were telling them that it was real. Birgir looked pleased and my mom got teary. And then she got annoying, insisting that Tova sit with her feet up for most of the day. Tova got really good at sneaking away from her.I had assigned extra guards to be at the coronation. I had expected trouble, but none came. The villagers and those who traveled to see the ceremony seemed happy that it was taking place. Perhaps, as Tova suggested, they were tired of royalty whose ambition was for themselves only. I made sure Triz’s wife, Wilda, and her children saw
Tova's Four Kingdoms Broken Leg
TOVAThe brief skirmish that we encountered drained us all of energy. I, myself, was exhausted and it took sheer willpower to keep my feet moving, pulling them out of the mud with a sickening squelch noise.Erik hovered near me, his face stony. I couldn’t tell if he was angry with me or with the situation or with the Bog People, but I figured I would find out soon. Ever since his apology he has been gentle and considerate, and I’m ashamed to admit I’m just waiting for the other shoe to drop. I want him to be changed, I really do, but I am afraid it was all words. I wondered if tonight it would be confirmed.The ground gradually changed, becoming more and more firm the closer we got to the grove of trees. I finally stood without sinking into the ground and even Bo made a noise of relief when we got to the grove. It was small, smaller than an acre, but large enough that it hosted a bubbling stream that disappeared into the bog. Grass grew sparce, most likely shaded from the sun
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Tova's Four Kingdoms Greatest Warriors
TOVALater that night Erik was helping me take off my ornate dress. I had my back to him, my hair lifted up and he was untying the lacing.“Why do they tie these so tightly when you’re obviously with child? Of course you won’t have a waist,” Erik complained, picking at the knots. I shrugged.“Fashion, I guess,” I replied. He finally got the knot untied and spun me around, lifting the heavy dress off from me. I gave a sigh of relief and collapsed on the couch. He sat beside me and lifted my feet into his lap, idly rubbing them.“She will tame the Lion,” Erik mused. “You know who the Lion is, right?”I sighed again. “Yes. And I hope HE isn’t who that prophesy is about.”“The king of the Minot Realm does have a fearsome reputation,” Erik acknowledged. “But so did I.”“She is only six,” I commented. “That’s the same age I was when Birgir came and got me from my parents. I’m not letting Greta go if he comes knocking.”Erik nodded. “I agree. I will fight to keep Greta here unti
Tova's Four Kingdoms Prophesies
TEN YEARS LATERTOVAI was on my knees in the nursery trying to finish braiding six-year-old Greta’s curly red hair. It was normally a mess and I normally let it be a mess, but today was the day she was going to get her prophesy. Her brother, Leif, had gotten his years ago and the seers were finally back in the area. It was a tradition that all the children of the realm participated in. Even Erik had gotten a prophesy at one time.I clumsily climbed to my feet, again big with child. The midwives were convinced I was carrying twins this time. I had another easy birth when I birthed Greta and I was hoping this pregnancy would not be any different. “My lady, can I help?” One of the maids came forward to help me with Greta’s hair. I smiled at her. “Please try, Berta. I can not do a thing with it.” I handed over the brush and ribbons and then looked for my son. I found Leif sitting in the rocking chair near the window, reading a book. I smiled at him. At age ten he looked
Tova's Four Kingdoms Baby
TOVAI woke up in the middle of the night with a start, unsure what had woken me. I felt achy all over and decided to take a bath in the morning. I would ask the medicine man for some herbs to put into the water to soothe my muscles.I rolled over and snuggled into Erik. He rolled slightly in his sleep, pressing further into me. I dozed back to sleep when I woke again. This time I knew what had caused it.I carefully rolled away, hoping not to wake Erik. I felt a horrific pressure in my low back and sharp pains were shooting down my leg. I got up and carefully put on a dressing gown over my hugely swollen body, tying the straps in the front. I began pacing up and down the room, hoping to alleviate some of the pressure in my low back. I was in labor.I knew from my lessons with the midwives that the baby could take hours, or even days to come. I wasn’t prepared for this amount of pain, though. The pressure made me feel like my body was going to drop out of my bottom and the
Tova's Four Kingdoms Dining Room
ERIKI rode Troi into the stable at a run. It had been a long time since she got to go out and ride hard like that. Tova was too large and too far along in her pregnancy to ride, but she still came down to the stable to pet and talk to Bo. He wouldn’t allow anyone else to ride him, including me, so he had to stay when I went out with Troi. I gave the reins to one of the stable boys and then went into Bo’s stall, patting him. “She’s doing okay, boy,” I murmured to him. “It’s just too cold for her to come down and see you.” The new year had come in with a bang, the snow falling enough to cover the first story windows in the castle. After the snow came the winds, biting and freezing everything into a glossy, slippery mess. Tova was large with child and clumsy, so venturing outside wasn’t a good idea. She was going stir-crazy inside the castle. She recently began rearranging the baby’s room for the third time.I dropped a handful of oats into Bo’s feed bucket and carefully made
Tova's Four Kingdoms Dangerous Traditions
TOVAThe days of the celebration passed. It took a week for the castle to become back to normal. Our guests spent a day or two recovering from the merriment of the day before heading back to their lives. Birgir and Ulka stayed a few more days, working out some of the details of their new acquisition. “I’m too old to have kids,” Ulka said, abruptly one night at dinner. Erik choked on his soup and Birgir had to pound him on his back. I started laughing and couldn’t stop.“What on earth brought on this conversation?” Erik asked, horrified. “What are we going to do about an heir?” Ulka said. “Birgir and I aren’t exactly young. We probably have fifteen to twenty good years left to rule, but what will be do after that?”I tipped my head to the side. “Exactly how old are you, my lady?” I asked, curious. Erik gave a shout of laughter. “Good luck getting that information from her. It’s a closely guarded secret.” I threw my wadded up napkin at his head and he ducked. Birgir grinn
Tova's Four Kingdoms Celebration
TOVAI thought my knees would buckle under me but Erik’s steadying hand on my elbow and waist helped. One by one the kings and queens stood. The king of Skaldik stepped forward and dropped to his knee.“Kings and Queens of the Four Kingdoms. I, King Olgir, pledge my alliance to each and every one of you. I pledge to work together, to contribute to the well-being of all of our people.”The remaining kings and queens stomped their feet, pounding out their acceptance. And one by one, each of the royalty took to their knee and made the same pledge.Then it was my turn. I wasn’t sure if Erik had intended on participating, but I knew I needed to. I dropped to my knee and bowed to them.“Kings and Queens of the Four Kingdoms. I, High Queen Tova, pledge my alliance to each and every one of you. I pledge that we will work together and contribute to the well being of all people, regardless of where they dwell.”Erik fell to his knee beside me and repeated the oath. We stood together a
Tova's Four Kingdoms Unite
TOVAI stood in front of the crowd, nervous. I looked out, shocked at how many people were there. Every flat surface that could be used as a table and every stool, step and chair had been brought from the castle and were filled. Furs from the beds were placed on the ground with cushions for those who arrived too late to find a seat. As far as I could see there was a sea of people, and they were all looking at me.I cleared my throat and began speaking. I spoke loud, partly to control the shaking in my voice, and partly because I wanted all to hear what I had to say.“Men and Women of Oremgoth. I am speaking to you now as a sister from Nidavelle and as your High Queen. Hear my words.Oremgoth is a realm that is made up of four specific kingdoms. Because of location, each of these kingdoms has a specific gift that is from nature, herself.”I turned to the king of Skaldik and inclined my head before turning back to the people. “Skaldik is to the north. Their people are hardwork
Tova's Four Kingdoms New Royalty
ERIKI stood on the podium in the pavilion and looked out on to the field. More people than expected had shown up to the ceremony and that pleased me. Some of the guests didn’t look too pleased and some looked uncomfortable, but my mother was down there doing her best to stop the muttering.The muttering was happening because Tova insisted on mixing the perceived social ranks. Peasants were seated at the table with noblemen. Children from all classes ran around together, playing games and enjoying each other’s company. And those who did not send a response saying that they would be attending, regardless of status, were seated on furs and cushions that were placed out last minute. I knew that the only reason no one had left in a huff is because they were curious about what was going on. I stepped out and raised my hand, garnering the attention of everyone. The hum of conversations slowed and then finally stopped, the only noise made from the servants clanking silver together in
Tova's Four Kingdoms Beautiful
TOVAI was happy to see that the servants had filled my bath with lightly scented water. I climbed in and let the warm water relax my body before quickly washing and coating my hair with oils. I climbed out, wrapping myself in my robe and wandering back to the bedroom where my chambermaid had laid out my gown for the evening.Instead of the chambermaid, Erik was sitting on the couch, shirtless. I looked at him and breathed in, hard. I knew the look in his eyes.“Come here,” he said, widening his legs. I stepped forward until I was standing within arm’s reach of him. “Take off the robe,” he said, eyes smoldering. I obediently untied the sash and let the robe drop to my feet. He hissed his approval through his teeth when he saw my body, still glistening with the oils I had used. He lowered his head and started sucking on my nipple and I threw my head back and moaned. “You know we only have a few minutes,” Erik whispered, his mouth full of my breast. “No, we don’t. Take your
