Grim

  “No they won’t.” She gives him a soft look. “You are the only male I want to attract.” Ignoring her dirty hand, she caresses his scared cheek soothing him. “I am yours Grim.”

  Montfort is stunned. He looks from his King to the female he’s claimed as his Queen and feels like he is intruding. He doesn’t understand this. Doesn’t understand her. What game is this female playing with his King? She speaks to him tenderly, is seemingly understanding about his duties. She says ‘I love you’ to him, an ancient phrase stating her commitment to him…in the presence of another. She willingly touches his scars but she wants to be left alone with other males, many other males.

  “Sire…” Montfort reminds them of his presence. “It would be better for them not to be here.”

  “Are they a threat to us Grim? Will they harm the girls?” She ignores Montfort.

  “No. These are honorable males but they will be uncomfortable around you.” Grim watches his Lisa’s eyes turn to her girls, to the room and then Montfort before returning to him.

  “I know it’s not the ‘Tornian’ way Grim…for females and males to interact outside of joining.” She ignores Montfort’s shocked gasp. “But it is the Earth way. We can interact, be friends, and even care about each other with it not lead to joining. Maybe it’s something your males need to learn. Change isn’t always a bad thing…if it was the girls and I would be very unhappy right now.”

  Grim looks at the girls silently listening then back to Lisa. Their lives have changed drastically, a change forced on them. They could be sullen and demanding for all the trials they’ve had to endure but they weren’t. A Tornian female would be threatening to join with another if her room hadn’t been prepared to her liking, not his Lisa, she would prepare it herself, asking only to be allowed to do so.

  She’s brought so much to his life, more than just the girls, she accepts him, loves him. She’s shown him his world can be different, better, now she wants to do the same for his people, their people. It will mean a great deal of change but as she said, it isn’t always a bad thing. Smiling he leans down to capture her lips in a quick kiss.

  “Montfort.” He looks to him. “Lisa and the girls will remain. She will direct the men on what she wants done and they will follow her orders unless it puts her or the girls in danger. Is that understood?” He gives Montfort a hard look.

  “Yes sire.”

  “You will take care won’t you my Lisa?” He gently cups her face.

  “I will. Will you be eating the noon meal with us?”

  “Doubtful.”

  “Oh.” Montfort hears the disappointment in her voice. “But tonight?”

  “Yes.” He turns hearing his men approaching. “Warriors, this,” he indicates Lisa, “is your Queen, Queen Lisa, and our two girls, Carly and Miki.” Silence greets his statement.

  “Hello.” Lisa says standing proudly next to Grim, wishing she wasn’t covered in dust.

  “Today you will prepare the girls resting chamber. Queen Lisa will be directing you as to what she wants done, with the assistance of Montfort. Do you understand?” After a moment of shock, they respond.

  “Yes sire.”

  “I’ll see you tonight.” He tells her curtly than nodding to Montfort, leaves.

  After a bumpy start, Lisa can honestly say they are making progress. The men were finally following her instructions without looking to Montfort first. It had helped that the girls, who at first they wouldn’t go near, had quickly charmed them with their smiles and laughter. It also quickly became clear that while the room was dusty, it wasn’t dirty.

  “This isn’t as bad as I thought it would be Montfort. Besides polishing and cleaning windows, it’s mostly dust. Hopefully the other rooms are the same.”

  “They are. The King only required them to be maintained once a year.”

  “And you did as he asked.” She acknowledges. “Thank you but that is going to change now that there is a family living here. The unused rooms will be cleaned every…” She searches for the word. “Moon cycle.”

  “Every moon cycle!” Montfort cant’ keep the shock out of his voice.

  “Yes. It will control the dust and keep the windows clean. And speaking of windows, the ones in the King’s Chamber will need done today.”

  “Yes Majesty.” Montfort says stiffly, sighing Lisa looks at him.

  “I’m not going to get you to call me Lisa, am I?”

  “No Majesty.”

  “May I ask why?”

  “Only the male a female is joined with, may use her name.” Montfort informs her.

  “So what do you call one you are suddenly talking too?”

  “If within my duties it becomes necessary for me to speak to a female, without her male present, she is always addressed by the title of her male.”

  “So…you are?”

  “I am Warrior Montfort, Master of Castle Luanda.” Montfort stands proudly and Lisa knows he has the right. Montfort is in charge of the entire castle, making sure everything runs smoothly, from food to cleaning.

  “Very impressive, so your female is addressed as?”

  “I have no female.” He informs her.

  “Why?” He sees her honestly confusion. “You are a Warrior from House Luanda. You hold a position of great responsibility in that House. It makes no sense that a female would not choose you.” Montfort doesn’t know how to react. She has just given him a great compliment, if she’d been any other female, he would think she was interested in joining with him, but he sees no interest in her eyes, just questions.

  “I would not be able to keep her adequately happy.”

  “Adequately happy…that means provide her with things? Things like those upstairs.” Montfort nods stiffly. “Your women’s priorities are really messed up Montfort.”

  “Women?”

  “Earth word for females.”

  “Your…women…don’t demand many things for joining with them?”

  “Well…there are women like that on Earth, I won’t lie to you. But most are just looking for a good man, one that treats them well and is home at night.”

  “Treats them well, that is giving them things.”

  “It could be I guess. I always enjoyed it when my husband gave me gifts, but that’s what they were, gifts. Something he thought I would like, not something I demanded to stay with him. But it’s more than that, it’s the rest of it, the talking and listening, being kind and understanding to the other. No one’s perfect Montfort, we all make mistakes, have bad days. It’s being willing to forgive the other that is treating someone well. Treating them as you’d want to be treated.”

  “And this is what Earth females…women want.”

  “For the most part yes, each one is different, just like every warrior here wants something different in a female, I’d guess.”

  “She would be addressed as Mistress,” Montfort informs her. “My female.”

  “Thank you Montfort.” The ringing of bells has all the men stopping. “What’s that?” She looks to Montfort for clarification.

  “It is the signal to come for midday meal.”

  “Oh.” Lisa looks around the room and smiles. The floors are gleaming, windows sparkling, the furniture polished to a high shine. Now all it needs are those little touches that make it home and those are upstairs.

  “Majesty?” Montfort interrupts her thoughts.

  “Oh sorry.” Sheepishly she sees all the men are waiting. “Go enjoy your meal you’ve earned it.” She steps aside, smiling, as they all try to leave at once. “Montfort?”

  “Your meals will be brought up at once Majesty.”

  “Fine, that’s fine. Do you think they can get another room done today or are they needed elsewhere?”

  “They are at your disposal for as long as you wish Majesty.”

  “Oh, well I’d like the bedrooms done first, that way the dust isn’t carried into a cleaned area. After that we can move on to the first level and so on.”

  “You want the
entire castle cleaned?” He can’t hide his shock.

  “Well…” She considers his question. “Yes, I guess I do. Once I've see the rest of it of course. I’m sure there won’t be much to do but I need to figure out where to put everything from upstairs.”

  “You are going to display your treasures throughout the castle? For all to see?” Montfort is sure the universe has just collapsed.

  “For all to enjoy.” She corrects. “What good are they doing hidden away upstairs like that? After lunch, the girls and I will go up to see what they would like in their room. We’re going to need some help moving furniture and the like, oh, and who makes clothes here?” She pulls on her shirt so he understands.

  “We have a clothier.” He tells her.

  “He knows how to make female clothing?”

  “His female does.”

  “The clothier has a female? Here in the castle?” Lisa can’t hide her shock.

  “He has a cottage between the castle and village. His female is Auyangian not Tornian, her name is Padma. She makes coverings for females.” He tells her as if that explained it all.

  “I…” The arrival of their meal stops her. “Go eat Montfort, we’ll talk later.”

  “Mommy…is it real?” Carly asks her eyes wide as she looks at the bounty in front of her. After lunch and quick showers, Lisa leads the girls up the staircase to their ‘surprise’.

  “It is, so let’s go through it and see what you would like for your room.”

  “Really mommy?” Miki can’t keep the excitement out of her voice.

  “Really, but within reason girls, I noticed a blue and green comforter on the bed back there I thought you’d agree on.” With squeals, they take off running. Green is Carly’s favorite color with blue being Miki’s, Lisa had said a silent prayer of thanks when she’d seen it.

  It doesn’t take long for the girls start a pile of what they wanted and for Lisa to put half of it back. “Come on girls do you really think you need a bowl full of diamonds?”

  “But they’re sparkly mommy.” Miki informs her.

  “Yes they are but they are not for a little girl’s bedroom. Grim will have to decide what to do with them. Now I agree with the comforter, sheets and pillows. The tables for beside the bed are fine and you can each pick out two things you want to put on them.” She taps a finger to her cheek as she thinks. “Now, there’s a desk for each of you and that low table so you can sit on the floor to draw or play games and rugs of course.”

  “The blue one mommy.” Miki quickly announces.

  “No green!” Carly argues back.

  “No arguing or you get nothing!” Lisa warns.

  “But mommy…” Miki’s little jaw trembles.

  “I mean it Miki Renee. You’re being very ungrateful you know.”

  “I’m sorry mommy… I just like blue so much.” Lisa kneels down wrapping her arms around her.

  “I know baby but Carly likes green and you are going to share a room.”

  “I’m sorry Carly.” Miki walks over to her sister, her little eyes filling with tears. “You can have the green one.” Carly hugs her baby sister in the moment is so precious it nearly breaks Lisa’s heart.

  “It’s okay Miki, I like green, but you love blue.”

  Montfort and the men freeze at the sight that greets them on their return. Three females laughing and giggling, on a pile of bedding that’s stuck in the King’s doorway.

  “Majesty?” Montfort rushes across the room before pulling up short at the sight of her tears. “Are you hurt?”

  “No.” Giggling Lisa swipes at the tears running down her cheeks and tries to stand. “We are…we just…” She busts out laughing again.

  “We were trying to get to our bedroom.” Carly informs them. “Then mommy got stuck in the door and when she turned the blanket wrapped around her and then when we tried to help she slipped and then we all got rolled up in it and then we all started laughing.” The warriors are all thankful when she finally stops for a breath.

  Finally extracting herself from the comforter Lisa stands. “Sorry about that guys, it was just so funny.” Taking a deep breath, she tries to get herself under control. “Alright girls, giggle times over, let’s get back to work.” The girls work their way out of the blankets. “Montfort, I hate to ask, but could you or one of you men help us out here?” Immediately, two males rush forward, easily able to maneuver the bulky bedding through the door, carrying it into the girls’ room.

  “Thank you Agee, Kirk.” She says following them into the room. “On the bed is fine.”

  “You’re welcome Majesty.” Quickly they leave.

  “Girls you start on the bed while I talk to Montfort.” Knowing they will do as she’s asked, Lisa leaves to find Montfort.

  “Yes Faber the outside of the windows too.” She finds him dealing with what appears to be an upset warrior.

  “Hello Montfort, is there a problem?”

  “No Majesty, just a different opinion on what is clean.” The warrior quickly turns back to his task.

  “I see well thank you for making sure it’s done properly. I know it must seem silly to warriors such as these but there’s nothing wrong with wanting the things contained in your House to be seen in the best light.

  “Like we’ll ever see them.” Faber grumbles just loud enough to be heard.

  “Faber!” Montfort shouts angrily.

  “I guess you’ll just have to wait and see won’t you.” Turning her back on the warrior, she sees that every warrior in the room quickly returns to their task. “Montfort there’s several pieces of furniture the girls picked out that will need moved and if you get me a ladder I’ll get the curtains down so they can be hung in their room too.”

  “Majesty?” All work stops again.

  “It shouldn’t take long, oh and there are a couple rugs.” Lisa continues not realizing she’s shocked the males.

  “Yes Majesty.”

  “Great let me check on the girls and I’ll meet you upstairs so you know what needs moved.” Turning, she unknowingly leaves a stunned room.

  “Majesty let me do that!” Agee demands. Seeing his new Queen on the top of the ladder has his heart stuttering.

  “I’m fine but if you could fold and stack those I’d appreciate it.” She gestures to the pile of material on the floor. “This should be the last one I need.” As the material drops, she turns to descend.

  “Lisa! What are you doing?” Grim’s sudden bellow has Lisa’s foot slipping. Catching herself, she turns.

  “Grim! You scare the crap out of me!” Once she’s steady, she starts down only to find she’s in Grim’s arms as he pulls her off the ladder. “Hi.” She grins up at him but Grim isn’t smiling, she could have fallen, been hurt.

  “Agee! Why was she on that ladder?” He demands angrily.

  “Now you wait a minute!” Lisa gives him an angry look. “You can’t blame Agee. He didn’t know I was on it. He only just came up and was asking me to get down.”

  “My apologizes Majesty. I should have been more diligent.” Agee kneels before him.

  “Grim…” Lisa pleads. “He did nothing wrong.”

  Grim looks into Lisa’s pleading eyes, his heart still pounding from the scare she’s given him. When he’d seen her slip…but she is right, it wasn’t Agee’s fault. He’s the one that startled her and she is safe in his arms.

  “Rise Agee, my Lisa is correct. You were not delinquent in your duties.”

  “Sire.” Rising he looks at them then quickly away.

  “Grim, what are you doing back so early?” She pulls his attention back to her. “I didn’t think I’d see to the evening meal.”

  “I missed you.” His admission is rewarded with a beaming smile.

  “Really?” The joy in her voice is easily heard by Agee who seems to have been forgotten.

  “Really.” Agee can’t stop himself from staring as his King puts his lips on Lisa’s…seeming to deriving great pleasure from it. Turning quickly he
starts folding the curtains.

  “You will not get on that again.” Grim orders ending the kiss.

  “Grim…”

  “I have warriors who can do it. Warriors that won’t be harmed.”

  “Fine, okay. It’ll probably take two to get them up anyway.” Lisa wiggles in his arms. “Let me down so I can help Agee carry them.”

  “No.” He sets her on her feet. “We will carry them. Where are they going?”

  “The girls’ room. Oh Grim you should see it. Your warriors did such a wonderful job and hardly grumbled at all. The girls are so excited.”

  “A warrior complained about an assigned duty?” Grim’s tone is threatening.

  “No, not really. It doesn’t matter.” She waves a dismissing hand.

  “You will give me his name Lisa.” Grim glares at her.

  “No. I won’t.” Agee is shocked to see the little female put her hands on her hips and glare right back at the King. “Dusting, polishing and cleaning is not something your warriors are normally required to do. You can’t blame them if it displeased some of them, not when they should be with their King.” She’d overheard enough conversation to know they’d been pulled from time with Grim.

  “I can and do! I gave them this duty! I picked those I most trusted to be close to my Queen and offspring when I could not! For one to balk!” Grim is enraged his anger pouring off him in waves. “I will have the name Lisa!” She just looks him in the eye and shakes her head, not intimidated by his anger while Agee bows his head in a sign of submission. Growling, Grim turns his attention to Agee.

  “Oh no you don’t!” Lisa steps between the two. “Agee has nothing to do with this and you will not put him in the middle of our argument!” She whips around to a stunned Agee. “Would you please take that first load down for me Agee?” She asks in the sweetest voice she can manage. Agee’s eyes fly to Grim.

  “Do as your Queen commands Agee.” Grim orders gruffly but his eyes never leave Lisa.

  “Yes my King.” Grabbing a pile, he quickly escapes.

  “You would defend another warrior to me?” Grim can’t keep the hurt from his voice.