The Lycan King's Puppet-Chapter 10: The Lake

"There’s a pretty lake south of the stables. You should come."

Claire dropped the fabric she had been forcing herself to sew.

"And how do you know about this lake?"

Aurora grinned, averting her gaze.

"Arlan showed it to me yesterday. I’ve been wanting to tell you but you’ve been very absorbed in your own thoughts."

Claire sighed.

"Please... just come this once. It would be fun."

"And what would I do there? I’m not a child like you, Aurora."

"I don’t know. Swim? Enjoy the fresh breeze? The last time you left this keep was when you attended the King’s ball. It’s been a week, Claire. Uncle Jarren won’t mind."

Claire spun on her. "And how do you know that? I don’t want to upset him more than I already have, Aurora. He’s a dangerous man."

Aurora’s brows furrowed. "How would one afternoon at the lake provoke him? If he hurts you, I’ll-"

"You’ll do nothing, Aurora. He’s an unpredictable man. Even the way I slice my ham during dinner seems to provoke him."

Aurora smoothed her palms over her brightly dyed orange dress. Her little sister was dressing well of late - she was turning into a pretty little lady.

A watery smile curved Claire’s lips.

"You’re not a prisoner here, Claire." After a pause, Aurora continued with narrowed eyes, "Or... did you do something bad without telling me?"

Claire coloured instantly.

"No..."

"Don’t dare lie to me, Claire. I know the look on your face too well."

Claire’s shoulders sagged. "He saw me leave the room with the King."

Aurora gasped loudly.

"I thought you hated him."

Claire started pacing along the little space before the large feather bed.

"I do. I was just confused."

A blank stare followed her honest admission. "You’re never confused."

She stopped pacing, glancing out the window.

"It’s him. There’s... I can’t explain it." Her hands tightened on the window sill.

"That’s a silly reason for Uncle Jarren to be upset with you. He might be angry about something else - don’t lock yourself here atoning for something you did not-"

"Fine!" Claire reached for her newly-knitted shawl on the edge of the bed.

A grin curved Aurora’s lips. "That’s my sister." She murmured under her breath.

Claire followed her down the steps.

A few servants hurried by them, each muttering their greetings.

Claire called each of them by their name. There was still no sign of Margaret. Asking the servants gave her no real results.

The main hallway was empty, just the cluster of furniture that was beginning to annoy her with all the bumps and bruises it had given her.

Outside was bright. The sun was at its best after all the days of rain.

Stableboys passed them carrying harnesses and saddles over their shoulders.

"Good aye." One of them greeted.

Aurora’s cheeks coloured.

"You know him?" Claire asked.

She shrugged. "He takes care of my horse."

Arlan burst out of nowhere, taking Aurora’s hand in his.

"Are you ready?" He asked her.

Aurora bobbed her head twice, her hair bouncing softly.

The two of them ran off like the children they were, leaving Claire to follow at her own pace.

Her eyes hovered over them like that of a watchful mother, but she also noticed other things. There were claw marks on some trees they passed - she couldn’t be mistaken.

The path was a steep and narrow one, but she managed on her own.

The sight of the lake took her breath away. Aurora didn’t do it any justice.

"Do you like it?"

Claire glanced up, too entranced to speak. Her gasp spoke volumes.

Butterflies fluttered their colourful wings everywhere, flowers bloomed all around.

White roses, hibiscuses, primroses, daffodils...

The lake was a crisp blue, reflecting off the clear blue sky in a way that made her breath catch.

The water was so still, undisturbed in its perfect beauty.

Claire settled down on the grass, folding her legs beneath the tangle that was her dress. It reminded her of the quiet walks she used to have with her father.

Arlan started removing his shirt slowly.

"What are you doing?" Claire asked him.

His gaze flicked to hers. "Swimming."

With one swift movement, he pulled down his breeches and jumped into the water.

It splashed violently, soaking both girls against their will.

Aurora’s mouth was hanging open - she hadn’t looked away like a proper lady would’ve. Neither had Claire.

"Does he do that often?" Claire asked, patting the space beside her.

Aurora sank in beside her. "His clothes are usually intact when we wonder off... if that’s what you are asking."

Claire smiled. "I’m not accusing you of anything." Her attention returned to the boy swimming in the lake. His strokes were smooth and experienced.

"I know. But you were hinting at that."

Claire fell on her back, staring up at the sky. Aurora propped herself on her elbow, watching her with bright eyes.

"Do you know what happens between a man and a woman when they are alone?"

Claire’s eyes flashed to hers.

She averted her gaze. " Is he giving you any ideas?"

"No. I just got curious."

Claire propped herself on her elbows as well, letting her sister feel the full intensity of her gaze.

The boy in the water was forgotten.

"What made you curious?"

Aurora fiddled with the grass blades around her.

"I don’t know."

She reached out and smoothed her younger sister’s hair. "You can tell me anything. You know that, right?"

Her sister’s eyes left hers, focusing on something behind her.

"Zach?"

She spun around quicker than she could breathe.

He stood there, smiling at her.

Aurora climbed to her feet and ran to him.

She could only stare. He caught her sister and lifted her high in the air.

Their laughter was contagious enough to make her laugh as well.

He messed up Aurora’s hair as he always did.

Then, his gaze fell on her. Her hands tightened into fists.

He dropped her sister on the ground and led her by the hand to where she sat.

"You." He murmured.

"And you."

She watched him slide to the floor beside her.

"I had to know if you both are okay-"

Claire launched herself at him. Both of them tumbled in a tangle of limps.

"Your hair is in my face... my mouth."

She laughed at his complaints but didn’t release him.

He finally rolled her off until they were lying side by side.

His eyes were bright with laughter even after the echoes had faded into the trees.

Aurora sat at his other side, tracing patterns on his hand.

"You took a big risk coming here. How did you know we’d be here."

Zach turned to look at her. "I didn’t."

Her breath caught at his admission.

"What if we weren’t here?"

"I was planning to throw stones at your window until you came down."

She giggled.

"Uncle Jarren wouldn’t like that."

"I know."

Aurora pulled at his arm. "There’s a boy in the pool." She said.

Zach immediately lifted his head, his eyes wide.

He burst into a low laugh when he spotted Arlan at the far end of the lake.

"So there is. Who is he?"

"Arlan."

Zach’s eyes darkened. Claire covered his hand with hers. He turned to look at her slowly.

Her lips started trembling, her eyes dropped to his own lips.

"Can I swim with him? I know Claire won’t let me - that’s why I am asking you."

Zach spared her a brief glance. "Do whatever makes you happy."

Aurora bolted up and rushed to the edge of the water, pulling off her garments without a second thought.

"Stop at your undergarments!" Claire called.

Aurora looked over her shoulder, casting her sister a sly grin.

Zach cleared his throat. She turned to him.

"You look good."

"So do you."

His gaze faltered. "I missed you."

She flipped his hand over and traced invisible lines on his palm. "It’s been only a week and a few days."

"It doesn’t change anything." He said, his voice a soft whisper.

Her eyes softened. Once again, her eyes dropped to his lush lips.

Zachary was a handsome boy, his lashes long and lips full. His eyes were blue with a silver ring that caught beautifully in the light.

Without thinking, she leaned closer. She wanted to know... if what she thought she felt was real.

Understanding her perfectly, he closed the distance between them, sealing their lips.

She instantly forgot about Aurora and Arlan swimming in the lake.

He guided her head to the ground slowly, his hands warm against her scalp.

She let him explore, laughing whenever their lips parted. He smelled like trees and a bit of smoke - like home.

His knees pressed her legs apart through the thick fabric of her dress.

"You’re good." She murmured against his lips.

He smiled. "I’ve been wanting to do that for a while."

Her colour heightened at his blunt admission.

A cough cut through the silence that lingered between them. They turned at the same time.

Aurora stared, her arms flailing to keep her afloat.

She was beaming with a knowing smile. Claire buried her face in Zach’s chest.

Arlan was still at the other end, packing colourful pebbles.

Something stirred in the woods. Zachary pulled away and rose to his feet.

"What was that?" Aurora asked, rushing out of the water.

Claire picked up her dress and brought it to her.

"We have to go back. Call Arlan."

Aurora shrugged into her dress and flipped her hair out of the garment.

Arlan seemed to notice the strange sound. Before long, they were headed back.

Zachary stopped by a pile of stones and went back.

Claire’s grip had lingered too long - she didn’t want him to go.

When they reached the house, it was very quiet.

Then, Uncle Jarren came out of the drawing room. He was shirtless and drenched in sweat. His breeches rode low on his hips.

Claire gulped, instinctively pushing her sister behind her.

"Where were you?" His voice was calm but terrifyingly cold.

"At the lake." Arlan replied, his voice shaking.

"And who were you with?" His eyes fixed solely on her.

"Them." She pointed at her companions.

His eyes darkened.

Uncle Jarren grabbed her by the arm and pulled her up the tedious stairs.

Once they reached the landing, he tossed her away. She held onto the balustrade to steady herself.

"Don’t lie to me, girl."

She only stared at the floor.

"No boy should touch you like that! No king! No man! If I see him again, I’ll put his head on a spike outside your window!" He whispered furiously.

"Do you hear me?"

Her head bobbed before he finished speaking.

Then, he walked to his room and closed the door softly.

Tears slipped down her cheeks before she noticed them. She slid to the floor.

What had she done?