The kind words caused Eleanor’s eyes to tear up. Her chest tightened as he came closer. It was a very different feeling than she’d ever experienced before. She wished that she could step into his arms whenever she desired and let him hold her. She wanted things to be different. Is this what it feels like to be truly in love?
“As have you,” she replied softly. “And you are stronger than I am, believe me.”
Thomas smiled softly and gently brought a hand up to dry her tears. He absolutely admired her. He really did. And he couldn't remember feeling this way about anyone else. He just wanted so badly to hold her close and protect her from everything he could. A smaller more selfish part of him even wished that she hadn't been married. “There are different kinds of strength, Eleanor.” he whispered. “Don't compare yourself to me.”
While Eleanor had no knowledge of Thomas’s thoughts, she was thinking similarly. If only I wasn’t married to Marcellus… Her mind began to spin a slow web of doubt again. But if you weren’t, would you have even met Thomas in the first place?
The queen looked up and met his eyes. She was surprised to see how he looked at her. With such adoration. She hoped her own eyes reflected hers as well. Her gaze flickered to his lips, almost instinctively, but only for a moment. Her heart raced, hoping he didn’t see while also hoping he did. “Alright,” she breathed, unable to say more.
Thomas met her eyes, feeling like he was floating among the clouds as his knuckles brushed against her cheek. “You’re beautiful.” he whispered without thinking.
Eleanor sighed softly, her breath hitching as she leaned almost immediately into his touch. It was like they were meant to be connected and finally brought together despite the cruelness of the world.
Forgetting herself and their situation, forgetting everything but Thomas, she lifted her lips to his as a response. The treasonous kiss sealed her fate, and his, but it didn’t matter. Nothing did. Not now that Eleanor knew they were meant to be together.
Thomas was too surprised by the kiss to pull away at first. But… feeling the wonderful sensation of her lips on his, he melted and gently kissed her back. It was too perfect. For the moment, he was just a man kissing a beautiful amazing woman.
Eleanor closed her eyes and let herself get lost in his embrace. Eventually, she had to pull back for air, and she instantly regretted it. Reality sunk in quickly, nearly causing her knees to buckle. She would’ve collapsed to the floor if it wasn’t for her new resolve holding her up. She, the Queen of Versia, had just kissed Thomas. Her guard. Her eyes were wide meeting his, and a rosy blush appeared rapidly.
As they separated from the perfect moment, Thomas’s face flushed bright red. He knew he shouldn't have done that. He met her gaze and helped her stay upright when he felt her tremble but… His head was spinning. Eleanor had kissed him. The Queen he was assigned to protect had just kissed him and… He kissed her back. He opened his mouth to say something, anything, but the words kept dying in his throat.
Eleanor found herself just as stunned and speechless by her actions. “I’m sorry?” she finally got out, but it was a whisper.
The apology wasn’t really that, even, it was more of a question. Was she sorry? No. She wouldn’t take the moment back for anything in the world. Did she regret it? Again no. But was it right? It certainly felt right… but she was the queen. Her thoughts swirled and argued with each other, and she was grateful to have Thomas holding her up.
“I… It's ok.” Thomas whispered back. “I… I'm sorry too.” he said, though he truthful didn't regret his actions. His Queen had kissed him of her own will. But the fact that he kissed her back could get him in trouble. Though they were both at risk now. “I… You didn't do anything wrong. And I won't tell anyone.” he promised.
Eleanor nodded quickly. “Yes, no one can know…” She looked up at him again, trying to resist the urge to look at his lips or — stars forgive her — kiss him again. “But…” she hesitated a moment before finding the courage to tell him what she needed to. “Don’t be sorry.”
Thomas nodded, agreeing that this would stay their secret. No one else needed to know. “I… Why not? I mean, I don't… Why do you say that?” he stammered before finally getting the question out.
“Because that was the most wonderful thing that has ever happened to me,” Eleanor admitted, getting it all out at once for fear that if she didn’t, she might never be able to say it. “Please don’t apologize for the most wondrous moment I’ve ever felt.” She immediately looked away, too embarrassed to meet his gaze now.
Thomas felt his heart soar at the confession and couldn't help but smile in his usual soft way. He gently put his finger under her chin and guided her to look at him. “Only if you're not sorry either. For the same reason.” he told her, slowly leaning closer.
Eleanor’s breath hitched as his soft touch and as their eyes met again. Her heart was racing faster than she’d ever felt in her whole life. The things Thomas did to her… the things he made her feel.
“Never,” she breathed. She felt her legs go weak again as he leaned closer again. Her soft, yet excited, gasp was trapped in her mouth as their lips met again.
Thomas quickly wrapped an arm around her waist, to help keep her steady as they kissed again. While the first one was shy and dangerous, this one was more sure and unafraid but just as gentle.
Eleanor quickly wrapped her arms around his neck. The action served two purposes — to keep her steady and upright along with his strong arm around her waist, and to bring them closer together, deepening the kiss ever so slightly. She pressed herself against him, embracing every single place they touched.
Thomas let out a soft grunt at the action but didn't pull away or discourage her in any way. If anything, he gently pulled her closer, enjoying the soft intimacy and forgetting the world for the moment.
Eleanor arched her back and let him pull her closer. If it weren’t for Marcellus, she might have wanted to eventually go a bit further and deeper with Thomas, but the king of Versia had temporarily ruined the intimacy for her. She instead reveled in the joy and the love and the perfection of the moment.
Thomas was aware of the king’s despicable treatment of Eleanor and had no intention of going any further than what his Queen was comfortable with. This wasn't a fleeting passion. He respected her and wanted nothing more than to treat her properly. … Despite the fact that they were already being “improper” because of her status as the Queen and a married woman while he was a simple farmer’s son who was now meant to work as a guard and nothing more.
Eleanor broke off the kiss, reluctantly, gasping for air. She rested her forehead on his chest and closed her eyes, savoring every second of the last few minutes they’d shared.
“Thomas,” she whispered. “I think I’ve fallen in love with you.”
Thomas sighed as he tried to catch his breath, his eyes half-lidded as he looked down at the most incredible woman he had ever known. A part of him was still cherishing the perfect moment when he heard her near-silent confession. “You have?” he asked softly, almost unable to believe that he heard her actually say that.
Eleanor let out a soft sigh, relieved to finally have said the words. “Yes,” she replied, curling into him and relaxing for the first time in a long long while.
Thomas sighed and held Eleanor close. “I… I think I have fallen in love with you too.” he admitted softly. “I… I have never felt this way about anyone before.”
Eleanor was more than relieved to hear he felt the same. She was worried, if only for a moment, that he would turn on his heel and leave when she declared her love, but now… Now everything was different.
“Neither have I,” she whispered, resting her cheek on his shoulder and closing her eyes.
Thomas sighed softly, closing his eyes, and kept his arms around her in a gentle loving hug. It was so nice to just hold her like this.
Eleanor refused to be the first one to break away. She didn’t want to have to break away at all. She wished for her life to be stuck in this moment forever, not going back and not moving past it. Unfortunately, that isn’t how things work.
A sudden knock at her door caused Eleanor to jump back in surprise. Her heart began to race, and she summoned enough courage to her voice to call out, “Who is it?”
“It’s me, Your Majesty,” her head maid called back. “Lucy,” she added quickly.
Thomas almost instinctively pulled Eleanor closer at the disturbance. Before reality set in. She was the Queen. He was just her guard. They weren't supposed to be this close to each other. And if Lucy found out… word would spread faster than wildfire. He sighed reluctantly and let his arms fall to his sides as he started to step away from the woman who captured his heart.
Once she and Thomas were a sufficient distance, Eleanor lowered herself to sit on the edge of her bed and bid Lucy to enter.
The maid came in, thankfully taking little note of Thomas, and approached the queen. She sunk into a respectful curtsy as Her Majesty’s feet and straightened.
“What is it, Lucy?” Eleanor asked, her voice both soft and direct. She wanted to be alone with Thomas again, desperately, but her maid never interrupted her for nothing.
“A summons,” the woman said, slipping a piece of parchment out from the folds of her skirt. “From Sirus Grives, King Crowned of Blackstone.”
Eleanor’s fingers trembled as she took it from Lucy. “Thank you,” she managed. “You’re dismissed.”
Lucy nodded and hurried out, shutting the door behind her.
Thomas managed to get himself into the familiar posture of his position but kept his head bowed, ready to leave the room if it became necessary. He didn't really want to leave and was thankful that he didn't have to. But hearing the reason for Lucy's visit… His fists clenched tightly at his sides. Feeling emboldened but their shared feelings for each other, Thomas waited until the door was closed before speaking again. “I don't like him.”