• Amber turned and laughed with her old friend. Vega and Amber had been friends for years. Vega was a broad shouldered prince. A blonde curly mop was atop his head. Very tanned next to Amber, she looked like a ghost. His yellow-blue eyes were very easy to read. He wanted her. She sighed in her head again. What was she going to do with him? Vega was funny, but very childish and immature, which is exactly why they made such good friends. Though when the word chemistry tried to enter the equation she thought she’d die. Vega and Amber had grown up together. Their parents: King and Queen June of the kingdom of Kayaway and King and Queen Maxwell of the kingdom of Syn were the best of friends. They had encouraged, laughed, joked, and Amber believed prayed that she and Vega would get together. Amber didn’t want to get betrothed to him. Sure they had amazing times and had fun together, but to Amber that was it. There wasn’t a spark that told her he’s the one. And she knew it. Vega on the other hand, must have had very different thoughts on that subject. She always just plainly ignored him when he mentioned it. But as a Princess what choice did she have? As far as she was concerned: none. She was nearing the age of 20 and for everyone in her kingdom of Kayaway was waiting for her to pick a husband. And as Vega had just put it, “Where are your parents gonna dig for suitors now?! BFE?” She was running very low on choices and the others were no better, even worse the Vega would be as a husband. Few of them had held her interest but all proved to have flaws. One couldn’t make a damn move to be intimate with her with out pissing himself, another moved too fast and once he got a little he left, another made himself look great until she showed interest, he had ended up just trying to promote his own kingdom. Apparently it wasn’t well known enough. She looked up at her friend, “So Vay, what happens if I never find anybody but you?” He laughed a bit, just to make her feel comfortable. His yellow-blue eyes shown, he must have been thinking of his own wishes. “Things could be worse…” He laid back in the grass, “You could get stuck with a commoner.” Amber smacked him playfully. “What’s wrong with a commoner?!” Vay looked into her hazel green eyes, in the sunlight they shown emerald. “Nothing is wrong with them, look at Wes!” Wes was Vega’s good friend. Amber liked Wes too. “Then what’s so bad?” “You can’t marry them. Come on Amby! You should know that.” Amber yanked a dandelion out of the ground. Her fingers lightly held the stem of the weed. She inspected it. “Yeah…I guess I forgot. You had me going though.” Vega turned to her, “Had you going?!” A milky white substance dripped from the broken stem of the dandelion. Amber wiped at it with her fingers, “Yep. I was about to hold a contest for commoners. More choices. Ha.” She finished answering what she was sure to be his next question. Vega must have been satisfied, she decided as he didn’t say anything back. Her short brunette hair floated on the breeze. “I’m going back home.” She got up from the grass and brushed her skirt off. Vega looked at her quizzically. “You ok Amby?” She nodded. “I have duties to do.” Vega was of the same age as Amber, though instead of being worried about finding a soon-to-be queen for himself everyone was more concerned about his abilities in war. His older brother Bronx was already a general, not only a general but the High Constable. The head of the Calvary. Vega was barely a brigadier general, another screw up for Vay and he’d go back to being a regular soldier. King Rayden of Syn would not be pleased at all with his son if he managed that. What a laughing stock he would be! The kingdom of Syn already had their new King and Queen, Vega’s brother Bronx was bethroled to Ivy and she was pregnate with his child. Vega needed a wife of another kingdom so he could have his own land to rule over. Amber believed he needed a girl to help him with his own situation, but he was always more focused on what she was doing. “Sounds riveting. Want company?” “No. Last time mom was pissed I used you to hide behind.” Vega laughed, “Aurora could see through it huh?” “Yeah mom saw right through it.” “Well tell her I say hello, and unfortunately I will not make it to steal her cooks food before dinner, so tell her to help herself to all the extra bread I’ll be leaving her.” He winked. She rolled her eyes so he couldn’t see. He was so damn annoying when he tried to be smooth.
    Amber had made it back home to Kayaway Kingdom Headquarters. The giant a** castle in the middle of the place, or as she preferred to call it; home. She began to scale the wall, the bit right next to the library. It was overgrown and vines from some plant or another had found its way up the castle wall and close enough to the library for her to make it to the window and sneak in. As she shimmied her butt through the window and ungracefully landed in the room on her face she heard a familiar yelp. “Blimey! Jesus Amber.” Max stood in the library buttoning his shirt. “Jesus you Maxi! You just did what I think you did, didn’t you?” Maxi came over to her and held his hand out to help her. “Eh. But the actual question is with who?” He smiled a smirk and popped his collar. “You’re really screwing yourself over ya know?” Amber flattened Max’s collar out. “I’m not ******** up anything. How the ******** could I when this is all I want?! I just want mom and dad’s gold and all the girls I have a chance at.” He led Amber out of the library. “All I’m saying is that maybe you should really slow down with these girls Maxi. Even if you know you don’t want the throne and you just want to give it to me because you’re a lazy mother ******** a*****e. You never know, what if you change your mind? Sleeping around so bluntly is giving you a bad rep.” Maxi’s eyes seemed unsteady for a moment. “When the time comes I’ll deal with it.” Amber looked carefully at her older brother. His soft brown eyes shown with worry even though he tried to pass it off as nothing. She reached up and jokingly patted his spikey light brown hair. “Helmet head much?” Max laughed. “The ladies dig it.” Amber smiled, truth be told Maxi and her were very much inseparatable. Max was much too over protective of her for an older brother, which didn’t help trying to find some stupid prince to marry. Max would have none of it. He was still convinced that his little sister would not be involved in any boys and that absolutely none were worthy of her. “Mom and Dad are expecting you. They’re gonna be pissed you’re late, another round of retards are here to see you. You best be getting in a gown.” He raised his eyebrows at her. “********.” She mumbled as she ran down a different hallway. “******** IS NOT A WORD A YOUNG PRINCESS USES AMBER!” Amber ran to her room as quickly as she could. “Tara!” she called for her right hand maiden. Tara opened the door that connected their rooms at Amber’s request. “What is it Princess Amber?” A dress hit Tara in the head and covered her. She struggled to get the heavy gown off of her small frame. “Amber?!” “Ack! Oh, I’m sorry Tara, I’ve got to get to the grand hall ASAP. Mom and dad are gonna kill me! Help me get ready like five minutes ago!” Tara managed to throw the dress off of her, Amber’s room was now covered with a foot of gowns. “What the ******** am I gonna wear?!” Amber was franticly looking through her closet and making a mess. “The green one!” Tara managed with a squeaky voice as she dodged another flying gown. Amber stopped. “The green one? Like that one?” Tara nodded. “It is you’re favorite. Who knows maybe you just need a little umph to find a prince, getting in a dress you feel confident in might help…besides it makes the emerald come out in your eyes.” Tara smiled as she passed her mistress and pulled the gown down from the closet. Amber bit her lip. The green one was her absolute favorite gown. She didn’t want to waste a day wearing it for fools and jerks. She sighed. “Alright. Help me with it.” Tara worked the heavy dress around Amber. After the dress was snug around her, with precision Tara made her face and hair up. Amber looked in the mirror. “Oh, wow Tara…You didn’t have to make me look so good for a bunch of idiots.” Tara laughed she brushed her white blonde shoulder length hair out of her golden eyes. “Aw, you don’t know if they’re idiots or not yet!” Amber smiled, “Well I have to run thank you Tara! I’ll be seeing you.” She ran from the room, her heels clacking the stone floor.
    Aurora sighed from her place next to her husband. “What are we really going to do with our children Jayce?” The King looked on over the new suitors for his daughter. He sighed. “I don’t know, love.” He paused to look at his wife. Golden brown eyes, all the hints of a mother, her brunette hair fell to her waist. She was shrouded in a navy blue gown with gold and white trim. It suited her. “We’ll pray Max wakes up to realize that sleeping around like a scoundrel will get him no where. I don’t care if he doesn’t want to be King. I just care about what it will do to him in the long run.” He let out a deep breath. “Amber can handle Kayaway. She will be an amazing ruler. She has a kind heart and a strong mind. Just what our Kingdom needs. I just don’t see why she can’t pick someone. Hell she has a perfect suitor she sees very often that would be perfect. Why can’t she just settle with Vega? Syn has their next ruler. Bronx is an amazing military man, his fiancée Ivy has become pregnant. Surely their marriage will be moved up sooner and they will have their next King and next in line. Vega would be wonderful here. Though not very skilled in warfare he has a very quizzical mind. He’s smart, he can make very good judgments for the kingdom.” Aurora put her hand on Jaycee’s arm. Just to calm him down a bit. She knew Vega was a sweetheart, and would be great for their kingdom…but in her heart she knew it wasn’t what Amber wanted, and she just wanted her children to be happy. She sighed right as Amber ran through the door. Amber’s face was red from running but blushed a deeper red as she saw the suitors all lined up for her. She walked gracefully to her parents. Was she feeling better about picking a husband? Her mother wondered. She’s was wearing the green gown. “Please excuse my tardiness.” She took a deep curtsie for her parents. “I thought we weren’t going to keep suitors waiting again Amber.” Her father had a very warning tone. Oh, gods she thought. “Last time, promise daddy.” She whispered. Jaycee smiled faintly. She knew how to work him. Amber turned to the suitors. “May we present our daughter Princess Amber Evadne June. Please get to know each other. We will be seeing you at dinner.” Her parents turned to leave, the guards took their place at Amber’s sides. For the next two hours Amber thought of nothing but gorging her own eyes out, and blowing her eardrums, just so she would have to see or hear the fools.
    Dinner came. The two that had interested her most sat on either side of her; James and Devin. James was a dark jet black haired Prince. He haled from the Kingdom of Hunson, a very wealthy kingdom indeed. Though he was starting to act just like the snob she thought he would. But she was interested in him for he like her had a passion for music and dancing. Devin was a brunette prince from Johnoco. The kingdom was known for its crops. Best food you can eat. He was a scholar, he was smooth and savvy. He was a real flirt. He had many of the same interests as Amber did. He almost had seemed perfect until he started flirting with the young blonde servant that brought him his food. He began to pay more attention to little Violet and not Amber herself. She tapped the table with her fingers. The dinner was almost over she reminded herself. Just a little longer until she could dismiss these fools. She knew she shouldn’t have worn her green gown. Special things were supposed to happen in your favorite gown. Not needless meeting new suitors that were nothing she wanted. She sighed maybe she wasn’t meant for love. She stared out the big open window at the beautiful summer day. There were birds chirping. The sky was beautiful and blue. As she watched the clouds she began to hear her name, “Amber? … Amber? AMBER?” he father boomed. s**t. “Yes! Your majesty?!” She blushed. She’d made a fool of herself now. He father would be so angry when this was over. “Please take these gentlemen out to the courtyard and tell them your decision.” Amber nodded and stood at her seat. She took a deep bow, “Please excuse us.” She walked slowly out of the dining hall as the suitors followed. When they arrived at the courtyard she stood in front of them looking solemn. “I have not been very impressed tonight. You are all very nice gentlemen but none of you are quite what I’m looking for, for this kingdom. Please accept my apologies and head back to where you are needed in your own kingdoms.” She turned and left promptly. She shook her head. She’d never get it. No one would ever get it. Her eyes burned. Tara ran up behind her, “Princess!” Amber spinned around “Jeeze you scared me Tara, What’s up?” “Um, the King has asked to see you immediately.” Amber clenched her fists. “********, ********, ********, ********!” She began to walk towards her parents room. “DAMN IT. Dad is going to kill me. Can’t he just shut up and deal with the fact that no one is right?!” Tara walked quickly after Amber. “He’s worried about you,” she began, “I’m sorry Princess, I know it didn’t work out the way you wanted… it’ll get better! I’m sure. Maybe they’ll say they’re done with the suitors!” Amber turned to Tara as she got to the door. “And maybe they’ll cut my head off.” She sighed. “I’ll wait for you in your room Princess.” Amber nodded. “Thank you Tara.” Amber pushed the door open slowly. “Dad?” She called quietly. Only when they were in her parents room could she call her parents anything but King and Queen. “Amber.” He called. “Come in here. Now.” Amber’s throat tightened she swallowed hard. She walked in to find her father sitting in his throne his crown sitting next to him his head in his hand. “Yes dad?” “You didn’t find a suitor again.” “No I didn’t.” She answered, though he didn’t ask a question. “Fine. We are through with suitors.” Amber’s heart leaped. “Really?!” She saw his muscles in his hand spasm. Oh no. “Yes. You will have no more suitors. At all…” Oh no. Oh no. Fright had a tight grip on her heart. Oh no! “You are as of now engaged. You lost the chance to pick. I have picked for you. You’re soon to be husband is on his way.” Amber was speechless. “I have arranged you’re marriage with Vega. He and his family were egger and happy with the request. Vega especially. You are stuck with this. You two have gotten along since you were children. You will learn to love him. You will be very gracious and kind to Vega. He will be your husband soon Amber. They will be here in with in the half hour. Go freshen up. He will want to see his new beautiful bride.” Amber’s mouth hung open, “D-Dad!” Her father finally looked up with an angry face, “I said GO!” He flung his finger towards the door. “Its final and there is nothing else to say. Now leave me.” Amber turned and ran for her room, her eyes stinging with tears. As she reached her room she was bawling. Heaving heavy sobs she flung herself on her gown covered bed. Tara came in timidly knocking on her door, “Princess? Is everything alright?” “No!” Amber sobbed. “Everything is terrible. Father told me I would have no more suitors, I am engaged! To Vega!” Tara came and sat next to her on her bed. “Shhh.” She whispered her hand stroked the back of her head. “Things will be ok. I’m sure Vega will be a fine husband. You two get along so well.” “There is a ******** difference between getting along and being friends and finding a husband damnit! Does no one understand?!” Tara bit her lip. “I’m sorry Princess.” Amber heaved another heart wrenching sob. “Is there anything I can do for you Princess?” Amber held her breath. Trying to calm down. “J-just, get the gowns hung back up.” Amber closed her eyes tightly. “Then o-once I clam the ******** down fix my damn make-up. My hair. Vega will be here soon.”
    As Tara cleaned Amber fumed, heart broken. She screamed her frustration out the window, she pounded her fists against the wall. As she let her frustration go she sighed. Still wiping tears from her eyes she sat at the vanity waiting for Tara. She knew the day would come. She knew that if she didn’t find the one she would be forced with someone else. Her heart hurt. She knew she had pushed her father too far, she had refused everyone of them. Her father had searched all over trying to find suitors. Tara began to brush her hair from her face. Decorating it with gold and jewels. She sat still as Tara re-applied her make-up. She was calm, quiet, and she would stay that way as far as she was concerned. A rapping knock came at the door. “Princess Amber is requested in the Royal Hall immediately.” A guards booming voice came through her heavy wooden door. “Its time.” Amber took one last look at her emotionless face and left.
    Vega was nothing but smiles. He had gotten what he wanted and he still didn’t have to try. He’s wife would soon be Amber. He knew she didn’t want to be his wife, but he could change her. Mold her, make her love him. He was worth it wasn’t he? He grinned. She was out of her mind for not falling for him. He stood next to his brother and his pregnant fiancé Ivy. Her long black hair shined in the light, when Ivy looked at Bronx you could see the connection the love. It wouldn’t be long until Amber looked the same way at him. The door opened. It was Amber. Her parents and brother looked on just as his parents and brother were. As she walked in he could feel her resistance, that was fine, this was arranged. She was stuck. Her curvy body swayed with each graceful step. Her face was sober, the green gown she was wearing hugged her body tightly and flared out like any princess dress. It had a deep cut at her chest, and the sleeves flowed off her shoulder. She was his, and he wouldn’t have it any other way. He took Amber by her arms, and kissed her lightly on her lips, she barely moved as he touched her. The celebration began. They popped champagne, they danced all of the castle’s jesters and clowns performers came and danced and entertained. They announced the engagement to the kingdom. Vega and Amber stood at the balcony over the kingdom. “Amber Evadene June is soon to be Amber Evadene Maxwell! And together we will show our kingdom to victory and fame!” Vega was so riled. Kayaway cheered. He went off to party with his gaggle of friends. Celebrating that he’d gotten her. Amber was sick, sick to her stomach. She had to get out she had to leave. She snuck past her betrothed and the Kings and Queens even her own servants. She made it out the back way, and she ran. It had never felt so exhilarating, running through a warm night. She had kicked off her heels and was running barefoot through fields and woods. Her gown was muddied and torn. She didn’t care she was free. She began to sob. She was free. She had given it all up. Amber fell to her knees. Her heart was broken. For once in her life, Amber was a bird with a broken wing, she was at a loss.
    Footsteps. Her stomach clenched. They were carefully placed, but quick. She held her breath. Sobs welled at the bottom of her lungs bursting to be released, but she held them as hard as she could. They already knew. They found out she left. Her mind racing, how was she going to get away? They were coming to her quick. Amber jumped to her feet, and ran. The soles of her feet had already taken a beating from when she had even gotten as far from the castle as she was. The hard earth made them burn. Tears streaked her face. She panted. Amber’s toes caught an unearthed root, she fell hard. The earth came fast her head hit and rebounded. She cringed. The footsteps. Suddenly she heard the cling of a sword coming from its sheath. Amber screamed and turned to face the footsteps.
    He stopped. Sword mid air. A young woman screamed as she turned to him, her face wet muddied and dirty. She was scared out of her mind and rightfully so. He had thought he had heard a guard. He sheathed his sword and held his hand out to her, “I’m sorry I frightened you.” She still looked petrified into his eyes. The girl hadn’t yet given him her hand. He sighed and got impatient, he grabbed her hands off the ground and pulled her to her feet. She was barefoot, in a torn gown. “I thought you may have been a guard.” He said as he steadied her. “I-I,” She stuttered, “I thought you were a guard too.” He looked her over again. Her hair was disheveled but yet adorned with jewels. “You don’t look to be someone running from a guard, though it looks as if you’ve been running from something.”
    His armor was black as night. Sliver adorned and decorated it in intricate patterns across the heavy metal that covered his body. Heavy shouldered pads, a breast plate and a thick sword. A frightening sight. Though his helmet covered his face his chin was burned pale covered with dark hairs was hard and rigid. Something deep inside her fluttered. His voice was smooth as honey but gruff. “It’s complicated.” She spoke. At least he hadn’t realized who she was. “Ha,” he retorted “well” He looked her over. Pausing at torn flesh at her collar bone, her skin had ripped against a jagged rock in her falls. He lightly fingered it with his fingerless leather gloved hands. He looked concerned. “Tell anyone you saw me and it will be the last words you speak girl.” His voice was so menacingly her blood froze. “I wouldn’t say a word my lord.” She stared at the slits in the metal that covered his eyes. He stood silent for a moment. “Lord?” He scoffed at her. “Yes m’lord?” “Why lord?” Amber’s head swam, if she was not to find a place for work or for shelter she would never survive out of the castle. She was going to have to do things she would never dream of doing. But to stay out of the limelight and to ensure that no one would realize she was Princess Amber she would have to ensure her earthly needs to survive as quickly as she could. “I am indebt to you, for sparing my life. I’m sure if I were of the other sex you would have slaughtered me to ensure you’re safety. I owe you my life. I’m your servant m’lord.” She could see his cheek twitch underneath his helmet. “I travel with no one. Leave me now or I shall take your life as I first indented girl.” His fist clenched. Still she pressed on, if she could win him over he could protect her. If she couldn’t win him over she might lose her life. That option was almost ok with her. Amber fell to her knees in front of him. “I’ll do anything you say m’lord.” She gripped his feet. “Anything at all m’lord. I have no where else to go, All I have are the clothes on my back, there is nothing for me from where I came either. Please let me be of some service to you. If nothing I can do for you let me keep your bed warm m’lord.” Silence echoed through the woods. “Or you can slay me here m’lord. I have no other will.” She sat on her knees gripping his feet. Tears began to fall from her eyes. After what had seemed like an eternity and after her knees began to quake for she had been sitting on them for too long he spoke. “I should just kill an wench like you. Or a young woman desperate enough to sell her body to a man for she has no other will in life, or nothing more to live for.” She cringed waiting for the twinge of the thick metal of his sword to rub against the metal of its sheath. What a way for a princess to go. After offering herself to who was probably a terrible outlaw to be beheaded or worse at his feet. “But it looks as if you’ve been through hell.” He sighed heavily. “Follow me and keep quiet or I will kill you girl.” “Yes m’lord” she whispered as she carefully placed her footsteps behind her lord. Her footsteps were light behind his. She smiled, she couldn’t even hear her own. They traveled through the woods out to the village. She paused, she couldn’t be recognized. “M’lord, will we be traveling far through the crowded streets?” He looked over his shoulder at her, “No, but here,” He threw a ragged blanket at her. “Throw it over you, cover your head. If you are to be traveling with me you must keep your face off the streets.” Thankfully she covered her hair face and shoulders with the torn rag. The path they were taking finally cleared out into a shack. He opened the curtain used as the front door. “Welcome.” She graciously stepped through the open door he held for her. As she walked in she took her surroundings in. The shack was a very old run down house. It was big for an old house. As run down as is was it was just as cozy seeming. He gestured to a torn couch. “Make yourself comfortable.” She sat gingerly on the edge of the pink suede couch and let the blanket fall to her shoulders. She watched him from the couch as he hung his sword up at the door. He shook his head a he released it from his helmet. His short brunette hair was a shade or two darker then her own. His features were sharp and very masculine, his eyes a bright warm golden brown. Dark facial hair frosted the bottom of his chin, from side burn to side burn. Her heart pounded, he was beautiful. “What’s the story?” “M’lord?” “Your story. What is it? Where did you come from and why were you running? You walk with too much grace to be common folk. The jewels in your hair look pure. Rich.” Amber panicked. What was she to say? What if they had put a reward up for her to be returned? Surely he would watch his own hide and trade her for the gold. “Then again,” he looked her in the eyes, “you don’t have any reason to tell me the truth.” He looked to the side, “So choose who you wish to be.” Amber looked at him questioningly, he only stared back. She took a deep breath. “I was from a wealthy family from the far east. I was a duchess. I ran from an arranged marriage… My name is A-Anita.” She spoke the words carefully and slowly. “Well if you’re going to try and make it out here I’d hold fast to the gold and jewels you have strung up in that hair of yours. It will come in very handy. Since you so insist you can serve me.” He stood tall. “You may choose whatever room fancies you. I’d also suggest you get some more suitable clothes. I can’t cook and I’ve wanted a good meal. Everything I have that you can use to make a meal is in the kitchen through that hallway,” He pointed to the left. “I’ll be back in here, you have an hour.” He walked through a door to where she presumed was his bedchambers. She looked through a door neighboring her lord’s room. It turned out to be an empty closet. The door on the other side was a barren room. A torn cot with a musty looking thin blanket thrown across it sat in the back corner of the small room. She shuddered. Tonight wouldn’t be fun. She began to pick out the gold and such from her hair. She made a pile next to her cot. It actually piled up. She smiled, she would have a bit at the least. She looked at her poor gown. Ruined. She grabbed the bottom of her gown and began to tear a chunk off the bottom. With an acceptable piece she scooped the gold up into it and tied it shut. Amber then tied the small pouch to her garter belt. Her heels would be worthless now. She placed them at the edge of her cot. She would have to do some thing about her gown. She walked to the kitchen. The cupboards were bare, but she found a mix of vegetables and random meats in the fridge. She made a broth in a pot she found under the sink and began to boil it over the stove she managed to light. As the broth boiled she mixed chopped vegetables and tender meat that she had cut the thick fat off of into the pot. She ran outside to see if she could search the back woods for spices. With luck she found what she needed. As she added spices and stirred the soup with a wooden spoon the kitchen filled with a wonderful aroma. The cooking lessons she had bribed the castle chef to give her paid off.
    He walked in, his metal boots hitting the floor. As she looked at him his eyes stood out to her. They were dark, the warm brown had turned dark and ashen. She turned toward him, “Your dinner is ready m’lord.” He took a deep breath, inhaling through his nose. The warm milky brown color slowly returned to his eyes as he exhaled. He sat at the table as she placed a bowl and spoon in front of him. She lifted chunky spoonfuls of the hearty soup into her lord’s bowl. She stood at the tables side as he took his first bites. “Mmm.” He seemed to purr. Amber beamed, she was truly grateful her soup turned out for the better. “Sit down,” She looked at him. “Sit down with a bowl of the damn soup for yourself a well.” “But m’lord, it is not routine for one to eat in front or with ones master.” He scoffed. “It isn’t routine to talk back or question one’s master either now is it?” Amber blushed a bright pink. She fixed herself her own bowl and sat across from her lord. They ate in silence for a few minutes. She finally got the courage to speak, “M’lord,” She began, “If it isn’t out of my place to ask, what is your name?” Her lord dapped his lips with a napkin. “What’s it to you slave?” He seemed to snicker. “I just wanted to know my Lord’s name.” He looked into her eyes then. “Well maid. When you finally decide to tell me your real story I might tell you. But until then its best you keep calling me Lord, ‘Anita’.” He laughed and tilted his bowl to his mouth as he gulped the rest of his soup down. Amber blushed as she stared at her half empty bowl. “Now, gather your things out of whatever room you put them in. You’ll be sleeping in my quarters tonight.” He got up from the table and walked to his room. His boots stomping all the way.