When We Were Young by Kai

Prologue

When We Were Young

Prologue

"He doesn't look a thing like Jesus

But he talks like the gentleman

Like the one you imagined when you were young."

x

x

[ The year 1513]

"Suppressed to sneaking, exchanging whispers in the shadows—my, how romantic," my mother spat carefully in a harsh whisper as if the two offenders were before her. She stood by the window, watching with angered eyes as my father lay kisses on the neck of one of the Queen's ladies-in-waiting. They were hidden in a corridor and I could not even tell it was my father due to lack of light. Somehow, though, my mother knew. "If the lady knew what was good for her, she would go after the King instead of my husband. We have little to offer. I gave my fortune to be with that foolish man and this is how he repays me."

I stayed silent, pursing my lips in a grim smile, knowing that it would be best. Her maids, however, did not. They were subjected to her anger the moment a concerned note left their lips.

"Mayhap it is not wise to speak ill of your husband, my lady," her personal maid, Fiona, said softly. No insult was meant in her words but my mother took it as such.

I tilted my head to the side slightly in order to hear more clearly.

"And you, a mere milkmaid, would know?" she snapped. "I have given him his heir. I have given him my love and kindness. I have not once disobeyed my Lord. And yet, that Spencer girl gets all his attention and kind touches. I do not wish ill upon him. He is my husband and my sire. I merely need to rant. Do not address me so freely again, Fiona."

She strode out of the room, snapping her fingers for me to follow. I suppressed a sigh and stood from where I was kneeling in prayer just moments before. I made the sign of the cross, laid thanks to my Lord and followed my mothers previous pathway, my skirts flowing behind me as I left.

x

x

How I longed to be free of the corsets, the parties, masques, and constant flirting. The court was merely an auction in my opinion, selling of each girl as though she were bred to be cattle. Which, in all truth, that is what we were born to be. We were expected to pleasure, produce heirs, watch as our husbands freely gave their hearts away to younger women. We were expected to wait on their every command.

If we were so lucky as to get a husband who would love us, praise the Lord.

It was a game of titles, fortune, and deceit.

The court was nothing to me.

Only one man, the man who had somehow obtained my heart, kept me from begging my mother to send me away into the country and marry me off to a farmer.

Of course, the man I loved so could be nothing more to me than a simple affair.

For he was the Prince of Wales.

The man who should have been out of my reach.

My mother was Lady Kaori Higurashi, daughter of the eighth Duke of Norfolk. And my father, Sir Kane Higurashi was appointed Earl of Wiltshire by the King himself. I was merely The Lady Kagome Higurashi, holding no power at all.

I would be betrothed as soon as my parents found someone worthy, pushed into being the woman I would hate.

He was my salvation as I endured these trying times.

He was my reason and my passion.

He was my Sesshomaru.

x

x

The moon was pale, looking an almost sickly white. I stood on my balcony after sending away my maids, despite their hesitance, to gain some rest. The lands before me were lush, beautiful, and grand. I would expect no less from such a thriving country and yet sometimes the magic of it all managed to squeeze the smallest gasp from my lips as I gazed upon the brilliant waters and fields.

I grasped my the cloth of my cloak closer to me. The breeze began to pick up, and a shiver convulsed through my body. I heard footsteps behind me.

Thinking it was my personal maid, Amanda, I sighed. "I thought I sent you all to bed. There is no falseness in my word when I say that I am in no need of assistance," I snapped, irritation lacing through each word I spoke.

"I apologize, my sweet, I only assumed you wished to see me." Another shiver slivered through my body. Only this time, it was not the breeze that had caused it. The smallest of smiles weaved its way through my lips as I turned to see the man that held my heart so dearly.

His voice was surely a baritone delight, deep and smooth—comforting to my innocent ears.

"I thought you were Amanda," I said, a slight giggle escaping my lips. He opened his arms slowly and I stepped into them without hesitation.

"Why did you have to be a prince? The heir, in fact," I whispered into his chest, as his gaze locked on the forests I had just been admiring. My fingers played with his hair, my lips kissing each strand. I never wanted to be away from him. And yet, I knew all good things must end.

"Mayhap, if we had met in another time and place, things would have been different, love. For now, only the present sates me. I find myself longing to be near you each time I am forced to listen to the older men argue amongst my father about the borders and wars and other such nonsense. At those times, I surely would rather have you in my arms," he answered, never stuttering. I couldn't help but smile even bigger. He had meant every word—or so I could only hope. I had never expressed in words how I had felt for him but he knew. He knew he held my heart and he was careful not to crush it.

To do so would mean only pain—for the both of us.

"Let us go in, you are shivering."

I nodded, allowing him to pick me up, one hand under my knees, the other on my shoulders. He carried me through the door, shutting it with his foot quietly, as to not wake my maids. "How did your day fare?" I asked as he placed me on the bed, undoing my cloak.

I shrugged it off. He took it from me and hung it next to the bed. He removed his and slid into my bed, grabbing my waist and bringing me to him. He inhaled, his nose next to my hair. I rolled my eyes and giggled. "Well, my lord?"

"Retched. My betrothed is absolutely dull."

My heart beat faster as soon as those words left his mouth. Was it a sin, what we were doing? Would I be damned to the deepest layers of hell for having such physical exchanges with the prince? His betrothed was such an ugly woman inside and out, I thought. Of course, I was careful never to voice my opinions. Such could be considered treason. Though, I knew Sesshomaru would only agree.

I couldn't help but feel a bout of jealousy strike me like a slap across the face. I wanted him to be mine and only mine. I wanted him to hold me and only me; to kiss me and only me. Selfish as the thought was, I couldn't help but feel a bit of assurance, knowing it was me he went to each night and not his betrothed.

He rubbed my hip softly, his lips touching my neck. "Are you well, my sweet? You seem to be drifting off."

I nodded. "I am. I was just deep in thought. Sorry, Maru," I whispered, letting my eyes drift shut. His lips were hot against my skin. I could feel his nails lightly graze my chin and I turned my head. His lips met mine and I sighed.

For now, Heaven was on earth.