Eleanor sat up and tapped her fingers impatiently on her leg. Should she get dressed now? Or should she wait for Thomas? Hoping they could have more time to talk, the queen decided on the former and hurried to her wardrobe. She wanted to be ready when he arrived, so she quickly selected a pale orange gown with a modest neckline and short sleeves to change into. Once she was in her new dress, Eleanor sat at her vanity to brush her hair out. Usually, a maid would have done it, but she'd been adamant about getting herself ready in the mornings. That much, at least, she could control.
Thomas sighed, feeling himself starting to relax more when he approached Eleanor's door. He smiled softly as he knocked and waited for her to let him in.
Eleanor jumped up eagerly and headed to the door. "Thomas?" she asked quietly, placing her hand on the wood. She just wanted to make sure it was who she thought it was before opening it.
“Yes, my Queen. It's me.” he smiled at hearing her voice. The reply may have been more friendly than it was supposed to be but he didn't see anyone else in the hallway to overhear it.
Eleanor's expression instantly broke into a smile, and she opened the door for him. "Come in," she urged, unable to keep the excitement out of her voice in seeing him again.
Thomas smiled warmly and walked in, barely resisting the desire to hug her. “Did you sleep well, my Queen?”
"Well enough," Eleanor answered simply. She sat back down at her vanity and continued to brush her hair while smiling at him in the mirror. "And yourself?"
“The same.” he nodded, smiling back at her reflection. “Are you looking forward to your meetings today?”
Eleanor smiled back at him, then pursed her lips at his question. “I’m not sure how I feel about them, to be completely honest with you,” she answered. “I’m excited to see Irene, but I’m afraid Génévieve will rip me to shreds at first sight.”
Thomas gently took her hand and shook his head slightly. “I doubt Irene would allow that to happen. And I wouldn't either.” he assured. “Besides, once you explain everything, I’m sure Queen Génévieve will be understanding.”
Eleanor looked up at him as he took her hand in a gentle grip. “I know,” she sighed. “I still have my worries. Irene was easy to make friends with. Génévieve won’t be the same. And she already doesn’t like me. I suppose I’ll just have to make the best of it. And if I can’t amend things with Génévieve, I think it would be best not to have a meeting with Lionel.”
“Which sounds like it should be the other way around.” he chuckled, thinking of the two Queen’s reputations. “But I have to agree with the idea of forgoing the meeting with her husband if meeting Queen Génévieve doesn't go well.” Thomas nodded. “I doubt, however, that she likes… that snake any more than your friends do. That should give you something to agree on.”
Eleanor giggled quietly. “Indeed,” she agreed easily. Though her sweet expression turned sour for a moment at just the thought of Sirus. “That vile man,” she hissed as she brushed her hair. “I do wish he’d leave and never come back.”
Thomas smiled as she laughed softly, though he walked closer when her expression faltered. “I’m sorry for bringing him up. I wish the same. I just thought that having some form of common ground would help with your meeting.” he explained as he stood beside her.
Eleanor shook her head and set her hairbrush down. Her eyes met Thomas’s in the mirror as she spoke. “No, it’s not your fault. You’re right. I can’t imagine Génévieve would have anything nice to say about so wretched a man.”
The queen sighed and reached for a bit of makeup for her face. It wouldn’t hurt to look a bit extra beautiful today. “But enough about him,” she urged the conversation forward. “How did you sleep?”
Thomas smiled softly at her assurance and nodded gratefully when she changed the topic. “I slept well enough. Though I have to admit I was eager to see you again.” he told her honestly, not wanting to bother her with his morning training.
Eleanor beamed excitedly at his words. "I was eager to see you as well," she replied, a sparkle of joy dancing in her dark eyes. "I still am." She smiled at him in the mirror as she brushed rouge across her cheeks.
Thomas blushed, grinning wider at her expression but not knowing what to say. Though he was so focused on her and her reflection that he didn't notice the same spark in his eyes.
He may not have noticed the spark in his eyes, but Eleanor certainly did. Her expression softened, and in the morning light, she looked like a hazy dream of a woman. Slowly, she rose to her feet and paced the short distance over to him. "I'd very much like to kiss you," she whispered, reaching her hands toward his chest but stopping just short of touching his uniform.
“I will not stop you, my Queen.” Thomas murmured just as softly, gently raising his hands and placing them on her upper arms. “I like it when you kiss me.” he admitted.
Eleanor relaxed with a smile and let her hands fall against his chest. “And I like it when you kiss me, Thomas,” she whispered before tilting her head up and brushing their lips together.
Thomas smiled back, feeling his face warm at her touch before returning the kiss. He bent down slightly to make it easier and more comfortable for both of them as his arms gently wrapped around her.
Eleanor let herself press against him and enjoy the feeling of his arms wrapped around her so gently. If his arms were around her, nothing in the world could ever harm her. Eleanor was sure of that. She drew out the kiss for as long as she could, not wanting to let him go.
Thomas tightened his embrace slightly, holding her close. He wanted to protect her and keep her safe. And he would do his best but… there were two men that he couldn't do anything against. He tried not to think about that right now and just enjoy the wonderful feeling of kissing Eleanor.
Eleanor let herself melt into his embrace. She reached up and cupped his face while they kissed, and her soft thumbs stroked over his cheeks. There was nothing else she was thinking of other than Thomas. She only wanted him.
