"I may look like an old man, but if I hear anything has happened to her because of you, I will be to Lexia in the blink of an eye," Roger whispered so that Leila could not hear.

"I will protect her with my life," Nalick replied sincerely.

In the last few years, Roger had grown used to Leila showing up at a moment's notice. She always came back with more tales of her adventures that made him laugh and envy her youth and energy. The shy determined girl she was when she first arrived was gone and replaced by a confident, stubborn woman. Roger loved her as if she was his own child. He had also assumed that over time Leila's heart would mend from the loss of Erich, but he was wrong. It pained his heart to see her fade away from the chance of every finding love again. Roger sniffled a bit and shuffled back up to his greenhouse. He was no longer sad for Leila as he could see in her eyes that she was finally happy again.

"She's going to be fine," Roger said out loud to the empty room, "just like you wanted Erich."

Chapter 12.

The ride home took longer than expected. There was fresh snow covering part of the valley path, and it was slow going at parts. They had been riding all day and everyone was eager to get off the horses and relax a bit. As they turned the last corner, Kay hurried her horse ahead of the rest. Leila let her friend run ahead so that the men could take in the sights around her home.

Leila's home was in the valley between two of the biggest mountain ranges on the south end of the North Country. The city, which they lived near, was situated on a lake in the valley. Her parents' land extended from the north east shore of the lake up the mountain side. The path they were walking on took them around the outskirts of the town and to the backside of her parents land. Any open view gave a picturesque view of the lake and surrounding mountains. Of all the places Leila had traveled over the years, her parents' home was one of the most beautiful.

As they approached Leila's home, the men could not see the house hidden behind the evergreen trees. Leila hopped off her horse as all three men stared at her. They had to walk through the thickest parts of the trail on their way to her home and did not wish to do so again. All three men were thoroughly frozen to the core.

"Well, do you guys want to get inside or have you grown accustomed to the cold and wish to stay out here?" she asked the confused men. As Leila walked ahead, she pulled back the branches to expose her home.

"If you want to stay outside that is fine, but can I at least put the horses in the barn?" she asked.

Instantly, Nalick, Theo, and Macarius jumped off their horses and followed Leila and the horses into the barn. After they were finished with the horses, she cautiously took Nalick's hand. She was feeling nervous, and he could tell. He squeezed her hand and smiled down at her. Macarius and Theo could feel the anxiety. Bringing home a king and two noble soldiers was not the nicest greeting for someone often kidnapped.

"We could wait here, if you'd like," Theo suggested trying to ease the tension.

"No, the more people, the less likely anyone can get mad at me. It should be near dinner time, so everyone should be busy. Hopefully I can introduce you to a few at a time," she replied.

Nalick raised his eyebrows, "How many people will we be meeting tonight?"

"There are normally fourteen, including me, as long as my brothers don't have any friends over or any other family is visiting," Leila explained quickly. Leila led the men out of the barn and around to the front door of the home. Leila paused at the door trying to build up the courage to enter.

Now or never. She pushed open the door.

Leila led the men into a small room before the main house. She removed her coat and shoes before opening the door to the home and took a deep breath before entering the house. Inside the three men followed Leila into a large kitchen. Along the entire left side were cupboards and a large sink and oven. Standing at the counter cutting vegetables was a woman. She did not turn around at the opening of the door. With eight adults and six children running around, the woman was accustomed to the door being opened and shut often. Leila stood just inside the doorway not saying anything.

"Hi Momma," Leila said, quietly hoping that maybe her mother would not hear her. The lady turned around and dropped what she was doing to give her daughter a hug.

"Welcome back, sweetie," Leila's mom said while sticking out her hand to shake the hands of the men with Leila. "I'm Anselma," she said to the men. "Everyone calls me Selma or just Ma around here." In turn each man shook her hand and introduced themselves. Shaking Nalick's hand Selma stopped and looked closely at him. Moving back near Leila she asked, "So is this the man Kay said something about?"

"Depends on what she said," Leila replied quickly.

"Just that you were traveling with three men and one plans to marry you," Selma replied.

Leila blushed and nodded her head. It had been so much easier to tell her parents that she was going to marry Erich. Erich had started out as her partner for courier runs, and he would make sure she was safe by traveling home with her. Her parents appreciated that Erich watched over her. Erich would frequently stop by for meals or just to visit even when they didn't have an assignment. Her parents had two years to get to know him before he ever asked her to marry him. Things would be different this time around. Nalick was a stranger from another country, a king with much power and wealth: two qualities that would not endure him to her parents. Leila was sure her parents would automatically distrust him.

"Is Dad around?" Leila asked, wanting to get both introductions done with.

"He is visiting your grandfather and probably won't be back until after supper." Selma returned to her cooking. "Kay was going to get washed up. She said she would start warming the water for you guys also."

Selma would be in a questioning mood. Leila did not want to stick around to answer any questions; so she hurriedly grabbed her bag and shoes and led Nalick through the kitchen into the family room. Leila quickly put on her boots, and Nalick followed her out the back door before they met anyone else in the house. Outside Leila led the way to another building not attached to the main house.

"This is our bath house." Leila made a sweeping gesture towards the building. "You do know how to bath yourself?" she asked teasingly. "Wait, maybe you don't. Do you have several women bath you at the palace?"

Nalick chuckled at the thought. "Well, that is a secret," he replied with a wink before they entered the building to get cleaned.

After spending over an hour getting bathed and dressed, Nalick and Leila had to return to the house and the many people that would be waiting to question them. Leila loved her family but was not ready to admit her feelings for Nalick.

"Could we just run away and pretend we got lost on our way to the bath house?" Leila asked, dreading going back inside and facing her mother's relentless questioning.

"I suppose we could, but then there is the problem of Theo and Macarius," Nalick replied. "Maybe they have answered all your mother's questions, and she won't have any left for us."

"We can only hope," Leila pulled her coat on and put her hood over her wet hair before leading the way back to the house. Once inside she could hear laughter coming from the kitchen. Cautiously she approached to find Theo, Macarius, and her mother all seated around the table playing a card game while Kay was cooking. Leila saw her mother's expression change back to serious once Leila and Nalick entered the room.

"How long before supper is done?" Leila asked Kay, trying to ease the tension.

"About thirty minutes," Kay replied, expertly handling four different pots on the stove at one time.

"The baths are all ready for you guys," Leila said to Theo and Macarius, "I'll show you where it is." Leila offered to leave the house before her mother could ask any questions, but to her surprise, her mother was just watching her and not talking. Leila could not make out the expression on her mother face. Selma was not happy but nor was she mad.

"Could you get Nael for supper?" Selma asked Leila turning to leave. Leila nodded before quickly grabbing Nalick's arm to drag him with her. Leila did not want to face her mother, but the thought of leaving Nalick alone with her mother was not comforting either.

"Do you want to stay here when we go back?" Nalick asked cautiously as they left Macarius and Theo at the bath. He was prepared for her response and just held his breath waiting for her to say yes.

"Not really," Leila replied. It was not the response he had expected nor was it one of complete reassurance either. He did not find her reply good.

"I mean, yes, a part of me will always want to be here. I grew up here. To wake up in the morning and see the sun rise over the mountains and shine on the lake, it truly is awe inspiring. But," Leila paused and stopped in her tracks thinking, "it's just not the place for me. It is a little too quiet and sometimes quite boring." Leila looked up at Nalick to see if he understood.

"Maybe someday in my life this is what I will want, but right now I just want to be somewhere a bit more exciting. I was never one of those little girls that dreams about how they will marry a guy from their home village and then move in right next door to her parents, and he would take over the family business."

"Is Lexia exciting enough for you?" Nalick asked cautiously.

Leila smiled. "It will do for now," she replied coyly.

Nalick followed Leila who was leading him by rows of dormant grape vines. "This is my family's business." Nalick could see she was leading them to a small stone structure towards the middle of the vineyard. As they drew near he could see it was a building built into a hill. Leila walked around to the side door and led Nalick through several rows of barrels until they were near the back of the building. Sitting in a room next to a well-lit fire was a dark haired man reading papers, Leila's oldest brother Nael. As Nael looked up, his face turned from serious to a big smile. He quickly jumped up and lifted Leila and tipped her upside down as he hugged her.

"Welcome home, squirt," Nael said while not putting her down too gracefully.

"Thanks," Leila replied. As she stood back up, her brother's expression changed again at the sight of Nalick.

"What the heck did you get yourself into?" Nael asked pulling up the sleeve on her left arm. Though her brother ran the family winery, he was the most educated person in their family. In his free time he loved to read and would read a book about anything. Nael knew what the lines on her arm meant. Part of Leila was disappointed in his seriousness. She had been hoping that Nael would be her one ally in the house when she explained to her parents why she would be staying in Lexia. Nael finally acknowledged the man standing in the doorway.

"Is this his fault?" Nael asked Leila pointing behind her accusingly.

"No," Leila quickly replied. "It's my fault. I made the choice." Nael looked like he didn't believe his little sister. Though Nael had been told Leila was the best courier Roger had ever trained, it was hard to believe his little sister was any good at it when she was constantly coming home hurt. Nael knew all about the troubles she had gotten herself into over the years and the many people who had offered bounties on her head to try to force her into marriage.

"Does Roger know about this?" Nael asked.

"Yes," Leila said, not backing down to her angry brother. Nalick was amazed that the quiet shy girl she had been just moments before when she was with her mother was gone, and the spirited, head strong woman he had seen before was back.

Nael proceeded over to Nalick and extended his hand, "I'm Leila's brother Nael."

Nalick shook his hand, but before he could say anything Nael added, "I know who you are King Nalick." Leila held her breathe. While they were nearly the same size, Nael standing eye to eye with Nalick, Nalick was in better shape physically and more muscular. Leila waited to see if her brother would be foolish enough to pick a fight with a man she doubted he could beat. Nael briskly turned and walked back to his seat to go back to his work.

"Nael," Leila complained. "You have more manners than that."

Nael looked at his sister. "When is the wedding?" he asked, "or rather should I ask when your priests have decided when the wedding should be?" Nael asked Nalick sarcastically.

"In three months," Nalick replied kindly, not taking the bait for an argument.

"Three months?" Nael repeated, assuming he heard incorrectly.

"Why do you think so many kings wanted to marry her?" Nalick replied. "Your sister is very special." Leila smiled up at Nalick. She had heard numerous people tell her over the years how special she was, but it meant something else coming from Nalick. Nael caught the smile on his sister's face. It had been four long years since Erich died. It had been just as long since he last saw her truly smile as she had just now at Nalick. Nael sat and stared at his little sister. Though it was subtle, something about her seemed changed.

"He has offered several times to just let me stay here," Leila explained to her brother, "but I am going back with him to Lexia no matter what you or anyone else says to me. I was only hoping I could introduce Nalick to everyone, but we seem to keep getting the same reaction."

"Oh, so you talked to mom first?" Nael laughed as he put down his papers. "Sorry about that," he said as he walked over and patted Nalick on the shoulder. Now they were allies.

Nalick was surprised Nael's attitude changed so quickly. "I could have told you not to meet her quite yet. She just needs some time to adjust to new people after meeting them. Ah, the first time I brought Gisela home. I didn't think my mother would ever like her, but now they are best friends. Our mom is just naturally cautious with people. Trust me; it will be much easier meeting our father." Leila was relieved to see the change in her brother. "Just give our mom a little time. If Leila has decided you are safe enough to bring home, then you can't be all that bad." Leila smiled, as Nael had never said he trusted her judgment before.

"We better get going home. Mom actually sent us to get you for supper. Kay is cooking," Leila replied, happy that this meeting was over.

As they returned to the house, the commotion in the kitchen could be heard outside the door to the house. Leila walked into the kitchen following her brother. In the middle of the kitchen four young children were standing in front of Selma having their hands inspected. As Selma approved each child, she patted them on the head and sent them to the table. Theo and Macarius were already seated. Both men slightly bowed their head at Nalick's entrance.

Leila commented under her breath. "Doesn't that ever get old?"

Once the children noticed Leila was standing in the room, all four jumped up to greet her with hugs.

"Auntie Leila," all four called at once, rushing to her. "What did you bring us back?" one asked.

Leila picked up each child hugging them. As she picked up the last child, the young boy asked by whispering in Leila's ear, "Who's that?" with pointing at Nalick.

"That is Nalick," Leila said before setting him back down on the ground.

From the doorway to the right of the kitchen table in walked a woman carrying a small girl. Smiling, she also greeted Leila with a hug.

"This is my sister-in law Sabine," Leila said introducing the woman hugging her. "Sabine, this is Nalick. And Theo and Macarius," Leila said indicating to the men sitting at the table. Sabine sat down at the table and joined in with the conversation the men were having.

"That one right there," Leila pointed at a young girl with golden ponytails, "Is Sabine's oldest Gabi and the child with Sabine is Karin. The young boy there is Luca. He is Kay's son. And the two older children are Dierk and Cara. They are Nael's oldest children."

Leila seated herself next to her niece, Gabi, and Nalick sat between Theo and Macarius. After everyone was seated, Kay brought the food to the table. Nalick noticed an empty seat and tried to figure out who was missing. Nalick quickly found out as a younger, loud man entered the house.

"Where have you been?" Sabine scolded the man, Leon, Leila's other brother. "You're late again."

Leon grinned as he ignored his wife and noticed his sister was home. "Sis," he called as he bent and hugged her around the neck. "Long time, no see."

"Yes," Leila replied, prying his arms off her neck so that she could breath. Leon continued to ignore his wife who was giving him a stern stare.

"And you brought friends," Leon added as he walked to the other side of the table. "Let me introduce myself. I'm Leon, Leila's favorite brother." Nalick stood to shake Leon's extended hand and was surprised to find himself a whole head shorter than the young man.

Dinner was louder than Nalick was used to but very entertaining. With all the conversations he learned more about Leila than he did from all his notes. After dinner had finished, Selma insisted that Leila's group head to bed. Leila tried to help out with the chores, but no one would let her. She finally gave up and took the men upstairs to the bedrooms. Leila showed Theo and Macarius each to their own rooms.

"You guys are really going to need to stop that," she complained at Theo and Macarius as they bowed to her before going into their rooms. Leila walked Nalick to the next room. As they entered, Nalick could tell it was Leila's room. The room was small but cozy. The bed was pushed against the wall and two chair sat next to the three windows on the wall across from the door. Leila quickly picked up the clothes that were lying on the floor.

"You can have my room," Leila said to him. "Just don't go snooping through my stuff."

"But where will you sleep then?" Nalick asked.

"I'll be downstairs on the couch," she replied turning back to the door. Nalick gently grabbed her hand and pulled her close.

"I don't want to take your room away from you. I'll sleep downstairs," he said going to the door himself.

"No," she said. "You are a guest in our house. I will not let a king sleep on our couch."

Nalick could see she was not about to let him have his way. He continued to hold her hand and pulled her closer to him. "Well, if I don't want you to sleep on the couch and you don't want me to sleep on the couch, how can we find a compromise?" Leila shook her head no to a compromise. "How much trouble would you get in with your mother if we both slept here?" Nalick indicated to her bed. Leila's mind began to rush through several questions, what does this mean, what is he asking me to do, is he actually serious? "I mean no disrespect to your mother and father and have no plans to compromise your integrity, I promise, but since neither of us wants the other to sleep on the couch..." Nalick trailed off. His hand found its way around her waist as he talked.

"I suppose," Leila began but stopped, as she could not believe she was actually considering his compromise. Nalick waited for her to finish, "We are going to be married in a few months, so my parents won't take it as a sign of disrespect, but..." she didn't find the words to argue with Nalick. Nalick gently leaned over and kissed her forehead.

"Good. Then it is settled. Goodnight," he said as he walked over to the opposite side of the bed, removed his shirt, and climbed under the covers. Leila was too tired to argue and too shocked to respond with normal banter, so she also climbed into the bed. Leila shivered and pulled the covers around her body. Nalick moved slightly so that his body was close enough to keep her warm. Leila's shiver was not just from the cold. She felt her eyes get heavy and thankfully sleep came before her heart had a chance to begin beating uncontrollably.

Chapter 13.

"Good morning," Leila said as Nalick entered the kitchen the last to wake for the morning, and she stood and offered him her chair. "Would you like coffee or tea?" Leila had woken up early in the morning as usual and lay in bed over an hour watching Nalick sleep. She was surer about her feelings towards him but still confused. He was still a puzzle to her. The gentle kind man she saw when they were alone was a stark contrast to the king he was.

"Does this mean the Nalick stories will have to stop now?" Kay asked, disappointed.

"Tea," Nalick said to Leila. "What sort of stories?"

Theo turned away as he answered, "Oh, nothing much. We were just answering their questions."

Nalick looked to Leila to see if she would give him any clues to what they had been saying, but her lips were also sealed. Leila brought over his tea along with the basket of muffins. "I have to get my chores done," she said to the men. "Kay will keep you company."

While dreading time alone with Selma, after chores with her mother and getting questioned about Nalick, Leila was relieved. She felt like she had passed the first test of getting her mother to trust her in her decision. Next, Leila would need to work on gaining her father's trust. She finished hanging up all the clothes she had washed and followed her mother back into the house. Once inside Leila could hear more people in the kitchen talking. To her surprise she found Nalick sitting with not just Theo and Macarius but also her brothers Nael and Leon and her father, Dirk.

"That's my girl," she heard her father say as she entered.

"What did I do now?" Leila asked. All five of the men turned to look at her. Everyone was smiling and getting along, which surprised Leila.

"Oh, we were just telling your brothers and father about how you escaped the jail and then asked to be put back in," Theo explained.