Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 107763 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107763 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
“You are moving again,” she called out behind me.
“As I think we ought to be, for the storm looks to be getting worse, not better,” I said, glancing at our horses agitated by the sudden rainfall. “We must be getting back. I’ll fetch the horses.”
“You wish for us to ride back in this weather?” she said, stopping me.
“We have no choice. Hold this,” I replied, putting my coat over her shoulders before dashing out into the rain.
The water beat down, soaking into my shirt as I pulled the reins of her horse. Mine, upon seeing me, followed.
I brought them as close to the pavilion as possible before rushing to get her.
“We shall ride together; my horse knows to follow me.”
“I can ride my own horse.”
“Lady Hathor, it is—”
“Yes, yes, dangerous. I know, and I shall not ride so fast—”
“Now is not the time for your stubbornness. Come on!” I all but carried her over to her horse. I helped her up before hopping onto its back.
“Stay close to me,” I said, grabbing the reins.
She shifted, resting her back against my torso. I kicked my heels only once before we were off, and did my best not to focus on how good she smelled and fit beside me. We reached the castle even faster than I thought possible—only for me to wish to head right back into the woods the moment I saw whose carriages stood before the entrance.
I tried to head toward the stables, but it was too late. All the footmen at the doors had already noticed us. Bringing Hathor back in this manner was bad enough; seeking to avoid coming through the front entrance altogether would only inspire more rumors.
There was no other choice.
“Lady Hathor!” one of the servants called.
“Lady Hathor, wait!” I called out, trying to warn her, but she was quickly off the horse, seeking shelter from the rain—not at all realizing that she was running right into the queen’s arrival!
Shit!
13
Hathor
It was so strange how I was so much more aware of him than I was of the rain. I tried not to think of it, but I could not help but notice how his body was like a shield around me. By the time we had made it back to the castle, there was no part of me that was not wet and cold, which made me wonder how freezing he must have been. But I had no time to ask, as our footmen along with many other people I did not recognize were at the entrance. The footmen were already rushing to take us inside.
“Lady Hathor!” our butler yelled from the doors. As the other footmen rushed forward, I tried to put distance between myself and Prince Wilhelm, as well as get out of the rain. “Are you all right, Lady Hathor?” All I could do was nod as I hugged myself and tried to keep warm. “Quickly, take her to her rooms and have a warm bath drawn. I shall tell his lordship she has returned.”
“Hathor!” came the voice of Mother, who rushed out of the hall alongside my father, with every other lord and lady who’d come to visit trailing close behind. I was not sure why they all stared at me as if they’d never seen someone soaked from rain before. But I was rather embarrassed enough and wished for nothing more than a warm bath.
“Finally, I am graced with your presence, nephew. Here I thought you’d vanished.”
I stood in greatest horror. For it could not be, surely not now of all times. But it very much was so. They all parted, even my mother, allowing Her Majesty The Queen to step forward. Now I understood who those strange people were at the entrance…they were her retinue. She wore a bright gold dress with several bows and strings of pearls. In her white hair was a feather, and her brown eyes watched us the way eagles did their prey. Immediately I curtsied, dripping wet before her.
“Your Majesty, welcome to Belclere Castle.”
“And what a memorable welcome it is, Lady Hathor,” she replied sternly. “Tell me, my dear, do you often go riding in the midst of a storm?”
“It wasn’t storming when we began our ride, Aunt,” Wilhelm said from beside me. “We had thought to wait it out with her maid, but when we realized the weather was worsening, I judged it best to return quickly.”
“Oh, is that so?” she replied. They shared a pointed look. All I knew was that I was growing colder by the minute. I looked at my mother, pleading for her to save me from this. Luckily, she understood, coming to my side.
“Your Highness, I believe they should change quickly before they catch a chill, don’t you agree?” my mother said, placing her hand on my shoulder.
“Very well.” She spun around, her dress whooshing as she did, and everyone quickly parted for her. “Do hurry, nephew. I long to hear your thoughts on Belclere.”