Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 27631 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 111(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27631 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 111(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
When the princess opens her mouth to speak, she appears ready to deny that she’s cured fully, but she looks at me sharply and closes her mouth. “Um. Yes. Yes, I’m fully cured and should have no problem traveling next week, Mother.” With an audible swallow, she untangles herself from my embrace, my core temperature dropping dramatically the second we’re no longer touching. “Commander Larsen has been of great service, but he should be free to go. Without delay.”
Queen Ingrid studies me. “Yes, of course,” she murmurs. “Thank you for you—”
“Might we have a word alone, your highness?” I interrupt, her dismissal causing panic to invade my chest. Don’t send me away from her.
“Yes, of course, Commander.” The queen accepts another glass of champagne off a passing tray. “Give us a moment, Greta.”
“Stay where I can see you, Princess.”
“Oh, um. Okay.” No sooner has Greta stepped away from our circle is she absorbed by another, a group of men and woman who have clearly been reveling for a while, their laughter loud, their proximity to the princess far too forward for my liking.
“I’ll make this quick,” I say, desperate to return to my post at the princess’s side. “Queen Ingrid, I shall continue my service to the princess. Beyond today.”
“Shall you?” She rears back slightly to scrutinize me. “Would you care to explain this unexpected change of heart?”
I start to speak, but I stop on a dime, because I’m about to lie to the queen. I’m about to tell her I think Greta needs more time broadening her boundaries before she’s ready to travel. I don’t want to make Greta seem any less brave, though, and furthermore, that’s not why I’m staying. I’m staying because I doubt my ability to breathe without Greta.
Seconds tick by.
I pride myself on being an honest man. Do I tell her the truth?
“You’ve realized what an honor it is to serve the crown in this capacity, is that it?” Ingrid slides in smoothly, an eyebrow arched.
“Yes,” I manage, clearing my throat. Not a total lie. Serving Greta is an honor. One I didn’t recognize as such right away, but I do now. To protect my princess, who has been through such torture at the hands of the rebels, is a sacred privilege. “Yes, I am honored, Queen, and I would like to remain as her guard. Indefinitely.”
Silence passes between us. I can see the cogs turning behind her eyes.
Perhaps my feelings are written all over my face.
But to my relief she says, “Very well.” She tilts her head. “And you will travel with us next week to meet her potential new husband, as well?”
My throat burns as if it has been doused in gasoline and set on fire. “Yes, Queen,” I say hoarsely. “Where she goes, I will go.”
“Such a switch from yesterday’s hostility,” she muses. “How very interesting—”
Before she can say more, one of her assistants dashes up and declares one of her political strategists requires an audience. Relieved beyond belief that I’ve been granted permission to stay, I release a shuddering breath and go to find the princess.
But she’s gone.
Greta is gone.
nine
. . .
Greta
I climb the stairs of the tower overlooking the sea, hastily brushing away the tears in my eyes. The tower is where I come when I’m craving solitude, usually so I can have a crying jag in peace—and I definitely feel one coming on now. Future queens of an entire country aren’t supposed to cry out in the open. I should be embodying confidence and strength at all times. That’s what my mother has always told me.
Well, I’ve been strong enough for one day. I left the palace grounds and I managed to bid farewell to the only person who’s ever made me feel safe. It’s sad, really, how I’m reacting, when I’ve only known him such a short while. Still, his touch lingers on my skin and his vow circles my mind.
Nothing gets through me.
Nothing gets through me.
I reach the top of the tower and drop heavily onto my waiting pallet of cushions and blankets, staring out the stone window toward the tumultuous sea. The moon is full tonight, allowing me to see every ripple and whitecap. The stars are clear. I pull my knees up to my chest and count them, hoping to distract myself from the sadness crowding my chest. Tomorrow, I will put up my chin and know I did the right thing by helping the commander leave sooner than later, but tonight? All I can do is mourn the loss of his presence—
“Princess,” growls the very man I’m mourning, his gait heavy as he ascends the spiral staircase leading up to the top floor of the tower. “I told you to stay where I can see you.”
My heart summersaults approximately five times. He’s still here? He followed me? Why? “But…I…”