Page 28 of Their Chosen

The sudden and intense pain dimmed to a dull, throbbing ache, so I slid into my jeans as gently as I could, but the tender burns made themselves known with each movement. I ignored it as best as I could and threw on another tank top, even though the morning was still pretty cool. Throwing on my boots and putting my hair up into a messy bun, I finished up my packing. Just in time too because as I stepped back outside, I noticed Baer with a couple of soldiers heading toward me.

“Good morning, Killer!” Baer called to me, grinning at me from ear to ear.

“Morning,” I replied. “By the way, thank you for the coffee. It was a godsend this morning.”

He laughed. “It was really for me. I've grown partial to it during my time on Earth and usually bring some back every time I come home. I just made sure to bring extra in case you were also a coffee drinker.” He winked at me.

“Well, it was a good gamble then.”

“Are you ready to go?” he asked. When I nodded in affirmation, he directed the other two soldiers to pack up my tent.

“Is there anything I can do to help?” I asked, not used to having so many others working while I dawdled. I hated being useless.

“Nope. They'll have it all packed up in no time. Besides, you should get used to having others wait on you,” he replied, having guessed my issue.

“I don't think I'll be here long enough for that. At least, I hope not. I wouldn't make a good queen anyway.” I laughed at myself, but Baer frowned.

“I wouldn't discount yourself so quickly. Obviously, the land saw something worthy in you for it to call you to the trials.”

I laughed again. “Well, I'm sure I would be terrible at it. Besides, I don't even know anything about the land or the people,” I argued, certain that this misunderstanding would be corrected soon.

Baer eyed me as we walked to the horses, falling silent after my declaration. Once we reached the horses, he grabbed the reins to Meadow and held them while helping me mount. Before I could get into the saddle, he finally spoke, “Certain things can be learned. However, the things that make a queen great, such as honor, loyalty, and integrity, can't be taught. Those are things you either have or you don't.” He held my gaze, the unspoken words hanging heavily between us. He thought I had those things. He didn't realize that I was broken in too many ways to ever be a great leader.

I mounted up with his help, holding back my grimace and gasp as my thighs hit the saddle. Turning Meadow around, I joined Arryn and Lennox, who were already saddled and had been watching our exchange.

“You okay?” Arryn asked me softly, the change in my demeanor apparently obvious.

“I'm good. Let's get going,” I said, keeping my anger from my voice as much as I could. I wasn't angry with Baer, just at the hand that life had dealt me. None of them were to blame for that. If anything, Arryn and Baer had made this feel so easy for me, but I couldn't forget that this was not my life.

I had clawed out a small life back on Earth and that was enough for me. I was happy, for the most part, with what I had. I had earned everything on my own and that was more than most people managed. Maybe if I told myself this over and over, I’d begin to believe it.

“If you're sure,” Arryn said, not buying my words completely, but not pushing either. He rode off to get us started, and I relaxed slightly, glad to not have to talk about it.

“Come on, Princess,” Lennox sneered at me, jerking me from my thoughts as we all set out.

I ground my teeth again, the burns on my thighs screaming louder than before. After riding the last couple of hours at a canter, my bruised ass slapping the saddle and my thighs no longer able to hold me up, a moment of déjà vu assaulted my senses. The only difference today was the blood that was starting to seep through the denim of my jeans.

Great! These jeans would be ruined by the time we made it to the palace. Just what I needed on top of everything else.

“Killer, are you okay?” Baer asked, riding up beside me.

“Just peachy.” I forced a smile on my face, too stubborn to admit my pain, especially when Lennox glanced back at us.

I flashed Lennox a what are you looking at? Smile, and he laughed at me in response. Asshole.

“I wouldn't call him that once we reach the palace.” Baer laughed.

Shit! “Did I say that out loud?” At his answering laugh, I groaned, but it turned into a loud gasp of pain when Meadow missed a step, and my body slammed the saddle harder than normal. “Fuck!” I exclaimed before I could stop myself.

Baer eyed me and then raced up toward Arryn. Our group slowly stopped before they both raced back toward me. Just great. Noticing them at the same time, Lennox turned back to find out what was going on.

“Killer, you need to tell us what's wrong. I've seen the pain on you all morning but hadn't realized how bad it was.”

I gritted my teeth. “It's nothing I can't handle, Baer. Let's just get going again. The sooner we get there, the better,” I pleaded with him. I refused to be the weak link.

“It's not fine,” Arryn said firmly. I still didn't say anything.

“Come on, Princess. We aren't going anywhere until you tell us,” Lennox butted in, seeming bored and frustrated at the same time. I didn't even know that was possible.

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