Page 77 of The Queen's Line

"My people have plenty of cause to be disgruntled, Cresswell," I said, shoulders sagging and resisting a childish urge to stomp my heel and demand he obey me. Icouldorder him, but it was the man's duty to protect me.

"He has a point, Your Highness," Daniel said, his low voice still able to cut through our conversation, quiet as he was. "There's going to be alcohol, people will be in high spirits. Merriment can swiftly transform to temper in that situation."

"I didn't know he had opinions," Thao murmured, and the others coughed in quiet laughter.

Daniel's color changed, but only slightly, as if he had mastery over his blushesandhis expressions, and he looked down to the ground.

I looked around at everyone gathered in the room and then up at Cresswell. "Could I have a word alone with Guard Stark, please?"

The room hushed, and Cresswell's eyes widened. Daniel might've been able to control his blush, but Cresswell couldn’t, and for the first time since we'd begun the discussion of my going to the festival tomorrow, he looked uneasy and anxious as one by one the rest of the room moved to the door.

"Good luck," Cosmo said, kissing the corner of my jaw.

"But maybe listen to his advice," Owen added in a whisper, his hand cupping my waist briefly before he too left.

"Your Highness," Cresswell started.

"Please sit with me," I said, stepping to the side and gesturing to the two armchairs that faced one another by the window.

He hesitated, but gave in as I helped myself to a seat. He was in uniform and out of his armor, and while I seemed to grow smaller in the large chair, Cresswell Stark filled it up, his long legs trying to shrink in the space between our seats to avoid bumping his knees against mine. Instead, I leaned forward, settling my palms against his knees and watching him freeze in place.

"I do understand your concerns, and I'm not blind to how little favor I might hold with my people in spite of the changes I'm endeavoring to make. I'm sure the safest thing would be for me to not attend at all, it's only that I've never been to a festival. Not even the ones held in the capital. I want to dance, and drink stale beer, and eat the questionable meat on a stick that Owen keeps talking about. I'm not asking to pretend that I am not a princess and that I don't need to be cautious. Butplease, Cresswell. If there is any way for me to do just a little bit of those things tomorrow night, I promise to be very cooperative to your rules."

Cresswell cleared his throat, cheeks rosy and eyes trying and failing not to flick down to the collar of my dress or where my hands rested on his knees. He cleared his throat again. And then once more.

"Only alittledancing."

"Just one or two dances!" I said. I beamed, and Cresswell growled in a pleasant way, sagging back into the chair, a hand raising to cover his eyes.

"You'll have a food tester," he added. "You should keep either Owen or preferably Thao at your side, they're the strongest and the prince should have his weapon on him. I and another guard will be close atalltimes. If it's too crowded and unsafe and I change my mind aboutanyof this—"

"Yes! Yes, I promise," I rushed, laughing and trying to stop myself as he glared at me through his fingers. "Thank you, Cresswell."

His sigh was almost comically heavy, fingers sliding down from his full mouth to land near my own hands. "Of course, Your Highness. But listen," he said, catching my hand before it could draw away. His hands were warm, fingers calloused against my wrist and palm, eyes pale and crystal green as he leaned forward. "Don't be careless, princess. If you are the only person with the power, position, and desire to help those people, you must be here to see it through."

Cresswell's gaze was earnest and almost frightened, enough to dampen the high of my victory. I swallowed hard and nodded.

"I will arm myself too. You know I can fight," I said, prepared for him to dismiss the idea.

He nodded solemnly. "I do, and it would bring me a great deal of comfort to know you had a weapon on hand. I don't want you to expect the worst, but only be prepared for it."

"I will. I promise, Guard Stark."

I don’t know if I meant to cut the intimacy of the moment by using his title, but it did the trick, Cresswell stiffening and leaning back before standing and slipping out between the chairs with a quick bow.

"Excuse me. I'll go and find a tester for tomorrow night, Your Highness," he said, voice rough.

I managed a brief sound of assent before he was out the door, with me left blinking as it swung shut after him.

25

Aric

Ipassed Douglas the small vial of sea water from the south, charged and buzzing in my palm with enough magic to leave me weary at the loss.

"Keep it safe and close to her until you can have a charm fashioned," I said, my eyes over his shoulder on his middle daughter Hannah. Her hand rested over her chest, eyes wide as she tested her breathing. I'd done what I could for her immediately. Having the charmed vial would do her more good.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Douglas murmured. "I'll be back out there soon."

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