Page 47 of Enchanted Kingdom
“Good night, Your Grace,” I finally said with a bow.
“Good night, Jorah.”
I walked with Owen down the hallway that just the night before I had an episode of panic set in. I wasn’t necessarily happy about the day, but I was at least not freaking out either.
We turned down another hallway, and I noted both how quiet Owen was and how brisk of a pace he was setting.
“What?” I whispered.
“Be very careful,” he said softly through gritted teeth.
And that was when I heard footsteps trailing us. Approaching fast.
I turned to find none other than His Royal Highness coming our way with his three personal guards. In a fraction of a second, I knew I had to decide how to play this. And I was pretty sure stupidity was exactly the kind of subservience the king preferred.
“Oh,” I began, hand on my chest. I moved aside and bowed immediately. “I am so sorry, Your Grace. I didn’t see you there or I would’ve moved out of the way sooner.”
“Yes, I’m sure,” was the cool reply.
Owen and I split to opposite sides to make the path down the hallway clear. I wasn’t sure why the king was here, but I knew it wasn’t good.
For a split second I thought maybe he’d just keep walking right past us and to wherever he was headed. But then he stalled, stopping in his tracks. He was even with Owen and I now. While we faced him, he faced the now open hallway before him.
“You taught the girls how to play cards,” he stated.
I couldn’t play dumb with that one. “I did.”
He turned to me, his beady eyes boring into mine. “Do you really think that is the best activity? For those who want a future with one of my sons and in the future a possible crown?”
What he really meant was women. Did I really think a bunch of women in training to be queen should be sitting around playing cards? And I wasn’t about to tell him that I hadn’t been the one to put the cards in the room to begin with. I had only used what was at my disposal.
I forced myself to look down as if ashamed. “I suppose not, Your Highness. In Nerede, card playing is common. I didn’t even think of how—” I forced myself to bite out the next word, “lowly they could be considered. My apologies. I meant no harm, I only wanted to provide something for the women to do. Other than gossip and meddle themselves into tizzies.”
“I suppose it is not entirely your fault then,” the king said as he looked forward again. “It is the only life you know.”
Just like this fortress was the only life he knew.
He took a small step forward and I let out a breath that had lodged in my lungs the moment I saw him coming for us. But then I was gasping out in pain as the king snagged my wrist and leaned in closer.
“Know your place in my castle, Jorah Demir, or you will find yourself out of it,” he threatened.
I tried my best not to cry out in pain. He was squeezing my wrist bone so hard, I wasn’t sure he wouldn’t break it. “Yes, Your Grace,” I managed to say, though it sounded more like a whimper.
He released my wrist and looked forward once more. “Officer Raikes.”
Owen replied, “Your Grace.”
And just like that, the king continued walking on his way.
I waited until they were down the long hallway and around a corner before I bent over, holding my wrist, trying with everything in me not to crumple to the ground and cry. The king’s magic wouldn’t work on me, but apparently he knew of more than one way to hurt a person.
“Please try to walk,” Owen said so quietly I could barely hear him.
I did, but the tears were unable to be contained. One slid down my cheek. Then another. Another after that. I was embarrassed and mortified. I had never felt so powerless.
Every step toward my room, another tear slid down my face, pooling in pain and outrage over what the king had just done to me. For no other reason than to display his power over me. I knew why. He knew he couldn’t use his magic on me, but he still wanted me to fear him. But that didn’t make what he had just done any less repulsive.
I opened the door to my room and barged on in.
