Page 75 of Enchanted Kingdom
“You okay?”
It was Renna. She was there, turning me around so my back was to the room and she was standing where I had just been.
“Did he hurt you?” Her voice was full of rage.
I shook my head. “No.”
Her forehead creased. Her hair was braided back tonight, and it was gorgeous. More gorgeous than usual somehow.
“He was actually nice?” It came out like a question because I didn’t understand why it had happened.
She seemed to get angrier, her brow further furrowing. “He’s more terrifying on the rare occasions when he is nice.”
I thought on that a moment. “Why?”
She looked to someone in the room, her eyes traveling to probably Prince Krewan or the king or maybe Keir and then back to me. “Because usually he wants something.”
I tipped my head back. “Oh great.”
“Here.” She handed me her drink.
I took a sip and exhaled deeply.
“You good enough to walk around the room with me like you aren’t about to freak out?”
I nodded so we turned to walk together. I took another sip of her drink, glad for something, anything, to focus on other than what had just happened. “Keir took my champagne,” I told her.
She laughed. “I know. Both of those boys are nothing but protective dolts. I, for one, think you are smart enough to know your limits. If you want some champagne because you are having a horrid day, go for it.”
I smiled at her. “I don’t know what I’d do without you, Molly, and Gwen to keep me sane.”
She winked.
We made one loop around the outer edge of the room and then it was time for dismissing. It was earlier than usual, but I was not complaining one bit about it.
It was my turn to be last.
“Jorah,” Keir said when he finally got to me. He almost whispered my name.
“Your Grace,” I bowed.
He was quiet almost the whole walk to the doors. As we were close enough to touch the door, he finally said softly, “I’m sorry. I’m so angry with my father I can’t even form words. I’ll see you in a little bit though, sweetheart. Promise.”
I smiled. “That’s okay. See you in a bit.” With another bow, Owen and I were off.
He was quiet until we passed the point where the king had found us. “Are you alright?”
I opened my mouth to speak, just for him to add, “Tell me the truth, Jorah, or so help me.”
“Or so help youwhat,Owen?” I snapped. “What do you want me to say? That I am terrified? That I am freaking out? That I thought I was going to pass out when the king touched me back there? That there is so much going on in this damned castle that no one even cares to fill me in on and it’s exhausting? Like it’s some big mystery I’m just supposed to solve on my own? All while dealing with the king’s mood swings. And then to top it off, yesterday—” I cut off, realizing I was about to tell him everything I’d seen.
“What about yesterday?” he asked quietly.
I rubbed my temple. “So you won’t tell me a thing about all that’s going on, yet you expect me to tell you everything?”
He sighed and looked at the ceiling.
I picked up speed to my room, ready to be done.
