Page 135 of Enchanted Kingdom
I blinked once, twice, three times, trying to keep the tears away.
“Your Grace,” I smiled at the king and bowed.
“Your Majesty,” Renna also bowed.
“Father,” Krew said plainly.
“May I borrow Jorah for a moment?” the king asked in a way that wasn’t a question at all.
“If you must,” Krew said lazily.
The king held out his elbow for me and led me back toward the staircase, in the exact direction I had just seen Gwen and Keir and he probably knew it. Fortunately, they were gone now. “How has your evening been?”
I didn’t even have words. “I’m not entirely sure,” I offered.
“Well, you look lovely,” he stated.
Deciding I was beyond tired of all the talking in circles and all the fakeness for one night, I stated in the sweetest voice I could possibly muster, “Thank you for the dress.”
His eyebrows went up for just the briefest of moments before he smirked. “You’re quite welcome.” Then he laughed.
It took me aback, the king laughing like that. As if he didn’t hate my very existence.
“How long tonight did it take you to figure it out?”
I smiled and shook my head. “I’m sure I don’t understand what you mean, as that would imply I didn’t know from the very start.”
He laughed again. “Not bad. Maybe there is a queen in there after all.”
Oh how I hated him.
He reached for my hand and brushed a kiss to it. “Goodnight, Jorah from Nerede.”
I bowed. “Goodnight, Your Majesty.”
I walked back over to Renna and Krew, who had apparently waited for me. I sent Owen a look, begging him to get me out of here. Before I burst into tears or screamed. Or both.
“Help,” I whispered to Krew and Renna, the room again trying to go blurry on me.
“Come on,” Krew said, offering his elbow out to me. I took it, and he guided Renna and I back through the room.
Owen was also moving, meeting us on the other side of the room.
“What are you doing?” I whispered to Krew in between smiling at people as we made our way to the side doors.
“Getting you out of here,” Krew snapped. “Now both of you laugh like I am incredibly charming.”
Renna let out a fake laugh and I attempted to smile.
It must have been good enough.
And out the doors of the ballroom we went. The three of us with guards trailing behind.
As soon as the doors closed behind us, Renna leaned in and gave me a hug. “Goodnight, you two. I’msosorry, Jorah. I’ll check on you in the morning.” She moved to give Krew a side hug. “Get her out of here. And thank you for getting me out of there before the drinking got any worse, Krew.”
“Sleep well,” he said to her affectionately.
And then she was gone, her guard along with her.
