Page 16 of The King's Bodyguard
“-unless our good king here has some reason he would like to share with this party?” Rhenn’s voice broke into my thoughts.
“Pardon?” I asked coolly.
“You, sirrah,” Corrin snarled, “ought to be on your knees in apology to your king! For such disrespect!”
“Rhenn,” Lord Carl began to calmly order the crowd. “Stand down, boy. Marvin, tell Colm to back off. Ser Hugh, get that guard in order.”
Ser Hugh laid a hand on Corrin’s shoulder, but Corrin refused to budge. He glared at Rhenn, who suddenly took a few steps back toward his father. Rhenn glanced at me apprehensively. I glared back at him. The young gentlecat had taken liberties with his tongue.
“Apologies, Your Majesty,” Rhenn ground out, not sounding apologetic at all.
Rhenn bowed stiffly and stalked off, taking five of his friends with him. Colm also bowed to me and offered his apologies. He kept his gaze averted from Corrin’s glare. The crowd, realizing that no flogging or dismissal was about to happen any time soon, slowly disbanded.
“He really ought to be punished,” Lord Morne said.
Of course. Yes. Lord Morne was suddenly here. I glanced over at Morne. He was hugging a large plate stacked high with meat pasties. Dabbing at his mouth with a handkerchief daintily, the lord handed off the plate to a nearby servant. He brushed some crumbs off his beard, which, I realized, had some stray gray hairs now threading through the brown. My cousin ignored my hard stare and looked Corrin up and down with distaste.
When Lord Morne began to suggest that Corrin be flogged or discharged, I had to step in. No doubt Corrin recognized that his behavior had given Lord Morne an opportunity to critique me. Instantly, Corrin was on one knee with a ready apology.His shoulders remained stiff, but his ears were flattened in contrition, and his tail hung low.
“I will admit to-to speaking out when I ought not to have,” Corrin finally admitted. “My anger got the best of me. For that, I am sorry. I will await any punishment you see fit to mete out, Your Majesty... and Ser Starr.”
My heart skipped a little, and I fought to keep a growing smile off my face. Instead, I nodded and caught Lord Morne’s eye. It was important for me to show that I had everything in control, even if I clearly didn’t. Ser Hugh and High Mage Alan waited patiently for my command.
It was hard to find the words as I came to grips with this new Corrin. I didn’t know much about Corrin the stalwart guard, but that brash, outspoken, fierce friend still remained deep within. He had stood by my side, and done his best to fulfill his duty. He had even given me comfort. Whatever happened, I would carry our dance in my memories always. To show ingratitude would not sit well with me.
After making everyone wait, I declared my intention to return to the palace with Corrin. Ser Hugh, Lord Elthorne, and Lord Gareth would, I pointed out, determine disciplinary action should it be required. Lord Morne, recognizing that I would not be budged, gave way.
With that, I lifted my head, stiffened my spine, gazed through Lord Morne as if he wasn’t actually there, swiveled about, and made my way toward Lady Hartford. I didn’t look back. As commanded, Corrin followed me to where Lady Hartford stood, attended by her companion. Bowing low, I thanked Lady Hartford for her hospitality. I remembered to praise her apple pastries and the music arrangements. I apologized for the uproar as well.
Lady Hartford, beaming as always, told me not to worry. According to her, such dramatics were the spice of a good ball.Her ball would be remembered for months to come. Even so, I noticed that her gray-eyed gaze rested more often on Corrin than on me. Behind me, Corrin bowed as well, uttering a short apology, which was graciously accepted.
With everything more or less smoothed over, I descended to the waiting Royal carriage. Corrin, clambering on the box, said nothing more, now the perfect picture of responsibility and respectability. As if he hadn’t just given a pack of lords and ladies a tongue-lashing. I grinned to myself. I am never going to forget it. He will never live it down, honestly.
I wouldn’t forget the fire in his eyes as he defended me. He had clearly been upset on my behalf. Not just the way they spoke about me. Something told me that he had been truly horrified upon learning about the skerra potion. Hopefully, he would tell me what he was thinking.
When we finally arrived at the castle, I commanded Corrin to my private office. Once there, I ordered tea. Corrin took up a spot by the fire, gazing down moodily at the cheery flames. After pouring two cups of tea, I offered one to him.
Corrin hesitated. Then, he sat gingerly down beside me on the long chestnut lounge. Although we sat shoulder to shoulder by the fire, sipping tea, I felt as though Corrin were on the other side of the country. His troubled green eyes gazed at the brilliant orange flames before us in a distant kind of way.
“A bronze for your thoughts.” I nudged him.
“Apologies,” he murmured. “There is much on my mind tonight.”
“I would know your thoughts,” I said. “After everything you’ve done for me, I hope I can repay you in some small way.”
“After everything I’ve done for you...?” He chuckled dryly. “That’s a funny way of saying ’cause a fuss’.”
“You weren’t intending to cause a commotion.” I gazed down at the fragile china cup in my hand. “I could tell. You weren’tangry. You were... horrified. By how they were treating me. By the potion.”
“I still am,” Corrin said. “I’m just hiding it better. As I should have done at the ball.”
He leaned forward, set his cup and saucer down with a click, and then turned a little. I clutched onto my saucer and looked up at him, valiantly trying to keep my breathing even. My heart was racing, and it was becoming a struggle to not stare at him—at the firm swell of his lips, at the hard set of his jawline, at the broad lines of his shoulders. I just wanted to lean forward and rest my head right there, twine his arms about me, and close my eyes. I sighed and set down my tea cup. The Corrin that sat before me wouldn’t do that.
“Tell me?” I asked. “I-I don’t understand, Corrin.”
Corrin looked at me like I had grown two heads.
“How can I understand when this is all I’ve ever known?” I tried to explain again.
