Page 6 of Emerald Queen
Emersyn shoved a bite of food into her mouth, avoiding the question. She didn’t have any experience with men, so thinking of Drake in that way made her flush with embarrassment.
Cassie carried on with the gossip and what she’d heard in town. Apparently, the people were pleased with her coronation and everything was slowly getting back to normal.
Except the matter of her parents murder. Cassie told Emersyn that Commander Mercer had assigned a dozen men to the case, making it top priority.
Cassie turned as a brief knock resounded through the room and he stepped inside, “Speaking of the Commander...”
“Good evening, Miss Rolfe. Can I speak with Emersyn for a moment?”
“She can stay…” Emersyn sat a little taller in her bed, “I trust Cassie with my life – so whatever you have to say to me, you can do so in front of her.”
“Fine.” Drake cleared his throat, “Emersyn, I’ll be assigning a personal guard to you. There will also be one stationed outside your room anytime you are in your quarters. Until we have identified the threat to our kingdom, you are my top priority.”
“What? No… I don’t want a guard.”
“It’s not optional. Your parents had one, and every royal before them as well. It’s natural for you to have a personal guard now.”
“Fuck,” Emersyn slid from the bed, her green silk dress pooling on the floor. “I don’t get a say, do I?”
“No, ma’am.” He looked at her apologetically and turned to Cassie. “Miss Rolfe, you will be allowed to come and go as needed, but if you send someone in your stead, you will need to let her guard know of the change.”
“Yes, sir.” Cassie nodded.
“This is crazy.” Emersyn rubbed her head. “I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”
“I am sure that’s true. But it is my job to protect you – it is one of the reason’s your parents made me the commander. Please don’t stand in the way of me performing my duties.”
Emersyn smirked at him and turned to Cassie, “His duties?” Cassie’s eyes widened as Emersyn stalked closer toward Drake.
She folded her arms across her chest as she stopped in front of him, “Who are you choosing to guard me?”
“Officer Holcombe.”
“No.”
“What do you mean, no? Officer Holcombe is the best guard under my command. You deserve the best, Emersyn.”
“I deserve the best, huh?”
Her mind starting working overtime. If this was how it was going to be, then she would pick who guarded her. And she knew exactly who she wanted.
“Yes. You do.”
“Great, then if I deserve the best, I don’t want Holcombe.”
“I don’t understand.”
“As your queen, Drake… I will choose the only person I trust to guard me with his life. And that is not Holcombe.”
Cassie’s eyes grew wide. She knew what Emersyn was up to and she couldn’t do anything to stop the giggle that escaped her lips. Drake shot Cassie a confused look.
“Really? Then who do you think is the best?”
“You.”
Drake sucked in a breath, “Your Majesty. I cannot possibly be your personal guard and command the entire division.”
“Why not? Are you saying you’re incapable of handling the pressure?”
