Page 5 of Emerald Queen
“Drake,” Baxter met Captain Hill and he in the hallway. “Did I hear you say she was asleep in the garden? Jesus, she could have been taken or worse. We need a guard on her at all times until we figure out who killed her parents.”
“Yes… And I agree,” Drake turned to Captain Hill, “I want you to personally oversee her movements until further notice.”
“Yes, sir.” Hill nodded and left the two men standing alone.
“She is so young. I fear this is too much for her.” Baxter shook his head.
“Her age has nothing to do with this. She is grieving the loss of the only family she had. It is our duty to be here for her and guide her through this terrible time.”
“I suppose you're right. Any new leads on the accident?”
“No. My men are going over the scene with a fine-tooth comb. I’ve spoken to the other kingdom’s commanders, they're just as stumped as we are. They too are on high alert. Queen Nite seems especially angered. She feels that this was done to make her kingdom look bad. She has offered her guards services in finding the guilty party.”
“Very well. Keep me posted.”
“Will do.”
“Oh, and Drake?” Baxter smiled.
“Yes, sir?”
“Try to remember she’s the queen.”
Drake gave a half nod to his mentor and friend, “Yes, sir. It’s hard not to remember that detail.”
“Drake… I may be an old man, but I see how you look at her. Just remember you have a job to do and she needs closure on this first before she can make any rational decisions about other things. Do not let anything else come before your duty.”
“I won’t, old man. Now… I need to figure out what the hell is going on.”
Drake shook his hand and headed back towards his office. He would spend whatever amount of time it took to determine who was responsible for this brutal attack on their kingdom.
∞ ∞ ∞
Emersyn woke a while later to the smell of food. Cracking her eye, she found Cassie sitting by her bedside.
“Emersyn.” Cassie jumped to her feet and rushed to her side, “God I was so worried about you!”
Cassie had been Emersyn’s only friend growing up. Her parents had limited her interactions with anyone who wasn’t a royal. In fact, her only time spent playing, had been with Cassie. Now… years later, she was her personal assistant.
“Cassie, you’re here?”
“Of course, I’m here. Jesus Christ, Emersyn… you had everyone worried.”
“Sorry – I just needed some time alone. I didn’t mean to fall asleep.”
“I was just glad Commander Mercer found you when he did.”
Emersyn couldn’t hide the blush that creeped up her neck. “Yeah – he carried me home.”
“Oh… Oh, I see.” Cassie grinned. “He’s a hunk of man isn’t he.”
“I didn’t notice.” Emersyn tried to hide the way her breathing sped up.
“Liar. You’d have to be blind not to notice him. Christ. My panties get all hot and bothered just standing near him. He gets them almost as wet as the Captain does.”
“CASSIE!” Emersyn squealed.
“What? I’m not blind. You can’t seriously tell me you didn’t notice his hotness.” Cassie cocked a brow at her, waiting for her to deny the accusation.
