Page 7 of Emerald Queen
Drake growled, “No…” he gripped her wrist, tugging her towards him, “I can handle anything you throw at me, Your Majesty. Can you handle the pressure of having me stalk your every move?”
Emersyn gulped, “I am your queen. I can handle WHATEVER,” she leaned into him, “pressure you give me, Commander.”
Releasing her arm, he stepped back, “Fine. I need to speak with the Constable and inform him of your wishes.”
Tipping his chin toward Cassie, “Miss Rolfe, it was a pleasure seeing you again.”
Emersyn watched as Drake retreated from her room, jumping when the door clicked shut.
“What are you doing, Emersyn?” Cassie cocked an eyebrow at her friend.
“What any queen would do. Demand the best.”
“Right… I am one hundred percent sure that’s why you ordered him to be your personal guard.”
“It is. Besides, he’s too old for me anyway.”
“What – are you stupid? Emersyn, Commander Mercer is only thirty. Nine years isn’t a big gap… especially when the man in question looks like that.”
“Meh… he’s going to get tired of being my guard and then he’ll realize what a waste it is for me having a guard twenty-four seven – he’ll give up. Drake should be more worried about figuring out who wants to hurt this kingdom – not protecting me.”
“I hope you’re right.” Cassie laughed as she shook her head. “Let me take these dishes to the kitchen. I’ll see you in the morning.”
Emersyn shut the door, pressing her hand against the wooden frame. She ordered him to be her guard to prove the ridiculousness of it all… didn’t she?
It had absolutely nothing to do with the spark she felt every time he was near her.
No… that had nothing to do with wanting him close.
Chapter 4
Drake stormed into the constable’s office, “We have a problem.”
“Good to see you too, Mercer,” Baxter set the pen down he’d been holding, “Now, what has your undies in a bunch.”
“Emersyn has ordered me to be her personal guard.” His jaw clenched in frustration.
Baxter let out a bark of a laugh, “I see.”
“Yes… now what are we going to do about it?” Drake paced the small space, his hand running through his hair.
“You’re going to guard her.”
“Exactly… Wait… what did you say?”
Drake must have misunderstood the Constable. Surely, he wasn’t serious.
“You will guard her, Drake. I think she’s right. You will take her safety more serious than the other men. Men who could possibly be bought.”
“What makes you think I can’t be bought?” Drake plopped down in the chair opposite of him.
“Drake,” Baxter leaned forward, “I have been with this family since Emersyn was born. And I know when her father commissioned you as the commander of the guard, he had plans for you. Plans that were beyond just overseeing the guard.”
“What does that mean?”
Baxter sighed, “You’re the best option. That’s what it means.”
“Fine,” he grunted, “I will need to give the Captain more responsibilities. Are you good with that?”
