Page 22 of Knightfall
“You did,” he propped himself up on his elbow. He didn’t look like he minded being freezing and wet at all. In fact, he gave ample attention to my chest, indicating he didn’t mind me being freezing and wet either.
“You are supposed to be the gentleman of this group.”
“Gentlemen are only polite to ladies,” he sat up and shrugged, pulling off his soaked shirt and wringing it out.
“We’ve established I don’t have a cock,” I argued as I tried very hard not to stare at the dark blond happy trail leading south. Declan most definitely had a cock. One that was at full mast.
“But we haven’t established that you’re a lady.”
“Then what the hell am I?”
“A puzzle. A riddle I need to solve.”
My eyes met his. A buzz filled my stomach. Like bees had invaded. Or was it butterflies?
“Put the shirt on and I’ll ring for some new clothes.” He tossed his shirt to me.
As I pulled it over my head, I asked, “So, um, does this mean that you believe me? About coming here to help Avia?”
Declan pulled the rope and leaned against the wall, watching as I struggled to straighten out his soaked shirt and cover up important bits.
“No. I don’t believe you at all.”
I spun toward him, aghast. “But—”
“I think you have an ulterior motive. And I’m gonna find out what that is.”
Chapter Six
Declan resumed work and didn’t speak to me or look my way as maids dressed me and did my hair until I was mother’s perfect doll again. My hair was curled in ringlets. My eyes were lined in kohl. Emeralds glittered at my neck and a plunging neckline showed off my modest cleavage to its best advantage. My billowing, hunter green skirt was lined with lace made by the pixies in Cheryn. I picked at the padded, long sleeves of my dress. Even more than the circlet in my skin, the sleeves felt like cuffs. They reminded me of every day I’d spent with my mother, in training to take up my place as monarch.
I rubbed my arms and stared out Declan’s window. After his declaration, we’d come to an unspoken agreement: ignore one another.
He didn’t trust me? Fine. Forget understanding the geas. Forget my curse. That wasn’t important anyway. I didn’t need him to know me to accomplish my goals. But I had no idea how I was going to achieve any of them. I wish my mother had cursed me to be within five feet of my sister at all times instead. Then I could protect her.
When Ryan arrived to “hand off the prisoner,” I’d almost been relieved.
Until he had led me to the outdoor practice arena, where his soldiers used wooden swords to hack at one another.
“You haven’t finished this for the day?” I sighed. It was late.
Ryan glared down at me. “Those of us who actually do our jobs, instead of run from them, have a lot of work each day.”
I bit my lip. So this was it. I was to be dragged from job to job with each ‘husband’ until I died a slow death from hatred and boredom.
“May I—”
“No.”
“You didn’t even hear what I—”
“Didn’t need to. Your job is to provide water.”
“Water carrier? Surely you have a servant—”
“Surely you can do this simple task?” Ryan cut me off and hauled me, far too easily, over to a giant barrel of water. Nearby stood pewter tankards. Ryan dropped me into the dirt and yelled toward two of his fighters. They came closer and he started correcting their form.
“Elbow up and out,” he pulled a squire’s arm until he was satisfied with the angle. With a nod, his two fighters continued their practice bout. He leaned against the wooden fence separating the fighters from the crowd and I forced myself to keep my eyes on the soldiers, and not the tight fit of leather pants on Ryan’s ass.
