Page 111 of Quest for her Knights
I tighten my arm around Elora’s waist as we pull into the courtyard, a huge knot in my gut telling me everything’s about to change.
A few knights come out to greet us, offering to take the horses to the stables as we dismount. Arrow and Blaze greet their friends, as they’re much more sociable than Ranger or me, while we wait to the side, my hand resting on Elora’s shoulder for comfort.
I watch the doors, surprised when none of the royal family comes out.
“I think they’re in a meeting,” Harris, one of the knights, says when he sees me watching. I nod in thanks as our horses are led away, leaving the five of us standing there, staring at the doors.
“Let’s get this over with,” Arrow grumbles, leading the way.
Inside, we’re greeted by Edric, one of the house managers. “Princess Elora, you’ve returned!”
She gives him a small smile and nods politely as he tries to steer her away from us and up the stairs. “Let’s get you to your room so you can freshen up.”
“Oh, I’d like to speak with my parents first, please.”
“I think you’d be more comfortable after you’ve cleaned up,” he replies, glancing down at her. She doesn’t look dirty to me, and judging by the frown on her face, she doesn’t think so either.
She glances over her shoulder at Ranger, who answers for her. “I think the princess looks perfectly fine to speak with her parents. Can you let them know we’ll be in the west wing parlor? And please arrange for some refreshments.”
“Enough for all of us,” she adds.
Edric’s eyebrows scrunch in confusion as he looks between us, his eyes narrowing at my hand on her shoulder. But he looks back at her and nods before hurrying away.
“We’ll probably see a lot of looks like that,” Blaze says quietly. “It’s completely unheard of for a princess to be with anyone of lower standing than a lord.”
She huffs a laugh. “Well, if you ask me, you stand on much higher ground than anyone else here.”
He leans over to whisper in her ear. “And that’s part of the reason we love you.” She blushes and bites her lip, making me smirk.
We walk in silence to the parlor. But waiting for her parents to arrive is even more stressful. I try not to pace as the minutes tick by. We’re brought refreshments, which we nibble on, and eventually even Elora starts to pace in worry.
“What’s taking them so long?”
“I heard they were in a meeting. It could be awhile still,” I tell her and she groans in annoyance.
“I just want to get this over with. It’s not just me, right? You all feel a pit in your stomach?” I frown, thinking that’s exactly how I feel.
“Yeah, I feel it, too,” Arrow says unhappily.
“Me too,” Blaze adds.
“And me,” I tell her.
“And me,” Ranger finishes.
Footsteps have us all turning to the doorway as the princes enter with their wife, Freya. She smiles happily when she sees our girl.
“Elora! I’m so pleased to see you!” She steps forward and surprises her with a hug. “I bet we have a lot to talk about,” she whispers before pulling back. Elora nods, looking a little relieved as the kings and Queen step into the room.
“It’s good to see you’ve all made it back safely,” King Coal says as he nods at us in approval.
“I assume your mission was successful?” King Ian asks with a raised eyebrow as he scans the room.
“If you’re asking if I’ve made my decision, I have,” Elora says firmly, standing up tall as she addresses them.
“Wonderful! The queen exclaims happily. “Who is it? Ravenbrook? Shadowcross?”
“No, I found much better men than them,” she says with a smile.
