Page 115 of Quest for her Knights
I nod. If one of them wins, there’s no way in hell I’m marrying them.
“I hear they’re all going to wear full chainmail and helmets. You won’t know who any of them are. They said it’s the only way to keep it fair.”
“None of this is fair,” I snap.
“I know. I’m sorry. I’ll keep working on them. The princes are, too. They lost their best friends. They don’t like this situation either, they want you to be happy.”
“I wish the kings and Queen felt the same.”
“I think it’s hard for them. Learning their daughter was responsible for the murder of almost an entire family... it made them feel like they failed the kingdom. I think they believe that forcing you to marry noblemen somehow makes up for it.”
“That doesn’t make sense.”
“To them, it does. Now go clean yourself up. I’ll leave an appropriate dress on your bed. Then come down for breakfast. It’s better for you if you don’t make them drag you out there.”
“Fine,” I grumble, moving into the washroom. I pause in the doorway and peek back out. “Oh, Freya?”
“Yeah?”
“Thanks for your help.” I offer her a weak smile, wanting her to know I don’t hold any of this against her.
“Of course. I wish I could do more.”
She exits into the hall and closes the door behind her and I take my time bathing and getting ready.
The royal family has invited hundreds of spectators to watch the tournament, and the makeshift outdoor arena they’d built just for this occasion is buzzing with energy. I wish I could enjoy it, under different circumstances this could be a lot of fun.
But sitting on this stupid wooden throne beside King Lewis, it’s all I can do not to slump in my chair. We all sit in a row at the center of the arena. The queen is in the middle, with two husbands on either side of her, me at one end, and Freya and her princes at the other.
The other three sides of the area are filled with what they call commoners and there’s a small section filled with knights who aren’t on duty.
I wasn’t sure what sort of things they’d make these lords do in a tournament. I didn’t imagine most of them being able tohandle a sword or weapon. So I’m surprised when a whistle is blown and King Ian stands to announce that the first round is an archery contest.
My heart immediately pines for Arrow. If he was here, I know he’d out shine all these lords.
“Elora, come watch with me!” Freya calls from where she’s leaning on a railing beside Talon, a few steps down from where she was sitting. I look to King Lewis for permission, and he nods his head.
Happy to be away from his side, I quickly make my way over to them. The way Talon holds Freya tells me how much he cares about her. I watch as his hand slides around to rest on her stomach. Her slightly swollen stomach.
“Oh my god, Freya!” I gasp and they both turn to me with wide eyes. “You’re pregnant!” She can’t stop the huge smile that covers her face, and Talon smirks, kissing her neck as she nods.
“Yeah, it’s still pretty early, maybe three or four months? It’s hard to tell here.”
“Congratulations! You look happy, so this is a good thing… right?”
She nods excitedly. “A very good thing.” She reaches out and squeezes my hand. “You’re going to be an aunt.”
My eyes widen is shock. “Me?”
“Of course, you're their daddy’s sister, so you’ll be our child’s aunt.”
“Wow, that’s… awesome!” I saw with a smile.
“They’re about to start,” Talon says, pointing to the arena.
I turn to watch, leaning my elbows on the railing as I stare out at the lords getting themselves in position in front of the targets.
“They look stupid doing that with helmets on,” I say with a chuckle.
