Page 22 of Quest for her Knights
Elora
Since I know I have a few hours to kill before we arrive in Drysdale for the night, I decide to make the most of my time by hemming my dress. It’s so long, I can work on it without undressing, which makes it the perfect task to pass the time.
It’s obvious that women here only wear long dresses, so I don’t want to go completely scandalous with my signature mid-thigh length. I compromise by making it reach the top of my knees. It will still more than cover everything, but offer me easier movement, and the best part? I won’t have to keep holding it up while walking, making it much more practical.
As the sun starts to set, I finish with time to spare. I can’t wait to walk around in my new dress. If I didn’t have to wear it while working on it, I’d alter the sleeves a bit as well. Maybe next timeI’m in here, I’ll grab a few of my other dresses so I can make some modifications to better suit me.
The trees disappear from view, and buildings quickly take their place. I watch eagerly as the wooden structures pass by. There are a few homes, but as we keep moving, they turn into shops. I spot what I assume is a blacksmith, a bakery, a butcher, and an apothecary with spices and various bottles lining the window. It’s like being thrown back in time.
When we finally come to a stop, I see a sign that reads Drysdale Inn and Tavern.This must be where we’re spending the night. I grab the door and push it open, but as I move to step out, Ranger steps in front of me with a scowl on his face.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
“Princess, you can’t exit the carriage without one of us here.”
“Uhh… yeah, I can.”
He literally lets out a small growl before he speaks again. “I mean, youcan’t.As in, I’m forbidding you to do it.”
“Um, ex-squeeze me?” My eyebrows raise in surprise. Is he really trying to tell me what I can and can’t do? Aren’t I the princess here?
“Princess, I have been tasked with taking charge of your safety. And it’s not safe for you to exit on your own. What if someone unsavory had been standing here and we weren’t here yet? You would have just stepped right out into their waiting arms.”
“Come on, Ranger, I’m sure that’s not going to happen. Is it really that unsafe for me to exit the carriage on my own?”
“Yes.” His voice is echoed by Draven as he walks past us, only offering me a small glare before climbing up the back of the carriage for our luggage.
“Now, Princess, promise me you won’t exit the carriage on your own again.” Ranger crosses his arms over his chest, staring down at me with a determined scowl. Damn. He really has that hot dom personality going for him, and I am here. For. It.
“Yes, sir,” I tell him softly, still awkwardly perched half in the carriage. His eyes seem to spark when I call himsir,but I’m not sure if it’s surprise or heat I see there. He quickly schools his expression and offers a hand. I take it easily and let him help me down to the ground.
As soon as I stand up tall, he lets out a huge groan, then turns away from me, wiping a hand down his face.
“What’s wrong now?” I ask, throwing my arms out to the side.
“Uh, Elora? What did you do to your dress?” Arrow asks, looking slightly dazed as he walks up behind me.
“Oh! Do you like it? I figured it’s much more practical this way,” I tell him with a smile, turning my hips side to side, making the skirt softly twirl around my thighs.
“I love it. You look fucking amazing.”
“Arrow!” Ranger snaps, making Arrow flinch as he looks up at him over my shoulder with wide eyes. “It’s Princess Elora, remember? And don’t use such crass language around her.”
I look back at Arrow and whisper, “I don’t mind, honest.”
“No, he’s right,PrincessElora. I was out of line.” His expression turns neutral, and he dips his head before moving to help Draven with the luggage.
I turn to Ranger with my hands on my hips. “Are you always such a grump?”
He glares at me for a moment, arms crossed over his chest, then lifts his eyes and watches his brother before turning back to me. His expression softens, and he drops his arms, taking a deep breath. “I never used to be. But there’s something about you that makes me act like that.”
“You need to loosen up. We’re going to be spending a lot of time together; there’s no need to be so formal all the time.”
“I’ll consider it, Princess, if you promise to listen to me and do as I say. Everything I’m doing is for your safety, and I take my job of protecting you very seriously.”
So he’s only acting this way because I’m a job? Why does that thought make my chest ache? I hoped he cared for me a little, but maybe I’m just projecting what I want to see.
I nod my head in agreement, and he leaves me under Blaze’s watch as he enters the inn to secure us rooms. By the time the guys have gotten all our luggage down, Ranger rejoins us and tells us we have three rooms on the second floor. I try to helpcarry some of the luggage, but they refuse to let me lift anything. So I grab my own bag from the carriage, wanting to keep my book and sewing supplies close at hand in case I need them.
