Page 34 of Quest for her Knights
“It means you have talent, Byron,” I say, placing my hand on his arm. “There’s nothing boring about that.”
“Sorry to interrupt,” Ranger says, stepping away from the wall. “But perhaps the Princess would like to clean up before she joins you for your musical performance.” His eyes bore into mine. I can’t tell what he’s trying to say, but something about his tone makes me think I’ve done something wrong. I shrink back a little as my eyes move to Archie.
“Yes, thank you for the meal, but I would like to freshen up a bit, if I may?”
“Of course,” he says as they all stand. “Edgar will escort you to your suite.”
“Thank you,” I say, dipping my head to him as I make eye contact with each of the men. “Thank you for lunch.”
“This way, Your Highness,” Edgar says. It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell him not to call me that, but the look Ranger gives me has me biting back any response.
The six of us walk silently through the grand home and up a set of wide stairs until we come to a pair of doors at the end of a hall.
“Your things have already been placed inside. This is yours to use while you’re here. If you need it cleaned or require anything at all, just let me know. Otherwise, nobody will step foot in here without your direct request. The rooms for your guards are at the other end of the hall,” Edgar says, gesturing down the long corridor behind us.
They weren’t staying in here with me?
“Thank you Edger.” He nods before walking back the way we came. I reach for the door handle, but Draven steps in front of me and moves inside. Blaze places a hand on my shoulder, stopping me from entering. I guess Draven is making sure it’s safe. It doesn’t take long before he comes back and motions us inside.
As soon as the door shuts, Ranger grabs me by the wrist and guides me over to the living area.
This suite looks like a large hotel room with a living area and kitchenette. I see a handful of doors that must lead to the bedroom and bathroom, but before I can explore, Ranger sits me in an armchair, pulling the other one right in front of me and taking a seat himself. We’re so close, my knees are sandwiched between his, and he leans forward, his elbows resting on his knees as he stares at me.
“Ranger? Is something wrong?” I ask nervously when he says nothing.
“Yes.”
When he doesn’t say anymore, I raise an eyebrow at him. “Care to elaborate? Did I do something wrong?”
“Yes. You touched him.”
“I—What?” I ask in confusion.
“You touched his arm, you shouldn’t have done that.”
“Oh,” I say, leaning back in my chair as my eyes move to the others. They are all watching me intently from behind Ranger. “I didn’t know. I thought that casual touch was normal. You guys touch me all the time.”
“That’s different,” he grumbles.
“How?”
“Sometimes we need to touch you to keep you safe.” I pull my lips in to bite them, to stop myself from arguing. Their touches were most definitely not only about safety.
My mind flashes to when Blaze held my hand as we walked in the forest.He was doing that so I wouldn’t fall.
I remember him and Arrow lying with me at night.They were doing that so you would sleep.
My eyes meet Ranger’s as I contemplate his words. I hadn’t realized they were only touching me for my safety. Stupidly, I hoped it had meant a bit more to them. That they were giving me small touches because they wanted to, because they liked me. But he has made it perfectly clear, numerous times, that none of them could ever be with me like that.
Suddenly feeling emotional and in need of being my own, I quickly stand. “I’m sorry, it won’t happen again. I need to freshen up now,” I say abruptly as I push out from between his legs. He grabs my wrist and my frustrated eyes shoot to his.
He immediately releases me, and I bring it up to cradle it in front of my chest, like that touch had hurt me. But it’s only my heart that hurts right now, and I can’t hold that.
Nobody says anything as I make a beeline for what looks to be the bathroom, and am relieved when I find it indeed is. I stepinside and close the door, just short of slamming it. I lean against it and drop my head back, staring up at the ceiling as I let the tears roll down my cheeks.
I hear a thump through the door, followed by a groan. But when all that follows is the low murmur of their voices, I assume they’re okay. Wiping at my wet cheeks, I glance around the room. When I see the large tub, I know that’s exactly what I need.
The exposed pipes remind me I’m not in my home realm anymore, but it works just as well. I quickly fill the tub and strip my clothes off before getting in and sinking low in the water, letting a soft moan escape my lips at the relaxing feeling of the warm water on my skin, especially after being on the road for so long. I find soap and a cloth in arm's reach, and take my time cleaning my body as I think about what Ranger said.
