Page 78 of Quest for her Knights
They lead me into their home, and I glance over my shoulder, surprised to see four frowning knights. What’s got their panties in a bunch?
Draven’s eyes seem focused on where I’m holding Darian’s arm, as if he doesn’t like me touching him. I glance at Blaze and see his hand tightly gripping the pommel of his sword, his knuckles turning white. Ranger’s eyes are bouncing around everywhere, but I can see he looks upset.
Why, though? Have I missed something bad about these lords?
When we’re led into a parlor filled with books, I release Darian’s elbow as I tell him, “I just need a moment to speak with my knights.”
“Of course, when you’re ready we have some refreshments here, for all five of you.” He gestures to the table by the couches and my heart does a little jump in my chest in excitement, knowing they are the first lords to ever offer the knights food, as if they are on equal ground with them.
“Thank you,” I tell him honestly, giving him a sincere smile before turning to move to where the knights are standing in the entrance to the room. They all turn to me in question. “There are refreshments over there for all of us.”
A couple of them glance where I’m pointing over my shoulder, but Ranger’s eyes don’t leave mine.
“What is it?” I whisper, stepping closer. “What am I not seeing?”
He doesn’t answer, so I glance at Draven, then Blaze. He always tells me the truth.
“Blaze? What is it? What’s wrong with them?”
He frowns at me for a moment before shaking his head. “Nothing.”
“Nothing?” I repeat. “Then why are you all frowning?” I glance between them again before asking, “Is it me? Did I do something wrong? Should I not have let him help me off the horse?”
He sighs, clearly reluctant to answer. “No, you’re doing everything perfectly, as usual. And there’s nothing wrong with them, they seem like a good fit for you. You like them so far, don’t you?”
His eyes search mine, and I lick my lips. Sure, in the two minutes I’ve known these lords, they seem decent, but that doesn’t mean I feel a spark. Blaze’s intense stare makes it seem like he wants me to say I don’t like them, but it’s not like the knights would let me be with them instead. Gods know I’ve tried.
Darian and his brothers might be my only hope for happiness here. And if flirting with them makes my knights a little jealous, maybe it’ll wake them up and push them to act, if those feelings even exist.
I don’t answer Blaze. Instead, I clear my throat and say, “I’m going to go talk to them. Please help yourselves to refreshments.” I turn around, even though my heart screams at me to go back to the knights, I take a seat in a vacant spot between Kael and Lucien.
They tell me about themselves as I nibble at the food, after Ranger tested everything first, of course. Rafe turns out to be the clown of the family, making me laugh every time he speaks. Arrow is positioned on the wall across from me, and I can see his fists clench every time I laugh.
I even laugh a little louder than usual a few times just to see how he reacts, and he definitely doesn’t like it. Which is interesting, considering he’s told me before how much he loves seeing me smile.
Hells bells. He’s jealous.
I try not to grin as I realize that’s exactly what’s happening. He doesn’t want me laughing at Rafe’s jokes, he wants me laughing at his. Well, that’s what I want too, but he’s made it clear he can’t be with me. Do I take a little pleasure in his suffering? Yeah. Yeah, I kind of do.
Lucien is kind and sweet, and when I speak with him, I watch Blaze from the corner of my eye and am pleased to see a similar reaction.
I wonder how far I can push them before they crack. There probably isn’t a limit with these knights. They’ll probably suck it up and let me walk all the way to the altar, even if they hate it.
That thought makes me angry. They’ll let me marry these men, knowing who I really want, knowing I could never truly be happy here.
That anger fuels my decision to get a little revenge, knowing they won’t stop me.
Kael finishes telling me about his love of music when I abruptly change the subject.
“So, are you guys all virgins?”
Their eyes widen in shock and no one answers, so I continue, emboldened by the wine I’ve been drinking.
“It’s okay either way. If you’re not, it means you have experience. Do any of you like bondage?”
Kael chokes on air, and Darian stammers an eloquent, “Uhhh…”
“What about spanking?” I glance over my shoulder at Ranger. His face is red with anger, his eyes narrowed. I turn back quickly to hide my smirk. Good. Let him be mad.
