Page 17 of Court of Rivals
After the king’s orders, servants were called in. More instructions were given. And the king had his people bring in a fine ale for all of us to share, then fancy little foods had been passed around on trays by servants. The king seemed pleased with my presence.
His sons? Not so much.
At last, the king had yawned and told us he had a party to get ready for. He’d instructed his sons to take care of me, then sent us on our way, which was both a relief, and a stress. The last thing I want to do is be alone with the three angry men.
But I had to pretend otherwise. I needed to put on a brave face, no matter what was hiding underneath.
Now, the three princes are storming down the hall in front of me, each of them radiating a pissed off energy that’s so strong it’s palpable. I don’t quite understand their anger. All this because they want to be Ebron’s rider? Or is it because I’m a woman? Or a commoner?
I guess maybe the combination of all three is what’s gotten under their skin.Men are such delicate flowers when it comes to their egos.
Prince Gareth grabs a servant as he walks by. “Is her room where I instructed?”
“It is, my lord,” the servant says, bobbing her head.
“Good,” he says, and the way he says it makes me think I’m not going to like where I’m staying.
But if he’s hoping to make me uncomfortable enough to leave, he’s going to be sorely disappointed. Most people couldn’t endure a night in my cottage, what with my brothers and dad farting and snoring all night long. I’ve smelled things no one should ever have to smell. I’ve endured things some fancy prince could never even imagine.
They lead me to a door at random, and Prince Gareth flings it open. “Put your stuff down.”
I whistle low.
“What?” Prince Alaric asks, looking at me in confusion, and unfortunately for me, my stomach does a little flip. He’s pretty damn handsome, even though he seems to be a jerk.
Focus, Harper.
“It’s nice,” I say, trying not to express just how impressed I am with my accommodations, even though I’m pretty sure I already failed.
The room is massive. Big balcony doors flung open to the perfect weather. A huge bed that looks more comfortable than anything I’ve ever laid on. A beautiful fireplace. A vanity with a mirror. A big wooden wardrobe. It’s… perfect. Way too nice for me, but I drop my bag on the bed, then turn around to find the three of them watching me really closely.
“Now what?” I ask, a little nervous.
“Now we see what you’re made of,” Prince Gareth says, and his voice holds a threat I don’t understand.Aren’t we on the same team? Sort of.“We’ll all fly our dragons. You can show us what you know.”
Shit.I kind of just want to rest. It’s been a rough few days. And besides that, Ebron and I haven’t had any official training yet. We’re bound to embarrass ourselves, which I bet is exactly what these three are hoping for.
But I know I can’t back down from a fight.
“Lead the way.”
As we start walking again, Prince Alaric speaks to me, his words stiff and uncomfortable, like the man himself.Hasn’t this guy ever spoken to another human before?“Call your dragon to you.”
I give him a funny look. “He’s not close enough to hear.”
“In your mind,” he says, and now he’s the one looking at me funny.
“How do you do that?”
He stops and turns to face me. “You don’t even know how to talk to your dragon in your mind?” He sounds horrified.
Both the other men look at me in shock. Three wickedly handsome men with their mouths hanging open like they’re catching flies. Real attractive.
I shift my weight from one foot to the other. “I literally met a dragon for the first time a few days ago.”
Prince Gareth rolls his eyes and continues walking, which isoh sohelpful. I’m starting to suspect this guy is the type who is always in a bad mood… and probably attracts the ladies with his dark-good-looks and brooding attitude. That’s not my type though. Never has been.
Prince Lucien gives me a look filled with pity. I’ve realized that this prince is good at seeming nice, while looking down on me. “Think of your dragon. Picture him in your mind. Then, send a thought to him.”
