Page 2 of Awestruck
“Then where is it you learned to—”
“Vitte, Freya,” Hex says. He flinches when I glare at him for using the Candoran curse. “Do you need to interrogate the man? Gregor has already spent the last month questioning him. I think you can trust he’s not here to take down the monarchy.”
I had not considered such a thing, but now that thought is in my head.Thank you for that, Hex. “I am not interrogating him,” I argue. “I was only curious. Considering his upcoming position, I am allowed curiosity.”
For the first time since my arrival outside the conference room, Reid’s eyes slip down to mine. The shock of his sudden focus hits me like the zap of a static charge, but the eye contact lasts only a moment, then he is back to watching the corridor. This is the first time I havebeen close to the man, and I am surprised by the color of his eyes. Dark amber, like the sap of the evergreen trees that grow in the mountains on the north end of our island. It is not a color I have seen in someone’s eyes before, and the warmth of it is in direct contrast to the detached personality he has.
A personality he has except with my brother, it seems. Have both my brothers sparred with him? Sander is less enthusiastic about weaponry, but his skills nearly match those of Hex. And those of Sergeant Elliot Reid, apparently. Why have I not seen them fencing together?
Ah, yes. Because Mum has been extra diligent in my tutelage lately, which only makes my current predicament more frustrating. Confusing.
“Is there a reason you and Elliot are standing out in the corridor, Fringe?” Hex asks, finally realizing where we are. “I thought you had a fancy meeting.”
“I do have a meeting,” I reply, silently willing Reid to look at me again. I doubt he would be able to hold fast to his orders if he deigned to look me in the eyes when he told me I was not allowed inside the room behind him. “ButElliotwill not let me in.”
I hoped using his first name would draw on the camaraderie he shares with my brother. While it does gain the bodyguard’s attention, pulling his eyes back to me, his stance only grows more imposing. I did not think that was possible, given his impressive size to begin with. Reid certainly has the build of a bodyguard, with shoulders broad enough to intimidate anyone who might cross him.
“I’m afraid I can’t let you in, Your Highness,” he says, eyes still locked on me.
Vitte, his gaze is strong. Perhaps his tendency to look above me is for the best, as I feel every second of his notice.
Swallowing, I dig deep into myself for the confidence that has been slipping for the last several minutes, ever since he first blocked my entry. “Mr. Reid, I demand that you allow me to pass.”
He smiles.
No, that is the wrong word. Only one side of his mouth lifts, and there is no sense of kindness to the expression. It is asmirk. He issmirkingat the crown princess! I am appalled by his audacity.
“My apologies, Princess,” he says, as if reading my thoughts. “But I can’t obey.”
Hex snickers, glancing between the two of us. “Careful, El,” he mutters. “You do not want to see Freya when she is angry.”
“Oh, he isElnow, is he?” I glare at my brother, though I cannot remember the last time I intimidated either him or Sander. Despite being six years my junior, they have seen too many of my blunders and teenage missteps to take me seriously. “Mr. Reid is not here to be your friend, Hex.”
Hex doesn’t flinch. “No, apparently he’s here to keep you out of your meetings.”
Reid clears his throat. “I don’t mean to frustrate you, Your Highness.”
I do not believe that for a second. Not when there is still a shadow of that smirk on his lips as he continues to watch me. Why is it now that he has looked at me he does not look away? The depth of his gaze is unnerving.
I am not the type of person to be unnerved.
“But really,” Hex says, frowning now. “Why are you outside?”
“Her Majesty has decreed it,” I grumble.
Glancing at the door, Hex lifts an eyebrow. “Mum’s keeping you out?”
“She didn’t tell me her reasons,” Reid says.
I glare athimnow. “Could you not have said as much earlier?”
Oh, that smirk is going to frustrate me to no end, and he seems to know it. I do not know whether it is Hex’s influence or the fact that this is my first real conversation with my new bodyguard, but Elliot Reidis coming to life as he silently laughs at my growing anger. “I figured it wouldn’t help the situation,” he says lightly. “Again, my apologies.”
“Being sorry does not justify a wrongful action,” I warn him. “If you intend to keep your position—which you do not yet have, as you have said—then you should learn to keep your opinions to yourself, Mr. Reid.”
He dips his head so slightly that it almost feels like an insult rather than a gesture of agreement. “I will take that into consideration, Your Highness.” Then he grins at me. The expression only lasts long enough for me to make note of it before he is back to standing stalwart at his post, his eyes fixed over my head. “In my defense, none of my actions have been wrongful. I’ve followed orders, nothing more.”
In all the failed candidates for the position of my bodyguard, I have not once encountered insubordination like this. Although, that is not quite what this is. He is faithfully following my mother’s orders, and as she outranks me, I cannot be angry with him for that. But Icanbe angry for his disrespect. His amusement at my expense. His…sass. The last thing I need is a bodyguard who will talk back to me and treat me like a child when he is several years my junior.
