Page 23 of The Rejected King
You didn’t warn me that it was a cliffhanger. Please tell me you have the sequel. President Snow was really screwed up. Very dark and twisted. Enderlin’s people should consider themselves lucky that you’re a somewhat normal leader and don’t kill children just for the sport of it. And while I’m sure you didn’t pay attention to the love story, my fingers are crossed for Gale. I don’t see how you can top The Hunger Games, but I’d love to see you try. I’ll be awaiting your next book recommendation.
Davin smiled to himself. His two-person book club had just become his favorite hobby.
9
Emree
Emree paced back and forth in front of the two-story, A-frame building where Millar said Portlend’s room was. She had gotten up early this morning, hoping to catch Portlend when he came out of the building. She was pathetic, waiting outside for him, but it wasn’t like she was behind a bush or anything.Thatwould be going too far.
Everything about their reunion yesterday afternoon made Emree’s skin color with embarrassment. Even if she had tried, she didn’t think she could’ve been more awkward. Her reaction came from a combination of Portlend’s expression that said shoot-I-can’t-believe-you’re-here and the looming presence of King Davin and his spontaneous hand grab. There was nothing quite so awkward as having theonlytwo men you’ve kissed come face to face. Emree had been prepared to knock a vase over or cause some kind of commotion if the king had mentioned anything about the Morreck Inn. Thankfully, he hadn’t.
Last night at dinner, Emree had questioned Millar about Portlend’s schedule. If Millar was correct, Portlend would be coming out of the building any minute now. The door opened, and Emree paused her steps, looking at the men exiting. She didn’t see Portlend’s buzzed blonde hair or pale blue eyes in either of the soldiers. Her shoulders sank. If he didn’t come out soon, Emree would be late for her morning meeting with Queen Arillia.
Then the door opened again, and Emree saw him. He had a notebook in one hand and a breakfast pastry in another. He exited with two other men, deep in conversation.
Emree hesitated for a moment, hoping he would see her. When he didn’t, she called out to him. “Portlend.” She corrected herself. “I mean, Officer Ricks. Do you have a moment?”
The three men halted, and Emree could tell by the questioning look on the other guards’ faces that Portlend hadn’t mentioned her to them. She tried not to let her disappointment show. Maybe they weren’t close friends of his.
“Em?” He turned to the other two men. “I’ll catch up with you guys in a minute.”
Emree followed him to the side of the gravel path where they could talk in private.
“I don’t have long,” he said.
“I don’t either. I just wanted to...” Her chest constricted. Why had she come? Her reasons seemed silly now. “See how you’ve been.”
Portlend smiled. “Things have been really good. I’ve been training a lot of new soldiers, and I think another promotion is coming soon.”
“That’s great.” Emree reached for him out of habit, grabbing his wrist then letting her fingers slide down to his hand. She had touched Portlend a thousand times—held his hand—but here at Enderlin castle, the gesture seemed out of place.
“And look at you,” he said, squeezing her fingers. “How did you manage to get the Promenade Director job?”
“The Kemp’s recommended me and I...”
Kissed the king.
Emree coughed. “...kissed up to the king in my interview.”
“I’m really impressed with you. We’re both working hard to climb up in the world. That’s what I like about you. You understand goals and how to achieve them.”
Emree smiled, letting his compliment wash over her. It wasn’t the typical romantic jargon, theyou’re so beautiful, I’ve missed you so much I can’t live another day without youkind of stuff that she read in books, but Portlend had never beenthatguy. He was logical and straightforward, dedicated to his ambitions and duties.
“Do you think I can do the job?” Emree asked, needing validation from him.
“Em, you’re one of the hardest working people I know. If anyone can, it’s you. Though from what I’ve heard around the castle, they expect you to magically make the king likable.”
“The kingislikable.” Emree wrinkled her brows, not knowing why she needed to defend King Davin.
Portlend tilted his head. “You know what I mean. I’m just saying you’ve got a lot of work ahead of you.”
“That’s fine.” She shrugged. “I’m willing to do whatever it takes.”
“I know. And the good news is, we’ll both be so busy working, neither one of us will feel slighted when we can’t spend any time together. It’s the perfect situation.”
Was that Portlend’s passive-aggressive way of telling Emree that he wouldn’t be spending time with her?
He stepped closer, placing a hand on her shoulder, his light eyes pulling her into him. “Once we’ve both reached our potential, we’ll be ready for the next step...together.”
