Page 64 of Once Upon a Crown
“You heard me.” There was a challenge in his voice. “Kiss me.”
“I am not going to kiss you,” I responded quickly, looking at him as if he’d lost his mind.
“Why?” His twinkling eyes accompanied a devilish smile. “Afraid you’ll like it?”
I was at a loss for words, completely dumbfounded.
“No,” I said in an attempt to gather myself. “Because you’re drunk, Lance.”
His expression changed suddenly, as if he was taken aback.
“Because you’re always drunk.”
With the book uncomfortably lodged under my arm, I stepped away from him.
“And because I’m not some kind of concubine or courtesan for you to play with because you’re bored.”
“I never said—”
“You treat me as if I’m here for your personal amusement. But I can assure you, had it not been for my injury, I would have left with the others without hesitation.” It wasn’t completely true, but I was angry with him. I wanted to hurt him.
Lance pressed his lips into a line and nodded slowly. “Right,” he said, blowing out a breath. “Right, of course.” He started to retreat towards the door. “I apologise for having offended you, miss.”
He pulled the library door shut behind him and I fell down into the reading chair.
I grabbed a roll from the plate next to me and bit into it angrily.
He was the one who had barged in here, completely under the influence of wine and making inappropriate conversation. I would not feel guilty for what I’d said.
And yet . . .
The look on his face as he’d left. It would keep me up for the rest of the night, wrestling with my sheets.
Chapter 26
Cai
My horse was uneasy beneath me.
She refused to stand still, ears pulled back, huffing out cold air. Perhaps she sensed the bloodbath that was to come, the clashing of swords and dead soldiers coating the floors of Mistwood.
It was in the early hours of the morning and the sun had yet to rise.
The air was deathly quiet, almost as if in expectation.
We were a few hundred men outside the palace walls. The air was filled with mist, concealing us from any possible watchmen on the palace towers. Luck might have just been on our side.
Never in my life had I imagined I would have to break into my own palace. To attempt to win back the home I’d grown up in. The palace I was born to rule from. I dismounted and gave the mare a small pat on the neck.
“Are you all right, Your Majesty?” Alastor was by my side, multiple weapons in hand and strapped to his body.
“I’m not sure,” I confessed. “Am I wrong to wish that it hadn’t come to this?”
“Of course not, Your Majesty. I believe all of us wish the same.”
I looked to the soldiers standing behind us, as far as the mist would allow me to see. They were all here for my kingdom’s sake. Because they believed that I could lead them to something better.
As if sensing my worry, Elara jumped off her horse and stepped up next to me. She took my hand in hers.
