Page 2 of The King's Queen

“Yes, afteryoucaused the other one to quit.” I bat my eyes coyly as if to say ‘who, me?’

“I’m just helping you weed out the weak-willed ones, commander.” Commander Raiko groans and presses two fingers over that lump on his nose like he always does when I’m involved.

“The king requests your return.”

“Request denied.” A few of them gasp, but I only catch the older commander’s eye and wink. “Have a good day, gentlemen.” He barely has time to grumble a ‘not again’ as I let go of my grip on the windowsill and fall backwards out the window with a mocking salute.

The wind howls as I fall, drowning out the startled shouts of the guards above. Some rush to the window, as if to see whether their princess finally meets her death on the rocks below. And as much as I’d hate to disappoint them, I have better things to do today than die. The ground rushes up to meet me now, the sun clouded by willowy branches, a few of which scrape my arms. Any second now…

At the last second, I reach out and grip onto one of those tree branches, sturdier and longer than the rest of them. My muscles grunt in response to the force, and my shoulders threaten to pop from their sockets. Somehow everything stays intact and uninjured. I hang about ten feet from the ground, the bark biting into my palms as I hold myself up. Laughing victoriously, I spare a glance upward. None of the faces stare back at me; they’re already on the move. Soon, I would be too. It had been luck, really, that I had spotted this tree when I slipped earlier, or else I would be holed back up in that study right now. Now just to get down…

Kicking my frilly skirts away from my ankles, I swing slightly. I must get closer to the trunk of that tree to plant my feet and find my way down. I’m almost there when I hear the first crack, and then the second.

Snap.

“Oh, no.” My saving branch gives way beneath my weight, leaving me to fall to the into the mercy of the hard ground below. The wind whistles in my ear, a taunting melody as I screw my eyes shut and brace for the impact. A few seconds pass. I land lightly with a thud, though it’s not against the ground. Rather, I fall against something much more forgiving. Forcing my eyes open, they meet a pair of steely gray and murderous anger. Okay, so maybe not as forgiving.

I can feel Captain Blaine’s shoulders rise and fall heavily as he huffs. His jaw clicks as he tightens it. He’s gnawing at his lip, a habit he’s kept since childhood. A habit that usually comes right before he chews me out. And luckily enough, judging by his pursed lips and furrowed brow, he’s having a bad day.

“Good catch.” The metal of his armor tings as I pat his solid chest and attempt to push off of it. His grip tightens and holds me in place firmly against him. The mere pressure of it forces me to meet his eye.

“On my list of things to do today, catching you as you fell out of a tree was not one of them,Mei Reinhavich.”

“Variety is the spice of life, they say.” If Blaine could cross his arms right now, I’m sure he would, and he’d also give me that same ‘you’re lucky you’re royalty or I’d give you a smackdown’ look. “I can walk myself, you know.”

“And risk you running off again? I think not. At least one person in this castle has got to keep their guard up around you.” I look forward and pretend those words don’t sting, that they don’t mean something more.

“Is carrying me bad for your leg?”

No answer.

“Can you at least tell me where we are going?”

“Where do you think? Back to the palace.” He grunts in effort, though I know it’s from trying not to snap at me rather than carrying my extra weight. I’m certain at this point Blaine could carry an ox without breaking a sweat, just to prove a point to all those stuck-up nobles and generals.

“Why don’t you just throw me under one of those carriages instead?” I grumble. His grip tenses on my waist as a group of merchants pass us, and he moves to shift his shielding arm in front of me. Yet another old habit. An old reminder. With a small cough and a nod to the passing men, he finally sets me down, but not without a stern look that tells me better than to run.

“Don’t tempt me,” he almost jokes, but his voice sounds… tired.

My gaze lands on his face, to the dark skin under his eyes where two dark circles reside. His jaw is still tight, and his curly dark hair is tousled as if he keeps running his hand through it. His hand is always within reach of his sword.

“You look tired. Ophelus keeping you up late these days?”

“No more than usual.” His response is terse.

“You should go rest.”

“I could rest if you stopped jumping out of windows, Verosa,” he snaps, though his features immediately soften in regret as I step away. My name feels so heavy on his tongue. It sounded like he was spitting a curse rather than the name of someone who meant… well, whatever I meant to him.

“Verosa, I-” His voice is softer now, softer than it’s been in months, when his eyes suddenly widen. “Look out!”

Spinning around, I find myself facing dark black eyes, so close I can see the two brown orbs residing in their pupils. Pure black hair coats powerful muscles, shiny dapples rippling across its barrel and flank. Beautiful. The stallion is both beautiful and deadly as it pauses only moments from crashing into me. I’m about to reach out my hand when it wheels into a rear, shaking out its mane, its nostrils flaring with rage. An ornate leather saddle decorates its back, but the loose, leather reins hang torn from the bridle. Blaine dives into me right as it strikes out with its front hooves, its muscles rippling with power. We both roll to the side, his body covering my own, his hands cradling my head. A young squire dives for the reins but is knocked aside as if he weighs nothing. Just then, a familiar mop of blonde hair appears before us.

“Easy, friend. I’d hate to put down a stunning creature like yourself,” he soothes, slowly inching towards the raging beast. It lets out a shrill whinny, and I can see white in the corner of its eyes.

“Hurry up and grab it already, Torin!” Blaine hisses, still shielding me with his own body. I want to get up and help, but the oaf won’t budge.

“Patience,” Torin hums, approaching the stunning creature. He goes completely still before, in one fluid motion, he grabs the reins. The stallion tosses his neck once, but no further protest is made.

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