“It doesn’t matter! Grab the fastest thing I can get into!” I growled, pulling the nightgown off, my muscles screaming in agony.
“What color–”
“I don’t care!” I shrieked, throwing the gown to the floor.
My frantic gaze scanned the space, and the girl rushed over with a light blue dress. It was long, but would stop at my ankles, perfect for running—just as I intended. I snatched it, then jerked it over my head. The material was soft, a tanned hide of some kind, with fur inlays.
As I adjusted it, I accepted a black belt adorned with shining blue beads. I looped it on, not for fashion, but practicality. Women girded their loins this way, and if I needed to hike up the skirt, I could.
“Boots!” I spun, facing the ridiculous amount lining the far wall. “Make haste!”
She fetched a pair made of soft doeskin lined with thick white fur. I grabbed them and collapsed into a chair, struggling to pull them on. They likely used my old, ill-fitting ones as a size reference.
“Cloak!”
“For inside the castle or–”
“Outside!” I cried, shoving my foot into the second boot.
I ran over as she pulled a heavy blue garment off the stand. She held it open as I slipped my arms inside, letting her fasten it around my neck.
“I need you to take me wherever they flog soldiers.”
Her eyes widened in horror, and her fingers fumbled on the clasp. “Your Highness, it’s not… I wouldn’t–”
“I’m not asking,” I said, giving her my sternest glare. If acting like a princess got me what I wanted, I would act like a pissing princess.
“It’s just—you see, we’re not allowed–”
With a heated curse, I stormed past her and ran for the door to my rooms. I flung it open, heaving the heavy wood with all my might.
Anderz stood with his fist raised to knock on the door that was no longer there.
“Take me to the flogging stake,” I demanded.
He lowered his hand, watching me with guarded eyes. “Princess,” he started, his tone careful.
I interrupted him with a curse and stormed past. He caught my arm and pulled me to a stop with a strength beyond his years. I spun to face him, baring my teeth in rage, a slur of curses burning the tip of my tongue.
“I will take you,” he said, “but I ask that you remember who you are.” His warm features were full of meaning as he held my angry gaze.
“I know who I am,Counselor,” I spat. “You would do well to remember who you are.”
Panic clawed at my throat, and I let it fuel my rage. I directed most of it at myself for oversleeping, but I would take it out on anyone who got in my way.
“Come along.”
Anderz was a portrait of calm as he placed my hand on the crook of his arm. He led me down the hall in a subtle manner, as if he weren’t hauling me with him. I tightened my grip, keeping pace. All the while cursing this man for his perfect decorum, his stupid strength and speed despite his age.
“I participate in physical activity daily,” he said in response to my muttered curses, nodding at a guard as we turned down a corridor. “Keeps the mind sharp and the body limber.”
My lip curled in a scowl. “If you don’t bring me to Sainte–”
“I’m taking you where you asked to go, my petulant princess, though I do not believe you trulywantto go there.”
“I won’t let him be–”
“Oh, but he already has, dear. You slept through most of it.”
