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Chapter Nine
Gunnar and I returned home with the hundred-plus young people who had chased away the lions. Apparently, some of the enemy had come upon our ATV and used it to leave the area, so we hoofed it with the rest of the troops. Actually, we “pawed” it. Not only did we make better time than we would have on foot, but I didn’t have anything to wear.
In the end, it worked out very well. I had the opportunity to use mind-to-mind communication with our volunteers and learn where they were coming from. All of them had grown up under the thumb of my dear uncle and, therefore, had no memories of a time before his regency. They considered themselves revolutionaries intent upon helping to put my visions in place. We discussed the new energy plans, and I was able to share some of the ideas I’d begun to form regarding those who had greater challenges than others—physical, emotional, mental.
By the time we arrived at the palace, many of them had shared that they had someone in their family, or at least immediate circle, who had been left out of the flow of everyday life due to their differences. I let them know we were just getting started, but it was my goal that every one of my subjects knew they were valued equally and deserved to live their best life.
Arne and Leif were at the gates waiting for us. I shifted and let them drape a cloak around my shoulders before turning the rest over to the palace staff with instructions to find them something to wear and lead them to the prepared refreshments. All three of my mates followed me up to my suite, and all three were angry. I could feel it pulsing around me.
When the door was closed behind us and Candace was helping me in the dressing room, their words carried from the sitting room area. My hearing had returned with the shift to human, and, if anything, was a little better than earlier in the day.
“Why did you take her out there?” Leif’s voice was low but carried.
“She could have been killed.” Arne.
“You’re right. It won’t happen again. But where were all of you?”
They continued on arguing as if I were a child or a toy they could manipulate. As if they could decide when and where I might join my subjects or my troops. As if I had no say over my own life.
“Steady, Janis.” Candace always knew just what to say. “But remind them of whom they speak, Your Majesty.”
I lifted my arms so Candace could slip the dress over my head. There was a certain amount of formality even in the most casual entertaining in the palace. Low heels, a little mascara and gloss, my hair in a French braid, and I was ready to rejoin them. And tell them how it was. Because my strong, masculine protectors had forgotten yet again with whom they dealt.
Tipping my chin up and straightening my shoulders, I sailed out into the room to find my three mates standing, glaring at one another. “Something wrong, gentlemen?”
As one, they faced me, and Leif, so often their spokesman, said, “We have agreed you will no longer go out of the palace grounds without a guard and will have nothing to do with the troops. It’s too dangerous.”
I studied his dear face, so full of self-confidence and the same arrogance of the other two. No matter how much I loved them, they’d have to learn that they did not make my decisions for me.
“Thank you for your input, but when I need a nursemaid, I will hire one. Shall we join our guests?” I moved past them and out the door without waiting for their reply. As much as I valued their care of me and for me, I was a queen and not a little girl. They caught up with me at the bottom of the stairs, saying a lot about how long they stood with their jaws dropped, mouths open to catch any passing flies. Arne grabbed my arm, but I stared at his hand until he let it drop.
“Your Majesty, Janis, it’s best you stay within the palace as much as possible. If you need to go somewhere like the school or a village event, you will have your guard and at least one of us at all times and never be out of our sight.”
“You think so, do you?” If they did not recognize danger in me, they were not as smart as I’d thought they were. Still, I thought I could make this work to my advantage without an ugly and embarrassing argument here in the hallway.
“I blame myself,” Gunnar put in.
“Really?”
“Of course.” Gunnar’s earnest expression didn’t calm me. “I should never have left you even for a minute—”
“Me and all the other infants and helpless women?”
As one they sucked in a breath.
“No, I didn’t mean that.” Gunnar took a step toward me then withdrew again as if afraid to get too close.
“I must go in and visit with the volunteers, but perhaps you can concisely explain why I cannot be ever left alone for a minute without making me sound like a fool too stupid not to drown in the rain?”
Gunnar’s jaw was working, but no sound was coming out.
Leif took up the discussion. “It’s not that you aren’t intelligent.”How nice to hear that.“It’s just you don’t have any training. So you can see why it is not a good idea for you to be out there with Bors and his hired guns around.”
“Fine.” I gave a nod and started for the archway between the hallway and the reception room where the guests awaited us. “Let’s do that, then.”
Leif caught up with me and moved in front, facing me while walking backward so I could see his lips. “Then you will agree to our plan?”
“Absolutely.”
He smiled.
“I start training tomorrow. I must be able to lead those who fight for me. Thank you for making the suggestion.” I sidestepped him and moved into a group of young men and women who were eating sandwiches and pastries and sharing stories of the afternoon. “Someone get me some punch so I can toast to the gallant volunteers of our kingdom!”
My mates did not immediately enter, but when they did, they were subdued, and I almost felt bad for manipulating them into suggesting what I’d intended to do all along.
They loved me and would not stay angry too long, I hoped. But I had to do my job, and sometimes, that meant stepping out from their loving arms to take risks. If I didn’t, I wasn’t a righteous monarch.
I’d spent fifteen of my first twenty years as a prisoner and figurehead under the thumb of my uncle. Now, I’d prove myself worthy of my people’s respect and love. Because my love and respect for them brimmed over every day.
And my mates would have to understand that or always be angry.
