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My sentiment exactly.
“I believe your rooms are in the other tower,” I said loudly as we approached. “Get a little lost, did we?”
Florian perked up, a nasty smile beginning to steal across his face. Then it faded as he noticed Kaye. I watched him push a lock of blond hair off his face, a malicious glint in his cold blue eyes. He was a bastard, yes, but he was also a handsome bastard. There were any number of noble daughters who would have been glad to receive his attention–despite his arrogant and entitled manners. But Florian had chosen me to pick on. Lucky, lucky me.
“Up late, aren’t we, children?” he said laconically, studying his nails. “And where were you?”
He flicked a finger towards my hood and I flinched. I didn’t want those hands anywhere near me.
“We were out for a walk,” I snapped.
“Oh? Where?”
“None of your business.” Kaye and I both spoke at once. I looked down at my little brother and smirked. He smirked right back.
“You’d best run off now, little prince,” Florian suggested, his eyes honing in on Kaye. “It’s past your bedtime. I’m surprised your nurse hasn’t come looking for you, widdle princeling.”
“I don’t have a nurse. And I think I’ll stay,” Kaye retorted, looking up loyally at me.
I managed not to sigh with relief. This is one time I truly appreciated his presence. Things would already have been much worse if Kaye wasn’t here. Since he was, Florian had to behave with a measure of restraint.
“Kaye is coming inside with me,” I announced, taking a step towards Florian and hoping he’d get out of the way. He didn’t budge. “If there’s something you’d like to discuss with me, you may come and find me tomorrow down in the martial courtyard. Or better yet, speak to Sir Ector.”
Florian’s eyes ran over me, sending a chill through my veins.
“Oh, don’t pretend you don’t know what I want,” he said softly.
I sensed Kaye turning to look at me and imagined his curious expression. I felt a sense of nausea creeping up on me.
“Go away,” I said quietly. “No one wants you here, Florian. Leave me alone.”
It was the second time that night I’d had to say almost those exact words to a man.
For a moment, Florian was simply silent, staring at me. I refused to meet his eyes.
Then his hand darted out and before I could dodge, he knocked my hood back.
“Very well.” He smiled cruelly. “Good night, old crone.”
A childish insult for my hair. I didn’t bother replying. His hand was just far too close to my body for comfort. I felt myself shaking, memories of the times when Kaye had not been with me flooding in.
Florian finally turned away, moving back down the hallway.
He raised his hand in a farewell gesture then blew a kiss. “Yes, I’ll find you tomorrow, Morgan. What an excellent suggestion.”
Kaye and I stood in the hallway until Florian’s footsteps had faded away.
“I don’t like him.” Kaye’s voice was small.
“Neither do I,” I replied with a sigh.
I led the way into my room and closed the door behind us.
