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He tried again. “Princess. My lady.” I could see him trying to soften his voice. Which was impossible. A steel sword could never become silk. “Tell me so I may help you. That is all I ask.”
I tried to clear my throat. When my words emerged, my voice was hoarse and cracked. “Thank you, but... there is no need for any of this. I’m fine.”
This time he really did growl. A sound low and deep in the back of his throat.
I tried not to flinch. I failed.
“Last night in the market. Now this. You arenotfine.” He crossed his arms over his chest and tilted his head. “Tell me this. Has it happened before?”
I was quiet.
The truth was, it had. But not this badly. Last night... Last night was the worst.
Florian had cornered me before. He had hurt me, bruised me. He had even used his knife. I had small scars in a few hidden places from those encounters.
But compared to last night, those had all been child’s play.
Again I thanked the Three that Draven could not see the rest of the marks I bore. Strange, the things we thought we ought to be grateful for.
If he could see Florian’s name carved across my chest, just above my breasts, well... I had the feeling he would explode into a tempest of rage that nothing would be able to contain.
And for some odd reason... I didn’t want that to happen. I didn’t want to see this arrogant guard, infuriating though he might have been, die trying to go up against one of the most powerful noble families in the kingdom.
I knew how it would end. Lord Agravaine and Florian would destroy Draven. And Arthur would let them.
I wasn’t about to let a man go on a crusade of vengeance for my sake. But the fact that he seemed so willing to do so? That he had actually noticed my injuries and demanded to know who had dealt them? That sent something hot and nameless flowing through my veins. Something I wasn’t sure I wanted to try to pin down.
“I want to go back to my room now,” I said, making my voice as small as I could, hoping his sympathy would finally cause him to let up his barrage of questions.
“You want to go back–” He stopped. Shook his head. Unfolded his arms. His face was tight, but resigned.
Good. I hoped he would simply forget about all of this.
“Very well.” He gestured ahead. “Lead the way, Princess.”
I started to walk, feeling some of the tension leave my shoulders. I crossed my arms over my chest, trying to stop my shaking.
And then he spoke, from behind me.
“But if you think I’ll just forget about this, you have another thing coming.”
I ignored him and kept walking. He would forget. Because he had to. It would be easier for everyone if he did.
