The Lost Knight (Volume II) The Lost Girl

Chapter 35: Shuffle & Snivel

"The Queen's waiting for you!" Albína shouts before I even step into my room.

She blocks my path, so I can't get in. She's getting craftier. She's not going to let me in because she knows I'll procrastinate.

"Are you seriously not going to let me into my own room?"

"I said the Queen is waiting. There's nothing in here for you."

"I need my book."

She closes the door, locks me out, and after a few minutes, opens it to hand me the book.

I accept defeat. I might as well get this over with.

I'm stuck in the reception room again. The book was just a ploy to get Albína to let me in my room, but I'm glad I have it now. I read seven chapters on the geography of the southeastern hemisphere before I'm finally called. I wait for everyone to leave before I attempt to enter.

Cypus Turehart seems concerned. Ekecheiria looks about as angry as she always does. Only this time, we both know she's right. This is not going to be pleasant.

"Your stupidity has injured my Ceržent," she says so coldly. I'm surprised a puff of icy fog doesn't leave her mouth as she speaks.

I nod.

"You are not going to shuffle your feet and snivel your way through this."

My left foot was already on its side. I slam it in place and stand at attention.

Her face is pinched tight when she hisses, "You remember the ésú that kidnapped you when you approached the curtain wall?"

I nod.

"Answer!"

"Yes, Your Majesty. I remember."

"Then why did you think leaving the wall was a smart plan?"

I shrug.

"Answer!" Turehart says, mirroring the Queen's outrage.

"I don't know. I felt safe. Yes, the ésú tried to take me, but Trelix handled it so well I never felt unsafe. I didn't feel the danger."

"You are stupid."

I drop my gaze to my feet. I have no defense. I left the gate. Yes, I was never told not to leave, but I know better. One of her soldiers is seriously injured. I doubt she cares about Lenox, but she does like to yell at me, so I'm probably in trouble for that too.

"Matban Tadin suggests you train with the Guard. You will begin tomorrow."

"Yes, Your Majesty," I mumble to my feet.

"Leave my sight."

I turn to leave, but she calls me back. "I will keep my word. I will not imprison you, even if it's to keep you safe from your own idiocy. If you don't start listening to the ones who are trying to help you, though, you may find yourself in a situation that one of my staff cannot get you out of."

"Yes, Your Majesty." I'm proud of myself for not bolting from her chambers. In fact, I walk slowly until I'm safely back in my room.

Albína hounds me for the details of what transpired between me and the Queen while she sets the table for dinner, but I don't want to talk about it.

She's insistent, so after much prodding, I flop in the chair and say, "It's always the same. She called me stupid. Wants me to train harder and thinks I can't do it."

"Oh stop with the exaggeration," she sighs with a wave of her hand. "Queen Ekecheiria doesn't think you're stupid, and everyone knows how hard you train." She shakes her head at me in disbelief. "She has a right to be frustrated that you left the safety of the castle. But it all worked out in the end, so I'm just glad it's over."

Albína loves the royal family. I don't fault her for it; they've been very good to her. I tell her what really happens in our meetings because I don't want to lie to her, but she doesn't need to believe me. In fact, I'm glad she doesn't. It would hurt her if she knew how cruel the Queen could be.

We sit, eat, and gossip through dinner. I'm starting to know who some of the people in her stories are. Not because I've met them, but I see them occasionally and can match their faces with the stories I've heard.

Albína lets out a big breath. "You need to fix your hair."

I swallow the wad of food I had stuffed in my mouth. I'm glad for the change in topic. I've been having touchy conversations for two days. I need to relax and have a bit of fun. "Let's talk hair," I say with a smile.

"What are you planning to do about it?"

I admit, it looks ridiculous. It's grown several inches since I've been here. The new growth is much lighter than the hair I dyed on my birthday. It's formed a wide line down the center of my head, making me look like a purple skunk.

I stretch and run my hands over the top of my head until my fingers get caught in a tangle, and I let them rest where they stopped. "It wasn't that big of a deal, so I didn't want to say anything. I like my boysenberry hair, but I may want to go back to my original color."

Albína puts two bottles on the table. "Drink the blue one to get rid of the color, or drink the yellow one to make the purple your permanent color."

I pick up a bottle and study it. "I'm not prepared to make a decision. Permanent just seems so...permanent." I put the bottle down and study both. "It's probably best if I go back to my natural color because it's the same as my mother's."

I'm shaking. That's so silly. It's just hair. As I reach for the blue bottle, a subtle sadness hangs over me. At the last moment, I snatch the yellow bottle. I'm grabbing a bit of independence. I like the purple, and I'm keeping it.

"You chose wisely," Albína says. I don't know how much comfort I can take in her acceptance; elves dye their hair some pretty weird colors.

A thud at the back door leading to the balcony makes us both jump to our feet. It's glaringly obvious that Levise has reduced Lenox's sedative because he's standing at the back door, knocking to get in.

It seems as soon as he was thinking clearly he chewed through his bindings and flew off. I walk over and let him in. Remnants of the bandage that was holding his wing down are still draped around him, so I carefully remove them.

"Well, I wish you'd be more careful, but I'm happy you're here," I say, giving him a big hug. Lenox smells my hair and then limps over to Albína to smell hers. She must have been worried about him because she stands still and lets him do it. I giggle at her disgruntled face.

When there's a knock at the door, I'm not surprised to see Levise. "A groom went in to freshen his water. He charged out the door and flew up here. He's very clever." She's more impressed than angry. "If it's all right with you, he can stay, but he'll have to eat here because I don't want him flying to the roof. That means grooms coming in and out of your room."

"That's fine with me. I'm not in it all that much. Is it okay with you, Albína?"

"Yes, I actually missed him." Then she turns to face him and says, "I'm glad you're home."

Lenox sighs deeply, and I chuckle. "I think he missed you too."

Levise checks all of his wounds and then says, "He only ate the bandage holding his wing. If he leaves the others alone and doesn't try to fly again, we can keep him off the medication." She gives him a stern look, and he lowers his head.

Levise makes some small talk and then leaves. I get ready for bed and Albína goes to her room, giving Lenox and me some time alone.

"Thank you for saving my life," I say while scratching his itchy ears. "It's weird saying that. I never thought I'd ever say those words for real. Usually, you say that when someone gives you a missing homework assignment or something, but not for actually saving your life. Thank you, Lenox. If you weren't my friend and so very brave, I wouldn't be here today. I'm so sorry you got hurt. But I promise to take good care of you forever."

Lenox doesn't pay any attention to my speech. He just moves his head around so I can scratch the areas he wants, and when he's done he walks away to finish my dinner.

I get into bed, and as is his routine, Lenox smells everything and knocks over a few other things. Then he stands by my legs with his nose on my shin, and we both fall asleep.