Of Swords And Horses (The Ostler's Boy Book 2)

Chapter Ten

I stayed until the morning, in case you're wondering. At dawn, Cory alerted us, and I dressed, a man reborn, excited to be alive.

I slipped back into the barracks with the sole intention of changing clothes. I had a rising desire to hurry back into the castle, to my Queen, to start our day.

I heard the King's horses arrive and get checked into their stalls by the ostler; Willem's father, and just as I was unpacking my trunk, er; luggage that I was living out of, Linen dropped off the side of the bunk, upside down and far too curious.

"Where have you been?" he asked.

I shook my head. "Training."

"Uh huh," he climbed down, plopping onto my sheets. "Where have you been really?"

"No where; mind your manners."

Linen smiled. "With a lady, then?"

"What is it to you?" I spat.

"Steady on, no reason to get upset. I was only jesting. I thought maybe you'd found yourself a friend."

"I don't think it's funny," I said. "If I had been with a lady, I'd tell you to be more chivalrous."

"Ah. She must be quite pretty," he remarked. "Or she pissed you off?"

"Beg your pardon?" I hissed.

Linen grumbled. "It's too early to be so sour. So either you had a good time, or you had a bad time..." When I didn't answer him. He shrugged. "I'm sorry, mate. You know I meant no harm. I don't think anyone cares where you were."

"No," I swapped shirts. "You're fine, I'm sorry. I didn't get much sleep."

"Yeah, Candy!" He hooted, cycling his fist through the air.

I watched him dumbly.

"Sorry," he straightened. Linen saw my eyes dart to the window as my uncle approached the house. "Ah, I see." He winked, pretending to lock his mouth. "I won't say a word. Far as I'm concerned you were miserable here all night. Maybe we played cards?"