Enchantment of the Bow

Chapter Twenty-Six

Hana calls my name as he runs past people to reach me, kneeling to gather me from Kaladin's arms.

The whole room had gone quiet after a collection of many gasps and surprised curses.

I stay unmoving as Hana lifts me in his strong arms- I feel his heart beating quickly and strongly, clearly afraid. I should tell him later that I am only faking, it is very unfair of me to have scared him so much.

"Princess- Milady! " He says, gently cupping my cheek, the panic evident in his voice.

"I am no doctor," Kaladin says, apparently standing very close.
"But she seems exhausted. Perhaps she should retire for the night? "

Hana breathes quickly and I think he nods. "Yes, yes. Michael! " He shouts suddenly, nearly making me flinch. "Help me here! "

I stay perfectly limp as I am lifted up, my head gently laid against my Guard's shoulder.

"Get Castial and Jasla to follow- the others stay here. You and I will guard her." Hana says in a hushed, confidential voice, starting to walk briskly.

Michael apparently pauses, because I hear his voice a few feet back as we keep moving, barking orders to the rest of my Guard.

"What is wrong with her? " Someone asks from behind. It sounds like my father, because the voice is booming and commanding, silencing the questioning chatter that followed.

Hana stops abruptly, and turns to face him with reluctance, so not to be disrespectful. "She has fainted, my King. Shall we take the Princess to her chambers? " He says this quickly, eager to continue moving without more disturbances.

There is a rushing of heels on the marble floor and my mother's voice soon follows.

"My, is my daughter alright? She looks so flushed and warm! " Her voice is high with alarm. It sounds like she'd been hurrying along at a quick speed to get here.

I keep my face turned into Hana's shoulder, one of my arms dangling limply, the other tucked over my belly.

Hana is tense, and gently shifts me in his arms, as if I am getting heavy- I can feel that it is more because he wants to leave to get me to my bed, away from conversation.

"My Queen," He says, sounding strained. "I believe that your daughter will be just fine. She is merely exhausted from tonight's excitement, it would seem."

My mother touches my face with feather hands. "Then take her to her bed, will you? We'll see how she feels when she wakes. Thank you, Hana."

He gives the best bow that he can with me, and turns to finally leave.

As we exit the crowded room, two men falling in step behind us- I assume Jasla and Castiel.

Behind us, my mother's voice can be heard, telling the guests that she is sorry for the inconvenient scare, and that she is certain that I will give them answers of their proposals when I wake.

-

As soon as the door closes behind Hana, I decide to give him a stroke by opening my eyes.

"Well that went well." I say, causing him to jump as if the dead were walking.

He nearly drops me, staring down in amazement. "Lyra!"

"You can set me down, I'm quite alright." I tell him, and he complies reluctantly.

As if afraid I may blow over at the slightest breath, he keeps a hand at my waist. "You- " His facial expression changes as what had actually happened dawns on him- his skin still looking ashen from his scare. "Good acting, Lady."