The Protector

Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Sitting bolt upright with a start I instantly realise I have been out for longer than just a couple of hours. I quickly jump of the bed quickly and pull on a warm woollen over shirt that has been placed on the chair next to me. Realising it is not mine I take a look around the room, taking in my surroundings I see that this is not my room, in fact I don't recognise this room at all. Looking back at the bed I see that it is plush and well-furnished indicating that this room is most probably part of the prince's private quarters. The quarters he moved into after getting his knighthood.

Unsure how to feel about being placed in his bed to sleep I push it to the back of my mind hoping that he hasn't been sharing the bed with me, that would be overstepping the mark even if we have shared a tent in training. Ignoring the strange feeling of the oversized shirt I had been sleeping in I slip out of bed and change into a set of clothes that have been left out for me. I make a mental note to thank Edmon for the simple, yet formal black shirt and breeches he has left out for me as I slip into them and for the first time without my binding. I quickly locate my sword and lock it in place on my waist before moving towards the door.

Finally! I hear Sket call as she lets herself be known poking her head round the door. The prince has barely left your side, you really need to talk to him. He has been forced to attend to the funeral feast in the throne room, you should go there. I roll my eyes at her incessant nagging and walk straight past her and into the brightly lit corridor. Instead of heading to the crown room I return to my chambers to change.

What are you doing? Calls Sket as she watches me undress.

I need to think, I don't want to be seen. I explain as I pull on my pale blue dress. Looking at myself in the mirror I force the fresh ball of magic into my hair and grow it to a decent length for me to pass as a woman of the court. I strap a dagger to my leg and another to my forearm just in case and leave for the gardens.

You should wear a dress more often, it suits you.

Shut up. I just need to get out without being seen for a bit. I explain to her yet again. I need to be able to clear my head, I want to run, to get as far away from here as possible but I know that is no longer possible. I fear it was never possible but I need to gather my thoughts before I approach the prince officially for the first time.

The celebration of the Queen will be well under way. They will have finished the feast by now and the dancing will have started. Heading out to the gardens may not give you as much privacy as you want. She warns.

I ignore her and head out into the gardens. Walking as slow as I dare go I lose myself in my thoughts as I pass rows upon rows of brightly coloured flowers and the odd group of people. I have to give it a chance, I want to give this a chance, I know I don't want to reject him. I don't want to lose him. I know I love him and have done for a while now. The problem is I know what he will expect of me. It hasn't escaped my notice that if he is to become king, as his soul mage I will eventually become queen and that is something that I am not sure I will be able to cope with. I will not be confined to the castle, I will want to go out on errands and be by his side. I wouldn't be like his mother and queen, I wouldn't stand by and be seen but not heard. I couldn't be like that.

You need to tell him that. You've known the prince for well over a year, He is your closest friend and he will understand and respect your wishes. I've seen how he used to look at you even before he knew that you were not all that you seemed to be. I bet you anything he used to think there was something wrong with him with the way he felt towards you without being able to explain it. You and him will be exactly what each other needs and what this kingdom needs in order to fight off the attacks in the coming months.