Blood Ward

Chapter 25

I didn't sleep well after thatand it caused me to be in a foul mood the next day. I decided to rideinto town early to shop and say goodbye to Val before anyone elsewoke. Beast followed at my heels as I roamed from shop to shop.Finally, I found a small shop owned by a young man who was more thanhappy to fit me for a new outfit and have it ready by the time Ireturned from visiting Val.

Getting into the castle was easyonce Prince Brian spotted me. "Commander!" he said excitedly. "Iwasn't sure we'd see you. Word is, you and your unit are going tochase the stragglers north."

"That is correct, my lord," Iagreed as he personally escorted me to Val's chambers.

He went on about the battle andmy strategy, then spouted something I was so surprised to hear, Itripped on a step and had to right myself. "You would make anexcellent queen." he looked eagerly at me.

"Was that a proposal, my lord?"I stuttered in surprise, my mouth hanging open.

"You areof royal blood, and a queen like you would set the kingdom into a newage," he said.

"Um, In case you hadn'tnoticed, arranged marriage and me don't mesh very well," I said,trying to let him down easily.

"I am not a brute, my lady. Notlike that fool Compton," he said. Oh, so suddenly it was 'mylady' instead of commander.

I sighed. "That's not it, mylord. I am involved with another." I hadn't really wanted toshare that with him.

"One of the commoners youtravel with? Certainly not the vampire." He looked appalled and Icould tell Ilooked pissed.

"Rank or standing has nothingto do with it!" I snapped, heedless of propriety. He'd angered meand he was going to know it.

"Simply because your house wasdestroyed does not mean you can roam the country as some sort ofvigilante. You are still a Drakor, my lady," he tried to reason.

"You know nothing of me, PrinceBrian. For all you know I could have turned rogue, be a thief orassassin. I keep close company with two vampires and a debtor," Iraged. "It has been a long time since I've used my blood to getme anywhere."

His mouth gaped open as hestopped dead in his tracks. I think he wasn't sure if he should beimpressed or outraged. "It should be every woman's dream tobecome queen of the realm to a king who would actually love her."

"Then you've plenty to choosefrom," I said and walked away from him, my fists clenched.

He snapped out of his shock andpursued me. "Commander, I meant no offense."

I stopped and turned on him. "Noone in my company could be accused of being common, blood or no. Icommand some of the best in their field. They are strong anddependable and I'll not abandon them because some high and mightyprince thinks I should swoon at his offer of marriage." I poked hischest angrily. "Especially one who can't see that for himself."My point clearly voiced, I turned again, walking off. "Commonindeed." I mumbled.

I reached Val's room andknocked. "Come," she called sleepily.

I opened the door and steppedinside quietly. She was still in her nightgown and her usuallyperfectly coiffed hair was in disarray. "I've come to bid youfarewell," I said smirking, with my hands behind my back and myhips twitched to the left. It was my 'I'm angry and I want to getthis over with so I can stew' pose.

"Oh no," she said knowingly."Who got on your bad side this early in the morning?"

I couldn't help smiling. Valknew me so well. "Brian just offered to make me queen."

She gaped. "My brother?"

I nodded. "He said I shouldn'tbe roaming the country with commoners."

"Oh," she said, sucking in abreath. "I'm sorry, Ana. He doesn't know your situation, oryour people. He was just trying to do what he thinks might be bestfor the country. Don't take him too seriously."