Ryker
“Sammy?” I muttered into the night, looking over blindly as a figure sat down on the bed. Then I saw pale blond hair. “Nikita? What’re you doing here?” I asked, sitting up.
Her eyes flashed red as she shushed me.
“They must not know I am here.” she whispered, leaning in. Her lips met my neck then her teeth.
I snapped upright, gasping as cold water splashed down on me.
“Finally.” Mother brushed her hands off and tapped her foot impatiently as I fumbled for a towel. I rushed into the bathroom, examining my neck when I passed the mirror. Nothing. “Boy, what are you doing?” mother called, banging on the door.
“Just give me a moment.” I heard her mutter but the sound of another door shutting quickly came. I stumbled until I got to the hall, blinking rapidly to try to clear my mind. I went into the kitchen, where mother, Athena, Nikita, Samuel and Hilary were all sitting eating breakfast.
“Samuel, Ryker, I wish to take a trip to the villages. I want to see all of them in the area, starting with Mout.” Nikita glanced at me then Samuel.
“Uh, are you sure?” I asked hesitantly, biting my lip as she turned back to me.
“Don’t question me. June, prepare horses and a few knights. Tell my father of my departure. Boys, meet me at the gate in an hour. Bring a few days worth of clothing.” She stood up and walked out of the room, walking tall and straight.
“Will they allow that?” I whispered to Samuel.
“Do you want to be the one to tell her that?” he hissed back, shaking his head.
“Ugh. What happened to the brave warrior we hired to protect our soon queen? Honestly, you went to sleep men and awoke boys.” Hilary scoffed, storming out of the room.
“She is right. Why are you acting like children? I did not raise you to be cowards.” Mother scolded, glaring at the both of us.
“Did you see her yesterday, mother? I do not want to seek out her wrath at the moment. Maybe in a week or two, once she is calmer and does not have access to a sword.” I paused when Nathaniel came in, smiling as Samuel instinctively growled low in his throat.
“June, where is my bride?”
“I do not know. I believe she said something of the garden but I honestly have no idea what she was saying.” June lied, shrugging.
Nathaniel sighed and went back into the throne room.
An hour later, we met Nikita by the gates. There were three horses behind her, as well as two guards, already seated. Samuel grabbed her waist and lifted her onto the saddle, his fingers lingering there a moment too long but no one noticed.
“I will be breaking the rules if I get on that horse.” Samuel informed, looking up at her.
“Not if your soon queen commands it, which I do. Get on before I leave you here.” she warned, glaring down at him.
He sighed and got on one of the horses while I jumped onto another.
“Where to first, my lady?”
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