Page 94 of Torin and the Princess

I blinked.

I asked, “Why are you saying this to me?”

Cooper jumped from his chair, came around the table. “Lexi, it’s okay… he’s just saying one more crazy thing.”

I could barely see him, the blood rushing around my head made a loud sound that drowned out everything else as I looked down at Torin. “What the hell, this isn’t real. I just have the same name, Alexandria, it’scommon.”

“Nae, ye are her, I see it.” He kept his eyes down on the ground in front of my feet. “I am vexed. I dinna detect it afore, but tis clear. Ye are the Princess Royal. We hae sought ye for long years.”

“Get up.”

He shook his head, his eyes still down on the ground in front of my feat. For some reason I was scared, and as my blood pumped my anger started to rise.

“Get up, Torin.Now.”

“Aye, Yer Highness.” He rose to his feet, but kept his eyes down.

I said, “Look at me.”

He shook his head.

I was furious. “What the hell, Torin, explain yourself! This is all bullshit and I told Cooper that you were telling the truth, and now look! Why would you say something so crazy?”

He mumbled, staring at the ground, “I am deeply sorry, Yer Highness, that I hae vexed ye.”

He put his dirk into the sheath at his belt.

“So what, I have the same name as this Princess? A princess that you likely just made up, right now, and you want me to listen to you on this, holy smokes!”

“Yer Highness, ye must listen tae m’earnest plea — ye are in danger, and I will do m’best tae protect ye while I try tae reunite ye with yer brother, m’laird?—”

I looked around at Cooper and Jen, “Can you believe this bullshit? What the hell! I regret all the effort I put into you, Torin. Holy shit. This is bizarre.”

Torin said, “Yer Highness, I promise ye, I am sworn tae protect ye. I daena mean tae cause ye?—”

I looked at Cooper for help.

He said, “Look, I’ve about had enough, I get that you’re looking for someone named Alexandria, but this is not her, it’s just a coincidence. She was born here, right, Lexi? This is her family home. She has lived here her whole life. Tell him, Lexi.”

The whole time he spoke, Torin stared at the ground in front of my feet, and I stared at his lowered lids, his strong nose, his beard on his downturned face.

I repeated, “I’ve lived here my whole life.”

“Cannae be true, I am certain ye are the Princess, Alexandria.”

“How?”

“Because ye hae the same name and yer visage is just like yer brother’s.”

I huffed.

Jen said, “But… but this is all coincidence. She is a local, raised in North Carolina. This is her family home.”

“I canna explain it, but tis true.”

I said, “Try.”

“Try what, Yer Highness?”

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