Page 36 of Enchanted Kingdom
I heard footsteps clacking our way and looked back at our line to see that none of Prince Keiran’s women had gone home for the night. And he was headed in my direction. Without the king, but toward the end of the line.
“Jorah, may I escort you to the door tonight?”
I tried not to let my jaw flop to the floor. “Yes, Your Grace.”
He put his arm out, so I took it. As soon as we were a few steps away from the others and out of earshot, I angrily whispered,“What are you doing?”
“I didn’t like the way we dismissed you all before. Too stuffy, if you ask me,” he replied.
“But why are you dismissing mefirst?” I whispered in panic.
He shrugged. “I was tired of you being last.”
He was deranged. When I told him it was difficult being in the castle and being from Nerede, I didn’t mean for him to do this. This might actually make things worse! With both the king and the other women. “You are going to start a damn war, Keir.”
His lips twitched as he looked me in the eyes. “One that is long overdue, don’t you think?”
I shook my head. “I have no idea what to do with you. Should I hug you? Kiss you? Shake you? I cannot properly decide at this moment.”
He laughed as we reached the door. “I accept any of the above. And for once I wish this exorbitant room was actually bigger, just so you could whisper-yell at me some more.”
“Good night, Your Grace,” I said with a bow.
“Good night, Jorah.”
Owen was there ready to take me back to my room.
What had the prince just done? While the king was throwing Aiyana at him, he had boldly decided to dismiss me first? Was he showing everyone in that room that he didn’t care where I came from?
“Breathe,” Owen commanded from next to me as we rounded a corner.
“That impulsive, rash, absolutelyinfuriatingboy,” I muttered.
Owen gave an amused snort. “Let me guess, you aren’t going to be going to sleep right away tonight either?”
I ran a hand down my face. “No! Because he really should not have done that. I successfully avoided the king all night and then right at the end he goes and ruins it like that and reminds the king that I still exist and not only do I exist but—”
He stopped me by pulling me by the shoulders and turning me toward him. “Breathe, dammit. In through your nose, out through your mouth. Just breathe.”
I looked into his green eyes and took a deep breath just as he said.
“There,” he said a few breaths later. “Now let’s get you to your room and get you a drink of water. You were about to panic on me right here in the hallway. I could carry you up the stairs if you pass out, but that’s a lot of stairs and I already had a training session today.”
“I don’t need a drink,” I said, eyes springing with tears, though I wasn’t entirely sure why, other than I was overwhelmed and scared. “I need...”
“What?”
Realizing what I did need, I whispered, “Where does that secret hallway lead to?”
His forehead creased. “Why? I can’t let you just leave and go home. Not unless you’ve been dismissed. You know that, right?”
I heaved another breath and shook my head. “No. I didn’t mean that. I just need a kitchen.”
“You need a kitchen?” he repeated.
I nodded aggressively.
“Okay then, right this way,” he said while turning me back to walk and gesturing with a hand in the direction we were to go.
