Page 73 of Quest for her Knights
Rowan’s head jerks back in surprise. “But you are a princess, and we’re lords. We are above them.”
I can’t help it. The only thing I see is red as my right hand curls into a fist and I punch Rowan right in the face.
“Ouch!” I shake my hand, annoyed that it hurt me just as much as it seemed to hurt him.
Large, calloused hands pull me back inside, and I hear the door shut as I’m led to the table.
“Let me see,” Ranger says, pulling out a chair and sitting to face me.
He takes my hand in his and inspects it carefully.
“Wiggle your fingers. Does that hurt?”
“No.” He pulls my fingers to his lips and kisses them quickly before placing my hand on my thigh and leaning back to inspect my face. A small blush heats my cheeks, thanks to that kiss. I try to tell myself to calm down, but I doubt it’s working.
Finally, a rare smile graces his lips. “As much as I don’t condone that behavior for a princess, I’m kinda glad you hit him.”
“You are?” I ask in surprise.
He nods. “Yeah. I would have hit all of them myself, except that could have landed me in a heap of trouble. And I need to make sure I’m here for you, not locked up for assaulting a lord.”
I frown in concern. “Who would lock you up?”
“We’re not supposed to go around punching people. We’re supposed to be upholding the law,” Blaze explains.
“Yeah, but who would physically be able to detain you?” I try to picture the lords trying to force Ranger into a cell, and I just can’t.
He smirks at me, making my core pulse with need, and I squeeze my legs together to try to alleviate the pressure.
“Nobody.”
“Well…” I say, my eyes looking anywhere but at his smirking, gorgeous face. “Good.”
“Good?”
“Yeah. Clearly, I need you to keep me in line.”
He laughs, and it’s like music to my ears. My core tightens even more, and I jump to my feet, mumbling something about the bathroom as I close myself in the tiny room and let out a deep breath.
Hells bells, I’m in trouble. How am I expected to fall for anyone else when I have those four in front of me?
Chapter twenty-three
Ranger
It’s been a long two days since we left Elderwood and started heading towards Shadowcross. We still have another two days to go, but Elora is pressing on my last nerve.
It’s not like she’s done anything wrong, but after hearing those asshole lords speak about her like that, I’ve been finding it harder and harder to keep her at arms length. The truth is, she doesn’t deserve any of these so-called noblemen. She’s not wrong when she says it’s not fair she’s being forced to choose between these limited options. She wasn’t born here, nor is she really a princess.
But it doesn’t matter. She might not have been the actual princess of the north, but she was playing that part, and that meant marrying men her parents approved of. It’s not like Icould be with her, I don’t deserve someone so sweet and kind, even if I wanted to.
But it seems that Arrow and Blaze have forgotten that fact. I seem to be warning them to keep their distance from her constantly. I’m only letting her ride with Draven right now because I’m afraid the other two are getting too close. And I’d rather not put that temptation in front of myself. Draven seems to be the only one thinking straight. He doesn’t say much to her and doesn’t seem to cross any lines.
Nighttime is the worst. I know she’s afraid to sleep without someone beside her, but seeing Arrow’s arm around her fills me with anger and regret. Anger that he’s getting that close to her, and regret that it’s my fault he’s ended up here, a knight who’s unable to have a wife. If I had done something to save our mother when she gave birth to him, we could have had more brothers and become a family worthy of having a wife.
He would’ve made an amazing husband, too. He’s kind and gentle. He always seems to know how to lift Elora’s spirits when she’s upset. He’s nothing like me, he deserves that life.
“You seem to be thinking pretty hard,” Blaze says from my side where we’re sitting at the front of the carriage.
