Page 13 of Quest for her Knights
The look he and Arrow exchange tells me there’s more going on here.
“Of course, the couches. Do you want me to light a fire for you, Princess?” Arrow asks, moving toward it.
“Party pooper!” I whisper-yell at Blaze, sticking my tongue out at him. His eyes go wide, but I quickly turn to Arrow to answer his question.
“Yes, please. I think I’ll go get ready for bed, you guys are welcome to do the same,” I tell them as I head toward what looks like a large closet.
I’m not disappointed. The closet is enormous, easily the biggest I’ve ever seen in my life, including ones in magazines or on TV. I trail my hands over the fabrics, already daydreamingabout getting my hands on some sewing supplies so I can tailor a few pieces more to my taste.
I shift my focus to finding something to sleep in, but nothing screams “comfy pajamas.” Finally, at the back of the closet, I find a collection of silky slips. Are these for sleeping? Lingerie? Or meant to go under thick dresses? With no better option, I pick a pale blue one and take it with me to the bathroom.
It’s also massive and seriously impressive. The best part is the bathtub, it looks big enough to fit five people at once. That thought makes me smirk as I picture bathing with any of those three knights.
I decide against a full bath for now and instead step into the tub to clean my feet. I turn the tap on and wiggle my toes under the water. Spotting a washcloth on the ledge, I reach for it and slip. I scream as my feet slide out from under me and I land hard on my hip.
“Ow!”
The door flies open, and three massive men come charging in, swords drawn and eyes wide. They stare down at me in confusion as I sit in the tub, rubbing my sore hip while water begins soaking the lower half of my dress.
“I fell,” I mutter, feeling completely embarrassed that they rushed in thinking I was under attack or something. They slowly relax and sheath their swords. Draven and Arrow leave, but Blaze steps forward and offers me a hand. I take it, letting him help me up.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I might have a bruised hip, that’s all.”
“You really shouldn’t stand in a wet bathtub. It’s dangerous.”
“I wanted to clean my feet.”
“I can help you, if you’d like?” His offer catches me off guard.
There’s no way I’m turning down the chance to be touched by him.
“Sure,” I squeak, unsure exactly how he plans to help. He quickly grips me under my arms and lifts me, then turns and places me gently on the large vanity.
My arms instinctively fly up to grip his biceps for balance, and I’m pleasantly surprised by the bulk of muscle I feel. “You’re so strong,” I whisper, staring at him with total heart-eyes.
“Do you always say everything you’re thinking?” he asks, turning to grab the washcloth I’d been reaching for earlier.
“Pretty much. Is that bad?” I ask, biting my lip nervously. My lack of filter is one of the reasons I’ve always been labeled as strange.
He chuckles softly as he wets the cloth in the sink. “Not at all. It’s refreshing. I’m just not used to a woman speaking that way.”
“I’m sure women have told you how strong and attractive you are before?”
He shakes his head, focusing on my foot as he gently washes it. “No. There isn’t exactly an abundance of women roaming around here.”
“Does that mean you’re single?”
He nods once, his brow pinching slightly as he continues cleaning my feet. “Yes. All knights are lonelings.”
“Lonelings?”
“Right, it’s different in your realm. In ours, brothers marry together. It gives them the best odds at carrying on their family line and being chosen by a woman. But those of us unlucky enough not to have any brothers are called lonelings. It basically means single for life. That’s why I chose to join the royal guard. It gives me purpose.”
That’s awful. They’re deemed unworthy based on their lack of siblings?
“Blaze?”
