Page 61 of Quest for her Knights
When I’m ready, I climb in beside Elora. She’s lying on her side, facing the fire. I can tell based on her breathing that she's still awake. After about twenty minutes of hearing her lyingthere, wide awake, I scoot closer, wrapping myself around her back. My arm drapes over her waist until I find her hand and I cover it with mine, giving it a soft squeeze. She gives it a small squeeze in return, a silent acceptance of this position. After a few minutes, her breathing finally slows as she falls asleep.
Knowing she’s going to actually sleep for once allows me to relax and fall asleep with her in my arms. As I start to drift off, I start to imagine what it would be like to sleep like this every night, and to be able to wake up with her in my arms and call her mine.
Chapter twenty-one
Elora
Istare out the window, trying to calm my mind. It’s as if I have a hundred thoughts in my head, and my brain doesn’t even know which one to focus on.
On one hand, this is the final part of the journey to Elderwood. In a few hours, I’ll be meeting another group of lords, potential husbands. It’s such a strange concept, I can’t even wrap my head around it.
Having to make a decision so quickly feels like an unfair request from my pseudo-parents.
Although I have to admit, I felt an immediate connection with my knights when I met each of them. Is that why it’s so hard to consider any of these lords? I’m hoping for the same level of instinctual interest, from my gut... and my heart?
I glance out the window, trying to catch a glimpse of any of the knights, but I can’t see them from here. So I sit back on my bench, readjusting my long dress. Ranger suggested I switch to a longer one to meet the lords of Elderwood.
He’s been acting more normal the past few days, at least, normal for Ranger. He’s back to commanding me to “stay there” and “don’t do that,” but at least he’s talking to me now and not avoiding me like he was after my... punishment.
My cheeks heat just remembering that. If it hadn’t ended so awkwardly, I might almost consider stepping out of line again just to make him discipline me.
Would I find a man like him in Elderwood? Someone with Arrow’s golden retriever energy? Blaze’s cinnamon roll charm? Draven’s bad boy attitude?
I shake my head and pick at a loose thread on the front of my dress. I need to stop comparing everyone to them. It’s not fair to anyone involved.
A large part of me is irritated at the Kings and Queen for forcing me to choose between all these lords when I know I’d be more than happy with my knights. Not that they’d want me in return, but a girl can dream.
I really do want to try and make things work with the lords I meet. I know it would make things easier for everyone involved. It’s not like I could be with the knights, even if they wanted to be with me.
So far, we’re zero for two with the lords. The first ones were clearly already taken. The second? Just... ew, no. So it wasn’t me, right? It was them. Why couldn’t I just meet some lords who are available and actually interested in me?
“You ready to go, Princess?” Ranger asks as he appears at the open carriage door. I hadn’t even realized we’d stopped, too lost in my own thoughts to notice.
I nod, and he offers his hand to help me climb out.
When I get to my feet, he studies my face for a moment before asking quietly, “Is something wrong?”
I glance at the large manor behind him and swallow uneasily. “I’m nervous,” I admit.
“About meeting them?” he asks, more a statement than a question, but I nod anyway.
“Look, Princess. You have nothing to worry about. You’re beautiful, inside and out, and they should be the ones who are nervous. If they want to win your affections, they’ll have to be on their best behavior. Not the other way around.”
I think that might be the nicest thing he’s ever said to me.
He called me beautiful.
Speechless, I just nod and he steps aside gesturing for me to move towards the front steps.
Now that he’s moved out of the way, I can see three men, who, based on their clothing, must be the Elderwood lords.
Ranger moves with me, at my side, and when we are about five feet away, we stop in front of them as Ranger announces, “May I introduce Princess Elora, of the North.”
The lord in the middle steps forward and reaches for my hand. He gives me a small bow as he speaks. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Princess Elora. I am Lord Rowan Elderwood, at your service.” He presses a soft kiss to the back of my hand, then lifts his head and winks at me, taking a step back.
I have to admit, he is rather handsome with his tousled brown hair and warm brown eyes. Before I can take any more of him in, the man to his left steps forward, repeating his brother's gesture as he introduces himself. “Lord Edwin, your highness. It’s a pleasure.”
The last man introduces himself as Jeramiah, and once he’s also kissed my hand, Rowan gestures towards their home. “Would you like to come into the parlor for a refreshment?”
