Page 91 of Rook of Ruin
He growls, “Hey now, I’m not the one who likes to be poked.”
I burst out laughing. He pokes me back in my leathers, which makes me laugh even harder.
We sit in comfortable silence until I realize I have no clue what to expect. I haven’t asked questions, sought any information, because I really was consumed byus. “What should I expect in Bethal?”
“You should expect”—he sips some coffee and then gives me a roguish grin—“a few lazy days in bed with me. Then I will take you to meet my father. I doubt any of my siblings will be at the castle, maybe my brother.” He shrugs. “As far as Bethal itself?” He raises an eyebrow. “Allow me to tell you as we go, perhaps in the carriage—all the way to Bethal.” Simon’s lips curve at the underlying suggestion.
I poke him in the ribs again. He swats gently at my hand, and we both sip on our hot coffee. “Do you want me to wear the crown as we travel?”
His brows come together. “For now, yes, until the warriors get to know you. They will give you respect because of the crown you wear, but you have to prove to them that you don’t need it to hold their respect.”
I nod, and we drink the rest of our coffee quietly. Simon puts the same crown back on my head, and I take the coffee cups back to Paul while Simon gets ready. Paul and I silently follow the smells of food being prepared, but Paul sighs at the long line at the makeshift kitchen with warriors waiting to be served.
My tummy grumbles, and Paul bites back a grin. “Well, Princess Caddel, are you going to skip the line?” Heads turn, eyebrows raise, waiting for my response.
Damn you,Paul. It’s a setup. He knew exactly what I was going to do and chose to make a show of it.
“No, these men and women before us are worthy of my respect,” I say, keeping my voice low, although I know everyone is listening. “They fight for my new kingdom, and they would fight for me too. They have been up for hours, patrolling, bringing in firewood, taking care of all of this.” I move my hands to show the large camp. “They earned their breakfast. I have not. Leaders lead, not through words alone, but through action. What would it mean if I demanded my breakfast before them?” I point to the long line before us.
Paul nudges me. “It could mean that you are just really hungry and the food smells good.” I bite my lip to hold in a laugh. Paul winks.
“No, I will earn my breakfast.”
“As will I.” We walk over to the kitchen as a few of the cooks watch us with curiosity. I tie an apron around my waist, and we begin serving our warriors breakfast, which gains us nods and smiles of approval.
On the third day of travel, rain starts pelting down upon us. We move slowly. Simon offers the carriage, but I refuse. I’m eager to earn the respect of our warriors; if they are in the rain, I will be too. I’m rewarded with dimples and white teeth. Pride shines on his face, which warms my heart.
I squint at him through the rain. “But don’t think I’ve forgotten about carriage sex either. You owe me, Simon Caddel.”
He throws back his head and laughs, the rain dripping down his handsome face. “Don’t I know it. That’s almost all I can think about.”
“Almost?” I tease.
Simon gives me a sly look. “Yes,almost. I’m also thinking about you on your knees.”
My face blushes, and he laughs even more. Happiness, pure and simple, fills my lungs as I breathe in. I tilt my head towards the heavens and close my eyes as cool rain upon my face soothes the heat from my blush. I open my eyes, and Simon is watching me.
I give him a small smile, and he shakes his head, dimples forming. “O, you’re simply stunning.” Before I can answer, he is off to meet a scout.
Paul comes up beside me, his powerful brown stallion humble compared to Salann and Artho. “Ugh you two make me sick.” I give him a look, and he smirks. “Here I was worried about you and the whole love match, and you two are making eyes at each other like there’s no tomorrow. Hells, O. Carriage sex?” We burst out laughing. “I’ll have to remember that.”
“I bet you will.” We pass Simon with a frown upon his mouth, when just a few minutes ago dimples graced his handsome face.
Warriors pass us, and nod to Paul and me both in recognition. They look absolutely lethal, intimidating, as most Bethalian warriors do—built to withstand war.
Paul nods back to them with a very serious face, and I try to hold back a laugh. My best friend is much more reserved than Zane. If Zane were here, he would use his sassy attitude to befriend everyone while also causing chaos. But Paul has a steady head and doesn’t push.
“I’ve met some interesting warriors.” Paul leans forward in his saddle.
I laugh. “Oh?”
Paul squints, looking ahead. “Yes.”
“Yes? Are you going to elaborate?”
He moves his wet hair out of his eyes. “Most of these warriors are from the same town. They grew up together.”
I sigh. “I wish we would have grown up together and you wouldn’t have been in care.”
