He was too precious for this world. One thousand percent.
After we finished our tea and snacks, a man approached and told Sawyer he was needed for his afternoon lessons. History first, then literature, followed by fencing.
“Duty calls.” Sawyer rose from the bench. “I hope we can do this again soon.”
“Me too.”
Sawyer called over one of the armed men standing nearby. “Sir Noah, please escort Evan back to his quarters and make it known to the rest of the unit and staff that he’s permitted on castle grounds by order of the second prince.”
“Yes, my prince.” Noah bowed to him. He was clean-shaven with a head of silky black hair and eyes like whiskey.
Sawyer and Kuya then left with the older man, who sounded like he was lecturing the young prince about neglecting his studies as they walked toward the castle entrance. Sawyer glanced back at me and did a dramatic roll of his eyes, sticking his tongue from the corner of his mouth.
I laughed. Yeah. I definitely felt like I’d just made another friend.
“Shall we?” Noah motioned to the path.
“We shall,” I responded, feeling all proper and shit. Damn. I was in a really good mood. “Sir Noah, is it? Are you a knight of the First Order?”
“I am,” he answered.
“But you’re so young.” Then, I cringed. “I didn’t mean that as an insult. I just meant you seem too young to have such a high ranking. Wait. That sounds awful too. Ignore me.”
Noah seemed amused. “A pleasure to know the stories are true.”
“Stories?”
“Of your rambling mouth.”
I suppressed a groan. “Thatwouldbe the thing people talk about, huh? I’m famous for being a motormouth. Did Captain Maddox tell you?”
He only smiled before saying, “We should hurry. I have other obligations.”
Saying nothing further, Noah led me to the section of housing I temporarily called home. I thanked him, and he nodded once before leaving. Not wanting to interrupt Briar’s work, I slipped into my room and grabbed one of the books he’d lent me. Among his numerous herbology and spell books, he’d had a few fiction novels that had piqued my interest.
With it tucked against my chest, I returned outside and found a cozy spot in the courtyard to read. The spine of the hardback creaked as I opened it and flipped to the first page.
“Long ago, much longer than you or I can recall, there existed a kingdom by the sea…”
The words soon swept me away, and hours passed as I turned the pages, lost in the story about a betrayed hero and his quest to save the land that once cast him out. There was action, angst, and a touch of romance. But for the first time, I realized I wasn’t reading to escape from my lonely, boring life.
Because the life I now found myself in?
It wasn’t so bad.
Chapter Eleven
The Rise of the Thorn Prince
The mountains in the distance swallowed the last ray of daylight as the sun sank lower in the sky. An end to another day. I walked toward Briar’s clinic. I had finished the book and was eager to raid his collection for more. Also eager to see him too.
Okay. Mostly to see him. The book was just an excuse.
“Briar’s out right now,” Thane said after I’d arrived at the clinic. “But I’m sure he won’t mind if you borrow another book. I enjoyed that one as well. He has more from the same author.”
“Thanks.” I stepped over to the shelf and browsed the books. My mind was elsewhere though. “Any idea where Briar is and when he’ll be back?”
“He was summoned to the castle earlier.” Thane slathered some of the blueberry jam leftover from breakfast on a slice of bread and shoved it in his mouth. As he chewed, cheeks big and full like a chipmunk, he flipped to the next page of a handwritten journal. He must’ve been studying Briar’s notes. “He came back for a bit but then left again. Not sure where. I apologize for stuffing my face like this. I lost track of time, forgot to eat, and now I’m starving. Do you want some?”
