I scowl at my brother. “If you are going to quoteHamlet, could you at least do it properly?” While I have less to look at now that Elliot has covered his torso, his arms are still on full display, each tattoo trying to grab my attention for study. “I…er…”
“Spit it out,Fringe.”
Glancing at the palace guards watching our exchange with interest, I am suddenly too mortified to speak. I am not certain I can afford to show weakness in front of these men, even if Gregor trusts them implicitly.
Elliot frowns at me, then catches the attention of the other guards and mutters, “Give us some space, boys.”
A few of them grumble, but to my surprise they all go back to their training even though Elliot has no authority over them. I would have thought they would consider the American below them, but it seems Elliot has managed to ingratiate himself to more than Gregor’s and my family’s favors.
I refuse to believe this man is perfect, but the more I learn about him…
Once I am alone with Elliot and Hex, who seems to think he is needed as a mediator between us, I take a deep breath, willing myself to speak, no matter how difficult. “I…” Goodness, I did not think apologizing would bethishard. “I am s…”
Elliot’s lips twist into a smirk, his brown eyes dancing in the sunlight and looking almost golden. “Yes, Princess?”
“Sorry.” The word ekes out of me, practically inaudible.
Hex snorts. “What was that?”
I grit my teeth. “I am sorry.”
“I still can’t hear—”
Elliot jabs his elbow into my brother’s side, cutting him off. “Thank you,” he says with a dip of his head. “I’m sorry for the way I handled you.”
“I wish I could have seen that,” Hex says with a wistful sigh, and I glare at him, tempted to pinch his side where he is the most ticklish.
Snickering, Elliot looks at him and lifts a single eyebrow. “Keep in mind I’m under no obligation to protectyou, Hex.”
To my complete surprise, a laugh escapes my throat, and I cover my mouth as I try to ignore the way Elliot’s whole expression shifts at the sound. I do not have a flattering laugh, and I seem to have shocked himwith it. “I have misjudged you, Mr. Reid,” I say slowly, heat climbing my face. “And I owe you my gratitude for what you did last night. I was impulsive.”
“Yeah, you were.”
My good feelings toward the man vanish. “Must you say everything you are thinking?”
He grins. “With you, it seems the best plan of action.”
“I am not fond of your plans of action.”Effective though they may be, I silently add.
Elliot shrugs, his massive arms still folded over his chest. “I don’t expect you to be, as long as you’re alive and well.”
“Did you at least learn something last night?” Hex asks, pushing himself into the conversation again.
“I did,” I say and relay what I overheard from the table next to mine. “I learned that people are not idly hoping for change. Grimstad’s chances are greater than I would like.” My phone buzzes in my pocket, likely my mother summoning me to her office to discuss the article in the newspaper. She most certainly will not allow me outside the palace after this. “I fear I do not know how to change the people’s opinions of me,” I finish with a sigh.
“For starters,” Elliot says, lips forming into a smirk once more, “you can try to talk like you’re from this century.”
“That is a battle that can’t be won,” Hex says with a heavy sigh. “Fringe came out of the womb sounding like royalty.”
I reach out and pinch his arm, making him yelp. “You are insufferable!”
“I’m only speaking the truth!” he argues and lunges at me to retaliate.
Before Hex can even touch me, Elliot knocks him off his feet and steps between us. “Nice try,” he growls at my brother, who bursts into laughter in the dirt.
While I would like to beg my brother to act his age for once in his life, all of the air has left my lungs, leaving me dizzy. “I…” I force a breath. “I hardly need protection from my own brother,” I whisper, though I have never seen a man move so quickly. To say I am impressed would be a gross understatement, and I can only imagine what he would do if I were in real danger.
Elliot meets my gaze with stormy eyes. “I take my job very seriously,” he says, his tone gravelly. “No one touches you without your permission.”
