“What people?” He gave me his full attention.
There was no way I was going to tell him my story. He’d probably find out soon enough, but until then, I was keeping it to myself. “I don’t want to go into all of that right now.”
Torren eyed me in annoyance for a moment but nodded his head and began eating again.
I heard Kristine’s whiny voice talking to Hugo, another member of her Faction. I winced, waiting for her to walk over, but she just scowled in my direction and sat at another table on the other side of the room.
“Who’s the uppity bitch?” He motioned to Kristine.
“Don’t point.” I panicked and pushed his finger down.
We looked at each other in shock when I felt a jolt run up my arm. I was utterly speechless, and he must have felt the same way because he didn’t say anything either.
When the silence had lasted so long that it grew uncomfortable, I laughed awkwardly, “I guess we’re Potentials.”
He didn’t answer for several long moments. “Maybe.” He cleared his throat. “Are you almost finished? I just remembered something I have to do.” Without waiting for an answer, he stood and headed out of the dining hall, leaving his plate and everything.
Well, that was awkward. I guess he wasn’t looking for a lowly warrior as Faction. Fortunately for him, I wasn’t seeking another Faction member—especially without any of my men here to agree to adding someone new to our group.
I took a deep breath and stood, then disposed of both our plates. I’d lost my appetite after that startling development. I didn’t have the headspace to deal with this right now.
When I exited the hall, I thought Kristine would make a rude remark, but, to my surprise, she didn’t acknowledge me at all, nor did Hugo. Selene likely ensured I was left alone, at least until after my upcoming battles.
Instead of training, I went back to my room. The quick healing I experienced had drained me, and I needed extra rest. With a few days until my next fight, I hoped to recover fully by then. Honestly, I saw only two choices: fight or die... and dyingwas not an option. I desired a long life with my men, and I would fight for it with all my strength for as long as necessary.
I pushed open my door and sealed it behind me, then took off my clothes, plopped down on my bed, and sighed in exhaustion. The last few days, my body hadn’t felt like my own. Changes were happening that I couldn’t explain, and the previous nights, I’d had strange dreams.
Snuggling under my bedraggled blanket, my final thought before I drifted off to sleep was of my men and what they would think of this latest development.
I was on the bank of a beautiful river. The wind was blowing gently, and I felt a deep sense of anticipation. I leaned back against the trunk of a tree with a book in my lap and dozed lightly. Feeling an insect tickle my ear, I swatted at it in irritation, then began to drift back into sleep. Before I was completely submerged, the bug landed on the tip of my nose. I swatted at it again, and my eyes flew open at the sound of deep masculine laughter.
The reason for my anticipation was kneeling beside me, holding a long piece of grass. “Ambrose!” I squealed, “When did you return?”
“Just now. I came straight here instead of the castle because I knew it was where you’d be.” He gave me his hand, then pulled me to my feet.
For a moment, I didn’t speak—I just let my eyes drink in the sight of him, whole and safe. Then his arms opened, and I was in them, held so tightly it hurt in the sweetest way.
“I didn’t expect you back until tomorrow, but I hoped I was wrong.” I grinned, unable to contain my joy, then pulled him in for a soft kiss.
“Queen Lilibet, you frightened us. We heard you scream and thought you’d been attacked," my Aegisseer, Lexith, saidas she rushed to me, closely followed by her Faction and my Aegisworn, Cassian, Viktar, and Soren.
“Looks like she was attacked, but it wasn’t unwelcome.” Cassian laughed.
Lexith swatted him on the arm, “That’s our Queen you’re talking about.”
“Oh, really? Didn’t I hear you two talking about sexual positions yesterday?” Viktar smirked as mine and Lexith’s faces burned with embarrassment.
“I’m sure you were mistaken.” Lexith narrowed her eyes at him. “Let’s leave our queen and her consort alone.”
Soren put his arm around Lexith. “I’m sure he wasn’t, but we can discuss that back at the castle.” He smiled widely. “Good to have you home, Ambrose.”
I smiled as I watched the four of them walk down the hill and through the castle gates.
“Is that all the welcome home I get?” Ambrose picked me up and held me in his arms bridal style.
I held his precious face in my hands and said, "I think a bigger celebration could be arranged.”
“Is this celebration only going to have two participants?” He looked into my eyes with all the love anyone could ask for.
