There was a knock at the door and Ser Elías went to crack it open. He muttered something, then mouthed the name“Evergreen,”to me.
My eyes widened. I hurried to the changing screen, grabbing the nearest frock and pulling it over my head, then I checked my hair in the vanity, and decided it wouldhaveto do, as tragic as it was. With a curt nod, Elías let the door swing open, and then, in the doorway stood my Cyrus. His face was wrought with worry.
“Your Highness,” he said. He heeded my knight with a politer posture, almost warring with continuing. “...I apologize for disturbing you, Your Highness. Lord Commander. I was…” He gazed at me.
“Elías,”I whispered, questioning.“For just a moment?”
He held his head highly but he slunk into the hall at my request. He even closed the door, and the moment it was shut, Evergreen raced to me, collecting pieces of my torrid hair as he held my face.
“My Swan,”he breathed, kissing every part of my cheeks. “I’m so sorry,” he said. “I’m so sorry.”
“What could you be sorry for?” I asked. My hands shook as they soared across his abdomen possessively. “You’re mychampion,”I said. “You’ve looked Death in her face for me—refused her call. You’re braver than any knight! …Well, except Ser Elías. He’s quite reliable and likely listening, and also–God. Where is Ser Willoughby? How is he? How is Miss Jocelyn? She was gone as soon as we arrived.”
Cyrus chuckled. He settled, staring at my lips for just a moment. “Miss Josie and Dan are grand. She’s doting over our friend, worried sick, and he is thrilled for it. He’s finishing with the doctor for anabrasionat her very insistent request.”
“You’ll go next,” I replied.
“I amfine,”he replied. He took a lighter, happier breath. “I’m just sore. You’re safe and that’s what matters most. I was terrified I’d lose you. Everything happened so fast.”
He began to say more but my fingers were wet. Together, we looked and saw the crimson pool as it formed beneath my hand. Cyrus pulled the hem of his shirt up, so that we could find the source, there was a long gash across his chest.
“You’ve beenwounded!”I cried, fighting to force his shirt completely off. I called to the door,“Elías!”
“It’s alright,” Cyrus said. “I’m-!” He caught my wrists just as the man I’d summoned stormed in.
“He’s hurt!” I whined, motioning to the cut.
Elías followed my hands to Mr. Evergreen, who, with a blush or ahiss,removed them from his body.
“This isn’t what it looks like,” he said.
Eli’s brow danced at the lie, up and amused. His eyes passed from my Sword to me, then he sang into the hall,“Which suite is the doctor in?”for whoever else was near.
“I don’t need a doctor!” Cyrus said.
Someone yelled back that he was in the men’s wing.
“You’re slashed across the torso,” Elías explained. “It isn’t deep, if you’re still moving, but come morning you’ll thank me for pressing aid. Those things sting after the adrenaline wears off.”
“I’ve had worse injuries tending my garden,” Evergreen said. “This is nothing.”
“It isn’t nothing to the Princess,”he replied. He inclined his head to me.
Cyrus sighed, then reluctantly agreed with a sharp. “Fine.” He checked for my approval, which I promptly gave, and he said, “I’ll have himlookat it.Tomorrow. I’ve much to do until then. My house just burned to ashes.”
“I’m very sorry,” I replied.
Elías nodded. “You’ll go now while you’re here. I’ll accompany you, if you like.”
“That isn’t necessary,” Cyrus argued. “I’m quite capable to go alone.”
“Then go,” he replied.
I cleared my throat. “If you prefer,Icould go with you. And then I could explain what–”
Elías cleared his throat. “That is not a good idea, Your Highness.”
“What? Why?” I asked.
