I waited until Trenton was armored up, and then approached him. My hands started to shake as he lifted a brow in question. What if he was offended by my audacity? What if it was against some fairy law for a slave to offer her favor to a prince. I suddenly felt my low status sharply. I was a human in the land of the Fey, and I owned nothing; not even the scrap of silk that I was about to offer Trenton. But I had decided to do this, and I wouldn't back down. I pulled a green ribbon from my hair, and my curls tumbled down around my waist.
“Will you wear this while you fight?” I whispered; trying not to draw any attention to us, just in case I was making a faux pas.
Trenton's eyes went to the ribbon and rounded. My heart started to pound in my throat as I panicked. Fuck; I had done it now. I had embarrassed and shocked him. Maybe I could pretend that the ribbon had come undone on its own. I started to take it back when Trenton lifted his stunning stare to mine, and I saw the happiness inside it. He sank down onto one knee and accepted the ribbon.
“It would be my honor to wear your favor,” Trenton said in a clear voice that carried through the courtyard.
The other men went quiet and turned to give us their full attention. They didn't stare in surprise but out of respect; as if they wanted to bear witness to the moment.
“Oh, okay,” I stuttered with a nervous smile. “Great; thank you.”
Trenton took my hand and kissed it lingeringly. “May my sword and my strength bring you honor, Lady Riley.”
The knights smiled at each other and then at me. I felt like I should say something back to Trenton, but I didn't know what was appropriate. So—as usual—I just went with my instincts and blurted out what I felt.
“I'm not giving you this favor to gain honor, Your Highness,” I said tenderly. “That matters little to me.”
The knights inhaled sharply at what was no doubt a serious offense. But then I continued.
“I give you this to show you that no matter where you are, or what you're doing, I am with you,” I said firmly. “If I could, I would be the steel that guards your heart”—I laid my hand on his breastplate—“as well as that which slays your enemies.” I nodded to the sword on his hip. “I would be your strength, and I would gladly sacrifice the honor you offer me infavorof defending you. But you don't need my affections to inspire you to valor, Prince Trenton, and you certainly don't need me to defend you. You have already become everything that any knight could ever hope to be; wise, strong, kind, and chivalrous. You will always have my admiration, but this token is to remind you that you fight for more than my honor; you fight for my life because it would be over if you didn't return to me.”
Trenton made a choking sound of disbelief; his eyes misting as he swallowed convulsively. He shook his head in wonder as he surged to his feet and lifted me into an embrace. Trenton kissed me thoroughly as his knights cheered. When he lowered me back to my feet, his eyes were shining with pride, happiness, and...
“I love you, Riley,” he whispered.
“I love you too; it feels as if I always have,” I whispered back.
“Sweet Goddess,” Sir Ardel said. “What I wouldn't give to hear a woman say that to me.”
“Maybe we should start searching Earth instead of Tirne for a wife,” Sir Rannulf said.
“Don't bother; you'll never find a woman like mine,” Trenton said confidently. “Now, you fools, prepare to get beaten horribly. I cannot fail when I carry my lady's favor with me.”
“Indeed, Your Highness,” Ardel said, “perhaps you cannot. But your skills may have gotten rusty while you wallowed in her other favors.”
“All right, Sir Ardel, you can be the first one I crush horribly.” Trenton smirked.
Then Trenton proceeded to crush them all into the ground. They were still groaning when we left the training field, but they did so with smiles on their faces. You just couldn't help but be happy for Trenton when he won; even if it meant that you lost.
Chapter Twenty-Five
The next morning—after the most amazing sex, during which Trenton and I proclaimed our love for each other, over and over—we were summoned to the Queen's chambers. Trenton frowned uneasily as he helped me dress.
“Hey.” I pushed at his wrinkled forehead. “It can't be anything bad, can it?”
“Tana never summons me first thing in the morning,” he said. “She's too busy enjoying herself at breakfast. If she's not breaking her fast, then it's serious.”
“Oh,” I whispered. “But why would she summon me along with you?”
“I don't know, and that's what is truly worrisome.”
Trenton escorted me to the Queen's chambers, and we found her sitting on her throne with her lover standing behind her. There was a man standing before the throne, and he looked vaguely familiar. As we drew abreast of him, I remembered where I'd seen him before; Castle Unseelie. I gasped and tightened my grip on Trenton's hand.
Trenton squeezed me back; he knew the fairy wasn't of his court, and that left only one other option. Then I saw Conall; his arms were crossed as he leaned against the wall to the side of the throne. He smiled at me smugly as Trenton and I approached.
“Sister, you sent for us?” Trenton asked.
“I did,” Queen Tana said sadly. “I'm sorry, Brother, but King Drostan has sent for Riley. He wants her back.”
