Strange how this morning she was totally against the idea, but now...she couldn’t wait.
SEVEN
The next morning, Ryderfound himself pacing in front of the palace doors as he waited for the king. Ryder had been alerted that the king would make another trip into town to finalize the plans for the additional wing at the hospital, and of course, needed his guards.
Walking back and forth, Ryder flexed his hands by his sides, his mind filling quickly with anticipation. Never before had he felt so restless—so eager. Yet at the same time, he was scared of the outcome. And to think, he wasn’t generally an easy man to scare.
Yesterday with Clarissa had been a dream come true. It thrilled him to know she felt the same desires that were running amuck through him. Yet after the royal dinner guests had left last night, Ryder waited for Clarissa to inform him of when he could talk to her father. Unfortunately, she never appeared. Although he’d wanted to sneak to her room and talk to her, he didn’t dare for fear he’d appear overzealous.
“Ryder, would you stop this insane pacing.” One of the other guards moved in front of him. “I don’t know what troubles you this morning, but you are driving the rest of us mad with this jittery nervous behavior.”
Ryder gazed at each guard in turn. Irritation was quite evident on their creased foreheads and narrowed eyes. “My apologies,” he muttered and strode to his horse.
Adam Flynn, a guard he’d recently made friends with, was nearly Ryder’s age and they shared similar interests. He walked to Ryder and stopped, placing a hand on his shoulder.
“My good man, what has you so upset this morning? This is not like you at all.”
Chuckling, Ryder shook his head. “I have a lot on my mind.”
“Well, get it out of your mind, because once the king comes out, we are to focus entirely on his safety.”
“This I know,” Ryder grumbled. “However, I need to speak with the king in order to get this particular issue off my chest.”
Adam nodded. “Then I’ll trade you positions. You ride next to the king, and I’ll ride in back.”
“I thank you for your help.” Ryder breathed easier.
A movement up at the palace door caught his attention, and he swung his gaze to the king hustling down the wide, marble stairs. All the guards bowed until the king mounted his horse with the assistance from the groomsman, and then the four guards followed suit.
“Good morning, Sire,” all of the men greeted pleasantly.
“I wish it were a good morning,” the king grumbled, “but it is not.”
Ryder traded glances with the other guards and shrugged. Apparently, Ryder wasn’t the only man out of sorts this morning.
He urged his horse closer to the king as his mind scrambled to find words. What could he possibly say? How could he start out their conversation? Perhaps he needed to remind the king how Ryder and Clarissa were good friends in school. That right there might be a good start. Whatever he did, he couldn’t upset the king more than he was already.
