He immediately slid his hand out of her grip and placed it on his knee.
Meena turned her face away, feeling her cheeks heat in embarrassment. Not that she was ashamed. It was just, perhaps he sat next to her because it was his only choice with the way she’d been holding his hand. “The hardest part is over now,” she said lightly, masking her feelings.
“Hardly,” Sol responded.
“I was jesting,” Meena said, exhaling as her shoulders fell. “At least the next part of the mission won’t have quite so many eyes.” Her words were a touch bitter.
“I should hope not,” Sol responded.
Meena felt his gaze turn to her, and she glanced back toward him.
“That was truly terrifying,” he said.
Meena smiled a small smile. “You do know there will be a grand reception to celebrate our union when we arrive at the Falqri Fortress?”
“If you grip my arm there as tightly as you did just now, I think I can remain standing,” he responded.
The interior of the carriage was darker than the evening light outside but Meena thought she detected a hint of a smile on Sol’s face. A real one.
“Are you jesting?” she whispered.
“I’m not sure,” Sol responded. “But I do know I can handle the rest of this mission as long as you are there to lead us through the receptions and dinners and dancing.”
Meena nodded, turning her head away from him. “That is one thing I can absolutely take care of.” She leaned her head against the wall of the carriage, feeling less unsettled than before.
She may not have been defending the castle or leading the elite guard like Ian and Onric and Erich, but she could do something. And maybe she could even do it better than they would have.
She closed her eyes. The journey would take several hours into the night. Her last conscious thought was a sweet reminder that Sol had attempted to make a jest.
Chapter 15
When the carriage finally pulled to a halt, Sol opened his eyes. He had not fully slept on the ride, but he felt moderately rested.
The princess was still fast asleep, her head buried in her arms, which leaned against the wall to her side. She did not stir as the carriage jolted in place and someone opened the door from the outside.
“We’ve arrived at the monastery, your highness,” the servant said. His voice was tired and his face remained clouded in the darkness outside.
“Thank you,” Sol responded, feeling awkward. No one had addressed him with a title before, and he realized he would have to get used to it. The feeling it elicited was closer to anger than pride.
The servant stepped away, leaving the door open.
Meena was still asleep.
With a growing panic, Sol realized he would have to be the one to wake her. He could not fully see her, either, in the darkness, but he looked her over for a moment, deciding the best way to go about this.
“Princess?” he whispered.
She didn’t stir. Not that he was surprised, since the louder noises of the servant and horses had not disturbed her.
Reaching for her shoulder, he gently placed his hand on it. “Princess,” he whispered a little more sharply.
Still nothing.
Twisting his wrist, he gave her shoulder a single shake.
She exhaled, making the smallest noise in the back of her throat.
Sol immediately removed his hand.
