Page 52 of The Marked Princess

Lily opened her mouth, but Josselyn held up her hand. “I'll explain everything later, I promise. Believe me, it's a long story. For now, I just want to be on our way.”

“Well, all right, I suppose,” Lily huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. “But I want to hear everything. Don't even think about leaving me out of the telling.”

Josselyn lifted her mouth in a crooked grin. “I won't.” She started toward the road, calling out a greeting to Hiram, who stood watching them with a relieved grin. As she brushed past Alex, he caught her arm, stalling her. She looked up at him in surprise, her brows lifted in question.

“The man who did this...” Alex lifted his free hand to her face, letting his thumb brush against her bruised skin with a gentle stoke. “Where is he now?” His eyes flashed dangerously, and Josselyn drew in a breath, her eyes widening briefly before shuttering once again. She pulled her arm out of his grip with a gentle but firm movement.

“Last I saw him, he was laying dead in the road, just a few feet from where we're standing. His men must have returned and retrieved his body since then. Either way, he's of no concern anymore.”

With that, she walked away, joining Lily beside her mount. “Mind if we ride double? I'm afraid I don't have a horse with me.”

The girl nodded, shooting a glance at Alex. “Of course, if that's what you want.”

“It is.”

Lily bit her lip, watching Josselyn swing up into the saddle with ease before reaching down to help the other girl up. Alex's stomach clenched. He was her guard. If she rode with anyone, it should be him. But as he made his way over to his own horse, Josselyn never once looked his way, and he certainly wasn't about to force the issue. If she wanted to ride with Lily, so be it. But he'd be damned if he let her avoid him for long.

She was his, whether she realized it yet or not.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

“Two years of having to deal with Mr. Stoic, and now, when I'm finally trying to put some distance between us, now he can't stop giving me smoldery, knee-melting looks? What the heck,” Josselyn grumbled to herself, crouching down beside the stream to wash up for the night.

They'd ridden all day, stopping only when the horses needed a break. Now they were only a few short hours outside of Eldon, having decided to set up camp rather than arrive at the army encampment in the middle of the night. Alex had been a fixture at her side all day, matching his horse with hers as they rode and watching her like a hawk, as if someone might swoop in at any moment and spirit her away. Josselyn was shocked he'd actually acquiesced to letting her wash up by herself. Not that she would have taken no for an answer.

“Mind if I join you?”

Lily came up behind her, gesturing toward the stream bank. Josselyn narrowed her eyes. “That depends. Did you come on your own, or did Alex send you to keep an eye on me?”

Lily tucked her hands behind her back, rocking back on her heels and looking as though she'd been caught stealing cookies from the kitchen larder. “Well, to be fair, I do need to wash up.”

“Uh huh.” Josselyn sighed, scooting over to make room. “Go ahead, then.”

The other girl knelt down beside her, scooping up a handful of water and rinsing her face with it. “He's just feeling protective, is all. You gave us quite the scare. Alex was crawling up the walls with worry, biting everyone's head off about every little thing. The boy was downright panicked.”

Josselyn raised her eyebrows. “Are we talking about the same person? Cause I don't think I've ever seen Alex lose his cool. He's got ice in his veins.” And fire in his eyes... burning you up with every glance he throws your way.She scooped up a handful of cold water and dowsed her face with it. Alex's eyes were of no concern to her. She had Edmund. Sweet, loyal Edmund. Her fiance, damn it.

“That's not what it looked like when you two were dancing the other night. The word passionate comes to mind...”

Josselyn covered her face with her hands as heat blossomed in her cheeks. She'd forgotten there'd been witnesses. What had she been thinking, kissing Alex right in the middle of the terrace? You weren't, obviously.

“Okay, so there was that. But you know, he is Kalo, so music probably effects him differently than most people. He just got caught up in the moment. I'm sure it didn't have anything to do with me personally.”

Lily snorted. “Nice try, but I'm not buying it. If you ask me, that boy is in love with you.” She leveled Josselyn with a look. “And what's more, I think some part of you knows it.”

Josselyn stood, brushing off the back of her pants. “I think you're a sweet romantic who sees what she wants to see. The truth is, it doesn't matter what Alex does or doesn't feel about me, not anymore. I made Edmund a promise, and I plan to honor that promise. Once this mess with the Antoski is resolved, I'll marry Edmund and make him my king. End of story.”

“And you really think that'll make you happy? Make Edmund happy?” Lily stood up beside her, reaching out to take one of her hands and giving it a squeeze. “Do you even love Edmund?”

Josselyn pulled her hand free and wrapped her arms around her torso, trying to dampen the sudden ache that threatened to overwhelm her.

“I love him in my own way.”

“Okay, you love him, but are you in love with him?” Lily persisted, placing her hands on Josselyn's elbows. Josselyn squeezed her eyes closed, letting her head fall forward until her forehead rested against Lily's.

“Please don't ask me that,” she whispered. “I've made my decision. I can't afford to waver. I have to be strong, and I can't do that when I'm constantly second guessing myself. Just let it go, okay? Please?”

Lily's hands slipped upward, enveloping Josselyn in a hug before releasing her. She wiped a hand over her glistening eyes. “Your wish is my command, Your Highness. I won't bring it up again.”