Page 118 of Ruling the Green

Her eyes fluttered open, looking at me with hazy eyes. “Hey, you.”

“You held me down.”

“Took two of us. You’re strong.”

She nodded a little at that. “Where is the girl?”

“In your room. I hope that’s alright. She needed a safe space until we get control of things.”

“Cass?”

I shot her a smile. “Incapacitated.”

“Good for you. Tove?”

“Surprisingly, on our side. At least we think. He has a guard outside his door until we figure everything out.”

“How bad is it?”

“Not as bad as it was. And we have a plan on how to settle everything down. Hopefully tomorrow.”

“Queen Serin,” she said, giving me a weak smile. “I want a raise.”

“You got it,” I agreed. “Plus all the beads in the kingdom, if you want them.”

“You’re going to need so many new gowns.”

“I can trust you to make them pretty. You should rest.”

“Rest sounds good.”

“Vishen will be right here with you all night,” I assured her.

Nira’s head turned, seeking the man in question. He seemed to sense her gaze, looking away from Jet and at her instead. Then mouthed, You okay?

She gave him a nod before looking back at me.

“So, how long has that been going on?”

“Nothing is going on.”

“Oh, something is going on. You didn’t see how upset that man was about you being hurt.”

She glanced to him again, a softer look in her eye.

“He’s a good man,” I reminded her.

“I know.”

“And you deserve to be happy,” I added. Before she could object, I stood and released her hand. “Now rest up. We have a kingdom to run now.”

I checked in on Cora, then paused to actually introduce myself to Mendalyn while Jet finished up with Vishen.

“Mendalyn, would it be possible to send for your healer?” he asked when he came out. “I need Vishen sharp and he can’t think of much else but if Nira is going to be all right. I know things are dangerous out there, so I understand if you don’t feel comfortable—”

“We are well-trained for danger. I can take two of the girls off of their posts on the lower floor and send them to fetch her.”

“I’d appreciate it,” Jet said. “If all goes to plan, I would like to have the healer living here anyway.”