Page 93 of Ruling the Green

“I should probably stay awake too. Nira said it is going to be a ‘whole event’ to get me ready for today. Whatever that means.”

“Are you nervous about today?”

“A little. I think I’m more excited, though. Aren’t you?”

“I’ve been to these every year as long as I can remember. It’s lost its luster. But I’m glad you’re excited. Which event are you most excited for?”

“The sword fighting will be interesting because I know a thing or two about it now. But jousting sounds interesting. And the ax throwing and archery sounds interesting. I’m not interested in the melee.”

“That can be brutal. You don’t have to watch. You could take that time to excuse yourself to the restroom or something.”

“Okay. I feel better about that then. I don’t know why anyone would want to watch a bunch of people just… brawling.”

“Violence will always entertain some people.”

“Would you continue it when you’re ruling?”

“Would you want me to end it?”

“It’s not up to me.”

“If I said it was.”

“I would maybe phase it out or transform it into some other feats of strength. Or grappling. I think that was the word Nira used.”

“Yeah. Instead of a free-for-all, a one-on-one fight with rules.”

“Exactly.”

“That could be done.”

“You don’t have to change anything because of my sensibilities.”

“It’s a pointless event. Limbs have been severed, rendering good soldiers and guards useless in their professions. It creates fights among the common folk because of betting on certain men. It’s a mess as it is. Pleasing you is a bonus.”

“Just a bonus?” she asked, looking up at me with a heated gaze.

“Well, in some ways, pleasing you is all that matters.”

“Really?” she asked, sliding off my lap and moving to sit on my desk instead. “Like what?”

I had to think her legs were spread intentionally.

An invitation.

I slid forward, running my hands up the outside of her thighs.

“I could tell you, or I can show you.”

“I learn better through experience.”

Yeah, she did.

She’d picked up so much about life outside of her lake already. She was smart and motivated, had just been lacking more traditional sources of education and the experiences to round out her understanding of the world.

I imagined within the year, she would be reading everything she could get her hands on, would know more about my Court’s history than I ever had. Would be spouting off ancient fae philosophy about war and leadership.

I wanted to be there.