Their banter was interrupted by King Frederic, who appeared at the top of the hill astride his stallion, several of his knights on horseback beside him.
“Josselyn, what are you doing down there? Get up here this instant. Your aunt was mad with worry when you failed to show up for your music lesson.”
Her face scrunched up in distaste, but she pulled her feet out of the water, collecting her things as she stood.
“Coming, father.”
She trudged up the hill, glancing over her shoulder and mouthing 'tomorrow' before she reached the top and was pulled up onto her father's mount. The king looked down the hill, holding Alex's gaze for a long moment, his expression indiscernible, before spurring his horse on and riding off. Alex had a sinking feeling he'd soon find out just what the king thought about him meeting his daughter with such familiarity.
He didn't have to wait long, as the king summoned him that very evening, a servant ushering him into the king's private study and closing the door shut behind him. He stood, forcing himself not to squirm under the king's hard gaze. After what felt like an age, the king cleared his throat.
“You've been with us a long time, now, Alex, and I've heard nothing but praise from General Weston in regards to your responsibility and training.”
Alex swallowed, waiting.
“And my daughter seems to be fond of you, as well.” The king narrowed his eyes. “Extremely fond, in fact.”
He was sweating now, waiting for the king to make his point.
“Given her attachment and your dedication, I've decided you would be the perfect choice for Josselyn's personal guard. Now that she's sixteen, it's even more crucial than ever that she be shielded from any... less than desirable characters who might come sniffing around, looking for a crown.”
The king leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled as he regarded Alex with his steady gaze.
“The position will be official immediately, assuming you're willing?”
Alex bowed. “I would be honored, Your Majesty.”
“Good, good. That's all set then.”
Straightening to his full height, Alex glanced at the door, wondering if he was dismissed, or...
“One more thing before you go.”
Or not.
“Yes, Your Majesty?”
“I just want to make sure we're clear about one thing – you're to be my daughter's guard. Not her friend, not her confidante, and most certainly not her lover.”
Alex felt his face flush with heat as he gaped at the king. “Sire?”
The king leaned forward, his eyes hard as they pinned him to the floor.
“Whatever romantic notions my daughter may have in regards to you and her must be put to rest. As much as I want her to be happy, I cannot allow her to marry an orphaned Kalo from nowhere. The people would be outraged by such an action. It cannot be done.”
Alex stared in disbelief, his heart sinking to his feet as the king's words took root.
“Let her down easy, if you can, but let her down you must. Are we clear?”
He felt his head nod automatically.
“Good. You're dismissed.”
He bowed out of instinct before turning on his heel and walking out of the room. He kept walking until he found himself standing outside the training arena. His chest tightened as he realized he wouldn't be keeping his promise, wouldn't be crossing swords with the girl who made everything in his life ten times better just by being apart of it.
He'd never find out if she could best him in a fair fight. He'd never find out what it felt like to wrap his arms around her in an embrace. He'd never find out if her lips actually tasted like cherries, as he often imagined they did. He'd never get to tell her he loved her with every fiber of his being.
She was lost to him.
Chapter Fifteen
Alex felt his eyelids grow heavy as a wave of exhaustion swept over him. The earth seemed to spin around him for a moment before he gave himself a decisive shake. He needed to stand up, keep moving. Glancing down, he saw that the shirt he'd tied around his shoulder was soaked through with blood.
Well, shit.
If he continued to sit there doing nothing, he'd bleed out before discovery even became an issue. “Come on, Alex, get up.”
Sliding his hands underneath Josselyn's body, he forced himself to his feet, stumbling a bit as he fought to find his balance. Spots danced at the edges of his vision, and he breathed deeply in an effort to right himself. He had just managed to shift his legs in a forward motion when a loud crash sent him scrambling for his sword, almost dropping the princess in his haste.
“What are you doing to that girl? Unhand her at once, or I'll... I'll scream! My father is nearby, and he'll make short work of you, I promise.”
Alex squinted his bleary eyes, picking out the silhouette of a woman standing amid the trees before him. Blinking, he tried to focus on her face, where a pair of fiery, hazel eyes glared back at him, framed by a mass of wild, black hair. His gaze dropped to the ground in front of her, where shards of pottery were scattered about.
That would account for the noise he heard, the jar breaking...
Another wave of vertigo hit him, hard this time, and he felt himself dropping to the ground as if in slow motion, the world around him blurring. He vaguely registered a swirl of approaching skirts, a startled cry for help, and footsteps crashing through the brush as a gruff voice called out in response. He wove in and out of consciousness, picking up bits and pieces of their conversation as he struggled to remain alert.
“...bleeding profusely...”
“...the girl... back to the camp...”
“... your sisters... help you...”
Panic gripped Alex as he tried to find Josselyn, and he twisted, throwing his hands out all around, searching for her. The gruff voice scolded him as strong arms gripped him around the waist and hoisted him over a broad shoulder.
“Settle down, now, I've got to get you back to camp.”
Alex worked his jaw, his tongue heavy
