Chapter 26 #3
He shook his head. “I don’t believe it. I think we might be friends, and seeing as you begged Elías not to bring me here, and yet we get along, that bothers you. I think you hate the fact that you like me.”
I folded my arms.
He nodded, sure. “I am sorry though. For pushing you. I think I feel defensive for Mr. Evergreen because I see the way he looks at you and I know how he feels. I’m projecting. It isn’t fair. …Would you like to talk about Elías?”
“Absolutely not,” I said.
“I understand.”
“Not… Not because I don’t trust you. Because the content of my concerns would implicate him in things that might damage his reputation as Lord Commander. I can’t do that to him. I must speak to him alone.”
He nodded again. Slower.
I took a deep breath, then opened the door, greeting the maid. “How is he? Any change?”
“He’s been talking more,” she commented. “And he’s not as warm.” After a long pause, she addressed me for what must have been the second time. “Your Highness?”
I looked back at Ser Willoughby. “I-I beg your pardon. He’s not warm? He–That’s wonderful. Willoughby. Willough, did you hear that?”
“Yes. I heard it. That’s glorious news. Thank you, miss.”
“He’s going to live,” I realized. The blood ran from my face. I caught myself on Daniel’s arm. “He’s going to live.”
Willoughby cleared his throat, speaking to the maid. “Have you informed the Prince?” he asked. He held a hand out to direct her toward the hall which she followed, albeit confused.
“Do you think I should?” she asked.
He nodded. “Oh, yes, immediately,” he told her, ushering her out. “Right away.”
“I suppose, but?” She looked between us.
“Grand,” he said. “Miss Svana and I will watch him in your stead. Go on then.”
She agreed, timidly, and he closed the door once she had gone.
“Why did you do that?” I asked.
“You should see how pale you are,” he said. He came and stood next to me. “What are your thoughts?”
“I….I think I love him.”
“We know that,” he said. “What else? What is that? What’s that fear you’re feeling?”
“F-Fear?” I looked up at him. He could see through me. “I’m… That I…” My hands began to shake, and my eyes stung. “I-I thought he was going to die. He’s not.”
“Svana?” Cyrus muttered. “My Swan?”
“Oh, god!” I fell to his side, collecting his hand. “Stop it. Stop saying that, you fool. You’re going to get murdered. I’m here,” I told him. “I’m here. Be quiet now, please. Shh.” I brushed his hair from his face. “Shh. Please. You must be careful.”
With that, he was silent again.
The door swung open and then Sameer barged in. I dropped my Sword, hurrying to fluff his pillow instead. The Prince buzzed behind me, frantic. I felt the hairs on the back of my neck rise.
“Svana?” He looked between us. All three of us. “You’re here? …You are too good to me,” he said. “Already here and so devotedly. The true mark of a good queen. My queen. Yes.”
“W-What?” I shook my head. “No, but you’re here now. So. If you need me, I’ll-”
He took my hand and pressed his lips to it. “Thank you. From the bottom of my heart.”
I drew back. Then I stilled my hand to my side. “Daniel. Ser. …Would you help me with that thing we discussed?” I asked.
“Of course,” he said, opening the door.
Sam’s mouth parted but he didn’t find a comment. His eyes traveled the length of my knight’s body and then he put on an extremely zealous grin. “You know, I cannot wait until our wedding night, Savy,” he said. His voice was almost playful.
“Savy?” I croaked.
“Yes, my Savy.”
“No. Don’t call me that. I hate that.”
He stepped closed. “Then what may I call you, Princess? Love? Beautiful? Righteous? Goddess?” he asked.
I knit my brows. “All of those are equally horrible in different ways,” I said.
“Then I’ll find something else. Something special just for us, and I will spend the whole night proving how much your dedication to my friend means to me,” he said. “I promise you. We will ma–”
“What do you call Aggy?” I asked.
“What?”
“Agatha. Your Mistress. The woman you’ve been sleeping with, who isn’t me. Do you call her Goddess?” I asked.
He took the hit with dignity but he didn’t deny it. Instead, he made another visual pass over my knight and he said, “I don’t call her wife. And no one else will call you that. No matter who they are.”
I scoffed, tracking his gaze to my cousin. “I’m not involved with Ser Willoughby, you clown!”
Sam locked his jaw. “Then why is he–”
“What an awful thought,” a tired voice moaned. “They’re cousins, you know?”
Our gazes left each other’s to discover Mr. Evergreen awake. His face was pained but he was undoubtedly awake. My heart leaped a thousand miles into the air, seeing him come to life. As he tried to sit up, the V from his shirt wilted, flashing the horrid gash. I flinched. Then sat at his side.
“Do not hurry, please!” I begged. “Take it easy.”
Mr. Evergreen tried to smirk. Sameer knelt by us, resting his hand on his friend’s shoulder.
“Cy, you absolute animal. I was worried about you,” he said. “Actually worried.”
“Aye. Christ, I hurt,” Evergreen muttered. He struggled to stretch, then gave up.
“I’d be surprised if you didn’t,” the Prince replied. “You had an infection. You’ve been out for the week.”
Sam moved closer, to the point that I had to vacate the bed, unless I wanted him in my lap. I stood, crossed my arms, and scowled at Ser Willoughby as if he could fix the inconvenience for me.
He frowned. “Did I miss something?”
I sighed, then rolled my eyes, leaning in. “Sameer thinks we’re having an affair,” I said.
“You did tell him we weren’t?” he asked.
I cocked my head at him. “I tell the Prince many things he does not hear,” I said. “You’re welcome to try if you think he’d listen to you.”
“A week?” Cyrus asked.
“Yes,” Sam said. “We were all so worried. Svana especially.”
Evergreen looked at me, then he exhaled and sank back into the sheet. “A whole week asleep,” he complained. “And yet I’m so tired.”
That made the Prince laugh. He said, “You’re the luckiest son of bitch I know.” He turned. “Princess? Come here, love. Where did you go? Come talk to our Cyrus.”
I stepped a little closer, unsure.
“She’s our real soldier, here,” Sam said. “She did not leave your side. Not once. In fact, I’m told she dismissed a few of the nurses to remain.” His eyes landed on me too softly. “I am so very in her debt for taking care of you.”
“That’s not entirely accurate,” I said softly. “It’s quite the exaggeration, in fact. I left a few times. Obviously. I changed my clothes. I took a bath, and I slept on occasion.”
“There was more than once I caught you sleeping in here, hooked over the bed like a crone,” Sam said. He shook his head. “Don’t let her downplay it, Cy. She was very devoted.”
My eyes widened slightly in alarm, but I schooled it. “I’m just happy you’re alright, Mr. Evergreen.”
Sam beamed. “Aren’t we lucky my wife is so kind-hearted?” he asked the room. His eyes met Daniel’s for a second. Then went back to Cyrus.
“Indeed,” Cyrus said. He touched his chest, grimacing, then moving himself again. “He’s correct. He’s very blessed.”
“Stop trying to sit up,” I scolded him. I moved the Prince out of the way and took his place. “Do you want to reinjure yourself? Is that the plan? You want another infection when your gash breaks open? Yeah?
He looked up at me, surprised.
I pursed my lips. “Lay down and rest! I command it. And you cannot defy me. You may serve Prince Sameer on Wednesdays, but I am your King’s blood. You’re not allowed to ignore me.”
He lost a chuckle, shaking his head. “Aye, I’m not, am I?” Evergreen and I met eyes. The heat between us kindled to life despite the room. Suddenly, Sam laughed brightly.
“One day, I dream you two will be friends,” he teased. He looked proudly at us. “My love, don’t be so cruel to our poor Cyrus. He’s been through such an ordeal. I think we should spoil him a little. Just for now.”
We shared an awkward glance, then I pulled my hand from where it had gone to touch Cyrus’s chest. He watched it as it went with such attention.
“I think,” I started, nervously. “I think we should let Mr. Evergreen rest.”
“As brilliant as she is beautiful,” the Prince praised. “Come on then.”
He stood and offered me the crook of his arm. The moment I took it, he leaned in, quietly.
“Thank you,” he whispered. “Without you, I would’ve broken.”