Knightqueen - Page 76

“It’s a pleasure to see you again, Knightqueen.” The Terran bowed her head.

“I hear you’re family now, Kennedy.” Carys squeezed the woman’s hand. “I despaired that anyone would ever capture the heart of our dedicated knightmaster, here. It seems he was waiting for the right woman from Earth.”

Kennedy smiled. “Well, he captured my heart right back, your Highness.”

“Please call me Carys. And I’m very happy for the both of you.” She shot Sten a quick glance.

“You’re both okay?” Ashtin asked, scanning them.

“We’re fine. Sten did a very good job of keeping me safe.”

Her knightguard grunted.

“The people need to know that you’re all right,” Ashtin said. “They need to see it with their own eyes. I’ve scheduled an appearance on the main balcony so that they can see you.”

Carys nodded. “Of course. But we have greater concerns, Ashtin. The Gek’Dragar have a weapon.”

His face hardened, and Kennedy pressed a hand to his arm.

“Nea and Kaden sent me a report. The Blue Death.”

“We have to stop the weapon,” she said. “And stop the Gek’Dragar once and for all.”

“We will,” Sten growled.

They were ushered into the palace. As she took in the familiar glossy Camlann marble floors and the high ceilings, pleasure filled her. Home. Sten kept pace beside her, once again the stoic knightguard. Her mouth pressed into a line. He was doing his robot impression again, and keeping a distance between them.

She wanted everyone to know they were together. When would the man accept that she loved him? That she wanted him, not some handsome prince or diplomat.

“Your Highness.” Her maids appeared with a swish of skirts, bobbing curtsies. “We have a gown laid out for you and we can do your hair. For your appearance on the balcony.”

Carys nodded. She remembered now how much of her life was dominated by the task of being the knightqueen. She hadn’t thought she’d miss Ti-Lore, and the freedom she’d had to shed some of the sometimes tedious trappings of her life.

Then she felt a small touch on her hand. Just a brush. Her head jerked up. Sten wasn’t looking at her, but his fingers brushed hers again. Warmth ignited in her chest. She let her small finger curl around his for a second.

“I’ll leave you to get ready.” He nodded. “I’ll come back to get you when it’s time.”

She desperately wanted to kiss him, but instead, she followed her maids into her quarters. The large room was decorated in her favorite colors of blue and green. Her large, four-poster bed faced the large, curved windows. Several plants sat in ornate pots around the room.

Yes, it was nice to be home.

Her gaze moved straight to the bed. Instantly, she pictured Sten’s large, muscular body in it, and she suppressed a shiver.

On the bed lay a beautiful dress. It was white, and would drape her body. It had several long insets of glimmering gold.

Her maids hurried around dressing her. Her hair was piled up on her head, and light makeup dabbed on her face. They tightened the straps so the dress fit her body perfectly, the fabric silky against her skin. It felt strange to be wearing fancy clothes again.

One of the maids came forward, holding a flat, gold box. Carys’ crown rested inside. She reached out and stroked it. Her mother had worn it. Carys had so many memories of being a little girl, stroking it in fascination. It was made of delicate black and gold spikes of metal.

She’d been wearing it at the ball when she’d been abducted. She hadn’t known what had happened to it.

She lifted the crown and settled it on her head.

There was a brisk knock at the door.

“Enter,” she said.

Ashtin and Sten strode in. Her gaze ran over her knightguard. He was wearing his black armor, with a three-quarter cloak draped off his broad shoulders. He was every bit the knightguard.