Realm of the Chosen: A Reverse Harem Romance

Chapter 12

Chapter Twelve

The morning meal was generally a time when Kit sat next to her mother and listened to her blather on about items that were unimportant to the princess, or if they were dining with the Representatives, as they were the morning after Kit’s encounter with Pierce in the library, she would go down the tables and make comments about each of the men, usually loud enough that any of them sitting near enough could hear. Queen Rona didn’t care. If she was lucky, the queen would leave quickly enough for Kit to finish her food in piece and then spend a few minutes bouncing from table to table to say good morning to the Representatives, often leaving with one or more of them for a bit for a private conversation.

Today, however, Kit could only focus on one thing; the rain had stopped. It was the first thought that entered her mind upon sitting up in bed, and now, with her mother continuing to talk about who looked well put together and who looked like he may have gotten out of bed in a rush, Kit’s eyes kept flickering behind her to the window. How she longed to go outside before more rain clouds filled the horizon. She knew it was likely the skies would open up again any minute, and she’d rather contend with the mud and the muck outside than the filthy gibberish pouring out of her mother’s mouth.

Pierce spent most of the morning staring at her, and Kit was afraid that meant he knew something. Of course, it would all be well and good if he did, but that meant she’d be expected to spend the night with him, and while she knew it was time to branch out, to invite someone else into her chambers, the thought of it being Pierce wasn’t exactly appealing. Her eyes glanced down the tables at some of the other Representatives she’d been interested in all along—Drake, for one. Danyen was nice to look at and kept her giggling. There was Gavin who had caught her eye at the initial slingball game, though since then he’d withered a bit for her. Zane and Asher were both handsome with their ginger hair and dusting of freckles. Zane was at least a head taller than Asher though, who Kit always thought should’ve been named differently since he looked nothing like ashes.

And then her eyes fell on Eli. She could tell he knew when she was looking at him, even though his eyes never so much as flickered in her direction. Cassius was sitting across from him, telling a story, and when Cassius wove a yarn, everyone listened. But Eli was able to pay attention and still keep tabs on the princess.

When would she invite him to her room? It had been over a week now since he’d been named as her Representative, and she hadn’t taken advantage of the opportunity at all. The thought that something could happen and she could lose her chance had occurred to her more than once. It seemed like a silly risk to take when she knew he wanted her just as badly as she wanted him, and yet she hadn’t budged a bit. What was it that was holding her back?

She’d told herself it was the other men—that she didn’t want them to think that Eli had an unfair advantage because she’d known him her whole life, and the two of them had always been close. But they already knew that was the case, obviously. The few that she’d discussed it with had told her they all fully expected Eli to get a room but that they didn’t count it any differently than they would’ve if Jecob was still a rival; he would’ve gotten one, too, if he’d been allowed to stay.

Kit supposed that truly was the case, though it was hard to imagine the same honor going to two people who were so vastly different. Not that any of the Representatives she was considering Rooming were the same. In fact, that was part of the thrill of the entire Choosing, there were so many different personalities, so many strengths among them. Eli had several talents that no one else could match. Like his ability to know when she was looking at him without even tilting his head in her direction.

She knew him, too. Knew when he was nearby without having to turn, knew what he was thinking without a word. She knew he wasn’t angry at her for taking off back at the house, but he wasn’t happy about it either. He was keeping his distance because he was waiting for her to say something, anything, and for almost a week, she’d hardly spoken to him at all. That needed to change. She needed to invite him to her chambers. Even the thought of finally knowing what it would be like to have his rough hands on her made an ache start to form between her legs and she had to press her thighs together and look away in order to keep her composure.

“Are you even listening to me?” her mother demanded.

Jumping a bit at the shrillness of her voice, Kit nearly knocked a butter knife off of a platter in front of her. “Oh, yes. I’m sorry. I was only....”

“You didn’t hear a word. I swear, Katrinetta! I am the queen. The least you could do is show a little respect when I’m speaking to you.”

“Don’t be too angry,” Kit’s Aunt Nill said, leaning over the queen’s shoulder so she could see Kit’s face. “There are three dozen distractions in front of her.” She had a twinkle of mischief in her eye, and Kit would’ve smiled if her mother didn’t look so stern.

“When it comes to me, she should not lose her focus for anything,” Queen Rona replied with a huff.

“I apologize, my Mother the Queen,” Kit said. “Would you mind stating it again?”

“Oh, what’s the use?” Rona sat down her fork and picked up the napkin draped over the skirt of her deep purple gown. “You will do as you wish anyway.”

Kit wondered what it was her mother had been directing her not to do, but she had no way of knowing, assuming Nill hadn’t heard. “I should like to do what pleases you, Your Majesty.”

“We both know that isn’t true.” The queen pushed her chair back, and every other chair in the dining hall slid back as well as the rest of the inhabitants stood to bow as she left.

Even when her mother and the rest of the council women were out the door, whether the ladies had been finished or not, Kit stayed standing. Many of the Representatives gave their attention to her, though some, like Merek, sat back down and continued eating. With a long inhale, Kit headed down the steps of the dais, deciding it was now or never.

She never made it to Eli’s table. Before she even stepped foot on the floor, Pierce was in front of her. “Good morning, Your Majesty,” he said, a glint in his eye like none she’d noticed before.

“Good morning, Pierce.” She glanced over at Eli and caught his eyes for the first time, but the look was fleeting. It was his way of letting her know he’d be there in an instant if she needed him. And he would know if she did. “How are you?”

“Wonderful. And yourself?”

The way he was talking made her think he must’ve discovered something. “I’m fair. Glad the rain has stopped. For now.”

“Yes, I was happy to see the sun this morning as well, though a glimpse at the eastern sky let me know it won’t last long.”

Whatever he’d noticed, she hadn’t. She hoped he was mistaken. Rather than prolonging their conversation about the weather, she leaned in as closely as she dared and whispered, “Have you information for me?”

“Yes, I do.” His smile was wide enough to show his back teeth now. “Shall we retire to the library?”

Normally, Kit would only go down the hall to one of the nearby public sitting rooms to chat with one of her Representatives after breakfast, but considering the nature of the topic, she thought his suggestion was better. “Very well,” she said. Pierce offered his arm, and Kit took it. A stolen glance in Eli’s direction let her know that he didn’t seem to care that she was leaving with Pierce. Cassius winked at her, and she felt herself blushing. It didn’t matter to her that she had no idea what his purpose was, unless that was the result he was looking for. Any attention he gave her had her feeling like a schoolgirl. If the rest of the Representatives noticed her departure, they didn’t let on.

Pierce chatted about the meal as they walked, and Kit wished he’d walk faster or stop talking. The scones were the same as they always were, and no, she didn’t think the eggs were a tad undercooked this morning. By the time they were in the library, she felt like she’d been walking for a mile, and maybe she had.

He led her to the back corner, away from the door, and prickles stood up on her arms as she thought about what it might be he was about to tell her. What if he truly had solved her mystery? She knew, whatever the history of the house, the story had to be enticing.

“Well, I was able to contact a few of my sources within the castle yesterday, Princess. Discretely, of course.” He smiled at her, and Kit nodded, thinking that would be reply enough for him to continue.

He didn’t. “Yes, yes? And?”

“And... it seems the woods aren’t enchanting at all. In fact, there’s truly nothing interesting about any of it. The house used to belong to a noble family, but it was abandoned long ago, and it caught fire subsequently. By lightning, no doubt. It’s been there rotting for nearly a century. It’s nothing to be too excited about, I’m afraid. I asked the name of the family, and the people I spoke to, who wanted to remain nameless, said they didn’t know, but it was something along the lines of Durby or Dunley, they thought. Really, nothing to go digging up dirt on, I’m afraid. They said they thought the family moved on to another province some time ago. Possibly as far away as Ironton.”

When he finished speaking, Kit continued to stare at him for quite a long moment, not sure what to say. It didn’t make any sense to her. Therefore, the words weren’t registering in her mind. So much of what he said didn’t fit with the world she’d built around the home. While it did look old, it couldn’t possibly be as old as he was saying, could it? And the name on the fireplace upstairs hadn’t started with a D, had it?

“Are you... certain?” she asked, once she regained her ability to speak. “The house in the woods on the east side of the castle... near the stream.”

“Yes, I’m certain. I’m sorry, Kit. I know you were hoping for something more. But that’s all I was able to dig up, and as I said, it truly isn’t anything to give a second thought to. Now, I’m not sure why it is you’re so interested in this place, but I suggest you let it go.”

There was something about his tone that seemed measured to her, and she couldn’t quite place what it was that had the hairs on the back of her neck standing up. He didn’t sound unpleasant or harsh at all. His words just reminded her of something her mother would say....

“You are certain that no one suspected why you were inquiring? That no one will mention this to the queen?”

“Oh, I wouldn’t worry about that,” he said with a smirk. “I am always careful to cover my tracks.”

Kit nodded, but she still had an uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach. “Well, thank you for finding out for me.”

“Of course. I’d do anything for you, Kit. Anything.” Again, his tone was odd, though this time his words certainly didn’t sound like anything her mother would say. With a narrowed look in his eyes, he stepped forward, his arms outstretched, and Kit reluctantly moved into his embrace. His lips found hers, and she ignored the taste of the grape jelly from breakfast lingering in his mouth and tried to think about something else, anything else.

Eventually, he pulled away, and Kit was glad he hadn’t reached for her chest again as so far that had been the only thing more uncomfortable than kissing him. He stood staring at her for a moment, a smug smile on his face, and she realized what he was waiting for. “Would you care to join me in my chambers... tomorrow night, after the play?” While it wasn’t wise to prolong the situation, at least this would give her the opportunity to get used to the idea.

“Tomorrow?” His face fell, and she realized he’d been hoping it would be that night.

“Yes, I’m afraid I already have plans tonight.” That wasn’t exactly true—but if Pierce hadn’t stepped in front of her earlier in the dining hall, she would have. Assuming Eli didn’t turn her down, which she couldn’t fathom, even if he were allowed to.

“Very well.” Pierce’s smug smile was back in place. He gave her a small bow and then kissed her once more, giving her breast a squeeze, before heading to the door, leaving Kit wiping at her mouth and massaging her boob.

And thinking about what he’d said about the house in the woods.

It was silly, really. Any enchantment she had with the dwelling had come as a result of spending time with Eli there and nothing else. So what difference did it make why the house was there, what had happened to it, and where the family had gone to? There was absolutely no reason to give it another thought.

Which is why she should’ve probably stopped herself from heading out the door, down the hall, toward the stables.

The ground was squishy, and she wasn’t wearing a riding habit. Her gown was a dark color at least, which should hide the speckles of mud flying up on the skirt of it with each step. Her mother would never allow this, and if she found out about it, she’d be furious. Kit was stunned when she looked around and didn’t even see members of her own guard. Normally, they’d pick her up after the morning meal where the Queen’s Guard had been out in full force, but none had followed her to the library, and none were on her tail now. That should’ve been enough to make her realize something wasn’t right.

In the barn, she ran into a few stable boys who gave her a questioning look, but she only wished them a good morning and went about saddling Belle as quickly as she could. The fact that it looked like she might get away with this was both exciting and terrifying. It should’ve been alarming.

Once Belle was saddled, she climbed up quickly with only one more look around. All of the stalls were full, indicating no one else was out for a ride, which made sense since the ground was muddy. The sun hadn’t had a chance to dry it out yet this early in the day, not after nearly a week of downpours.

She only made it a few feet out into the green before realizing this simply wouldn’t do. Belle was short, and she was sinking into the muck already. Taking her out into the woods under these conditions wouldn’t be fair to the animal. With a sigh, Kit turned back around and headed for the barn.

The stable boys were waiting for her. “Bad day for a ride, my Princess,” one of them said.

“We’ll make sure she’s shiny clean,” said the other.

“Thank you,” Kit replied, sliding off of the saddle with an air of defeat. Until a somewhat familiar whiny behind her caught her attention. She turned to see Snowduster taking her in, his wide brown eyes full of curiosity. He looked jealous, as if he’d wanted to be the one to go for a ride.

As quickly as she could, Kit removed her saddle from Belle and headed into the stall that housed Cassius’s mammoth beast. She was thankful she’d arranged to keep the animal here, instead of out in the makeshift camps. Such a fine horse couldn’t be left out in the rain.

It was difficult to get her saddle around his girth since it was made for Belle, but she was able to adjust the straps. The boys didn’t say a word, and she was glad for it. They knew, of course, that this wasn’t her horse, wasn’t even the realm’s property, though technically she could take whatever she wanted. If Cassius was upset, she’d make it up to him.

Getting up on the stallion’s back was much more difficult than she’d envisioned, and she’d ended up needing a boost from one of the stable boys. Eventually, she found herself atop the great steed, thinking it unusual that after so many minutes of wasted time, none of her guards had shown up to stop her. Again, she thought it odd and probably should’ve heeded the warning going off in her head. Instead, she gave the reins a jerk and the stirrups a kick and headed off into the muck and mire.