Realm of the Chosen: A Reverse Harem Romance

Chapter 15-3

Eli’s arms were around her. He lowered her to the floor, gathering her onto his lap, and cradled her as she continued to cry.

“Jecob,” she said quietly. “Oh, you stupid, stupid man.”

“Catch your breath, Kit.” Eli stroked her hair and she rested her head in the crook of his neck.

“Why did he have to be so foolish?”

“It will be all right.”

She pulled up to look at him now, her mourning turning to anger. “You can say that, but it won’t really, will it? How can it ever be all right again?”

“Kit, you’ll make your plea to the people, and they will spare him.”

“No, they won’t. They’ll want to see him beheaded!” she argued, swiping at her eyes with the back of her hand.

“When their Princess stands before them and makes a request, they will comply.” He sounded quite sure of himself, and Kit actually let out a guffaw, which interrupted her crying. Her nose was running, and she wished she had a handkerchief. Eli produced one from somewhere she didn’t see, and she took it, dabbing at her eyes and nose. “But you need to fight through this, Kit. Get hold of yourself. Because right now, you’re the only one who can save him.”

“Well, then, he had better say a prayer to the goddesses because he will be seeing them shortly.”

“Kit—stop that,” Eli insisted brushing her hair back away from her face. His thumb caressed her cheek, a subtle soothing to her misery. “You will do fine. Just have a little faith in yourself.”

Kit drew in a deep breath, and her whole body shook. She realized for the first time that she was actually sitting on his lap, that his arms were around her. His scent was calming, and even though she knew she’d put herself in a dangerous position, at the moment, she didn’t care. She leaned her head against his shoulder and concentrated on filling her lungs with air as he continued to rub her back, his other arm wrapped protectively around her. “What then?” she asked, once she felt more in control of herself. “What if they do decide he should live? She won’t let him go without punishment. She can’t—she’d look weak.”

“While that is true, I suppose you have to ask yourself what could be worse? Do you think there’s a punishment worse than death?” He scooted back slightly so he was leaning against the wall, and she readjusted her head against his chest.

It wasn’t as easy a question as she would’ve thought. “I suppose there may be some punishments worse, though right now, all I want is to spare him. I don’t know how he would feel about spending years in the dungeon. I’ve never been there, but I’ve heard it’s quite horrifying.”

“It is,” he said in a tone that told her he knew first hand. “You could pardon him, though, once you have the throne.”

“That’s true. But who knows how many years that might be. She might cut off his hand or his foot or something awful like that. That’s not worse than death, though, is it?”

“I wouldn’t think so.”

“No, I think I should do all that I can to spare his life.” Kit was resolute with her decision, but then the panic of having to speak to the crowd and convince them came back. “I just don’t know what I can say in order to do that.” She sat up so that she was looking into his emerald green eyes, wishing more of his calmness could ebb into her soul.

“You’ll have all day to think on it. I’m sure it’ll come to you, Kit. Just speak from your heart. Let them know what you think about the law, about how he wasn’t truly trying to harm you, and I’m certain you can convince them. After all, you convinced your mother to give you the opportunity, and that had to be more difficult than what you must do in the morning.”

He had a point, and she almost smiled at the thought. She had been able to find the words when she needed them as she stood before her mother. “Thank you, Eli.” She ran her hand up the front of his uniform, stopping at the collar, just short of touching the warm flesh of his neck. “I wouldn’t have been able to do that without your help. You’ve always had a way of comforting me.”

“I did nothing,” he said dismissively, looking away from her.

She reached up and pulled his chin around to look at her, the bristles of his unshaven jaw rough against her finger. “You have done more for me than you will ever know.” He smiled at her. She reluctantly released him, though he didn’t turn his head this time, and she remembered how unfair she’d been to him recently and had to drop her eyes. “I’m sorry I never welcomed you home properly.”

“That’s all right….”

“No, it’s not. I was… confused. I had just assumed you wouldn’t be here for… for this.” She glanced back up at him and then looked away again. “I thought it might be easier if you weren’t.”

“I wholeheartedly agree,” he replied, and she looked back up to see a tinge of pain in his eyes before he was able to hide it again. “You’ve got some wonderful candidates, though, Kit. Some men who are here for the right reasons. I never thought Jecob was. Perhaps his leaving will allow you time to get to know some of the others, the ones who truly deserve you, if anyone does.”

“There seemed to be some history between the two of you. What did he say yesterday, when you were leaving the slingball field?”

A shadow passed across his face, and she thought she’d asked something she shouldn’t have. She knew at once he wouldn’t tell her. “It doesn’t matter. I only hope Eastbury is able to elect a finer candidate for you on their second try.”

She remembered then that he would be leaving again the next day, and her stomach tightened. “It seems like every time I’ve gotten used to you being here, you have to go away once more.”

“I know.” He sighed and readjusted, dropping his arm so that his hands were on her hip and knee now. The feel of his touch was comforting, and any thought of removing herself from his lap, now that she had control of herself, was quickly pushed aside. “I’ll be back soon enough, though.”

“This man who came in second, do you think that is who they shall elect? My mother doesn’t seem to care for him much.”

“I have no idea what they shall do. Eastbury is very divided right now. There are some who feel discouraged with their current treatment and others who are willing to do whatever is necessary in order to win the queen’s approval.” He was choosing his words carefully, she could tell. “Your mother was very much in favor of Jecob being the candidate, and though I’m certain she’d never let you see it, this situation has to be upsetting to her as well.”

Kit considered all that he said and some that he did not. She knew her mother had been rooting for Jecob. Now that he was eliminated, she supposed there would be another candidate thrust forward as the new favorite. “Do you suppose there’s anyone else I should avoid?” she whispered. “Anyone else that my mother would have me choose?”

“I’m not certain, but once I return, I will do a better job of collecting information for you.”

Kit’s face lit up. She should have thought of that before. “Oh, yes. That would be wonderful. The men seem comfortable with you, all of them but Jecob, at any rate. You could be an insider for me, a spy of sorts. That would be most helpful.”

He smiled at her, but she thought she saw that uncomfortable look again and hoped she hadn’t offended him. “I shall do whatever I can to help you, my Princess.”

She knew in her heart that was true, no matter how painful the situation might be for him. It was evident to her that he would’ve given anything to be one of her Representatives, just as she wished he had won the election in Eastbury, but she didn’t even allow her mind to explore the possibility of Eli replacing Jecob because of how close the voting had been between Jecob and the farmhand. For all she knew, Eli’s only votes had come from his sister and mother.

“Princess,” Avinia’s voice called from the doorway to her interior room, though she didn’t step in. “We must prepare you to meet the Representative from Iceforge. If your mother sees you still haven’t taken care of your hair, she’ll be irate.”

As comfortable as Kit was sitting on Eli’s lap, she knew she shouldn’t be there. Once she paused to think about how inappropriate it may look to anyone who hadn’t seen her sobbing a few moments ago, heat began to rise in her cheeks. She scurried to her feet and then offered him a hand, which he accepted, though he didn’t need it, and he was soon standing next to her. He didn’t release her hand, and the feel of his rough fingertips against hers was both soothing and tingle inducing.

“I won’t be escorting you outside, my Princess. I have to prepare for our departure tomorrow.”

“Yes, of course,” she replied, though she was disappointed to hear the news. “Thank you again. For everything.”

“I live to serve you, my Princess.” He smiled at her in such a way that she knew he meant it, and then gave a slight bow before moving toward the door, though his hand didn’t leave hers until he could no longer reach her, and Kit let him walk away because she knew she couldn’t have him.

“Katrinetta?”

Avinia was directly behind her, and her voice startled the princess. “I’m coming.”

“Are you all right?”

It was a legitimate question, and Kit didn’t even know what her ladies were aware of. “No, but I think I shall be. I’ll just have to get through tomorrow first. If I can find a way to spare Jecob’s life, I think I will be able to go on.”

“We heard. I can’t imagine how awful you must feel.” Her cousin’s arm went around her shoulders, and Kit fought off the tears through sheer willpower.

“I can hardly bear it,” she muttered, but then, with a deep breath, she thought about what Eli had said and remembered she’d do no good for anyone if she couldn’t keep her wits about her. “Come, let’s go fix my hair. It won’t do to meet the last Representative looking a mess.” She turned and headed to her bedchamber, and Avinia came with her.

“Yes, but he won’t be the last representative now, will he? Won’t Eastbury send another?”

“If he can get here within two weeks, yes. I believe it will be that farmhand, the one who came in second to Jecob.” Kit took a seat on her stool in front of the mirror, and Avinia and Isla started working on her hair at once.

Blankka stood across the room, not speaking, but when Kit caught a glimpse of her in the mirror, she thought she saw a small smile, and she imagined her lady was glad that Jecob was in such an awful predicament. Kit kept her accusations to herself, though. Perhaps Kit didn’t know Jecob as well as she thought she did, but then, maybe she didn’t know Blankka either.