THIRTY-SIX
Zurine dozed against Xylander's back, half hidden beneath his cloak. The soft warmth of her brought a smile to his lips that would not leave his face. Not even when he answered the guards' challenge as he approached the city gates.
"I have brought Princess Zurine safe home!" he announced, when the guard seemed unlikely to open the gates for him.
Gasps went up, and Zurine stirred.
"You are home, Princess," he murmured.
"What's happening over in the square?" she asked sleepily.
Xylander turned to survey the crowd. "Someone is tied to the whipping post. An execution, or punishment of some sort. Blood always does get the common people excited."
Zurine shuddered. Her arms tightened around him. "Please, I don't want to see. Take me home."
"As my princess commands," he sai
