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“He’s a boy,” I scolded. “A small one at that. Release him or surrender your post.”
His meaty hands relinquished the boy’s hood and the small child stumbled back, quick to put space between him and anything that represented monarchy. I clenched my jaw as he melted back into the crowd. This was precisely what I was trying to avoid.
“Go home,” I ordered the guard. “You’re relieved of duty today.”
“Your Highness,” Praxis, my head of security, tried to speak up in his teammate’s defense, “he was merely following protocol. If you would—“
“No.” My tone allowed no room for negotiation. “I’m here to see my people and for my people to see me. Do your jobs accordingly, but do not ever let me see any of you pull something like that again. He was a child.”
Praxis dropped his head forward, but I didn’t miss his words of warning. “Children are tools in the wrong hands, Your Highness.”
I drew in a deep breath and let it seep from between my tight lips. This wasn’t what I wanted, a whole scene in the center of the square. The music had stopped, all eyes were on me. My heart hammered in my chest as adrenaline flooded my veins. Sadie and Blair had disappeared to ready themselves for the maypole dance. My stomach tipped and whirled as my skin crawled. Esmerey had to help them with their dresses and the children’s costumes. The world started to spin like the dance had already begun. My hands turned clammy. Colors blurred together. My mind swirled with panic and anxiety. Sweat beads gathered on my brow. Thoughts wouldn’t mesh. I couldn’t breathe. They were all watching. Everyone expected me to fail. I wasn’t my father. I wasn’t meant to be ki—
“Your Highness,” one soft voice broke through the pandemonium that had erupted in my brain. Her fingers tangled in my suit coat with a gentle tug. “You’re needed by the maypole, if you’re available.”
Coco. I locked onto her bright-blue eyes and found sanctuary in the one place that I was always accepted. Always good enough.
“Thank you, Lady Michaela. Yes, let’s press on.” I offered my arm, but it was for my benefit, not hers. She linked hers through mine and fell in step beside me. We walked in silence for at least six steps before I managed a soft, “Thank you.”
“It looked like third period gym class for a second when Coach Amberton said you had to climb the rope or fail.”
“Sadly, I would take that tyrant over losing my mind like that any day.” I tried to shake off the feeling, but it clung with surprising strength. “I’m not even sure what happened.”
“It’s going around.” She didn’t offer any further explanation, but by the haunted expression she wore, I had to wonder. “They really do need you over here. I think they want to add you to the routine or something.”
“Probably Sadira’s idea.” I smiled at the thought of her. “She’s quite adept at all this planning, isn’t she?”
“Practically a genius.”
My steps slowed at the ice I felt from her words. “I thought you liked her.”
“I do.” It was the forced tone she used when she tried to assure her mother that the dress she was wearing wasn’t too tight. Total lie. “She’s perfect, isn’t she? Absolutely smashing.”
Her attempt to copy my accent brought a smile to my face. “If there’s something wrong with her…”
Coco shook her head to urge me away from the topic. “Seriously, Fitz, she’s great.” She drew in a quick breath and released it immediately. “You know me, just a little protective.”
I knocked into her lightly as we walked. “One of your best qualities in my opinion.”
The silver pole dripping in ribbons of every color rose up in the distance. It was typically a springtime tradition, but hearing Sadie talk about the dances they’d done, I couldn’t help it. With all the dreary weather we’d had, I was ready for some promise of color and hope.
“She’s blooming, you know?” I spoke of Sadie. “Opening up and showing me her real heart.”
“She must feel safe with you.”
“I hope so.” I thought of how she used to pull away from me, but in the last few days everything had changed. “She’s one of the people, but also regal in her own way. I think she’d make a good queen.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Coco’s fingers swipe quickly at her eye, as if to wipe something away. “I’m happy for you. It sounds like it’s been a whirlwind romance.”
“I meant to speak to you sooner.” I’d neglected my promise to talk with her, but plans for the festival had taken priority for days. I heard complaints from every other woman in the competition about how much time Sadie had taken from them, but Michaela stayed silent. I suppose I hoped she understood, but the chill that rolled off of her had me wondering if I’d read her wrong. “I know it’s hard to be away from home today.”
Her lips pressed together, but she refused to give me her gaze. Instead, she looked off into the sea of tents, pretending to be intrigued by the bags and baskets, the chocolates and spices in barrels with merchants shouting for attention on every side.
“I knew it could happen. I’ll call Mom later tonight.”
I’d been avoiding this next part. In truth, it was the real reason I’d been keeping my distance. It took days to work up the moral fortitude to even consider voicing the words.
“About that.” I brought us to a stop, maypole still a good twenty feet off, but close enough that they could retrieve me if they needed me. “We’ll have a choosing ceremony when we get back to the palace tonight.”
