Page 7 of The Marked Princess

“You have to admit, it's rather silly having a guard escort you through your own home.” She tilted her head up, meeting his gaze. “But with someone like you as my guard, maybe it isn't so bad after all.”

Her smile grew wider as a faint blush tinged his cheeks, making him look less like the overly serious guard he'd become and more like the young man she'd once raced through fields of wildflowers with.

“Now, let's get out of here, before that puffed up piece of donkey dung decides to come back.”

“Eloquently put, Your Highness.”

“Why, thank you, Alex.”

“You're most welcome, Your Highness.”

“You know, you could just call me Josselyn, or Joss even, at least when it's just the two of us.”

“That is very generous of you to say, Your Highness.”

“Not going to happen, is it?”

“I'm afraid it would not be appropriate, Your Highness.”

“Right. Of course not.” They stopped in front of the tower stairs. “I think I can manage from here. You're free to go.”

He dipped his head, stepping to the side and holding the stairwell door open. As she passed through the doorway, she paused, looking back over her shoulder.

“Knowing you're there is one of the only things helping me keep my temper in check. You're my rock, Alex. Thank you.”

His mouth lifted in a crooked grin. “I think I'd rather enjoy seeing you lose your temper on that bastard.”

Her laughter echoed off the walls of the stairwell as she headed up to her room, the tension from the last few days melting away with each step.

Chapter Four

Lady Merridale caught up with Josselyn after breakfast, going over every excruciating detail pertaining to the following week's ball. Breaking only for a brief luncheon, Josselyn could feel a headache creeping into her temples by mid afternoon.

“Do we really need to go over the guest list again, Aunt Merri? The invitations have already been sent, responses received, and place settings arranged.”

“The guest list is the most important part of this entire event. You need to be familiar with every single person in attendance.”

“I'm familiar enough. I know all of their names and where they're from. Can't I leave the rest to discover in person?”

Her aunt frowned, peering over the piece of parchment she'd been studying.

“Certainly not. This is your coming of age ball, Josselyn, and seeing as you're the crown princess of Eldour, you'll have the attention of every unmarried man in attendance. We need to go over the strongest candidates.”

“Candidates for what?”

With an exasperated sigh, her aunt threw the parchment down onto the table. “Candidates for your hand, of course! Once you're of age, you'll be expected to choose a husband, the future king of Eldour. It is not a decision to be made lightly.”

Josselyn stood and walked over to the window, where a black and blue woodpecker was hunting for bugs within the bark of an old oak tree. She kept her gaze trained on the industrious bird as she responded.

“Ah.”

“Ah? That's all you have to say about it? Just 'ah'?”

“What else would you have me say, aunt? Even I know what my responsibilities are.”

Her aunt picked up the parchment, clearing her throat as she did so. “Yes, well, as you should. Now, your father and I have given this a great deal of discussion, and we've highlighted a few of the more promising choices.”

Josselyn watched the bird hop from branch to branch before flying off. He's never talked to me about it.