I snorted. “Two females. What kind of safety do they offer if he decides to take what he already thinks is his? Especially when you offer it up in such desirable wrapping.”
Allete gasped at my blatant reference to the intimacy between man and wife. I could not stop the grin that lifted on my lips. She was beautiful, but especially so when she was angry. She looked like an avenging angel. All she needed was a glowing sword.
Allete stomped her foot. The laughter I had held back rolled out. “Did you just stomp your foot?”
“You have been my guard all of an hour, and already you are worse than Clay.” She stopped abruptly and narrowed her eyes on me. “Where is Clay?” She glanced around the room as if he might suddenly appear. “I was so surprised by your appearance earlier that I did not think to ask.”
“Your previous guard has been reassigned. He will be a liaison to your betrothed’s own men.”
“Do not call him that,” Allete snapped.
“Do not call him your previous guard?” My brow drew together as I watched her begin to pace.
“Not that. I meant, do not call Cathal my betrothed.”
I tilted my head, trying to understand her sudden change in demeanor. “But he is your betrothed.”
She was in my face faster than I would have thought possible. Her words were bitten out through clenched teeth, and the emotion that flowed with them fueled my own rage. “He is a man who made the right promises and offered the highest price to obtain me. That is not a betrothed; that is a merchant, and I am simply his merchandise.”
“You do not want to marry him?” I could not stop myself from asking. The question seemed to bring Allete back from her angry rant. She straightened her dress before turning away, no doubt in the hopes that it would go unnoticed that she was attempting to pull the bodice of the dress higher.
“I do not know why we are speaking of this.” Her voice was once again formal and reserved. “Please let Cathal know I will meet him in the dining hall.”
I continued to stare at her, knowing she could feel my eyes boring into her.
Finally, she turned around, holding her head high. She wore her responsibility like a heavy cloak and it showed in the weariness etched on her face. “If you are still standing there instead of doing my bidding because of the dress, then rest assured I will not be wearing it. Now please leave so that I may change.”
I turned to go, making sure to keep the smile to myself. As I reached the door I heard her say, “I am not changing for you. I am changing to preserve my dignity. You were simply the vessel that was used to help me see that.”
“Whatever you need to tell yourself, Princess,” I said as I looked over my shoulder and winked at her. I saw her reach for a hair brush and pull her arm back to throw it. I quickly stepped out and heard a thunk against the door only made me want to laugh more.
The grin was quickly wiped from my face as I nearly bumped into Cathal.
“Well?” he growled. “Why the hell were you in there so long?”
“We were discussing the logistics of her safety today as you both move about the grounds,” I answered smoothly. “She asked me to inform you that she will meet you in the dining hall momentarily.”
I glanced over the king’s shoulder to see Brant nearly doubled over in silent laughter. When Cathal turned abruptly, my second-in-command straightened faster than a flying arrow and wiped the humor from his face. We watched as Cathal practically shook with anger at having been rebuffed by Allete.
“I don’t take orders from you,” he growled, attempting to take a step around me and push through the door.
“Stop,” I said simply. I did not move, and I did not raise my voice, but the king froze in his tracks. “I am not ordering you. But you will honor the queen’s wishes.”
He turned and stared at me; I could practically hear his teeth grinding together. I could see the man weighing his options. He was incensed that neither I nor Allete were bending to his wishes. At the same time, it was clear that he didn’t want to cause an altercation with Allete’s guard while trying to force his way into her bedroom. I held his gaze without blinking, ready to react in an instant if I needed to. Without taking my eyes off Cathal, I could feel Brant tensing himself to act as well. After several long moments, he took a step backward.
“Albric will hear of this,” he spat, turning on his heel and stomping loudly away.
“That is a dangerous one,” Brant muttered.
I nodded. “He is the type of man who is always just on the edge of violence. Instead of trying to avoid it, he is eagerly waiting for an opportunity to partake in a fight, but only when he knows he has the upper hand.” I knew his type, and it made me sick to think of Allete married to a man like that.
The door opened behind me, and I stepped to the side, turning to face the ladies emerging. My eyes immediately sought out Allete. I nearly sighed when I saw she had changed into a dress with a bodice that came up over her collar bone. The more skin that was covered, the happier I would be.
Her eyes met mine briefly, and her skin took on the lovely flush I was beginning to thoroughly enjoy. Dayna grabbed her sister’s hand and pulled her forward. I did not miss the wink she shot Brant. I made a cutting motion across my neck. He knew exactly what I meant. Pursue her and die. But it would not be by my hand. I imagine King Albric would not be too keen on his youngest daughter becoming entangled with a guard. And he would probably be even angrier if the guard turned out to be a Viking warrior in disguise.
We took our spots on either side of the women, keeping in step with them. My eyes repeatedly landed on Allete, but I continued to scan everything around us. After the short amount of time I had spent with her, I knew she would be perfect for my clan because of the fire that burned within her. I was no longer protecting just the Princess of England; I was protecting my future bride. I conveniently ignored the fact that she was currently betrothed to another and that I was going to have to endure their fruitless courtship. Instead, I focused on the future encounters and banter that I would share with Allete, thanks to my proximity to her as her guard. It had been a while since I’d truly enjoyed something. Getting under the princess’s skin was something I enjoyed.
She was nothing like I imagined. The spoiled image I had built up in my head was the furthest thing from who she truly was. I could tell that she was a good person, and my heart broke when I remembered how she had described her situation with Cathal—a young, innocent girl willing to marry a stranger because her father had said she must. She held herself regally, but in no way did she appear to be looking down on those around her. Allete was a girl on the verge of becoming an incredible woman, and if she married Cathal, he would tear her down, piece by beautiful piece.
By the gods, I was not about to let that happen. Even if she were not meant to be mine, I could not let a woman be wed to that poor excuse for a man.