Kingdom of Slumber: The Kingdom Tales Book Two by White Deborah Grace

Author:White, Deborah Grace
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-925898-71-2
Publisher: Luminant Publications
Published: 2021-05-21T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

Bentleigh was up with the sun, dressing quickly as he tried to decide how best to extricate himself from his situation. There was no denying that he had slept much better in a guest suite of the castle in Fernford than he would have on the forest floor. But he still couldn’t help bemoaning the unlucky chance that had brought Prince Amell’s patrol to his little grove. He wanted to get back to Zayla quickly, so he had time to explore any lead Rekavidur might find. The last thing he wanted was to get mired down in an unplanned and unsanctioned state visit to Fernedell.

Deciding that Prince Amell himself was his best bet, Bentleigh went looking for the younger royal as soon as he had strapped his sword on. It was no surprise to discover that Amell had also risen early. Bentleigh had the impression that the fifteen-year-old prince had an endless well of energy.

A helpful servant having directed him, Bentleigh found Amell in the castle’s training yard, sparring with his personal guard, who had introduced himself to Bentleigh the night before as Sir Furnis. He seemed a very long-suffering man.

“Prince Bentleigh!” Amell called brightly, the moment he saw him enter. “Join us!”

Bentleigh strode over, greeting Sir Furnis as well.

“Such a stroke of luck that my patrol ran into you last night,” Amell said, his voice still eager.

“Yes, incredible luck,” Bentleigh said, his voice admirably even. Sir Furnis shot him a shrewd look, but Amell was clearly oblivious.

“I have a feeling Father was hoping that letting me join a patrol would prove to me that it’s not nearly as exciting as I think it is,” the young prince said with a grin. “It didn’t go quite as he planned. First a dragon, then you!”

“I feel compelled to point out,” Sir Furnis cut in mildly, “that patrols don’t normally run into either dragons or incognito princes.”

“So you say,” Amell joked. He raised an eyebrow at Bentleigh. “Up for a bout?”

Bentleigh summoned a smile as he shook his head. “Sorry, Your Highness, not this morning. I actually need to be going.”

“What, so soon?” The younger prince’s face fell. “Don’t feel like you need to hurry off just because we weren’t expecting you. My parents are delighted to host you. I believe Mother is already composing a letter to your parents assuring them that you’re welcome to consider our castle your own any time you might be passing through.”

Bentleigh winced. He didn’t know Amell’s mother well enough to predict whether there would be a reproachful edge to such a letter, but he had a very good idea of how his own parents would receive it. And it wouldn’t go well for him.

He glanced at Amell’s personal guard, hovering close by, and decided he had little choice but to include the man.

“Amell,” he said, lowering his voice. “Do you think there’s any way my visit could not be mentioned to my parents?”

Amell’s eyes widened in horror, and Bentleigh hastened to fix his blunder.

“I

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