The Royal Companion by Tanya Bird

Author:Tanya Bird
Language: rus
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 16

T he sound of Loda’s walk was the most relaxing noise in the world to Aldara. The combination of rhythmic hooves and Tyron’s body heat made her eyes heavy. When Tyron noticed her head drop, he spoke up.

‘Please tell me you are awake. I have no stirrups or reins back here.’

Her laughter was laced with fatigue. ‘Perhaps we should find some cold water to throw over me.’

‘You could definitely do with a wash.’

Another laugh.

They were riding alongside farmland, where new grass was pushing up through the icy surface. Sheep stopped grazing to watch them pass. Aldara spotted a well among them, not far from the road.

‘Water,’ she said, stopping Loda.

Tyron dismounted and then held a hand out for her. She took it and slid down to the ground.

‘You will need to wash that now,’ she said, glancing at his hand.

He was inspecting his tunic. ‘Thankfully your back was clean.’ His eyes returned to her. ‘You really are a mess.’

‘Fedora is going to drown me in the bath when we get back.’ She turned towards the well. ‘What are our chances of getting water without being caught?’

He suppressed a smirk. ‘I think we’ll be okay. Wait here with the mare.’

‘Be careful,’ she called after him. ‘I was literally chased by a farmer with a pitchfork once for crossing his property on horseback. If we are caught stealing their water supply, we may hang in their barn.’

He turned to look at her standing on the edge of the road in front of a giant horse, nervously searching their surroundings. A smile tugged at his mouth. She really did forget he was a prince sometimes. Farmers did not chase him. They bowed before him as he took what he needed from them. ‘I’ll be sure to keep my wits,’ he whispered loudly back in her direction. Only once he had turned away from her again did he allow himself a grin.

The sheep fled as he made his way through the muddy paddock towards the well. As he lowered the pail, his eyes sought Aldara. He found himself doing that a lot lately. It was some distance before he heard a crack as the pail broke through the thin layer of ice on top of the water. When the rope began to creak from the weight of it, he turned the large wooden handle and hauled it back up. As he was untying the pail, he thought he heard shouting. When he looked up, he saw an older man running towards him, waving his fist and shouting profanities. Tyron stood still, waiting for the man to recognise him. He was a few feet away from Tyron when he noticed the royal emblem displayed on his arm. He stopped running, an expression of concentration on his face.

‘A knight?’ he asked, confused.

‘A prince.’

The man dropped to his knees, his eyes on the ground. ‘My lord, the water is yours, and whatever else you need.’

Tyron stepped forwards and lifted the old man to his feet, the soggy knees of his woollen pants clinging to his legs.

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