For the Crown (Dragonwall Royals Book 1) by Melissa Mitchell

Author:Melissa Mitchell [Mitchell, Melissa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-07-03T05:00:00+00:00

When it was time, she sent her handmaidens away on a fool’s errand and snuck away to the King’s Tower. “I need to get something from my old room,” she argued when Thomas refused to let her pass.

“The king has an important meeting this morning. He is not to be disturbed.”

“Oh, leave off, Thomas. Let me pass. Otherwise, I’ll tell Cora you were being difficult.”

Thomas turned a dark shade of red before nodding to his comrade. He and his guard-mate separated their spears. She moved through the main living area and out to the main floor balcony which wrapped around the tower at various levels, connected by flights of stairs. Ever so quietly, she crept down to the balcony outsider her father’s study. Then she sat on the lowest step.

Everything was quiet. Tristan had not yet arrived. All she had left to do was sit and wait.

When Tristan arrived, her father was cordial in greeting him. He congratulated him on his win in the arena. “I hear you bested your opponent in record time. It’s unfortunate I was not present to witness it.”

“I am flattered, Your Grace. There were many impressive competitors yesterday, each worthy of such praise.”

From her hiding place, she clenched her teeth. Not only was Tristan an efficient warrior, he was too modest.

“Come. Sit. Join me for tea.”

There was the sound of chairs sliding across the floor, tea being poured, and cutlery clinking against dish ware. For several minutes, they did not talk. She waited, her impatience growing.

It was Tristan who broke the silence. “I admit, Your Grace, I was surprised when you invited me to your tower. I suspect your invitation was singular. Is there something I might assist you with?”

Tristan was direct. Her mind flashed back to their shared words on the arena floor.

“You are quite perceptive, Tristan.” King Cornan chuckled. “Very well then, I too shall be direct. I would like to know more about you. You show up here to compete. No one knows who you are, where you come from.”

She wiped her sweaty palms upon her skirt, desperate to know Tristan’s secrets. Perhaps more desperate than anyone else.

“Ah. Of course.”

“Forgive me for delving into your personal life but—”

“It is very much your business, Your Grace.” Her jaw dropped. “I apologize for interrupting. You are Dragonwall’s king. You have every right to inquire into my personal life. If I were king, I would be curious about a young nobody appearing on my doorstep, too. Especially a young nobody fighting for my daughter’s crown.”

At the mention of her crown, her heart raced.

“I am glad we understand one another, Tristan.”

“The truth is, Your Grace, there is not much to know about me. I was raised in unusual circumstances—quite untraditionally. I did not grow up in a fort surrounded by my own kind.”

She scooted closer until she could reach out and touch the curtains that fluttered in and out of the doorway. It was a welcome breeze. She’d grown sticky with suspense.

Tristan continued. “Perhaps my untraditional upbringing places me at a disadvantage.

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