Sovereign Sieged by Sarah E Burr

Author:Sarah E Burr [Burr, Sarah E]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-05-27T22:00:00+00:00

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Uma and Charles set up the croquet wickets, and the game was about to begin when two men clad in the uniform of the Ducal Guard sauntered up to the group.

“Your Grace,” the taller of the two said with a deep bow, “Corporal Highriver has assigned us as your protection officers this afternoon.”

Jax nodded in greeting, motioning them both to straighten. “Would you like to join our little match?”

Both men sent sidelong glances at one another, unsure if they should accept the invitation.

Carriena rested a brazen elbow on the soldier nearest her. “Oh, come now, you need to be close to the action should a fight break out. The Duchess does not like to lose.”

Trying to corral their blushing faces, the two men seemed just about ready to accept when George cleared his throat from his resting spot with his back up against the willow tree. “A word, soldiers.”

Carriena scowled at George as the two Ducal Guards heeded their superior’s call. “You would think a near-death experience might make him loosen up a little,” she murmured to Jax with her traditional sarcastic flair.

Instead of drawing laughs, a knot in Jax’s stomach tightened. A near-death experience, indeed.

Seeming to sense she’d misspoken, Carriena pulled Jax to the starting wicket and plunked a mallet into her hands. “Show us what you’ve got, Duchess.”

After an extended conversation, George allowed the two guardsmen, Rayan and Yanis, to join in the fun. Everyone, particularly Carriena and Uma, welcomed them into the fold, but when it became increasingly clear Rayan would win the round, they feigned regret for inviting him to play.

“But would the victory really be as sweet if you knew I let you win?” Rayan advocated in his own defense.

Carriena nudged him playfully with the head of her mallet. “I’d manage.”

Beads of sweat emerged on the handsome guard’s dark skin, his golden eyes twinkling at her attention.

It was hard to overlook the chemistry between Uma and Yanis, as well. Jax couldn’t help but notice how Yanis appeared Hendrie’s opposite in every way. Sunny and cheerful to Hendrie’s reserved and somewhat sullen manner, Yanis’s sharp features almost made it appear like he’d been cast from bronze stone. His mild manner and easy jokes had shy Uma laughing in no time.

Happy to see her friends enjoying themselves and forgetting about the troubles raging on outside the barriers of Galensmore, Jax’s gaze drifted past Charles helping Sabine line up her last shot to George Solomon, still propped up against the willow tree, his alert eyes making up for his lack of physical strength. Strolling over to him, she folded her legs and eased to the blanket, her skirts spilling out all around her.

“It’s a relief to see you out of that bed.”

“It’s a relief to be out of it.”

She analyzed every line etched into his face. “Are you in pain? If you need us to take you back inside—”

“I’m fine,” George cut her off, holding up his hand. “Charles added a bit of painkiller to my canteen.” He swirled the tin container around, and the sloshing reached her ears.

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