Safe Harbor

“Edward, do I need to explain to you how it looks for the crown prince of England to be carrying a mercenary back to the castle in his arms?”

The Black Prince avoided his father’s piercing glare. “No father…”

“I thought Chandos was a good advisor and had a firm grasp on the concept as well.” The King looked at the one-eyed lord and saw his sigh of frustration. “Apparently he does and you chose to ignore his advice.”

“I…”

“I left the war in your hands and you obviously are concentrating on the wrong aspects of your position.”

“Father, she saved my life!” Edward snapped. “I cannot let such valor go unappreciated.”

“You have an entire country dying for you. Do you want to bring them all home to die in your bed?” The king awaited his son’s reply.

“She is only injured because she was protecting me!”

The King smiled as his son took the bait. “Explain then why you hire this specific mercenary time and time again and how reports are continually flooding in about you seeking out her company. Tell me why you are making a fool out of yourself chasing after a woman who has no interest in you?”

The prince found his tongue and snapped back. “Is that so? Then why would a mercenary risk her life to protect me?”

“Because I paid her to.” The King watched his son’s face pale and a hurt expression replace the shock.

“Why…”

“Who better to be a bodyguard than one nobody would expect and someone you kept close to you no matter what.” The King looked to Chandos for confirmation.

“His majesty asked me to hire her for the task.” Chandos gave his prince an apologetic look.

“Say goodbye to her Edward and go back to work.” The King made sure it resounded of a royal order and watched his son scuffle towards the room. “Make sure the damage his is minimalized, Chandos.”

“Yes sir.”

Xxxxxxxxxx

Her eyes fluttered open and she heard some excited squeaks and scuffling in the room. Used to rented rooms in taverns and field tents, the smell of perfumed sheets and bedside flowers gave her a headache. The last thing she remembered was the prince being gallant and carrying her off the battlefield. She groaned as she felt the bandages over where the arrows had embedded in her body.

“You’re awake.”

“You’re observant.” She snorted in reply before seeing the source of the voice. That was good, insult the King of England!

“I wish my son has inherited that simple skill.” The King sat down on the bed and put his hand against her brow. “Allow me to use my supernatural powers of observation once again and state that you still have quite a fever.”

“I am impressed.” Karen said with a smile. “It takes a lot to be such a smartass in an uncalled for situation.”

“That’s why I’m the King.” He reached for the nearby bowl of water and took the cloth out of it, ringing it with one hand before refolding it and placing it on her head.

“I’m not going to pay you for being my nurse.”

“I’ll take it off your pay.” He wiped away a drip of water with his thumb. He could see how his son had quickly become captivated by her. It was a relief to not have to be a royal around someone, to jest without apology and to be normal for even a brief time. “Along with medicine, lodging and transportation costs.”

“Transportation?” She giggled and winced. Damn that hurt. “What is the Black Cavalier charging these days for a moonlit gallop cradled in his arms?”

“My son has made quite a fool out of himself, hasn’t he?” He wanted to know the uncensored truth.

“Just to me, the rest of the world is either jealous or smugly smiling to themselves about the prince getting frisky. That armor doesn’t tarnish easily.”

“I did pay a handsome sum for a non corrosive finish.”

She chuckled and groaned. “Stop making me laugh. Cruel punishment…”

“I sent him back to the front lines with a healthy dose of reality. He shouldn’t be bothering you anymore.”

“You mean he shouldn’t be bothering you anymore.”

“I don’t need a scandal.”

“I’m still in this bed.”

“It will keep you away from him. Just enjoy the time off.”

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