by J. D. Wright
Reeve cringed at the pet name she kept calling him. He wasn’t famous and he wasn’t a lover. At least, not to Rhea. Or anyone, really. But Twila obviously wasn’t aware of the annulment and from Rhea’s silence, he assumed she didn’t want Twila to find out.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “Why did you say you were here?”
Another fairy, standing beside Twila, spoke up, “To find our own husbands.”
“Is that so?” Reeve asked, in disbelief. “And you came here? To Junacave? To find husbands?”
“This seems to be the best place to find them,” Twila said, looking around the room. “There are so many handsome men here. I’m sure Rhea will have no trouble in finding one for each of us.”
“Rhea is going to find husbands for you?” he asked, then turned his head to question his pretend wife. “You agreed to find husbands for them, did you?”
“I did,” she replied, nervously. “In fact, I was hoping that you might have a few suggestions. Perhaps, you may know of any available men? My sisters will be staying for a short while. We can discuss their prospects over supper, tonight.”
“Oh, can we?” he asked, nodding his head and grinning. Somehow, he had gotten pulled into whatever scheme Rhea had become involved in. Not to mention, he was being forced to play the role of a pretend husband to her, once again. He seemed to end up in that role, time after time, but without any of the benefits of marriage.
Feeling brave and just a bit foolish, he decided to take advantage of being Rhea’s pretend husband. Without saying a word, he turned to her and slid his arm around her waist. She gave a tiny yelp before he covered her mouth with his and kissed her, enthusiastically, right there in the middle of the hall.
She leaned into the kiss and into his arms. Oh, no. Oh, dammit. It felt so good. Too good. In fact, he forgot that he was only kissing her to prove a point. But he couldn’t stop kissing her, especially when she started squeezing his arm. He only stopped when he heard Twila clear her throat.
“Well,” Twila said, surprised. “The two of you must have a lot to talk about. Our prospects, I mean. Ruby and I. Our…”
Rhea noticed Twila’s arrogant attitude had vanished and she seemed to be at a loss for words. Ruby grabbed Twila’s arm and they walked away, leaving Rhea and Reeve alone. She looked up at him. He was staring at her. His expression was anything but happy.
“I can explain,” she said.
“I sure hope so.” His tone was harsh. He knew it. But he didn’t really care. He had tried being gentle with her. Being patient. And just look at where that had gotten him…
Rhea followed him over to an empty spot at the end of the long tables. The moment he sat down, a kitchen maid brought him his food and a servant poured his drink. It was a benefit of being a knight. They were always served quickly. Rhea looked down and saw a plate of food was in front of her. She hadn’t even noticed that someone had given it to her.
Reeve reached over and took the large piece of beef off of her plate. Then he picked his own plate up, turned it, and shoveled his vegetables onto her plate.
“Thank you,” she said. He knew she didn’t want the meat so he took it and gave her his vegetables. He looked angry the entire time he was doing it, even though it was an incredibly kind gesture.
“No worries. However, what is a worry is the fairy on the other side of the room that just tried to seduce me.”
“I know.”
“I’m not sure that you do,” he said, shaking his biscuit at her.
She knew it wasn’t funny, but she secretly wanted to laugh.
“I am just as surprised as you are.” The blank look he was now giving her showed his disbelief. “Alright, perhaps you are a bit more surprised, seeing that you were ambushed. But I was also surprised to find them waiting for me in my guest chambers.”
“Guest chambers? They should have known right away that we are no longer married, then.”
“No, because Sidonie is clever and convinced them that my chambers were actually their new guest chambers. So now I must share my clothes with them, also, as they believe my clothing is actually theirs.” She wasn’t sure why it bothered her so much, then she remembered that almost every gown that she owned was a gift from Reeve. And now she had to share them.
“We can get you another set of gowns,” Reeve said, waving a hand to signify that it wouldn’t be a problem.
“We?”
Reeve stopped eating and looked over at her. He still hadn’t gotten used to the idea that he wasn’t supposed to take care of her. Even for the months that she was ignoring him, he constantly asked Gabby if Rhea needed anything. And if Gabby said Rhea did need something, he gave his sister the money to buy it for her.
“Yes, Rhea. We.”
“Sir Reeve, I don’t expect you to take care of me.”
“Stop it! Stop calling me that!”
“But that is your title.”
“No, dammit. I mean… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to swear at you. It’s just... If we are supposed to pretend that we are still married, then you cannot be caught calling me that. It is too formal for a husband and wife.”
“I see.”
“And another thing…”
“Yes?”
Reeve looked at her and wondered how he was going to survive this. His heart was bruised enough, already. And when the fairies did eventually leave, he would have to go back to ignoring her. Back to being alone. Back to being heartbroken.
“Yes?” she repeated.
Reeve sighed, “Never mind. Just tell me what they’re looking for in a husband. I will see what I can do.”
~*~
Bree tried her best to focus on the excitement of the tournament, but there were so many other disasters that kept distracting her. The fairies that were visiting had not only caused trouble for Reeve and Rhea but had also caused a daily disturbance in the hall. Once word spread that they were looking for husbands, men kept lining up outside of the hall, hoping to meet one of them. On one hand, she understood. Fairies were beautiful and vivacious creatures. They would be a prize for any man. Twila and Ruby were no exception. Twila, with her long golden hair and perky breasts. Ruby, with her thick red hair and perfect long legs.
Bree had no problem admitting that they were stunningly beautiful. And she was able to overlook their flirty behavior, as long as they weren’t making eyes at Rowan, which she had put a stop to after the first day. Before Dagan left, he gave Rowan a potion to drink which was meant to prevent either of the fairies from being able to use their magic on him. Bree just hoped it would work. She and Rowan were not married yet. There was always a chance that he could change his mind, even if it wasn’t by choice.
But the fairies were not the only problem. Dagan and Sidonie had left to visit Adelphie and Finn was going out of his mind, constantly anxious and irritated. He wanted to go with them, but no one had thought it was a good idea. So he reluctantly agreed to stay as long as Sidonie tried to convince Adelphie to see him. Bree wasn’t sure that it would work, but she tried to remain optimistic. She kept Finn by her side for the first week of the tournament, constantly asking him questions to keep him occupied.
The second week of the tournament went much more smoothly. The contenders gave good performances, though, none of them stood out quite like Reeve had. When it came time for the final challenge, the hand to hand combat, Bree was happy to have survived the two weeks. She sat on her throne, which had once again been moved outside, and watched the last test of the tournament unfold.
“I do wish Aunt Celeste could have been here,” Bree said. “She loves this part.”
“Yes, I know. But she had stayed so long, already. She wanted to get back to our father,” Cicilly replied from behind her. The Queen Mother had decided to sit beside Sir Nicholas this year. Bree knew it was her mother’s way of publicly announcing her partnership with him. Bree had nothing but respect for Nick. She was beginning to wonder if she would be attending her own mother’s wedding in the near futu
re. It had been two years since her father’s passing, after all.
“I am not very impressed by some of the contenders this year,” Finn said, gesturing to a man wearing red and black, who was small in stature.
“He isn’t very big,” Bree agreed, “but he sure is quick. Those are Sir Colbert’s colors, aren’t they? He really was a great knight and an effective trainer.”
“Yes, he was. This is the second year we’ve had one of his squires competing under his colors, in memory.”
Bree frowned, remembering the day that she had run into the noble courtyard and discovered Sir Colbert’s severed head sitting atop a stake. She could still remember the smell of the blood dripping. She shuddered simply thinking about it.
“Whatever happens,” Bree said, laughing, “it can’t possibly be as surprising as last year’s tournament!”
“People are still talking about it,” Finn said. “And I remember the face you made when Reeve took off his helmet. You looked like you had seen a ghost.”
“Ha! I’m sure I did.”
She leaned back in her throne and watched the four challengers become three, then two. The small man in Sir Colbert’s colors was very cunning and managed to outmaneuver the other challenger every time he tried to make a move. Finally, the small man found his moment to shine and delivered the final blow, ending the tournament.
“Bravo!” Bree shouted, clapping. She started to stand in order to greet the kingdom’s new knight, but she stopped when she saw Finn’s expression. Now he was the one who looked like he had seen a ghost. Bree turned and saw that the tournament winner had removed his helmet.
And it wasn’t a man, after all.
“Penelope?” Bree said, standing. “What in the hell?”
A few gasps could be heard in the crowd because it was highly unheard of for a queen, or most royal women, in general, to swear. Bree didn’t care. She was in shock. In shock and slightly angry.
“Yes, Your Majesty?” Penelope asked, pretending to be oblivious.
“What do you think you are doing?”
“I am waiting to enter into knighthood, of course, Your Majesty.”
Rowan had been sitting behind the throne, talking with his father until now. He could see that Bree was getting angry and would likely say something that would be inappropriate. Something much worse than a minor swear word. He stood and walked around to her.
“Bree, don’t say anything else. Just breathe,” he said, taking her hands. “My father can do it. He can knight her. It is allowed.”
“Yes, I know. But…” Bree gestured toward where Penelope was standing.
“I know, I understand.”
Rowan looked up at his father and nodded to him. Nick stood and walked down the few steps to the ground, below. The crowd was mostly silent. Bree knew that they were probably just as confused as she was, and she needed to assure them that everything was alright.
“Ladies and gentleman! Guests! Please excuse me. I am feeling a bit faint. It must be due to all of this excitement. I will allow the First Knight of Junacave to bestow the honor of knighthood on our victor in my stead. However, I will return this evening, refreshed and rested, to help you celebrate our new champion!”
The crowd began to cheer.
Bree turned to Rowan. “The moment he is finished, bring her to me,” she said, gritting her teeth. Finn walked back to the castle with her and followed her up to the room inside the guardhouse.
“What are you going to do?” he asked.
“I have no idea. What should I do?”
“I have no idea. Has this ever happened before?”
“A female knight? I don’t know. I’ve read about this in my books, but those are just stories.”
The door slowly opened and Penelope stepped inside with Rowan, who shut the door behind them. Bree collapsed into her seat and began to shake her head.
“Perhaps, I should explain,” Penelope said.
“I do recommend it,” Bree snapped.
“Have a seat,” Finn said, gesturing toward the table.
Penelope removed several parts of her armor before sitting down. Bree watched, amazed that neither she nor anyone else was able to tell that this challenger was a woman and not a man. Despite her being small in stature, she fought fiercely.
“It began with my father’s murder,” Penelope started. Then she dove into a tale of a daughter being trained by her father and the shock of his murder, which led her to become a knight of Junacave to avenge her father’s death.
Finn tried his best to pay attention, but throughout the entire story, he kept becoming distracted by the fact that he barely recognized her. It was strange because she looked exactly like the girl he once knew. The girl he was once obsessively in love with.
Only now, he didn’t know who this person was. He could easily overlook the fact that she had just defeated every other challenger in the tournament to become the first female knight in Junacave history. At least, that they were aware of. But he couldn’t ignore the anger and rage in her voice when she spoke of enacting her revenge on Sire for killing her father.
The moment Penelope finished speaking, she and Bree began to argue.
“I can’t believe you would do this!” Bree said, leaning forward in her chair. “Make a mockery out of my tournament. A tradition that has survived since it began with my great-grandfather.”
“I wouldn’t have if I believed you would have knighted me any other way.”
“You’re right. I would not have.”
“Then you understand why I did it.”
“I’m more concerned with how you did it.”
“I trained every day. That’s how.”
“Trained? You are a woman, Penelope! You are supposed to be preparing for marriage, not training to win a tournament.”
“I did what I needed to do.”
“No, you did what you wanted to do. What would your father think of this? Becoming a knight instead of getting married and giving him grandchildren.”
“Don’t speak about my father as if you know what he would want for me!”
“Ladies…” Finn said, noticing that the two of them were getting closer to each other. They ignored him and continued arguing. He stood and started to walk around the table.
“I know your father would not want you to waste your life on a meaningless vendetta!” Bree shouted.
“It is only meaningless to you! I have found a great deal of support from those who actually knew my father.”
“I knew your father, Penelope, and I even knew you. Once! Now, I don’t know who you are.”
“I am the same girl that you taunted, Bree. Only, now I don’t run away anymore.”
“Taunted you? Taunted you? We were children! Children! You still hold that against me? After all of this time?”
“I haven’t forgotten any of it.”
“Well, of course, you haven’t. You seem to be the best person in the world at holding a grudge. A grudge against me, a grudge against Sire. Do you also hold a grudge against the bird that leaves droppings on your roof?”
“Ladies…” Finn said, again, stepping between them.
“If the bird was being a nuisance, I certainly would, just before I put an arrow through his heart,” Penelope continued.
“Well, I assume that no one is safe around you, then. And I’m supposed to trust you as a Royal Knight of my kingdom?”
“I earned my title, just like every other knight has.”
“Are you going to do something?” Finn asked, looking at Rowan, who was sitting in the corner watching the entire thing.
“Hell no. I am not getting into the middle of that.”
“Some knight you are,” Finn replied. “Ladies, please. Let’s just sit down and calmly discuss this like adults…”
“Your title is going to get you killed!” Bree screamed, tossing her arms into the air. “Going after King Silas is a terrible idea.”
“You just don’t think I can do it. Admit it.”
“Of course, I don’t think you can do it. You might have defeated those men out there,” Bree said, pointing toward the door, “but going against Silas’ trained soldiers is a battle you cannot win, especially alone.”
“I wouldn’t have to go after Silas if you had done your duty as queen and done it, yourself!”
“PENNY!” Finn shouted, turning toward her. “You can say whatever you want of Bree as a person and as a friend,” he started. He moved toward her, forcing her backward as he spoke. “But you will not attack her job as a queen. She has done everything she was supposed to do. Your father was caught on Sire’s land. He was not supposed to be on Sire’s land. No! Don’t interrupt me!”
Penelope closed her mouth but continued stepping backward until she ran into the stone wall.
“I can’t change what happened to Sir Colbert. No one can. And you may not like Bree. You have that right. She was horrible to you when we were younger. Downright dreadful at times.”
“We were children!” Bree said, behind them.
“But she is sorry for what she has done. I know because I have been here, whereas, you decided to run away and hide in the village. So don’t come back into her castle and demean her duties to her kingdom, especially since you now serve and represent that kingdom!”
“Finn… I…” Penelope started to apologize, but he turned away and left the room before she could. Feeling defeated, she slid down the wall and fell to the floor.
Bree stayed silent for several moments. She looked over at Rowan, who simply nodded. He could tell by her expression that she was already feeling guilty for losing control. She turned and left the room, in search of Finn.
Rowan stood, walked over to Penelope, and held out his hand.
“Come on, Sir Penelope,” he teased. “Your celebration is waiting for you.”
Penelope smirked and snickered to herself before taking his hand.
“Penny…” she mumbled.
“What?” Rowan asked.
“Penny. He called me Penny. He is the only person who has ever called me that and I haven’t heard it in… almost fifteen years.”
“Has it really been fifteen years since... Well, you know… Since that day?”