Lexi Monarch

by T. K. Perry

  Lexi followed his gaze and turned to look at them. “I'm fine,” she assured them, waving dismissively. Turning back to Tiger, she let out a groan. “I don't want to live like this. At home, I would be sneaking out to the stables to torment you and ride Raven. But here and there,” she nodded in the direction of the Old Castle, “I'm all out of escapes.” She slipped a fingernail into her mouth and bit it absently.

  “You wouldn't need the escapes so desperately if you were doing something you enjoyed. I didn't need them. They were fun, but I didn't need them.”

  “Not even after an afternoon of helping spoiled rich boys with imperious manners?”

  “Only when they broke my nose.”

  Lexi laughed, then immediately sobered. “I'm afraid of what's going to happen when we get to the palace.”

  Tiger nodded. “I can see why you might be concerned.”

  “The important thing is that we get your mother free.”

  Tiger looked at her through half-lidded eyes. “That's one of the important things. You have that same look on your face when you told the cook you had knocked over the cake.”

  “It was my fault. I threw the ball too near it. We shouldn't have been playing in the reception hall anyway.”

  “It was raining,” he argued, scrutinizing her face until she looked away. “Don't even think of sacrificing yourself because you feel guilty.”

  Lexi's cheeks heated and she stared down at her bitten nails.

  “Lex," he said, covering her hands with one of his. “Everything is going to be okay.”

  Lexi shook her head. “You shouldn't say that; you can't know that.”

  Lifting her chin, he forced her to look at him. “It's going to be okay. I know it.”

  “How?” There was so much anguish and fear in that one word that Lexi flinched at the sound of it.

  Now Tiger's cheeks lit with a ruddy blush and he lowered his voice. “Uh, because I, um, I prayed about it. And I...I feel all calm and peaceful when I think about it.” He shifted on his stool, making it creak loudly.

  “I didn't know you prayed. My father asked me to pray before I agreed to marry anyone.”

  “Did you?”

  Lexi shook her head. “I forgot.”

  “You could always do it now.”

  “But you're watching me.”

  “So?”

  Lexi folded, then unfolded her arms. “I can't. I'll do it later.”

  Tiger's protest was interrupted by their breakfast as a fair-haired girl slid plates from a large tray, wobbling them down until they clattered on the table with her apologies.

  When they finished eating the decadent food, Lexi didn't feel like flying at all; even walking away from the table seemed a terrible exertion and her back ached every time she moved her wings. She looked around the dining room, hoping the others were still sleeping. But Ryp and Talan were just finishing their meal in stony silence, and the two remaining guardsmen had joined the others and were furiously stuffing food into their mouths. Lexi brushed her hand against Tiger's, smiling when he grinned at her. Then the guardsmen crowded behind them and the moment was over.

  Back in her room, Lexi repacked the few belongings she had used overnight, and attached her bag. Then she examined herself in the mirror. The untailored clothing she had purchased was going to infuriate her mother. She fingered the collar of her navy button-down shirt that was plain enough to belong to a man. This was not the right way to begin the most difficult negotiation of her life. Unstrapping her bag, she dug to the bottom and retrieved her mother's red dress.

  Chapter Twenty

  The scenery beneath her was becoming familiar, and Lexi’s heart beat faster with each recognized landmark. Talan had argued that they should stop and rest at his family’s estate, but was met with obstinate silence each time he suggested it. Finally, he had stopped speaking altogether, and was clearly sulking. It amazed Lexi that she had ever found him attractive, that a pheromone scent could have overridden years of observing his character. He had stopped signaling her— likely a combination of resignation and fear his violation of display laws would be reported to her mother. Lexi allowed herself a grim smile; he was the same spoiled, mean-spirited snob he had always been. She wiped her mouth wishing she could erase the kisses he had placed there. Mistaking her action, one of the flying guardsmen held out his canteen. Lexi waved it away and forced herself to fly faster.

  Though their journey was an urgent one, this final day of travel had inspired such reticence that she continually caught herself flying at half speed. Partly because she had yet to do as her father had asked and Tiger had recommended: pray about her choice. She had started in her room after her conversation with Tiger, but she felt silly. When Ryp knocked to tell her the group was ready to leave, she was relieved. And none of their breaks since then had afforded her sufficient time and privacy to continue. Lexi squelched the frown she wanted to indulge, a slight narrowing of her eyes the only sign of it. She thought of her father and his silent prayers. She could do that, but closing her eyes would be foolish, if not dangerous. Well, she would just have to do it with her eyes open and hope it worked. She definitely didn’t want to face her father under these circumstances and tell him that she had ignored his advice.

  Squinting, she tried to clear her mind of all the panicky thoughts that beset her. With those gone, she was aware of an underlying sense of guilt for her domineering behavior the past few days. She still didn’t know the names of the guards. Pasting on a cheerful smile, she turned to the guard who had offered his canteen. It was the bossy guard that she had argued with when he first arrived.

  “I must apologize; I still don’t know your name.”

  He looked startled, and a pouty Talan looked back to glare at both of them.

  “It’s Ebis,” he said hoarsely, then cleared his throat. “Your Highness.”

  “And where are you from Ebis?”

  “Uh, Trout Lake.”

  “Are you a fisherman?”

  “Uh, no. There isn’t actually a lake; I don’t know why we call it that.”

  Ebis appeared somewhat demoralized by this admission, so Lexi turned to the next nearest guard. “How about you?” she asked the blue-winged guard that had been guarding her balcony in Tiger’s place.

  “I fish,” he answered, smiling.

  “So do I,” the third guard chimed in to the accompaniment of Talan’s exasperated grunt.

  “I don’t,” the fourth guard added, and Lexi turned to smile at him. This was the gray-winged guard that had carried her father’s note.

  “Were you part of the castle guard before your season?” she asked.

  He nodded happily. “I was, and I'll return to it after my season.”

  “Have we met, then?” Lexi examined his good-natured face and pale gray eyes that matched his wings.

  “Oh,” he blushed, “yes, but you might not want to remember.”

  “Why is that?”

  “Uh,” his blush deepened, making his eyes more remarkable. “The Queen sent the guard to fetch you.”

  Now she remembered, and it wasn't a pleasant memory. Her sister Dana had just given birth to triplet girls, and her mother had not hid her disappointment well. She lectured Lexi about the importance of producing an heir, taking no risks in her activities, and the level of decorum that befits the mother of a king. She strongly recommended that Lexi stop riding Raven in favor of a smaller, gentler horse, and then only at a slow walk. Lexi had endured the lecture and nodded at appropriate times, then snuck off to ride Raven at a breakneck speed as soon as she was able. Discovering her absence, her mother had sent members of the apprentice guard out on horseback to bring her home. This flying guardsman had been part of the group that had found her. She relived that perfectly aggravating and absurdly slow procession back to the palace surrounded by the pupa guards. After that, the Queen had only allowed her to ride once a week with a groomsman on a lead rope. With effort, she suppressed her frown.

  “Sorry.�
�

  Lexi waved a hand at him. “You were only fulfilling your duty.”

  He nodded, but the group fell back into silence.

  Her guilt partially alleviated, Lexi tried to pray again. She told God that she had decided to marry Tiger, and met with silence. A little discouraged, she began to enumerate the reasons she had chosen Tiger: he was her best friend, he helped her find the humor and fun in life instead of focusing on the worry, and he was a good kisser. That last one had her laughing to herself, then running through each of their kisses, one by one, with a rather dazed smile on her face. When she finally remembered that she was praying and returned to the task, she kept it simple: God in Heaven, I love Tiger. I want to marry him. Any objections? This time Lexi felt a humor in her mind that was not her own, like a kind chuckle that warmed her heart. Suddenly tears were streaming down her face, despite the intense joy that had overcome her. She felt loved, she felt heard, and she knew God was just fine with her marrying Tiger, even if her mother wasn't. She looked over at Tiger, trying to catch his eye, but his grim expression and intense focus didn't waver. Following his gaze, she saw the palace gate in the distance. Swallowing back her emotions, Lexi quickly dried her tears and steeled herself for the unpleasantness ahead.

  As they approached the walls, the palace guards let out a shout that was quickly answered by Ebis. The guards waved them on and they flew directly over the massive gate. As they passed over the palace grounds, Lexi recognized her riding paths through the royal forest. It was odd seeing them from this perspective and without Raven. A genuine smile twitched the corner of her mouth at the thought of seeing her horse again. She wanted to clasp Tiger's hand and squeeze it, but she settled on a furtive grin instead. This time Tiger noticed and gave her a half smile before his features hardened back into stern concentration. Lexi watched him a moment longer. His lips were moving slightly, his eyebrows occasionally going up while his hands flicked out in partially-suppressed gestures. She smiled, but he missed it, too busy rehearsing what he was about to say. Lexi knew she ought to be solemn and focused, but irrepressible elation leaked out of her like sunshine. She had missed her home. She had missed her father. Though she wasn't always happy here, it felt wonderful to come home. Her emotion surprised her; she hadn't realized she was homesick.

  They landed in the main courtyard to shouts of welcome. Familiar servants crowded round, greeting Tiger warmly with handshakes and hugs, and deferential smiles and bows for Lexi. One of the maids tried to take her bag, but she held tight with a pleasant shake of her head. She didn't know how long she would be staying or if she would even be welcome. Her happiness at returning home faltered a bit, but Tiger's hand at her elbow reassured her. Talan had irritably handed off his bag to the first servant that came near him, and was now marching towards the throne room. Lexi and Tiger exchanged a glance, then quickly followed after him, Ryp and the guards at their heels. There was a short line outside the throne room of individuals awaiting an audience with the King. Talan blew past them, shoving an elderly man aside who was first at the door.

  “Your Majesties, I have returned with the Princess, my wife,” Talan announced loudly before he was even fully inside.

  Tiger swore under his breath, and Lexi flew to the front of the line, the small group moving back to let her through.

  Inside, the throne room was empty, and Talan was looking around as if he might find the King and Queen hiding behind a tapestry.

  Raulis, her father's officiant, stepped forward to address Talan. “They are still at luncheon, but will be here shortly to hear grievances.” Though his voice was polite, his bright orange wings twitched with irritation until his glance fell on Lexi. “Lovely to see you again, Your Highness.” A genuine smile brightened his face, and he gave Lexi a deep bow. “Do you wish to join the King and Queen in the dining hall?” The end of his question faltered as Ryp and Tiger joined her.

  “No thank you, Raulis, we can wait here,” Lexi said, just as Talan gave the opposite answer. “We are happy to wait,” she reiterated, and Raulis nodded absently, his eyes caught by Ryp's wings.

  The grand throne room was designed with intimidation and discomfort for its petitioners in mind. The thrones were up on a dais with no other seats in the room. Even Raulis was required to stand until all petitioners were heard. Lexi's father had protested this arrangement many times, but her mother insisted that it helped keep the petitioning period short. At the moment, it just seemed terribly awkward. Talan eyed the thrones, but even he wouldn't dare take a seat. The acoustics of the room made whispers carry, so Lexi resisted speaking. Ryp looked about in open admiration. Through intricate stained-glass windows, multi-colored light bathed the room. Prisms embedded into the windows' metalwork cast rainbows on the marble floor. The heavy brocaded drapes shone with threads of gold, and the walls were empaneled in white alder stained to a warm hue. Lexi sucked in a breath that smelled vaguely of dust despite the cleanliness of the room. Tiger's lips were moving again, his face tight with concentration as he stared at the floor. She patted his shoulder to comfort him, and he gave her a wan smile.

  Noticing her touch, Talan glared at Tiger, his hands fisting as he closed the distance between them to shove in next to Lexi. “Keep a respectful distance, peasant,” he spat, glancing up at Raulis as if expecting some sort of approval.

  Lexi opened her mouth to protest, but Ryp was already speaking.

  “Your conduct towards my cousin is unbecoming a gentleman; I'll be certain to mention it to my aunt.”

  Talan visibly paled and swallowed as Lexi, Tiger, and Ryp moved away from him. He glanced up at Raulis again, but the officiant was watching Ryp. Talan ground his teeth and began to pace a small circuit away from the others.

  Ignoring him, Lexi closed her eyes and tried to reclaim the joyous feeling that had come with her prayer. That certainty and peace was exactly what she needed to get through this. She took a deep breath and clutched Tiger's hand. When he pressed hers in response, she surreptitiously kissed his shoulder. Tiger's bushy brows lifted in surprise, his rehearsed speech forgotten. He shook his head slightly, then gently extricated his hand from hers as Raulis opened a side door hidden behind a tapestry. The guards entered first, silently taking their posts, and Lexi unconsciously held her breath. “His Majesty, the King,” Raulis announced as her father stepped through.

  Jubilant relief hit Lexi when her mother didn't follow. Ignoring decorum, she flew to her father and embraced him. “I missed you,” she whispered, cringing as she heard the sound carry.

  Her father briefly returned her hug, then stepped back. “We only have a few minutes before your mother gets here. Did you choose a mate, then?” he asked, looking expectantly at Ryp.

  Seeing his mistake, Lexi blurted out, “I want to marry Tiger.”

  Talan let out a snort of disdain.

  “Tiger? Oh, hello there, Tiger.” The King gave him a half-hearted wave, then muttered to himself, “Well, he is better than the other one.” The King scowled at Talan before turning back to Lexi. “You're not married yet?”

  Lexi shook her head. “I wasn't sure how Mother would react.”

  “Ah, yes. That is a problem.” He glanced quickly at the side door, then drew Lexi in for another hug and whispered in her ear. “She thinks you're carrying Talan's children.”

  Lexi fought the blush rising in her cheeks as her father released her, then spoke through twitching lips. “Perfectly impossible.”

  Her father nodded in relief, making his gilded crown slip. “I thought so.” He stepped around her to glare at Talan. “You have lied to the Queen and slandered a princess. I hereby strip you of your nobility. You may not inherit your father's land or property, and if you want to marry, you'll have to do it at the Old Castle.”

  Talan sucked a breath through his teeth and reeled backwards as if the words had physically assaulted him. “But...” he began.

  “You are forthwith banned from the palace and grounds. Guards, escort him out.”

 
Two guards immediately stepped forward to obey the King's order. They latched onto Talan's arms and dragged him out, impervious to his panicked protests.

  “What is happening?” the Queen demanded.

  The cacophony of Talan's exit had masked the sound of her entrance, and they all started at the sound of her voice. Her father cringed, then stepped forward to take his wife's hand and escort her grandly to her throne.

  “Her Majesty, the Queen,” Raulis announced belatedly.

  “Lexi, where is your husband?” the Queen asked as she scanned the room from her throne. Her eyes returned to Ryp, and a little wrinkle creased her forehead.

  “I am not married, Mother,” Lexi spoke succinctly as she approached to place a perfunctory kiss on the Queen's cheek.

  “Perhaps not officially,” the Queen conceded, accepting the kiss. “We shall remedy that today.” Now her eyes fell to Lexi's attire and widened. She shot an accusatory glare at her husband who crossed and uncrossed his arms before sitting down dutifully on his throne. The Queen turned her piercing gaze back on Lexi. “After you are properly attired and refreshed, of course.” She waved a bejeweled hand dismissively at her daughter. “Bring me Talan Admiral.”

  All the guards seemed to collectively inhale and hold it, their eyes darting around the room to see if anyone would carry out her order.

  “They can't do that, my dear,” the King explained, with a weak laugh.

  “And why is that?” Her mother's most frigid tone, the one that could inflict emotional frostbite, chilled the entire room. Everyone stood frozen in place while Ryp grinned.

  “He lied to you. And he slandered our daughter,” the King faltered.

  “What have you done?” The Queen spaced each word as if it were its own sentence.

  “I stripped him of his nobility and banned him from the palace,” the King mumbled, staring at his hands.

  “Undo it!” she hissed at him.

  The King shook his head stubbornly and dared to look at his wife. “No. He deserved it.”