Hers To Cherish (Verdantia Book 3) (32 page)

When Sophi and her women had faded from sight, Eric strode into the stable yard where his four
rides
of the Queen’s Royal Guard assembled, preparing for the order to mount. Frustration chewed on his temper.
I was prepared for a shy, withdrawn woman, not this – Valkyrie. It is difficult to “escort” a woman when you don’t know where she is.

“Queen’s Guard! Prepare to mount! Mount!” he barked, swinging up onto his horse. “
Rides
! By two. Form up!” Cavalrymen paired off and formed orderly lines, broken every eight riders by a colorful pennant bearing the insignia of their unit.

“Queen’s Guard! At the walk! March!” Eric ordered.

As his horse’s long stride swung through the arches of the village wall, his second-in-command rode up to him.

“Commander?”

“Captain.”

“Do we leave without Lady DeLorion?”

“No.” Eric fumed in silence.

“Commander?”

“What!”

“Ahem, where
is
Lady DeLorion?”

“Good question, Captain Biron. If you see her let me know.”

*
* *

Authors note: You can now hear me read this scene on either my
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.