Reign Queen by L. Gibbs (10 ebook reader txt) 📕

cageand muffled her every attempt at getting air or breaking free. Washe trying to kill her? She fought harder.

“You’ll awaken after a few minutes. Stopfighting me.”

Blackness edged at her vision. Her headpounded. Her lungs screamed for air. Whimpering, she felt her limbsweaken, and she slumped.

Covey waited another few seconds. Thenreleased her to lay her gently on the floor.

Kambry held her crumpled position,imprisoning her own lungs against their will to draw air. When hereleased her, and she heard him rise, she dragged in a breath andscreamed shrill and loud.

He kicked over the lamp, and it winked out.Doors slammed, and only a moment passed before someone gathered herin his arms and carried her to a couch.

She just kept screaming, arms and legsthrashing.

A voice tunneled through the narrow shaft ofthought still left her. “Your Majesty, it’s Drew. Guardsman Drew.You’re safe.”

Light filled the room. Lamps took up space ontables and counters.

She clutched at him, and he patted herhead.

“Get Veed or her mother,” he ordered.

“The cook?” another voice said.

Drew’s voice rose with exasperation. “The soKon and the do Runiya. Now go.”

Kambry pushed him away, and he released herand crouched beside the couch.

“I’m fine.” She drew in air, her lungsloosening with each breath. As she stood up, she grabbed hisshoulder, ready to topple to one side. Deep breaths, shetold herself.

Drew stayed down, willing to be a piece offurniture if she wished. She squeezed his shoulder and then let herfingers rest there as her head cleared. “I wasn’t sure who washere. Lessa said I should scream and kick the next time Coveyapproached me and not to stop until guards surrounded me.”

“You followed her guidance well.” He stoodand rubbed his chin where a welt was rising.

“Not well enough. I had to wait until henearly suffocated me to get my chance.”

Lessa stormed into the room. She squinted atKambry and marched up the stairs. A moment later, she returnedholding a robe. “Your Majesty, let’s get you covered up.”

Great, standing in my nightgown, onechosen especially for Russal, surrounded by guards. “Thankyou.” Kambry finished putting an arm through and tied the sasharound her waist.

Lessa adjusted the shawl collar. “A guardinformed the king, and I believe your parents are on theirway.”

Kambry put her hands to her face. Theyshouldn’t have been told. Now they won’t sleep tonight or anynight, fearful that Covey has entered and stolen her away. “Whatdid you tell them?” Maybe she could convince Dad and Mom she hadsuffered a nightmare.

“Just that you needed them,” Drew said.

“Fine. I had a nightmare. Do you understand?”Kambry looked at each guard until they nodded assent.

“Of course, Your Majesty. Your evening outwas eventful.”

“Kambry?” Mom called from the other room. Dadand she came around the corner, both hastily clothed. Dad’s tunichung awry, and mother had an overdress pulled on over hernightdress. Her hair lay plaited over her shoulder, mussed fromsleep.

“I’m okay, Mom. I worried about the two ofyou and had a bad dream.” She hugged them both, finding theircloseness comforting. “I’m sorry they pulled you out of bed.Everything is fine. Won’t you both go back to your rooms?”

Dad looked bleary-eyed, but a frown marredhis forehead. She doubted she would get them on their way for atleast half an hour.

“Maybe some warm milk,” Mom said, lookingaround the room as if there might be a pitcher close by.

“Where’s Russal?” Dad said, his countenancegaining perceptiveness. “Why isn’t he here?”

“He wanted to check on security in thecastle,” Kambry said as she guided her parents to the couch she hadjust been lying on. “I believe he’s with Burty.”

Mom dropped quickly onto the couch. Dadremained standing, his gaze catching on Drew. “What happened toyou? Were you in the ruckus at the maze?”

“Yes, sir. I was. My job is to be where theruckus is.”

Dad’s eyes squinted.

“Drew is one of my regular guards, Dad.”Kambry noted his suspicious gaze. “I encourage them to be free withtheir humor. It helps lighten the mood, don’t you think?”

Drew straightened. “I meant no offence, soKon.”

“Of course, you didn’t. I get a bitdisconcerted when my daughter is surrounded by guards after havinga nightmare, and they are flippant.”

Something in his voice told Kambry he didn’tbelieve her excuse. “They are rather protective. It’s a wonder mydoor isn’t hanging off its hinges.” She looked at Drew. “It isn’t,is it?”

“No, Your Majesty. We’re rather well skilledwith locks and bolts. His Majesty takes issue at broken doors whichwe can enter more swiftly unlocking than breaking down. They’requite stout.” He rolled his eyes. “I don’t mean to babble.”

“Dad has that effect on people. Hard tobelieve when he is so mild-mannered.”

Dad’s lips quirked. He tugged her under hisarm. “I don’t like it when my daughter is unhappy.”

“But Drew was not responsible for thatunhappiness.”

“Pardon my annoyance.” His gaze at Drewdidn’t soften, though his voice had.

Kambry was going to have to talk to him aboutthat. Dad had a sixth sense about people. Why would Drew annoy himwith such a minor offense?

“Brode, perhaps we should head off to bed.”Mom reached out and lay her hand on his arm. “Kambry is okay, andit’s late.”

“I’d like to wait for Russal.”

“He’s not at fault either, Dad.” Hershoulders grew tense. Was Russal to blame? Ridiculous. Shewas letting Covey’s twisted words get to her. They had gotten toher. She hoped Russal returned soon.

Dad massaged her neck. “Don’t worry aboutRussal. He’ll be here shortly, I’m sure.”

Worry, of course, I’m worried about Russal.What delayed him?

Voices rose in the main room, and then Russalbounded round the corner.

He tugged her from Dad’s arms, laying hishands on either side of her face. His worried gaze stared down ather. “Kambry, what happened? They said--.”

Kambry lay her hand on his lips. “Anightmare. Nothing more.”

Russal held still, the worry deepening thetension around his eyes. “Okay.”

She turned out of his grip. “Mom and Dad werejust waiting for you to arrive. They didn’t want to leave until youwere here.” She reached out to them, grasping a hand from each ofthem. “Everything is fine now. Please, go back to bed.”

“Russal’s here, dear.” Mom hugged Dad’s arm.“Let’s go.”

Dad pulled Mom from the couch, nodded atRussal, and turned, exiting with Mom whispering in his ear.

Chapter Seven