Chapter Eight
Leah walked slowly to the barracks, seemingly deep in thought.
“There you are.”
She jumped as Jessalyn fell in step beside her.
“Been looking everywhere for you.”
“Sorry, busy doing other things.”
“Not to worry. I wondered if you wanted to go for a ride.”
“What about going to the bazar instead? I have a need for something deathly sweet.”
Jessalyn eyed her. “That doesn’t sound very healthy.”
“Who are you, my mother? I need sweetmeats, Jess. As much as I can stomach.”
“Seeking comfort?”
“Pathetic though it may sound, I readily admit to it.”
“As good a reason as any, I suppose.”
They strolled around the crowded bazar, Leah’s guard barely two paces behind. Although still dressed as a recruit, Leah now automatically bore herself regally. The way she inclined her head at those who recognised her, greeted her... her manner of speaking, her movements... formal yet relaxed, putting the people at ease.
Leah stopped.
“What’s wrong?” said Jessalyn, her brows raised.
She turned. “Nothing. Let’s go.”
“But we haven’t got your sweets yet.”
“I’ve changed my mind.”
“But–” She started as someone called her name. “Oh! Conor...” She waved as a groan escaped Leah.
“Hello, you two,” said Conor. “What’re you doing here?”
When Leah remained silent, a grimace of a smile plastered on her face, Jessalyn answered. “Out for a walk... wanted to get some sweetmeats.”
Conor beamed as he stood with his arm around Veha’s shoulder. “Well, I’m glad I saw you. I want you to meet Veha.” His hand dropped down to hold hers.
“Highness,” she said, her voice slightly high-pitched as she dropped a curtsy.
“And this is Jessalyn.”
“Finally–” started Jessalyn then stopped and lowered her gaze when Veha continued her eager chatter.
“I could not believe it when Conor told me he was training with you, Highness.” Veha’s eyes shone. “I cannot wait to tell Mother that I have met you. Actually met our princess.”
Leah’s struggle to make eye contact with Veha vanished the moment she ignored Jessalyn. Then, realising Conor was glaring at her, she fumbled for a response. “Well... I’m not the only one Conor trains with. There are lots of us, and I’m merely one of the crowd.”
“Oh, Highness, I cannot imagine you being ‘merely one of the crowd’,” said Veha with a giggle. “I mean, here you are, in the bazar, yet you have a guard...”
Leah’s smile began to crumble. This was the one thing she, as a princess, could never manage to deal with gracefully: people being in awe of her simply because her father was the king.
“But she blends in very well. If you were training with her, you’d see that.”
Leah shot Jessalyn a grateful look. “I’m not anything special, Veha, simply because my father happens to be the ruler–”
“But, Highness, that is exactly–”
Conor quickly placed a hand on Veha’s arm. She looked at him with raised brows, her mouth slightly open.
Leah grabbed her chance. “Nice to have finally met you, Veha. But we must be going.” With a nod, Leah strode away.
“Goodbye. See you later, Conor.” Jessalyn hurried to catch Leah up. “Are you alright? You seemed to find that quite trying.”
“And that’s putting it politely. Goddess! I’ve always hated it when people act like I’m looking down at them from on high.” She shook her head. “It’s been so long since I’ve come across that reaction, I suppose it caught me by surprise.”
They continued in silence, Leah refusing to believe that jealousy had anything to do with her negative reaction to Veha.
“Can I ask you something?”
She glanced at Jessalyn before nodding.
“Why didn’t you want them to see us?”
She narrowed her eyes at her friend. “You know what your problem is. You’re too observant for your own good.”
She shrugged expansively.
“I don’t know. The way he’s been going on about her, I suppose. Wasn’t really in the mood to meet ‘perfection’.”
Jessalyn laughed. “I know what you mean. But she’s not that perfect after all, is she?”
Leah looked at her, askance.
“Faced with royalty, she comes over rather graceless.”
Leah stared, then had to laugh, and the ache in her heart was momentarily eased.
* * * *
“Why did you stop me talking to the princess?” Veha stumbled along next to Conor for he still had hold of her arm. “Conor. Stop pulling me. What’s wrong with you?”
He slowed to a stop. “I’m sorry... I didn’t mean to.”
“Are you going to tell me or not?” She stood before him, arms crossed in front of her.
He hesitated, but Veha refused to back down. “I’m waiting...”
“I wasn’t trying to be rude. It’s only, well... you were being a bit too obvious.”
She frowned. “Obvious? About what?”
“Your adulation of Leah–”
“But she is our princess. How else am I supposed to treat her?”
“Not like that. Not like she’s extra special. She likes to be treated like she’s one of us.”
Still frowning, she shook her head. “I don’t understand. She is special, Conor. She’s not one of us at all. Why would she want to be treated the same as everyone else? I know if I were her, I would want to be treated differently like I was exceptional.”
“When you get to know her then you’ll understand her better. When the occasion calls for it, Leah knows how to act the part of royalty. But usually she enjoys being... how did she put it? ‘One of the crowd’.” Smiling, Conor linked her arm through his, and they continued at a more sedate pace.
Veha sighed. “I still do not understand. I would give anything to be in her position.”
“The daughter of a king... you certainly look like one,” he said with a grin.
“Oh, you...” She slapped his arm lightly.
“Well, I’m glad you’re not. Don’t look at me like that. If you were the daughter of a king, I’d never be allowed anywhere near you.”
“Of course you–”
“No, I wouldn’t, and you know it. Your family don’t approve of me as it is–”
“That’s not true.”
“The only reason we’re together is because of your stubborn defiance.”
Tightening her hold on his arm, she leant against him. “At the end of the day, my parents want to see me happy. And you make me happy, Conor.”
“I better make sure I keep making you happy then,” he said, laughing.
* * * *
“Leah! Leah, wait.”
Reluctantly she slowed down, so Conor could catch her up.
“You’re a hard person to find these days.” He grinned. “Where have you been?”
She shrugged. “Around. Keeping myself busy...” No one knew of her solo training sessions with Fredrik, and she was glad for that even though it had never been her intention to keep it secret.
“Missing your family?”
“What do you think?” The minute the touchy reply had passed her lips she regretted her tone. “I’m sorry–”
“No, don’t be. Don’t know why I asked. It’s obvious that you do. After all, it has been almost thirty days.” His smile was unnerving in its openness.
She had to look away, convinced that the desire she felt for him would be mirrored in her expression.
“You know what? We haven’t been riding for a while. Why don’t we go for one now? If you’re not busy, that is.”
She regarded him thoughtfully for a moment. Then smiled. “I’d like that.”
They started to walk towards the stables.
“I’ve been thinking, I’d like for you and Veha to get to know each other.”
Leah’s heart sank.
“So, what about spending some time with us tomorrow?”
She remained silent.
“Leah?”
“I don’t know, Conor. I’m sure she’s very nice–”
“But?”
She squirmed, hoping she didn’t sound petty. Or, worse, jealous. “Well, it’s the way she reacted when we met the other day. You know how I feel about being treated like I’m some icon to be worshipped.”
“That’s why I want you two to spend time together. Then she’ll understand you better and treat you the way we all do, with total indifference,” he finished with a grin.
“I’ll think about it.”
His shoulders slumped. “She’s great company, Leah. You’ll like her, I know you will–”
“I said I’ll think about it and I will. And it wasn’t only the way she was with me. The way she ignored Jessalyn, that was rude. And don’t expect me to like someone simply because you do.” Without waiting for a reaction, she marched off.
“Wait. What about our ride?”
“I’ve changed my mind,” she said, too irritated to worry about his hurt, puzzled expression.