I felt someone’s hand on my shoulder and Drae whispered into my ear, “Nicely done, Princess. If only you’d had this much tact during our last adventure. We could’ve avoided a lot of fights if you had waited til the person left the room or turned their back.” I smirked and elbowed him in the ribs. I heard him exhale gruffly and there was just a slight edge of pain in his voice. “Now there’s the Pyx I know and tolerate.”

My laugh must have brought them back. I swear, they couldn’t stand my happiness. My parents walked in to find Drae the respectful five steps away from a princess. I sighed. Even after being promoted to head of the castle guard, he wasn’t good enough for me. By my parent’s standards, and his. At least my parents didn’t know how I felt. He did.

“Darling, that was lovely! Latos was more than impressed!” My mother gushed to me. My father was a few steps behind her, and as she hugged me he raised one eyebrow and mouthed, ‘Later.’ I grimaced. Apparently, Drae wasn’t the only one who had seen me.