“He shouldn’t worry about that,” Kingston interjected. “We will choose the guard for him and then decide where they will stay. I haven’t approved—”
“Approved?” Imogen chuckled. “I am not asking for permission, darling. I outrank you in about five different ways. You are no longer the only one making decisions here about the safety and care of the prince and princess, so get used to that.”
Burned.
Evie’s eyes widened but she immediately controlled her expression, while my lips pressed tightly in a straight line, trying my best not to laugh so Kingston wouldn’t kill me. He growled something none of us was able to understand and crossed his arms as though he couldn’t really argue with that—though he was dying to do just that.
“It is my guard, Chief,” I added, calling his attention to me. “I will get a say on who stands beside me.”
“Very well, Prince,” my mentor agreed with an approving smile. “However, he is no longer your chief,” she clarified. “You are his prince and future king now.”
A bit of sadness hit me at that, the realization mirrored on Kingston’s scowl. “He will always be my chief.”
Emotion crossed his gaze, but he huffed, shifting on his feet.
“So, who are you considering?” I asked again.
“Well, as I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted…”
Willow snickered at that, coming to stand between Evie and Kingston.
“I have seen great performances from a few so far who stand out among the warriors. First, however, we must determine how many to assign you. I believe five to be a good number.” Her gaze connected with Kington’s before returning to me. “I know the princess has ten—nine,” she corrected herself, accounting for Penelope’s passing. “But you have magic abilities and Dragons to help protect you. So, five should suffice.”
Kingston nodded. “On that, we agree.”
“Me too,” Asher added, stopping next to Imogen on my right. “I’d like to join the conversation, if that is alright?”
“It is,” I assured, glancing behind us to realize that the others had all entered their rooms.
“You are welcome, cutie.” Imogen winked at him, making us all smile.
“Are you seriously flirting with him right now?” I half-heartedly scolded.
“What? I’m just being honest. He is a cutie.”
“He also happens to be the Legion’s Commander,” Kingston added. “Some respect is in order.”
“You are too serious all the time, Kingston,” she huffed and then glanced at Asher. “My apologies, Commander Dawnsky. I meant no offense.”
“None taken,” Asher assured with a smile that said he knew her teasing was innocent. “I have taken notice of a few warriors as well when supervising the training, and I believe they might be the same you are considering.”
“Very possible. I made a point to watch them train yesterday, and Harper informed me they have excelled in their progress and the development of their abilities.”
“Yes, they have,” Asher confirmed.”
“I agree with that as well,” the chief admitted. “They have promptly advanced through the ranks, exceeding my expectations. The question remains; is it too soon, or are they ready?”
“And they are…?” I stretched out the words, reminding them I was still waiting for their answer.
“Oh, my apologies.” Imogen snorted at her own slipup. “They stopped to talk to you this morning before we left Dragon hunting. I believe their names are Quinn, Aaron, Louis, Harvey, and Charlotte.”
“Really?” I asked, kind of shocked by the news.
Quinn was a natural badass, the way she carried herself said she was a warrior through and through, but I hadn’t gotten much of an opportunity to train with her and the gang since Kingston stole me to train me himself right away. Or maybe just to keep an eye on me since he didn’t know the truth of what happened with my father, and he had no idea whether or not I was a psycho like Raithian.
“Yes.” It was the chief who answered. “I believe that meeting you as one of them, and seeing you leave their side to train as hard as you have—reaching the Elevated Warrior rank—inspired them to do the same. A true leader doesn’t order others to follow; he inspires them with his own actions… Your father had that gift in spades, and I recognize it in you too, Braxton. You have your father’s spirit.”
Holy shit. That was the first compliment Kingston had ever given me, and the most amazing one at that.
“Chief, I—”
Imogen’s gasp of horror cut me off before I could even answer, calling everyone’s eyes to her. “Forgive me, Prince, but I think I might actually be dying. Kingston, did you really just give an honest compliment to anyone for the first time in your life?!” she asked him, making us laugh. “I didn’t think I would live to witness such a thing.”
“Will you ever take anything seriously?!” he growled, only to have Willow’s hand caress his arm as though to calm him.
“It’s okay. She is just teasing. It’s who she is,” she offered sweetly.
The fight immediately left him, and he glanced down at her, a small smile curving his lips. “I know, Lady Willow. Thank you for reminding me.”
Get a room already!
“Anyway…” I sighed, glancing at my mentor. “Do you think they’ll be up for it? Being my guard won’t be an easy feat now that Raithian’s eyes are set on me. Even with my Dragons around.”
“They are ready,” Imogen concluded confidently.
“Wait, what about Edward and Thea?” I asked suddenly. “You didn’t mention them along with the others.”
“Thea hasn’t progressed as a fighter like the others have,” Asher offered. “We’ve discovered she has other aptitudes to better serve the Legion, far better than being a warrior.”
I wasn’t exactly sure what he meant by that, but his smile said her skill was a good one to discover.
“My uncertainty about Edward is that he seems to hesitate at times,” Imogen added. “His attention is often focused on the girl, Charlotte, more than his task at hand.”
“That is because she is his sister,” I offered knowingly. “He is very protective of her.”
“Clearly without reason. She was the first one to make my list,” Imogen snorted.
A small smirk curved my lips with her statement. “They arrived here just before I did. After escaping the Hollow together.”
“It is why his attachment to her sometimes interferes with his focus,” Asher explained further. “They only had each other, and they went through a lot before they could escape.”
It wasn’t hard to see that it struck a chord with Imogen. What was left of her lightheartedness was replaced by the light of the past that encumbered her gaze.
“I can understand that kind of attachment, and his worry for her.” A saddened sigh left her. “I’m also confident that he can grow past that, especially once they become Elevated Warriors together. You’ll make sure he does?” Her question was directed at Asher, who gave her a single nod filled with duty.