Read The Warrior and the Petulant Princess for Free Online

Captain Of The Steeds. Had I not passed I would have been sent back here to begin again.”
    “This is so much to take in.”
    “It was the same for each of the things I had to learn. I was sent to different places for the basics, then once home I was immersed in that particular area of education.”
    “Are you saying…are you a warrior?” she breathed stunned by the news.
    “I am, Lizbett,” he nodded.
    “Now I understand why you didn’t write,” she murmured, “but why…uh…sorry…may I ask, why didn’t you tell me you were from Zanderone, or that you were in training to become a warrior?”
    “Only your father and mother knew, and Tholl of course, otherwise I would have been treated differently. I had to learn as a mere stable boy learns, and to be treated as such. It is humbling and it is necessary. You would benefit greatly from such an ordeal.”
    “I’m not sure I wish to sleep in a stable,” she frowned, then pausing, her eyes locking his, she took a deep breath and whispered, “I had dreams of us running away from here. My father would never have allowed a marriage to a stable boy, but I wanted to be with you that much.”
    “That was evident,” he said tenderly, “and it was one of the things that touched me so deeply.”
    “I’m not sure I understand?”
    “You listened to your heart. You cared for a stable boy. It showed me that your heart is true. You may be a spoiled brat, but your heart, it shines.”
    Again she felt the brimming of unexpected tears, and dropping her eyes she reached for her goblet.
    “It is unfortunate that you do not care what your father thinks,” he sighed. “The way-”
    “I do though,” she interrupted, then quickly added, “sorry, I didn’t mean to cut you off, but I do care, kind of, inside me.”
    His aqua eyes sparkled across at her.
    “I was about to say, the way you ride, and the manner in which you treat others; every time you are rude or arrogant you show the world you do not care what your father thinks. He is a great King, you are his daughter, yet you do not emulate him or behave as he would like.”
    “I…uh…never thought about it like that,” she muttered. “I do care, I just want to do things my way.”
    “It’s time you began to grow up, Princess. Only a child insists on things being their way.”
    “I suppose…” she said, her voice trailing off.
    “I must leave. That was a lovely meal, beautifully presented. Who would have arranged this?”
    “Delina I would think, yes, Delina.”
    “Then I must stop by her office and thank her on my way back from seeing your father at court.”
    “I’m coming with you,” she announced jumping from her seat.
    Larian leaned back in his chair and fixed her with a scolding look.
    “What? You don’t want me to?”
    “I do not want you to presume,” he said slowly.
    Lizbett felt a hot blush cross her face.
    “I don’t know what to say,” she mumbled.
    “You cannot come to court with me. My audience with your father is one I must take with him alone, but I will request that you be seated nearby at dinner.”
    “Nearby? But I want to be next to you, right next to you.”
    Larian rose from his chair, took her hand and led her to the door.
    “It’s time for you to leave, and as far as being seated next to me, that privilege, Princess, will have to be earned,” and ushering her on to the landing, he turned and walked back inside.
    Lizbett stared at the closed door, not quite sure what was happening. Things were upside-down. Larian was suddenly in control, and while there was a thrill attached to the experience, it was not the way she was used to living her life.
    Sitting next to you will have to be earned? I didn’t have to earn your kisses when we were younger. I certainly didn’t have to earn that mighty spanking you gave me…or wait, did I? This is all so befuddling. You’re here to talk to my father about us, that’s what you said, but you won’t sit next to me? This is