Read The Warrior and the Petulant Princess for Free Online Page B

Larian’s letter asking for an audience to reacquaint himself with Lizbett with an eye to a courtship, it was obvious the fondness the young warrior felt for her still existed.
    Would that be enough to hold the pair together if Lizbett threw one of her terrible temper tantrums? Did Larian have the patience to deal with her?
    I must not keep him waiting any longer. I will simply tell him the truth. It’s all I can do. Perhaps he’s the man that can make Lizbett behave. I do hope so.
    Still pondering he walked back to his throne, settled in, then signaled for the page to open the door. He was leaning back in the large, impressive chair when Commander Larian Lobergene entered the room, and the King almost caught his breath; Larian looked every bit the acclaimed warrior.
    His tall, square-shouldered frame and heavily muscled body would intimidate any man, and the square jaw and piercing aqua eyes gave his face strength and character.
    “Your Majesty,” he murmured dropping to one knee.
    “Larian Lobergene, please rise.”
    Larian slowly straightened up, and though the King was a powerful presence himself, Larian’s energy seemed to fill the room.
    “Let us retire to my study, we have much to discuss.”
    “As you wish, Sire,” Larian replied with a slight bow of his head.
    As the King moved from his throne and made his way to a side door, Larian kept his eyes downcast as a mark of respect. It did not go unnoticed, and it made clear to Handerah that in spite of his accomplishments Larian had remained humble.
    “Please, let us not be formal,” Handerah said warmly, pointing to a chair.
    There were several thickly padded, tapestried chairs set in a semicircle in front of a massive fireplace in which a small amount of wood was burning. As Larian moved towards it, the flames gave the gold and silver threads of his burgundy vest a particularly eye-catching sparkle.
    “I understand that vest is given when you achieve the rank of Warrior Of The First Order,” Handerah remarked. “It is impressive.”
    “Thank you, Sire,” Larian replied as he sat down. “It is one of several that I received with the vest itself. It resembles the true vest very closely, but the true vest is much thicker, and is adorned with precious stones, and nuggets of gold and silver, not just colored thread. It is kept in a locked cabinet, and can only be worn only on days of great importance, for example, my wedding day,” he smiled.
    “Ah, yes,” Handerah nodded. “The reason for your visit.”
    “It is, yes, and I don’t know if you are aware, but I ran across Lizbett on my way here. We spent some time together at the waterfall.”
    “I did receive a report that the two of you arrived at the castle together. I was surprised, but now I understand how that came about. What a lucky coincidence.”
    “Yes, I was delighted. It was quite the reunion,” Larian commented thinking back to the naughty girl across his knee. “Your daughter has grown into a beauty.”
    “She has, but she can be a like a beautiful storm, all winds and tumult. It would give her mother and me the greatest joy to grant our permission for the two of you to wed, but you must understand she is headstrong and willful. I have done my best, Larian, but I had an easier time controlling the most headstrong member of my cabinet than I did Lizbett. She can be a very determined and difficult young woman.”
    Larian sighed. He knew exactly the jeopardy a marriage with Lizbett could pose and why the King was concerned.
    “May I be frank, Sire?” Larian asked quietly, leaning forward in his chair as if he was about to relay a national secret.
    “Please, yes, absolutely,” Handerah replied, also leaning forward, drawn in my Larian’s demeanor.
    “I have seen glimpses of Lizbett’s petulance and stubbornness, and I believe, given time, she can be directed to mend her ways.”
    “Really?” Handerah said his eyes wide in surprise.
    “When one enters the warrior ranks, there is