Page 24 of Royal Guard

“Go back to bed, Mr. Buchanan,” said Emerik. “I’ll be fine until Jakov takes over.” He glared at Jakov’s room.

“You think she’s wrong about everyone living in peace, don’t you? You don’t trust him.”

He looked me right in the eye. “I lost two nephews in the war, Mr. Buchanan. So, no. I don’t trust any Garmanian. No matter where they were born.”

I shook my head sadly. I was trying to figure out what to say to the poor guy when I thought I heard a faint noise again. I put my hand on the door handle. “I’m going to check on her,” I told Emerik.

He grabbed my wrist. “You most certainlyare not!It’s forbidden for a commoner to be in the Princess’s room!” I opened my mouth to argue but he cut me off. “There’s only one door and one window in her room and I’ve been standing in front of them all night! She doesn’t need you!”

I didn’t miss the way he said that last part. We glared at each other, our faces only a foot apart. But I could feel my neck going hot. Heknew.Of course he did.Did you really think you were the first guy to fall for her? He probably sees this all the time.

I dropped my eyes to the door handle. Had I really heard something? Or was I just looking for an excuse to open the door and see her again?

I let go of the handle and stepped back. “Fine,” I grunted. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

And I walked off towards my room.

14

KRISTINA

I was dying.My vision was narrowing, a circle of light that darkened to gray and then to cold, empty black at the edges.

I tried to hit the man who was strangling me. But he was bigger than me, his arms longer. My fingers scratched and clawed the air an inch short of his face. I tried to pry his hands loose from my throat, but they were iron-hard, trembling with the power he was putting into killing me. The power and the hatred. I could see it in those gray eyes: Idisgustedhim.

I thought I heard the handle of my door move and my heart lifted. They were coming in! But then to my horror it went quiet again.

My eyes searched for something, anything that would make a noise. I was so woozy now, my vision lagged and lurched.The lamp!But it was out of reach of my straining fingers.

Muffled voices outside. I was hysterical, now, pleading in my mind.Come in! Please!But then Iheard heavy footsteps walking away.Garrett! No! I need you!

My fingers brushed something on the nightstand, smooth and glossy and thick.The magazine!My muscles were going limp, but I summoned all my strength and shoved it as hard as I could. It hit the base of the lamp and sent it skidding towards the edge….

The assassin heaved me by the throat, pulling me away from the bedside table so I couldn’t do it again. My eyes locked on the lamp. It slowed and came to a stop half off the edge, rocking back and forth.

The assassin froze on top of me, his eyes on the lamp too. If he released me to catch it, I’d scream. The lamp teetered.Come on, please!

It fell to the floor with an almighty crash.

I heard running footsteps outside. But the assassin was squeezing my throat even harder, desperate. My vision narrowed until all I could see were his eyes. My stomach lurched.They’re going to be too late.

Everything went black.

15

GARRETT

I hurled the door open,my stomach knotted. I was praying that I’d find the Princess half-awake, frowning sleepily at something she’d knocked over in her sleep. I’d apologize, close the door and—

She was limp on the bed. Unmoving. A dark figure knelt over her, his hands locked around her throat.

I bellowed a wordless cry of rage and surged across the room, fists already coming up.This is my fault!Twice, I’d heard something, but I’d second-guessed my instincts because of my own selfish feelings for her. Never again. If she could just be okay, I’d happily bury those feelings forever.Just let her be alive!

I lowered my shoulder to ram the bastard off her—

And suddenlyIwas knocked sideways. I slammed into the wall and went down. And looked up into the face of the second guy, the one I hadn’t seen, hiding in the shadows.

I managed to get back to my feet, but he grabbedme and swung me against the wall again. I felt the cheap plaster crack. These guys were tough, definitely military.