Ruby Red

Chapter Twenty-Four

Alana woke up earlier than usual the next morning. She was tired from her late night, but every time her mind drifted back to the memories of Karis's lips on hers, she couldn't help but smile. She took extra care getting ready, watching the stitches in her abdomen tug on her skin as she pulled on her shirt and slipping loose pants on over her casted foot.

Most of the guards were just getting up by the time she was in the common room sipping on a cup of tea. Those who were awake seemed to avoid her. It stung a little to see even some of her own soldiers throw sideways glances her way, but Alana ultimately didn't mind. They would get over it eventually.

The door to the boy's dorm swung open and Karis sauntered out dressed in his uniform and ready for the day. He came out and leaned over the back of the couch Alana sat on. She turned her head to look at him and she smiled. "Are you still coming with me?"

"Give me five minutes, and then we can go," he said. Karis nuzzled against her cheek for a second and Alana laughed. Then, he went over to the small kitchen to make them each a small cup of coffee.

One of their fellow generals, Enrique Rin, was already over there stirring his coffee and watching the milk spread around the warm drink to lighten the color. He glared at Karis out of the corner of his eye. "You know Alana is still wanted, right? Queen Marjorie hasn't lifted her warrant yet."

Karis froze as he processed Rin's words. "Then lucky for her. We're going to talk to the queen in a few minutes. We'll see what happens then."

"That's not going to change the fact that she stole the Scepter."

"Listen. You weren't there," Karis growled. He slammed his hands down on the counter and looked Rin straight in the eye. "You don't know what happened like I do. I suggest that you watch your mouth. This is one of your own that you're talking about."

"No need to get all defensive." Rin took a sip of his coffee and walked away. "Fine. Whatever." As he passed the couches on the way back to his room, he threw a fake smile in Alana's direction. "Campbell."

Alana raised her eyebrows at him. "Good to see you, Rin." She waited for him to leave, then gathered her crutches and headed over toward Karis. Her face had dropped into a scowl. "Let's just get this over with."

The halls of the palace were busy early in the morning. Attendants were running from wing to wing arranging the royal's schedules, nobles chatted in parlors hoping to gain advantages for their families, and guards made their way to their posts for the morning shifts. Alana and Karis walked together in comfortable silence on the way to the queen's chambers.

When they arrived, Alana rapped her knuckles on the queen's door. Lady Leela greeted them a moment later, her inky raven-colored hair tumbling over her deep brown shoulders. "Good morning, General Campbell, General Griffin. Wait here for one second, if you don't mind. Let me alert Queen Marjorie."

She closed the door, leaving them to drown in their own anticipation. Karis heard Alana start tapping her finger on the handle of her crutches and looked over at her. "It'll be okay. No matter what she says, we'll make it okay." His soothing tenor seemed to calm her down, but she still felt like she was staring death in the face.

The door opened again and Lady Leela beckoned them inside. Queen Marjorie sat on one of her couches next to a muted fireplace. Even this early, she was dressed to the nines in a golden gown that accented the threads of gold hair still scattered throughout the dimmer brown. In her lap, the Scepter glittered in the warm firelight.

Karis bowed, and Alana nodded, which was the best she could do with her crutches. "Your Majesty," Alana muttered. She was afraid if she was any louder, the queen would hear her voice trembling.