Chapter 68

　　“Nonsense,” she brushed it off my protestations, taking her seat and pouring from a delicate silver pot into two dainty teacups.

　　Rivyn picked me up and closed the distance to the chairs, placing me down upon one. “Let my mother tend you,” he said, leaning over me. “She will heal your ankle as I am unable to do,” he threw her a glower over his shoulder before turning back to me and brushing his lips over mine. “I need to go.”

　　“Rivyn,” I touched his cheek, embarrassed to be overseen by the courtiers and his mother, but fretful. “Rivyn...”

　　He smiled. “Do not fear for me, Siorin,” he said with confidence, and tucked a lock of my hair back from my face. “I cannot afford to fail.” He straightened and strode across the room, and into the hallway beyond.

　　I looked at the Queen in embarrassment and despair.