“No!” Illianah could hear the desperation in her voice. She ran from the room and headed for the castle’s courtyard. The portcullis was up. “No!” she again cried.
She ran through the courtyard, past the outer wall, and into the city streets. A few citizens were already out, beginning their day’s labors. Ten feet ahead, Illianah could see a procession of several dozen horses. That was him. That was Donovan’s caravan leaving the city.
“Stop!” she yelled, as she continued her frantic chase. “Stop at once!”
The caravan stopped and the rear horses turned in her direction. She could not see Donovan yet, so she continued to run through the caravan until she found him. He was on the horse in the center, and his eyes grew wide with astonishment when he saw her. It was then that she remembered her attire. She was in her nightgown. In the streets of St. Moraine. Donovan’s men and a few of the passersby’s bowed for their queen. She closed her eyes briefly and scolded herself for not showing more thought and discretion.
“I cannot let you go,” she said, grabbing Donovan’s horse by the reigns.
“Oh?”
“It is not right. You cannot go back to a kingdom brought to its knees by our former monarch without me first pledging my support.”
Donovan smiled, but only slightly. He hopped down from his horse and said, “You pledge your support. Or Burchess pledges her support?”
“Both,” she replied, unable to keep the smile from her face. “We will send troops to enforce your border with Normandisle. We owe you our support, as you would not find yourself in your current circumstances was it not for the tyranny of my father.”
He smiled larger this time and then bowed his head. “Thank you, Queen Illianah. Your help is most welcome.”
It looked as if the heavy blanket that had been shrouding his shoulders lifted. He no longer needed to worry about sending his few remaining soldiers off to their deaths.
“I would also like to ask you …” Illianah hesitated. She did not dare look around her, as she was certain her citizens would laugh at her for her next request. “I would like to ask for your hand in marriage.”
He looked like he would laugh, but it was not a mocking expression. He looked ecstatic. “You are asking for my hand? You do know it is supposed to be the other way around?”
“Yes, but you are ridiculously slow and I am highly impatient. I have waited a lifetime for a proposal from Prince Henrick of Deltegra. I am not about to let him ride away from my castle, yet again, without a promise of devotion.”
Donovan stepped toward her and tilted his head to the side, as if he was carefully considering her request. “You have always had my devotion, my precious Lily. You have always had my heart. I would be honored to be the man who can finally, officially …” Donovan paused as his mouth pulled up into a roguish smile, “claim yours.”
The End
About the Author …..
Lori Folkman has been creating stories since her childhood, back when she would play hooky from school to continue the drama that was unfolding in Barbieland (aka Lori’s bedroom). Her Donny Osmond Doll typically played the romantic lead. Besides playing with her imaginary friends, Lori also enjoys reading, watching movies, exploring Montana’s back roads, and spending summers at the lake. She lives in Northwest Montana with her husband and five children.
Visit Lori’s website for more information about her books: lorifolkman.com
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