No one could navigate Camelot Castle better than Breanna. She would occasionally use secret tunnels to avoid her teachers or spy on people. Mainly, she would use them to sneak out to the stables and enjoy a night run on her favorite horse, Whisper, the fastest in the kingdom. Whisper was a white stallion with a black mane and tail, larger and stronger than any other horse. Few people were able to ride him without being tossed from the saddle.
Cailean and Bre snuck through the tunnels so they could get a good look at the future knights of Camelot. Cailean did not need to sneak about, spying on the new recruits, but he enjoyed the frivolousness and thrill of possibly being caught and told off by Brian. Breanna brought out the child in his heart.
The new knights were all around Breanna’s age: if not eighteen, no more than two years older. This new group was the largest Breanna had seen. Normally, only two or three in a group gathered in the hall, but today, six men arrived. All of the recruits were over six feet tall, and some were clean-shaven while others sported a scruffier look. They either had brown or hazel eyes; Bre fancied the hazel. However, one recruit with piercing blue eyes caught Breanna off guard.
The handsome recruit was at least 6’2 with well-toned muscles. Even though Cailean and Breanna were hidden in the secret passage, peering through peepholes in the wall, the man looked straight in their direction and smiled. Bre automatically responded with a flirtatious smile, but she was sure he could not appreciate it from her hideaway.
Cailean stumbled backwards in shock after noticing the instinctive flirtation. Cailean placed a hand over his mouth, mumbling, “It couldn’t be.”
Before Bre could ask what was wrong, Cailean grabbed her arm and sprinted down the passageway.
“What’s the rush, Cail?” Bre asked, barely able to keep up.
“We have to find Brian!” excitement filled Cailean’s voice. His hand tightened around Bre’s wrist, making it impossible to shake him loose, even if she tried.
The two busted through the passage door and found themselves in the hall where the future knights waited patiently. Cailean and Bre skidded to a halt when they realized where they were. Bre’s heels were more slippery than Cailean’s boots, causing her to slide past Cailean and into one of the recruits. The man was so large and muscular that when Bre slammed into him it was like running full force into a wall. The man would not have noticed if it were not for the small squeal she made when she hit the ground.
The room erupted into laughter as Bre sat on the floor looking up at the man, dumbfounded at his size. The giant recruit peered over his shoulder and then whipped around, apologizing as if it were his fault she hit him. He started to bend over to yank Breanna up but slightly jerked back, thinking twice about touching her, staring at his hands accusingly.
Cailean tried to hide his chuckling, but when Bre cracked a smile, he burst out laughing.
Still giggling, Bre raised her hands up towards Cailean, “Oh, shush and help me up.”
Cailean wiped away a tear and stepped towards the princess to help. Before he reached her, the man with striking blue eyes and handsome scruff picked Bre up with a firm grip around her waist. “Are you alright, Ma’am?” he asked with a dashing smile that made Bre blush.
Bre was cut off before she could respond.
“That would be Your Majesty, not Ma’am,” an authoritative voice corrected the man.
Bre grimaced as she turned around to find Brian looming in the door, shaking his head disapprovingly at her and Cailean. Brian bowed his head slightly in Breanna’s direction, “Princess Breanna.” Brian gave her half a smile and shook his head as if saying “only you.”
Relieved he did not scold her, Breanna chuckled and wiped dirt off her hands. “Hello, Sir Brian! This nice gentleman kindly broke my stride.” She smiled sweetly up at the man she hit.
“The name is Percival, Your Majesty,” Percival turned red from embarrassment.
“It’s lovely to meet you, Percival,” Breanna curtsied to the recruit, who was turning redder by the minute.
“Why don’t you get ready for the feast while we contend with the recruits?” advised Brian with more of a ‘do as I say’ tone.
“It was a pleasure watching you fall, Your Majesty. Maybe next time it will be me who you fall for,” another handsome recruit walked over to Bre and kissed her hand. He had bright hazel eyes and wavy brown hair that swept just below his ears. His voice was smooth and soothing, and he had a smile that could make any girl swoon.
“Easy, Gawain,” Brian warned the future knight, raising an eyebrow.
Brian put a hand on Gawain’s shoulder to let him know Breanna is protected at all times.
Gawain put his hands up in surrender and backed away from the princess. Brian looked at Bre and motioned towards the door. She gave him a playful grin as she headed towards the exit. As Breanna passed Gawain, she grabbed his arm and kicked his legs out from under him. The sudden crash of his weight on the floor rattled the decorative suit of armor next to him. Once again, the room erupted into laughter.
Bre flipped her hair over her shoulder and smiled triumphantly at an amused Gawain, “Or maybe you’ll fall for me.”
The Phoinix: Age of Demigods Page 78
