Chapter 39

Kit did not think Jecob’s comment about the other team being losers was funny, so she ignored it. “The other team will receive a kiss on the cheek from me, and the winners shall have a different sort of kiss!” More cheers went up, though some of the winners sniveled that it wasn’t fair that the losers received anything.

While Kit wasn’t looking forward to kissing some of the men, she thought this might be a good opportunity to gather some information. She thought nothing would get too out of hand, what with so many onlookers, and she was just about to step forward to begin the awards when Landon asked, “What about the commander? He played just as hard as the rest of us.”

“True. He scored nearly half of our points,” Jate agreed.

Kit looked around, not even aware that Eli wasn’t with the rest of them. He had his scabbard and chainmail back on and was headed away from them. “Yes, Commander, I agree. Come back.”

“Thank you, my Princess, but I’m afraid I’m on duty now, and as you know, I am not one of your Representatives.”

“While that is true, I am at liberty to kiss anyone I want to on the cheek. Now, come over here or risk my wrath.” She tried to sound silly and got a few chuckles from the other men, but she meant it.

Eli took a deep breath before he started moving, as he had earlier, and Kit remembered her last decision had been a poor one. Still, she could hardly take it back now. She’d been at odds with him ever since he returned, and she realized it was her own fault for being unwilling to let him into her life again. She needed him, though, for more than just her security. He was the best friend she’d ever had, and she’d be a fool to think she could do this without him. Even if she managed, it would be better with his support.

His scent overwhelmed her as he stopped in front of her, a few yards away from the other men. He was perspiring, but there was that other smell that always intoxicated her, his own aroma, and despite the fact that he was dirty and had dried blood on his uniform from his split lip, when she stepped up next to him, she had to fight to keep her breath. He hadn’t shaved recently, and a slight layer of stubble covered his jawline. He wouldn’t look directly at her, only stood there, waiting. Kit bit her bottom lip, remembering dozens of eyes were on her, and took a step forward, reaching for his arm to steady herself. Part of her wanted to wrap her fingers around his arm, to pull him around her, to rest her head on his shoulder, but the need to be nonchalant overcame her, and she stood up tall on her tiptoes and planted a kiss on his cheek. His breath caught slightly as her lips grazed his skin, and a tingling sensation shot down to her core, but when she pulled away, he still wouldn’t look at her. Eli bowed, as he always did when addressing her, and turned to go.

“I’m next!” Landon called, and Kit was suddenly aware there were many other men to press her lips to, some of them extremely attractive. Landon had lovely dimples, and as he leaned down toward her, she laughed and placed her kiss squarely on the one on his left cheek. “You just missed,” he said with a wink, noting how close she’d been to his lips.

“We’ll save that for later.” She patted him on the chest, and soon she had another member of his team in front of her. All of them seemed satisfied with their prizes, and a few of them she wouldn’t have minded kissing a little more, but then it was time to address the winners.

Cassius pulled her to him immediately, and the feel of his strong arms around her, feeling her breasts pressed against his chest, took her breath away. He had lovely green eyes, though they weren’t as deep as another pair she was used to looking into. He said nothing, only smiled and leaned in. She fully expected his tongue to plunge into her mouth, but he was gentle with her, only grazing her bottom lip with the tip, and when he pulled away, she wanted more. She suspected that was the idea as he gave her a mischievous wink and went to put his tunic back on.

Some of his teammates were much more exploratory than Cassius had been, others were timid or shy, and she didn’t press them. When she got to Reeve, she put her hands on his shoulders, hoping he’d see that she wasn’t afraid to touch him. His kiss was tender, also leaving her wondering what else he was capable of, and when he moved away, her hand lingered on his arm a bit longer than necessary.

Jecobian had been standing back, not even looking at her with the others. She’d watched him after each time another man found her lips. His arms were crossed, and he seemed very interested in the shrubbery across the yard. However, he was aware when it was his turn, and he swept her into his arms like he owned her. “Saved the best for last,” he said in a breathy whisper as his mouth came crashing down on hers. It was as if they were still in the garden, alone, and he didn’t care at all that so many of her other suitors were standing nearby. His tongue danced with hers, his hands pressing into the soft flesh around her waist, sliding slightly higher than she was comfortable with since they were not alone, and he held on until they were both out of air. When he stepped back, he said nothing, only smiled at her, and Kit stared into his icy blue eyes, not sure how to comprehend what had just transpired.

“Come along, Princess Katrinetta,” Avinia said, perhaps more than once, and then Kit felt a slight tug on her arm, breaking her out of her trance. “We must get you ready to meet with your mother.”

“You have to go so soon?” Gavin called.

“I’m afraid so,” Kit replied, truly sympathetic. “The queen expects me shortly.”

“When will we see you again?” Pierce asked, his hair still flat and dripping with sweat.

“Honestly, I’m not sure. Perhaps at the morning meal?”

“We have to visit the physician first thing tomorrow,” Jate said as he and Rulf were moving the bench back. They put it down to hear her response.

“That’s right. I’d forgotten. After that then? I shall let my mother know I am looking forward to seeing you as soon as possible.”

“Some of the Representatives haven’t spent any time with the princess at all, mind you,” Avinia chimed in. “So she will have to get to know them as well.”

Kit turned to see where the rest of them had gone. She couldn’t imagine anyone not wanting to participate in the game if it meant getting to know her, but she supposed some of them were not athletically inclined or hadn’t realized when they’d dispersed they’d be missing out on an opportunity. She saw a few of them coming out of the barn now and others walking from around the far end of the castle wall from the direction where their delegations were still stationed.

“Until we see you again, Princess, fare thee well,” Cassius said on behalf of all of them, and there were well wishes all around.

Kit felt her cheeks flush from so much attention. She gave a little wave and then headed for the stairs. Before the women even stepped inside the castle, Blankka declared, “I may need to take a cold bath.”

Turning to look at her, Kit tried not to laugh. She had actually been thinking something similar. There were plenty of images of shirtless men to keep her awake all night, and the taste of perspiration and other manly flavors lingered on her tongue and lips. “Why did we tell them I had to go?” she asked, turning back to watch where she was going and lowering her voice so that only Avinia, at her shoulder, might hear.

“Your mother does not want you to spend too much time with them all at once, remember? She wants you to ease into it, see who misses you, who comes looking for you, that sort of thing. Besides, you do have to meet her. Just not for several hours.”

“You will need quite a soak after that,” Isla added.

Kit drew in a deep breath. She was also perspiring, and there were grass and leaves on her dress. But it had certainly been worth sitting outside for so long. “I have to make some notes,” she said, more to herself than her ladies.

“Good idea. We shall help,” Avinia said with a smile.

“Perhaps we can make some doodles,” Isla added, and they all burst into a fit of giggles, leaning on each other’s arms to keep upright. Kit was thankful to have such wonderful ladies to help her through this. Even though it all seemed like fun and games now, she knew it was bound to get difficult sooner or later, and she would need them then more than ever. In the back of her mind it occurred to her that choosing just one of these men was going to be nearly impossible. She had no idea how she could ever do it.