Elara's POV
I didn't sleep at all that night.
I laid in my giant bed, staring at the ceiling, replaying every word Kaelen had said to me. Every look. Every touch.
"Your pulse is racing, Your Majesty."
I pressed my hands to my hot face. How could he say things like that? How could he stand there and remind me of... of everything? And why, why did my stupid body react to him like that?
He was supposed to be my guard. A stranger. Someone I could control.
But when he'd touched my neck, when his fingers had brushed my skin, I'd forgotten how to breathe. I'd forgotten I was a queen. I'd forgotten everything except the memory of his hands on me in that dark room.
This was bad. This was so, so bad.
When the sun finally started rising, I gave up on sleep. I got out of bed and walked to my window. The palace grounds were peaceful. Quiet. A few servants were already moving around, starting their morning work.
And there, standing right outside my door like he'd been there all night, was Kaelen.
My heart did a stupid little jump.
I could see him through the crack in my door. He was leaning against the wall, his arms crossed, looking completely relaxed. Like standing guard outside my room all night was nothing.
Had he been there the whole time? While I was tossing and turning and thinking about him?
A knock came at my door. Not the main door where Kaelen stood, but the side door that connected to Lena's small room.
"Come in," I called.
Lena entered, already dressed for the day. Her face brightened when she saw me awake. "Good morning! I didn't expect you to be up so early."
"I couldn't sleep," I admitted.
She came over and sat on the edge of my bed. "Are you nervous about your first real day as queen? With all the meetings and everything?"
"Something like that," I said.
She squeezed my hand. "You'll be wonderful. You're going to be the best queen Dravara has ever seen."
I wished I had her confidence.
"Come on," she said, standing up. "Let's get you ready. You want to look strong and powerful today, right?"
She helped me into a deep blue gown. It was heavy and formal, with a high collar that hid my neck completely. Good. I didn't need anyone seeing the place where Kaelen had touched me yesterday, even though there was no mark. It felt like there should be a mark. It felt like his fingers had burned into my skin.
Stop thinking about him, I told myself firmly.
Lena pinned up my hair, placed a small crown on my head, and stepped back. "Beautiful," she said. "Ready to face the day?"
No. "Yes."
She gave me an encouraging smile, then slipped back through the side door to her own room.
I took a deep breath and walked to the main door. Opened it.
Kaelen straightened immediately. He looked perfect in his guard uniform. Well-rested. Alert. Like he hadn't spent the whole night standing in a hallway.
"Good morning, Your Majesty," he said. His voice was professional. Respectful. But his eyes... his eyes had that little spark of amusement that made me want to scream.
"Good morning," I said stiffly. "We're going to the council room."
"Of course." He fell into step behind me. Exactly three paces back, like I'd ordered.
We walked through the silent hallways. I could feel him behind me. Could feel his eyes on me. It made my back tense, my shoulders tight.
"You can relax, you know," he said quietly.
I didn't turn around. "I am relaxed."
"Your shoulders say otherwise."
"Maybe my shoulders are none of your business," I snapped.
He chuckled. Actually chuckled. "Everything about you is my business now, Your Majesty. I'm your guard. Your safety is my responsibility. And right now, you're so tense you might snap in half."
I stopped walking. Turned around to glare at him. "You were ordered not to speak unless spoken to."
He raised an eyebrow. "You just spoke to me."
"That's not—" I took a breath. Forced myself to calm down. "Just... be quiet."
"As you wish." But he was smiling. That infuriating, knowing smile.
I turned back around and kept walking. My face was hot. My hands were shaking. This was going to be impossible. How was I supposed to rule a kingdom with him following me everywhere?
*
*
The council room was full when we arrived. All my advisors were there, sitting around the long table. Lord Malakor at the head, looking important and serious. Old Garrow beside him. Several other lords I barely knew.
They all stood when I entered.
"Your Majesty," Lord Malakor said, bowing. "Please, sit. We have much to discuss today."
I took my seat at the head of the table. Kaelen moved to stand against the wall behind me. I could feel him there. A solid presence at my back.
Focus, Elara. Focus on the meeting.
"Good morning, gentlemen," I said, trying to sound confident. "What is first on today's agenda?"
Lord Malakor unrolled a long piece of paper. "We have several matters that require your immediate attention, Your Majesty. First, the trade agreements with the eastern provinces. They're asking for lower taxes on their grain shipments."
"Lower taxes?" Old Garrow frowned. "We can't afford that. The royal treasury is already strained from the coronation expenses."
"The coronation expenses were necessary," Lord Malakor said smoothly. "But Garrow is right. We must be careful with our spending." He looked at me. "Your Majesty, I would advise against reducing the taxes. At least not yet."
I shifted in my seat. "But if the eastern provinces are struggling—"
"They are always struggling, Your Majesty," Malakor interrupted gently. "Every province claims hardship when tax season comes. If we give in to the east, the north and south will demand the same. We cannot show weakness in your first weeks as queen."
The other lords nodded in agreement.
I bit my lip. "What do you suggest, then?"
"Tell them we will review their request in six months," Malakor said. "That shows we care about their concerns without making any promises we cannot keep."
It felt wrong. But I didn't know enough to argue. "Very well. We'll tell them six months."
Malakor smiled. "Wise decision, Your Majesty."
We moved through the rest of the agenda. A dispute between two noble families over land. Plans for road repairs in the northern region. A request from the church for more funding.
Lord Malakor had an opinion on everything. And every time I tried to suggest something different, he would smile and explain why my idea wouldn't work. Why his way was better. Safer. Smarter.
The other lords just nodded along with whatever he said.
I felt small. Useless. Like a child playing at being queen while the adults made the real decisions.
"Next," Malakor said, glancing at his paper, "we need to discuss your marriage, Your Majesty."
My head snapped up. "My what?"