Had she really heard that? The Queen’s Guard? She had never even heard rumors of anyone being chosen for any palace assignments. He must not know. The only reason he is here is that he does not know of my illness. Samara’s thoughts sank. They mustn’t find out. Samara slowly pushed to her feet. Can’t let him see my pain. She looked to the front and walked carefully ahead, her face masking the pain shooting down her leg. She began walking down the aisle to take her turn to receive the Mother of Mercy’s blessing.

The man abruptly turned around and strode toward Samara. His eyes. Samara nearly stopped in shock. He had the iciest blue eyes she had ever seen – from behind he looked like any soldier, with black hair and a fully covered uniform, but his eyes were unlike anything she had ever seen.

“Turn and follow me. You need not pay your respects to the woman who pays you no respect.” The man’s voice allowed no room for argument, certainly not from Samara. As he continued past her, Samara spun and followed him, trying to speed her steps to match his rhythm. He pushed open the rear door of the chapel and held it for Samara.

He’s holding the door for me? Who is this man, and what am I thinking? I don’t even know this uniform, or if it’s real.

As she continued to follow him, he brought her to a black horse. “Follow me, and don’t stop until I do.” His voice was still strong with power but seemed kinder, somehow. Almost gentle.

He can’t know how much this is going to hurt me. Samara mounted the horse and followed him silently through roads she had never seen before. They rode for hours while she pondered in silence everything that had happened. Samara snapped out of her thoughts when she saw the castle walls rising in front of her. It wasn’t a joke. I’m actually going to the castle.

The man slowed the horses to a gentle pace to go through the castle gate, and led her directly to a stable. Samara looked around and saw no one else. The man jumped down of his horse and walked over to her. “You know,” he said with a slight chuckle, “you really can get down now.” Samara blushed.

She swung her leg over the horse to dismount, and promptly fell over, hitting her head on a water trough, and everything went black.