Minstrel's Serenade by Aubrie Dionne

You have a weighty decision to make, and I see two worthy suitors in your future. Make certain the one you choose is the one you love.”
    Sybil’s words left Danika speechless. Two suitors? Valorian’s intent was clear as the surface of a lake, yet how could her mother possibly know the furtive cravings in her wild heart? Danika met her mother’s gaze in confusion and desperation.
    Sybil patted her arm and stood. “Perhaps you do not yet see it and this conversation is premature. When the time comes, think of my recklessness and let my actions be a warning…” She swung her arm out to encompass the landscape around her cottage. “To guide you to a better path than this dead end.”
    The door creaked open, and Bron emerged, breaking the thick atmosphere of woe her mother’s tale had spun. He bowed to the queen and then to Danika, his eyes averted from her simple underdress. “My Queen and Princess, I apologize for any interruption.”
    Mortification froze Danika to stone. Had he overheard their conversation?
    Sybil touched Bron’s shoulder, gesturing for him to rise. “Nonsense, Bronford. Our talk has come to a natural end.”
    Bron nodded, then looked to Danika. “Valorian awakes. He wishes to speak with you.”
    “Of course.” Danika bolted up and used the quilt to cover herself. “Allow me to freshen my appearance. I’ll be there in a moment.” As she walked by her mother, Sybil grabbed her arm with a knowing look. Her mother’s eyes darted to Bron and back to her. “Remember what we spoke of.”
    Danika pulled her arm away. Bron’s proximity tingled the hairs on her neck. If only he knew. The result would be disastrous. She shot her mother a reprimanding glance. Why not shout to Bron how she considered him in the running for her hand? “Dear mother, how could I forget?”
    Danika washed her face and arms using the cold well water. Wanting a more thorough bath, she beat the dust from her riding tunic and pulled the leather over her head. She checked her reflection and smoothed her blond hair. As a reigning princess and ruler of Ebonvale, she refused to start looking ragged like her mother.
    Danika entered the cottage and joined the others. Nip and Bron sat together, sipping broth. Valorian lay propped against the wall, his legs spread before him. He smiled when she entered and beckoned her with a wave of his hand.
    Danika sat on the edge of the bed and took his hand. “How are you this morn?”
    “Healing.” He winced as he tried to lean closer to her. “Sore, but alive thanks to your mother’s talents.”
    Embarrassment rose, and she shrugged the emotion away. Valorian would see her for who she was--warts and all. He already knew her family history if his father had exiled her mother and her minstrel lover. Yet Valorian still wanted her. Even now, sore from an arrow wound, he risked discomfort to be two inches closer. Was it from duty or something more?
    Danika pulled away. Bron sat in the corner, watching their every move like a raven hawk. She couldn’t bear to show Valorian favoritism in front of the warrior who’d pledged his life to protect her and her family. Her mother had spoken the truth. She did have a weighty decision on the horizon.
    But not this day.
    Their quest to Darkenbite hung over their heads, shadowing every move as a perilous, unavoidable fate. Only after they had defeated the She-Beast would she confront the truth within her heart.
     
     

Chapter 11
     
    Farewell Bidding
     
    “En garde!” Nip lunged forward and his wooden sword clacked against the tree branch Bron held in his hand.
    Bron allowed the boy to push him back against a cherrywood, pretending to be taken off guard. “Excellent. Now, what must you do next?”
    “Go for the heart!” Nip swung his sword toward Bron’s chest. The warrior deflected the blow, and the sword swung skyward, the hilt flying from the boy’s hands. Nip swore and scrambled after it.
    When Nip turned back to Bron, the warrior had