The Favorite by Kiera Cass Page A

as he offered me his hand.
    â€œThank you.” I started brushing my hair back and smoothing out my dress.
    â€œAny time. You’re sure you aren’t hurt?” He looked me over anxiously, searching for scrapes or cuts.
    â€œMy hip hurts a little where I fell, but otherwise I feel perfect.” Which was true.
    â€œMaybe we should take you to the hospital wing, just to be safe.”
    â€œNo, really,” I insisted. “I’m fine.”
    He sighed. “Would you do me a favor and go anyway? If you were hurt and I didn’t do something to help, I’d feel awful about it.” His blue eyes were terribly convincing. “And I’d be willing to bet the prince would want you to go.”
    He made a fair point. “All right,” I ceded. “I’ll go.”
    He grinned, his smile ever so slightly crooked. “Okay then.” He scooped me up, and I gasped in shock.
    â€œI don’t think I need this,” I protested.
    â€œAll the same.” He started walking, so I couldn’t get down. “Now, correct me if I’m wrong, but you’re Miss Marlee, right?”
    â€œYes, I am.”
    He kept grinning, and I couldn’t help but smile back at him. “I’ve been working hard to keep all of you straight. Honestly, I don’t think I was the best in training, and I have no idea how I ended up in the palace. But I want to make sure they don’t regret their decision, so I’m trying to at least learn names. That way if someone needs something, I’ll know who they’re talking about.”
    I liked the way he spoke. It was as if he was telling a story, even though he was simply stating a fact about himself. His face wasanimated and his voice alight.
    â€œWell, you’re already going above and beyond,” I encouraged. “And don’t be so down on yourself. I’m sure you were an excellent trainee if you were placed here. Your commanders must have seen great potential in you.”
    â€œYou’re too kind. Will you remind me where you’re from?”
    â€œKent.”
    â€œOh, I’m from Allens.”
    â€œReally?” Allens was just east of Kent, above Carolina. We were neighbors in a way.
    He nodded as he walked. “Yes, ma’am. This is the first time I’ve ever been out of my province. Well, second if you count training.”
    â€œSame here. It’s kind of hard getting used to the weather.”
    â€œIt is! I’m waiting for fall to kick in, but I’m not sure they even have fall here.”
    â€œI know what you mean. Summer’s nice, but not every day.”
    â€œExactly,” he said firmly. “Can you imagine how silly Christmas must look?”
    I sighed. “It can’t possibly be as good without snow.” I meant that. I dreamed about winter all year. It was my favorite season.
    â€œNowhere close,” he agreed.
    I didn’t know why I was smiling so much. Maybe it was because this conversation felt so easy. I’d never had an easy time speaking to a boy. Admittedly, I hadn’t had a lot of practice, but it was nice to think that maybe I didn’t need as much work as I had thought.
    As we approached the entrance of the hospital wing he slowed.
    â€œWould you mind putting me down?” I asked. “I don’t want them thinking I’ve broken a leg or something.”
    He chuckled. “Not at all.”
    He set me down and opened the door for me. Inside, a nurse was sitting at a desk.
    The officer spoke for me. “Lady Marlee took a little tumble in the hall. Probably nothing, but we just wanted to be safe.”
    The nurse stood right up, looking happy to have something to do. “Oh, Lady Marlee, I hope you’re not too hurt.”
    â€œNo, just a little sore here,” I said, touching my hip.
    â€œI’ll check you out right away. Thank you so much, officer. You can go back to your post.”
    The guard tipped