A man wearing the uniform of a Royal Guard approached on a horse. Janessa recognized him as Calvin Greene, a man who the Harem Guards regularly gossiped about. Calvin, or Cal, as he liked to be called, was desperate for a wife. He had a distinctive feature Janessa recognized him by – mismatched eyes. One was green and one was brown. Cal muttered under his breath angrily.
“Being sent to search for the King in the Eastern Hills of all places…” Janessa perked up. She hurried over to him. He looked down at her. “Can I help you, good lady?” he asked. Janessa curtseyed politely.
“I apologize if I seem too forward, good sir, but I have been seeking a husband,” she said. Cal stared at her. “You are quite handsome and clearly have a good career.”
“Um. Yes.” Cal shook his head. “Is this a prank?”
“Prank? Never!”
“Well, I am to head to the Eastern Hills immediately to search for…um. Something important.” Apparently, the King’s Council was going to keep the King’s disappearance a secret. “Unless you wish to travel the roads-”
“I actually have family in the Eastern Hills,” Janessa lied quickly. She smiled. “It would be a perfect opportunity for you to meet them.”
“…I suppose.” Cal paused for a moment. “What is your name?”
“Jessa Graye,” Janessa said, coming up with a new name.
“Jessa Graye. I am Calvin Greene, though I go by Cal. Do you know how to ride a horse?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Then you may mount and ride with me.” Janessa, now Jessa, quickly mounted Cal’s horse, making sure she was sitting sidesaddle. She put her arms around Cal’s torso. Cal smiled at her. “When we reach the first town, we shall seek an official to wed us.”
“That sounds lovely,” Jessa purred. Cal clicked his tongue, and his horse began to move again. Jessa felt relief that she had found a safe way to get to Anya. Yes, there was the slight wrinkle of her being married to a rebel, but that could be resolved once she was in safe hands. And to be honest, she was actually looking forward to fulfilling her wifely duties in bed. Her concubine’s sex drive was impressive, and she was already pregnant, so she couldn’t become with Cal’s child.