Thor could hear in his voice something deep and dark, a tone he had never heard before; the guards must have sensed it, too, because they dared not move.
“I am a member of the royal family,” Kendrick corrected. “An immediate member. You, Alton, are not. You are son to a third cousin to the king. Guards, you will answer to me first, not this pretender. And Thor is my squire. He is not to be touched. Not now or ever.”
“But he broke the law!” Alton whined, bunching his fists like a baby. “A commoner cannot strike royalty!”
Kendrick smiled.
“In this case, I am very glad he did. In fact if I were there, I would have struck you myself. Whatever it is that you did, I’m sure you deserved it—and a lot more.”
Alton scowled, turning red.
“I suggest you guards leave now. Or if you prefer, come c
