“Where should I … ” Summer waved her hands helplessly as Henry swept her up as though she was a feather. “Mother of God, you’re strong!”
He let out a chuckle of laughter at her words and started to walk towards the castle, “The weight I carry is not heavy.”
“Sire!” Summer pretended to be surprised. “Surely you jest, for my father swears I eat more than any horse in the stables.” Devoid of any instruction, she carefully linked her arms around his neck, tucking her face in against his shoulder. He smelled nice, clean.
He held her steadily as he laughed at her words, and continued walking to the palace. It was not a great distance for him, “Then your father does not feed his horses enough.”
With immensely false dignity, she protested, “Sire, you are flattering me unduly; I must beg that you stop.” The fact that her mouth was practically against his neck didn’t occur to her until she’d finished the sentence.
O God, am I truly flirting with this man who is my king? But he is so kind and genuine. O God, help me!