King's Throne(14)

And maybe she saw some of that desperation in his gaze, because she didn’t laugh at his offer or turn him down out of hand. She stood and paced, her expression tight with worry and…fear? His little princess was afraid and Mitch couldn’t imagine of what. Not of him, surely?
Perhaps it was the fear of facing who—and what—she truly was? That made sense to him, though it was painful to watch. For the few days he’d known Gina, she’d been confident, funny, strong and gentle. All qualities he associated with the strength of character he expected of a royal bloodline. Ria, the Nyx, was very much the same, if a bit younger than Gina.
Mitch truly liked Ria and had enjoyed serving her and keeping her safe. She was a good leader to her people and a benevolent ruler who kept her people’s welfare above her own. He would miss her.
But to see such worry and uncertainty on a royal face was something Mitch wasn’t used to. He had trained among other shifter royalty and each had carried themselves with surety and strength, even in private. None had doubted themselves as Gina seemed to—or feared their true selves.
King Frederick had done his daughter no favors by raising her in isolation. If she accepted Mitch as part of her Guard, he would do his utmost to help her realize her own strengths and become the princess she truly was. Subtly, of course. Mitch wouldn’t chastise her. He would guide and help. He would be her right-hand man, if she let him. He would be there for her when she needed him.
It was all he could do. Guard her and keep her safe. She was precious to him.
If things had been different and she wasn’t the tiger princess, he would have done his best to make her his own. Mate with her for life. Protect her and love her and sire cubs with her.
But that wasn’t meant to be. She wasn’t for him. She was above him in all ways, and Mitch, an orphan golden tiger—albeit an Alpha Royal Guard—knew his place.
Finally, she stopped pacing and turned her worried gaze to him. “Is that what you really want?”
Mitch sighed. When had a royal ever asked him what he wanted? Not often, that was for sure. Gina was only reinforcing Mitch’s high opinion of her. If she would return to the Clan and take her rightful place, all tigers would be blessed by her wisdom.
Again, he bowed his head to her. She was more like the monarch she had been born to be every time he looked at her.
“I miss the company of other tigers,” he answered evasively, but truthfully.
“It must be hard on you, serving among pantera,” she commiserated.
Surprise made him look up at her. “Not that hard, milady.” He had to smile, thinking about the life he had led up to now. “Cade is my best friend. He might be a panther, but he’s one of the most steadfast men and talented warriors I know. I will miss him, but he is sworn to his Nyx and I am useless to her now. The pantera are good people of strong convictions. They welcomed me as one of their own, even though we wear different fur.”
“My father tells me it is a rare thing for the secretive pantera noir to accept any outsider into their ranks, much less allowing one to guard their monarch. Dad was impressed.” Gina smiled and walked a step closer, her expression softening.
“Cade and I met when we were both in training. We were well-matched and usually ended up sparring together. We became friends, and when he realized I had no close family, he sort of adopted me.” Mitch shrugged.#p#分页标题#e#
The way he had been welcomed by Cade and his family still made Mitch feel sentimental, but he strove not to let it show too much. Cade was his brother in every way but blood, and always would be. Some bonds could never be broken.
“I’m glad. And not just for you. I think your friend Cade may have designs on my best friend, Ellie.” Gina smiled as she sat on the chair by his bedside. “Please tell me he’s not a tomcat chasing everything in a skirt.”
“Cade?” Mitch had to laugh at the description. Sure, Cade didn’t lack for female companionship, but he’d never shown an interest in a human to Mitch’s knowledge. If he was showing signs of courting Ellie, it had to be serious. “Are you sure?”
“Oh, yeah. A woman knows the signs. And I’ve never seen Ellie so worked up over a guy. If they don’t get together, I’ll be truly amazed.”
Mitch was floored by the idea of Cade hooking up with a human. “I hope your friend is strong enough for him. Cade is more Alpha than most.”
Gina laughed. “If I were you, I’d be more worried about Cade. Ellie may be human, but she’s as fierce as any tigress. Even my parents love her. She’d have been adopted into our familial Pride long ago if things were different.”