"She reached out and touched the kingâ€™s face, cupping his cheek in her hand. â€œJust a nightmare,â€ he said, his voice still rough. The queenâ€™s voice was cool. â€œHow embarrassing,â€ she said, looking at his maimed arm. The king looked up then, and followed her gaze. If it was embarrassing to wake like a child screaming from a nightmare, how much more embarrassing to be the reason your husband woke screaming. A quick smile visited the kingâ€™s face. â€œOuch,â€ he said, referring to more than the pain in his side. â€œOuch,â€ he said again as the queen gathered him into her arms."

-- Megan Whalen Turner

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