Loren stood in front of the huntress, smiling. The princess was not dressed in the rough travelling cloak and tunic that Kae had gotten used to seeing her in over the past few months of travelling together. Now, the princess wore silks: a floor length gown of dark blue, with scales embroidered with the finest gold thread. A sash around her waist accentuated curves that were so often hidden by the travelling cloak. Pauldrons of hammered gold were shaped into a dragon’s wings, and seemed to extend from Loren’s strong, confident shoulders.
Loren laughed lightly, covering her mouth in a dainty gesture. The smile crinkled her dark eyes, and her mouth twitched in that little way Loren did whenever she tried to fix her expression to something more stern and courtly, trying in vain to hide her amusement. The huntress stared, mouth open in awe, for the longest time. Loren was beautiful, she always knew she was. But Kae never realized just how beautiful, how powerful, the princess truly was.
“What are you staring at, Kae?” Loren asked with a giggle. “Put down your bow, you look silly.”
Kae blinked, suddenly aware she still leveled a weapon at a princess. Her princess. A blush rose in her cheeks, and she immediately dropped to one knee to hide it. Maybe Loren didn’t see. Maybe the princess will ask her to accompany her back to the castle of Aldoran. Maybe Loren would invite Kae to stay at her side even after she took the throne. Kae shook her head, it was a foolish thought. She was about to speak, when she felt Loren’s palm gently caressing her cheek.
“Come on, Kae.” Loren said, a twinkle in her eye. “We’re going to be late for court.”
The huntress felt a slight tug from the hand on her cheek, and stood. She was slightly taller than the princess, but the look in Loren’s eye made her feel small. Small, but not powerless. Kae smiled.
“At court, or wherever you want me to be. I’ll be there, princess.” Kae muttered, tucking a lock of hair behind Loren’s ear.
Loren chuckled and raised a brow. “What about on the battlefield?”
“I’ll be there too. An arrow among your archers, or a blade with your scouts.” Was the reply.
“In the market?”
“I’ll be your eyes and ears among the common folk.”
“In another kingdom?”
“I’ll be your voice, your messenger.”
“At my side?” Loren asked, her voice no higher than a nervous whisper.
It was Kae’s turn to smile. She brushed her fingers down Loren’s cheek, lightly passing a finger over the princess’s lips. “Always at your side. My princess. My beautiful, shining dragon.”
Kae stirred awake, hand outstretched and reaching across the rough wool covers to the space beside her. She patted the space blindly, finding it empty. Opening her eyes, the huntress sighed, disappointed, until she realized the space beside her was still warm.
“Finally awake, Kae?” came Loren’s voice from somewhere in the room.
Kae sat up and looked around the dingy room at the inn, and found Loren bending over a small rusted mirror that was left on the table. She always fussed with her hair in the morning, brushing the tangles out of her long dark hair that settled into the middle of her back. The huntress smiled at the familiar sight. The princess was dressed in a plain tunic and trousers, with mud-caked boots, and had her travelling cloak draped over a rickety old chair.
“Sorry. Did I keep you waiting, princess?” Kae said in her usual mocking but friendly tone. She smiled lazily up at the princess, leaning back on her elbows. Loren rolled her eyes and smirked at the huntress, and hurled her travelling cloak into Kae’s face.
“Wake up, sleepy head. We’re a few days away from Sagna and I want to find another inn by nightfall.” Loren said with a chuckle. She crossed the room to her pack and busied herself with making sure they had provisions for the road. “You know I don’t want to sleep on the floor as much as possible.”
Kae swung her legs out of bed, stretching out. She watched Loren empty the contents of her travelling pack, repack the entire thing, only to forget if she packed something, and empty the whole thing all over again. Kae laughed, and found herself smiling, admiration shining in her eyes.
“Anything for you, princess.” She said. “Anything for you."
Loren hesitated. Her hands hovered unsure over her half-filled pack. She looked back at Kae. “What do you mean by that?”
“Hmm?” The huntress answered. Kae looked away, hiding the motion with a stretch and yawn. Her dream was still fresh in her mind, the image of Loren, powerful and beautiful in a blue scaled gown, all the words she said, all the things she called her. Her princess. Kae nearly couldn’t hide her giddy smile. “Well, I meant what I said, princess. Whatever you need, I’ll be there. Who’s going to hunt and scout for you?”
“Oh, Kae!” Loren started. She turned back to her pack, placing in the last of her clothes and what remained of their supplies. “You’re worth more to me than just that.”
“I’m worth more to you?”
After a beat, Loren heard Kae’s bare feet against the floor, coming around the bed and approaching her. “Of course you do. You’re a trusted companion, brave and loyal. Foolhardy at times, but you have the best intentions. You’ve never let me down before.” She said cooly, though her heart
