“I guess,” Legacy smirked. “I’m so excited for this by the way. Let me make sure I have all the details right for tonight. It’s at the edge of the property on the far side of the lake behind the big willow trees. Taz and I raided the wine and punch stash last night so we’re set there. I have the joy unicorn cookie girls making and serving the food.”
Taz chimed in, “Zyacus’s cousin Gracie talked some of her Collweyan friends into doing a dance or something. We don’t know the details but she said it would be spectacular.”
“Oh, and we’re doing some surprise decorating.”
I pulled them both into a hug. “You two are the best. Thank you.”
Legacy tapped the crown on my head. “You’re welcome. But do you have to wear this?”
I knew she wasn’t being serious so I shrugged. “The Headmaster asked us to wear them unless we’re sparring or during strenuous activity. But even then I’ve spelled it to hold its place.”
Taz glared at Legacy. “He’s right you know. She’s the princess. Leave her alone about it.”
I patted Legacy’s head. “If you’re so jealous about it, you could challenge me for the throne one day.”
“Like I’d want it,” Legacy said with a scrunch of her nose. “And I’m not jealous. It’s just odd seeing you wear it all the time when you never have before.”
I lifted a shoulder. “I need to go. I have to meet Zyacus and you two need to send out invitations.”
I rushed to the barn where we planned to meet. When I arrived the horse keeper had four saddled and ready to go. Unfortunately, Zyacus and I couldn’t go alone. We were leaving academy grounds for one, and no students left without escorts, and two, the crown royals of two kingdoms never went anywhere alone. Unless we happened to drink potions and snuck away but I wouldn’t be doing that again any time soon.
“Good morning, Princess,” the horse keeper said, running a brush along the chestnut fur of a tall mare. “I hope you’re doing well today.”
“I am, thank you,” I said, pulling my riding gloves on. “Who is the fourth horse for?” Bindy would be joining us of course but I hadn’t planned on anyone else. We’d take a host of guards too but then that would draw attention to us. People in the city would know who we were and that would cause unnecessary crowds.
“Prince Zyacus’s personal guard, Mateo, I believe.”
“Mateo?” I repeated. I’d thought he was just Zyacus’s friend. It made sense when I recalled some of the things Mateo had said to me but he didn’t follow Zyacus close, or he was so good at blending in that I didn’t notice him.
“Yes, your attendant Bindy came by earlier and told me he’d be joining you.”
I went to the golden horse, Proud Boy, I’d rode on my last venture outside the wall. Stroking his neck, I stepped into the stirrup and threw my leg over the saddle. I gave his sides a little nudge and he stepped forward. I figured I’d get in a quick jaunt around the area while I waited for the others. After a few rounds around the barn, I spotted Zyacus and the tattooed, muscular Mateo beside him.
“Leaving without me?” Zyacus called, walking the red-brown path. He’d changed out of his uniform and now wore black leather riding pants and a thin, airy white top that opened to reveal part of his chest. Over that he wore a dark blue vest embroidered with gold markings. The epitome of a Hesstian royal.
I smiled. “You’re late. I considered leaving you.”
Bindy came out of the barn as if she’d been there all along, and mounted the chestnut horse. Her stealthy nature both awed and intimidated me.
“As the crown prince I think I can arrive when I’d like,” Zyacus teased and hopped on a shiny black gelding and trotted to my side.
I turned on him. “No, you can arrive whenever you’d like on other people’s time, not mine. I don’t care about your title, crown prince.” That arrogant side of him still made me want to punch him sometimes.
His warm laugh washed over me taking my edge away. “My apologies, your highness. Lead the way.”
Mateo and Bindy rode several yards behind us and our horses galloped out of the front gates, headed toward the nearby city of Henalae. At first everything appeared normal. The mostly barren land with huge boulders dusting the flat plane. Sagebrush and dry grass scattered about. Small scurrying animals darting from cover to cover. Plain, ugly, Gap of Freeole—no man’s land.
Memories of fighting vampires flashed in my mind. Cries of pain, and sharp teeth, and blood, and rain pounding the ground. It didn’t seem so long ago. It was the memories of that night that now made me realize something wasn’t right. An ominous feeling slithered down my spine. I looked around trying to figure out what felt off.
“What special thing have you planned for me?” Zyacus asked, pulling me out of my worry.
Good pixie, he looked good on a horse. More regal and manly somehow. I didn’t know how he could have been any more attractive but he made my usually steady heart kick up its pace. “You’ll see when we get there,” I said. Though my tone was light, an eerie feeling swept over me. I couldn’t help but sense we were being watched. A raven perched on the branch of a dead tree. As we passed, it’s yellow eye followed us with unnatural focus. Like a predator watched prey but when would a raven hunt humans?
Zyacus turned to me with a sly grin that instantly made me wonder what he could be thinking about. “Race me to that boulder.”
I looked ahead and the distance was about four hundred yards.
