Bindy gave me a long look. “Alright,” she said. “I’ll see you kids later.”
I watched and made sure she didn’t head for my room before Taz and I hurried down the stairs.
“That was close,” Taz mumbled when we reached the ground floor.
“Seriously. I didn’t even think about switching swords with Legacy.”
We hurried down the outer front steps. Every few moments Taz’s eyes drifted toward me. “Ugh, it’s just so strange looking at Legacy but talking to you. Especially when you know how much I liked her before I got with Freya.”
I gave him a light punch on the shoulder. “Well, get over it. We need to get some horses.”
∞∞∞
When we arrived at the stables a couple barn boys stopped talking and turned their attention to us. “Legacy,” one boy said, sounding surprised and excited. “What can we do for you?”
I had a feeling Legacy was supposed to know who he was but I didn’t. I thought I knew all of her friends. “We need two horses and we’ll be back tomorrow.”
The dark-haired boy’s eyes drifted to Taz, gave a glare then he smiled at me. Not just any smile either, an I-want-you-smile. Oh no, he likes her and I don’t even know who he is.
“We’ll saddle them up for you. Give us a couple minutes.”
As promised, shortly after they came from within the barn leading two horses. “So Legacy,” the same boy said. “When can we meet up again?”
I peeked over at Taz who stepped into the horse’s stirrup, seemingly oblivious.
I patted my horse’s neck and grabbed the saddle horn. “Uh, maybe soon. I have some things I need to do.”
He didn’t look at all dejected; if anything my secrecy intrigued him. “I see that. Where are you going?”
Was Legacy seriously seeing this boy and hadn’t told me? Had she moved on from Aric? I couldn’t remember ever seeing him before, but tall, well built, and attractive, he was her type. His barn boy status was the only thing out of place since she usually pined after boys with wealth and a known family name, and if I had to guess, he didn’t have either. Not that he couldn’t earn it within the academy, however.
“I’m going home to see my parents.” I put a foot in the stirrup and threw my leg over. They lived nearby, the excuse should work.
He then rested one hand on my thigh and the other on my palomino’s golden neck. “I thought you weren’t going home for the break.”
I pursed my lips, getting annoyed. I needed to get out of here before this potion wore off. “I changed my mind. And I’m running late.”
He drew his hands back like I’d slapped them. “Alright, uh, see you when you get back.”
I softened my face and forced a smile. Clearly Legacy had something going with him and I didn’t want to mess it up. “It’s only a day. Don’t miss me too much.”
He grinned and the other barn boy put a hand on his shoulder. “Taron has it bad for you, Legacy. He can’t help but miss you.”
Taron shrugged his friend’s hand off and just smiled.
I winked and gently kicked my horse’s sides and the mare strode forward. If I’d stayed any longer he would have known something was off.
We rode across the white bridge from the palace grounds over the canyon to the city of Delmar. At the end, two sets of guards waved at us as we passed through the gate. A grassy clearing separated the bridge and the city. We came upon the first houses. A woman standing on her front porch shook out a dusty rug. Children chased each other from house to house. When we got deep into the city the streets teemed with people. Bartering, showing of magic tricks, drinking and eating at tables in the warm sunshine. A little girl with black curls looked up at me and waved.
We came to the main street where the library was located and had to dismount. With so many people crossing and standing in the cobblestone path it was easier to lead the horses. I didn’t mind walking anyway. A soft breeze brought the aroma of roasting meat and my mouth watered even though I wasn’t hungry. It smelled divine.
“Stay close,” Taz said, bumping shoulders with me. He’d been with me a couple of the times I got mobbed by the people. But right now I didn’t look like the Princess; at least I hoped the potion still held.
A pair of guards, one that I recognized, stared me down and whistled. “Such beautiful women today,” one remarked as we passed. “Care to have a drink with us?” I knew I still looked like Legacy because the one with blond hair and tattoos would have recognized me as the princess if not. He knew my father well.
Taz didn’t react to them, though I half expected him to gut punch the guard. Instead Taz trudged ahead and I followed closely.
A haggard old woman beckoned us with her knobby hands. “Come. Come young man, let me tell you your future.”
The old woman looked like she was about on her deathbed. Even without my curse, I could tell her her future. A grave.
Off to the left, the library, with white brick and a gold dome, rose high above the other buildings. My stomach twisted at the thought of being in Hesstia in only a few minutes. I hadn’t been in years and when I had I was with my family. I’d only ever been on castle grounds and I had no idea the distance between the castle and library there.
We could easily find the direction but what would I say to Zyacus? He’d be shocked to see me. What if he really didn’t want me anymore? I would only be embarrassing myself going there. I almost didn’t want to find out the closer I got to actually talking to him. Two weeks didn’t
