Looking a little closer at him, as the courtyard was now lit with lanterns, I could see he was paler than most of the fae here.
His long black hair was brushed back neatly with a small tie, keeping it in a ponytail and away from his face. Giving him a
rather interesting and eye-catching look. I turned away from him as quickly as I could once he caught me staring at him, waiting
for my reply.
“Oh, I enjoy my life as your princess and don’t wish for anything more.”
“Whatever helps you sleep at night, your highness.”
He finished his drink then turned to step away, bowing. My heart fluttered a little as I looked at him once again. He was tall
with a slender build. Unlike other nobles, he dressed differently, more elegantly. wearing black leather trousers and a black
silk doublet, decorated with golden trim.
“I expect you to save me a dance, princess, when we meet again.” His voice filled with confidence, and I tried not to
convey a smile, pleasantly surprised by him.
“Perhaps, we shall see,” I called back as he wandered back into the hall.
Staying outside a little longer, Talia came to find me and asked if I could escort her to bed, knowing that I was desperate to
leave. She used herself as my excuse, and I was grateful for her when I said goodnight to her. Kissing her gently on the cheek, I
watched as she disappeared into her bedroom across the hall from mine. Marcus opened my bedroom door and did a quick
check inside before he deemed it safe and left me to sleep.
Chapter 2
ORNELLA
Running.I was running as red eyes surrounded me and laughter filled the air. Overtaking my senses, my dress caught again on
twigs and mud and a tree branch snapped out in front of me. Its spikes whipped at my cheek and knocked me backwards.
Where was I?
This wasn’t my beautiful, dark forest. This was someplace else. I could hear growls in the distance as I pushed myself up
to continue running away. I wasn’t sure what I was running away from, but I knew I needed to get as far away as possible.
The sunlight began to disappear as the shadow of night took hold suddenly. My heart thumped in my chest loudly as I tried
desperately to catch my breath.
Lifting myself over a fallen tree, I pushed harder than I had ever done before. My muscles screamed for respite, begging me
to stop. I wasn’t one who trained or exercised. I didn’t have to do any of that. It wasn’t in my father’s interests to train me how
to fight for myself, and I had never argued about it.
The lovely birds that were with me earlier had all but disappeared, and what took their place was owls and the howling of
wolves. I needed to get home. My father would keep me safe and protect me.