𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭

~𝐀𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐲~

I hear a light knock on the door. Oh, it must be Fredrick.

I take a deep breath, before making sure I have multiple daggers on me and the vial.

"Hello September" he says while leaning on my door.
"Your highness" I mockingly say whilst curtsying.
"Oh cm'on we already discussed that"
"When you stop calling me September, I'll stop as well" I lightly nudge him in the shoulder and walk out the door.

He looks really good today. This time, he's not in his royal uniform, instead he was wearing a blue waistcoat, that really embraced his curves.

His hair was also very laid back.
He almost looked like he wasn't the crown prince.
And definitely not the person I met during the ball.

He leads the way into the so called training quarters.
Guards storm in and out, during which, I spot Elijah.
He's on his shift break, and is eating an apple so carelessly. Looking handsome as always.

I take a deep breath of the fresh air as soon as we step outside. The cold breeze hitting my face in the sweetest spots. Oh how good it feels to be outside for the first time in a couple of days.

We're in a field of sorts. Targets scatter the grounds. Tens of inches apart, some even hundreds.
Memories come flooding to me as soon as I enter.
Gerald is an excellent archer. Every time he got the chance, he used to sneak me in and 'teach me'. But back then, I was the worst at archery. I wonder how good I'll do today.

"Ever tried Archery before?"
"A couple of times as a child. But disclaimer, I was very bad" I laugh.
He chuckles at my comment, "We can change that" shooting me a delicate smile.

He picks up two bows and throws me one.
"I will show you very quickly, and then walk you through the steps, sounds good?"
"Yes" I nod.

He takes a couple of arrows and starts shooting into 3 boards, each further away from the other by approximately 30 inches.
He's done it so flawlessly and aimlessly. Not to mention, so swiftly.
"Wow" I say outloud.
He shoots me a glance full of ego and pride.
"Your turn"
Dropping his bow on the grass, he approaches me.
"So it's quite simple really. we'll start of with the stance, so stand upright with your feet shoulder width apart. And feet at 90° to the target." I try to shift my body to his guidance. "Not quite" he chuckles while placing his hands on my shoulders to shift the angle of my body.

A shiver travels down my body at the slight interaction. Even though there's still a layer of clothes between us.

"Ok now keep a light grip on the bow handle" he goes behind me, placing a hand on my shoulder and the other on top of mine.
"Yes, perfect." I look up to him through my shoulder. Our eyes meet for a couple of seconds before I break it.
"Place the arrow on your bow, right here. And position your fingers like this."
His hands brush with mine while trying to show me where to sit my fingers.

His hands are cold, as always. Yet, I still feel a sense of warmth through them.

"Now pull back the string so that the index finger of the pulling hand is under your chin" his fingers slightly brush my chin, sending yet another shiver down my body.
"The string must touch your nose and lips"

His eyes linger on my lips, almost as if he wants to kiss them.
My stomach churns at the way he's staring, and so I unconsciously say, breaking the awkward silence, "ok"

He clears his throat and goes on, "using your dominant eye, look down the arrow and align it with the target" he instructs.
I do as he says.
"Done?"
"Yes"
"Ok perfect. Lastly you'll need to relax your grip on the string and allow you fingers backwards. But afterwards, make sure to maintain your position.
"Great, now, shoot."
And so I do. The dart lands almost perfectly centered.
"Oh wow, perfect aim as always"