Fly or Fall

Chapter Twelve

Princess Valneela stood outside Andy's bedroom chambers. It was just after sunset and the first moon, Soe, was rising. She rocked back and forth on the heels of her shoes. The night was warm, placid and she sighed lightly. She'd come to get him for dinner but found him asleep. She was waiting now for him to get ready. He'd insisted she go ahead without him but she didn't mind waiting. It wasn't as if she were in any hurry to return to court. She was certain she'd find her mother ready with at least a dozen suitors to introduce her to. Her temples throbbed with a blossoming headache, she didn't think she could handle another night of fake smiles and feigned pleasantries.

She smoothed her hand against the right side of her hair, making sure the shaved part was well hidden. Shaving half of her head probably hadn't been her best decision. It had been an impulsive, reckless, spur of the moment, kind of decision. But she didn't regret it. It was crazy and stupid and was probably going to get her in a ton of trouble but it was fun and exciting and it made her happy. She needed to do something that made her happy.

And speaking of things that made her happy—

"Val," Sage said, her cobalt blue eyes glowing in the moonlight streaming from the windows lining the wall in front of them. "What are you doing here?"

The princess shrugged. "Waiting for Andy," she said simply. "What are you doing here?"

"Sevan sent me to get him," she jabbed her thumb at the door.

"Why?"

Sage shrugged. "Not sure."

"Do you think it has to do with their aunt?"

"I don't think so," Sage frowned. "My mother says they're still running leads in Ellimer. It's the most likely place they would have taken her but so far there's been nothing."

"Oh," they fell silent for a moment. Sage leaned against the wall next to Andy's door and Val stood on the other side. They hadn't been alone since Sage started protecting the Echowoods. She was so close yet so far. A pang stung her heart and her hand itched to reach out for her. But she couldn't. They couldn't, not in this place.

Sage snorted and Val looked up. "This is crazy," she said lowly.

"What is?" the princess asked.

"I miss you," Sage pushed herself off the wall and stepped closer to Val. "It's crazy that I have you right in front of me and I can't even..." she leaned over her, brushing the back of her hand against Val's cheek. She shivered. "...touch you."

Val stepped back away and hit the wall. "Don't," she said in a low sigh, "someone might see."

"What if I told you I don't care," she stepped closer again.

"Well I do," she said maybe a little too harshly because Sage flinched. "I'm sorry..."

"How long is it going to be like this?" Sage asked as she stepped back.

"I don't know," the princess dropped her gaze.

They were silent again and Val's stomach twisted. She was terrified, she wanted Sage to understand that. She wanted to be with her, of course she did. She wished they could walk down the halls holding hands, be able to kiss and not care who saw, she wanted that, she really did but she wasn't allowed to want that. Her mother wouldn't understand.

Val lifted her gaze again, Sage had her lips pressed together and her eyes drawn to the floor. Val cleared her throat before she said, "When I was younger Samma used to tell us this story about the princess who fell in love with a soldier ."