The Golden Deer

Chapter 17

The next day dawned windy and bitterly cold. The tip of Evy's nose was numb where it stuck out from her blankets and the ground around her was coated in frost. The sun was shining but heavy white clouds were rolling in and the air was thick with the smell of snow.

Robbie was already awake, shivering slightly as he built the fire up to heat water for tea. She watched him for a few moments, loathe to slip out of her cocoon of blankets. She stared at the celestial glitter of the sunlight on his blonde hair as she ran through their conversation from the night before.

Nothing had changed, the world around Evy was the same: dull sky threatening snow, bare trees, dead grass but inside she felt as if she had burst into a warm spring day.

She had always regarded her father with a fearful awe, longing for his praise and attention, always feeling as if she had fallen short. She had been born and raised in that palace, third in line to the throne, a princess of the realm and yet she had been treated like a cursed specter roaming the halls. Her own subjects, people who ought to have bowed to her when she passed, they twisted their fingers over their hearts to ward off the evil she carried. They ignored her and dismissed her because that was what her father did.

And she had never questioned this, not until this golden-haired peasant boy had pointed it out. This boy who played at heroics because he cared more about this kingdom than her father and brother combined.

Reluctantly, she clamored to her feet, gratefully accepting a mug of tea from Robbie. The calluses on his fingers brushed against hers in a way that made her shiver.

"Just a few hours before we reach the city," he said quietly.

She nodded and settled on a log beside the fire.

"Looks like snow," he warned, glancing at the sky.

Evy offered a shrug and took a sip of her tea. She wasn't ready for what would undoubtedly be a chaotic homecoming. She wanted a few more moments of the peace they had built, sitting in a frosted wood beside a roaring fire.

She glanced up at Robbie, beseechingly, unable to conjure the words. He met her eyes and nodded. He took a seat beside her and they sat quietly as the sun rose in the sky.

The sky continued to darken as they journeyed on, the wind whipping around them fiercely. The road, normally bustling with travelers was deserted as the people of Eldi prepared for a storm. The temperature continued to drop and, despite her mounting dread, Evy reached the city gates with a sense of relief, eager to be shielded from the wind by the vast city walls.

She had almost passed through them when she realized Robbie was lagging behind. She paused, turning back to him.

"What's wrong?" She asked, confused.

Robbie closed his eyes and let out a long sigh. "Evy, I'm afraid this is where you and I part ways."

"What?" Evy gaped at him. "You're not coming with me?"

"There's somewhere that I need to go," he said simply.

He dismounted smoothly and swept her a grand bow.

"Your Highness, it has been an honor to-"

"No, no, wait," Evy scrambled out of her saddle and faced him. "You cannot be serious. You have somewhere to be? Right now? Robbie, its about to snow!"

He smiled at that. "I promise I will find somewhere safe to spend the night."

"Robbie," Evy nearly stamped her foot in frustration. "This is insane! You have to at least come to the castle and go before the king! You will be rewarded!"