The Dark Prince

Chapter 2

I pull the hood on my green cloak more tightly around my face, in an effort to conceal my true ability, seeing as I'm unsure of the identity of the approaching stranger. Rain soaks my fingertips, and I curse quietly as I realize I have forgotten to wear my riding gloves. I peer at the approaching stranger cautiously from beneath my hood, unease settling into the pit of my stomach. Through the dark surroundings, I observe his shape. His shoulders are broad, and his voice is deep as he speaks again, authoritative and rich. "What is a lady like you doing out in these woods?"

His words make me anxious, and as I peer through the darkness at him, every instinct in my body warns me to run, to put as much distance between him and I as I can. Gwen seems to feel the same way, bulking underneath me. "I'm afraid I have to go." I tell him stiffly, gathering the reins and spinning Gwen around, back towards where I believe the castle is. "My parents will be missing me."

I urge Gwen forward, and she breaks into a gallop. Thunder rolls and crashes overhead, and the rain thickens, making the forest even harder to navigate than before. Behind me, I hear the stranger's horse crash through the thick foliage as he trails me, hooves drumming loudly on the forest floor. I gasp as I glance over my shoulder, realizing just how quickly he approaches, and my stomach lurches. Gwen quickens her pace as I throw my heels into her side, clinging desperately to her mane. Gwen's instincts must be better than my own, because she gets us to the correct path much quicker than I could have hoped to, a huge relief. A few moments later, I spot the castle stables, and I breathe out a sigh of relief as I realize the mysterious stranger is no longer following me.

I slow Gwen to a trot, giving her neck a satisfied path, and guide her to the stables door. As soon as I get inside, Christopher is at my side, his expression full of relief. "Thank goodness you're back, your Highness. I was worried something had happened to you."

I don't mention the stranger or that Gwen strayed off course, not wanting to worry the poor stablehand anymore than he already is. I dismount, handing him Gwen's reins and offering him a warm smile. "Have no fear, Christopher. I told you I'd be fine."

Christopher smiles back, raking a hand through his unruly blonde curls. "You're going to give me wrinkles at only twenty, your Highness." He says teasingly as he leads Gwen to her stall to untack.

"That seems to be a common theme around here. If you asked my mother, she'd have a similar complaint." I laugh. "Thank you for untacking Gwen."

Christopher chuckles softly at my joke, and as he moves to begin removing Gwen's saddle, I offer him a parting wave. "I should get back before my mother worries. Thanks again!"

I practically sprint across the grassy castle yard, rain splattering my face as my cloak hood falls onto my shoulders. At the castle doors, the two guards manning the entrance allow me in without asking any sort of questions, which is a relief. My mother, however, has plenty to make up for their silence. As I enter the castle, she meets me at the doors, her eyebrows raised questioningly, a storm brewing in her blue eyes that is unfortunately even more violent than the storm reeking havoc outside.

"Where have you been, Amelia?" She asks sternly, assessing the state of my soaked brown curls and drenched cloak and dress.

"The stables." I reply cheerfully, trying not to falter at the irritated look she is wearing.

She sighs, clearly disappointed but dreading an argument, and simply turns away. "You should not be out and about during storms, Amelia. You are a future Queen. Your people need you in good health."

I scowl, glaring at her turned figure as she walks away, likely back to her beloved Throne Room to attend to matters that I dread the thought of dealing with someday. I have never wanted to be a Queen. Always having to maintain perfection and grace, perfectly polished like my mother and Ada, perched upon a throne giving orders all day long. No time to be free and let your hair down, or gallop a horse through an open field. The thought of being Queen fills me with dread. As mother disappears around the corner, Ada and Alexander step down the stairs of a nearby spiral staircase, arm in arm.

My frown deepens at the sight of them. It's like I am unable to avoid them, constantly tormented by their obvious displays of affection. "Your Highness," Ada gasps in surprise as she spots me, her jaw dropping. "You're soaked!"

"Excellent observation, Ada." I grumble in response. "How could you tell?"

She ignores my sarcastic remark, hurrying down the stairs to my side. "You should get changed. You'll fall ill!"

"I'm fine." I roll my eyes as she observes me with obvious worry.

Alexander frowns, his forehead wrinkling, his brown eyes kind and gentle. I take a deep breath, pushing aside the warm feeling I get from his clear anxiety, even though I know he will never care for me in the way that I care for him. "Ada's right, your Highness." He says.

I groan, shaking my head, though I'm secretly pleased by his admission. "Alright, then. I shall change clothes, since you two are so worried."

I hurry away, up the staircase to my chambers, ignoring the soft giggling of Ada behind me as Alexander whispers in her ear. As I reach my chambers, ready to take a long, warm bath, I'm greeted by the familiar sight of my maid, Sabrina. "Good evening, Sabrina." I greet her as I push open the door. "I don't require your services tonight, I'm afraid."

Sabrina curtsies deeply, then straightens, avoiding my gaze, which is quite strange. Sabrina and I are far from strangers-she has been my maid from birth. She nervously tucks a strand of her gray-streaked black hair behind her ear, clearing her throat. "Good evening, your Highness. Your father wishes to see you in his chambers."

I turn to face her fully, surprised. "Whatever for? I didn't even know he was back!"

"I do not know, your Highness." She responds, shaking her head.

"Alright." I shrug, though I am thoroughly confused. "I will go to his chambers as soon as I change, then."

Sabrina curtsies again, then scurries away, down the torch lit hallway and out of sight. I shake my head, perplexed by her strange behavior and my fathers request for a meeting, and push my way into my chambers. I change quickly, pulling on a long, flowing white gown, tossing my wet clothing into a corner of the room. By the time I reach my fathers chambers, my hair is nearly dry, much to my relief. I offer the guard posted outside my father's room a polite smile, recognizing him as Claude, my fathers favorite guard. "Good evening, Claude." I greet him, waving one hand towards my fathers room. "The King wishes to see me."

Claude doesn't question me, clearly expecting my arrival, and pushes the door open. Open entering the room, I spot my father sitting atop his brown wooden desk, still wearing his armor. "Amelia." He nods at me, and Claude quietly shuts the door behind me. "We have much to discuss, I'm afraid."

I don't respond, giving him a curious look, and he pushes on. "I would like to start this conversation by saying I understand you will likely be angry at what I have to say, but know that if it were not completely necessary, I would not put you in this position."

I narrow my eyes, raising one eyebrow questioningly. "I'm afraid I do not like the sound of that, father."

Father ignores my remark. "You are of age, Amelia. You are eighteen now. You were bound to be betrothed soon."

My heart seems to stop in my chest at his words, and I freeze, unable to move or speak. He presses on. "It is...not ideal, of course...but...business transactions must occur, and we need protection from what is coming, and Caligo has no use for more gold...."

"What are you talking about, father?" I ask him quietly, my voice shaking with anger.

He seems hesitant to answer, before he sighs. "You will marry the Dark Prince."