The Princess and The Captain

Part 1-Come with me

The bright moon in the sky slightly illuminated the halls of the imposing stone castle that night. The fine linen curtains that lined the balconies danced in the summer breeze, seemingly to the sound of the singing crickets far below. The night was quiet and peaceful, but if you listened close enough, you could hear the faint footsteps of Aspen Whitlock as she quietly and gracefully glided down stone stairways and past heavy wooden doors. She didn't use a lantern to light her path for fear of getting caught, but she quickly regretted her decision as she squinted to avoid a misstep in the shadows. Her dark skin would have been perfect for sneaking away undetected if it weren't for the ostentatious dress that sparkled under the large royal robe she had thrown on. The princess didn't usually sneak away from her quarters but tonight was special. Tonight, in a city not far away, would be the ball of the decade. True, it wouldn't be the grandest of balls, but it was the one everyone spoke about months after it had occurred. Commoners and noblemen alike dressed to impress at this yearly masquerade in the city of Lilith. All of her noble companions had been speaking about it for weeks. Duchess Fiona had gotten a dress and mask especially made for the occasion, and Marquess James had invited Lady Krystella to accompany him. Yet, Aspen, the princess to this kingdom and next in line to the throne, was asked – commanded even – to remain in her quarters until sunrise.

She thought not.

She whisked down the hall, the train of her royal robe whispering as she went. She turned left, then right, and just as she was about to step out of the castle and onto the field towards the stables, she ran into something, or someone, she was sure wasn't supposed to be there. She froze, keeping her head low, but upon inspecting the shine of midnight black boots, the golden hilt of a sword, the leather pants, and the royal crest on the dark tunic before her, she gave up hiding. Reluctantly, she met the smug face of Emory Pierce, captain of the guard.

"What a coincidence seeing you out of your quarters this late, Princess." The woman grinned mischievously, much to Aspen's chagrin, "You wouldn't be sneaking out on me, would you?" She asked, but the princess could tell by the amused glint in her golden eyes that Emory already had a good idea of what she was up to.

Instead of answering the captain immediately, Aspen took time to admire the woman's features in the moonlight, and her heart fluttered at the sight. Emory's short dark hair fell in loose curls tonight, a nice change from the ever-present ponytail it was usually in. Aspen silently noted that she liked the woman's hair this way and would suggest she wear it like such from then on. She examined her smooth, tan skin and focused on the scratch above her eyebrow. It had to be new, the princess had never noticed it before. Aspen couldn't decide if she hated it because it indicated that Emory had been in some sort of danger recently or because it made the woman look even more intimidating than she usually was. Her eyes trailed down to Emory's lips, which were always the perfect shade of pink.

Those lips were still slanted in a grin as she spoke again, "Your silence speaks volumes, your highness."

Snapping out of her temporary entrancement, Aspen straightened and gave her best authoritative glare, "I'm not sneaking. This is practically my kingdom, and I will go where I please." She huffed and moved to walk around the guard. A gentle arm swiftly grabbed her hand, pulling her back towards those hypnotizing eyes. Aspen held her breath when she registered the proximity they were at now.

"And where, if you don't mind me asking, are you inclined to go at this hour without a guard at your side?" Emory raised an eyebrow, but the grin never left her face.

Aspen mumbled her response, as her eyes trained on the stone below her feet, suddenly very interested in how the cracks that showed came to be.

"I'm sorry, what was that?"

The princess took a deep breath and met Emory's gaze head-on, "I'm going to the Masquerade in Lilith."

All at once, Aspen saw the captain's grin drop, her brows furrowed, and she stepped away from the girl, "Absolutely not." The teasing smile was replaced with a chastising scowl as the captain turned away from her.

Aspen rolled her eyes and huffed. It was situations like these where the princess was inclined to remind Emory that she was only two years older than the heir. They had practically grown up together. Only, as Aspen's mother taught her how to sip tea and curtesy like an up-and-coming ruler should, Emory's father had been teaching her how to cut foes down with swords and daggers – as an up-and-coming captain should. They had both grown up within these walls, and they both knew the burden of a parent's expectations, so why couldn't Emory let her have this one night of fun?

"Oh, Emory, please? I've always wanted to go, and every year it comes around, Father orders me to remain in the company of the servants and guards? How is that fair?" Aspen pleaded.

Emory's light eyes met those of a darker shade, "The city of Lilith is not safe for royals, you know that."

"But all of the royals will be there!" The princess tried again in a hushed but urgent tone.

"Not all royals are heirs to the throne!" Emory's voice held an air of finality that made anger coil up in Aspen.

Seething now, Aspen gripped the guard's forearm as Emory tried to turn away, "That's right, I am heir to the throne, therefore, your job – your only job – is to do as I say."

Emory met Aspen's glare with one of her own and it made the princess falter for a second.

"I don't take orders from you, your highness. Not yet." The term didn't feel endearing to Aspen anymore; rather, it felt like a slap in the face. She opened her mouth to speak but was cut off quite rudely by Emory, "My job is to keep you safe, and that's what I will do. Always. No matter how many tantrums you throw."

Emory ripped her arm away from Aspen's grip but didn't move away. The princess hadn't noticed how close they had gotten yet again until they both were raggedly breathing in the other's face from the hushed argument. Aspen caught a whiff of Emory's perfume and reminded herself that she was still angry with the guard despite the intoxicating scent of roses that she exuded. She wished she could keep the woman at her side all night, whether it be during an argument or not. Then a lightbulb went off above the princess' head.

"Then come with me." She breathlessly suggested as if the idea itself had knocked the wind out of her.

Emory's brows furrowed again, this time not out of anger or annoyance but confusion, "Pardon me?"

The thought of going to the ball with one of her favorite people made a giddy smile spread across Aspen's face. She jumped up and down in excitement, "Come with me! It would be so fun!"

"Princess-"

"We can drink and sing and dance, and it would be perfectly safe because not only would a guard be at my side all night-"

"Princess-"

Aspen ignored the wide-eyed look Emory gave her, "-but the captain of the guard will be with me all night. What's safer than that?"

"I don't think this is a good idea..." Emory mumbled. Aspen could feel the hesitation dripping off of the older woman but she wouldn't take no for an answer. Instead, she fixed the captain with big brown eyes and a disarming pout.

"Please, Emory? Just this once. No one has to know..." She batted her lashes as innocently as possible and inwardly grinned as she saw Emory's resistance falter.

With a long sigh and a quiet, "I'm going to lose my job for this." Emory gave a strained, "Fine."

Aspen let out a high-pitched squeal, then quickly looked around to ensure that no one had heard her. She turned away to hurriedly make her way to the stables once more but was once again stopped by Emory tugging her back.

With a stern gaze, the captain lowly spoke, "But if there is any kind of danger, I mean if I see someone so much as trip over their own feet, we're leaving."

The princess nodded excitedly, "Deal."

Emory narrowed her eyes, "And no dancing."

It was Aspen's turn to shoot the woman a mischievous grin, "We'll see."