The Lost Princess (DISCONTINUED)

Chapter Six

We've been riding for about four hours now. It's silent. I don't mean if-a-pin-dropped-you-would-hear-it silence. I mean it's silent between me and Eric. Eric and I have not uttered a single word since we took off. So I make the executive decision to break the silence.

"What do you like to do for fun?" I ask.

Eric doesn't say anything. Then he replies, "I like horseback riding."

"Really?"

"Yeah. What about you?"

I shift in my position behind him. I've never shown anyone my writing. Even Aunt Daisy whom I share everything with. Should I tell him the truth? Oh well, it's not like I'm going to see him again.

"I like to write," I answer.

"That's cool. Can I read some of your writing?"

"I guess, but when we..." I trail off.

"When we...?" he asks, waiting for me to finish.

I was going to say when we reach the village, but I realized he didn't say anything about a village. He didn't even say where we were going.

"Where are we going?" I ask, surprising him.

"We're going to the village," he says, clearly confused.

"Oh, okay. Then you can read some when we reach the village." he nods.

We go quiet again, "Let's play a game!" I announce.

"What?" Eric looks at me from over his shoulder.

"I said, we are going to play a game," I say more slowly.

He snorts, "I heard that, I'm not stupid. What are we playing then?"

"Let's take turns asking questions." he laughs. His laugh is velvety and smooth. I find myself blushing. Once he gets his laughter under control, he says, "Alright, game master. I'll go first. What's your favourite colour?"

"Green," I say without hesitation.

"Really? Why?"

I shrug my shoulders, "I don't know. Maybe it has something to do with my name?"

"Maybe," he says.

"What's your favourite colour?"

"Blue," he answers.

"Why?"

"Because blue reminds me of the ocean and the sky."

I smile, "And green reminds me of the forest."

He looks at me from over his shoulders again and smiles. Good God, his smile is perfect. I internally shake my head to shake away the thoughts. Now is not the time.

"We match our favourite colors."

I nod, "We do. So, what do you prefer: night or day?"

"Night," he says, "I like the peacefulness it has."

I nod again, "Me too."

"My turn. What's your favourite food?"

"Pie."

He laughs, "That was fast. What kind?"

"Strawberry. What's yours?"

"Type of pie?"

"No, food."

He pretends to think. After a moment he says, "Bread."

He laughs and I find myself blushing again, "Yeah, weird I know."

"It's not weird unless you want it to be," I say.

He grins, "You are right game master."

"Usually I am," I say with a smile. This time, we both laugh. He wipes the tears from his eyes due to the extreme laughter, we've been doing.

"Oh, God! This is the most I've laughed in a long time." he shakes his head and smiles at me over his shoulders, and I smile back. We keep talking all the way. Once we reach the village, the sun is about to set in half an hour.

"Alrighty, which one is your house?" Eric asks me.

I look at him confused, "I don't live here."

"What?"

"I don't live here. I just need some supplies."

He hops off Ruby and extends his hand to me, "No problem. Where do you live?" after helping me off Ruby, he takes her to a feeding station for horses. He ties her to a nearby post.

"I don't know."

He scoffs, "How can you not know?"

I shrug, and he sighs, "Let's get what you want, shall we?"

I tell him what I need (which is just some food and water) and he takes me to the right stores. He ends up buying some stuff as well. When we finish our shopping trip, the sun is about to set.

"Come on, I want to show you something." Eric takes my hand and pulls me through crowds of people. I suck in a sharp breath. His hand is warm and feels so nice in mine. Eric leads us to a hill. We walk to the top. He sits down and motions for me to sit beside him. Once I do, he puts his arm around my shoulders and pulls me closer to him.

"Look," he says.

I look up and see the most breathtaking view I've ever seen. The sunset looks stunning. I stay in Eric's arms until the sun sets.

*********

I was too tired to set out again. So, I told Eric I'll sleep in an inn tonight and he should go home. He refused at first, but I managed to convince him in the end. Once we agree he shows me a nice inn I can sleep in. After I pay for my room and say goodnight to Eric, I head up to my room. I change my clothes and climb into bed. I fall asleep with a smile on my face.