Witches of Regnum

XXI

The prince stood by the main entrance eagerly awaiting the future Queen. It had been the longest time since he'd had leisure time to himself, and spending that time with his childhood friend only made it better.

Avani, infact was more of the prince's best friend, although they hadn't seen each other for long he seemed to had longed to see her the most through his entire time being away. She was almost all he could think about away from his duties, and he was afraid maybe his mere friendship had perhaps transformed into something.. deeper.

"Adrian" the voice of the very person he was thinking of woke the prince from his conscious slumber. Looking up at her he almost lost his jaw to the ground. He thought she was beautiful already, but something about the way her emerald green eyes and bouncy brown hair shimered and glowed in the morning sunlight took his breath away. As well as her neat up do and regal outfit, she looked to kill.

"A-avani.. um you look... Nice" he stammered. She smiled at him and made her way down the palace steps.

"Forgive my memory, but aren't I the one usually stammering?" She said with a mischievous grin. He smiled at her and gave a hearty laugh. She was teasing him, that was something new.

"It seems the roles have changed, I'm the one usually dressed to kill" he teased as well."Well as the future queen you must look the part" she replied with a smile.

" Now come on before any flies get lodged in your throat from gawking" she joked, grabbing his hand and leading him into the carriage. He could have sworn his heart had stopped a second the moment her skin brushed his.

What was this sudden rush of emotion?

As they began their journey to the fields, the prince wasn't the only one wondering where unfamiliar emotions had come from. Avani hadn't a clue when her sudden spark of confidence had ignited from, but she wasn't complaining, with this new persona she'll end up enjoying the outing more than she had hoped.

"So princess Avani, I heard the news of the announcement today, congrats on your new cousin" Aidrian says starting up a conversation. The papers weren't lying, it truly was what everyone was talking about.

"Mmm.. thank you" she replied hesitantly, the thought of her parents conversation still bothering her.

"Are you alright?" He asks sensing tension.

" Well yes, but right now I don't want to discuss official matters, I'm not princess Avani Florian I'm just Avani, your Avani" she says smiling at him. The last two words permanently engraved themselves in his mind.

'My Avani'

He liked the sound of that.

"No problem, we won't discuss official matters" he replied with a smile. The carriage suddenly comes to a halt and the view of never ending grass and woodlands came to sight.

"We've arrived" Adrian says taking her hand and leading her out the carriage.

The fields were just as beautiful as they remembered. They'd often come here in their childhood to practice horse riding and tend to the royal animals of Keithia, and for the Kingdom of nature, there were lots of animals to tend to. The field although reserved for royals as being part of the palace was welcomed by all for tourists purposes, but this particular time of day it was peaceful, and horse riding was welcome.

"Do you think they're still here?" Adrian asks avani as they make their way down the gray bricked road in the middle of the field.

"There's only one way to find out, let's head to the stables shall we, although for how long you were gone they're definitely older" Avani explains.

They walk down the road until they are met with a family wooden stable. It was left open since they had informed the keeper they would be visiting again, and as they entered they were glad to see them.

Two broad and magestic stallions, stood by the further end of the stable feasting on a seemingly delicious bunch of hay. One dark as night, with a long Raven mane, and the other white as the morning day, with an equally long Golden mane.

"Wisteria!" Avani exclaims running towards the white horse. It's dark brown eyes notices her quickly, and it bows it's head for her to pet it. "How big you've grown it's been so long" she says to the creature.

Adrian makes his way to the black stallion who seemed to be busy with his breakfast and ignoring him.

"Hansel old friend, don't tell me you've forgotten me already" he jokes to the animal petting it. The horse finally looks up at the prince and holds the same familiarity allowing him fully brush through his dark mane "that's better" he cooes.

"I told you they'd be much older, they were but the size of ponies when we last rode them together" Avani says leading Wisteria out of stables.

" As expected, the last time was when I had taken you on our last ride before father and I went away" he replied doing the same to Hansel.

" I remember that day.." she replies looking down. It was a hard day to the both of them, saying farewell to their best friend at such a time was difficult.

"Well then, no need to procrastinate, I'll race you to our spot" he says getting onto his horse. Avani smiles at him and gets on hers.

"Or maybe you should just watch" she says and he looks at her confused.

"Watch what?" He asks. She grins at him and whips the leash of her horse making her dash through the field in full speed.

"Watch me win!" She yells as she's ahead of him. He chuckles at her clever trickery and follows her trail as they ride through the field together.

As they race each other, the wind in their hair and the sun on their face, they couldn't help but feel like children once again, riding down the forest carefree, it was amazing.

They had finally reached their spot, and to no surprise Avani had won the race. It was a clearing be the edge of the cliff, where the entire view of Keithia could be seen in a glance. They would come here all the time as a child.

"Beautiful" Adrian breathed as he took in the view. "Me or the view?" Avani teases. He looks at her a bit puzzled, and for a moment she had thought her teasing had gone wrong. But he smiles at her.

"Both" he replies making her blush.

"I think we should let Wisteria and Hansel rest for a bit" She says getting off her horse. Adrian nods and does the same.

They take a seat besides each other on the flower filled field. As they sat and watched the view in silence, a cool breeze blows by them.

"I've missed this, Adrian, I've missed you" Avani confesses.

" I've missed you as well, although I do appreciate my job, it's stopped me from alot of things" he explained.

" Like what? " She asks.

"Well, the rest of my childhood, being in the palace with all of you, having any sort of relationship" he says, the last part making avani tensed.

"relationship? I'm sure there are so many maidens dying to be yours Adrian" she says jokingly.

" I guess, but I've had someone in mind for a long time" he says staring into her eyes.

" And who might that be?" She asks.

" Don't worry, you'll get to know soon enough" he replies resting his form as he sat staring at the sky. He closed his eyes allowing the gentle breeze dance through his golden hair, but felt a weight suddenly resting on him. He looked down to see Avani had rested her back against his chest, which was a bit surprising but he didn't protest.

They sit there in silence, enjoying each other's company, as their hearts against each other beat in unison. This was exactly what they both needed.