Crowned in Crimson Cinders

Chapter 19: Adventures

With impeccable timing, I slipped down to the stables without being noticed. Most of the journey I spent beneath the castle, moving through the secret tunnels I'd memorized over the years. There was a tunnel entrance door inside my own room. It was located right next to my dresser and if you didn't know it was there, you would never find it. I kenw of one tunnel in particular that led directly from my chambers to the stables—by far the most useful secret I'd ever learned. The only downside to travelling by the tunnels is that you would come across a maid here or there but usually only on the commonly used paths which I wouldn't be anywhere near.

When I emerged, Bri was already there, waiting with two horses saddled and ready. The tunnel spit me out inside the tack room where all the horses saddles, bridles, and other riding equipment was stored.

The sight of my mare, Cintra, nearly brought tears to my eyes. Her sleek black coat gleamed in the lantern light, and her mane had been braided into neat, tiny plaits. It felt like seeing an old friend after years apart.

Even though I wasn't technically allowed to leave the castle, it was tradition for each royal to be gifted a horse. Cintra had been mine since I was twelve, and she had been the truest companion I'd ever had, aside from Bri. Her bridle was freshly polished, adding a regal elegance to her already graceful form.

Bri handed me the reins, and I took them with a smile, guiding Cintra toward the back exit of the stables. Only the stable hands could open the heavy wooden doors, and thankfully, Bri had a connection—Braxton, who stood nearby watching us with quiet amusement.

"Thanks again, Braxton," Bri said warmly. "We couldn't do this without you."

"It's always my pleasure," he said with a dramatic bow. "Be safe out there, my ladies."

"Always," I replied, casting a grin at Bri.

I mounted Cintra with practiced ease, settling into the saddle and adjusting the reins to a comfortable slack. I didn't need much force with her. She moved with me like we were of one mind.

Braxton took out a small key from him pocket and stuck it into the lock on the doors. Within seconds, a click rang throughout the stable and the door creaked open. As Braxton swung open the stable doors, Cintra stepped forward, her hooves echoing with a rhythmic clatter across the cobblestone. It was a sound that put an ease to the restless beating of my heart.

The moment we crossed from stone to dirt, I felt a strange sense of freedom. We were still withing Atalar's boarders but officially off castle grounds. A flicker of anxiety pulsed through me. What if someone noticed I was missing? If Brock came by and noticed I was gone, he would send out an army of soldiers after me.

But the feeling didn't last long.

We broke into a canter, the wind lifting the strands of my hair as we approached the woods. The trees loomed tall ahead, but I didn't fear them. I knew the woods well, even if I hadn't been through them in a few months. We slowed to a walk once again as we entered the shaded trail, known only to us. The path was originally forged by the forests very own woodland creatures like fox's and deer but we soon adapted it as out own and expanded it. This path had carried us through so many secret adventures. It led to a hidden pond that glistened like crystal when the sunlight broke through the canopy of thick branches and leaves overhead.

The forest was thick with trees, but the pond was a sacred clearing. The sunlight poured through a perfect circular break in the canopy, casting golden light on the water. I'd lost count of how many times Bri and I had picnicked there, hidden from the world.

Aside from the soft rhythm of Cintra's hooves, the only sounds were the birds—chirping, whistling, singing their carefree songs. I missed those melodies. Birds had such a gift, the freedom to fly wherever they pleased, unburdened by duty or fear.

"Thank you, Bri," I said, slowing Cintra until we rode side by side.

"For what?"

"For getting me out here again," I said, taking in a deep breath of the pine and smell of dirt.

She didn't answer, but her smile was wide and sincere. That said enough. She knew I needed to get out.

The ride to the pond only took about half an hour, but I savored every minute. We let the horses lag into a gentle canter, weaving through familiar bends in the trail. When we arrived, I plucked an apple from one of the trees and fed it to both horses. Cintra finished hers quickly and nudged me for another, but Bri and I had already eaten the rest that we could reach.

For the first time in weeks, I felt weightless. Like a normal girl out with her best friend. I forgot about Darian. I forgot about the killer still lurking within our walls. I forgot about the flames in my hands and the shadows that whispered beneath my skin. I forgot about the court and my crown. I was just Aleah.

We stayed out far longer than planned, our clothes soaked from swimming and stained with mud from a competitive, and somewhat childish, mud fight. My hair held the evidence with dried flecks of dirt stubbornly clinging to the strands. If my mother saw me now, she'd declare the whole day a disgrace. I could practically hear her scolding me for being so irresponsible, and in the corner of my mind, I imagined Amora smirking with smug satisfaction.

For a fleeting moment, the thought struck me—I could run. I could take Cintra and vanish into the forest. No one would know where I'd gone. Braxton didn't know our exact location, and I trusted Bri to keep it secret.

By the time we returned, the sun had dipped low in the sky, streaking the horizon with burnt orange and violet. Braxton was waiting for us at the stables, ever dependable.

We handed off our reins and I gave Cintra a parting stroke along her neck. "Thank you," I whispered to her. She nickered softly in reply, as if sher too missed our outings.

Rather than returning through the tunnels, Bri and I snuck back in through the regular palace corridors. Only royals were supposed to know about the secret tunnels and it was too risky to expose them, even to a friend like Bri.

We treated it like a game, tiptoeing through the halls and nearly bursting with laughter every time a guard passed. We managed to keep quiet, barely. I hadn't realized how much I'd missed this. Sneaking around with Bri, giggling like we had no care in the world.

I wished I could freeze time. Go back and relive every moment we ever shared. But that wasn't possible.

Now, all I could do was carry the weight of my responsibilities and pray that I could still be the princess my people needed me to be.