Royal Deception (GirlxGirl)

Chapter 11

HAWK

We walked closer to the woman waving and suddenly Princess Faith rushed towards her with a wide smile.

I followed behind her with caution. The woman didn't look threatening by any means but I've learned not to underestimate someone just by their looks. She has dark curly hair that reaches her collarbone with a red ribbon headband on her head that is slightly revealed under her dark hood. I couldn't see clearly in the dark but her eyes looked light brown, and she had gorgeous chocolate brown skin.

She turned to me with a smile revealing her dimples which made her look more innocent and then she smirked as she faced Princess Faith, "Who's the cutie," she asked Faith teasingly.

"Stop," Princess Faith replied with a look before facing the gate and pulling out a key from her coat pocket, and then focusing on opening the lock.

"What? I'm just asking," The girl laughed before facing me again with a questioning glance. I know Princess Faith doesn't know my name because we never spoke long enough for her to find out. "I'm Hartley," I said introducing myself.

The girl turned to Princess Faith again after the Princess opened the gate, "Oooooh Hartly," she teased again.

"Ava," Princess Faith whispered as another warning. It's obvious that these two are very close and very comfortable with one another.

"Fine, I'll stop," Ava said before facing me with a smile, "Nice to meet you Hartley, I'm Ava," she said with her outstretched hand. I took her hand for a shake, "Nice to meet you too," I replied.

Princess Faith crouched slightly to enter the small tunnel and waved at both of us, "Let's go," she said.

We followed her to the dark tunnel. Princess Faith was leading us in the front and Ava followed behind her while I followed by the rear. We were only led by Princess Faith's and Ava's small candles that didn't light the place that much.

"Ugh, I can never get used to the smell here," Ava said and her voice was muffled by her hand. The stone tunnel was moist and gave off a smell of mold and something I didn't want to know. This was a dungeon after all. The smell could be a mix of anything.

The tunnel wasn't short. We walked for several minutes before we got a glimpse of the metal bars of the gate at the end.

The moon was our only guide as we exited the tunnel. I stretched my aching back from the crouching and then I looked around and saw the looming walls of Gona behind us.

We're out of the castle, my heart instantly rushed with excitement as I stared at the massive stone walls.

Ava whistled as we got out and two horses galloped towards us. "This is Winter," she pointed at the white horse, "And this is Summer," she pointed at the golden brown horse as she proudly introduced them to me.

Those are some gorgeous horses.

I walked forward to pet the white horse when Ava spoke again, "Faith usually rides Winter but for now you can have her." She finished and hopped on Summer and then she turned to Princess Faith waiting for her.

Princess Faith looked from me to Ava. Is she worried I can't ride?

Ava turned to me, "She's a nervous rider," she informed me. Oh.

Princess Faith sighed, "No offense Ava, but your horses are a little too excited when we ride," she grumbled before taking Ava's hand who was grinning and sat behind her.

I followed and hopped on Winter holding the reins. Ava turned to me, "Ready?" She asked.

I nodded and off we went. We traversed through the dark forest dodging trees and jumping over branches and bushes. Princess Faith held tighter and tighter on Ava until Ava finally complained, "If you hold me any tighter, my head is going to pop off, I swear to God, Faith," she said making me chuckle as I followed behind them.