Impenetrable- Sequel to Arcanum

Chapter 6: Kaliska

I yawned as I woke up to see it was pouring outside.

"Seriously?" I sighed, and got out of bed, walking toward my closet. I pulled out a simple black dress with a cloak attached, and I pulled the hood over my head.

Walking down the stairs in the main room, I found my father sitting at a table.

"What's wrong, father?" I asked, knowing he looked a bit distressed,

"I'm just worried about you, that's all." He sighed, "you know, I would feel ten times safer if you had kept the guards around you're room."

"I'll be fine." I rolled my eyes, and started toward the door, "now, if you don't mind, I'm off for a ride." I shot him a smile, and went toward the stables. On the way, my hand double checked my pocket to make sure I had brought my knife.

I walked into the stables, smiling as the scent of hay drifted around. A shiver ran down my spine, as the rain started to soak through my cloak, and I pulled it closer to myself.

"Hello, Princess Kaliska." Our stablehand, who was a cute guy with light brown hair smiled at me. I was well aware of his huge crush on me, but I just didn't feel the same about him. Sure, he was good looking, but not at all my type.

"Do you need help getting on your horse?" He asked me, as I approached my beautiful black mare named Noir.

"I think I'll be fine." I winked, and brushed her coat, then tacking her up. Edmund watched me with a cautious look, and I couldn't help but feel secretly annoyed. What, did he think women were helpless? I swung myself up onto the saddle, and kicked Noir into a trot, waving to Edmund as I left.

Noir's trot turned into a graceful canter as soon as we left the barn, and she tossed her head in joy, and I smiled, taking a moment to enjoy this lovely ride. Despite the two of us being soaked to the bone from the rain, we didn't care. I giggled at my horse, and threw back my head, letting my hair fly backwards, raindrops showering me as my hair went back.

"Kaliska?" I heard a familiar voice, and I turned my horse around, looking to see Colt standing there.

"Oh hi." I smiled at him, and urged my horse into a walk toward him. I stopped Noir right beside him, and Colt looked up at me,

"What are you doing in the human kingdom?" He asked, and I shrugged,

"Just ended up here I guess."

"Hm. Well, I'm glad I ran into you."

"Why?"

"Spruce wants to ask you to marry him. He's really got a thing for you."

"Is that so?" I blinked, and stared at the horse's reins. I found Spruce attractive, but I wasn't sure which off the brothers I liked more, plus I wasn't sure if I wanted to marry yet.

"I'm not really wife material." I scratched my neck, and Colt blinked,

"What do you mean?"

"It's just, I don't know if I'm really ready for that kind of relationship. I'm only seventeen, I'd rather not be married for another two years or so."

"Oh." He nodded, and I realized how innocent Colt looked. It was quite cute actually.

"So, you want to join me for a ride?" I asked the boy, and outstretched my hand. Colt looked at it, and hesitated, before he took it, and launched himself up onto my horse behind me. His hands latched onto my waist, and a quiet giggle escaped my lips.

"This is different, huh. Usually men are the one's riding." He chuckled, and I looked back at him,

"Not in this case." I smirked, and kicked Noir into a gallop. The guy screeched as we launched forward, and I grinned, and urged Noir to go faster.