The Wild Hunt (Part One)

Goodbye

"Why is your head shaved?"

I looked up at the little Princess from where I knelt. She had the darkest of hair I had ever seen.

"The princess asked you a question." A heavy foot fell on my hand and I winced from the pain. I will not cry. I will not cry.

"M-my apologies your highness. I... I have no hair because I- I s- stole some bread." I felt my face warm. I was so hungry. It was only a small bun. They had plenty in the kitchens. I don't see why they couldn't have given me more at supper.

The little black haired princess tilted her head and I watched her rain cloud colored eyes look at my shaved head.

I tried not to stare at her face but she had the prettiest smile. The little princess laughed and reached to touch the top of my head. I bit my lip and looked down at the ground nervously. I wasn't sure if this was allowed.

"So smooth," she said. She had the softest hands.

"Would you like some of my hair?"

I blinked and looked back up. The princess held out her black hair towards me and I glanced at the guard who stood beside her. He had his hands on his hips and his foot tapped against the floor. I don't think he likes the Princess very much. He had the meanest look on his face.

"I- I cannot take your hair." Even if I wanted to and I wanted to.

The princess frowned and I wanted to apologize but then she smiled again. It was the sweetest smile I had ever received.

"Yeah, I know. I don't think my hair would look good on your head anyway. People with blue eyes should have beautiful bright colored hair. Not boring black hair."

"Princess." The guard mumbled. He gripped her shoulder and started pulling her away. "You shouldn't say those things."

I looked towards the Princess as she stumbled after the large man. Her black hair fell past her waist and she turned to look at me before waving goodbye.

I felt my face warm again and looked down at the ground. I wondered if she knew how bright my hair was before they shaved it all off after catching me stealing the bun.

I made to stand up and stopped. A strand of black hair laid on the floor in front of me and I picked it up between my fingers and shoved it in my pocket.

Goodbye my black haired Princess.

...

"Did you eat enough?"

Serri was sprawled across her bed with a leg dangling on the edge. I tried not to stare too long at the porcelain skin of her calf and focused on finishing my bowl of rice.

"Enough to last me through the next couple of days. Thanks for the extra meal, but do you really think it's safe for me to be in your bed chamber right now? And of all days your coming-of-age ceremony? I'm bitting my nails thinking a guards gonna tackle me and skin me alive."

Serri laughed and turned on her side to face me where I sat on the floor across from her. She brought her other leg up and over the one that dangled and her dress split down her thigh, exposing a large portion of skin. I swallowed and felt every piece of rice drag along my dry throat.

"It is because of that very reason I had Lah-ee sneak you in here after she left." Her grey eyes dimmed and a dark shadow fell over her face.

If she wasn't sad I wouldn't feel as guilty for admiring how beautiful she looked today. We both knew it was only a matter of hours before we might never see each other again.