Hidden Crowns: A Royal Romance

Chapter 21

Alexander's POV:

My body protests against me as I open my eyes in the morning.

It's early.

Early enough that the sun hasn't risen yet. I want to take Ara out of the pasture to my favorite drawing spot, before we have to meet with our parents.

I know she'd appreciate the view like I do.

I dress quickly and tuck my sketchbook under my arm, heading for her room right after.

I tap my knuckles softly against the wood door before opening it slightly.

She's curled up in her bed, sleeping peacefully. Guilt runs through me when I think about waking her up.

I decide to leave her be and softly kiss her cheek. She stirs a little and I bite my cheek in hope she doesn't awaken.

Her eyes open just a little and make eye contact with my own. "Alex?" She asks. "What are you doing here so early?" She whispers, yawning.

I sit on the edge of her bed and tuck her hair behind her ear. "I'm sorry for waking you, I thought you might like to go for a horse ride this morning and watch the sunrise with me." I say.

Her eyes light up and the tiredness fades away. "I would love to!" She says excitedly.

She jumps out of bed and grabs some clothes lying by her bag. I give her some privacy and go out on her balcony.

Once she's dressed and ready, we sneak quietly down the stairs of the castle and into the stable, nodding to some of the guards in greeting.

"Good morning Prince Alexander and Princess Amara. Would you like one horse today or two?" James asks.

I turn to Ara letting her choose. "We'll just take one today. What is your name?" She asks.

"I'm James." He replies and gets Atlas ready for us.

"Thank you for taking care of the horses James, and for getting Atlas saddled up for us." Ara responds.

He nods and smiles at us before we mount my horse.

Ara clings to my body how she used to as we pick up the pace through the gate. The morning is quiet except for the sound of hooves running against the ground.

In no time we arrive at my favorite apple tree and I help her off the back of the horse.

"This is a beautiful spot." She says looking around.

I pat the spot next to me on the ground and she sits by me. "I draw almost all of my work out here. I don't know what it is about this place, but it helps clear my head anytime I'm out here." I say.

She leans up and kisses my cheek. "Thank you for bringing me here." She replies.

I smile back at her and pull out my sketchbook and a pencil from my pocket.

My hand glides across the page like it always does as the sun starts to rise over the mountains in the distance.

Having no plans as to what I want to draw today, I'm surprised when I finish the drawing and our cave covers the papers of my sketchbook.

"It's our place." Ara says with her head on my shoulder.

"It is, isn't it?" I reply.

"You have such an amazing talent Alex." She says.

I lean forward to look at her. "It's not quite as amazing as yours I'm afraid." I say chuckling.

She shakes her head smiling and lays her head back on my shoulder. I kiss her hair and wrap my arm around her.