To Win the Prince's Hand

Chapter 8

8.

I was in trouble. Abigail and I had talked for the rest of the night instead of sleeping, not even going to dinner. Well, finally, she fell asleep. On my bed. In my room.

I still needed to sneak out to Serena, and she couldn’t know. Carefully standing up, I winced when one of the floorboards creaked. Gently removing my foot from that one, I took a silent step forward.

I was almost to the door when she stirred. Freaking out, I stood perfectly still. She didn’t wake up, though, so I quickly relaxed and made my way much faster. I silently opened the door and ran out into the hallway before breathing a sigh of relief.

That was close. I began to tread quietly down the hallway. What would people do if they found out I had a dragon? What if they sent her away?

I couldn’t imagine life without Serena. I couldn’t imagine not being able to talk to her, tell her about my life and my problems. Although she lost her fire, she had saved my life several times.

I walked out the door and began to make my way through the gardens. I was so close to being free…

“Danielle?” Gabriel called. I spun around to see him walking around as well. “What’re you doing out here?” My heart was pounding with the fear of being caught as he walked towards me.

“I couldn’t sleep, so I went for a walk,” I lied. He raised an eyebrow.

“Would you like to walk with me, then?” he asked. I nervously laughed.

“Sure…” I responded, not knowing what else to do. He offered his arm and I took it as he led me around the moonlit gardens.

A strange bird called from the woods as I winced. That was a call Serena and I learned to contact each other. With Gabriel next to me, I couldn’t respond or head her way.

“Do you like the palace?” he wondered as we walked around aimlessly.

“It’s not home…” I absentmindedly replied, still looking at the forest.

“Is that good?” he pressed. I shrugged.

“I suppose,” I answered.

“Something’s distracting you, isn’t it?” he asked. I shot him a sheepish grin.

“Can I trust you?” I suddenly found my voice asking him. I began to freak out. I hadn’t had more than two conversations with him and I was about to tell him.

 “Yes, why?” he answered with a strange look. I took a deep breath before changing my mind.

“Do you trust me?” I continued.

“I guess,” he replied. “Why?”

“I have to go somewhere, okay? And don’t ask where, because I’ve only had two conversations with you in my life,” I confessed. “Do you understand my reasoning?”

He looked at me for a second, his face flickering with curiosity and disbelief. “You’re something different,” he chuckled.

“What do you mean?” I blurted.

“Most people try, but they still treat me like a prince. You just treat me like anybody. Beyond that, I didn’t peg you as the type to be mysterious and secretive,” he explained.

“I’ll tell you one day, I really will,” I promised.

“I hope you do. Well, I’ll leave you to your excursion,” he excused himself as he left. “Goodnight, Danielle.”

“Goodnight, Gabe,” I echoed. He turned and gave me a questioning look.

“Gabe?” I hadn't even realized the name slipped out of my mouth and I turned bright red.