To Win the Prince's Hand

Chapter 12

 12.

I stood in the garden, bouncing up and down with nerves. Had I made the right choice? What if Gabriel told someone? What if Serena was taken away?

Another gust of wind blew through the garden, and I wrapped my shawl tighter around me. When was he going to get here?

Just as I thought that, I saw his silhouette walk towards me. Once again, I was filled with nerves about what I was about to do.

“You came,” I commented as he reached me.

“I was curious,” was his only response. The garden was silent and lonely at night.

“We should get going; I’m cold,” I said as I began to head towards the gate. He followed quietly beside me.

Reaching the gate, I took another deep breath before pushing it open and walking through. This was it; there was no going back.

“You don’t have to show me,” Gabriel offered, noticing my nerves.

“But somehow, here I am,” I commented quietly to myself. Soon, we were in the forest.

Gabriel seemed a bit on edge here. Everywhere was cloaked with shadows and darkness, making it hard to see.

“Aren’t you scared?” he asked. I shrugged before realizing that he could not see me.

“Maybe at first, but I got used to it,” I explained. An owl in the distance called out, breaking the silence.

Somewhere, a branch snapped when something stepped on it. Gabriel was tense, looking around.

“I can’t see,” he complained. I sighed and pulled out a lantern I had brought, quickly lighting it.

“Better?” I asked and continued walking, the warm light now illuminating the path. We only had a little ways to go before we reached the clearing.

“Are we going to meet someone?” he guessed from behind me.

“I suppose you could say that,” I evaded. We were almost at the edge of the clearing when I stopped.

“Why did we stop?” Gabriel asked.

“I wanted to ask you to not make loud noises,” I answered.

“Why-?” I didn’t hear the rest of his question as I continued on. Letting out a bird call to make sure she was there, I nodded when I got an echo.

I told him to wait a couple feet back before running in. Serena sat patiently with a curious look on her face.

“Hey, girl,” I cooed quietly. “I’m going to bring a friend in, alright? So, behave.” She nodded and wagged her tail as I petted her nose. “Good girl.”

Walking back, I took the lantern from Gabriel before walking into the clearing once more. Turning around, I watched as he looked around the clearing, his eyes finally resting on Serena and widening.

I sat down the lantern and walked over to her, petting her side. “You have a dragon?” he whispered, bewildered. I laughed.

“No reason to whisper,” I said in a normal tone. “And this is Serena.” She looked up and swished her tail when I said her name.

“Isn’t that a bit… dangerous?” he wondered, looking at her warily. Serena snorted indignantly.

“She can’t breathe fire,” I explained.

“But she’s still a dragon!” he protested. I stroked her neck and she laid down.

“I’ve saved her life; she’s saved mine,” I said simply. Serena nodded as I took a seat beside her. “Serena, meet Gabriel… the Prince.”