The Truth Over The Wall

Chapter 25

Dominic was not really sure how the competition had actually started. He only knew that once it had, he had to win.

And when it abruptly ended he realized that maybe Amara was not the crazy one.

As the crowd started to disperse – remembering they had more important things to do – Dominic turned to make a conceding bow to Hanalea,

"Your Highness," Dominic told her rising from it, "Is most definitely the greater marksman."

His eyes widened at that for a second before he sputtered, trying to correct himself, "Markswoman, no marksperson! You win- is what I'm trying to say."

Hanalea turned away with an unfazed, "I know."

Well, Dominic pondered after her, if this isn't exactly like the first time we met?

Hanalea's gaze wandered across her surroundings for a second as though looking for someone, but she cast it down after a moment with a sigh.

I know that you're going to marry her, he heard Amara's voice chide him, and you barely know the first thing about her.

Which wasn't exactly true, Dominic thought grazing his hand through his hair, as he walked up to her.

He knew she loved white roses and that she collected one every spring and kept it pressed in a book. And he knew that she had a horse named Sparrow and that it was a gift to her from her father.

Bits and pieces that Jason had shared in his letters to Dominic; trying to build some sort of a bridge between two strangers.

Dominic also knew that like her mother – Queen Claire – Hanalea was not much given to laughter or levity. So that when it occurred it would be as much of a surprise to Hanalea as it would to the people around her.

Dominic would be surprised if he ever managed to make her laugh. Stepping beside her he asked, "Anything wrong, Your Highness?"

Hanalea swallowed another impatient sigh, "I was hoping to get in some sparring. But seeing as Lieutenant Alistair has taken this moment to disappear I suppose I'll just practice by myself."

Dominic opened his mouth to say something when his brain cut him off mid-sentence:

DON'T OFFER TO FIGHT HER!

So that Hanalea when turned her head to look at him, he was still staring into space - confused - his mouth pressed shut to prevent any more stupid suggestions from pouring out.

Correctly sensing his discomfort, Hanalea pressed on, "I don't suppose you'd be interested in another match?"

"I?" Dominic's face flushed only to lose all color in the very next instant, "Fight you? My mother would kill me for even considering such a thing."

Hanalea rolled her eyes. Allis's father, Dominic's mother...the list just went on.

"It's alright," Hanalea waved it off, "I can understand your reluctance."

Dominic's eyebrows furrowed and he scowled. He knew full well when he was being goaded.

Yet unable to resist he found himself asking warily, "And why is that, do you think, Your Highness?"

Hanalea had not actually meant anything by the comment; it had just slipped out. But she just could not help the response that came to her unbidden; seeing the apprehension on his features.

Biting back a smile Hanalea shrugged, "There's only so many times a prince can lose to a princess before he loses his confidence altogether."

At this Dominic threw his head back and laughed. He surprised her by walking over to the targets and bending down to retrieve two swords; one for Hanalea and one for himself, and was surprised furthermore with what he announced next.