Color of Roses

Eager to See You

Chapter 12

I stayed inside my room throughout the day. Nico would bring me tea and occasional snacks every so often. I could tell by his eyes he wanted to know why I appeared the way I did but I felt dwelling on it would only bring back the pain.

The swelling in my eyes has gone down. I sigh in relief at my normal appearance and decide to walk about the castle to stretch my legs before dinner. I glance outside my window to see the sun lingering over the horizon line causing the trees to look black against the bright orange sky.

I pace down one of the long corridors and end up at the stables. No one's around, thankfully, and I dig inside the bucket for a brush. I begin brushing my mare's long, white hair. "I wish I could go back to the way my life was before all this. Being a princess is exhausting. I don't belong here," I whisper to her. She nuzzles my neck and I giggle at her playfulness. The sound of a creak from the stable's entrance startles me and I find Alyn stepping inside. The scene of our first kiss flashes through my mind and I try to keep myself from blushing. He spots me and gives me a soft smile.

"Good evening, Princess," Alyn says gently.

"Good evening, Alyn," I mutter. I can't look at him for very long without feeling flustered. I continue brushing my horse as a means to keep myself occupied. I feel Alyn's presence closer as he stands a few feet from me, eyeing my hand as I weave the brush down my mare's waterfall of hair.

"Giles sent me to find you. He would like to see you in the library," he says calmly.

"Of course," I reply. I lift my eyes up and watch Alyn as he reaches for the brush. He didn't look to be as distracted as I was. I couldn't believe he had such an effect on me. I follow quietly behind Alyn as he leads me to the library and my heart begins to ache. I wish I could talk to Alyn longer. We stop at the door and Alyn holds it open while I step inside where Giles has been waiting patiently. "Ah, princess, so glad you're feeling better. Thank you, sir Alyn." I'm saddened when Alyn excuses himself.

The door closes quietly and Giles holds out a letter to me. "It would seem the neighboring country of Laurelia would like to have a meeting with you. We will depart first thing tomorrow morning. Please pack your bags for a couple days' trip. That is all," Giles places the letter firmly on the desk before opening the door. I nod gently before returning to my chambers and pack for the trip to Laurelia.

Nico had been asked to help and names off important items as I gently fold and place them in my bags. After I'm finished packing, Nico grabs my bags and takes them into the hall. I lay on my bed with Snowflake who purrs beside me. I suddenly find myself thinking about Alyn again. I wonder what he would say if I told him I wanted him as my prince consort.

I roll over and smile widely into my pillow. I try to picture myself with someone else but it's rather difficult. Was Alyn really the one I want to spend my life with?

Nico's voice interrupts my daydreams, "Princess?"

I sit myself up on my bed and hope he can't see my brightly colored cheeks. "Hm?"

"Dinner is ready," he says before leaving my room.

****

The sky is dark outside once dinner is finished. I've gone back to my room but I can't stand being cooped up. I grab an apple from a bowl of fruit left on my desk and sneak off to the stables. I hear footsteps and crouch behind some nearby shrubbery. Two male voices pass by and I peek through the bush to watch a pair of guards round a corner of the castle. I check if the coast is clear and jog to the stables.

I immediately head to the white mare I've become partners with. "Hey, girl. I brought you something," I whisper and reach into my blouse. I pull out the apple and offer it to her. She whinnies in happiness as she bites into the apple. I giggle as her lips tickle my palm.

"It's not safe to be out here alone this late."

I jump when I hear the voice and the apple falls and rolls around the dirt floor. Alyn stands in the doorway of the stables and I sigh. "You scared me," I say nearly breathless.

"Why is it that I always find you here and not in your room where you belong?" he says reaching down to pick up the now dirtied apple. I notice he isn't wearing his armor as he wipes the apple against his coat. His eyebrows lift and I realize he's suggesting I open my hand. I do so and he places the apple in my palm. His fingers lightly brush the surface of my hand and I feel myself getting warmer. His hand then gently grasps mine as he directs it towards the mare.

He closes the gap between us while the mare feasts on the snack. A small breeze flows through the little barn and a feint smell of cinnamon enters my nose. My heart begins to race and I try to keep myself calm.

Alyn lowers his hand and rests it against his side. We both stand there silently and listen to the small huffs of the horses. "You should get some rest before your long trip tomorrow."

"I suppose," I say with a sigh. I really want to spend more time with Alyn but it seems he doesn't feel the same. He opens the stable doors as we exit and I follow beside him. The sound of our footsteps crossing the grassy earth is heard through the silence.

As Alyn grabs the handle to the castle halls, I pause and stare at him. He turns towards me as he waits and I get impatient. "Alyn, will you be going with us tomorrow?"

His eyes meet mine and I force myself to look at him. "Of course, it's my duty as the captain to protect you."

A soft smile spreads over my lips as I approach the hall. "See you tomorrow, then." I feel his eyes watching me as I stride down the corridor to my bedroom, but I'm glad he can't see the huge smile plastered on my face.