I hadn't stopped riding, encouraging Ali when she slowed down. The sky had turned orange by the time I let Ali slow to a trot then eventually stop altogether. The first stars appeared in the sky, and I lay down on the grass and stared up through the trees at them.
I started laughing. I was free. Free from being forced to wear fancy dresses and act like a lady. It felt great to be out, maybe I'd never go back. No, I wouldn't return to Orona House, or to Mikala.
***
As the moon rose and my laughter faded, the idea of not returning to my hometown lost its appeal. I was cold and hungry. Sitting up against the rough bark of a tree I contemplated going back to the mansion. What would my father say? I'd probably be chained to my bed with a locked door for the rest of my life.
Just as I stood to return to Mikala, I heard a cry followed by something crashing through the undergrowth of the woodland. Ali was jumpy, having also heard the sound. I calmed her down and mounted, now wishing I had saddled her earlier.
We galloped towards the sound, which had been replaced by silence. I encouraged Ali, trying to make her go faster. Whoever screamed better be okay, I thought desperately.
Ali slowed down, and it took only a second for me to realise why. We were about half a metre from the cliff face that dropped straight down to the sea. And there was the silhouette of a girl my age laying completely still two hand spans away from falling more than a hundred metres.
YOU ARE READING
To Be Us
RomanceBailee Orona is the next-in-line to be Lord of Mikala. Until she flees. Leanna Nyx is the bakers' daughter - and wishes for the life that Bailee throws away. What happens when two people whose worlds could not be any more different meet? Find out in...
