Theo

Reality

Just as James' lips inched closer to mine Shayla came over and pushed my head to the side causing the prince to kiss her muzzle. I couldn't help but laugh as he jerked back with a look of surprise thinking it was me until seeing Shayla gaze at him with suspicion. He backed up holding his hands up. 

"Oh sorry. I uh thought uh well," she nayed as her lips formed a horsy smile while I laughed. He jumped up brushing himself off realizing he just kissed a horse. His cheeks burned a fiery red as he coughed, "Come on I thought I was.. you know what forgot it." He huffed off in a hurry as we laughed. 

I looked at Shayla as tears of joy fell from my eyes and I rubbed her cheek, "your silly you know for interrupting us like that." 

"Well, I couldn't allow such a thing when you haven't ever had your first kiss. It should be romantic untainted with sexual desire," She stamped her foot on the ground as my eyes widened. 

"Oh? What if I want it unpure?" I grinned as she stamped her foot again pressing her face into mine. 

"You would regret it. I know you all too well Theo," She shook her main and laid by my side as I laughed and stroked her mane. 

"Maybe, but I wouldn't know until I tried," I whispered quieting down as the fires slowly go out my fingers brushing against my lips imagining the prince's lips on them. 

My eyes slowly closed as the moon rose above us shining us with her silver light. 

The next morning I rose before anyone else the birds chirping as the morning dew began to form from the rising sun above the mountains. I looked at the shade over the lake and smirked beginning to slowly stand before wincing in pain. Shayla perked up looking at me to make sure I was okay before laying back down.

I shrugged off the pain and walked towards the lake edge getting a drink softly and washing my hair and face off.  Looking into my own eyes I smiled remembering barely my own mother's eyes that could light up any dark day. The general's words hit me at that moment and I caught my breath. Is what he said true? I didn't have time yesterday to ask my father as we were all caught up and weary from the fight we went through. I need to find out the truth. 

"Mind if I get a drink too?" I fell back hearing James right by my ear causing him to step back. 

"Dear god what is up with you and scaring me half to death?" I groaned holding my head in my hands. 

"Sorry, its just to easy," He laughed and stood proudly at the accomplishment. 

"Right, says the guy who kissed a horse last night," he shuddered as I laughed at stood up slowly and gestured at the lake. "Go for it, I'm done here anyways," I walked away as he shook his head and got his drink. 

The camp began to wake up as the horns sounded. The slaves, now fully considered servants with only a few words from me, quickly began to clean up camp and pack everything away. My stepmother and sister quickly got up and cleaned up staying inside the coach. I went over to Shayla and groomed her preparing myself for the rest of the trip for the day. 

The King came out of his tent as servants rushed to finish packing everything up and the sun glinted off of his crown and armor as everyone else looked about I could only stare. He truly is blessed by the heavens is all I could think of as he stood there for a moment his eyes roaming and making sure things were being done. I softly smiled before Shayla nuzzled me and led me to the medics again to change my band-aids. 

After being checked over and everything being packed, we set off once more towards the capital of the kingdom. The stories I have heard from the servants still have me shivering even if we were a days ride away from it still.