Kingdom of Lothoria - Book 1

Chapter One

As she ran down the corridor, her pack bounced against her back, a reminder of the craziness she was about to attempt. Her steps took her from the castle into the courtyard and across it to the stables. As she pulled open the door, she heard shouting and men running.

"Stop, Princess!"

A glance back toward the castle told her the shouting came from several of the men in her father's Royal Guard. They'd been sent to return her to the castle. Return her to her prison. The pace of her steps increased carrying her down the main aisle of the stable until she found the door she was looking for. Fingers fumbling, she unlatched the door to the stall and flung it open. A large figure burst free from the stall, whinnying a greeting.

"Hey, Bella, ready to go, girl?"

She received another whinny by way of an answer. The unicorn stomped a hoof and shook her mane.

"Good, let's get out of here." She moved quickly, flinging a saddle blanket over the unicorn's back, followed by the saddle. Her movements paused, her hand rested on the saddle and she took a deep breath. "I wish you were here, Mom. You don't know how badly I wish we were doing this together. That we had escaped that night long ago and I didn't have to face this alone." She gave her head a shake and took a moment to make sure everything was secure and then vaulted into the saddle, urging her friend forward. They dashed out of the stable, heading across the courtyard toward the castle gates. Not a minute out of the stables an arrow whipped past her head, followed by another that embedded itself in her pack where it was secured behind the saddle.

Behind her she heard a shout and recognized her father's booming voice. "Stop her before she reaches the gates! Don't let her escape!"

A joyous laugh left her. "You can't stop me!" she shouted, not caring if he heard her or not. The unicorn's horn began to glow and she jumped forward, moving at an incredible speed toward the gates and didn't slow until she reached the concealing trees of the forest.

Rayn stroked the unicorn's neck as they made their way through the forest, Bella was a gift from her mother and thanks to her father and his laws against magic and magical creatures, it was quite possible she was the last unicorn. She meant the world to Rayn. Whenever she was having a bad day, needed someone to talk to, or was lonely, she would spend time with the unicorn.

It was a relief to be free of the castle, to be on her own and able to think for herself. It was simply a relief to be free.