Apples and Princesses (The Tales and Princesses Series Book 2)

by Aleese Hughes

  The Ruins of Keross were just what the title suggested: ruins. Ruins of the citadel of Keross centuries ago when the five kingdoms of Wilaldan, Edristan, Polart, Mardasia, and Greriveth were all ruled by one High King. The land was once called Ennalon. The Kingdom of Lurid, far west, was a landmass just as big as what the five kingdoms occupied. Though what once was Ennalon became five distinct, separate kingdoms, Lurid was still ruled by their High King Rian. The story went that civil war erupted in Ennalon, thus creating the five, separate kingdoms. The Lurid Kingdom must have done, and was still doing, something better than we were.

  I took in my surroundings, still in awe of what Keross once was. The chipped stone of the cobbled streets and the dried-up fountains stretched for miles. It had to have been much bigger than Bothar, for sure. I could almost imagine the festive colors of subjects going about their daily routines in such a grand city as Keross.

  Directly in front of me loomed a dark tower, teetering dangerously to the side. It must have belonged to the famed castle of the High Kings. What was the last Ennalon High King’s name? I racked my brain, flipping through my memories of dusty old history books I read when hiding from my father. High King Bryce! That was it. It was rumored he was taken with a mysterious madness while his people not only turned against him but each other. What marvelous, strange things would be awaiting me inside those crumbling walls?

  I’d always wanted to travel to Keross, and just standing outside the ancient gates piqued my sense of adventure and excitement. I wanted nothing more than to explore.

  “Lady Isabella!”

  I started as the Prince called my name from inside the ruins, almost having forgotten why I came. He sat upon a precarious-looking ledge overlooking some land to our left. I swung my legs over Clover as he rushed over to help me from the saddle.

  “You look beautiful,” he said.

  I flushed. Prince Frederik had this inexplicable power over me every once in a while. A power that made my mind stop all of its normal function. And then I looked down at the silver cloak draping over the light blue dress I wore and inwardly agreed with his sentiment.

  “Thank you,” I said, straightening my spine and regaining some composure.

  After my feet touched the ground, he swept my hand into his and pressed his lips against it. I tried to push away the heat that once again started rising into my cheeks.

  “I thought we might watch the sunset together. You’re just in time.”

  He led me over to where he had been sitting and offered his hand to help me to my seat. My breath caught at the sight before us. And then I knew why he chose this spot, dangerous as it seemed. The view was incredible. As the sun began to set, its rays bounced off the swirling clouds in elegant hues of oranges and purples.

  “The sun looks so big,” I whispered. The view at White Manor had never been such as this, blocked by the tall trees of father’s expansive forest. And not to mention I didn’t often get a chance to watch the sunset at home, having been expected to serve Lord White’s evening meals.

  “That’s because it is big.” Frederik chuckled.

  “Well, I mean… Just look at that.”

  The field below us stretched far and flat, providing an illusionary perspective on the expansive horizon. It was almost as if I could touch it.

  “I know what you mean,” Frederik said. He inched his hand over to mine and rested a single finger on top of my wrist. It was subtle, but I could tell he desired the closeness to me.

  I felt my heart flutter again and forgot to be annoyed by the feeling as I shifted my pinky to rest on his hand. Out of the corner of my eye, I watched as Frederik’s lips twitched into a smile.

  “I was thinking,” he said, “about how I could help you.” He enthusiastically turned his face to mine with a sparkle in his eye. The look he gave me of pure admiration and desire was intense, and I found my thoughts starting to muddle together again.

  I gulped. “Oh?” This was my chance. If he was to offer money, or even jewels, I should take it and run. No sense in prolonging this façade any longer.

  “I am the Prince of Wilaldan, heir to the throne. And do you know what I realized?”

  The jovial tone to his voice actually put a smile on my face. “What?”

  “That I don’t have to marry Queen Dalia if I don’t want to.”

  My brows furrowed, and I moved my hand away from his. “I’m sure that won’t go over well.”

  He shook his head. “Oh, it won’t. But I have a plan.”

  I held my breath, fearing what his next words might be.

  “We’ll run away,” he said. “And once things blow over, I’ll return home with you. I am the only rightful heir to Wilaldan, and if we’re…” He paused for a long time and stared nervously at his feet.

  “If we’re what?”

  He rolled his shoulders back, still not looking at me. “If we’re already married, they can’t turn us away.”

  I leapt up from my position and glared at Frederik, eyes wide. “Married?”

  Frederik adopted a newfound confidence and stood up next to me, grabbing my hands. I squinted my eyes shut as I tried to process what he was saying to me.

  “You can’t tell me you haven’t felt it, too.”

  I dared to look at him, biting my lip. “Felt what?”

  He squeezed my hands even tighter. It almost hurt. “Our connection. From the moment I set eyes on you… when we danced… every time we’re together. I think I love you, Isabella.”

  Before I could even blink, Frederik pulled me close to his chest and pressed his lips against mine. He smelled of leather and grass, most likely from the ride, but it was invigorating. I found myself moving my hands over his arms and felt the pulsing of his muscles as he drew me even closer to him. I felt my own body relax as I curled into his touch. He pulled away and gazed into my eyes.

  “And once we’re in Wilaldan, I promise to help your family.”

  “My family?” I said, still swaying from our embrace.

  He raised an eyebrow quizzically. “They sent you to marry wealthy and help their financial situation?”

  My stomach did flips, and I felt myself tense up once again. I’d actually forgotten why I was there.

  “Of course,” I croaked out. The ease and thrill I normally felt from lying had fled from me, and I felt helpless.

  A rustling in some bushes from behind startled the both of us. I watched nervously as Frederik let go of his grip on me and pulled a sword from his hip.

  “Stay behind me,” he hissed through gritted teeth.

  I fingered my own dagger, Father’s dagger, hidden in a pocket within my skirts. I was confident in my abilities to help if the need arose, but showcasing my skills with a knife might set off alarms to my false identity. I would only use it if I had to.

  “Who’s there?” Frederik barked in the direction of the movement.

  A young woman poked her blonde head above the shrubbery, cheeks a deep red from the embarrassment of getting caught.

  “Don’t hurt me,” she said as she rose, arms lifted in surrender.

  “Aeryn?” Frederik exclaimed, jumping back in shock.

  “You know her?”

  Frederik turned to me, a look of horror etched in his features. “She’s the lady-in-waiting to the Queen.”

  I clutched at my chest as a gasp escaped my lips. Aeryn’s fear seemed to dissipate in that moment, and she placed clenched fists on her hips. She leaned her willowy figure towards us and clicked her tongue disapprovingly.

  “Boy, do you two have some explaining to do.”

  Chapter 18

  Frederik sheathed his sword, but my hand stayed gripped around the leather hilt of Father’s dagger.

  “How did you find us, Aeryn.” Frederik approached the woman slowly, worry lines etched into his forehead.

  Aeryn nodded her head to a horse tied half a mile down the road. “I followed you.” She folded her arms. “What are you doing? You’re betrothed to the Queen.”r />
  He nodded, glancing at me over his shoulder. “I know. But I love Lady Isabella. Do you really want to stop that?”

  My stomach started churning again. I was there to manipulate wealth out of Prince Frederik, not destroy the marriage alliance of two kingdoms. But something in me found delight in Frederik saying he loved me, even though my own feelings were too confusing.

  “I doubt she loves you back!” the woman exclaimed. She turned her nose up at me and scoffed.

  I gritted my teeth. What did she know?

  “She’s a thief!” Aeryn continued, beginning to advance towards me. “The Queen and I saw. She’s just using you, Your Highness.”

  My knuckles turned white as I gripped my weapon even tighter.

  “How dare you talk to me, or the Lady Isabella in such a manner!” the Prince spat. “You will apologize.”

  Aeryn narrowed her eyes at me. “I will not. I demand her confession.”

  Frederik turned to me, a pained look swimming in the blue of his eyes. “What is she talking about, Isabella? Tell her she’s wrong.”

  I gulped, the anxious feeling that overcame me earlier starting to present itself again. The hand around my dagger began to sweat, and my sudden weakness made the grip hard to maintain.

  “Isabella?” he pressed.

  Before thinking it through, I whipped out the dagger from my skirts and held it towards the two of them. I took a deep breath, refusing to let my emotions weaken my stance. The hand holding my weapon stayed surprisingly still.

  Frederik’s fingers twitched at the hilt of his sheathed sword, but he hesitated in drawing it.

  “What’s going on?” His voice trembled as if he didn’t want to hear my answer.

  “I need money,” I said. “Or jewelry. Anything!”

  “But, I told you I can help—”

  “Now!”

  Aeryn and Frederik glanced at each other nervously, and he finally found the courage to draw his sword against me.

  “Isabella,” he said, “you don’t have to do this.”

  “My name is Snow!” I shouted. “And I only flirted with you to steal from you.” I realized those words weren’t entirely true, but there was no longer any chance for me to be with him.

  The Prince’s face fell, and he lowered his sword. I took advantage of the moment and leapt towards the lady-in-waiting, roughly pushing her in front of me and pricking her long neck with the dagger’s blade.

  “If you don’t do what I say right now, I swear I’ll slit her throat.”

  “I don’t want to hurt you,” he said, lifting his sword up again.

  “I’ll do it!” I screamed through the tears streaming down my face. When had those started?

  I pushed the blade deeper into Aeryn’s flesh, and little droplets of blood spilled down her front.

  “Your Highness,” she whimpered, “do what she says. Please.”

  Frederik frantically searched his pockets. “Oh, wait!” he cried, remembering. “My bag. It’s with my horse over there. I packed a good amount of money for our… For our journey together.”

  He pointed to the clearing and his horse tied to a tree— close to where he’d kissed me. I shook my head, refusing to think about that moment.

  “Get it,” I snapped.

  My head began to throb ever so slightly from the uneasiness of the situation, but I barely noticed it as my heart ached. I watched Frederik sprint to his strong-looking palfrey, a common steed among nobles. The horse’s muscles tensed under his dark coat, sensing his master’s discomfort. Frederik’s confident posture had started to shrink, almost portraying how dejected he was feeling. I squeezed my eyes shut for a moment.

  Stop it, Snow, I chastised myself. You’re getting what you came for.

  “Here.”

  I threw my eyes open to find Frederik before me, holding out a satchel about the same size as mine.

  “Take it all,” he said.

  I slid my free hand from behind Aeryn’s back and outstretched it towards the Prince. “Hand it to me. Slowly.”

  Aeryn was still shaking beneath my grip, making it hard for me to hold the heavy bag as Frederik placed the strap in my palm. I started inching backward towards my own horse.

  “I’m going to leave,” I whispered, trying to stop my own voice from shaking. “I’ll let her go, but don’t follow me.”

  The Prince stood firmly in place, but his lustrous blue eyes penetrated into my own. His gaze was hard, but my lip trembled slightly as a single tear streaked down his cheek.

  I held Aeryn’s arm as I moved to mount Clover, but let her go just as soon as I began to climb. The young woman fell to the floor and quickly scurried away on her hands and knees, sobbing. Frederik rushed over to console her, but never took his eyes off of my face.

  “How could you do something like this?” His voice sounded stronger than earlier, almost angry. “I trusted you.”

  Despite all the turmoil inside of me, I lifted my chin. “It’s what I do.”

  I eyed the Prince and the sword at his hip, but he made no move to stop me. He seemed to have noticed where I stared, and he shook his head.

  “Just go. I meant what I said: I don’t want to hurt you.”

  Before my annoying inner voice could tell me to throw myself into the arms of the handsome Prince and beg for forgiveness, I started Clover at a steady sprint. And I left. Far away from Frederik, far away from Bothar, and far away from everybody.

  I didn’t know where I was going, but I knew there was no way I could go back to the seven boys and Nick. There was no way to know if Prince Frederik or Aeryn, or both, had alerted the royal guard of my crimes. I couldn’t risk it. I didn’t know if Frederik would want to publicize his affair with me while engaged to Queen Dalia, but I had no doubt Aeryn would talk. She also said the Queen knew of my thievery… But how? At the ball? Did they see me with the Prince before and suspect my integrity? I shook my head. It didn’t matter anymore.

  After riding briskly for two hours, only slowing once in consideration of Clover, I pulled over to the side of the road next to a small brook. It was about time my horse had a longer break. I tied her reins to a nearby tree and watched distractedly as she lapped up the clear water from the bubbling water. I finally decided that I might as well look at what the Prince had in his pack.

  I untied his satchel from Clover’s saddle and avoided smelling the leather material that smelled so much like Frederik. I ripped open the flap and studied its contents. There was a variety of dried fruits and meats tucked away, but in the middle was a large, cloth sack. I pulled the material open and marveled at the pile of gold coins littered with a few silver, and a copper or two. I whistled.

  “This will last me a good while,” I said to Clover. She whinnied in response, then continued to quench her thirst.

  He was serious about running away with me, I thought.

  An overwhelming feeling of guilt bubbled inside of me, but I pushed it away. I did what I had to do. This was surviving. But then the guilt rose up inside me once more as I thought about Arnold and his brothers— even Nick. I was abandoning them, but there was no other choice! I was the one in the most immediate need. I needed to get away from Bothar and start anew. The boys had gotten by without me before, and Nick would inevitably get over me.

  I calmed my breathing, convinced by my reasoning. Yes, this was the right choice. I looked at the money before me again. With it, I could stay night after night at some inns. Though, I’d never actually stayed in one before, but I assumed the mound of money would be more than sufficient. But where was I to go?

  Clover seemed finished with her drink, and I sighed. There was no point in planning a route now— especially when I knew little to nothing of the land and where things were. For the moment, the best thing to do was to trudge onward.

  Chapter 19

  Queen Dalia watched The Fairest in the mirror. Though the young woman was riding far away from Bothar, Dalia couldn’t help but still worry.

  “Dalia
,” Aeryn whispered over her shoulder, “she’s leaving. There’s nothing to worry about anymore.”

  Dalia looked to her friend and studied the small cut on her neck, paling. Aeryn touched the wound and chuckled half-heartedly.

  “It wasn’t so bad,” she said. “And you know how long I’ve yearned for adventure.”

  Dalia sighed heavily. “She could’ve killed you!”

  She shrugged. “But she didn’t. And she really seemed like she wanted to leave.”

  The Queen twirled a red curl in her finger and directed her attention back to The Fairest as she rode through the night on that sickly-looking horse.

  “I hope she doesn’t come back.”

  Aeryn shook her head. “Even if she does, the guards and soldiers know to look out for her from now on.”

  The image in the mirror faded away, making the room dark once again, save the one lit candle by Dalia’s bed.

  A knock, hesitant and soft, interrupted the Queen’s thoughts. She moved to answer the door, but Aeryn held up a hand in response.

  “I’m still your servant,” she said. “Allow me.”

  Dalia stared at her laughing reflection while Aeryn went to answer the door.

  “Oh, look who decided to show up.”

  Dalia whipped her head around to see to whom Aeryn was referring. Prince Frederik stood in the doorframe, looking abashedly at his feet, cheeks a brilliant red.

  “Aeryn!” she scolded.

  “It’s alright,” the Prince assured her, lifting his eyes from the floor. His cheeks turned an even deeper red at the sight of Queen Dalia in her nightgown.

  It was Dalia’s turn to blush. “I’m sorry,” she said. “Give me a minute or two, and I’ll be more presentable.”

  Aeryn slammed the door in his face before he could reply, and Dalia clicked her tongue.

  “Aeryn, he’s still a prince.”

  She huffed. “Yeah, an unfaithful prince.”

  Dalia gestured for Aeryn to find a simple gown as she spoke: “We barely knew each other, and he really cared for that woman. It’s not like we were in love with one another.”