by D. L. Boyles
Her father laughed quietly as he always did. “You must stand still, Audora, or Merriweather will have to pin you in place.” She smiled at him and Merriweather nodded with raised brows as though to say she fully agreed.
“Why does Mother insist on this party, Father? I could just as easily turn seventeen without a party at all.”
“That may be so, my sweets,” Mother’s voice rang out as she emerged into the room behind the king. “However, Merriweather could only do so much to lift your curse. Without the kiss of true love, you will never be able to have it lifted entirely.” She fluffed the skirt of the dress Merriweather was in the process of pinning. “And how will you obtain such a kiss if you do not meet eligible young men?”
Audora turned a skeptical eye towards her father. “While I do not like the idea of parading you in front of every eligible bachelor this side of the Candes Mountains, your mother makes a valid point,” he said.
“But I am only turning seventeen. I have plenty of time before I need to worry about the curse.”
“That may be so,” her mother said once more, “but there is no guarantee that you will find love amongst those who are attending your party. It may take several more parties and travels to other places before we’re able to find your true love. We’ve already been looking for so long.”
Her mother rang a little bell and when Fauna appeared, asked for a tray of drinks to be brought. When they arrived, she held one out first to Father, as always, and then handed one to Audora before raising her own crystal glass into the air. “A toast,” she said with a smile on her face, “to the loveliest princess in all the world. May you find love and lasting friendships for your birthday this year.”
∞∞∞
After she’d relented and stood as still as she could manage for her dress fitting, Audora fled the castle. She had wanted to watch her mother use her gift to expand the poppies in the garden, but had regrettably missed the event. Now, however, she was more than happy to slink quietly away from the watchful eyes of Florian and Eric, her personal guards, and sneak into the stables. Here, she tiptoed quietly until she spotted Peter delivering fresh straw to a stall. She quietly made her way behind him then reached out and jabbed his sides with her fingers.
Peter shouted and jumped all at the same time, flinging straw into the air. “Audora!” he exclaimed once his eyes settled on her. “Must you do that?”
“You should pay better attention to your surroundings.”
He rolled his eyes at her as he gathered the strewn straw pieces back into a pile. “You should act more like a princess and less like a wild street urchin.”
She pouted at him, which only made him scowl harder. “Do not look at me that way. I’ll not apologize,” he said. The tone of his voice told her otherwise.
She shifted tactics to that of charm. “Then, to make it up to you, I shall allow you to escort me on my daily ride.”
“Allow me to…” he trailed off with a shake of his head and a grumble. “The last time you allowed me to escort you on a ride, I received a knot on my head.”
“Well, see? I told you that you should pay better attention to your surroundings. It is not my fault you didn’t duck beneath that branch.”
Peter stabbed his pitchfork into the straw and strode purposely towards her, one eye squinted in annoyance. He did that, she mused, whenever he was truly annoyed—squinted only one eye and pressed his lips together. “It is entirely your fault I was distracted.”
Audora shrugged her shoulders. “Then, maybe you should pay less attention to me and more attention to the rest of your surroundings.” He shook his head and stepped away from her, retrieving his pitchfork. Silence fell upon them aside from the nickering of the horses. “So, you won’t take me for a ride?”
“I have work to do, Audora. I cannot stop what I am doing to go riding with you whenever the desire strikes you.”
“Hmph! It’s never been a problem before.” Audora sashayed past him and began rubbing the nose of a mare who had poked her head from her stable to observe the humans.
“And where are Florian and Eric? I have no doubt that one or both of them would be more than willing to escort you. Your rides generally entail such invigorating adventures that there are likely any number of young gentlemen ready and willing to accompany you.”
Audora whirled around to face him, hands flying to her hips. “That was rude, Peter Achenyule! Take it back!” He ignored her, continuing his dispersion of fresh straw. She stamped her foot and growled. “If I didn’t know any better, I would say you were jealous.” Picking up an empty bucket, she tossed it at him.
Peter dodged it easily then tossed down the pitchfork and darted towards her. Audora screamed and turned to make a quick getaway, but he grabbed hold of her waist, picked her up in the air, and whirled her around so that she was pressed up against one of the stall doors. A horse nickered then nibbled curiously at her hair. Peter tickled her and she squealed with laughter, begging him to stop. Peter’s sudden obedience to her request and the strange look in his eyes left her feeling off balance. He blinked at her as though he didn’t recognize her at all.
“Peter?” she asked him tentatively when an awkward moment of silence descended on them.
His eyes bore into hers for another moment before they flicked up to observe the horse. He rubbed its nose then gently shoved it away so that it was no longer nibbling on Audora’s hair. “I’m sorry, Audora. I should not have done that. Just like I should not go riding with you today, but…”
“But?” she asked, a growing anticipation blossoming in her chest.
He pressed his forehead against hers briefly then stepped away. “But I suppose I will have to. I do not trust either of those men who claim to be your guards to go with you. They clearly cannot even keep track of you when you’re safely inside the castle walls.”
Audora squealed with delight, bouncing on her toes in anticipation. “Thank you,” she whispered loudly and launched herself at him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. He laughed and playfully shoved her away.
“Come on then, if you’re planning on going, I’ll need to saddle some horses.”
Peter did exactly that and in a matter of minutes, the two of them were sneaking away from the castle through the city and out beyond into the countryside. Here, they gave their horses the freedom to run and enjoyed the rush of air around them. It was very nearly the closest thing to freedom Audora ever experienced. There were no mentions of curses or true love or kisses out here, it was just the horse, her, and the wind. Well, and Peter. There was always Peter. He was the only friend she really had, and she enjoyed every minute they spent together.
They slowed their horses as they reached the Pinewood Forest. The last time they’d gone riding together here, Peter had hit his head on a low branch. It had not been her fault. She’d had no control over the fact that a branch had snagged her dress and lifted her skirt as they were riding. She was working diligently to free herself when Peter turned around. He had apparently been so worried about her getting hurt that he’d not been paying attention to what was in front of him. And the time she’d gone riding with Florian and Eric, and Peter had accompanied them, she had accidentally lost her balance as she was trying to cross the stream. The weight of her skirt had been pulling her down, so Florian cut it off then drug her to shore where she knew that they all got more of an eyeful than was appropriate. That could not be helped, however, and she had a difficult time trying to explain it to her parents. They’d forbade her from riding anywhere for a month. There were other times, too, that she could remember some tragedy or other that caused Peter, or anyone with her, to falter, but they’d never been done intentionally as Peter insinuated earlier.
The two of them rode together in silence as they slowly made their way through the forest then emerged on the bank of the small stream. Audora had asked Peter numerous times if it had a name, but he swore no one had ever named it. Everyone affectionately referred to it as ‘the stream
.’ So, Audora named it Lonely River. It was a spur of the moment name, but it stuck and now, she often heard others refer to it as such. All around was a lonely place. Not many people beyond a few brave fishermen and hunters ventured into the Pinewood Forest let alone to Lonely River.
It was for this exact reason that the scent of a campfire caught Audora’s attention.
“Do you smell that?” she asked.
Peter shook his head. “The only thing I smell is evergreen and fish water.”
“It’s a campfire.” Audora stopped and inhaled deeply. “She is on the other side of Lonely River, Peter. Not far away.”
“She? You can tell it’s a woman’s campfire?”
Peter shook his head, but he knew better than to argue with her. On more than one occasion, her ability to smell things had served her well. And her eyesight was noticeably better than his. As was her hearing, which was how she knew that whoever it was, it was a woman…and the woman was humming.
She nodded her head and he continued to shake his in disbelief. It was difficult to explain how she knew, but some deep sense inside of her throbbed with knowledge she could rarely explain. Peter often teased her for believing she could smell things no one else could.
“Do you plan on welcoming yourself at her campsite, then? Or are we going to continue our ride and return before your parents discover we’re gone?”
Though she was intrigued by the campsite, she knew that it would take her too far to the other side of the stream and that would delay their return. Florian and Eric would be furious that she’d snuck away, and they’d not wait long before telling her parents.
“No, you’re right, Peter. We should return.”
She followed Peter down a narrow deer trail and then the two of them were racing wildly back to the stables across the rolling hills of Wessix.
Florian, face red with irritation and lips pursed, met them just inside the stable. “Princess Audora. You had me very worried.”
Rather than acknowledge what he said, she asked, “Where is Eric?”
“He’s out looking for you. When we found Peter missing and two horses unaccounted for, we assumed you’d gone out riding. It is dangerous for you to be out there without a guard. Not to mention inappropriate to be alone with the stable boy.”
Audora glanced over her shoulder at Peter. The comment from Florian had been meant to offend and it’d done its job. “Peter is my friend, Captain Florian, and would never let anything happen to me.”
“No? And what would he do to defend you? Launch manure at someone? Or does he hide his pitchfork in his pocket when you go riding?”
Peter pressed his lips together and clenched his fists at his side but said nothing. “You are being intentionally rude to Peter, Captain Florian, and I will not tolerate it.” For emphasis, Audora stamped her foot and straightened her spine.
“He’s right, Princess. It was not a good idea for us to go riding without them.”
Peter was agreeing with Florian? “But…”
Peter shook his head, holding up his hand. He glanced from Audora over to Florian. “My apologies, Captain, it will not happen again.”
“That was what the princess told me the last time,” the guard grumbled.
“Now I’m telling you.” Peter turned his attention fully to Audora. “I’m sorry, Princess, but I’ve too much work to do to continue these jaunts with you. Forgive me, but I can no longer be your escort.”
“Peter. Just because you’ve agreed that Florian and Eric ought to go, that does not mean you can no longer accompany me.”
“Listen to the stable boy, Princess Audora. He’s more level-headed than I previously gave him credit for.”
Audora was outraged. She did not like the way any of this was being discussed or the way the men dismissed her and her desires. Peter was her friend—something she had very few of—and she would not be bullied out of having one. It was pointless to argue further now, but she would eventually have her say.
Stomping her foot, she stormed from the stables. She didn’t give Peter a second glance nor did she look to see if Florian followed. His footsteps clicking on the cobblestone behind her, however, told her that he did.
Inside the castle, she found herself answering mundane questions from the castle staff, directed to her by her mother. What color tablecloths? Did she want to use the blue or the pink china for dinner? Crystal goblets or gold? Which flatware would she like? Chairs covered or uncovered?
After ensuring that all of their questions were answered, Audora escaped upstairs to her room. Captain Florian followed her, standing outside her door as he always did. Whenever he wasn’t there, Eric was. She liked it better when Eric stood watch because he was much more easily escaped. Florian, on the other hand, a newly promoted captain in the guard, was constantly vigilant.
No sooner had she entered her room, thinking to find some solitude, when Ladies Rebecca and Sloane came flitting in, the material of their skirts rustling. “Good morning, Captain Florian,” she heard Sloane say. Sloane was a hopeless flirt, always batting her eyelashes at both the guards but even more so at the captain. Her ladies were constantly following her around, commenting needlessly on mundane things that made Audora inwardly groan. They stood before her now, curtseying with bright smiles.
“We looked for you after your dress fitting,” Rebecca said, “but we couldn’t find you.”
“I was riding with Peter,” she told them.
“Peter? The stable boy?” Rebecca curled her lip as though even saying Peter’s name caused her discomfort.
“Yes. That one.”
“I don’t know what you see in him, Princess Audora,” Sloane said, shaking her head the same way Audora’s mother often did. “He may be very handsome, but he smells of manure and hay.”
“Probably because he lives in the stables,” Audora grumbled. She’d have said more, speaking her mind about how Peter was much more pleasant company than they, but Flora interrupted them.
“The queen would like to see you, Princess. She is in the green room.”
Audora left her room, followed first by Florian and then by her two ladies. Everywhere she went, someone was constantly trailing her. In part, this was what led her to the stables five years ago. Her father had two new stallions shipped in from Hobbeal, bred them with Wessix mares, and a few months later, several new foals graced the royal stables. With their arrival, Peter came to call the place his home, and from that moment on, Audora was engrossed in all things dealing with horses. None of the ladies or maids tended to follow her into the stables—something that afforded her the opportunity to befriend Peter and urge him to teach her to ride.
“There you are.” She was barely announced before her mother was hurrying to her, pulling her in the direction of a young man who looked less than thrilled at the inevitable introduction. “Prince Lionel, I introduce to you my daughter, Princess Audora.” Her mother turned a bright smile in her direction. “Prince Lionel is here from Huber. He’s come to speak with your father about the growing dangers of The Wilds, but that is no matter for discussion right now.” The queen brushed her hand through the air at Prince Lionel, dismissing the objection forming on his lips. “Now, I was just telling the prince about your birthday party and that you’d be more than pleased if he could stay.”
And, just like that, her mother maneuvered both her and the prince so that they were walking side-by-side through the green room and into the glasshouse where her mother kept her more delicate flowers. The room was filled with a sweet aroma and thick, humid air. The queen chattered on and on endlessly about something, but Audora tuned her out. Judging by the prince’s expression, he’d done the same. Finally, her mother clapped her hands together, seemingly pleased with whatever it was she’d schemed then turned and hurried away, shooing both Rebecca and Sloane from view as she went.
“I apologize,” Audora told the prince once they were alone—well, as alone as a princess could get with a guard lurking nearby. “My mother is
very insistent that I meet every eligible bachelor within the human kingdoms.”
“Yes. The curse,” Prince Lionel stated. “I understand. And you are an exceptionally beautiful princess, but…”
Audora smiled. “I understand, too. You’ve come here for a purpose and that has little to do with me.”
“The Wilds have become a nuisance. Even Hurstone, a fae territory to the east, is struggling in their relations with the creatures, which are expanding their own territories more and more.”
“I’ve never heard of The Wilds.” She gestured to the bench where her mother had led them. “Would you sit with me, Prince Lionel, and tell me about them?”
There was no way of getting out of the queen’s matchmaking attempts, since the king was currently unavailable, so he did. “The Wilds were once a thick stretch of woods, dark and imposing. No one dared enter them. They are filled with all sorts of magical creatures that even the fae refuse to name.” Lionel shuddered. “For more than a decade, The Wilds have been expanding, the trees and thick undergrowth claiming land that was once cleared for farming and wild meadows where abundant wildlife grazed. It has even consumed towns, leaving them in ruins as the people fled to the safety of cities further from the reach of The Wilds. Creatures who never came into contact with humans—or fae—are roaming freely amongst them now, wreaking havoc wherever they go.”
“It sounds dreadful. Prince Lionel, I am sure my father will help in whatever way he can. What is it you want from Wessix?”
“My father, King Rubrixt, wishes to unite the human kingdoms to the fae territories.”
“Aren’t the fae divided into special courts?” She didn’t know much about the fae, but she knew that. Audora also knew that the fae didn’t particularly trust humans. “Surely, they would never align themselves with the humans.”
“Not all fae would, no. Those who have their courts are strong enough on their own, but the others…there are fae territories unassociated with any particular fae court who are willing to sign an alliance with the human kingdoms and together, we could tame The Wilds and find a way to push it back, if not do away with it entirely.”