by T. K. Perry
As the sprawling Royal City began to peter out beneath her, Lexi panicked. The Mating Mountain was too far off to be visible, even if it weren’t dark, and Lexi wasn’t sufficiently familiar with the landscape to know what direction she was flying once outside the city. She was tempted to stop for the night or at least purchase a compass, but she knew she would be easily recognized, and that her mother would likely punish anyone who helped her. Slowing down and gradually approaching the ground, Lexi executed another ungraceful landing, tripping several steps before she caught her balance in the empty field next to a road sign. Peering up at it, she read “Shady Cove,” and nodded. Shady Cove was straight north of the Royal City, wasn’t it? She couldn’t remember, but hoped it was close enough. Leaping back into the air, she marveled that her wings weren’t tiring, that the muscles of her back still felt invigorated. I’m made for this, she thought with a pleased smile, then fell to experimenting with arm positions again as she kept the moonlit scratch of road in sight beneath her.
Three hours later, she guzzled the last of her water and panted so loudly that she could no longer hear the night sounds of the forest beneath her. She had expected to see the next city an hour ago, but still the pale road meandered beneath her, and no welcoming lights lit up over the next hill. Massaging her shoulders, she forced herself to fly higher to see more of the landscape ahead. There were lights over the next hill, but not the right size to be a city, maybe a large country estate. At least they will have water, she thought. Driving herself onward, she focused on the lights, flying away from the road to meet them. As she flew closer, she could see a vast property encased in stone and wood fences with heavily-manicured gardens to set it apart from the surrounding forest. A draconian iron gate blocked its entrance from the road with two guards leaning sleepily against it. Lexi quickly rejected this mode of entry and scanned for the stables, resolved to fill her canteen from a trough if necessary. The house with its rambling out buildings reminded her of a miniature palace, and Lexi was struck with the uncomfortable certainty that she was looking at a noble’s home; someone who would likely recognize her. Finding the stables, she landed well away from the horses, then waited for her breathing to return to normal as she listened for anything unusual. Cautiously, she began to approach, murmuring soothing streams of nonsense that she hoped were too quiet to arouse a sleeping stable boy. Several of the horses whinnied at she approached a water pump over an open trough. She set a hand against the cold metal, her canteen in the other, praying that it wouldn’t make a noise. It screeched, splashing out enough water to fill her canteen if she hadn’t jumped at the sound and missed most of it. Setting her teeth, Lexi grimaced and pumped it again, neatly filling her canteen.
“This is private property!” a young voice announced with a slight tremor, just as she capped her canteen.
“I’m sorry,” she answered, turning her face away from the boy. “I just needed some water. I’ll be on my way now,” she said, sliding her canteen back into her bag.
“Uh...wait,” the boy said, walking into the lantern light. He was small, perhaps twelve, with a shock of blond hair sticking out from a cap too large for him. Bits of straw clung to his rumpled clothes. “Are you going to the Mating Mountain?”
Lexi looked at him curiously, keeping her face in shadow. “Yes.”
“We have some letters; would you take them? We could pay you a bit or trade food or shelter.”
Lexi considered that a moment as her muscles screamed for a rest. “I would like to help you,” she said hesitantly, visualizing the royal flying guardsmen catching up to her and turning the letters over to her mother. “But it’s best if no one knows I was here,” she finished apologetically.
The boy examined her closely, stepping nearer. “Why?”
Lexi mentally berated herself for not having answers prepared in advance. Sighing, she told the truth. “My mother didn’t want me to go. She’ll be angry at anyone who helps me.”
“Are you a noble lady, then?” the boy asked, taking a few more steps forward as Lexi receded into the shadows.
“I have to go.” Lexi jumped into the air, then gasped and stumbled back to the ground, her back muscles cramping severely.
“Shelter in exchange for the letters?” the boy offered, a smile in his voice.
Lexi turned to face him. “You could lose your place for helping me.”
He shrugged. “Don’t care much for the master anyway.”
“Who is your master?”
“Lord Admiral.”
Lexi’s heart began to pound, her breath coming in shallow little gasps as she tried to calm her face. “I can’t stay here.”
The boy's light eyebrows drew together like a long, fuzzy caterpillar. “He’s not home right now. And none of his family ever comes into the servants' quarters, anyway. They’ll never know you were here.”
“How close is Shady Cove?”
“Walking?” he asked, waiting for Lexi’s nod. “An hour.”
Lexi nodded again and turned north, steeling herself against the long walk ahead of her.
“If you won’t take the letters, will you pass a message?” the boy asked, walking alongside her in a jogging gait to keep up with her long strides.
“I suppose so.”
“My aunt’s a life servant on the mountain. Her name is Marina Blue. My mom wanted her to know that their father died, and that my grandmother lives with us now.”
Lexi stopped walking and looked at the boy's shadowed face. “I’m sorry.”
The boy merely shrugged as he stared at the ground. “That’s all,” he said quietly, glancing up at her. “The property is only fenced along the road. You can walk out through the forest.” The boy took off at an uneven lope back to the stables and disappeared into one of the stalls.
“Thank you,” she called softly after him.
Urging her exhausted body forward, Lexi began to walk.
Chapter Five
Lexi snuggled deeper into the luxurious bedding, her wings shielding her pale face from the afternoon sunlight streaming in from a high window. Her boots and clothing were strung across the floor in a path from the door to the bed, with her bag splayed open near a foot that had escaped the confines of her covers. With a noise of contentment, she unwound an arm from beneath her head and stretched, then let out a little yawn.
“Good morning, Princess.”
Lexi’s eyes jolted open, and she flew out of the covers to land on the far side of the bed, her wrinkled nightgown slowly untangling from her legs. “Talan!” she gasped, eyeing the door.
Talan sat casually with one foot up on his knee, twirling a smooth, white stone around his fingers. “How did you sleep, my love?”
“How did you get in my room?” she demanded, inching forward to grab her bag.
“After I visited your balcony last night, your mother thought it prudent that we be married right away. Your father married us late last night, and we left on our honeymoon journey together, reaching my estate in the early hours of this morning. Unfortunately, we had a bit of a quarrel over your maid. Sulking, you took yourself to the nicest inn in town, where I found you this morning. Now, we shall make up and return to my estate,” Talan announced, sliding a folded paper from his jacket pocket, and slowly unfolding it.
“You know that didn’t happen,” Lexi said in a choked voice, irrational tears pricking at her eyes.
“It’s not what I know, it’s what the rest of the world thinks. Now, if you are finished behaving like a peasant maid, sign this, and we can get on with our lives,” Talan said, holding out the paper he had just unfolded.
Without touching it, Lexi leaned forward to read it. “Solemn Marriage Sealing” was written in fancy letters across the top with her father’s signature at the bottom. Backing away, Lexi clutched at her bag, white-knuckled.
“That’s not binding,” she whispered.
With a slight frown, Talan laid the certificate on the table and placed the rock on top of it with a forc
eful thunk. “Your father will make it more official when we visit next week. Until then, we will live at my estate like reasonably happy newlyweds and do our best to give your father an heir.”
“No!” Lexi exclaimed, the word coming out like a cry.
An unpleasant smile flitted across Talan’s face. “But that’s the part you enjoy, my love; have you forgotten?” Talan asked, making the air heavy with his scent as he stood and moved towards her.
“Stay away from me,” she ordered, swallowing to still the tremor in her voice. “I am still a princess, and I command you to leave this room.”
Talan’s skin pulled tight across his jaw. “Very well, Princess, I will wait outside. But understand that wherever you go, I go. I have been commanded,” he spat the word out bitterly, “to follow you, and nothing but delivering you back to the Queen or your marriage to another man will set me free.” He stared at her, his face a furious red, fists clenched at his sides.
“Get out, Talan,” she commanded, each word clipped.
Talan spun on his heel, his wings grazing her face as he turned, and stalked from the room. The walls reverberated with the slamming door.
Lexi let her breath out slowly, cursing herself for sleeping so late. She yanked her bag up from the floor, then dropped it again when her gaze fell on the incomplete wedding certificate. She pitied her father the argument that must have preceded his signature. She slid the paper out from under Talan’s rock and tore it in half, careful not to tear her father’s name. She ripped carefully around it, then slipped it into her bag with the roll of money. The rest of the certificate she tore into tiny shreds, scooped up the pieces, and walked to the door. Opening it, she tossed the pieces into the hallway and shut the door again before they could flutter to the floor. Smiling, she washed carefully, put on her mother’s red dress, and let her hair down. Her riding boots wouldn't fit inside her bag, so she wore them once again. With satisfaction, Lexi noted that the dark boots helped distract from her bruised knees. Nodding at her appearance in the mirror, she picked up her bag and opened the door.
“Your Highness,” a uniformed flying guardsman said, bowing stiffly, his companion doing the same while the scent of mustard filled the air.
“Oh,” Lexi said, glancing up and down the hallway. “Is he gone, then?” she asked, noting that the shredded bits of wedding certificate had disappeared as well.
The first guard elbowed the second as he shook his head. “Your husband is in the dining room.”
Lexi shook her head vigorously. “He is not my husband. I am going to the Mating Mountain, and he is trying to stop me.” Lexi watched as the guards exchanged an uncomfortable expression. “What are your orders?”
The first guard cleared his throat. “We are your escort, Your Highness. The King commanded us to see you and uh...Lord Admiral’s son safely to your destination.”
“The King?” Lexi’s voice was suddenly soft. “Is the Queen aware of your orders?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Lexi let out a breath, her shoulders relaxing. “Good. What are your names?”
The first guard’s heavy brown eyebrows arched into his forehead as his yellow wings twitched. “Uh, I’m Vaden. This is Celus,” he added, pointing to the smaller guard with the broad brown wings.
“Are you hungry?”
Vaden shifted his weight and exchanged a glance with Celus. “Yes, Your Highness.”
“Let’s eat, then.” Lexi marched down to the dining room with the two perplexed guards in her wake.
Talan stood as they entered, and walked up to usher Lexi to his table.
“No, thank you,” she said, choosing a larger table on the other side of the room. “Sit down,” she commanded the guards, indicating the chairs on either side of her.
Fighting a scowl, Talan requested the waitress move his meal to their table, then walked reluctantly over to sit down between the two guards.
Watching their mutual discomfort, a giggle bubbled up Lexi’s throat before she could choke it.
“Does something amuse you, Princess?” Talan asked, his handsome face twitching with irritation.
Lexi smiled pleasantly. “Yes, something does amuse me. Talan, have you been properly introduced to Vaden and Celus?”
Talan’s visage turned a mottled red, his mouth a tight line and his nostrils flared. Both guards kept their heads down.
Lexi fought the amusement that insisted on turning up the corners of her mouth during their silent meal. Talan looked horrified when she attempted conversation with the guards, and only slightly relieved at their monosyllabic answers.
“May I speak with you privately, Princess?” Talan asked as she stood at the end of the meal.
Lexi frowned, but followed Talan into a small room crowded with a large table. Talan reached around her to shut the door, and she quickly moved away from him.
“What is left to say, Talan?”
“You are humiliating me!” Talan blurted, a vein in his temple bulging.
Lexi stifled another giggle with a cough. “Then you are easily humiliated.”
“I live near here! I am the local nobility! I do not eat with guards or get snubbed by my wife!”
“I am not your wife, and if you have let anyone think so, you have only yourself to blame,” Lexi retorted heatedly.
“That’s not true! Your mother ordered me to follow you. The story of our marriage was her fabrication.” Talan paced back and forth in the tiny space, his wings rubbing against the wall. “I did want you very much.” He stopped pacing near her and lifted a hand to her face, which she quickly slapped away. Grinding his teeth, he sucked in a heavy breath. “I would still take you if you would stop making everything so difficult!”
With effort, Lexi controlled her temper. “I am sorry for my mother’s orders. I would remand them if I had the power. If you return to my father alone, I am certain he will do so.”
“The King hates me! You told him I kissed you and came to your balcony. He lectured me for two hours! He would rather strip me of my land and title than help me!”
In spite of Talan’s angst, Lexi laughed. The thought of her father lecturing him while she escaped was too amusing to hold in.
“And now you laugh at me?!”
“I’m sorry,” Lexi apologized, forcing her mouth into a dour line.
“Why didn’t you just tell me you would never marry me from the beginning? You could have spared me all this!”
His words sobered her mirth instantly. “I meant to be obedient. I didn’t see the choice I had until I spoke to my father.”
“And you couldn’t have told me?” Talan asked with exasperation.
Lexi shook her head. “You would have stopped me.”
Talan blew out a long breath. “What now?”
“I’m still going to the Mating Mountain. If you feel you must follow me, I’ll try not to humiliate you.”
“Are you going to tell the peasants there who you are?”
“I had not meant to, but I am afraid my escort will give me away,” Lexi said, rubbing her earlobe thoughtfully.
“Princess, every male there will pretend to be in love with you for the sake of your wealth and power,” Talan warned.
Lexi frowned at him, but didn’t disagree.
Talan stepped closer to her, his scent wafting around her. “Please Lexi, just marry me. It will be so much easier for both of us.”
Lexi shook her head. “It’s not easy that I want. Wouldn’t you like to try falling in love, Talan?”
“With you? Yes.”
Lexi gave him a light laugh. “Talan, my lady’s maid is like a mother to me. My best friend is a stable boy. I’m more comfortable sneaking around in servants' clothes than I’ve ever been in a formal gown receiving guests. If I weren’t a Princess, you would never consider me as a mate.”
Talan frowned. “I would still be attracted to you.”
“But you would get over it quickly when you had been sufficiently repelled by my behavior
.” Lexi sighed as she looked at him. “Now, I need to do some shopping. Will it embarrass you if I do it in this town? I can wait for the next one.”
Talan's gaze had fallen to her bruised knees and his voice was pained when he spoke. “I would appreciate it if you waited.”
Lexi nodded her head. “Done. I’m going to leave now. Are you flying with us?”
Talan bit at his lip, distracting her. Looking up he caught her watching his mouth and grinned. “I’ll fly with you.”
Lexi tore her gaze away, and nodded absently as she opened the door. “Let’s go,” she announced to her waiting guards.
It was odd flying in a group, clustered together like an uncoordinated flock. Talan had tried to insist that Lexi hold his hand, but one frigid look from her had been sufficient to foil his plans. Now the two guards were flanking her while Talan flew above the three of them. Having him stare down at her was disconcerting, but when she complained, he only offered his hand as an alternative.
Once again catching Talan staring at her, Lexi scowled, then launched into conversation with the guards. “Vaden, is the Royal City your home?” Lexi grinned as she heard a murmur of exasperation from above her.
Vaden looked startled at her question, again exchanging a glance with Celus before speaking. “No, Your Highness. My family is in Rogue River.”
“Were you an apprentice guard before your wing birth?” Lexi continued, glancing up at Talan and enjoying his frown.
“No, Your Highness. We have a bakery.”
“How did you come to be one of the King’s flying guard?”
Vaden blushed. “The pay is very good, Your Highness. If my season lasts a couple more weeks, it will be enough to build a new oven for the bakery.”
“And then you’ll return to your family?”
Vaden nodded happily. “My wife is expecting any day,” he added, his smile growing wistful.
“Congratulations,” Lexi said warmly. “What did you think of the Mating Mountain?”