by T. K. Perry
“Are you headed to the Mating Mountain?” the shopkeeper asked, flicking on lights.
“Yes,” Lexi answered, glancing around at the dizzying variety of clothing in a multitude of colors.
“And what do you need?”
“Everything.”
The woman gave her another little snort. “What size of everything?”
Lexi blushed. “I didn’t bring my measurements.”
“You don’t know what size you are? You are a noble, then. Had a personal tailor all your life, I imagine.”
Lexi met her gaze, unanswering.
“Ran away in stolen servants' clothes, I expect.”
“They’re not stolen.”
“Well, my lady,” the shopkeeper said with an exaggerated bow, “how long before your angry parents descend upon me?”
Lexi flinched. “Sorry to have troubled you,” she said, turning to leave.
“Wait!” the shopkeeper commanded imperiously. “I rather like your pluck.” Moving back to the front door, she drew the locks, then switched off the lights. “Come into the back room.” She guided Lexi by the elbow through the maze of displays in the darkened store. Lexi followed with a vague sense of unease. She was contemplating flying back to the front door when the shopkeeper opened a hidden door and pulled her inside, then flipped on the lights. The chilly room was rimmed with boxes, a cluttered desk at its center.
“I’ll make you a deal,” the shopkeeper offered, crossing her bony arms tightly across her chest. “Tell me who you are and I’ll help you—and promptly forget you were ever here.”
Lexi considered, smiling faintly at the woman who reminded her so much of Cercy. “Deal. I am the Princess Lexi Monarch.”
“Ha! I knew it! Welcome to my shop, Your Highness. I'm Faun.” The shopkeeper grinned and bobbed a curtsy. “Who were they forcing you to marry?” she asked pleasantly as she began sifting through boxes and removing clothing. “I’ll forget him, too, if you like,” Faun offered when Lexi didn’t answer.
“Talan Admiral.”
Faun scrunched up her face in distaste. “Isn’t he the young snob that spends summers with Lady Nessa’s grandson?”
Lexi smiled at the description, and nodded when Faun turned to look at her.
“Can’t blame you a bit, then,” she said, handing Lexi a pile of clothes. “I guessed on your size. I don’t carry a lot of fancy things, but I don’t imagine that’s quite Your Highness’ style anyway.”
“You are perceptive,” Lexi replied, her smile widening.
Faun shrugged. “Any lady who looks as comfortable as you do in men’s clothing isn’t much of a girly girl. Now, you try those on while I finish my breakfast.”
“Thank you, Faun.”
“Yep,” Faun said, shutting the door behind her.
With a happy grin, Lexi sorted through the clothes, delighted at the prospect of choosing clothing her mother had not designed for her. She quickly discarded all of the reds, choosing instead the dark, subdued hues that her mother never let her wear. She found a full-length mirror behind a stack of boxes and admired herself in the lightweight, comfortable clothing.
“Goodbye, Princess,” she said to herself, eagerly removing the plethora of pins that held her hair. When she set down the last pin on one of Faun's empty boxes, she shook her head wildly. Her long, ebony hair was now a riot of temporary curls and crimps. Lexi grinned at her reflection, then started as a brief knock was followed by the door opening.
Faun nodded approvingly, and held out two pairs of water shoes and several bathing suits. “You’ll need these, too. The bathing pools are jagged with volcanic rock, and thanks to the new governor, you’ll be washing in front of the men.” Faun made a clicking sound of disapproval and shut the door behind her.
Lexi held up the bathing suit and blushed. She and Tiger used to swim in a small lake on the south side of the royal grounds, but always in their clothing. Officially, she wasn’t allowed to swim at all, as the Queen considered swimming attire “unseemly.” Lexi found a high-necked black suit with an attached skirt in the pile. It was ridiculously short, and Lexi’s ears burned scarlet when she turned around to see how much of her nether region was exposed by the suit. When Faun knocked, Lexi spun around, pulling awkwardly at the little skirt.
Faun laughed heartily when she saw her. “Not used to bathing suits, are you? You can always bathe in your clothes, it’s just not as effective. But seeing as how you’re a princess, I’m sure the Governor will arrange a private bath for you.”
Lexi shook her head and slowly stood. “I don’t want special treatment. I plan to keep my identity a secret."
“Does anybody up there know you?” Faun asked.
“Yes.”
“Can you trust them?”
Lexi thought of Van and Limen with an anxious frown. “I don’t know.”
“If they can’t be trusted, then your secret won’t last long, especially not with those wings. Who will you claim to be?”
“The Governor’s illegitimate sister,” Lexi asserted, watching Faun’s face carefully for her reaction.
Faun’s dark brows drew high into her forehead. “That might actually work. It’ll attract a great deal of attention, of course. Is that what you want?”Lexi frowned. “I can’t think how to avoid it.”
Faun scowled thoughtfully a moment. “Neither can I,” she conceded. “Holler when you’re finished.”
When the door closed behind Faun, Lexi changed into a pair of soft brown pants with a simple navy shirt. Then braided her hair, grateful that Cercy had taught her. She strapped on her bag, gathered up the pile of clothing she had made, and kicked her chosen water shoes across the floor. She fiddled with the handle a moment before Faun drew it open from the other side.
“You’re quick,” she praised, picking up the shoes Lexi was kicking. “Stay in there while I add this up,” she advised, glancing quickly out her front windows where the morning light was streaming in.
Lexi drew out the wad of cash her father had given her, carefully tucking the paper fragment with his name back inside. With a little smile, she hid some cash in a pile of bookkeeping on the desk. Faun appeared at the door a moment later with her purchases wrapped tightly in a fabric bag.
“Here. You can use the bag to keep your clean clothing separated from your dirty,” she advised as she handed the receipt to Lexi and set the bag on an box.
Lexi paid her, then drew Tiger’s clothes out of her mother’s bag to place with her new things.
“You want to keep the servants' clothes?” Faun asked with surprise.
“Yes,” Lexi said, hugging them to her chest.
A knowing smile slid across Faun’s face. “Perhaps you’re going to the mountain to find the owner of the clothes?”
Lexi fought the blush with a quick swallow and soft smile. “He’s my best friend,” she said simply. “I miss him.” Lexi turned away from Faun’s perceptive eyes to pack her new purchases into her mother’s old bag. It was a tight fit, but it still buckled down.
“Well, I hope it works out for you,” Faun huffed as she heaved several large boxes in the back of the room to reveal a door. “This lets out into the alley.”
“Thank you, Faun,” Lexi said, smiling as she opened the door. “And...”
“I know. I never saw you,” Faun said, waving away her concerns.
Lexi grinned back at her, then flew out of the alley. She thought of Tiger, trying to see him through in-season eyes and gauge his attractiveness, but it seemed impossible without smelling him, so she quickly abandoned the effort. She flew east towards Lady Nessa’s estate with misgiving. Why was she going back for Talan and untrustworthy Celus? Just to be a polite guest to people who would probably never speak to her again after she married someone they didn’t consider to be her social equal? Ridiculous.
“Sorry, Lady Nessa, Anna,” she said, as she turned north. “Thank you for your hospitality.” She thought of Lady Nessa’s message for Van and felt a momentary pang. Th
is would be rather a bad start with his family if she did marry him. She tried the same futile exercise with Van that she tried with Tiger moments before. Van was nice-looking and always spoke pleasantly. However, his close friendship with Talan didn’t speak well for him. If only she had left a note! Groaning, Lexi flew back towards the estate, resolved to scribble a quick thank-you note, and disappear again. She flew by her windows, frowning when she saw them closed. Someone knew she had left. She flew over the sprawling house to the stables and landed in the yard. A groomsman was saddling a chestnut mare with an ornate lady’s saddle.
“Pardon me,” Lexi said, startling him. “Is Anna coming out to ride?”
“Y-yes Your Highness,” the groomsman stuttered, knocking his head lightly against the saddle as he bowed.
“Soon?”
“Now, in fact,” Anna said, coming around the horse with an amused smile. “Good morning, Your Highness.” She took the reins from the groomsman and sent him away with a little toss of her head. “Talan’s in a rage. He thinks you have gone off and left him again.”
Lexi gave her a polite smile. “I wanted to thank you again for your hospitality, and to say goodbye to you. Is Lady Nessa up yet this morning?”
“Grandmother doesn’t sleep well anymore. I believe she’s been up for several hours. Shall I take you to her?”
“I wouldn’t want to interrupt your ride,” Lexi protested.
“Not at all,” Anna assured her. “Tinus!” she called, holding out the mare’s reins to the groomsman, who trotted over to grab them. Anna took Lexi’s arm companionably as they returned to the house. “Talan will be so relieved you haven’t left yet. He should be ready to leave now. He promised to find me out riding and say goodbye before he left. Perhaps we should go by his room and relieve his mind?”
Groaning inwardly, Lexi managed another polite smile and a nod.
Anna smiled to herself as she launched into her monologue. “Poor Talan is quite devoted to you, and determined to protect you. He has already fallen in love with you, I think. I have never seen him so passionate. Imagine, attacking one of the King’s flying guard to defend your honor. He has nearly lost his reason over you.” Anna laughed confidentially behind her riding glove.
Lexi blinked rapidly. “Did Talan fight with my escort?”
“You didn’t know?” Anna asked innocently. “But surely you overheard your departing guardsman explain his companion’s lascivious intentions? Naturally, Talan felt it was his duty to handle the matter immediately.”
Lexi frowned, irritated that she had not anticipated Talan’s reaction nor the way he would interpret Vaden’s warning. “Was he injured?”
“Only his lip. That horrid guard actually dared to hit Talan in the mouth! After being assigned to protect him, no less!”
Lexi’s frown deepened. “I meant the guardsman.”
“Oh.” Anna managed to infuse the word with confusion and disapproval. “Well, naturally Talan responded to the insult of being struck, and the guard’s wing was broken in the resulting scuffle. I think the guard left town with the other one.”
Lexi smoothed her brow, trying to wipe away the anxiety beneath her fingers as Anna knocked at Talan’s door.
“What now?” he demanded irritably without opening it.
“Don’t be grumpy,” Anna chided. “I’ve brought you a surprise.”
Talan yanked the door open, the storm lifting from his brow the moment he saw Lexi. “You didn’t leave me,” he said.
Anna rolled her eyes. “Come say goodbye to us in Grandmother’s sitting room,” she called over her shoulder as she walked away.
Talan’s soft tone and accompanying scent of hickory and cloves sent a little thrill through Lexi, and she shook it off irritably. His bottom lip was swollen and divided with an open cut down the middle. A little well of pity sprung up in her before she remembered she was angry.
Talan tossed the hair off his forehead without taking his eyes from Lexi’s face. He lifted a bulging new bag from the floor and began fastening it. “I sent the steward to do some shopping for me; is that where you went this morning?”
“What happened with Celus?” she demanded abruptly, trying to refocus on her anger.
Talan’s brow furrowed, and he looked down at his bag as he fastened the last strap. “You don’t need to worry about him. He won’t be coming with us.”
“Surely that wasn’t necessary.”
Talan looked up at her, his beautiful eyes darkening with fury. “Trust me, it was.”
Lexi stifled a little shiver, unsure if it was the vague threat of Celus or Talan’s wrath that had caused it. She trailed slightly behind him as they made their way to Lady Nessa’s sitting room. Several times he stopped and offered his hand, but each time she refused it.
“You’re still here?!” Lady Nessa demanded when she saw Lexi. “You’re wasting time, the both of you. Go marry my grandson, and get him down off that cursed mountain. Go!” she shouted, waving her bejeweled hands emphatically.
“Goodbye, Lady Nessa,” Lexi said, furious with herself for thinking a goodbye and thank-you had been necessary. She smiled grimly as Talan piloted her from the room with a hand at her elbow.
Anna jumped up to follow them, her golden tresses buoyant on her shoulders. She took Talan’s hand to stop him, then handed him two letters. “Take those to Van, please,” she said with a grin. “Grandmother and I were busy this morning.”
“I am sure he’ll enjoy your tender lectures,” Talan teased her.
Anna lightly smacked his arm. “Mine is pleasant. I told him to stay there as long as he pleases.”
“Of course you did; you want his inheritance,” he chided her.
Anna turned up her little nose and smacked him again. “You want his bride,” she accused.
“My bride,” Talan assured her, taking Lexi’s hand tightly and walking away.
“Goodbye, Anna,” Lexi called back as she tried to release her hand. “Thank you for your hospitality.”
“Anytime, Your Highness. It was an honor to have you here.”
“What about me?” Talan demanded with mock hurt.
“Goodbye, beast,” Anna called with a teasing smile.
Talan growled playfully, and held Lexi’s hand tighter.
“Talan,” Lexi said quietly as they turned a corner where Anna could no longer see them. “You’re hurting my hand.”
He released it at once. “I’m sorry, Princess.”
Lexi sighed as they stepped out into the garden. “Talan, please go back to the palace.”
“No,” he said cheerfully, and jumped into the air. “I am your escort, Princess. And I will not shirk this rather pleasant duty,” he announced, grinning as he flew around her.
Lexi gave him a martyr's smile as she flew by him. She set a punishing pace to avoid conversation, then scowled with panting annoyance when he endured it far better than she. In three hours, she emptied her canteen and looked down at the dry, empty road beneath them.
“How far is the next city?” she gasped.
“I think,” he panted, “there’s nothing but Scio between us and the Mating Mountain.”
“How much further is Scio?”
He shook his head, freeing little droplets of sweat as his wing beats became uneven and he began to lose altitude.
“Talan? What’s the matter?” When he didn’t reply, Lexi swooped down and took his hand. “Are you all right?”
Talan’s eyes were wide with fear, his mouth still open with labored breathing as he shook his head again.
Lexi took his hand in both of hers, struggling to slow his descent as his wings continued their ineffectual, jerky movements. He landed a little too hard, and Lexi had to release his hand quickly to avoid a wing collision. Talan stumbled forward onto his hands and knees next to the road. She landed next to him, breathing heavily.
“Are you okay?” When he didn’t answer, Lexi walked around to face him, leaning down to lift his chin when he didn’t look up.
“What happened? Can you talk?”
Talan wheezed and began to fumble with the buckles of his bag with one hand. Lexi helped him to his knees, then opened his bag herself, and drew out his canteen. She handed it to him, and he drank greedily.
“My wings,” he panted, when he finished drinking. “They don’t feel right.”
Lexi turned away as panic flooded her face, and she struggled to clear her thoughts. Composing herself, she turned back around.
“It’s only been four days since your wing birth, so it can’t be the end of your season yet. Even the shortest season lasts at least a week. So it must just be physical strain. We’ll rest for a while,” she assured him.
Talan nodded, struggling to get to his feet, and Lexi quickly helped him.
“How much water do you have?” she asked.
He shook his head. “Not much, but there’s a stream that runs near this road.” He cocked his head to one side, listening. “I think it’s this way,” he said, pointing east.
Lexi took her dirty clothing out of her bag, and reached for Talan’s canteen.
Talan pulled away, one hand on his canteen. “You’re going to leave me?”
“It’s faster than walking, and I’m completely out of water.”
Talan held out the canteen reluctantly, tightening his grip, instead of releasing it to her. “How do I know you’ll come back?”
Lexi ground her teeth together. “You think I would leave you here, flightless and without water?”
Talan dropped his head with a look of shame. “No,” he mumbled. “But couldn’t we walk together?”
Lexi looked into the thick trees that fringed the road. “I don’t see a path. We’ll tear up our wings trying to get through there.” She pulled the canteen away from him, and slipped it into her bag.
“Wait,” Talan said, putting a hand on her arm, then looking foolish. “Could you check something for me?”
Lexi waited patiently as Talan struggled with his evident embarrassment.
“Could you tell me...I mean...are my pheromones still working?”