by L. Danvers
“Thank you,” Daphne said.
He nodded.
“I will keep my word,” she said, knowing what was on his mind. “I will have my father send payment as soon as we return to Vires.”
“Thank you, my princess.”
Phillip stared her down, but she chose not to acknowledge him. Thomas and Merek were already bickering about the riding arrangements. They’d shared a horse once. They weren’t about to do it again. Now, there were four horses and six of them. Daphne and Lillian could have shared one, but that would still leave two of the boys having to share, as well. Lillian proposed that Gregory and the princess share a horse and she and Phillip share the other. There was an objection written on Phillip’s face, but he didn’t say anything. Daphne could only suppose that he didn’t want to make Lillian feel insulted by requesting his sister ride with him instead. Daphne could have hugged Lillian right then and there. Her clever friend, allowing her and Gregory one more chance to be together.
Gregory helped her onto the horse, and he climbed on in front of her. She wrapped her arms around his waist, and while Phillip was busy with Lillian, he placed his strong hands on top of hers. They both understood that when they returned to the castle, everything would change.
When everyone was mounted and ready, they took off in the direction of Vires. Daphne kept her arms wrapped tight around Gregory the whole time. They talked about everything under the sun. He told her more about his family and why he distrusted them. His mother and brother were even worse than he’d first led her to believe. They were master manipulators, and the more he told her about them, the more she understood why he felt he was better off on his own, away from the village and away from them. He hadn’t spoken to them in years, and she didn’t blame him one bit.
She told him of her mother. She shared her favorite memories of her and said more than once how she missed her and hoped she was making her proud.
“I’d say you’ve achieved that,” Gregory said.
“How so?”
“You say she had you practice sword fighting with your brother. She wanted you to be strong. To know how to fight. To know how to defend yourself. You have more than proved yourself to her on this journey. You killed an atrocitas—thank you again for saving my life, by the way.” He chuckled at that. “We escaped brutes and evaded a giant. You are everything your mother hoped you would be and more. I have no doubt she’s proud of you.”
She knew he didn’t even know her, but it felt good to have someone say that out loud.
Time eluded them on their travels home, slipping through their fingers like grains of sand. Daphne’s stomach twisted upon seeing the silver forest. Not from fear of what could be lurking in there, but from dread of soon having to say goodbye to Thomas and Merek—and losing Gregory forever. Trees pierced through the earth like daggers, their pointed branches pricking the gray skies overhead and getting lost in the clouds. Fog seeped out from the forest floor, crawling toward them. Daphne watched Lillian as they rode. She had expected her to be afraid. She had expected to see the color drain from her face as it had done the first time she laid eyes upon the forest. But if she was frightened, she wasn’t showing it.
Deeper into the forest they rode. Past the silvery, spindle-like trees and over bunches of crumpling leaves. Daphne gulped. She tried painting a picture of this moment in her mind. Phillip, weak, but alive. Lillian, keeping her composure in a place that once terrified her. Merek and Thomas, laughing and teasing one another as they always did. And Gregory. The man she loved, within her arms, but far out of reach. Her father had mapped out her life for her long ago, and there was no question his plans didn’t account for her falling for a man with nothing to his name.
They stopped for a break to eat and drink. Daphne sipped from a canteen. The water felt good against her throat, which had grown dry from traveling in the cold. The silver forest was far warmer than Proelium and lands beyond, but the winds had left her parched. Her insides continued to knot up as the six of them sat together on the forest floor. It struck her how differently she felt about this place now. After the things she had seen, the things she had lived through, the fabled forest no longer caused her fear. She knew she was capable of handling any threats that came her way.
Meanwhile, Merek had an antsy look about him. He was eager to return to camp. Sure, it wasn’t much, but it was home to him, and there was nothing like returning home after an adventure.
Thomas noticed, too. “We’ll be there soon,” Thomas said as he twirled a dagger back and forth between his fingers.
“To the village?” Phillip asked.
Thomas perked up and gave Merek a quick glance. He hesitated, so Gregory jumped in. “Yes, that’s right. We’re from the village.”
There was a hint of worry in their faces, but Phillip didn’t think anything of it. Gregory cleared his throat and said to Thomas and Merek, “I know you are both eager to return home. You have my blessing to leave. I’ll see that they return to the castle safely.”
“And collect payment,” Phillip added.
Gregory nodded.
Daphne drew in a long breath, remembering the agreement she had made with the outlaws. She had promised them a reward, and they had more than earned it, but somehow being reminded of the payment made her uneasy. The money would go a long way in helping them provide for themselves and the other men, but her mind was flooded with worries as to whether the bonds she thought she had formed with them were real. Were their adventures nothing more than a job to them? To Gregory? She chewed her lip while a wrinkle formed on her brow. She decided she was being silly. Gregory cared for her. Of that she was certain.
When Thomas and Merek had readied their horses, they said their goodbyes. Merek wrapped his lanky arms around Daphne and gave her a pat on the back. She was going to miss that goofy grin of his. Thomas came up to say goodbye to her, too. He stuck out his hand for the princess to shake. She was taken aback by the formality. Were they not closer than this by now? Though she wasn’t sure what to make of his gesture, she pushed his hand aside and gave him a hug. “Oh, Thomas,” Daphne said. “I’ll miss you.”
He pulled away and ran his fingers through his messy brown hair. “You, too, my princess.” He gave a nod of respect before turning to mount his horse. When he and Merek were ready, they waved once more and rode off, slipping into the cover of the trees.
Phillip kept watch on them while he helped Lillian atop their horse. “Why are they going in that direction? Isn’t the village the other way?”
Gregory climbed onto the horse and sat in front of Daphne. He gave a half-hearted shrug and said, “Who knows with those two? They could be off hunting or, uh, taking the scenic route.”
Daphne rolled her eyes at that. They were in the silver forest. There was no scenic route. Any villager with half a brain would know this wasn’t the sort of place to waste time in. Phillip found the answer peculiar, too. Once seated upon his horse, he turned to his sister and said, “Daphne, where did you say you met these men?”
She stiffened. “Phillip—”
The corners of his mouth turned up into a smile. “What are they? A group of outlaws?” At that, he laughed so hard his ribs ached. Gregory, Lillian and Daphne exchanged awkward chuckles with him. Phillip smiled while he clutched his side in pain. He didn’t say any more about it, and they continued on their way home.
Chapter Twenty
There was an eruption of cheers when they crossed the drawbridge. Trumpets sounded throughout the castle grounds, signifying their return. Phillip rode with his shoulders squared back, somehow looking regal despite the greasy hair and filthy apparel. The girls of the kingdom didn’t hesitate to rush up to him, oohing and ahhing over their prince. None of them paid much attention to the fact that Lillian was sitting right behind him. She looked at Daphne and laughed with a shrug at the ridiculousness of it all. Chants of Phillip’s name echoed throughout the grounds, and people came in droves to see what all the commotion was about. Daphne bi
t her lip and squeezed Gregory tight as they rode in the direction of the iron and oak castle doors. She grew overwhelmed by her own thoughts, and the turmoil within her became stronger when the double-doors swung open. A plum and gold carpet unraveled down the stone steps, and King Edgar came to greet them. He looked like he’d aged since she had seen him last. White hairs crept from his sideburns up past his ears. She wasn’t sure what to make of his expression. He wasn’t smiling, but he wasn’t frowning either. He was glad to see them, but he wasn’t happy with the way she had left.
Phillip dismounted from his horse and helped Lillian down. The king greeted him with a mighty hug and a firm pat on the back. Phillip let out a yelp and reached for his ribs, his face contorting in agony.
“What is the matter, my son?”
“My ribs,” he managed to say through the pain.
“We must get you to the court physician.”
“Wait,” Phillip said. He reached into his pocket and held out his hand for his father to see. “Take a look at this.”
The king’s eyes widened at the treasures. He gave a slight nod and said, “Well done.”
That was it. No more praise was given. Daphne felt Phillip’s disappointment. He wanted so badly to earn their father’s respect, to prove his worthiness to him. Even after accomplishing his quest, their father still couldn’t bring himself to tell Phillip he was proud of him. Daphne wanted to cry for her brother. He stood there, dejected, with broken ribs and a bruised heart.
Without waiting for Gregory’s assistance, she hopped off of the horse and went to greet the king. His expression turned stone cold. “You have some explaining to do.”
“I know, Father. I’m sorry.”
He grew aware of the crowds forming around them. Not wanting to cause a scene, he embraced his daughter. When he did, he whispered that they would discuss this later. He pulled back and said, “I am glad to see you have returned Lillian to us safe and sound. It’s a good thing, too. Good help is hard to come by.”
She shuddered at those words, feeling awful that Lillian had heard him say such a thing. Lillian was used to being treated this way, though. She’d worked for the royal family long enough to not be surprised by the remark. She wasn’t bothered by it, which made it all the worse. Daphne regretted not having been more aware of her feelings in the past. So much had changed since then.
Her father’s expression hardened when he looked past her. Gregory was too busy getting off of the horse to notice his stare. The king puffed out his chest and said, “And who is this?”
Daphne went to Gregory’s side, grabbed his arm and led him to her father. Gregory bowed while she explained the situation. “He and his friends helped us find Phillip. I promised him a reward in exchange for his assistance.”
King Edgar stroked his peppered beard and said, “A promise is a promise. I shall see to it that he is paid in full.”
“Thank you, Father,” she said. She scratched the back of her neck, which was covered with a thin layer of dirt. “There are others I promised payment to.” At that, his eyebrow arched the same way Phillip’s always did. “We needed a ship and new clothes for our journey.”
He threw his hands in the air. “Do you have any idea how much you’ve cost this kingdom already? The search parties, the notices...”
“I’m sorry.”
“We’ll make sure everyone is paid. Now, as long as you don’t have any other surprises for me, it’s time for you and your brother to get ready for tonight’s banquet. Be sure to wash yourselves up well. I can’t have you representing the kingdom looking like... like that.”
She was surprised they were still having a banquet. Between her fleeing the castle without so much as a word and Phillip being injured, she had assumed there wouldn’t be much cause for celebration. She questioned her father about it, and he looked at her liked she had gone mad. “What, you think I’d cancel a banquet over your little stunt? It’s tradition, Daphne.”
“Would it be alright if Gregory joined us for the banquet?”
He nodded. “The festivities begin at sunset. In the meantime, I expect all of you to clean up and put on something decent. Phillip can lend, uh, Gregory, something to wear. And Daphne, come see me in the throne room once you are ready for the festivities. There’s something I need to discuss with you in private.”
A chill crept down her neck at the way he said that. She was sure he had some sort of punishment in store for her. She forced a smile, and the four of them went inside the castle to get ready. Something about the cold stone walls felt different. She had seen the sights beyond the castle grounds, and the stone structure no longer felt like home to her. She had dreaded the thought of marrying someone she didn’t love before, but now the thought of belonging to another downright sickened her. She had lived too much in recent days to be resigned to her father’s plans for her life. She would have given anything for Gregory to pull her aside and ask her to run away with him right then and there. But he wouldn’t put her in such a position. She spent her ascent up the spiral stone steps praying for a sign.
Gregory marveled at every turn throughout the castle. It was a tremendous sight to behold for someone who lived in a canvas tent. Phillip waved for Gregory to hurry up and follow him to his room. Gregory gave Daphne a quick look over his shoulder, then he slipped into Phillip’s chamber and was gone.
Daphne waited in her room while Lillian drew a bath. She had offered to help her carry the water, but Lillian reminded her that wasn’t how things were done. Daphne told her it didn’t matter to her and that she wanted to help, but Lillian declined. She said it wouldn’t be worth the whispers and stares from the rest of the staff. Daphne relented, but once the tub in her room had been filled, Daphne insisted Lillian bathe first.
While Lillian was busy soaking, Daphne crossed the room and stood before the towering window. She looked past the rolling hills, dotted with wildflowers of every color, at the silver forest. It was hard to believe she had been there. She had tasted adventure. She had danced with the threat of death. And she had lived.
When Lillian was done bathing, Daphne pulled a dress from her wardrobe and spread it across the bed. It was a soft pink, covered in lace and pearls. It had been a gift from a foreign princess who had visited Vires a couple of years ago. Daphne had never worn it. She preferred jewel tones. They looked better on her. But this... Lillian would look radiant in a dress like this.
“I’d like you to wear this tonight.”
Lillian almost dropped the cloth she was using to dry herself. “My princess, that is too generous of you.”
Daphne drew her eyebrows together, baffled at the way Lillian was speaking to her. “My princess? I thought we were past that.”
Lillian’s green eyes shifted as if she was worried someone would hear. “We are. It’s just that... I have to be careful. While you may think of me as a friend, no one else does. Think of what would happen to me if the king heard me addressing you by name.”
Daphne sighed. Lillian was right. “Even so,” she said, “I want you to wear this tonight. I’ll tell Father that I made you wear it.”
“But what will people think?”
“They’ll think you look beautiful.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Two armed guards, wearing suits of polished metal draped with plum capes, pulled back the doors to the throne room. Daphne drew a deep breath and entered. The setting sun shone through the stained glass windows, splashing brilliant colors across the stone floor. She held her head up as she marched ahead, the train of her emerald dress sweeping behind her. She did her best to appear confident, to pretend like she wasn’t terrified of whatever her punishment would be.
Her father sat on his gilded throne, looking down at her. The lines in his face were harsh in the shadows. She stood before him, squinting from the sun’s rays shining into her eyes. “You wanted to speak with me?”
“Yes.” There was a long pause before he continued. “You may recall that, before your dis
appearance, you neglected to spend much time getting to know your suitors. Lord Favian and Sir Rowan returned to their respective lands after you left—not knowing when or if you’d return. But one suitor remains here, and you are to spend time with him as was promised.”
“But Father,” she started, but he raised his hand to silence her.
“Sir Hartley is waiting for you in the courtyard. You are to visit with him at once.”
Daphne curtsied, and it took everything she had in her not to collapse to the floor sobbing. But crying would do her no good. She would get no sympathy from him.
Reluctantly, she made her way to the courtyard, walking as slowly as she could. She pressed her lips together, trying to keep herself from frowning at the man sitting on the fountain rim. He was draped head to toe in his usual black attire. Upon hearing the train of her dress rustling in the grass, he turned around, stood and bowed.
“My princess,” he said, his voice dry and rough. “It is a pleasure to see you again.”
His oiled hair was slicked away from his pointed face, his sharp jawline covered by a prickly beard. There was a twinkle in his eyes that made her skin crawl. She didn’t want to be here with him. She looked to her side and saw three guards standing under the arched walkway, and somehow knowing she wasn’t alone with him made her feel more at ease.
Sir Hartley came up beside the princess and offered her his arm, and she took it with great hesitancy. Together, they walked along a pebble path, wandering through the maze of peonies. She admired the delicate ruffles of their petals while avoiding conversing with her father’s advisor. However, he had other plans for their time together. He stopped and turned to her and said, “I hope you do not find it forward of me to say this, but I feel I must confess something. After all, honesty is an important foundation of any relationship, isn’t it? And I believe it’s important to be honest when a secret is weighing heavy on your soul.”
