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The morning painted a picture of simplicity. Vanessa woke Kendra awake at the crack of dawn, and the men soon followed suit. Cool winds blew from the windows Kendra had forgotten to close last night. The gusts carried bits of their new life—leaves, a nut, and ash. Scientific preservation blossomed in Vanessa's notebook, which is where the findings soon found themselves, pressed between pages.

Kendra closed her fingers around her mug and siphoned heat from the beverage. Fur, from the outfit Vanessa had packed in preparation for Terrabelle, tickled Kendra's cheeks. Gales seeped through the coat and bit her thoughtful scowl.

Over and over did the meeting with the King tumble through her head, but no amount of thought dulled its sharp edges. The meeting was the first negotiation she'd ever done, and the failure stung. Even now, Warren and Vanessa packed bags in case last night had truly been their final night here.

She couldn't help but think of the last negotiation she'd witnessed at Terrabelle. Years ago, before any of her magic, she had watched her father speak in that very throne room. The way he blunted the treaty's harsh clauses against magic while simultaneously being sensitive to Terrabelle's grief had dazzled the young princess.

Eyes unfocused, she could almost see her father smile in the shadows.

She didn't want to leave the daydream, but in her periphery, she caught Warren holding an ornate book. "Is that the grimoire?"

Noticing the undercurrent of disapproval in her tone, he put his hand on his hip and gave her a look. "I'm not going to have you defenseless in a foreign land."

"I have a good memory without the book," Kendra grumbled into her coffee. Not having the words in front of her didn't make her defenseless. She was a good witch, even if she wasn't a good negotiator.

"That's not what Lena told me," Seth piped up from the corner.

Kendra resisted the urge to throw her coffee at her brother.

Patton paused his breakfast. "Don't antagonize your sister. I think you're coming along great in your studies, Kendra."

"So do I," Vanessa added. "You're really getting the hang of your magic."

"Thank you too."

"Though your pronunciation's lacking at times." Patton threw a cheeky smile at Kendra.

Vanessa cast a sidelong glance at Patton. "Meanwhile, you can't even cast a spell."

"Ah, but neither can you," Patton raised an eyebrow.

It was true Vanessa had no magic, but Kendra wouldn't be quick to ever discount her. The vet's studies into nature had provided a solid foundation to figure out how to harness Kendra's power. Vanessa might not have magic, but science was mighty in its own right.

"Touché." Vanessa tied the last bag.

"My charms are single-handedly more useful than all nature spells combined." Seth chomped another bite of toast.

"Wish I knew a spell to quiet people." Kendra wrapped the fur coat around her tighter. All this talk of magic stressed the young princess. An exposé of such sorcery could sentence them all.

Vanessa rolled her eyes. "You don't want to waste your energy on these cox-combs anyway."

Squawks of indignation ricocheted off the wall. Seth stuck out a wagging finger. "If anyone's a cox-comb, it's that stuck-up prince."

"Warren," Kendra called over. She was not about to debate with Seth. "What's our plan for today?"

The chancellor shut the grimoire and took a seat in their impromptu floor circle. "We had talked about going to the upper town to build rapport with the general population."

Kendra narrowed her eyes. "What's changed?"

"Don't get me wrong, I still think that it's a good idea. But as it turns out, the general public isn't as familiar with their own royalty as Fablehaven is. Their princess isn't generally seen out at all."

"Is that why she wasn't in the throne room, last night?"

Warren shrugged. "You'd have to ask her. Might be hard to reach her, though."

Kendra paused. "Where's her room?"

Warren pulled a folded paper out of the grimoire.

Kendra wrinkled her nose. "You're shoving your stuff in my book? You, know what, whatever."

Warren unfolded the map with a flat stare and pointed to a secluded room on the edge of the castle. "It's in one of the turrets, with many guards and barriers. It will be hard if you plan on getting to her door."

"Seth?" Kendra called. When stealth was needed, there really was no one better than her brother.

Seth stopped his conversation with Patton. "Yeah?"

"Come over here."

The prince walked over and leaned over her shoulder. "What's this?"

"Map of the castle. I need you to get there," her finger tapped the paper, "and find out what's going on with Princess Eve. If she's even alive, considering her absence. People never see her, and we need to utilize all our assets."

"Why me?"

"It's too well-protected. We need your covert abilities."

"My superior magical abilities, I hear you say." Smugness colored his voice.

Kendra rolled her eyes and shooed him with her hand. "Go on, already."

"Okay, but I want your dessert tonight."

"What dessert? We're literally—"

A knock on the door interrupted their conversation. It must be Garreth's servant fetching her. Coffee almost spilled on her coat as she shot up from the ground.

"Oh, Vanessa, I forgot to say, this morning," Kendra paused to grab her crown and down the rest of her coffee.

"You're going on a date," Vanessa smiled as she grabbed Kendra's empty cup.

"No, wait, how—"

"You're going on a date?" Seth howled.

"Shush!" Kendra directed at her brother before turning back to her lady-in-waiting. "How did you know? I mean, how did you know that I'm not going on a date? Because it's just a meeting."

"You did your hair nicer today."

"Kendra's going on a date!" Seth nudged Patton, trying to uncover a reaction from the adventurer who wisely stuck his nose in a book.

"Your hair does look lovely, Kendra," the man barely lowered the book.

"It's cold out, of course I'd wear my hair down today." Kendra narrowed her eyes at Vanessa. It's not a date. These people jumped to conclusions so fast. "What evidence are you running off of?"

"Well, you also said you had a meeting today." The self-satisfied smile on Vanessa had no place there.

"A meeting," Seth laughed

"I do." Kendra preserved her dignity by avoiding their eyes. Her hand sat on the doorknob.

"Well," Warren grinned. "Don't be late."

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The servant led Kendra to the castle stable and then left her to wait among the horses for Garreth.

Frigidity crept along her sleeves. If she had to wait any longer, she'd be as cold to him as the weather was to her. Seriously, he had been so eager to have this picnic yesterday and yet he ran so late today.

To generate heat, she began to walk the length of the stable.

Glory waited in her stall, eyes as doleful as ever. Kendra slipped a hand behind her horse's ear and patted her mane. "Are they treating you well here?"

A gleam sparkled in Glory's eyes and Kendra could just swear the stallion could understand her as the horse nuzzled into her hand. Glory deserved some treats. Where would they be in this stable?

Just as she turned to look for some, she locked eyes with Garreth. The stable doors swung behind him.

"Sorry I'm late." He settled a couple of feet beside her, his guards waiting at the door. "Are you fond of horses?"

"They're respectable." Kendra withdrew her hands from Glory and folded them in front of her.

He laughed. It was a nice sound, but Kendra knew they both didn't want to be here, pretending to be amiable for politics. His father had probably pressured him to get friendly with her.

Unfortunately for her, she needed to establish a connection to ensure her party's refuge. That meant she actually had to try.

Kendra curtsied with a smile. "Are we off?"

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It was a half-hour ride from the citadel. At first, Kendra recognized the fields and the path she had taken to arrive here, but then they made a turn.

This new trail revealed a beautiful forest. Soundtracked by the roar of the river, frogs leapt from tree to tree. Revitalization seeped into every one of her weary bones.

They turned into a valley and Kendra gasped. Beauty in the form of a waterfall cascaded into a lagoon marked by islands of sand and rock. A picnic basket and checkered cloth laid on one of those islands.

A smile tugged at her face at the kind setup. Her worries left her mind as she breathed in the humid air.

Tearing her eyes from the environment, she found Garreth looking at her with a cordial smile. "Do you like it?"

"It's beautiful," Kendra answered. Her eyes still roved over the rocky waterway.

A nest perched on one of the feeble trees jutting out the cliff. A pair of redwings and their eggs sat together on the precarious platform. Maybe just being together allowed the birds the courage to brave the branch. Maybe their love was what granted avians the ability to soar.

In her awe, she didn't even notice Garreth dismount. He dismissed the guards with a wave of his hand and walked over to her horse.

His crown slid as he craned his head up. "Milady."

She swung her legs over Glory and to the ground. He held out a hand and she deposited hers. Bringing it up to his lips, he kissed it.

Little sparks flew from her hand, and if she were a less controlled person, she would've melted. But a kiss on the hand from anyone would do that. He just happened to be a bit good at it.

Kendra raised an eyebrow. "How practiced you are."

He copied her face. "What, and you aren't?"

Shock-filled laughter broke her calm demeanor. With a teasing tone, she clutched her heart. "I can't believe you."

He grinned and straightened. "Your picnic is this way."

Kendra didn't bother to tie Glory to a tree. The steed would wait for her anywhere.

Sand shifted underneath her shoes as she followed Garreth onto the beach. Their feet raised to cross the water but Kendra hesitated. "My shoes are going to get wet."

"It's shallow," Garreth walked into the water to prove it. Waves lapped against his ankles. "I could carry you."

"No, It's fine," Kendra knelt to unbuckle her shoes. "I'll take them off."

Hitching her petticoat and skirt, Kendra crossed the shallow strait. The flowing water felt so nice on her feet after the days of travel.  However, the rocks in the water made it tricky to step.

Diagonal from the prince, Kendra took a seat on the cloth.

"Would you like some tea?"

"Yes, thank you."

Garreth retrieved a pair of cups and a pitcher from behind the basket and poured her a cup. It warmed her hands.

"I hope you didn't have a big breakfast."

Tied containers peeked out of the basket. She let out a breathy laugh. "No, no. Just coffee."

Garreth quirked an eyebrow. "No one can survive on just coffee."

"I'm magic," Kendra said with a sarcastic lilt.

Garrett laughed and held up a dessert. Powder dusted the square of bread. "Ever had a beignet?"

"Once, I think. Last time I was here," she took it from his palm and inspected the edges.

"You've been here before?" Garreth looked taken aback. "I don't remember."

Kendra nodded with a mouthful of the beignet. "For the Treaty of Terrabelle signing. It was years ago—I was only seven." She waved her hand noncommittally. "I only came along because there was some unrest in Fablehaven. The treaty was not popular."

"Why not?"

"Magic isn't very feared in Fablehaven, so the treaty seemed overreactive." Garreth tensed up. She paused. Be careful not to offend people, she could hear Warren remind her, especially emotionally.

Her grandparents and parents had gone along with it to appease King Dalgorel. At the time, Kendra and Seth were just normal kids. The treaty hadn't posed a threat to their safety.

At home, Fablehaven never enforced the magic-outlawing treaty. Their unofficial-official policy was to turn a blind eye. As long as people hid their magic-using well enough, no one ever got in trouble.

It wasn't a big deal for Fablehaven. However, considering what preceded the treaty—Queen Dalgorel's death—it was a big deal for Terrabelle.

Garreth stared, waiting for elaboration.

"At the time, many magical beings were lodged at Fablehaven. It was unfair to suddenly tell them not to use their own magic."

Garreth tinkered with his buttons. "I can understand magical creatures and their magic-using. But, sorcerers? People say sorcerers can cut down the same amount of men as a small army. They hurt people."

Kendra scoffed. "Sorcerers aren't like that."

His eyes widened. "You've met some?"

Kendra schooled her face into a placid lake while a hurricane of panic whipped the ocean of terror in her gut. She slipped up. It was getting hard to distance her emotion from the conversation. "Dungeons."

"Oh." Garreth focused on the waterfall. "Me too. There's one in our dungeon."

Kendra laughed. "If a sorcerer can cut down a small army, how hasn't your prisoner broken out?"

Garreth turned with an amused face. "The crystals, of course."

Kendra's entire mind went blank. "Uh, what?"

"We mine them in the southern caves—found them a couple years ago. They block the sorcerer's stuff or something," he gave her a cheeky smile. "But I shouldn't be telling such a sympathizer."

She mechanically returned the smile.

If there are crystals here that disable sorcery, maybe Terrabelle wasn't the safest place.

Unless this technology existed everywhere, and just hadn't reached Fablehaven. That would mean nowhere was safe.

Mentally, Kendra wrangled the information about these magic-blocking crystals and stuffed it in a little box wrapped in anxiety, and then shoved it to the back of her mind. She would have to unearth it later, but she needed to survive this date for now.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm okay," Kendra reassured him. "I was just thinking about how my kingdom's doing. It's always on my mind."

"I understand. It's hard being an heir." Garreth cocked his head. "You know, I've never met a female heir before."

Taking a bite of the beignet, Kendra swept her hair over her shoulder. "Are you charming me for the title?"

"Of course not," Garreth scoffed. "I'm not hanging out with you for that. I'm already a prince."

Kendra looked at him curiously but a raindrop fell on his nose. It slipped down his face, leaving a path like a tear.

He looked up at the sky, bothered. "It wasn't supposed to rain today."

"Well, then, I suppose it's time to pack up," Kendra stood and brushed off her dress. The furry overcoat let the few raindrops slide right off.

"Wait," Garreth stood. "I mean yes, we should pack up the picnic so it doesn't get wet. But we should stay."

"Stay where?" Raindrops picked up their pattering on the checkered cloth. Staying in the rain spelled out hypothermia.

"On this date." Garreth folded up the picnic cloth. "We can ride to the theater back in the city. The guards are on patrol, but they'll eventually make it back as well."

"How are you going to have time to talk to your father if we're spending the afternoon at the theater?"

"Don't worry about that. I'll make sure he lets you stay."

Lightning split the sky and the raindrops increased. Dark clouds began to block out the sun and unease pricked at Kendra's heart. "We can discuss more in the safety of the citadel."

"Fair enough."

The two crossed the shallow water. Kendra picked up her shoes and shielded her eyes as she surveyed the area in which they left their horses. Glory nervously whinnied at the sight of Kendra. "I don't see your horse, Garreth."

"Storm must have spooked it."

Kendra stroked Glory's mane. At Garreth's quietude, she glanced back. Basket in hand, he awkwardly stood.

Silence stretched as Kendra came to terms with what she had to suggest. "Do you want to ride with me?"

"And here I thought you'd never ask." He walked over to her side. "Do you want me to steer?"

Glory's muzzle brushed against Kendra's fingers as she soothed the steed. "No, that's alright."

Once the horse calmed, Kendra patted the saddle. Water greased the leather. "You can ride behind me, but that means you need to hop on first."

Once Garreth scooted the farthest he could back, Kendra hooked a hand on the saddle's horn and swung herself on top. It was quite hard with increasingly wet and heavy skirts. Even though Glory had a fairly large saddle, it wasn't meant for two people. They were tightly packed and had to leave the picnic basket, with a promise to send someone to get it later.

Branches stung Kendra's arms as they thwapped by. The rain limited visibility, clouds blocked out the sun, and uneven terrain marred the forest. Without the other horses to guide Glory, the stallion had gone on a unique path. A decidedly more dangerous and unpleasant path, especially combined with the rain.

However, despite the cold, wet conditions, warmth blossomed from where Garreth's arms clung to her waist and where his chest pressed to her back.

What a novelty.

Kendra would be hard-pressed to find a time someone hugged her recently. With every exhale, she tranquilized.

When he noticed a landmark, Garreth leaned his mouth to her ear to communicate directions. His breath cozied along her neck.

She felt warm, safe, and—

And flying!

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thank you for reading!

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