I WOKE UP to crisp white linens, wearing a soft nightgown that brushed the tops of my ankles, and my hair was still in braids that a maid, Miss Myrina, had done last night after supper. The fresh smell of sawdust and crackling smoked wood wafted through the air, along with shafts of sunlight from the rising sun that turned trees outside my window vibrant shades of orange and red.

I was still in Larnwick, but I wasn't alone.

Guilt crashed into me when I remembered dinner last night, and my best friend. I should've gone after her. If our roles were reversed, she would've snuck into my room to make sure I was okay. Instead, I left her alone, in an unfamiliar place, while I let myself get swept up in the fantasy of it all.

Someone knocked on my door, then pushed it open. It was the same young woman from last night, Myrina. She curtsied as soon as our eyes met. "Good morning, My Lady. I brought breakfast and a note from His Highness."

A note? Was that the medieval version of a good morning text? Myrina brought in a tray of food with a small ivory envelope and set it on my vanity across the room. "We wanted to offer the same to Lady Joan, but she sent all of her maids away. She said she wanted to be alone."

"I'll check on her after breakfast," I said. "She left supper last night feeling unwell."

"Of course," Myrina said with another bow. Then she lingered, and even rolled onto her toes when I reached for the letter. The paper was delicate, held together by a red piece of fabric and sealed with ruby wax. It fell open in my hands when I gave the ribbon the lightest tug.

Dearest Claire,

I hope this letter finds you well and your heart as full as mine after our conversation last night. While I couldn't take you for a walk in the gardens after supper, because as you pointed out the lack of light would make sightseeing difficult, I would like to extend an invitation for you to accompany me into town for the setup of the Autumnal Festival. I think it is the perfect opportunity to see Larnwick in all its glory.

As I said before, I am at your mercy.

Elric

I reread the letter several times, just to make sure I knew what he meant. "His Highness asked me to attend the festival setup," I told Myrina, who was much closer to me than she had been before.

Myrina's eyes widened. "How wonderful! It is an honor indeed to accompany His Highness while he oversees the festival setup. We must get you ready for the occasion!"

"The occasion?" I couldn't help but ask. "It's just the festival setup, right?"

"Yes, but it's one of the few tasks His Highness takes most seriously. He's never invited anyone before. Eat your breakfast while I inform the prince of your company and find some dresses for you to choose."

I smiled and nodded as she flitted out of the room, like I understood what she meant, when I really had no clue at all.

#

My hand would bruise by the time I stopped pounding on Jo's door. "Jo! Please open the door. Come on!" I yelled.

"My Lady," Myrina gently said. "You're going to be late. The prince is waiting."

"I can't go," I told her. I couldn't leave without talking to my best friend, even if she refused to see me. "I shouldn't have accepted the invitation in the first place."

"Forgive me for speaking out of turn, My Lady, but it would be rude of you to cancel now. Myself and the rest of the maids can let Lady Joan know of your whereabouts. She told the maids earlier she was resting. Surely you want to give her the time to gather her strength?"

Maybe she was asleep. Jo was a night owl by nature, and the deepest sleeper I'd ever met. She probably was trying to sleep everything off. But still... "Promise me you won't leave her side, even if she begs you to," I told Myrina. "I want to make sure she's okay."

Myrina nodded and ushered me down the hall before I could change my mind. By the time I saw the small carriage and two white horses standing at the ready outside, and a handsome prince leaning against it, I couldn't turn back. Guilt lingered at the edges of my consciousness, but when Elric walked toward me, my focus zeroed in on him.

Then he tripped over a rock.

I reached out to steady him before curtseying, and he burst out into the most joyous laugh I'd ever heard. It was rich and infectious. "Well, that was as suave as I wanted it to be," he admitted, which made me laugh harder.

"Careful, Your Highness, we wouldn't want you falling for me," I joked back, then cut myself off short. My eyes widened. "Falling to get to me, I mean. I – I mean falling –"

Another one of Prince Elric's laugh filled any awkward spaces. He placed my hand on his elbow and led us to the carriage. "I think I'll have to make a habit of it, if it gets you this flustered."

I sighed. This was already a disaster. "Sorry –"

"Don't be," Elric said as he helped me onto the carriage. "I find it adorable."

Adorable? I was going to die. A blush warmed my cheeks, especially when his arm brushed against mine after taking a seat beside me. "In fact, I must be the one to apologize. With my misfortune of clumsiness, I didn't get a chance to tell you how beautiful you look today."

"Th – Thank you, Your Highness. You do, too." I said, my ears burning as Prince Elric pressed his lips together to hide a smile. "Handsome! I meant handsome."

And then I realized we were being watched. The carriage was handled by a footman, but there were also two guards stationed on either side. One of them was Sir Nico, dressed in his familiar dark leather gear and cape. "I think he's quite beautiful, too," he told me.

I needed to shut up. If I said one more awkward thing, I would die of embarrassment. Instead, I turned my focus on the bright red and brown colored leaves as we rode through the mountain. Elric pointed out the narrow entrances leading to the trails that he rode Viv on, and on occasion, hunted. For monsters or wild game, he didn't specify, and I wasn't sure I wanted to know.

"There's a lovely wildflower clearing through the southern trail," Elric explained, leaning toward my side to point out the barely visible cut between fiery orange trees. I was acutely aware of the arm he rested on the back of my seat in chills running up my spine. Slowly, I turned toward him, my heart stopping when I realized how close we were. Just inches apart. If I leaned forward a little more, our noses would brush. Elric smiled, the green in his hazel eyes twinkling in amusement, like he knew it too. "I would love to show you some time."

"Your Highness, Lady Canterwell, we are nearing Norcrest," Sir Nico said, ruining the moment, but he was right. The stone buildings stretched up over the carriage, and a few townspeople stirred at its arrival. But they didn't rush up to us like they had before. Instead, they were busy with the preparations of the Autumnal Festival.

Norcrest seemed to have changed overnight. Stalls had been built and decorated with multicolored tents, with people hanging signs that listed their goods out front. Stands held jewelry, clothing, and pottery, or blacksmiths molding iron into swords and armor.

Word of Elric's arrival spread fast, because by the time the carriage had stopped and Elric helped me down onto the street, people shouted their greetings. They offered him free goods as he led me further into the marketplace, and when he declined, they turned to me expectantly. Nico kept close, pushing any rowdy people or chickens away that threatened the small invisible barrier between us and them.

"Please, Lady Claire, take any piece of jewelry your eye catches," an old woman said from behind her booth when Elric was rushed by an event coordinator. I surveyed the splay of goods she laid out just as Elric stepped up beside me, his body barely brushing mine.

"Everything is so beautiful," I told the woman, and Elric.

"Which is your favorite –"

"Prince Elric!" another knight shouted. Nico glared at the knight's rushed approach, making him stop short and bow. "I apologize for interrupting, but His Majesty is requesting your presence back at the castle."

Elric frowned. "But I told him –"

"He apologizes for cutting your outing short," the knight said, "but he explained it was of the utmost importance."

Prince Elric sighed, then turned to me. My heart fell. "Forgive me, Claire. I fear my time with you is cut short. Please stay, and enjoy the festival. While I cannot be your guide, Nico knows the festival as well as any of us."

"It would be my honor, My Lady," Nico said, offering a smile.

I smiled back at him, then nodded to Elric. "I understand. Perhaps we can pick up again later."

"I look forward to it," Elric replied, kissing the back of my hand before he had to leave.

Then Nico and I were left standing in the middle of the marketplace. I took it upon myself to break the silence between us. "His Highness is quite a gentleman. I can see why everyone is so fond of him."

"Prince Elric takes pride in his work and his people," Nico replied, smirking at me. "Some people more than others."

"Sir Nico, if I'm hearing you correctly, I do believe you're calling the prince a philanderer," I teased.

Nico chuckled. "He's never been shy about what he wants. He seems more passionate about you –"

I didn't hear him, more focused on the small, stout man shoving a pink crystal into his messenger bag. Without paying. "That man –" I gasped, pointing to him. "That man is stealing!"

"Sir!" Nico called out to the man, but everyone went on their way without a second glance, including the thief. No one would catch him. I pushed through the crowd and reached him before Nico.

I grabbed at the tattered wool of his cloak, stopping him short. "Excuse me," I said.

"Stop him!" Nico bellowed behind me. "Stop that man!"

The thief's eyes widened, then narrowed on me. My heart raced as he wrenched himself away from me, and I reacted. I recoiled my arm back and felt his nose collide with my knuckles.

Holy crap! I punched him! Holy –

Pain. Fire raced up my hand. "Shit," I hissed, shaking out my hand as I looked at the man. He was pissed. Unlike when Jo hit Elric, the thief stayed upright. He even lifted his arm up to return to punch, but two guards grabbed him before he could followed through.

"Tell me, My Lady. Is your inclination toward violence a familiar Canterwell trait, or regional of Velein?" Nico huffed as he drew me away from the crowd. Once we were on the outskirts of those gawking eyes, he took a look at my hand. Nico's face turned blurry as my hand laid limp in his big, calloused one. He gently flexed every finger of mine, making me hiss and twist away from him in pain. "You may have broken it. Come along, I think it may be best we reach the castle before our newest prisoner. I'd like to tell the Prince the full story before the rest of the staff."

I followed the knight with my hand to my chest. Treacherous tears ran down my face. "I can't believe I did that. I made a fool of myself. I've never done anything like that before! That's not who I am!"

"I can see that being more Lady Joan's specialty," Nico agreed. He helped me on his gray-dappled horse. He grabbed my elbow, turning my attention to him. "You stopped a thief, and because of you, those people won't have their livelihoods ruined. As for the thief, he'll live his days out in the darkness of our cells. Handless."

My jaw dropped. "Handless?"

He grinned. "That was a joke. Now, let's get you to the medic before your hand swells anymore."

So much for promising Jo that we'd get out of Larnwick without further incident.