Wump. Wump. Wump. "Coco?"

Coralina groaned. She pulled the coverlet over her head to muffle the assault on her door.

Wump. Wump.  "Coco, it's Ari."

"Go away, Ari!" Coralina growled. She didn't care if she missed breakfast or was late getting to the throne. After last night's catastrophe, she could sleep until midday.

"You have a visitor," Arialain said behind the door. "Gord the carpenter."

Coralina sat up so quickly her vision blurred. "Gord?" For a bewildering moment she thought he was standing in the corridor, ready to walk into her chamber.

"He's waiting for you outside the castle," Arialain said.

Coralina's head cleared a little. "Tell him I'll be down shortly. I need a few moments to dress."

Forty-five minutes later, Coralina stepped out of the castle. She had chosen a simple gown of solid lilac, trimmed with white lace at the ends of the sleeves. She had tucked small purple flowers into her curls, and her feet into slippers of white satin.

To her amazement, Gord smiled when she appeared. "Can you see me?" she asked.

Gord gave his hearty, textured laugh. "Do you know you say that whenever we meet?" He stood on the dirt path outside the castle's main door. Alone.

"Your tunic!" Coralina cried. She'd never seen him wear anything but brown or gray, but today his tunic was dusky blue.

Gord smiled again. "I don't wear this much. For church, normally."

Coralina nodded. "It... it looks well, Gord." She wondered if he'd worn the tunic for her benefit and felt absurdly glad about it.

Gord bowed his head. "Thank you, my lady. I came to rehearse our lines."

"Oh! Splendid!" Coralina turned for the door but Gord shook his head. "Not on the stage. What if we walked in the forest?"

Chills rippled through Coralina's spine. "Even better." She grinned. "We'll take the Wending Way!"

She led Gord across the clearing surrounding the castle to the edge of Lumen Forest. The Wending Way was a hidden trail that trickled down the hill like a wandering brook, never lingering in one direction. It was perfect for a scenic stroll – especially with a man.

They slipped between two trees onto the sheltered path. The air had a cooler touch and smelled of damp earth. White ribbons of morning light slanted between the massive trunks and the brisk chatter of birds crowded the canopy.

Coralina walked beside Gord, close enough to feel companionable, but not touching. The nightmare by the lake seemed like part of another lifetime. Kerrick had spent an hour pouring out his broken heart to Maelyn in the kitchen. Coralina had not been present, but when Maelyn found her later, she had some firm opinions about Coralina's treatment of Joc's son. Then came the thunderclap: she was giving consent to the marriage.

"I never said I was going to marry him!" Coralina said with horror. "Not specifically, anyway."

"You've led him to believe it. It's time you took responsibility, Coco. Either tell him you will marry him, or tell him that you never will. And do it now."

This didn't agree with Coralina. "What happened to you wanting only princes for us?"

"I want Joc's son out of pain," Maelyn said with biting anger. "Now go talk to him."

So Coralina had gone to the kitchen and told Kerrick they could set a date for the wedding after her play was over. He had left looking sullen, but otherwise mollified. She would figure out later how to get out of this.

"You're very quiet, my lady," Gord said as they continued downhill. Coralina shook her head. "Forgive me, I had a difficult night. But it's nothing!" she added quickly, not wanting to explain. "I'm well now."

Gord gave a slight nod and smile, and she found the gesture charming. She was tempted to take his hand but decided not to force her luck. His coming to see her was miracle enough.

Pebbles and twigs prodded her feet through the thin slippers. Maelyn often admonished her for not wearing boots out of doors, but she seldom listened. Boots weren't pretty, and it was too hot anyway.

"There's something I'm curious about." Gord touched the gray trunks as he walked, to guide his steps. "Do you write the plays you give at the castle?"

Coralina stepped over a bulging root. "I do! Mother used to write them and I would offer ideas. Later, she thought my ideas were better than hers and taught me to write the plays myself."

To her delight, Gord looked impressed. "You have talent. My wife enjoyed your plays. It's kind of you to allow the peasants to come."

"Oh, that was Maelyn," Coralina said grudgingly. "Mother gave the plays to amuse her friends. But under Maelyn's rule, the theater is open to everyone, not just nobles."

Gord smiled. "I think you must enjoy the larger audience."

Coralina laughed. "The peasants are a better crowd! They laugh and cry and cheer without restraint. The nobles act as if they're not allowed to smile. Oh! This way!"

She gave Gord a slight push before he stepped into a pond smothered in water lilies. The path arched around the pond and continued to zigzag downward.

"Is that what you hope to do with your future? Write plays?" Gord asked.

"My future?" The question seemed strange to Coralina. "I'll marry a prince and become a queen, I suppose."

"And then?" Gord asked softly.

"Then?"

"Even a queen needs something to fill her days."

Coralina didn't know what to say. She never thought about her future. It struck her that Gord showed great kindness in asking. He who had nothing but blindness ahead of him, concerning himself with her welfare.

The forest grew darker as they descended through thicker groves and Gord slowed his steps. Coralina began to watch the path for any large stones he might trip over.

"There's something I've been curious about," she said. "But I hesitate to ask."

"Is there a stream nearby?" Gord asked. "I hear water."

"Yes, just there, running by the trail. When it rains, it floods over and blocks our way. But today it's low."

Gord nodded. "Ask your question."

Coralina looked at him. "Your wife," she said carefully. "You said she was like me. Do you mind if I ask – OH! OHHH!"

She crumpled to the ground in shocking pain. Something hard and fiercely sharp had pierced through her slipper, impaling her foot.

Searing pain ripped through her sole. Coralina clutched her foot to look underneath. A large black seed with hard spikes had sunk into her flesh. When she yanked it out, blood soaked into her white slipper.

"Oh! Oh my foot!" Coralina covered her mouth and wept. Gord crouched on the dirt and peeled away her bloody slipper. He raised her foot gently to squint at the wound. "It's bad." He frowned. "It's deep. Do you have a handkerchief?"

Coralina drew one from the bosom of her gown and Gord wrapped it around her foot. He picked up the seed. "Devil Pod. They grow near water. You should have had boots."

Coralina groaned. The wound throbbed as if her heart were beating right inside her foot. Maelyn had always warned her something like this would happen. She'd be so pleased.

"Looks like I'm carrying you home again," Gord said. His hands slid behind her shoulders and knees and lifted her easily. Not like a sack of grain this time, but as a man carries his bride.

Coralina rubbed away her tears. "Hideous pod." Her panic had subsided. Heidel would know how to treat the wound. And the warm cradle of Gord's arms was an unexpected comfort.

He turned back up the trail. "Watch for me. So I don't carry you into a tree."

Coralina nodded. But it was difficult to watch the path when his face was so close. She felt as if she wanted to look at nothing else.

How was it she ever thought him plain? He was beautiful. Every feature suited him perfectly. From his rich brown eyes to his sensitive smile to his overgrown stature that seemed to match his magnanimous heart.

He walked slowly, watching the ground. Now and then, Coralina pointed out a large root or shrub to avoid. The forest lightened as they moved upward.

Gord looked at her and chuckled. "Princess... I can see you."

"Can you?" Coralina said. Gord smiled. "I can see your eyes." He held her gaze a few moments and Coralina forgot everything, even her bleeding foot.

Gord continued up the trail. "Well. Shall we rehearse our lines?"

Coralina laughed out loud. "Like this?"

"We've got time."

They rehearsed their lines until they flowed smoothly. Never, in eighteen royal years, had Coralina known a happier morning. With Kerrick, with Luxley, with any other man, she felt pleased. Pleased by their devotion and admiration. With Gord she felt happy. She never knew there was a difference.

She wanted to curse the castle when it rose into view, ending their walk. As Gord reached the main door, Jaedis stepped out, bearing a large basket for her trip to the market. She looked at them with blank surprise.

"The princess has injured her foot," Gord said. "She needs attention."

"Look at it, Jade!" Coralina pointed her bandaged foot at the sky. "I stepped on a thorny seed! But my hero carried me home." She grinned at Gord.

Jaedis pushed the door open. "Take her to Heidel." The stiffness of her tone surprised Coralina. As Gord stepped inside the castle, she glanced at Jaedis over his shoulder.

And found Jaedis staring back in absolute disgust.