David POV

***

I'm never going back.

I decided that when I ran away 5 years ago.

My mother died soon after I was born, and my father was killed when I was 13. I wasn't nearly ready to be a king. I had no interest at all in ruling a kingdom. Besides, I was young. I was afraid.

And so, I ran away.

I've lived in Silversong ever since, under the name of Jason Wing. King Frederic and Princess Ella are the only ones who jnow my true identity, and they've sworn never to tell anyone.

I often wonder about Embergale. After I left, Uncle Steven and Aunt Victoria, who's always insisted that we call her "Stormy", were left in charge. I'm sure that they're doing fine. They must have a child or two by now, children who will grow into fine rulers- unlike me.

And I'm perfectly fine with that.

I walk to the stables, preparing to take Thistle for a ride through the woods. Thistle is the sister of Sorrel, Ella's horse. Whereas Thistle may not be as fast as Sorrel, she's equally clever.

However, when I enter, I see Ella leaning against the wall.

"What happened?" I ask, approaching her.

She sighs. "Prince Dylan is the biggest jerk in all of Spiritwing."

I give her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "Hey, your father said that another princess will be coming next week. She seems to be a lot like you."

At this, Ella seems to perk up. "Really?"

"Well, her brother's coming with her..." I admit reluctantly.

Ella slumps back against the wall. "When will Father understand that I don't. Want. To. Get. Married!"

"Princess Ivy feels the same way." I say, smiling a little. "I have a feeling that you two will get along well."

"Perhaps she could join me on my quest. We could run off, escape from all of this forced love." Ella laughs. "Could I trust you to cover for us?"

"Certainly!" I smile. "Of course, your father would find out eventually and murder me for letting you go, but..."

"And then the word of your death would spread to Embergale, and they'd be mad at Father, and then Silversong and Embergale would be locked in a particularly violent war..." Ella continues. "I suppose I'll stay."

"Well, who knows?" I ask. "Maybe this prince will be the one."

Ella shoots me an extremely skeptical look, and I cough to cover up my laugh.

"At least I have a week to prepare" Ella mutters. With that, she leaps onto Sorrel, riding towards the cold-but-not-frozen lake.

Mounting Thistle, I ride off in the opposite direction, towards the woods. I ride farther than I usually do, squinting my eyes slightly to block out the wind. However, I stop when the trees start to diminish, and the ground begins to become less grassy. If I went any farther, I would be in Riverstem, trespassing into the lands of King Adam, Queen Sarah, Prince Joseph, and Princess Lily.

Just beyond Riverstem was Embergale.

And I would never go back.