your small hips and draws attention to your elegant long neck. And the veil is short enough that it barely brushes your chin. Your other one hid everything that was womanly about you. You’ll have to forgive me, but when you first walked in here, I thought you were an evil spirit come to whisk me away.”
“You don’t know how close you were to being right.”
“Make sure you get back before dark. It’s not safe after dark,” Miss Sou warned.
Stepping out of the shop in not only my new dress but new shoes, I felt lighter and had a little bounce in my step. Feeling free, I wandered the streets without a chaperone, guard, or lady-in-waiting. Now that I was no longer the walking epitome of death in black, I actually gained a few appraising looks from passersby. Miss Sou was right; my other dress did little to accentuate my assets. But living in the tower, we weren’t trying to find a husband—we were studying, training, and learning. Knowledge was power, and power was always our goal.
Strolling through the marketplace, I picked up a few books from a vendor, a sweet roll, and candy. We never had the money to blow on candy, and it wasn’t something readily available in our town of scalawags and misfits, so I was thrilled to tuck the small bag of hard candy into my skirt pocket.
A chill was coming on, and I noticed the sun had sunk lower toward the horizon. It was time to head back. Quickly I rushed back to the dress shop to see it had closed for the evening. The horse was still there, though I didn’t see any evidence of Prince Xander or Gaven.
Pursing my lips, I debated what I should do. Yes, it was silly of me to have wandered off without my guards, but they weren’t really there to protect me, more to make sure I didn’t commit harm to the public. They had also abandoned me and left me on my own.
Sighing, I retraced my steps to the town square and noticed most of the market had begun closing as well, and the streets were emptying as the villagers went home to prepare dinner. There was no sign of any of our party.
It was only a mile or so. I could find my way back—I hoped.
My elated feeling gone, I mounted the horse and began the long journey back to the manor. It seemed like a fairly easy jaunt, if I remembered right. There were only two turns, or were there three?
A loud rustle in the forest startled a flock of birds, and they flew right up in my face. Startled, I yanked on the reins too hard, causing the horse to rear. I lost my seat, falling to the ground. My vision spun as the wind was knocked from me, and my magnificent steed raced off into the woods without me.
Grumbling, I pulled myself up and dusted off my new skirt. I would have to travel the rest of the way on foot. My new shoes pinched my toes painfully, but I picked up my pace, trying to hurry. The sun had almost set, and I shivered knowing I would be making the rest of the trek in the dark.
In the daylight, the woods didn’t seem as threatening, but as night fell, I couldn’t help but worry. The darkness surrounded me, and I felt a chill in my bones. I created a mage light to brighten my path as I walked back in the direction I thought led to the manor.
The thundering sound of hooves came up behind me, and I moved off the road into the tree line to let the rider pass. The horse thundered by, kicking up dust in the road. Recognizing the rider as Prince Xander, I stepped out of the woods just as he passed.
He reined in Nova, who didn’t enjoy the sudden change in speed, then turned around and cantered back to me. He did not look pleased, his brows furrowed, his mouth pinched together in anger. “What are you doing?”
“Taking an evening stroll, obviously,” I said sarcastically.
“Why are you alone? Why didn’t you wait for my return? Don’t you understand it’s not safe to be out after dark?”
“I’m not scared of the dark, and I had no reason to believe you would return for me.”
“You’re my charge. I have a right mind to leave you here and let the beast take care of you.”