Page 10 of The Abandoned Princess

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I came back to my senses to jolting movement and discomfort in my arms and legs. As more of my awareness returned, I realized there was discomfort almost everywhere.

It only took me a moment to understand why. I was sprawled awkwardly in the back of a cart, my arms and legs twisted because of the ropes securing me to the bed of the cart.

I had been first enchanted and now abducted by a woman with unknown intentions. I had thought Lori was being overly anxious, but it turns out she had wildly underestimated the potential danger.

“This,” I muttered in a thick, groggy voice, “is not the adventure I was hoping for.”

I could almost hear Millie and Teddy in my head, saying I told you so!, so I forced myself to shake my head and sit up, taking better stock of my surroundings.

I was no longer in or near the rest shelter. My thoughts flew to Lori, my heart contracting. But if I’d woken up, she must have as well. She would be frantic with worry, but at least she wouldn’t be dead.

I pushed myself up far enough to see my abductor sitting in the front of the cart, driving. But even without attempting it, I could see that the ropes tying me wouldn’t stretch far enough for me to reach her.

I turned my attention to the ropes themselves, but with my hands firmly tied together, I couldn’t get the right grip to undo any of the knots. And there were many knots.

I sighed loudly enough that the woman glanced back at me. When she saw me awake, she had the audacity to smile, as if she was a friend, greeting me after an ordinary nap.

I was used to observing people—as a princess, I’d had the opportunity to observe a great many—but I’d never encountered anyone like her. I tried to assess what I knew or had guessed of her, but there was little to go on.

She appeared around thirty, although it was possible she was older. And she was attractive enough in a generic sort of way that didn’t draw especial attention.

The perfect person for a spy, my brain supplied unhelpfully. Pleasant enough to make people want to assist her, but not beautiful enough they’d remember her.

“What’s your name?” I asked, needing an anchor to pin my thoughts around.

“Eulalie,” she replied after a second’s pause. “It’s old-fashioned, I know. My parents had a taste for unusual names.” She paused again. “And what’s your name?”

“You don’t know it?” I asked, still not quite able to believe she’d really picked me at random after a chance meeting on the road.

She shrugged. “Your companion never mentioned it in her conversation.”

“It’s Daisy,” I said after my own pause for consideration.

“Daisy?” Eulalie rolled it around on her tongue. “When you said there would be multiple kingdoms looking for you, I thought you must be royalty. I’ve never heard of a Princess Daisy, though.”

I bit my tongue, unwilling to tell her my true identity. Those who knew me might call me Daisy, but in the official records I was Princess Margaret. That’s assuming she even knew the royal trees of the kingdoms across the water.

“Oh, look,” she said suddenly. “Another test.”

I stretched higher so I could see what had caught her attention over the horse’s head. Ahead of us, a cluster of buildings had appeared on the road. We were approaching a town.

“How long have I been asleep?” I asked, not expecting her to answer.

“Only a few hours,” she said with surprising candor.

I looked instinctively behind us, wondering if Lori had woken up as well.

“There’s no one there.” Eulalie sounded amused. “But feel free to try to escape while we’re stopped in the town. We can linger there for a few hours to give you a good chance.”

I stared at her.

She glanced back at me again and laughed. “I really mean it. I honestly want you to try your best.”

“Because this is a test,” I said slowly, and she nodded.

I wanted to spite her—to tell her I was going to lie silent and unnoticed in the back of the wagon. But I couldn’t bring myself to do it.

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